Podcasts about sparrows

This week on From the Front Porch, it's a Literary Therapy session! Our literary Frasier Crane, Annie, is back to answer more of your reading questions and dilemmas. If you have a question you would like Annie to answer in a future episode, you can leave us a voicemail here. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 595) or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app. Lizzy: The House of Mirth or The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe The Group by Mary McCarthy Kate: Literary westerns The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzales James Outlawed by Anna North God's Country by Percival Everett News of the World by Paulette Jiles The Border Trilogy by Cormac McCarthy: All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, Cities of the Plain The Plague of Doves and The Round House by Louise Erdrich Close Range: Wyoming Stories by Annie Prioux Plainsong by Kent Haruf The Son by Philipp Meyer Train Dreams by Denis Johnson Butcher's Crossing by John Williams The Sisters Brothers by Patrick Dewitt The Dying Grass by William T. Vollman Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer Rachel: Books about Spain The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafòn A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende The Muse by Jessie Burton Alberto's Lost Birthday by Diana Rosie Homage to Barcelona by Colm Toibin Ellen: Fantasy The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo The Bright Sword (Arthurian retelling) by Lev Grossman Circe by Madeline Miller Starter Villain by John Scalzi Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor Romantasy: A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft  The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson Legendborn by Tracy Deonn A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer l armentrout Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Quicksilver by Callie Hart Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry Lindsay: Literary palate cleansers Humor/memoir Heating and Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb Kid lit Bloomability by Sharon Creech From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. This week, Annie is listening to Tenderness by Rowan Beaird. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Joseph Shorter IV, Beth, Jammie Treadwell, Kimberly, Gene Queens, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins and Cammy Tidwell.

In Episode 222, we explore Luke 12:4-7 and Jesus' profound teaching on the two kinds of fear—and which one is actually worth having. Jesus addresses His disciples as "dear friends"—a tender opening before He says something that sounds hard: "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he's the one to fear." Through guided meditation, discover the two kinds of fear Jesus identifies. The first is the fear of people—fear of what they think, fear of what they might do, fear of rejection, ridicule, and loss. This is the fear that keeps us silent when we should speak, hidden when we should be seen, performing instead of living. It's the fear that gives other people control over our decisions, our words, and our lives. Jesus says: don't be afraid of them. They can harm your body—but that's the absolute limit of their power. They cannot touch what God holds. The second kind of fear is the fear of God. And here's where the passage takes a breathtaking turn—because Jesus immediately follows this call to fear God with the most tender and intimate image imaginable. Sparrows. Five of them sold for two copper coins—the cheapest possible transaction in the ancient marketplace. Essentially worthless by human standards. And yet God does not forget a single one. And then Jesus says something that should stop us completely: the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Not counted—numbered. God knows not just how many hairs you have. He knows each one individually. That is the level of attention, the level of care, the level of intimate personal knowledge that God has for you. This episode explores the profound truth that these two things belong together—the awesome power of God and His intimate, personal love for you. This is the God we're called to fear. Not a distant, indifferent power who rules from a cold distance. Not an angry judge waiting to catch you failing. But a Father who knows every hair on your head, never forgets a single sparrow, and calls you worth far more than a whole flock of them. Here's the truth about fear: when you truly fear God—when you understand how vast and powerful and loving He is—every other fear shrinks. The opinions of people lose their grip. The threats of the world lose their power. The disapproval of others loses its control. Because you realize that the One who holds everything is also the One who holds you. Fear of God doesn't paralyze. It liberates. Learn how to identify the specific fear that has been controlling your decisions, your words, and your life—and how to hold it up against the truth that you are known, numbered, and valued by the God of the universe. Discover what it means to take one step today that fear has been preventing. Experience the freedom that comes from replacing the fear of people with a deeper awe of the God who holds you.

