Podcasts about spires

This episode is a throwback to our very first season as a tribute to Mr. Matt Arrieta who recently passed. Matt was a cowboy's cowboy and always rode for the brand. We hope you'll enjoy this blast from the past and a glimpse into the life of a working cowboy. Rest easy Matt, and we hope you're finding plenty of good horses to ride.

In this solo episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas delivers his definitive guide to Oxford — his favorite city in England outside of London and the subject of his guidebook 101 Oxford Travel Tips and Tricks. From the bleary-eyed chaos of his first visit in 2012 with an angry 16-month-old and the Mini Cooper factory ring road at midnight, to two stays as a student on the Oxford Experience program, Jonathan brings nearly 15 years of personal history with the city to bear on a comprehensive, enthusiastic, and practically useful travel guide. The episode covers how to get there, how long to stay, the Oxford Experience immersive student program, the colleges you must see, the Bodleian Library's remarkable layers, the essential museums, the unrivaled bookstore scene led by Blackwell's and its famous five-mile Norrington Room, Oxford's extraordinary literary connections from Lewis Carroll to Tolkien to Philip Pullman, the day trips that demand your time — including Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds — and the practical tips that will make your visit infinitely more enjoyable. Links 101 Oxford Travel Tips and Tricks by Jonathan Thomas — [Anglotopia Store link] Oxford Experience at Christchurch English-Speaking Union Oxford Course Bodleian Library Tours — bodleian.ox.ac.uk Blackwell's Bookshop Oxford — blackwells.co.uk Oxford University Press Bookshop Scriptum, Turl Street Ashmolean Museum — ashmolean.org Pitt Rivers Museum — prm.ox.ac.uk Blenheim Palace — blenheimpalace.com Rousham House & Garden — rousham.org Didcot Railway Centre — didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk Oxford Walking Tours Morse Walking Tour Oxford The Randolph Hotel (now Graduate Oxford) Friends of Anglotopia ⠀ Takeaways Oxford is Jonathan's favourite city in England outside London — and most Americans either skip it or see it in a rushed half-day bus tour that barely scratches the surface. Two days minimum is the right call; three is better. Oxford is just 60 miles and 40-45 minutes by direct train from London Paddington, making it one of the easiest day trips or overnights in Britain — and you can also get there direct by bus from Heathrow without going into London at all. The Oxford Experience — a residential immersive programme at Christchurch offering one-week courses for adults in July and August — is Jonathan's single highest recommendation for anyone who wants to truly inhabit the city. Courses cost £1,500–£2,000 all-in and include room, board, lectures, and excursions; book in November when the schedule is released as popular courses fill within hours. The Bodleian Library is not one library but several — the Divinity School, Duke Humphrey's Library, the Radcliffe Camera, and the Weston Library — and the best way to see them properly is to book a guided tour well in advance, as they sell out. Blackwell's bookshop on Broad Street is arguably the greatest bookshop in the world — the underground Norrington Room alone has five miles of shelving beneath Trinity College — and Jonathan has never left without spending several hundred pounds. Staff will package books in brown paper and ship them back to the US at reasonable rates. Oxford's literary connections are extraordinary: Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland at Christchurch (Alice was the Dean's daughter); Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met with the Inklings at the Eagle and Child every Tuesday through the 1930s and 40s; Philip Pullman set His Dark Materials here; Oscar Wilde studied at Magdalen; and Inspector Morse has made every corner of the city feel like a crime scene. The Eagle and Child — the Inklings' famous pub on St. Giles' Street — has been closed since COVID and is currently being refurbished by new owners. It must reopen as a pub by heritage law, and is expected to reopen either in 2026 or 2027; keep an eye on the show notes link for updates. If you're in Oxford for even one day, you must go to Blenheim Palace — just eight miles away by bus, the only non-royal non-episcopal palace in England, birthplace of Winston Churchill, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and arguably the greatest country house in Britain. A bus from Oxford drops you at the gates. Jonathan's top Oxford hack: stay for at least one night. By 4-5pm the tour buses are gone, Oxford becomes a completely different city, and the cultural life — theatre, bookshop talks, music — begins. Arrive early to beat crowds at the sights, then save the evenings for culture and quieter exploration. Avoid mid-April to mid-June (exam season, colleges restrict access), avoid July if you run hot (medieval stone buildings have no air conditioning and bake in the heat), and buy a fan the moment you arrive if visiting in summer. September and October are ideal months to visit. ⠀ Soundbites "Most of my early memories of Oxford were driving the ring road at midnight with a toddler who would not go to sleep and who would only stop crying if he was in the car. We drove round and around, seeing nothing other than the Mini Cooper plant every time we went past." — Jonathan on his first trip to Oxford in 2012. "Oxford has this warmth to it — that yellow beige Cotswold stone, weathered and warm. And there's this scholarly, bookish vibe from the place that you don't really get anywhere else. It's not just a campus. Oxford University is the town of Oxford." — Jonathan on why Oxford grabs you. "I was immediately spellbound. I loved it immediately. And that's the thing about Oxford — it grabs you once you visit, and you're walking around this beautiful architecture surrounded by deep, deep history. They don't even know exactly how old the university is. It's over 800 years old. When Oxford was founded, the Aztec Empire hadn't even reached its peak." — Jonathan on falling in love with Oxford in 2016. "There were riots. There was full scale urban warfare in Oxford in 1355 — the St. Scholastica's Day riot. 63 scholars and 30 townspeople were killed. As a result, the town was forced to pay annual reparations to the university in a formal ceremony that continued into the Victorian era." — Jonathan on Oxford's violent town vs. gown history. "You basically get to live as an Oxford student for a week. Morning is lectures, afternoon is tours and excursions, evening is formal dinner in the Great Hall. And one night you're invited to high table — suit and tie, port, mingling with the professors. It's a very quintessentially British experience." — Jonathan on the Oxford Experience programme. "I've never gotten out of the Norrington Room without spending several hundred pounds. Let me just say that. Five miles of shelving underground beneath Trinity College. So many books." — Jonathan on Blackwell's legendary underground bookshop. "The Pitt Rivers Museum is like the Victorian cabinet of curiosities. Dimly lit, quiet — maybe people don't even know it's there. Polynesian canoes, samurai outfits, weapons, armour. A strange and wonderful melange of human culture from all over the world." — Jonathan on one of Oxford's most atmospheric museums. "If you're in Oxford and you don't go to Blenheim Palace, you've wasted a trip to Oxford. It's the only non-royal, non-episcopal palace in England. I would argue it's probably the greatest house in Britain. And a bus from Oxford drops you right at the gates." — Jonathan on Blenheim Palace. "By four or five o'clock in the afternoon, the tour buses are gone. And it's just you and the people who live and work and study in Oxford. Oxford becomes a completely different place. That's when the cultural life wakes up." — Jonathan's key Oxford overnight hack. "Scriptum on Turl Street — if you're a bookish type, you will love this place. Beautiful blank books, journals, diaries, fancy pens. I have a beautiful leather book from there with gorgeous cream pages that I cherish so much I haven't written anything in it. I'm afraid to ruin it." — Jonathan on his favourite hidden gem shop in Oxford. ⠀ Chapters 00:00 Introduction — Jonathan sets up the Oxford guide episode and plugs his Oxford guidebook 01:48 Jonathan's Relationship with Oxford — Brideshead Revisited, American universities, and the Oxford DNA in US campus culture 03:30 First Visit: Oxford 2012 — Diamond Jubilee trip, an angry toddler, and the ring road at midnight 06:20 Second Visit: Oxford 2016 — The train from Paddington, the proper day, and falling in love properly 08:42 A Brief History of Oxford — Ford of the Oxen, Alfred the Great, Henry II, 800 years, and the St. Scholastica's Day riot 13:30 The University Explained — 44 colleges, town vs. gown, the founding of Cambridge by Oxford exiles, and Oxford today 16:10 How to Get There — Train from Paddington, Oxford Tube bus, direct from Heathrow, and why not to drive 19:30 Getting Around Oxford — Walking, taxis, park-and-ride pitfalls, and Tolkien's grave 21:10 Day Trip vs. Overnight — Why staying beats leaving, and how Oxford transforms after 4pm 23:40 The Oxford Experience Programme — Christchurch, Worcester College, the Nelson course, high table, and the Enigma course Jonathan wants to do next 33:15 Accommodation Options — Hotels, staying in colleges out of term time, and the Randolph (Inspector Morse's pub) 35:20 The College System Explained — 44 semi-independent colleges, how to apply, porters, scouts, and visiting hours 38:00 Must-See Colleges — Christchurch, Magdalen, Worcester, Merton, Wadham (Brideshead), and the peculiar All Souls 43:00 The Bodleian Library — Five buildings, Duke Humphrey's Library, the Radcliffe Camera, the Divinity School, and why you must book a tour 47:00 Radcliffe Square & St. Mary's Church Tower — The most beautiful urban space in Britain and the best views in Oxford 48:40 The Ashmolean Museum — Britain's first public museum, the Alfred Jewel, Guy Fawkes's lantern, Turner paintings, and it's free 51:00 The Pitt Rivers Museum — Through the Natural History Museum, the shrunken heads, Polynesian canoes, and the Victorian cabinet of curiosities 53:00 Carfax Tower, Oxford Castle & Prison, and the Covered Market — Views, ruins, Brown's Café, and Ben's Cookies 55:30 The Botanic Garden & Broad Street — Riverside walks, the Martyrs' Cross, and the Reformation in Oxford 56:30 Shopping in Oxford — The High Street, Blackwell's, the Norrington Room, OUP Bookshop, Scriptum, The Last Bookshop, and why to skip the Harry Potter tat 01:03:00 Literary Oxford — Lewis Carroll, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Oscar Wilde, Philip Pullman, Inspector Morse, and the Eagle and Child update 01:09:00 Harry Potter Oxford — Divinity School, Duke Humphrey's Library, Bodleian courtyard, Christchurch Great Hall, and the new TV series 01:12:00 Day Trips from Oxford — Blenheim Palace, the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Rousham House, Didcot Railway Centre, and Bicester Village 01:18:00 Practical Tips — Book ahead, avoid exam season, avoid July heat, arrive early, save museums for the afternoon, walk everywhere, punt the river, visit Scriptum 01:24:00 Wrap-Up — Oxford rewards time and attention; two days minimum, the Oxford Experience if you can, and a call for listeners to share what they love about Oxford Video Version