Sparrows are iconic desert denizens of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. They thrive in open arid habitats, with evenly spaced shrubs, trees, and cacti. Historically, these native ecosystems were naturally maintained with frequent, low-intensity fires. But decades of drought and fire suppression have set the stage for hotter, more destructive blazes. We can protect Black-throated Sparrows and their vibrant habitats by preventing overgrazing on rangelands, combating the spread of invasive plants, and restoring a sustainable fire regime to the landscape. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reflections from host Sarah Olivieri ... Is Your Budget Killing Your Major Gifts Program? Many nonprofit leaders I talk to about major gifts describe some version of the same wall. They know the money is out there. They have heard the statistics about wealth transfer and donor-advised funds. They have sat through the trainings. And still, nothing moves. So they go looking for the missing skill. Better scripts. A new CRM. A workshop on how to ask. Here's what I often find when I see an organization trying to do major gifts but struggling. They're actually operating with systems and processes that work against major gifts. Systems like: annual fundraising strategies a schedule of campaigns an annual budget that rewards short-term gifting, which often comes at the expense of building the proper long-term relationship that leads to true, significant, sustainable funding from major donors Relationships operate on systems as well, but these are not the systems that relationships run on. When the wrong systems are in place, people rarely call out the system. They compensate with effort instead. In fundraising, that effort goes into activity that can be measured this quarter. Events. Appeals. Data entry. All of it visible, all of it defensible, and very little of it building the thing that tends to produce seven-figure gifts. A version of this came up on almost every strategy call I had this spring, which is why I was glad to sit down with Bill Crouch and talk it through. Bill has spent more than forty years inside this work, first as a college president raising private money in the shadow of a state flagship, now advising nonprofits nationally. He has lived this work and he has taught it, which is a rarer combination than it sounds. What the conversation gave me was not a new idea. It was a sharper explanation of why the patient approach holds up and why so few organizations are structured to survive the wait. The Annual Budget Is the Clock Everything Else Runs On Start with the operating budget, because everything downstream inherits its timeline. A relationship with a high capacity donor takes eighteen months. Sometimes three years. Bill spent eighteen months getting the first million dollar commitment for a giving group at his own college. Six weeks after that, he had five more, because the first person made calls to friends. Eighteen months of nothing, then five gifts in six weeks. Now put that curve inside an organization that closes its books every twelve months and asks the development office what it brought in. The gap is rarely a matter of discipline. The organization has committed to a reporting cycle that cannot see the work until it is already finished. So the work does not get funded, does not get protected on anyone's calendar, and does not survive the first cash flow scare in month seven. I write and talk a lot about how the layout of your budget shapes the decisions you make, and this is the most expensive version of that. A twelve-month frame makes long horizon relationship work look like underperformance. Then leaders respond to the number in front of them, which is the only responsible thing to do with the information the system gives them. The Desk Always Wins Bill described development work as needing two different capabilities. The technical side, sitting in the office getting things done. And the relational side, out in the world with people. Two skill sets, often two different humans. In a small shop, one person holds both. Ask that person what they did last week and you will hear about the database, the appeal, the grant report, the reconciliation. Not the coffee that took ninety minutes and produced no measurable outcome. The desk wins because the desk has deadlines. The relationship has none. This is a design flaw with a simple mechanism. Every task in the office has a due date attached to it and a visible consequence for missing it. Relationship building has neither. Give one person both jobs and the work with a deadline tends to consume the work without one, week after week, however much that person believes in the relational side. Which means the fix is structural. Protect the time in a way the person cannot trade away, or separate the roles. Telling someone to prioritize relationships more is asking them to out-discipline their own job description. The Mechanism, Named One line from that conversation has stayed with me: "That forces nonprofits to make short-term decisions that hurt long-term strategies." What I appreciate about this framing is that it locates the problem in the design rather than in the people executing it. The short-term decision is the rational one given the reporting cycle. Change the cycle, or build a revenue floor that takes the pressure off it, and the same team will often behave differently. Not much had to change in anyone's character. The structure stopped charging them for patience. Turnover Is What the Design Produces Forty years ago, the number one problem in nonprofit fundraising was development staff turnover. It is still the number one problem. Bill named four causes, and the timeline inside them is the part worth sitting with. It takes about sixteen months for the wrong hire to realize they do not want this job. It takes the supervisor about sixteen months to accept the same thing. So roughly a year and a half of relationship equity walks out the door, and the next person starts from zero with donors who have now been handed off twice. Run that loop three times and you have a decade of fundraising with no compounding whatsoever. The organization has been paying for major gifts capacity the entire time and never accumulating any. And the third cause Bill listed is the one nonprofits could fix tomorrow. The only way to get a meaningful raise in this field is to leave. We hand out cost of living adjustments and call it compensation strategy. Then we act surprised when the person holding four years of donor history takes a call from a recruiter. The turnover looks to me like an output. The design tends to produce it, and hiring better rarely changes what the design produces. If you want to see the same mechanism from another angle, emotional intelligence functions as retention infrastructure inside these teams, not as a soft add-on. Relationship Building Is a Practice You Can Teach Here is the part that gets skipped. The long horizon only pays off if something real happens inside it, and most organizations treat what happens in the room as a matter of charm. Some people have it. Some people do not. Hire for it and hope. Bill asks every high capacity person he meets about their favorite childhood toy. That is the whole thing. A simple question about a toy, and within a couple of minutes he is hearing what someone actually cares about, in their own words, before any case statement enters the conversation. I have been collecting strategic questions for years, and I recently started a separate collection just for get to know you questions. His goes at the top of that list. I asked my next podcast guest the same thing, and it changed the shape of the whole interview. Which tells you something about the mechanism. A good question is repeatable. It can be written down, taught, practiced, and handed to a nervous program director who has never asked anyone for money. Charm cannot. So when an organization decides that relationship building is a talent rather than a practice, it has quietly made that work impossible to train, impossible to delegate, and impossible to sustain past the tenure of whoever happened to be good at it. Bill also brings brain science into how he approaches this, and that tracks. Relationship building, brain science, and psychology go hand in hand. People give when they feel seen, heard, and valued, and there is a physiological story underneath that, not just a sentimental one. Which means the patient work is doing something specific in those eighteen months. Those months are where the ask becomes possible. Skip them and you are asking a stranger. Titles Are Structure Bill told a story about interviewing a researcher at a large university. She had put the institution in her will. She had been there sixteen years. She had identified and researched a donor who eventually gave a million dollars. No major gift officer had ever walked into her office to thank her. Nobody, in sixteen years. She stayed because her children had a tuition waiver. His response to this pattern is to give every person in the development operation the same title: "Every person in the development shop should have the same title. Director of Major Gifts." This makes sense given the setup. A title describes what the organization believes a role is for. When the researcher's title says researcher and the gift officer's title says major gifts, the org chart has already suggested who is doing the real fundraising and who is doing support work. Most people read that correctly and behave accordingly. I coach clients on titles constantly, usually while helping them build a first development department, and my rule is that people should have whatever title helps them do their job best. Bill's version goes further, and I think he is right about it. It does two things at once. Inside the organization, it tells the researcher and the data entry person that they matter, which is the same thing every donor is trying to find out about themselves. Outside the organization, it gives every one of those people a title they can carry into a room and use to build a real relationship. Give everyone the title that names the actual goal, and you have used structure to say something that a values statement on the wall never manages to say. The Board Question That Is Easy to Sequence Wrong Then there is the board, where two incompatible jobs get stuffed into one body. Bill's framing came from a retired chamber of commerce CEO. Most nonprofit boards are made up of sparrows. Sparrows come to the quarterly meeting, sit through staff reports, argue about whether to spend two hundred dollars on a computer, write a thousand dollar check, and buy a seat at the gala. Most nonprofits could not operate without them. Plenty of boards also want an eagle. Someone who can write a seven-figure check. Eagles tend to hate meetings, do not care about the computer, and rarely sit through reports. Put one on your board and within a year they will often either turn into a sparrow or quit. So Bill builds his clients a separate group. Five or six people, all high capacity, meeting twice a year in each other's homes rather than at your facility, with a single agenda item. Which of our friends can we ask. I give the same advice and I get there differently. I do not want money, power, and decision-making consolidated into the same group of people. Your governing board should be the people who want to do the careful, unglamorous work of oversight, checking that nothing is going off the rails. Not the people with the biggest checkbooks, who are usually the furthest from the weeds and the least accountable for the outcome. So give the givers their own structure where giving is the actual job. Two groups, two purposes, no competition between them. This is also why the board chair and executive director relationship works better when the governance lane is clearly drawn. What a Built System Looks Like Build the plumbing first. Here that means a small number of specific things in place before anyone worries about scripts. The CEO carries a real portfolio, ten people or fewer, and treats it as a standing commitment rather than a fourth quarter push. The relational time is protected structurally, not aspirationally. Compensation is designed so that staying is financially rational. There is a revenue floor that does not depend on this year's major gift closing, which is what makes waiting affordable. And there is a group whose entire purpose is giving and opening doors, separate from the group that governs. Fully built or partially built matters enormously here. A partially built major gifts function has all the cost and none of the compounding. You are paying for the staff, the software, and the events, and you are still starting over every eighteen months. Diversifying and de-risking your revenue base is part of the same picture, which is why revenue design deserves attention before the ask does. What This Makes Possible When leaders see this clearly, the fear around major gifts usually drops several notches. The conversation stops being about whether anyone on the team is brave enough to ask a person for a million dollars and starts being about whether the organization can hold a relationship for three years without flinching. That is a design question, and design questions have answers. What can stop being so heavy is the self-blame. Chances are nobody failed at fundraising here. The organization was built with a twelve-month clock and then asked to do multi-year work, and it did roughly what that setup tends to produce. You are where you are, it is what it is. Once the structure changes, the same people, the same mission, and the same donor list start producing something entirely different, because the effort finally accumulates instead of resetting. Doing Work That Compounds This is not about asking bigger. It is about building an organization that can hold a relationship long enough for the ask to make sense. Nonprofits can raise transformational money.They can pay their fundraisers well enough to keep them.They can stop rebuilding donor relationships from scratch every eighteen months. Not by pushing harder, by building systems that hold. About the Guest Bill Crouch is the CEO of BrightDot Fundraising Advisors and has spent more than 40 years helping nonprofits transform fundraising into meaningful, lasting relationships with donors. A former college president, fundraising expert, author, and Honorary Fellow at Oxford University, Bill is the author of Mattership™: Making Donors Feel They Matter, where he shares practical strategies for building trust and inspiring generosity. Connect with Bill: Website: http://thebrightdot.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightdot LinkedIn personal: Bill Crouch LinkedIn Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

On today’s episode, we have Sydney’s alt-pop veteran, Sparrows. Corporeal and fantastical, Jess Nitties microdoses whimsy and manifests her internal worlds. Her music is a tapestry of sound design, weaving familiar pop elements with ornamental percussion. No stranger to the airwaves, she was awarded fbi’s Independent Artist of the Week in 2018. She makes her radio return in lieu of new music JUST around the corner. Jess - let’s get Out of the Box!This episode was presented to you by Nick Hibbs and produced by Alex Kennedy. Out of the Box is recorded at the fbi station in Redfern, which is on unceded Gadigal Land. We pay our respects to Gadigal elders past and present and recognise the ongoing colonial violence committed across this country. Wherever you’re tuning in from in so-called Sydney, the land always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew 10:29-3129 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

56. More Value than Many Sparrows (Luke 12:1-12) 7.26.26 by Church in the Square (Sermon Audio)

Time:AfternoonMinister:Rev. Phil GrotenhuisTexts:Luke 12:1–12Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 10

We're halfway through 2026, so it's time to check in on our reading lives! We're looking back at the goals we set in January, sharing how many books we've read, and revealing the stories that surprised, disappointed, and completely consumed us.We discuss our unexpected Maggie Gates obsession, whether the Fourth Wing series deserves its hype, our plans to continue Red Rising and Shield of Sparrows, and why mood reading has helped both of us read more than ever. We also weigh in on the BookTok debate about whether creators are actually reading every book they claim to finish.Then, we reveal our favorite books of 2026 so far—including Project Hail Mary, The Night We Met, Our Perfect Storm, You Deserve to Know, and Alchemized—along with our biggest disappointments, such as The Shippers, How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates, and The Night Circus.Plus, Kayla has a major personal update: she's engaged! Hear the full story of Tom's Central Park proposal and how he managed to surprise her after a morning filled with suspicious hints.We close out the episode with our reading and podcast goals for the rest of 2026, including finishing several series, tackling our physical TBRs, returning to fantasy reading this fall, and working toward 500 YouTube subscribers.What are your best and worst books of 2026 so far? Share them with us on Instagram or TikTok at @booktalkspodcast.

Dr. Sarah Rockwell from the Klamath Bird Observatory told us all about the Oregon Vesper Sparrow and the efforts to learn more about this imperiled species.  This species may not look like much, but it is an indicator of the health of its habitat and along its migration route. Adventure begins at: 8:30 eBird Trip Report: Show notes Naturalist Journeys - Costa Rica, Oct 15-22 reserve your spot by August 14! Tufted Puffin Walks Rio Grande Valley Bird FestivalBirding The Border Vesper Sparrow, Oregon Subspecies Klamath Bird Observatory Adopt a Tag Klamath Bird Observatory - Oregon Vesper SparrowsBirds/Animals mentioned Vesper SparrowPurple MartinIntro Bird Call: Vesper Sparrow (recorded Washington, June 2025)Outro Bird Call: Purple Martin (Recorded Cannon Beach Oregon, May 2026) Support the showConnect with us at...IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @ErikgoesbirdingFacebook: @HannahandErikGoBirdingEmail us at HannahandErikGoBirding@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.comVenmo: @hannahanderikgobirdingGet a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