It's just the two of us.  We dig in for a more traditional episode in shorter form.  Tune in for a little news and some games with Justin and Jason. EpisodeSlay the Spire 2Subnautica 2

While Kyle is away, we got together with the wonderful Adrienne Cowan from Seven Spires to chat about Power Metal, South American shows, the Berklee experience, and achieving a dream gig: getting to work with Roy Khan. Stay Powerful ⚔️ For the impatient: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:14 Sup Nerds 00:01:30 Top 4 Power Metal bands 00:01:56 Video works! 00:03:33 Being lumped in with Power Metal 00:07:08 Studying music at Berklee as a Metal enthusiast 00:13:17 First South American Tour 00:16:11 Contacting Roy Khan for the first time 00:19:19 Meeting Khan in Brasil 00:21:11 Becoming Khan's live band 00:23:27 Kyle's Curse 00:25:32 The South American crowds 00:28:57 Wrapping Up Support us on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/powerfulpodcast Follow us! Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc - powerful. a power metal podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/powerfulpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/powerfulpodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/powerfulpm Music by Fernando ReyEdited by Fernando Rey

By Hershman John Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Usefulness of Hippopotamus: A Humorous Chapbook for Trying Times by Vincent J. Tomeo https://www.amazon.com/Usefulness-Hippopotamus-Humorous-Chapbook-Trying/dp/1639886907 Vincentjosephtomeo.com I am staring at a blank piece of paper, wondering what to write. Where do I begin? My mind begins to wander—pleasant thoughts of Disney’s Fantasia dance in my head. The dancing hippopotamus comes to mind, and this made me laugh. The result: I penned a poem on the hippopotamus from which a chapbook was born: The Usefulness of Hippopotamus: A Humorous Chapbook for Trying Times. One cannot imagine a world without humor. Without humor, the world will be dark, cold, and a sad place, tragically lacking joy, cheerfulness, and laughter. Humor is medicine. During rough times, humor will help lighten and lessen physical and mental anxiety. In challenging times, I chose humor. During the Pandemic, I had to deal with my bladder cancer. In my struggle not to get depressed or dwell in negativity, to find solace, contentment, and peace, I chose to seek out beauty and laugh. In search of happiness, the humor worked its charm, resulting in a treasure chest of joy. So, I wrote my chapbook, The Usefulness of Hippopotamus: A Humorous Chapbook for Trying Times and discovered humor even among the hippopotami! You can, too. Peace & flowers. Love & light. Vincent J. Tomeo, Author/Poet About the author BRIEF BIO VINCENT J. TOMEO IS A POET, AND WAS NOMINATED TWICE FOR PUSHCART PRIZE, ARCHIVIST, HISTORIAN, AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST. VINCENT, IS PUBLISHED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, EVENING STREET REVIEW, COMSTOCK REVIEW, MID-AMERICA POETRY REVIEW, EDGZ, SPIRES, TIGER'S EYE, By LINE, MUDFISH, THE BLIND MAN'S RAINBOW, THE NEO VICTORIAN/COCHLEA, THE LATIN STAFF REVIEW, AND GRANDMOTHER EARTH (VII THRU XI), ETC. TO DATE, MR. TOMEO HAS 1,064 PUBLISHED POEMS/ESSAYS; THE WINNER OF 108 AWARDS; 149 PUBLIC READINGS. AUTHOR OF MY CEMETERY FRIENDS: A GARDEN OF ENCOUNTERS AT MOUNT SAINT MARY IN QUEENS, NEW YORK, AND THE USEFULNESS OF HIPPOPOTAMUS: A HUMOROUS CHAPBOOK FOR A TRYING TIMES.

The Traveller says their goodbyes; and attends the Equinox Wind Festival at the Spires of Undur Samkhag...Plus the reveal of last week's audience vote!Transcript available at www.monstrousproductions.org/travelling-light/tls01-e080This episode's entry to the archives was written and scored by Doctor Lou Sutcliffe with accompanying artwork on Instagram @Monstrous_Productions, Tumblr @Monstrous_Productions and Bluesky @MonstrousPod.For more of Lou's work, check out Eeler's Choice, a maritime fantasy horror podcast with a stunning soundtrack!Submit your own entries to the archive at monstrousproductions.org, by email at submissions@monstrousproductions.org, or through our social media accounts. We accept everything from one-line prompts to fully written entries. See the website for more details.The inbox is now open for your questions for the end-of-season Q&A. Send them in via the usual channels, listed above.----Created by H.R. Owen and Matt McDyre.Written and performed by H.R. OwenTheme tune: Travelling Light Theme by VincaFeaturing sound effects from Snake16547 and 607freesound, accessed through freesound.orgPlus: Electrical hum by felix.blumeAdditional sound by H.R. Owen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Episode 199! This week, a story where a new player repeatedly encounters infinite combos, a dreamy pod with a whiny baby is dismissed forever, and the freedom of letting go of old things and being your true self inspired by... Tergrid? Also, Tony and Mike pitch Sam on Slay the Spire 2, and we might be cringe but we are free. Stay Salty! Sam, Mike, & Tony ____ Buy DragonShield products and our custom sleeves from our affiliate link! Use code "staysalty" all lowercase, all one word for a discount! Find HSM merch on our website and our Bonfire site! Get HSM playmats from our friends at Jank Mats! Use our affiliate link!! Email your salty stories to thehowlingsaltmine@gmail.com! Find links to all our social media pages on our Linktree! Check out our Moxfield! Podcast art by the talented Devin Burnett! @j.d.burnett

Quinn comes to you LIVE from Louisville, KY to discuss nut allergies, Bill the Pony, and another Mummy Movie

In this episode, JF and Phil bring together two visionary essays on the daimonic and the imaginal: Cristina Campo's “On Fairy Tales” and M.C. Richards's “Wrestling with the Daimonic.” What emerges is a conversation about imagination, personhood, and a world shot through with meaning. Notably, this episode opens with a discussion of what your hosts mean by "imaginal." Phil's reading of Richards's essay can be found on our Patreon page. Thanks to Wesleyan University Press for permission to share this with our listeners. Go to Pierre-Yves Martel's Bandcamp page to preorder his marvellous new album, Weird Studies Volume 3. Click here to sign up for JF's seminar on Henri Bergson, happening on the Mutations learning platform on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Click here for details on JF's upcoming Weirdosphere course, "What is Philosophy?". Music in this Episode "Scavenger," from ⁠Weird Studies Vol. 3⁠ "Domes and Spires," from ⁠Weird Studies Vol. 2⁠ References M. C. Richards, American artist and philosopher Cristina Campo, Italian poet and essayist M. C. Richards, “Wrestling with the Daimonic”  Cristina Campo, “On Fairy Tales” Henri Bergson, Matter and Memory William Blake, “Auguries of Innocence” Weird Studies, Episode 8 on Graham Harmon Susan Chang, The Tarot Podcast Ramsey Dukes, The Little Book of Demons “The Boy Who Knew No Fear,” fairy tale  Una Voce, Catholic movement  Franz Liszt, Hungarian Pianist Walter Benjamin, The Storyteller William Shakespeare, Othello  M. C. Richards, Centering Robert Duncan, American poet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the middle of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of veggies. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Madame Rootabega, Valentino, and Bison Bentley. Next show Mike Talks to Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer.

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the middle of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of veggies. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Madame Rootabega, Valentino, and Bison Bentley. Next show Mike Talks to Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer.

​Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the end of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of fame seekers. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer. Next show Mike Talks to Benita, the Disgruntled Fiddle Player, and the Brewmaster.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mike-s-daily-podcast--609595/support.

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the end of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of fame seekers. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer. Next show Mike Talks to Benita, the Disgruntled Fiddle Player, and the Brewmaster.

​Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the end of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of fame seekers. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer. Next show Mike Talks to Benita, the Disgruntled Fiddle Player, and the Brewmaster.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mike-s-daily-podcast--609595/support.

Robin, Joe and Jamie from The Dreaming Spires are in the shed to play some stripped back songs from their phenomenal latest album ‘Normal Town'. Warren and Robin stir up memories of working together in 1998 at Oddbins in Oxford. The conversation then graces across:​a work van, with a sofa in the back, used for touring​Warren's CD copy of Normal Town ​beauty in the normal town​old school Didcot​painting and pottery pieces symbolising the cooling towers​school field trips to the power station​real life​making Dreaming Spires music videos and more in between.“music is love, it bonds people and holds them together in the universe as we're spinning around” - Warren, inspired by the band, their music and friendship. This episode is dedicated to our friend Simon Stocker. His love for music lives on in us. Audio recording, mixing and mastering by Quen.Photos from the session by @ianhanhamphotos can be viewed on Instagram - @shedtreasuresYou can find out more about The Dreaming Spires here:https://thedreamingspires.co.ukhttps://thedreamingspires.bandcamp.com/music@the_dreaming_spires (Instagram)Thank you for listening

Sorry haters, this is a Slay the Spire 2 podcast now. At least for this week. On today's show, Shane pieces together his first successful run, Dave pines for some better intro content, and Stan reminds us of Ball x Pit. We wrap the show with a chat through some new 2026 albums we've enjoyed. Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/ Timestamps: 0:01 - Shane, interrupted 9:16 - You can't multitask/This week's episode 12:30 - Slay The Spire 2, oh wait Ball X Pit 20:40 - Actually Slay the Spire 2 24:06 - It's not so secretly a drafting game 46:56 - What we think about when we think about STS 52:45 - Stan's hot take 56:25 - Kim Gordon - PLAY ME 1:01:40 - Victoryland - My Heart Is A Room With No Cameras In It 1:04:57 - Sunday Mourners - A-Rhythm Absolute 1:07:40 - Twisted Teens - Blame the Clown 1:10:03 - Wrapping up Links from this week's episode: Slay the Spire 2: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2868840/Slay_the_Spire_2/ Mobalytics/STS2: https://mobalytics.gg/slay-the-spire-2 Kim Gordon/PLAY ME: https://kimaltheagordon.com/play-me Victoryland/My Heart Is A Room With No Cameras In It: https://victoryland.bandcamp.com/album/my-heart-is-a-room-with-no-cameras-in-it Sunday Mourners/A-Rhythm Absolute: https://sundaymourners.bandcamp.com/album/a-rhythm-absolute Twisted Teens/Blame the Clown: https://cpnpc.bandcamp.com/album/blame-the-clown Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name? email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Ye Olde Guide explores the history and heritage of England's towns and cities, diving deep into the stories, buildings, and people that shaped them. In this series, hosts Liam McGrath and historian Daniel Gooch guide you through five key themes that bring each place to life—from politics and war to culture, science, religion, and urban development.This season, we turn our attention to Oxford. Though a relatively small city of around 170,000 people, Oxford has had an outsized influence on Britain and the wider world. It sits where the River Thames meets the River Cherwell, halfway between London and Birmingham, and its very name hints at its early origins as a simple river crossing where oxen once forded the water.Oxford's historic centre is remarkably compact: a long, narrow spine of streets running north to south between the two rivers. Here you'll find buildings that span centuries, anchored around landmarks like the 12th‑century Carfax Tower. At the heart of it all is the University of Oxford—its colleges, libraries, and faculties dominating the cityscape and shaping its identity for nearly a thousand years.But Oxford is more than medieval quads and dreaming spires. Just southeast of the historic core lies a landscape shaped by twentieth‑century industry and manufacturing, offering a striking contrast to the city's ancient colleges.Across this multi‑episode guide, we'll uncover how Oxford became a crucible of political power, a centre of religious upheaval, a hub of scientific discovery, and a unique urban environment unlike anywhere else in England. We'll reveal the key moments in its past—from seat of parliament to battleground in the Civil War—and trace how its university, geography, and people left a lasting mark on the nation.Whether you're visiting for the first time, rediscovering a familiar place, or simply love exploring the past, Ye Olde Guide takes you beyond the postcards and into the real story of Oxford.Send a text