The birds don't gather into barns. The lilies don't spin their own clothing. Yet Jesus says both have something to teach us about trust. Financial fear often begins when we realize how much we cannot control. We can plan wisely, save diligently, and prepare carefully—but tomorrow still belongs to God. That's why Jesus' words in Matthew 6 offer such deep comfort for anxious hearts. When Worry Feels Heavy In Matthew 6, Jesus says, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.” Later, He adds, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.” For anyone who has struggled with financial fear, those words can feel heavy. You may think, I know I shouldn't worry—but I do. You worry about the bills. You worry about your job. You worry about the market, retirement, your children, or what happens if the car breaks down, the medical bill comes in, or the paycheck doesn't stretch far enough. And then, on top of the worry, you may feel guilty for worrying. But Jesus is not standing over anxious people simply saying, “Stop it.” Instead, He draws near and says, “Look.” Look at the Birds. Consider the Lilies. Jesus invites us to look at the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. He points us to a world that does not revolve around our control, our striving, our spreadsheets, or our ability to predict every outcome. “The birds of the air” do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. The lilies do not toil or spin, and yet not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of them. Jesus is not saying planning is wrong. Scripture encourages wise preparation and faithful stewardship. But He is exposing the illusion that we are in control. Anxiety often grows in the gap between what we can manage and what we cannot guarantee. We can make a budget, but we cannot control tomorrow. We can save wisely, but we cannot control the economy. We can work faithfully, but we cannot control every outcome. And when we begin to believe everything depends on us, stewardship becomes a crushing burden. Planning turns into panic. Saving turns into hoarding. Responsibility turns into fear. Your Father Knows That's why Jesus tells us to look beyond ourselves. The birds are a sermon in the sky. The flowers are a testimony in the field. Creation itself is preaching the care of God. And Jesus' point is not merely “Don't worry.” His deeper point is this: Your Father knows. Your Father knows what you need. Your Father sees what burdens you. Your Father understands the bills, the uncertainty, the decisions, the pressure, and the fear that wakes you up at night. And if He feeds the birds—creatures that do not bear His image—how much more will He care for you, His beloved child? That does not mean every financial difficulty disappears. Jesus never promises a life without trouble. In fact, He says, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” There are real burdens in this life. There are real needs. There are real moments of uncertainty. But Jesus invites us to face today's trouble with today's grace. Today's Trouble, Today's Grace “Do not be anxious about tomorrow” is not a cold command. It is a tender invitation. Jesus is reminding us that we do not have to live as though the future rests on our shoulders. We do not have to secure our own universe. We do not have to hold everything together. Our Father is already there. So what do we do with financial anxiety? We bring it honestly to God. We name the fears we are carrying. We ask for wisdom where action is needed. We seek wise counsel when decisions feel too heavy. And then, with open hands, we release what we cannot control. We do the next faithful thing today. Our Security Is in God As we do, we remember that our security is not ultimately in our income. It is not in our investments. It is not in our plans. It is not in our ability to foresee tomorrow. Our security is in God—the One who knows what we need, invites us to look at the sparrows, and gives us the grace to trust Him one day at a time. If financial fear and anxiety are weighing on your heart, we'd love to help you explore these truths more deeply through our 21-day devotional, Look at the Sparrows. You can order your copy at FaithFi.com/Shop. And if you'd like to go through it with your church or small group, bulk orders and bulk discounts are available there as well. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I haven't filed my tax returns for a few years, and I want to make things right. I've heard about the IRS “Fresh Start” program. Should I work with a tax relief company, hire a CPA, or contact the IRS directly through my local office? My husband and I are in our mid-60s, and our business is winding down. We have roughly $900,000 to $1 million in real estate, including our home, business building, and another property, plus about $700,000 in stocks and bonds with an advisor. Is real estate considered aggressive or conservative in our overall portfolio? And at our age, how should our investments be allocated? I'm 64 and want to set up a trust to help my assets avoid probate. Should I place only titled assets, like my home, in the trust, or should investment accounts be included too? Could retitling investment accounts into a trust trigger taxes? I also owe about $115,000 on my home. One of my children would like to live there with his kids, and I'd like my grandchildren to have a home if something happens to me. Should the trust pay off the mortgage from my assets, or should I consider life insurance or mortgage protection to cover it? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mao's War on Sparrows and Australia's Emu Conflict Guest: Stephen Moss Book Title: Ten Birds That Changed the World In 1958, Mao Zedong ordered the eradication of the tree sparrow as part of his "Four Pests" campaign, believing it would save grain. The mass slaughter — carried out by citizens banging pots until birds dropped dead from exhaustion — caused an ecological disaster. Without sparrows to eat them, insect populations exploded and consumed the harvests, leading to a famine that killed up to 50 million people. Scientists like Tso-hsin Cheng who tried to warn Mao were persecuted, and China was eventually forced to import sparrows from the Soviet Union to restore the ecosystem. In a lighter but equally revealing tale, Moss recounts Australia's 1932 Emu War, where the military failed to cull 20,000 emus with machine guns. The emus used tactical "guerrilla" maneuvers to outwit the soldiers, proving that human attempts to militarily intervene in nature often end in humiliation or catastrophe. (7)1914 EMPEROR PENGUIN

Somehow this year is already halfway over (!!!!!), so it's time to check in on our reading goals and parts of our book lives.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Litsy Next Chapter Society Book Club Libba Bray books @mysterymanon on Instagram @mother.horror on Instagram @ash.reads.horror on Instagram Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Wuthering Heights (film) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Romanceopoly 2026 @booksandlala on Instagram Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy Sarah J. Maas books New York Times Bestsellers list J.D. Robb books C.J. Box books Into the Blue by Emma Brodie Dead Weight by Hildur Knútsdóttir The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Burn Down Master's House by Clay Cane This Land Is Your Land by Beverly Gage A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman Land by Maggie O'Farrell Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Strangers by Belle Burden Famesick by Lena Dunham Whistler by Ann Patchett Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen books Naked in Death by J.D. Robb Sue Grafton books Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino A Good Person by Kirsten King Alan Opts Out by Courtney Maum Sky Daddy by Kate Folk The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez Dead Beat by Leigh Bardugo Alex Stern series by Leigh Bardugo Taipei Story by R.F. Kuang The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason Partita by Barbara Kingsolver Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus Let's Kiss and Tell by Joss Richard It's Different This Time by Joss Richard What We're Reading This Week: Ann: The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton Halle: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett – The Help by Kathryn Stockett Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-13 | Psalm 69: 8-11, 18-20 | Romans 6:1b-11 | Matthew 10:24-39. Preached for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (2026-06-21).

Big Thunder Topic from Trammin' Episode 307Imagineering just showed off its treasured new animatronic. A pirate with a changing face and a recursive curse! It's a cool technology for sure, but what does this mean for Pirates of the Caribbean? It's changed so much throughout the years. Much has been added, some has been taken away. Sparrows, and barrels, and red-haired girls... it's hard to keep track of it all! So join Captain Kirk & Long John Silver as they search for buried treasure on a cursed new episode of Trammin' - A Disneyland Podcast!Listen to full episodes every other Windsday and topic-only uploads on Big Thunder Thursdays!InstagramTrammin' - https://instagram.com/TramminPodcastChristian Rainwater - https://instagram.com/imrainwaterKirk - https://instagram.com/tramminkirkMusicLocal Forecast - Elevator Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Trammin' - The Disneylanders, Addy DaddyUsed with permission.Character Art & AnimationNadia Dar - https://nadsdardraws.carrd.co/Trammin.comTrammin' is written without the use of Artificial Intelligence.©Trammin' - A Disneyland Podcast

This week we discuss our June book club pick, Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. We had a lot of mixed feelings on this book as well as the movie. Micaela still isn't loving the classics but Hannah and Kyleigh did enjoy this one! We also go through some recent book news and share our thoughts on the F1 season so far.    If you haven't heard yet, we're reading The Poet Empress by Shen Tao for our July Book Club. Grab your copy and join us next month!   Currently Reading: The Poet Empress by Shen Tao Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten Joyland by Stephen King  