This week Stormraige would really LIKE to talk about Hearthstone, but alas... it is a folly task. We do talk briefly about some of the news and our excitement for Cataclysm, but we also talk about Slay the Spire 2, Expedition 33, and a lot of absolute nonsense. Also if you're interested in our giveaway for packs we do talk about how to enter! Here is the newsletter I write that releases every Sunday morning! https://stormraige.substack.com/ Logo Created By: Nate Wolfe. Modifications by Gingersaurous Theme Song By: Se7enist. https://open.spotify.com/artist/5kmsQa4jBfiUwWLqOp64GX? You can buy merch here: https://blizzlet.myspreadshop.com/all

Presented by TwinSpires  Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse discusses his Kentucky Oaks & Kentucky Derby hopefuls, champion Nitrogen and more, trainer Doug O'Neill looks back on Pavlovian's win in the Sunland Park Derby, trainer Rudy Rodriguez talks about his talented Withers winner Talk to Me Jimmy, and owner Davant Latham looks ahead to Street Beast in Saturday's John Battaglia Memorial. Plus, Kevin Kerstein with an overview of leading Kentucky Derby candidates, Joe Kristufek gives you three races to watch in this week's 'TwinSpires Triple Play', Kurt Becker takes you on a weekly 'Stroll Through Racing History' presented by Keeneland, we look at the top ranked Derby hopefuls in 'Calling All Three-Year-Olds' with Bobby Neuman presented by Spendthrift, and Dale Romans & Tim Wilkin tackle the sports hottest topics on 'I Ask, They Answer' presented by the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program in the College of Business. 

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: A Valentine's Day Revelation Under Barcelona's Sacred Spires Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2026-02-12-08-38-20-ca Story Transcript:Ca: El sol d'hivern brillava fredament sobre Barcelona el dia de Sant Valentí.En: The winter sun shone coldly over Barcelona on Sant Valentí's Day.Ca: Els carrers estaven tranquils, amb pocs turistes, aprofitant que tots buscaven escapades romàntiques lluny de les aglomeracions habituals.En: The streets were quiet, with few tourists, taking advantage of everyone seeking romantic getaways far from the usual crowds.Ca: Enmig d'aquesta calma hivernal, Arnau i Laia van decidir fer una visita espontània a la Sagrada Família.En: Amidst this winter calm, Arnau and Laia decided to make a spontaneous visit to the Sagrada Família.Ca: Arnau, amb el seu caràcter reservat, estava nerviós i emocionat.En: Arnau, with his reserved nature, was nervous and excited.Ca: Havia estat planejant aquest moment des de feia setmanes.En: He had been planning this moment for weeks.Ca: La seva feina com a guia arquitectònic sempre el mantenia prop de Laia, però aquest viatge particular significava més per ell.En: His job as an architectural guide always kept him close to Laia, but this particular trip meant more to him.Ca: Esperava que avui fos el dia en què podria expressar els seus sentiments.En: He hoped that today would be the day he could express his feelings.Ca: Arribats al temple, la majestuositat de les torres contra el cel blau els va fer aturar-se i admirar l'escena.En: Arriving at the temple, the majesty of the towers against the blue sky made them stop and admire the scene.Ca: "És impressionant, no?En: "It's impressive, isn't it?"Ca: ", va dir Laia somrient.En: Laia said, smiling.Ca: Arnau va assentir, sabent que l'interior els esperava amb una bellesa encara més captivadora.En: Arnau nodded, knowing that the interior awaited them with an even more captivating beauty.Ca: A dins, els vitralls acolorits omplien l'espai amb una llum màgica.En: Inside, the colorful stained glass filled the space with a magical light.Ca: Laia estava absorta observant els detalls mentre Arnau, al seu costat, buscava el moment perfecte per obrir-se.En: Laia was absorbed, observing the details while Arnau, beside her, searched for the perfect moment to open up.Ca: Van caminar lentament pels passadissos, les veus apagades dels altres visitants ressonant suaument al seu voltant.En: They walked slowly through the corridors, the muted voices of other visitors softly echoing around them.Ca: "Sabies que cada detall aquí té un significat?En: "Did you know that every detail here has a meaning?"Ca: ", va dir Arnau, trencant el silenci.En: Arnau said, breaking the silence.Ca: Laia el va mirar, interessada.En: Laia looked at him, interested.Ca: "Les columnes semblen arbres, portant-nos més a prop del cel", va continuar ell, el cor bategant-li fort.En: "The columns look like trees, bringing us closer to the sky," he continued, his heart pounding.Ca: A mesura que avançaven, van parar sota una gran claraboia on els colors semblaven ballar sobre ells.En: As they moved forward, they stopped under a large skylight where the colors seemed to dance over them.Ca: Arnau va sentir que era el moment.En: Arnau felt it was the moment.Ca: "Laia, hi ha una altra cosa que vull dir-te", va començar, vacil·lant.En: "Laia, there's something else I want to tell you," he began, hesitantly.Ca: Laia el va mirar amb interès.En: Laia looked at him with interest.Ca: "Des de fa temps, sento que tu ets com aquesta llum per a mi.En: "For a long time, I've felt that you are like this light to me.Ca: M'omples d'alegria i calma, i m'agradaria.En: You fill me with joy and calm, and I would like...Ca: m'agradaria que fóssim més que companys de feina", va dir finalment Arnau.En: I would like us to be more than just coworkers," Arnau finally said.Ca: Laia va quedar sorpresa, però un somriure càlid va il·luminar el seu rostre.En: Laia was surprised, but a warm smile lit up her face.Ca: "Arnau, esperava que em diguessis això.En: "Arnau, I hoped you would tell me that.Ca: Jo també sento el mateix", va admetre ella, agafant-li la mà.En: I feel the same way," she admitted, taking his hand.Ca: Amb els cors aïllats dels temors anterior, van sortir de la basílica.En: With their hearts freed from previous fears, they left the basilica.Ca: La llum del migdia resplendia sobre ells, arrossegant amb suavitat les ombres de les torres.En: The midday light shone upon them, gently casting the shadows of the towers.Ca: Junts, van deixar la Sagrada Família, agafats de la mà, el fred d'hivern ara només una sensació llunyana.En: Together, they left the Sagrada Família, hand in hand, the winter cold now just a distant sensation.Ca: Arnau, amb un nou sentiment de confiança, va saber llavors que aquest era només el començament d'una nova etapa amb Laia.En: Arnau, with a new sense of confidence, knew then that this was only the beginning of a new stage with Laia. Vocabulary Words:majestic: majestuós/majestuosaromantic getaways: escapades romàntiquesvacillate: vacil·larhesitant: vacil·lantto nod: assentircaptivating: captivador/captivadorathe skylight: la claraboiareserved: reservat/reservadamuted: apagat/apagadaabsorbed: absort/absortathe temple: el templeto echo: ressonarthe column: la columnato admire: admirarthe sensation: la sensacióto illuminate: il·luminarmagnificent: magnífic/magníficathe warmth: l'escalforreserved nature: caràcter reservatthe stained glass: el vitrallthe interior: l'interiorto cast shadow: arrossegar ombresmajestic: majestuós/majestuosaexcitement: emocióthe corridor: el passadísto break the silence: trencar el silencito plan: planificarheart pounding: cor bategantto linger: romandreto feel: sentir