Imagineering just showed off its treasured new animatronic. A pirate with a changing face and a recursive curse! It's a cool technology for sure, but what does this mean for Pirates of the Caribbean? It's changed so much throughout the years. Much has been added, some has been taken away. Sparrows, and barrels, and red-haired girls... it's hard to keep track of it all! So join Captain Kirk & Long John Silver as they search for buried treasure on a cursed new episode of Trammin' - A Disneyland Podcast!Listen to full episodes every other Windsday and topic-only uploads on Big Thunder Thursdays!InstagramTrammin' - https://instagram.com/TramminPodcastChristian Rainwater - https://instagram.com/imrainwaterKirk - https://instagram.com/tramminkirkMusicLocal Forecast - Elevator Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Trammin' - The Disneylanders, Addy DaddyUsed with permission.Character Art & AnimationNadia Dar - https://nadsdardraws.carrd.co/Trammin.comTrammin' is written without the use of Artificial Intelligence.©Trammin' - A Disneyland Podcast

Pastor Dennis preaches a message from Psalm 84:1-4

There is so much happening right above our heads that we never even notice. In this conversation with pastor and author Kevin Burrell, we talk about why Jesus told us to consider the birds and what we're missing when we don't. From crows that bring gifts to families that keep bird lists together, this conversation is full of fascinating stories, but it's really about something much bigger: paying attention. It turns out wisdom isn't found by rushing through life. Sometimes it begins with simply looking up. Learn more at ornitheology.com and grab a copy of the lovely book Considering Sparrows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260624dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 You Are Worth More Than Sparrows Sparrows are easy to overlook. They are small, common, and inexpensive. In Jesus’ time, two sparrows could be bought for just one penny. No one built monuments for sparrows. No one wrote headlines about them. Most people barely noticed them at all. Yet, God noticed. Jesus tells us that not one sparrow falls to the ground outside the Father’s care. Then he turns to you and says, “So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” That does not mean your life will be painless. Jesus spoke these words while warning his disciples that following him would bring hardship. Some people would reject them. Some would hate them. Some would even persecute them. Still, they did not need to be afraid. Why? Because their Father saw them, knew them, and treasured them. That is true for you, too. There may be days when you feel small and forgotten. You may wonder if anyone sees what you are carrying on your heart. You may feel like your prayers are too ordinary, your problems too common, your fears too small for God to notice. But Jesus says your Father knows even the hairs of your head. He knows your name. He knows your needs. He knows your weaknesses. Most of all, he knows the price paid for you, not pennies, not silver or gold, but the holy, precious blood of his Son. You are not forgotten, and you are not cheap. You are not outside your Father’s care. So do not be afraid. The God who watches over sparrows is certainly watching over you. Prayer: Father, when I feel small or afraid, remind me that I am precious to you through Jesus. Help me trust your care today. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Please consider writing Fr. Bob a card on his retirement or participating in a tribute video. Cards can be sent or dropped off to the parish office by July 10, 2026. Letters can be mailed to: Fr. Bob Cedolia, 81 S. 13th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Please also consider participating in a tribute video for Fr. Bob. You can share a picture, a message of gratitude or a story with Fr. Bob. The deadline to submit is June 24, 2026. type in the link below. https://www.tribute.co/fr-bobs-retirement/?invite=link Opening: #633 For the Beauty of the Earth Psalm 169: Lord, in your great love, answer me (Mayernik) Presentation: #588 I Have Loved You Closing: #685 How Can I Keep from Singing Organist: Bill Brinzer Celebrants: Father Bob Cedolia and Deacon Frank Szemanski Today's readings (via USCCB): bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading For more information, visit our parish website at MaryQueenofPeacePGH.org.

We're going to start off talking about Christian coffee mugs. Have you noticed that most that fit this criterion are pretty specific types of Bible verses? Yeah, there are definitely some passages that don't end up on a mug, or a t-shirt. Like the passage we're reading today. Some of the things Jesus says here are hard to digest. They don't necessarily fit the image we have of a gentle prophet and shepherd inviting us to join him. They're a bit harsher and direct. Do not be afraid. Jesus says it three times in this little section of teaching. We'll hang here for a few moments. Fear shrinks us. Fear makes us want to hide. Fear tells us to be quiet, to not shake things up or else we're going to lose people; real relationships might disappear. He's trying to tell it like it is, trying to prepare them. Following Jesus is costly. You will be afraid. Then he says the thing about the student not being above the teacher. In other words, Jesus is saying, "If they misunderstand me, they'll misunderstand you. If they mock me, they'll mock you. If they call me evil, they'll call you all sorts of things." We spend way too much time and energy trying to make people like us. But there's a weird kind of freedom that comes when we stop trying to get everyone's approval. We're then free to get down to the business of actually loving people. Then he says the thing about what he tells them in the dark they should speak in the daytime. Faith often grows in the dark. They've been listening to Jesus privately for some months. Now it's time to live it in public. What could that look like? Then he says the thing about not bringing peace, but a sword. We're not talking about a sharp metal thing. We're talking about the truth Jesus brings. It brings division. Not because Jesus enjoys division, people just respond to truth differently. When people give their loyalty to Jesus above all others, even families don't understand. It's why he says the thing about fathers and mothers. Then he says the thing about taking up a cross and following him. The disciples aren't hearing jewelry that they could wear around their neck. They're hearing death. We ought to hear death, too. The death of self. The death of ego. The death of always having to be right. Little deaths everyday until resurrection is possible. We could be afraid. Or we could remember the thing Jesus says about the sparrows. Easily overlooked. Ordinary. But God sees them. And we're worth more than many sparrows. We are known and loved and held by the divine. Sometimes knowing that gives us all the courage we need to follow Jesus. Speaker: Aaron Vis Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39 http://bible.com/events/49626856

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Jesus is saying it very plainly— He's laying it right out there—that His messengers, His apostles, should expect persecution. Jesus even goes as far to say that His apostles should expect being flogged. Should we expect persecution as modern-day followers of Jesus? Join us as we look at a passage in Matthew 10, and along the way we also think about what it means to pledge our allegience to Christ.