You can have all the tools in the world… and still feel like your day disappears into pings, meetings, and status chasing. This session is about getting that time back with simple, repeatable habits that actually stick.Joe is joined by Dani Spires, VP of digital at Asana, to unpack the biggest productivity drains teams face right now and how to fix them with clearer processes, better meeting discipline, and AI that supports (rather than amplifies) chaos.Key topics include:- Why AI can create more “work about work” if you layer it onto broken processes- How to build focus time rituals that work across whole teams (not just individuals)- A practical way to stop reactive Slack pings by enforcing a clear intake and escalation process- Using AI for research, synthesis, first drafts, routing and summaries while keeping strategy and judgement human- Meeting rules that save hours: agendas, outcomes, documented decisions, and when to confidently decline- How to create clarity by tying work to impact and making ad hoc requests self-serveTimestamps:00:00 Building a personal AI assistant02:24 Where teams waste time most05:07 Protecting focus from constant pings10:01 Staying organised outside of work12:09 AI agents in real workflows18:04 Meetings that actually work35:03 Finding clarity through impactWatch / listen:Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-meetup-podcast/id1365546447Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QvmFdxg5pMwsfPkKjhXl9Please take the time to check out our partners, all of whom we work with because we think they're useful companies for lovely marketers.Frontify – All your brand assets in one place: Frontify combines DAM, brand guidelines, and templates into a collaborative source of brand truth.Mailchimp - The all-in-one marketing platform that helps teams turn emails, automation, and now SMS into smarter, more connected customer journeys (and they've been longtime friends of TMM!).Cambridge Marketing College – The best place to get your marketing qualifications and apprenticeships.Planable – the content collaboration platform that helps marketing teams create, plan, review, and approve all their awesome marketing content.Wistia – a complete video marketing platform that helps teams create, host, market, and measure their videos and webinars, all in one place.

This episode features "Chip" written by D.A. Xiaolin Spires. Published in the February 2026 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/spires_02_26 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership

Episode 71 of the BonkTable Podcast, Mass and Skillen talk about the new Spires Rework for Conquest the Last Argument of KingsBonkCon 2026 Sign upshttps://conquest.longshanks.org/event/30554/Cassandra's Twittertwitter.com/bonktablecassWe are also starting up a discord server for anyone who wants to join us and talk about Conquest or any other miniature wargames people play.https://discord.gg/ztuD6MUMrEYou can also find this podcast anywhere where you listen to Podcastshttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2183437/shareMusicAlso check out our YouTube channel for Battle Reports and Lore readings.https://youtube.com/@BonkTable?si=VOHnpMb5yDC5uTn6Thumbnail and art from Nicolette NuyttenTwitter and Instagram are @LibraryNii Website www.nicolettenuytten.com

This episode features "Jade Fighter" written by D.A. Xiaolin Spires. Published in the November 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/spires_11_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership

We live in a world where everything is designed to be faster, easier, and more automated. We order groceries without speaking to a clerk. We message colleagues without ever looking them in the eye. And more and more, we move through our days without noticing the people who hold us up along the way. Today's episode is about noticing. Levi Spires has given over fourteen thousand rides as an Uber driver. But what's striking isn't the miles he's logged—it's the humanity he's witnessed. For a few minutes at a time, his car becomes a rare space where people lower their guard. A place where someone can unburden, confess, or simply sit in silence without judgment. Levi reminds us that in an era obsessed with efficiency, it's these small, inefficient human moments that matter most. This conversation is a challenge: to move differently in a world already saturated with automation and disconnection. To choose presence over convenience. To remember that being human isn't about how quickly we get from A to B—it's about who we see along the way.

In this episode, I sit down with Robin Spires, a designer with over 20 years of experience who has mastered the art of creating unforgettable short-term rental spaces. What began as a challenging divorce became the spark that launched her into the world of STR design, where she discovered that the real magic isn't just in style—it's in crafting an experience guests can't stop talking about.Robin shares some of her most creative strategies, from handcrafting hot pink gumballs to drilling vintage statues so they blow bubbles—quirky touches that have become signature features in her rentals. These unique design choices don't just look cool—they turn guests into raving fans who leave glowing reviews and spread the word far beyond Airbnb.We also dive into the practical side of design. Robin reveals how she studies the competition to identify what's standard versus what will make a property stand out. She breaks down her philosophy on balancing creativity with budget, proving you don't need a massive overhaul to create impact—a little spray paint, resourcefulness, and vision can completely transform a space.From the psychology behind guest experiences to the marketing power of Instagram-worthy design, Robin's approach is both refreshing and actionable. Her story of reinvention and her practical tips will inspire you to rethink your own short-term rental and see design as more than décor—it's the key to creating a business that thrives.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[01:05] A short introduction about our guest Robin Spires and shares how her journey from marketing to motherhood, vintage retail, and interior design led her to being an STR host[03:58] Robin explains how her divorce became the push she needed to finally bring her vision for her farmhouse guest cottage to life, creating a whimsical and one-of-a-kind short-term rental [06:37] Robin's approach to setting realistic budgets before deciding what investments are truly necessary[08:44] How Robin layers intentional design, playful details, and guest-centered research to create spaces that spark emotional connections[15:43] Robin's shares the the most missed marketing opportunities when it comes to design[17:20] How phasing updates and reusing quality pieces can create a polished design without overspending[20:01] Robin shares how she reimagines overlooked pieces with creativity while balancing budget, durability, and design vision[24:11] Robin shares the important pieces that she likes to invest in from a design perspective[26:36] What are Robin's go-to places for sourcing commercial-grade products and unique design pieces[30:23] Robin shares some of the quirky and unconventional design choices she's incorporated into her projects[32:06] Robin shares her favorite tips and hacks for designing small spaces on a budget[34:46] What are the key questions to ask before hiring a designer[37:43] Robin's guidance on deciding whether to design yourself or hire a professional[40:14] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:"It's so important if this doesn't come naturally for you, partner with someone, collaborate with someone who it is their natural, God given talent.”“Even if you don't have all the money in the world, don't be afraid to engage a professional, because this is business for most of...

This week, a new Disneyland documentary is coming, new Napa Rose details, a bunch of fun novelties are coming to the resort, go “Beyond the Spires” with Imagineering, we have the dates for the 2026 D23 Ultimate Fan Event, we talk Disneyland Rucking with David Sparks, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: Weeklyteers who enjoyed The Imagineering Story on Disney+ are in for a treat! This winter, Leslie Iwerks will release her new documentary “Disneyland Handcrafted” on Disney+ and YouTube. The documentary does a deep dive into Disneyland from early conception to opening day. It will include new footage never seen before during this time. Check out the trailer at the link in our show notes! – https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/disneyland-handcrafted-trailer-revealed/ The Destination D23 event started off strong with the announcement of the dated for the next D23 Ultimate Fan Event. The 2026 event will take place from August 14th through 16th, and will still be at the Anaheim Convention Center, along with the Honda Center for the largest panels. Tickets will go on sale in Spring, 2026. – https://www.micechat.com/422442-news-d23-expo-returns-to-anaheim-in-august-2026/ The Napa Rose at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is currently under renovation. At the Destination D23 event, new concept art was shown of the reimagined space. The outdoor patio is being expanded to accommodate more guests, with lush greenery and soft lighting. Two new fireplaces will also be on the patio for guests to enjoy. Inside, the dining room will blend Craftsman style with modern California sophistication. – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/first-look-new-concept-art-for-napa-rose-at-disneyland/ A number of new novelty items are coming to the Disney Parks and Resorts. For Christmas, a Holiday Christmas Tree Truck Bucket will be available. Over at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar, two versions of the Holiday Zombie Mug will scare up some fun beverages. A Monsters, Inc. Scream Canister bucket, and a Little Green Men Jetpack sipper are also coming. For Easter, a Winnie the Pooh & Piglet Spring bucket, and later next year, a Bantha sipper will be available at Disneyland and on select Disney Cruise Line ships. – https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/new-novelty-items-coming-to-disney-parks-and-disney-cruise-line/ At the Destination D23 event that was streamed for D23 Gold Members this past week, a panel called “Beyond the Spires: An Insider Look at Disney Castles” went over some little known facts about the Disney Parks castles all over the world. In addition, the 5th episode of “We Call it Imagineering” will focus on the castles, which will debut on YouTube on September 8th. For all the fun facts and links, check out the link in our show notes. – https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/disney-castles-hidden-details/ We spoke previously about Hank, the longest standing cast member at the Walt Disney Company. On August 27th, Hank received the Walt Disney Legacy Award, which celebrates the legacy of Walt Disney who exhibit three Legacy qualities: Dream, Create, and Inspire. The Walt Disney Legacy Award is given to cast, crew, and Walt Disney Imagineers worldwide who have these qualities. Hank has been a cast member for the last 62 years, starting as a Jungle Cruise Skipper in 1958. If the math doesn't add up on that, it is because Hank left Disneyland for a few years to be a Garden Grove Firefighter, before returning to Disneyland. – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/meet-hank-todays-longest-standing-disney-cast-member/ Fans of the animated windows on Main Street have a new display to enjoy! A new Moana-themed window, featuring Moana, Hei-Hei, Pua, Maui, the Kakamora, and Te Fiti debuted this week. In the window, Moana is sailing her boat along the ocean with Te Fiti in the background, while also being chased by the Kakamora. – https://www.micechat.com/422119-disneyland-update-pumpkins-projects-pixie-dust/ With The Nightmare Before Christmas decking the halls over at the Haunted Mansion, Madame Leota is taking the opportunity to welcome Jack Skellington to her shop at the exit of the mansion. Outside, a stack of suitcases themed to Jack, Sally, and other Halloween Town residents welcomes guests. Inside, a blue banner hangs welcoming Jack and his friends. – https://www.micechat.com/422119-disneyland-update-pumpkins-projects-pixie-dust/ Pressed penny enthusiasts will be happy to know there is a new Winnie the Pooh pressed penny machine in Bayou Country. The new machine is outside of Pooh Corner, along the walkway by the entrance to the shop. A penny is supplied for the machine, and takes cash, card and contactless payments. – https://www.micechat.com/422119-disneyland-update-pumpkins-projects-pixie-dust/ SnackChat: Parkside Market Fall Offerings – https://www.micechat.com/422119-disneyland-update-pumpkins-projects-pixie-dust/ Discussion Topic: David Sparks macsparky.com

Autumn is just around the corner, and it's time to get our fall TBRs in order!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann Patchett books Taylor Jenkins Reid books Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall Broadchurch (TV) Jane Austen books The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill Katabasis by R.F. Kuang Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh Succession (TV) Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan Rose in Chains by Julie Soto Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean Ann's picks:  Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love by Samin Nosrat (releases September 16) – Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat – Salt Fat Acid Heat (TV)  The Women of Wild Hill by Kirsten Miller (releases October 7) – The Change by Kirsten Miller – Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller  All of Us Murderers by KJ Charles (releases October 7) – Death in the Spires by KJ Charles Crafting for Sinners by Jenny Kiefer (releases October 7) – Grady Hendrix books – Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix Happy People Don't Live Here by Amber Sparks (releases October 14) – Only Murders in the Building (TV) – Angela Carter books The Unveiling by Quan Barry (releases October 14) – We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree (releases November 11) – Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree  Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (releases November 25) Halle's picks: Amity by Nathan Harris (releases September 2) – The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris – Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry – Doc by Mary Doria Russell – Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee – William W. Johnstone books  Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (releases September 2) – Commonwealth by Ann Patchett – Our Town by Thornton Wilder – Wallace Stegner books  The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy (releases September 16)  The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Clover (releases September 23)  Heart the Lover by Lily King (releases September 30) – Writers & Lovers by Lily King An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister (releases November 11) Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz (releases November 18) I, Medusa by Ayana Gray (releases November 18) – Circe by Madeline Miller – Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – Rick Riordan books – Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan What We're Reading This Week: Ann: Modern Divination by Isabel Agajanian Halle: When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Send us a textFormer University of Oregon head wrestling coach Chuck Kearney shares his journey from the heartbreak of a cut program to building a player-led, athlete-owned wrestling culture at St. Mary's University in Leavenworth, Kansas.In this episode, Coach Kearney dives into: • How losing Oregon wrestling reshaped his coaching philosophy • Lessons from his own wrestling days at Oklahoma State • Shifting from a win-based, transactional program to an athlete-centered, transformational experience • Why accountability, ownership, and leadership drive long-term athlete successIf you're a coach, athlete, or parent looking to understand how wrestling—and sports in general—can transform young athletes into leaders, this is a must-listen.Coach Kearney is starting his 7th year as the Head Wrestling Coach for St. Mary's University in Leavenworth Kansas. Prior to that Coach Kearney was the Head Wrestling Coach for the University of Oregon from 1998-2008 along with being the Director of Athletic Alumni Development. Kearney has ABachelor's Degree from the University of Oregon inRecreation Administration and Management. Kearney also attended Oklahoma State University where he competed with some of the greatest athletes in the wrestling world and was an All-American for the Cowboys. In 2020 Kearney was named the KCAC Conference Coach of the Year leading St. Mary's to a Conference Championship. In 2024 CoachKearney repeated the honor of being selected KCAC Coach of the Year and the Spires were the 2025 Conference Champions. In his tenure with St. Mary's Kearney has had 3 Wrestlers of the Year with the last 2 in a row. They have also produced 36 NWCA Academic All-Americans, 8 NAIA All-Americans, 2 NAIA Finalists and, 1 NAIA National Champion.Coach Kearney currently ranks 4th in dual meet victories amongst active NAIA Coaches.