4th Sunday after Pentecost Gospel Reading- Matthew 10: 24-39

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

We worship together in-person and stream our service each week. If you would like to watch the entire worship service, it is available to view on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@WPCRICHMOND/streams.This morning, we welcome Rev. Anna C. GheenScripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Matthew 10:16-33

Year A – Pentecost 4; Lectionary 12 – June 21, 2026 Pastor Megan Floyd Matthew 10:24-39 Grace and peace to you from God, our Creator, from the Holy Spirit, our Sustainer, and from Jesus Christ, to whom we belong. Amen. Year A – Pentecost 4; Lectionary 12 – June 21, 2026 Pastor Megan Floyd               Matthew 10:24-39 Grace and peace to you from God, our Creator, from the Holy Spirit, our Sustainer, and from Jesus Christ, to whom we belong. Amen. *** Happy Father's Day! …this is not the text I would have chosen for this day, but that is the beauty and challenge of following the lectionary. …we don't get to shy away from the hard texts. …and we trust that even the hard truths carry good news. So here we are… following Jesus will cause division, even among families. It is uncomfortable… but I think we all know that it is true… and perhaps, I am sure… some of us have experienced this in our own lives. Discipleship will cost us all something, but it never costs us God's love. That is also true. Our text today is the very next lines from the same missionary discourse we began reading last week. Jesus is sending his disciples out to share the good news that the kingdom of heaven has come near… sending them out with compassion to bring peace and healing. And yet, Jesus is honest… he is sending them out like sheep among wolves. Not all will accept this invitation of love and light. This mission is not without tension. It wasn't then… and it isn't now. Jesus states it plainly… following him will create conflict in our lives. Even if you are blessed with a family that all follows the way of Christ together, you are still at odds with much of our culture today. Following the way of Christ means to honor and cherish the inherent value and worth of every living thing… while our culture teaches that greed and personal wants and needs supersede the needs of others, and that some people are disposable… unwanted… and unwelcome. Following the way of Christ and bringing close the kingdom of heaven means we are to be especially compassionate for those who are pushed down and exploited by our systems, while also working to break those systems… and yet… our culture celebrates systems of exploitation where one person can become a trillionaire while millions are starving. Remember what God said in Isaiah 58:6-7… "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin?" …your own kin. This is the way of Christ… to recognize that the other person, no matter how different… is your own kin. This is the way that puts us at odds with our culture because it disrupts systems of power… …it can put us at odds with our families because it places God and love for others as our priority… Jesus isn't glorifying division or the power of the sword… he is saying that sometimes faithfulness has consequences. This is the way of Christ… it is contrary to the powers of empire… contrary to the powers of domination… this is the way of living that landed Jesus on that cross. I think it's pretty rational to look at Jesus on the cross and say… nope… no thank you. I understand… when some turn away in despair… and say it is too hard… it costs… too much. Going against the grain is not easy… it is not irrational to be afraid of the consequences, but Jesus names that fear out loud… and up front… Fear becomes powerful when it stays hidden, but Jesus names the cost of following him so that fear can lose some of its grip… so that the disciples can go… and share the good news that the kingdom of heaven has come near in the person of Jesus. But… it is Father's Day… and this message does not wrap us in cozy familial images… so I want to say this clearly… Jesus is not attacking family. He is, however, reordering our lives… and our priorities. No family, however loving, can ultimately bear the weight of being our deepest source of identity. Our children do not complete us… our salvation does not come from our parents… and no earthly relationship can tell us what only God can tell us… who we are… and whose we are. Jesus has just laid out the hard truth, but in his compassion, he reminds them… he reminds us… that God has his eye on the sparrow, and yet, we are more valuable to God than many sparrows. In the ancient world, sparrows were nearly worthless in the marketplace. They were the cheapest meat the poor could buy. And yet, Jesus says that not one of them escapes God's attention. So do not be afraid… you are a child of God, and loved beyond measure. After September 11, attorney Kenneth Feinberg led the fund that compensated victims' families. Formulas were used – income, age, earning potential. Some lives were assigned values many times larger than others." Later, he reflected that his legal training collided with something growing in him… the conviction that all lives carry equal worth. But our world still measures people that way… measures productivity and achievement… income and status… usefulness to others. Even on a day like today, we measure ourselves as parents… children… providers… Am I successful enough? …Did I do enough? …and I enough? But Jesus has an entirely different system of measurement. Simply put… we have value because we are creatures… just like sparrows… we belong to God. We matter because God made us… and loves us… and because we bear God's image. Our value is not earned… it can never be earned… it simply… is. We are valuable and beloved to God. And because we have God's attention, we will never be abandoned… for even the hairs of your head are all counted. Notice… however… that despite God's attention, Jesus doesn't promise safety… he doesn't claim that discipleship will never come with pain. He is up front about the cost. He says, "Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." (Matt. 10:39) What Jesus promises… is holy attention… divine presence in our lives… he promises that, in a world where no one can ever possibly, fully know another person completely… that God does… God fully knows you better than you know yourself… right down to the number of hairs on your head. And Jesus promises that there is nothing in our lives that falls outside of the circle of God's care… not our joys… not our grief… our failures or our fears. Not even the small, sparrow-sized things… God cares about it all. For God has spoken to us before we could speak ourselves… and claimed us as God's beloved children. Before we could prove anything… earn anything… fail or succeed at anything… God said, "You are mine, and I love you." So, when we know that our Creator holds us so closely in love, then we can venture out with courage into a difficult world. We can remain faithful disciples, even when it costs us something… we can carry crosses. We can lean into the way of Christ when the path would have us go another way… even if that causes strain on our relationships. Because discipleship will, indeed, cost us all something, but it never costs us God's love… God's love is assured. Sparrows and disciples alike – we know God watches us, and in God's sight, there are no unimportant lives. Amen.  

Fr. Jeremiah Caughran Of More Value than Sparrows, Matthew 10.16-33, Romans 5.15-19 In light of being sent by Jesus out to proclaim the kingdom, Jesus warns his apostles of the difficulties they will face amongst the people they go to. This warning extends far beyond the immediate mission they are going on, but expands to include all of church history. There is persecution and mockery faced Christians of all ages. Why does this happen? How are we to respond to these hardships? Jesus reminds us that even in the midst of persecution, we are more valuable than the sparrows and hairs upon our heads, things which God the Father does care about, yet not as much as he cares for us.Image: Sparrows, photo taken by hedera_baltica, license CC BY-SA 2.0. No changes made. Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hedera_baltica/23727592494/in/photostream/

Subscribe to the Better Part podcast today! Gospel reflection for 3-6 year olds for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A.

In this episode, Jesus prepares his disciples for a hard truth: the Gospel often provokes conflict, not comfort, and a sword, not worldly peace. Yet woven through these warnings is a repeated promise—“Do not be afraid”—because the kingdom of God does not depend on your strength, your courage, or your ability to hold on to Christ. The same Lord who knows every sparrow and every hair on your head sends his people into a hostile world with one message worth proclaiming from the rooftops: sinners are forgiven, and Christ's mercy refuses to stay behind closed doors.GOSPEL Matthew 10:24-3924 “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!26 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.32 “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36  and one's foes will be members of one's own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it."Support the showInterested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

We're bringing back our episode with Dr. Chris Moorman on the use of prescribed fire during the nesting season.    Resources: Kilburg, Eric L., et al. "Wild turkey nest survival and nest‐site selection in the presence of growing‐season prescribed fire." The Journal of Wildlife Management 78.6 (2014): 1033-1039. Kilburg, Eric L., et al. "Wild turkey prenesting-resource selection in a landscape managed with frequent prescribed fire." Southeastern Naturalist 14.1 (2015): 137-146. Kroeger, Anthony J., et al. "Northern bobwhite non‐breeding habitat selection in a longleaf pine woodland." The Journal of Wildlife Management 84.7 (2020): 1348-1360. Winiarski, Jason M., et al. "Nest-site selection and nest survival of Bachman's Sparrows in two longleaf pine communities." The Condor: Ornithological Applications 119.3 (2017): 361-374.   Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab   We've launched our second online wild turkey course  ! Enroll in  Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio   Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now!    Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow  UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube   Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!   Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!   Watch these podcasts on YouTube   Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you!    Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube   Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support!   Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!   This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.    Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

We're bringing back our episode with Dr. Chris Moorman on the use of prescribed fire during the nesting season.    Resources: Kilburg, Eric L., et al. "Wild turkey nest survival and nest‐site selection in the presence of growing‐season prescribed fire." The Journal of Wildlife Management 78.6 (2014): 1033-1039. Kilburg, Eric L., et al. "Wild turkey prenesting-resource selection in a landscape managed with frequent prescribed fire." Southeastern Naturalist 14.1 (2015): 137-146. Kroeger, Anthony J., et al. "Northern bobwhite non‐breeding habitat selection in a longleaf pine woodland." The Journal of Wildlife Management 84.7 (2020): 1348-1360. Winiarski, Jason M., et al. "Nest-site selection and nest survival of Bachman's Sparrows in two longleaf pine communities." The Condor: Ornithological Applications 119.3 (2017): 361-374.   Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab   We've launched our second online wild turkey course  ! Enroll in  Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio   Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now!    Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow  UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube   Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!   Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!   Watch these podcasts on YouTube   Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you!    Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube   Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support!   Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!   This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.    Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, we're sharing everything we read in May and what we're hoping to read in June!We discuss our thoughts on Shield of Sparrows, Golden Son, The Shippers, and the surprise books that completely took over Kayla's reading month. Kayla dives into her newfound obsession with Maggie Gates, why Our Perfect Storm might be her favorite book of the year, and why she's ready to reread some all-time favorite romances. Meanwhile, Marisa shares her honest thoughts on The Nightingale, discusses a disappointing thriller read, and talks about balancing a never-ending TBR.We also chat about:✨ The pregnancy trope debate✨ Why some authors become auto-buy authors✨ June reading goals and anticipated releases✨ Off Campus and Elle Kennedy obsession✨ Morning Star predictions and Red Rising theories✨ Summer reading plans and Kindle Unlimited recommendationsBooks Mentioned:Shield of Sparrows by Devney PerryThe Shippers by E.J. SchultzGolden Son by Pierce BrownDust Storm by Maggie GatesFire Line by Maggie GatesPoker Face by Maggie GatesOur Perfect Storm by Carley FortuneEvery Summer After by Carley FortuneCold World by Alicia ThompsonOn Wings of Blood by Briar BoleynBonds That Burn by Briar BoleynThe Nightingale by Kristin HannahIt's Not Her by Mary KubicaThe Deal by Elle KennedyMorning Star by Pierce BrownBlue Jeans Summer by Maggie GatesFirst and Forever by Eve DangerfieldFever Dream by Elsie SilverFollow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Fable: @BookTalksPodcast

In today's BookTalks Podcast episode, we're reviewing Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry and discussing whether this new fantasy romance has what it takes to become the next massive fantasy series.From the worldbuilding and characters to the romance, plot twists, and overall reading experience, we're breaking down everything we loved, what surprised us, and whether we think Shield of Sparrows deserves all the attention it's been getting.Could this be the next fantasy obsession for readers who loved Fourth Wing, romantasy, and epic fantasy adventures? Join us as we share our full thoughts and recommendations.Have you read Shield of Sparrows? Let us know your rating in the comments!Subscribe for weekly book reviews, reading vlogs, fantasy discussions, and BookTalks Podcast episodes.#ShieldOfSparrows #DevneyPerry #FantasyBooks #BookReview #Romantasy

Bridget, Caitlin, and Hilda conclude their coverage of "Rites of the Starling," book 2 in Devney Perry's Shield of Sparrows series. So if you listened to part 1, then you know there were questions about the timelines between Caspia and Odessa, and we promise that we got answers to how they're connected so listen now. But SPOILER WARNING: There may be tears involved.  Join our Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and let's be friends!Instagram > @Booktokmademe_podTikTok > @BooktokMadeMe

We start talking about Remarkably Bright Creatures (with spoilers) around the 22 minute mark. This week we're talking about our March Book Club pick: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt! We had very differing opinions about the book but all really loved the movie! We talk about the movie and book at the same time throughout the episode so make sure you are caught up before listening. We do cover some book news at the start and have to talk about the incredible Michael movie and F1 at the end so there's plenty to enjoy outside of the book chats!   Currently Reading: Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry A Hard Row to Hoe by blessedtoaster Pines by Blake Crouch Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen

Send us Fan MailRites of the Starling, Rites of the Starling, Rites of the Starling…if you say it three times, does The Guardian appear?

Three years of It Gets Good means it's finally time for the ultimate starter pack episode. We're breaking down the books that define our reading taste, the episodes new listeners should start with, our most unhinged opinions and recurring podcast lore, and the moments that somehow became core memories. Whether you've been here since day one or just found us, this is your guide to everything that makes It Gets Good what it is. Consider this your official orientation into the chaos. Currently Reading: A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen  

Bridget, Caitlin, and Hilda give you part 1 of "Rites of the Starling," book 2 in Devney Perry's Shield of Sparrows series, one of their favorite books from 2025. Book 2 in the trilogy does give us new main character POV chapters, so the biggest question our hosts have is how does Caspia's timeline fit with Odessa's? And are they able to figure this out by reading the first 50% of the book ... or will they hae to wait until part 2 to figure it out?  Join our Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and let's be friends!Instagram > @Booktokmademe_podTikTok > @BooktokMadeMe

In today's episode, we are reading one star reviews of some of our recent reads. We did this last year and had fun reading through all the hilarious reviews so we decided to bring it back! Overall we found some really good reviews and tried our best to guess what book they were about. We also had to recap the fantastic F1 weekend in Miami - finally feels like we're back!!   Currently Reading: The Good Parts by Evann Normandin Want to Know a Secret by Frieda McFadden A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

This episode we're discussing Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry. This is the sequel to Shield of Sparrows. Odessa and Evie have been separated from Ransom. They plan to meet up with him in Quentis, but encounter quite a few issues along the way. When they do finally arrive, it is not a warm welcome, they are attacked on multiple occasions and even framed for crimes. It all seems connected to the Vosters. Will Odessa, Evie, and Ransom be able to survive the journey and figure out the secret behind the Vosters magic before the Lyssa overtakes Ransom?A new character is also introduced - Caspia. She is from a different continent and is traveling to avenge her sister's death. However, when she meets Andreas and falls in love, her plans must change. Will she be able to complete her quest? Or will the responsibility fall on Andreas?

A freebie Patreon episode to give you a taste of what we do over there.Henry tells Mike and Ben three stories by the Brothers Grimm.www.patreon.com/threebeansalad

Remember how Danelle and I lost our minds about Shield of Sparrows? Well…that was child's play compared to how utterly ruined we are after reading Rites of the Starling. Is it worth the hype? You betcha!

God can speak through a donkey, so why not birds? This week, the Etcetera gang enjoys a winsome and thought-provoking conversation with pastor/author/birder Kevin Burrell about powerful lessons we can learn from our feathered friends. The post Kevin Burrell | Considering Sparrows | Steve Brown, Etc. appeared first on Key Life.

Spoilers for Shield of Sparrows and Rites of The Starling in Part 2!In this episode, Lexi and Nicole share their reactions to Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry! Part 1 of this episode is spoiler free for Rites of the Starling BUT contains spoilers for Shield of Sparrows. In part 2, LOTS of spoilers for BOTH books as the Fangirls share their favorite moments, the most important things they learned, and allllll the questions they still have for book 3! You don't want to miss this! CHECK OUT THE FANTASY FANFELLAS PODCAST FEED: https://open.spotify.com/show/2JVloDSbL0b6NSeztH88PA?si=cb02cb48bd0e4f7fCHECK OUT THE FANTASY FANREADS PODCAST FEED: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Mb1aFjzrH35xHWfWQHpCM?si=6dbaf579009d4961Check out our recent sponsors: https://www.fantasyfangirls.com/sponsorsJoin the FanClub: https://fantasyfangirls.com/fanclubShop our merch: https://fantasyfangirls.myshopify.com/Support the show through our Amazon Shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/fantasyfangirlspodcastNewsletter: https://fantasyfangirls.com/newsletterWebsite: https://www.fantasyfangirls.com/ Upcoming events:* FFG Live Show Tour Tickets go on sale THIS FRIDAY 4/24 (Wed 4/22 for the FanClub)Chicago, IL 9/9 https://lh-st.com/shows/09-09-2026-fantasy-fangirlsCharlotte, NC 9/24 https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2D006490B4914F06NYC, NY 9/27 https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0000648FD7F4EB72Ballad Release Party Denver, CO - https://events.humanitix.com/ballad-release-partyThe Dragon Gauntlet - Chapter 3: Use code FFG15 at checkout to get $15 OFF!LandCon in Edinburgh, Scotland - https://thelandcon.com/land-con-in-scotland-2/*For all Event Discounts - go to https://fantasyfangirls.supercast.com/subscriber_v2/posts/6891Listen now:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24KydMMzrYfVpDggkFZx4j?si=fd7dc956393041b8Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fantasy-fangirls/id1706179464YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fantasyfangirlsFollow us:Instagram: @fantasyfangirlspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@fantasyfangirlspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fantasy FanFellas: @fantasyfanfellasFantasy FanReads: @fantasyfanreads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SPOILERS FOR SHIELD OF SPARROWSNicole & Lexi walk through everythingggg you need to know about Shield of Sparrows in preparation for the sequel, Rites of the Starling, on April 7th! This episode walks you through the basic world building and main characters, along with the magic systems and monsters found within this story. To prepare you for the sequel, we have a brief recap of Shield of Sparrows and discuss where the story leaves off. And as always, we wrap up with our theories for the next book! We hope this gets you ready for the next book – we know we can't wait!!!CHECK OUT THE FANTASY FANFELLAS PODCAST FEED: https://open.spotify.com/show/2JVloDSbL0b6NSeztH88PA?si=cb02cb48bd0e4f7fArt of the Monsters in Shield of Sparrows: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIT0FNbxZox/?img_index=5Check out our recent sponsors: https://www.fantasyfangirls.com/sponsorsJoin the FanClub: https://fantasyfangirls.com/fanclubShop our merch: https://fantasyfangirls.myshopify.com/Support the show through our Amazon Shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/fantasyfangirlspodcastNewsletter: https://fantasyfangirls.com/newsletterWebsite: https://www.fantasyfangirls.com/ Upcoming events:* Denver Nuggets Forth Wing Night Denver, CO - Sold OutFFG Live Show in Seattle, WA- https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0F006425E9997A20?brand=neptuneseattleBallad Release Party Denver, CO - https://events.humanitix.com/ballad-release-partyThe Dragon Gauntlet - Chapter 3: Use code FFG15 at checkout to get $15 OFF!*For all Event Discounts - go to https://fantasyfangirls.supercast.com/subscriber_v2/posts/6891Listen now:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24KydMMzrYfVpDggkFZx4j?si=fd7dc956393041b8Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fantasy-fangirls/id1706179464YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fantasyfangirlsFollow us:Instagram: @fantasyfangirlspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@fantasyfangirlspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zzz . . . Drift off while Otis reads this Hans Christian Andersen short story – "The Roses and the Sparrows" zzz For an ad-free version of Sleepy, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/sleepyradio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate $2! Or click the blue Sleepy logo on the banner of this Spotify page.  Awesome Sleepy sponsor deals: Avocado: AvacadoGreenMattress.com/SLEEPY for 15% off.  Quince: Go to Quince.com/sleepy for free shipping and 365-day returns BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/SLEEPY today to get 10% off your first month. GreenChef: GreenChef.com/50SLEEPYGRAZA and use code "SLEEPYGRAZA" to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive  Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes. ButcherBox: Sign up at butcherbox.com/sleepy and use code "sleepy" OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code SLEEPY at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.oneskin.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #oneskinpod GhostBed: Go to GhostBed.com/sleepy and use promo code “SLEEPY” at checkout for 50% off! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/otis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices