Podcasts about Stage One

¡¡NUEVO PODCAST!!-Dra. Iris Abril Cruz Valdez…“Día Mundial de la Osteoporosis”-Chef. Jesús González Rico... “Recetas mexicanas en riesgo y las tendencias gastronómicas mexicanas 2026”  (Día Internacional del Chef)-Gianco Abundiz... ¿Es fácil poner una aseguradora?  -Ivonne Sieck… “Síndrome de ovario poliquístico: su relación con la resistencia a la insulina”  -Violeta Ortega.   Cantante  -Luis Martínez. Director Musical y Pianista Carlos Galván-Director General de Stage One Concerts   Stage One: “Día de Muertos, el Concierto”  -Arriba Corazones... Rafael Perrín.

Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 1 When Glen Zane Braxton is accidentally accepted into a fundamentalist women s college. In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels. Leading up to the first day of college. Every old trick was invented by someone once upon a time. A Little Background: Hi. My name is Glenn Zane Braxton but everyone calls me Zane. I'm a good-looking (or so I'm told) athletic kid just over six feet tall and just under two hundred pounds. I get my Nordic looks from my Mom who hails from Norway. I apparently get my optimistic attitude and loose moral structure from my Dad, though I was to learn that Mom was a bit freaky too. My parents were killed in a rock climbing accident when I was fifteen so I was sent to live with my Uncle Tim (Dad's younger brother) and Aunt Jill. Unfortunately for me, while my parents had been rich hedonists, Tim and Jill were fundamentalist Christians doing missionary work in northern Thailand. I spent the next two-and-a-half years in a place where a paved road was a luxury. I have nothing against Christianity; I consider myself a decent Christian but I believe my faith stops at the next person's 'I'm not interested'. My aunt and uncle were a very different breed. They believed that it was every Christian's duty to convert our little brown brothers and sisters (no shit, this is what Tim told me) whether they wanted it or not. Needless to say, I witnessed them busting their self-righteous heads against the faith and traditions of these ancient people they'd come to 'help enlighten,' while I learned all about Thai culture, cuisine, and kick-boxing. I learned that spending time with Thai women was a hell of a way to get another kind of education too. On the down side, Tim beat me whenever he found out about the women. To get back at him, I spent time with Buddhist monks - score one for the Zen! Three months ago there was an incredibly brutal monsoon and something possessed Tim to go down to the river to save people. Since every sane individual was running away from the river, I pleaded that we go with the people that actually knew what was going on. Instead, I ended up with my Aunt and Uncle hip deep in the muddy water when an uprooted tree hit Tim and Jill. Like a fool I jumped into the flood waters after them. I got to Jill - Tim was a goner. Afterwards, when I realized that no Tim meant a return to the States, I was not crying tears of joy - that would have been cruel. After they gave up the search for Tim, Jill and I returned to Western Civilization. Jill surprised me by actually having a college degree that was useful and she got a job in Virginia working as an insurance adjuster for a nice sized company. I had completed my high school credits online back in Thailand and passed my college entrance exam so I was looking forward to partying it up somewhere far away from Jill. Fate has a funny way of laughing at me, though. For some byzantine reason, Dad set up my trust fund so that I would get a fraction of my inheritance when I turned eighteen, as long as I was in an institution of higher learning approved of by Tim and Jill - now just Jill. Otherwise, I had to wait until I was twenty-one. I wanted to go to the University of Hawaii Jill found a nice little place close to what she called home, real close. Speaking of home; our living arrangements were courtesy of Tim's generous insurance policy and his own little share of Dad's family's money. She bought us an expansive two-story spread with nice large yards, front and back, right where the countryside hits the suburbs. I wished we had a pool and even offered to dip into my own funds to have one put in but since pools were 'cesspits of depravity' Jill nixed the notion. Getting a car was also an interesting discussion. Jill said 'no way' and wouldn't budge until we noticed that our neighbors were two nice looking ladies in their twenties (I guessed). On the day we moved in I went over to talk (I'm drawn to women like a comet to the Sun) and spent over an hour getting to know them. There were two big pluses about their place; one was the large pool in back, which the girls (there turned out to be more than two) promised I could use whenever I wanted, real nice of them. The other one was, When I got home I told Jill not to worry about the car; the cute lesbian couple offered to pick me up from school whenever I needed a ride. "Are they atheists?" Jill gasped. Apparently them being homosexuals wasn't enough? "Nah, they are Wiccans," I lied again with a smile. We went car shopping the next day. I figured I would tell Jill we lived next to a sorority house (to the other university in town) at some later date. What Not to Wear Moving in turned out to be half the battle for my life at the new house. Next came the clothing war. Personally, I think I look great naked and do wonderful with people of the female persuasion but in Virginia they arrest you for this. Since I only have a twenty percent chance of being taken in by a female police officer (or the five percent of the male officers who are out and-out homosexuals), I'm going to go to jail if I go around nude. My solution was to look around the local teenage hangouts, websites, and social networks to get me a style that would be both individualistic yet fit in. Aunt Jill was of the opinion that my school uniform (see below) would be my normal look. When I told her I'd use my own money to get what I wanted she threatened to throw them out because I was still living under her roof. I got pissed off and since my outlet options were pretty limited, I stupidly went to my room and did what every teenage boy should never do when their female guardian is at home - maybe I have malaria and the fever was clouding my thought processes. In Thailand I would simply go out into the jungle Jill never went out into the wilderness if she could help it. There was no jungle and Jill knew right where my room was, and since it was her house, she barged right in. Half way through giving me a piece of her mind Jill noticed me, the Vaseline, the box of Kleenex, and what my hand was pumping. I yanked the comforter on my bed, trying to cover myself, which resulted in my flipping off the bed (I was sitting on the comforter) and rolling to Jill's feet. Jill stood there with her mouth wide open, eyes glued to my cock. I stopped pumping but my rod wouldn't go down despite my shame, not of my erection but because I didn't like sexually taunting a recent widow. "That's, that's disgusting," she gasped while still fixated on my erection. I wiggled around so that I could pull up my underwear and slacks. Once my cock was under cover Jill started harping on me. "You vile pervert," she seethed. "What is the meaning of you showing your, thing to me? You are filthy. Wash your sheets then wash your hands then never do this again." "Um, Jill, Aunt Jill, I'm an eighteen-year-old male. I need to masturbate," I informed her. "Not in this house," she said shrilly. I grabbed the tissues and Vaseline, then headed for the door. "Where are you going?" she worried. "Into the woods out back," I answered as I tried to move past her. "I kind of need to finish this." "You will do no such thing," Jill gasped as she grabbed my arm, "you might be seen, and it's wrong." First priority for Jill was social appearances while my spiritual well-being was somewhat less important at that moment. "Jill," I cautioned her, "I really need to knock one out. I'm stressed." Jill grabbed the Vaseline and tissues from my hands, not because she was stronger but because in my own twisted way, I still acknowledged Jill as my authority figure; not much of one, but one nonetheless. Ripping them away from her wasn't an option so, "Jill, you are my only parent now. I need to come to you about, things sexual," I suggested. "No," Jill responded with some shock. "There will be no sex in this house. You will have sex when you are married and not before, ever. Even then, sex is only for procreation." "Jill, I'm not a virgin," I informed her. Her jaw dropped but I'm not sure if it was shock, horror, or something else. "You've had sex with a girl?" she whispered. "Aunt Jill, I had twenty girlfriends back at the mission," I related. "Did, Did Tim know? How did it happen? When did you do it?" she stammered. "Tim knew; that is why he kept beating my ass. "It happened simply enough; we would be bathing down at the river and if we liked what we'd seen and if things clicked, we'd go fool around. Sometimes we'd kiss and touch and sometimes we'd have sex; you know, blowjobs, cunnilingus, vaginal and anal sex," I continued. "Gack, ah, oh, God preserve me," Jill sputtered. "As for when, the best time was right after Bible study when you and Tim were preoccupied with the parents and us kids could sneak off to a house and fool around in the common room, and then couples would pair up and have sex in the bedrooms," I finished. "Oh, poor Tim," Jill moaned as she slumped against the door sill. "Can I have my stuff and go now?" I asked softly. "No," she snapped. We kind of stood there for a minute before she asked, "Were you sneaking peeks of me at the river?" "Umm," I half turned away, "yeah, I did." Jill looked offended. "You are very sexy, Jill," I attempted to mollify her. It didn't work. "You pervert, you freak, that's incest. It is against God's Laws!" she screamed at me. "Jill, we are not blood related, and I never said I actually wanted to sleep with you, only that you have a very nice body," I countered calmly. "Shut up! Stop talking," she shouted, before storming off, leaving me even more frustrated. An hour later Jill sent me out to get some pizza but when I got back she wasn't in the house, though her car was still in the garage. I smelled smoke and followed the scent out into the backyard. I saw what Jill was doing; she didn't need to tell me what she was up to but she did it anyway. "I think we need to put your misspent time in Thailand behind you," she announced, "so I've decided it is best to get rid of all the clothes, books, and statues you brought back." "You should have asked me," I stated. Of course, this meant War. "You are awash in sin, Zane," she answered in this twisted, loving tone. I turned and went in the house. What had that monk said to me when I'd discussed my relationship with Tim and Jill? One does not build a house of stone out of grass Which he suggested meant petty payback satisfies little and is soon gone, but real revenge comes from working permanent change on your opponent. Over the next four days I ordered a secure chest online, withdrew my bank limit each day, and started taking a pitcher of grape juice to my room at bedtime (it will make sense in a moment). I decided to start my plan Sunday night. Stage One: after Jill has gone to bed, fill her car up with gas and report all her credit cards and bank card stolen. We have plenty of food in the kitchen and Jill takes her lunch to work so with the car full of gas she won't immediately notice her cards are useless tomorrow. Also withdraw yet another five hundred dollars with my bank card, which is the daily limit. Stage Two: Once Jill has gone to work, I put three of her Sunday's Best into the steel chest, to which I have the only combination. Burn every piece of ultra-conservative matronly-wear, from underwear to bathrobes to jackets. Now that mid-morning has come, I head over to the Sorority House and enlist the aid of my two new friends, Leigh and Corrie. We go clothes shopping with the money I've saved up. Each 'sister' gets one thing (for services rendered) and the rest of the money we dump on getting Jill everything a sexually confident and active twenty-something would wear (Jill's only thirty) as well as getting me some normal clothes. I'm not going to attempt to make Jill dress like a hooker; that would never work. Jill's been warped by her narrow-minded environment for all of her three decades so making her more tolerant is going to take time. Stage Three: As we are heading to the bedrooms that evening I 'accidently' bump into Jill and soak her with a pitcher of grape juice she now knows I'm taking to my room on a regular basis. Grape juice doesn't come out and a pitcher will soak her down to her underwear and bra. "Sorry, Aunt Jill," I blathered. "Oh, Zane, this dress is totally ruined. I should make you pay to replace it," she sounded cross. "Consider it done," I offered. Technically, I'd already bought her a new one. Jill went into the bathroom muttering Leviticus before tossing me a roll of paper towels to clean up the spilled juice. "Zane?" Jill called from the bathroom with a hint of concern. "Yes?" I responded from the hallway. "Where is my bathrobe?" she inquired. "In the laundry," I lied. I hear her putter around for a few seconds, then, "Go to your room and shut the door," she ordered me. I got up and made a point of noisily shutting my door. Half a minute later the bathroom door squeaked open and I heard Jill pad quietly to her room and shut the door. I opened my door and sprinted to the bathroom. I retrieved her clothes from the hamper and tossed them in the sink, got the carefully secreted lighter fluid from underneath, doused them, and tossed in a lit match. At the same time as I'm doing this, I heard Jill slamming dresser drawers open and shut. "ZANE!" Boy, what have you done?" Jill shouted from her room. I raced out of the bathroom (on purpose) at the same time Jill burst out of her room so we were basically five feet apart when Jill remembered that she was naked; I was barefoot in pajama bottoms. Jill's look was priceless as she realized that the number of men who'd seen her totally naked since she hit puberty had just doubled. She spun around and bolted into her room, door slamming shut once more. It took her a few moments to form a plan. "Zane, go to your room and shut the door," she growled with a tad more control. "Sure thing." I grinned as I walked to my room, shut the door, and leaned against it waiting for what I knew would unfold next. Sure enough, Jill raced to the bathroom. "Zane, where is my dress?" "In the sink," I told her. Three, two, one. "ZANE! What have you done!" she screamed once more. "My bra, my underwear, my hose, she sobbed. "Jane, you have a robe in your closet. If you want, put it on and come to my room so we can talk this over," I suggested. I didn't hear anything for fifteen minutes as I waited on my bed. Finally, the door swung open slowly and Jill took a half step into my room. Her eyes were downcast in shame but her voice was full of hurt and anger. In her mind there was no possible reason for me to have done this. She was pulling off the Hurt Little Girl bit really well with her mid-thigh crimson satin robe and her wavy, deep-red hair flowing loosely over her shoulders and down her back. "I can't believe you picked this out for me to wear, Zane. Now where are my clothes?" she ground out. "Jill, you look good in that, really good, but I didn't pick it out for you. I had our next-door neighbors do that because you are all beautiful young women," I explained. "If you tell me what color you are wearing, I'll tell you where your clothes are." Jill stood stock still as she worked out that I was talking about her panties. "Blue, the deep blue ones, with the black, lace," she whispered. "Not the white?" I had to ask since I would have guessed this was the first pair of non-white panties she'd ever worn. Her constricted mind had expanded a tiny bit. "The white ones were nearly see-through," she answered after a second. I had to agree with that. "I put your clothes exactly where you put all the stuff I brought back from Thailand," I answered. It took a moment for that to sink in. Her burning green eyes popped up in shock. "What am I going to wear to work tomorrow?" she wailed. "I'll tell you if you agree to one request I have for you," I replied with compassion. "Fine," she hiccupped. She was so body conscious that she wasn't really thinking about the implications of what she was saying but I believed she would still honor her word. "I want you to wear your hair down all day tomorrow, or in a ponytail, but that's it," I ordered. Jill looked at me truly confused; she always wore it in a bun. "But why?" she questioned. "I don't understand." "Your hair is beautiful when it is down, Aunt Jill. I figure it wouldn't kill you to try a new look," I answered. Again, she didn't understand but I was okay with that, and getting her clothes out of the closet was part of the deal. I pulled out bag after bag and set them on the bed. Jill stepped up during the process and pulled various articles of clothing out, utterly flummoxed with what she was discovering. This wasn't slut-wear but it would definitely show more of her curves and skin than she would have ever normally considered. When I finished bringing bags out she looked past me, expecting more. "I can't wear any of this," she declared. "Please tell me you didn't really destroy my clothes." "Jill, I did burn up most of your clothes and you can wear what I bought you. You are thirty, not sixty-five. When I jumped into that river, God decided that I rescued you and not Tim, and I can't believe I saved you so you could go right back to the same life you had before," I interpreted what might have been true, God doesn't talk to me. "What did I do to deserve this, Zane?" she pleaded. "You burned up all my stuff from Thailand, Jill. And while you might think of this as revenge, it's not. You may not see it this way now but one day, I hope you will understand that I love you," I told her. "Zane, I don't understand. What you did was evil, despicable, and wicked and I won't tolerate it. We should pray to God, me for guidance and you for forgiveness," she pouted. She made to kneel down at my bedside so I followed out of long practice. We clasped our hands in prayer and while Jill closed her eyes, mine remained open. Now, my bed is not even at knee level so when Jill knelt down to pray, leaning forward until her elbows were on the mattress, she inadvertently thrust her ass backwards, yes, Jill was doggy style on my bed. I had abstractly known Jill was attractive but the thought of having sex with her had never come up. What was now 'coming up' was suddenly a problem, as were my attempts to keep up with exactly what Jill was asking God for, but the gist of it seemed to involve the Almighty taking steel wool to my corrupt soul, the harder and more painful the scrubbing, the better. "Amen," we said in unison as the thirty-seven minute ordeal came to an end and Jill stood up. "Jesus has told me that I only have to put up with your dementia until morning. I'd rather get new clothes instead of showing up to work, as some strumpet," she proclaimed. "Um, where did you come up with the word 'strumpet' and who ever said it was a sin to be good looking?" I asked. "Nothing I got for you suggests sexuality, no push-up bras, crop tops, or slit skirts. They're clothes, nothing more." "It doesn't matter what you think," Jill countered. "Whatever madness you thought you were accomplishing won't work. I really should call the pastor." "And tell him what, that I burned your clothes and bought you, normal clothes? Why don't we call everyone on the church roster?" I warned her. Jill balked at the prospect of having our family feud exposed. Jill sniffed, spun, and started to leave the room when she recalled the clothes I'd bought for her. She huffed and came back for them, looking at me very indignantly. When I went to help, she warned me off with a hateful glare. An hour later, as I began to despair over my actions, I heard Jill's bedroom door open and a crinkly crunch in the hall. Upon examination, I found one of the bags I'd purchased clothes in outside her door. Inside, folded up, were the other bags. Jill had put my clothes away in her drawers and closet. I counted that to be a small victory. At breakfast the next morning I endeavored to be very correct and polite as I complimented Jill on how nice she looked. She returned my platitudes with an angry glare and she left for work without saying a word. In her favor, when she learned her credit cards were toast she didn't break down and scream at me over the phone or miss work. That evening she did still slam the door to the garage loud enough to rattle windows on the other side of the house when she got home from work. "ZANE!" she screamed, "What did you do to my credit cards?" "Your replacements should be here by Saturday or Monday at the latest," I replied soothingly as she stormed up to me. "So," I went on, "did anyone compliment you on your looks today?" "What, I, that's not important," she muttered, then she changed tact. She came over to the sofa where I was reclining, knelt down, and took my hand. "Zane, you are falling into lust, degeneration, and degradation, sins of the flesh. You have to stop this." 'Stop what?' I wasn't precisely sure. "What you want me to do? Should we pray further on the matter? Last night I felt, something, but I still feel empty," I suggested. Jill's face lit up so I slipped past her and knelt beside her. Jill was unwittingly sexy as she sashayed forward on her knees to rest against the sofa. I reached out to her and she took my hand, then the praying began. What followed was a repetitive litany of me falling into lust and dark desires (clothes buying?). Dear departed Uncle Tim didn't even get an honorable mention which would have been surprising if he hadn't been such a total bastard to me. Jill's neglect I didn't quite understand. She'd always been loyal, dutiful, and supportive. It then occurred to me that I'd never seen him exert an ounce of human compassion toward Jill. I got up and ran to my bedroom, ending up on the bed. Jill padded along behind me after a minute. "Zane?" she wondered. "When is the last time you had sex with Uncle Tim?" I whispered so quietly that Jill struggled to understand me. "But, no, don't do this, Zane, don't fall into apostasy," Jill simpered. "I have a gift for you. It is something you want but I need you to answer the question," I offered. "What is the gift?" she asked, guardedly intrigued. "I can promise you no regrets," I countered. Jill weighed her options, turned, and left. "Dinner," Jill called to me an hour later. I dutifully went downstairs to the dining room to enjoy a mediocre meal in silence. We barely exchanged a single glance. As I got up to clean the table, cleaning was my chore, Jill spoke. "Seven years." I was pretty proud that I didn't fall over in shock. First off, in my teenage, hormone-addled mind, how could anyone go without sex for seven years? Next, how could someone with Jill as a wife not want to have sex at least once every seven hours? Finally, what was Tim doing in the lady-boy section of Bangkok when he found me that one time? I really feel like an idiot on occasion. "I saved your three favorite Sunday dresses," I rewarded her. Jill's eyes showed a glimmer of hope. "Which ones? I mean, how did you know which ones were my favorites?" she pondered. "You told me, Aunt Jill. I do listen to you, ya know," I responded. She gave me the oddest look, as if I had just explained to her how Ruth slew Goliath, not David. "Thank you," she whispered. The first battle of the Witch, the Brat, and the Wardrobe was over. The war would go on. The next time we went grocery shopping (Jill decided that the less time I was left alone, the slower I would plummet to my eventual fiery demise) I caught her noticing guys giving her the once over and she liked it, of that I'm sure. How do I know this? She let me talk to the cute stock girl for fifteen seconds before reeling me in, which was long enough for her to write her number on the palm of my hand. I called her and asked if she wanted to go to a sorority party when the semester began. She informed me she was a rising senior in high school so I gave her my number and told her to call me on her eighteenth birthday if she was still interested. You can't win them all, immediately. FFU             Birds are made beautiful by their plumage but divine by their flight        Now to the college I was attending; Freedom Fellowship University (yes, that is F-FU if you stutter) is the Christian college in my new hometown. Jill read about them in online chat rooms and by communicating with some of her Christian social network gal pals. She heard they had a dress code and without checking on the specifics, she bought me a dozen sets of black slacks and white shirts guaranteed to mark me as a social leper. She signed me up for my classes. I opted for Pre-Med; she insisted I should go Pre-Law until I revealed my secret sinful desire to work for the ACLU, at which point she relented. She wanted me to play some sports, I suspect because she wanted me to have a safe hormonal outlet that didn't involve me touching women. I could have told her that dressed as I was, getting women (short of kidnapping) would be nearly impossible. The problem was, they didn't offer any of the traditional sports except for soccer and track and field. I felt that was odd but I decided to sign up for soccer tryouts anyway. I also signed up for Karate, though I had no idea what a Christian school would be teaching that for, plus Archery (I've never used a bow before), Marksmanship (I've never fired a gun either), and Orienteering (because everyone gets lost in suburban Virginia and has to subsist on squirrel and road kill, right?). I downright refused to have anything to do with the Competitive Bible Study Team. By the end of the admissions process I was beginning to think this was a school for some kind of uber-religious survivalists. Still, they accepted me on short notice and except for a tiny quirk in the online admissions form, I was sadly ready to go to college. It would be that tiny quirk that would change my life forever. There Must Be a Church! Before I could attend college there was one quibble to deal with and that was which church Jill and I would attend. I claimed to be partial to the Unitarians, mainly to watch Jill's face go from normal to pale to an angry beet red. Sometimes razzing her is too easy. Jill chose the First Anointed Free-willed Fellowship of Christ after carefully weighing, considering, and then utterly disregarding my input. I guess I had to be happy they weren't snake handlers. On that first Sunday it was raining. I ended up having to run back into the house as Jill backed the car out of the garage and I took a header into a mud puddle in the lawn. Seeing how soaked I was, Jill allowed me to miss out on Sunday school. When I tried to get to the normal service my car wouldn't start (she'd insisted on buying me a used car, which I was now allowed to return for a new one). The second Sunday was a comedy of errors. The garage door opened halfway, then got stuck, and Jill gave the wrong address to the church family she desperately called to come pick us up. On the third Sunday I was sick, so sick that I missed the Sci-Fi movie classic of the week-(end) Saturday night, Vampire Zombie Overlords II. Jill normally lets me watch it because I told her it shows science in a bad light. I would like to point out that Jill isn't stupid but she does tend to believe that which is most convenient to her world view, in this case, Science = Bad. The fourth and final college-free Sunday, Buddy Jesus informed me that I had to go because no Act of God showed up to save me. It turned out that the First Anointed Free-willed Fellowship of Christ was huge, one of those mega-churches and by the number of luxury cars in the parking lot, not one populated by the unwashed masses. Everyone was very, very friendly to the point where I refused to drink or eat anything they tried to force on me, fearing that I would become a drugged-out zombie filled with unconditional love and happiness toward the world. The one other weird thing was that there didn't seem to be any kids my age in the congregation. I had no Sunday school that day. I later learned this was the weekend of their Pre-College/High School Youth Retreat. Apparently everyone in this place acted as a herd. Before we left I met with Pastor William Penny, chief shepherd of this flock, and he wanted to be my pal. Jill was enraptured with the guy but somehow he came across as creepy to me. Will, Jill, and a few well-meaning parishioners ended up steering me to the Pastor's office (which was as big as Jill's huge kitchen). There my new buddy wanted me to sign some paperwork. Jill urged me to hurry up and get it over with and promised to take me to a nice steak house we'd seen but never been in, as if I was a small child easily pleased. Maybe I should have gone for pre-law because I ignored Jill and did read what they wanted me to sign. They wanted me to tithe, and not on my income, of which I had none, but on my net worth. Everyone around me looked hopeful and I couldn't help but smile as I picked up the pen and started laughing. When they began looking confused I laughed harder, and that made them displeased. I didn't pick up the pen to write; I picked it up so I could stab the first one to rush me. "Listen up, Pastor Bill, can I call you Pastor Bill?" I didn't wait on his reply. "I don't know you or anyone but Aunt Jill in this room," I chuckled, "and I imagine you are all terribly nice folks, but it will be a cold day in Hell before I give millions of dollars to people I know nothing about." "We are doing God's work," Pastor Bill assured me, "and please call me Pastor William." "Please," Jill pleaded, "this is what your Uncle Tim would want." For Jill's sake I didn't laugh out loud once again. Tim gave me billions of mosquito bites, outdoor plumbing, and ass-whooping s on a regular basis so all I felt I owed good ol' Tim was putting a heavy stone on his grave so that he didn't rise up from the dead when the End Times came. In retrospect, Tim did me one favor; he taught me the ability to be verbally evasive when needed. "Aunt Jill, as Uncle Tim told me, being a Christian is a matter of Faith working through the mind and hands. It is my Christian duty to make sure that his legacy (really my Mom and Dad's) is placed where God wants it. Uncle Tim would make me pray deeply to the Almighty before taking such a momentous step, so pray I shall." Pastor Bill looked disappointed in me, which was a poor mask for his unsatisfied greed. Jill and the rest of the flock seem to have bought my act and that was the victory I needed to win right then. On the way back home Jill was pleased as punch. I'd expressed to her new friends what a wise saint good ol' Uncle Tim had been. This was the day I had to move into my dorm room on FFU's campus so I didn't have much time to dwell on everything that had happened. Barbie Lynn Masters, Dorm Mother To say that I was pretty depressed when I began moving into college would have been an understatement. I met some nice girls who were also moving into my dorm but I wasn't much in the mood for talking. I found my room but they had my name wrong. Not only was I not Zane they even got Glenn wrong; they misspelled it as Glenda. I hadn't been unpacking fifteen minutes before this hottie breezed in asking if I was Glenda's brother. "Sure," I joked, "I'm Zane." "Can I see some ID? I'm the Dorm Mother," she asked pleasantly. I showed her my driver's license which read 'G. Zane Braxton'. "And you are?" I inquired. "Barbie Lynn Masters. Do you live close by?" she prodded. I looked around my room (which I shared with an as-of-yet unseen roomie), shrugged, and replied, "Yes. I live about a mile and a half away, just inside city limits," I played along. Couldn't she see that it was my name on the luggage in my room and I'd already unpacked? "Can we count on seeing a lot more of you?" she purred, stepping up into my personal space. With her four-inch pumps, she was an inch taller than me, so I had to tilt my head up slightly to meet her gaze. "Unless you have a girlfriend, of course," she demurred. "I don't have a girlfriend but I'm looking for one," I grinned back. I wasn't really lying; I was looking for lots of girlfriends. "So, do you have a boyfriend?" "Oh, no," she assured me. "I took a Purity Pledge and I have a fianc so I can't be in a causal relationship with a boy, though being a 'friend' of a student I'm responsible for is fine." She licked her lips. My understanding of her convoluted reasoning was short-circuited by her D plus cleavage, perfect teeth, long light-golden hair, soft bedroom blue eyes, and blemish free, tanned skin. I've never considered myself terribly bashful. I hadn't been with a welcoming and available female in two months; she was right there in my face, so I grabbed Barbie's ass subtly, pulled her close, and began kissing her. At first Barbie seemed to be all talk and no action, but that lasted all of five seconds before she was all over me with our tongues intertwining and our hands going over each other's backs and asses. In a flash I had my hands up her pleated skirt, inside her plain white panties, and was massaging each muscular ass cheek separately and vigorously while my lips left hers and migrated to her neck and ear with kisses and bites, all of which seemed to really excite Barbie Lynn. She was moaning and grinding against me like a teenager coming down from a forty-eight hour unresolved porno binge. Her left hand slid around to the front of my jeans and touched my crotch where I was rapidly coming to the fullness of life. "Oh, God!" she whispered as she began stroking me up and down. "Tell me that's not a rolled up sock." "Huh? What? No, that is all me. Why do you ask?" I mumbled between licks and kisses. "Oh, some boys can be very dishonest," she sighed from past experience. "Does it hurt?" "No, it feels fine," I assured her. "Are you sure it doesn't hurt just a little bit?" she persisted as she groped my bulge. Something clued me in. "Actually, it does hurt a little bit," I guessed. Barbie Lynn broke our embrace, padded silently over to the door, took a quick look out, then shut it. She was back in my arms in record time. "In that case, let me see it," she grinned. "How does a blowjob jive with your Purity Pledge?" I stupidly wondered out loud. "Oh," she beamed an angelic radiance up at me as she slid down my body and unzipped my pants, our eyes locked together, "a blow job is sinful and done out of lust but relieving your pain is blessed and done out of love." "I feel myself getting closer to spiritual fulfillment every second I'm with you," I breathed huskily as she pulled down my pants and boxers, unleashing my manhood. Barbie tentatively, with a bit of fear showing, licked the tip of my cock. I let her get used to me before resting a hand on her head. She responded by slowly engulfing my cockhead, which felt freaking awesome after my long dry spell (please remember I had virtually non-stop sex for two and a half years). She bobbed slightly while pumping my shaft rapidly with one hand and tickling my balls with the other. I tried to push a little bit but Barbie gagged. I guessed she wasn't too skilled at this but hey, everyone starts somewhere. After five minutes she was taking more than half of my length in and doing so hungrily. "I hope you are not close to coming," she mumbled between mouthfuls. "Actually, I'm feeling greedy," I responded. She looked up at me, head still bobbing. "I can sense your pain and feel I should do something about it," I explained. Now she looked confused so I backed up, pulled Barbie up by her waist and kissed her once more. I gracefully walked my hand down her waist and hip to her crotch. With a sharp intake of breath by Barbie, she melted into me and bit my shoulder. Next I spun us around and pushed her back on the bed at the corner, splaying her out for me as her bosom bounced sensually and enticingly. "What's on your mind?" Barbie asked with wide eyes. "I want a taste," I grinned evilly, which only turned her on more. I fell between her outstretched knees. I made eye contact with her as she propped up on her elbows and my hands went to her panty waistband. I grinned, she blushed, and the panties came flying off. Barbie squeaked then slammed a hand over her mouth to muffle the noise. "Use my pillows to prop up your back," I directed Barbie Lynn since she clearly wanted to watch. I maneuvered Barbie into a suitable position so that I was kneeling on the floor with Barbie's silky smooth legs spread to either side. Barbie Lynn was propped up so that she could watch me work. I got the feeling she was used to some level of stimulation, just not from a guy. I could deal with that. "Maybe we shouldn't do this now, or go back to my place where it is safer?" she asked. "I'm too hungry for you right now; your scent is intoxicating," I finished up saying, and then I went in. I didn't rush things because every first time should be special. My right hand traced the line along the sides and rear of Barbie Lynn's thighs. My left hand traced the line over her pubic area to her stomach that finally ended with her left breast. "Hurry," she panted. I knew she had somewhere to be but I was aware she could use some stress relief too. Barbie reached down with a hand to control my left hand and head but I was obeying my instincts. By the time she made up her mind to stop me, I overwhelmed Barbie with a pleasurable, mind warping first orgasm. The noise brought a few students sneaking in to take a peak. Once I had a semblance of control over her, I began a series of actions to excite her whole body. On the second orgasm she wrapped her legs around my head and nearly crushed it. While I lapped up her juices, I decided to follow that up by kissing Barbie and giving her some of her own fluids to taste, a trick new to her. I kept my cock sheathed, though all three of Barbie's holes looked delightful. I figured she wasn't ready yet but I did manage to take off her shirt in the process and fondling and suckling at her magnificent breasts. After the third and fourth orgasms, Barbie passed out, and when she woke up, she whispered to me that she wanted my cock in her mouth and cunt. Purity Pledge? What Purity Pledge? Barbie Lynn confided in me that she'd sucked cock before and thought she was quite good at it, and that a few men had temped her cunt and ass with real penetration but all she had done so far was pleasure herself with toys and with the aid of other (female) students here at school. She was still technically a virgin (no boy parts had penetrated her cunt) but she'd done 'everything else.' Was she or was she not an anal virgin? My money was on virginity. Barbie was pleased that I was going to her church (it was highly popular at the college, she told me), almost as pleased as I was to find her so receptive and hungry for more sex. I told her she needed sexier underwear and that I would gladly go shopping with her for some in case she wanted to model any (yes, I know they don't let you model underwear). While we talked I helped her get dressed, though we couldn't find her panties. We slipped out after that, Barbie to tend to her girls and me to go to my Aunt's. I told her I'd see her tomorrow. Barbie laughed as if she didn't believe me. As I left, I began to appreciate the guy: girl ratio of this place because it was looking very good in my favor. My evening with Jill passed uneventfully; we stayed up late as Jill suddenly realized she was going to be alone for the first time in years so I didn't end up sneaking quietly into my dorm room until well past midnight. The Journey Begins. Day One, It's a What? My first day of college began with a six a.m. wake-up alarm in our room. Both my roommate and I sat up at the same time. We looked at each other and the sheets failed to conceal we apparently both slept shirtless. "Hi. You are a girl," I got off first. "And you are a guy," she replied indignantly. "What are you doing in my room? I mean, why did they give me a female roommate?" I countered. "Ah, are you joking?" she asked incredulously. Clearly I wasn't, and that realization made her grin mischievously. "Where is Glenda?" she inquired next. "Ugh," I sighed. "When I was registered their system misspelled my name. My first name is Glenn, thus the Glenda, but I go by Zane, my middle name. What about you?" "Whoops. I'm Rio Talon and this is going to be wicked," she giggled. "I have to admit I never thought I'd meet someone like you at FFU." "You don't see quite the hardcore fundamentalist/survivalist type either," I responded. "Ha!" she grunted. "You got me. It was either this or three years at a minimum security prison in Arizona," she confessed. She didn't volunteer what she would have done time for and it was really none of my business. "I need to shower," I changed the subject. "I'll go with you," Rio volunteered as she slipped out of bed, and yes, she was naked, and cleverly and artfully shaved with several delicate chevrons pointing down. She also had a black tattoo of the name Lilith going from the right hip along the bikini line, definitely not Church issue. I went to the closet, got a robe, towel, and bathroom kit. Rio brazenly watched me move around. "Body-conscious much?" she chuckled. "Rio, I spent the last two years bathing down at the river with two hundred of my closest neighbors. Trying to cover up gets old really fast," I grinned back at her. "Does my body disgust you?" "'Disgust' isn't the word I was going to use," Rio said as she licked her lips and also got ready for the bathroom. "Now, let's get you shaved before, the bathroom gets flooded with people. By the way," she tossed me Barbie's missing undies, "are these yours?" "Booty from my panty raid; please don't turn me in," I chuckled, as I caught them, then stashed them in my backpack, hopefully to return to Barbie Lynn later. Rio laughed again. As I suspected, not only did I get assigned a female roommate but I was on a female floor, which earned me more than a few shocked looks. Since Rio stuck close to me, she earned her own share of looks, but these were more scornful; Rio ate it up. I still couldn't decide whether I'd miss Rio or not when I got my new room assignment. The two girls in the showers ignored Rio and I when we came in so I was able to shave in peace and get under a steamy shower without the expected shrieks. Only when they dressed in their robes and put on their glasses did things change. Their looks were best expressed as 'a boy saw me naked!' followed by 'A boy saw me naked, ' and ended up with, 'A boy saw me naked and he liked what he saw.' I get hard when the wind blows, anywhere around the globe. They fled in a fit of giggles and I safely exited the bathroom before another girl entered. It was hardly unforeseen that my attire made Rio laugh but when she suggested black horn-rimmed glasses would really complete the nerd-look, I had to laugh too. I noted her regulation skirt appeared to be a bit higher above the knee than was prudent with a pronounced lack of underwear. Rio confessed that her parents tossed all her 'stripper' wear when they shipped her off and she wasn't going to wear the 'granny' panties they had put in place of her G-strings. The trek cross-campus to the Dining Hall would have been more enlightening if Rio had not lured me into an engrossing conversation. Remember now, I had been isolated from mainstream Western pop culture for over two years and had a lot of catching up to do. We grabbed some trays of breakfast; then, at Rio's insistence, we headed outside to eat pretty much by ourselves, or so we hoped. "Professor, inquired this cute brunette with pig tails, dimples, and into pushing her tits in my face; I barely noticed she was backed up by three other girls. "Huh?" I questioned. "Braxton," Rio spoke over me. "Could you tell me, where the, um, Clegger Science Building is, Professor Braxton?" She lied pathetically. My first thoughts were, 'why is she wearing such a thin white blouse two-sizes too small?' and wondering 'when is this thread holding that central button in place going to give up on its hopeless struggle and let her boobs pop out?' Then I became curious why she called me 'professor'. "It is right over there," I said, as I stood up, put my hand on the small of her back, and pointed the way with my other hand. The location of the building was blindingly obvious since this is not a huge campus. If things weren't awkward enough, Ms. Brunette twisted, rubbed her hardening nipples against my chest, and asked, "There?" "No," I corrected by whispering into her ear, causing her to wiggle against me. I took her forearm, lingering my touch on the pulse of her wrist before directing it to the proper angle. "I would walk you there," I added, "but we have to go to the auditorium soon." "Thank you, Professor Braxton." She wiggled a third time. "It is really a pity I don't have any of your classes. What do you teach?" "He's a Biblical Archeologist," Rio interrupted, "specializing in Early Christian Erotic Art and Rituals." I felt Ms. Brunette have a micro-orgasm over that piece of fantastical news. "Are you still taking on students?" Brunette panted to me. Rio jumped up. "Whoops! Look at the time!" exclaimed Rio, "Professor, you have to go, Right Now!" With that, she dragged me away from Ms. Brunette and her girl posse and across campus. "What the hell was that about and why did she call me Professor?" I hissed to Rio as we came to the auditorium for our first assembly. "Oh, it must be some Southern thing, sort of like the English calling men 'Governor'," she lied convincingly. How do I now know she lied? It will become obvious.   I took a seat with Rio amongst the sea of students and it was just my luck that we were surrounded by girls once more. I really wasn't in the mood to have them gawk at me so I slumped down and kept a low profile. The auditorium sounded full-up and there was a magnitude of teachers and such on the stage. When a stately, attractive, yet demanding and stern tall woman with long grey hair worked up in a bun stepped up to the podium, the hall grew silent. First she led us in prayer, which I found odd because normally at this level of fundamentalism, women couldn't lead men in prayer, but I could have cared less. She welcomed the rising seniors first, then worked down the list until she recognized the new class of freshmen, reminding them of their 'Handmaiden Duties,' whatever that was. I looked to Rio who was stifling to suppress some dark glee, undoubtedly at my expense. The Chancellor of FFU worked us through some of what I assumed was normal school crap plus a reminder to review with diligence their code of moral and ethical behaviors and the names of their spiritual guidance counselors in case they felt wickedness overcoming them. Considering the thin white blouses and the short, pleated plaid skirts, yours truly and the other men on campus were going to be scoring like mad, morals and ethics be damned. A closing prayer ended the meeting and we dispersed like good little sheep heading for our first class of the semester. Rio and I both had English Literature but in different rooms so she was kind/sadistic enough to drop me by my room before heading her own way. I walked in and took a middle seat. Once again all the girls looked at me funny when they came in and I couldn't miss the fact that in a classroom size of twenty, we had nineteen girls and only one guy, me. I was mulling this over (I'm actually a smart guy but I admit, I hadn't been showing it too much recently) when our teacher came in. Her name was Ms. Goodswell (no lie) and she was a gorgeous brunette with breasts of greater proportions than Barbie Lynn's, and the rest just got lusher. Ms.  Goodswell leaned against the front of her large wooden writing desk and used her tablet to scroll down the roll call. I was number three. "Braxton," her sugary sweet voice drawled out. "Glenda Braxton." I shifted in my seat. "Here," I said in a clear masculine voice, "but I go by Zane." Ms.  Goodswell looked up over her reading glasses, expecting something other than me. As she looked at me her eyes grew larger, and she looked, and she looked. "What are you wearing?" she asked crisply. "What my Aunt told me was proper school attire, Ms. Goodswell," I replied tentatively. "Proper attire is clearly outlined, white blouse and a pleated blue and gold tartan skirt with white knee sox and black shoes. Men wear pants; women wear skirts," she clarified. I imagine my jaw dropped open at that one. Finally, I stood up so she could get a good look at me. "I'm dressed correctly, then I'm a guy," I insisted. Ms. Goodswell had looked annoyed but now she looked pissed. She strode boldly toward me, heels clicking against the marble floor. "So you insist that you are a man, do you?" she snapped. Before I could do anything but nod she slapped a cupped hand against my crotch. I coughed in pain. I became aroused despite the mild discomfort because I was now gazing down into Ms. Goodswell's ample bosom. Her eyes went from angry to utter shock. "You are a man," she whispered in horror. "What are you doing in my class?" I reached into my book bag and got my schedule, letting her gaze on it. I noticed her hand stayed on my crotch. "Nine a.m., English Lit. 101 in room 204, Denning Hall V. Goodswell," I read out loud. Ms. Goodswell read it over while she massaged my growing shaft; subconsciously or not, I wasn't sure. "Very well," she said decisively. She turned back and returned to the roll. As I sat down I had that creepy feeling that everyone else was staring at me, or more precisely, my Goodswell-inspired hard on. After that little bit of drama the actual class was okay. Ms. Goodswell was pretty bright and made our upcoming journey into the works of a bunch of old dead British guys sound fun. When the bell rang we got up and started to file out but Ms. Goodswell motioned me to wait for the others to leave us alone. It didn't work out that way; the other girls hovered right outside the door. "Okay, Mr. Braxton, what are you trying to prove?" she accused me with some real heat. "Please, Ms. Goodswell, believe me; I haven't a clue what is going on here. I woke up with a girl in my room this morning, I began. "You had a girl in your room this morning? That didn't take you long," she said bitterly. "No, wait; it was my assigned roommate, Rio Talon, and she was on her side of the room. It is okay because they accidently stuck me on a girl's floor in the dorm because there were girls in the showers too," I continued. "Didn't you thing that was a bit odd?" she asked suspiciously. "Not really, ma'am. I've spent the last two years with missionaries in rural Thailand; I'm used to bathing with naked women all the time. Initially, I figured this was some sort of bureaucratic snafu but after doing my own quick census of your class, I think I've missed something crucial," I explained. "Mr. Braxton, Zane, this is an all-girls school; men are not allowed. We can't even employ a man under the age of forty-five," she informed me while studying my expression. While my cock would have done summersaults of joy, my brain was looking at my access to my trust fund going down the toilet. "I apologize. I'm pretty sure my Aunt Jill didn't know and I assure you, I was ignorant of this fact. What do we do now?" I sighed. "I believe you, Mr., .Zane. No one would use this as an excuse after going through all the trouble to sneak in here. For now, you continue to your classes and I'll inform your other instructors of this, extraordinary event. Expect to spend lunch with the Chancellor so that we can extricate you from this situation. Can I rely on you to be good in the interim?" "I'll do my best," I promised. She dismissed me and began using her phone. When I slipped out of the room, my classmates made room enough for me to make my way down the hall. "Zane!" a young female voice called out. I turned around to see Ms. Brunette. "Is it true you are a freshman here?" I was sure she would be pissed for the whole 'Professor' gag Rio had played and I'd unwittingly gone along with. "Yes," I confessed. She'd assumed I was a teacher because I was male and I hadn't corrected her. "Kiss me!" she beamed hungrily. That was not what I expected but I reacted quickly and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. Ms. Brunette looked upset. "You can do better than that," she commanded. Again, not what I expected; I put my book bag down, took hers off her shoulder and placed it next to mine. I started off with a repeat of the last kiss but instead of that being the ending point, I used it as a foundation to build upon. I slowly drew her in; she pulled her arms up between us and cupped my face as I dipped her with enough tongue action to make our steamy embrace a thermographic exploration of lust. We kissed for over a minute before I brought her up and let her go. "Better?" I murmured to her. Ms. Brunette nodded dreamily. As I retrieved my book bag from the floor I realized I was adrift in a sea of lonely young women. I could now empathize with that lost baby seal who found itself surrounded by a pod of killer whales. "Kiss me!" insisted a blonde. "No, me; I was here first." "I'm a senior; I go first," demanded a breathtaking black woman. I didn't know what was going on and I had no idea how to deal with this bizarre situation but all that was taken out of my hands by the next noise I heard. "Get off me, bitch," I heard Rio shout out, followed by a slap and her scream. Rio was hardly my friend, in fact, she had used me for her own personal amusement for the entire time I'd known her, but she was my roommate, an outsider, and I was sure no one else would come to her aid. I shouldered my way in the directions of her screams and sobs, parting the last few girls separating us. Rio was on her stomach on the floor with three girls gathered over her. Closest to me was one with thick, wavy black hair and dark skin who had her foot pushing down on Rio's ass. The second one, who appeared to be the leader, was a black girl with shiny black hair in an intricate weave and was bouncing on Rio's back, yanking her hair back painfully, and was taunting Rio, saying she was supposed to be a good little beast of burden as well as mocking her as a 'felon'. The last tormentor was the only one facing me, though she was preoccupied with holding Rio's arms forward so she couldn't reach back to scratch the ringleader. It wasn't hard for me to figure out what to do. When Weave started bouncing up, I swept the legs out from under the other wavy-haired girl, sending her toppling backwards. I then put a boot to the black girl's ass, propelling her into the spectators on the far side of us. I didn't even bother with girl number three. I grabbed Rio by the arm and yanked her up and swung her behind me. It turned out to be a good choice because when the black girl back-flipped up in one fluid move, she landed in a martial arts fighting stance. I had a fight on my hands, or would have if the bell hadn't rung. As it was, the black girl looked both outraged and shocked when she took in my gender and my counter-stance. A flood of girls suddenly separated us. Rio took the opportunity to grab her book bag, then my hand, and together we bolted to our next class which was, oddly enough, Biblical Archeology but without the procreation parts. Our professor, Mrs. Carradine, treated me a bit coldly but the attention directed my way by the student body was anything but. I had barely pulled out my book when the girl behind me tapped my shoulder and slipped me a note. You will take my book bag to lunch and eat lunch with me. Dove Foster I furrowed my brow and showed the note to Rio who was sitting next to me. She smiled and whispered, "Handmaiden's Duty," in a condescending tone. "Didn't you read your handbook?" Any further conversation was cut short by Mrs. Carradine's blistering glare. For some reason, Buddy Jesus kept me safe from anymore female attention until the class ended and I began to make my way out. I took some comfort that Rio stayed close to my side. My Social Secretary "Zane. Zane Braxton, do you mind if I call you Zane?" babbled a shorter, slender girl with shoulder length black hair and glasses as she grabbed my elbow in a death grip from behind. "You can't ask him to do anything until he steps out of class," Rio cautioned the newcomer. Now I had to decide whether or not I'd be a slave to Dove for an hour because technically she appeared to be in violation of the rules, which I knew no

Welcome to the Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy, hosted by Drs. James Hawkins, Ph.D., LPC, and Ryan Rana, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC—Renowned ICEEFT Therapists, Supervisors, and Trainers. We're thrilled to have you with us. We believe this podcast, a valuable resource, will empower you to push the boundaries in your work, helping individuals and couples connect more deeply with themselves and each other. Listeners will learn about the critical differences between Stage One and Stage Two enactments, understanding that Stage Two is about restructuring relationships and creating a secure emotional bond. The episode outlines key targets for therapists, including uncovering negative self-views, exploring deep-seated primary emotions, and creating opportunities for emotionally risky revelations. To support our mission and help us continue producing impactful content, your financial contributions via Venmo (@leftpodcast) are greatly appreciated. They play a significant role in keeping this valuable resource available and are a testament to your commitment to our cause. We aim to equip therapists with practical tools and encouragement for addressing relational distress. We're also excited to be part of the team behind Success in Vulnerability (SV)—your premier online education platform. SV offers innovative instruction to enhance your therapeutic effectiveness through exclusive modules and in-depth clinical examples.  Stay connected with us: Facebook: Follow our page @pushtheleadingedge Ryan: Follow @ryanranaprofessionaltraining on Facebook and visit his website James: Follow @dochawklpc on Facebook and Instagram, or visit his website at dochawklpc.com George Faller: Visit georgefaller.com If you like the concepts discussed on this podcast you can explore our online training program, Success in Vulnerability (SV). Thank you for being part of our community. Let's push the leading edge together!

David is an entrepreneur, business icon, charity founder, lover of football and the arts, specifically theatre. His work is dedicated to helping people in more ways than one. From an early age he has had a keen entrepreneurial flair starting with a wholesale business supplying food imported from West Africa and the West Indies. Inspired by his mother's shop in Shepherd's Bush Market during the Windrush years. To then setting up various charities including “The Twinning Project” which works extensively with people in prisons to help them get back on their feet after their sentence is up. The project partners with football and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice to help rebuild lives that have had a tough beginning. Trustees include Ian Wright and Dame Sally Coates. In terms of the arts, David was part of “Stage One”, a bursary that works with commercial theatre producers to help their work get made. In the last five years alone they have supported 80 new producer, awarded £430,000 to emerging producers, £320,000 worth of top ups to previous collaborators and created new partnerships to emerging musical theatre presentations. Of course he is most famously known for being the former vice-chairman of the greatest football club in the world, The Arsenal. Being the man who hired Arséne Wenger, winning 18 trophies and guiding us to a season completely undefeated. If that's not enough, he also received an MBE in recognition of his achievements in 2019.David and I discuss his love for theatre, football and how both can help people in so many ways. You don't get anywhere unless “you stick your neck out” and never fear “missing the moon because you'll hit the stars”. Thank you David, such an honour!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning The Uncensored Critic Podcast was heard in over 34 countries in 2024. In the same year streams grew by 39%, listeners increased by 30%, brand new listeners were up by 88% and followers were up 136%. The show has an average rating of 5/5 Stars. Official stats from #SpotifyWrapped 2024. 

There's been a lot of build up to G's final race and, well, he nearly missed it. A plane mechanical and a thunder storm conspired to stop him travelling to Suffolk until 1am last night, but he got there. Thank the lord for that. We'd have had to rip up some big old Watts Occurring plans. Anyway, he rolled out from Woodbridge this morning resplendent in his new INEOS jersey aboard his stunning special edition Pinarello DOGMA F and the Lloyds Tour of Britain was underway. Luke was in the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team car calling the shots and his boy Tord Gudmestad nearly pulled off a brilliant stage win. He's also an excellent songwriter. You'll have to listen for that story. There was some incredible fans on the roadside and the boys went through some of their favourites in our new feature Lloyds Upstaged. Bit of Vuelta chat and that's your lot. We will see you tomorrow. Find out more about Lloyds inspiring work with British Cycling here: https://www.lloydsbank.com/about-us/british-cycling.html Fancy a trip to your local Pinarello retailer? Visit https://pinarello.com/global/en/store-locator to find your local store today. And if you're in Newport for the start of stage six of the Lloyds Tour of Britain, head to Pinarello's spot in the race village to check out some of G's bikes. Enter the Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust Raffle here: https://raffall.com/394820/enter-raffle-to-win-gs-final-race-raffle-in-support-of-the-gtct-hosted-by-geraint-thomas-cycling-trust Watts Occurring is brought to you by Lloyds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ned heads for Southwold and recruits two new NSF staffers.Sign up to BIKMO for the best bike insurance in the world!Sign up and show your support to NSF - Live in France! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi everyone, Carl Gould here with your #70secondCEO—just a little over a one-minute investment every day for a lifetime of results. As we dive into Stage One and explore what's required, you'll see the power tools for where your focus should be at each phase. One of the earliest and most important tools is assessment. You need to understand your identity—where you stand at any given moment—and what you bring to the table. But it's not just about you. You'll also assess everyone in your company, looking at their behavior styles, value hierarchies, and key attributes. With those insights, you'll be able to put the right people in the right roles, doing the right tasks. While we assess people early on, the benchmarking of the business and roles comes later. Like and follow this podcast to learn more. I'm Carl Gould, and this has been your #70secondCEO.  

When I first moved to New York, I spent my first year living in a railroad apartment above an Ecuadorian fruit shop on Second Avenue. It was a character-building experience. I went weeks without heating or hot water in winter, and my windows had almost no effect whatsoever in keeping out the ceaseless sound of trucks thundering past my bedroom enroute to restock the city. When I arrived they'd just start construction on the Second Ave subway, a few blocks from my home. The project was hitting a few speedbumps. Bedrock turned out to be deeper than anticipated, a worker nearly died after being stuck in waste-deep slop on site, and what was supposed to be a controlled explosion sent rocks flying all over a busy Manhattan intersection. Curiously, the Second Ave subway route was first proposed in the 1920s, which Wikipedia tells was about the same time that planners first mused over the possibility of the Morningside Deviation, a train tunnel in central Auckland. Stage One of the Second Avenue subway was a 3.2km tunnel. The Central Rail Link is 3.5km. Second Ave ended up costing more than $7 Billion. The Central Rail Link blew out however many times but at last check was $5.5 Billion. The weird thing about a big underground tunnel development is that most of us never fully appreciate the scale of the work. It's obvious I suppose, but even if you live and work in the city, while you get used to a few cones and traffic delays up above the ground, you have no real perspective about the extraordinary activities happening somewhere beneath your feet. Auckland Transport has this week released its updated transit map with the CRL stations. Apparently they've done 1600 test runs so far. They've run trains more than 5000km – Kaitaia to Bluff two-and-a-half times. They've been driving trains at 70kmph directly underneath Auckland's CBD and at no point have I felt so much of a rumble or a shudder. I reckon the vast majority of us up top have been absolutely none-the-wiser. The kid in me who briefly considered becoming an engineer (and even volunteered to spend a school holiday touring the Lyttelton Tunnel) can't help but think that's pretty cool. After riding along on a VIP tour yesterday with all the politicians and movers-and-shakers, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown was in vintage form. How was it? He was asked. “It was a ride in a train.” He said. “We don't want excitement.” Well, maybe not. But guilty as charged. Maybe it's the engineering. Maybe it's the people-watching. Maybe it's the broader sense of momentum and life, but whether it's a tube, an underground, or a subway, I love a bit of subterranean mass-transit. You know you're a nerd when you're less excited about the opening of New Zealand's first IKEA than the transport connection you'll take to get there. After years of construction, the Second Ave subway opened two weeks before I moved back home. One of the last things I did on my last few days in New York was ride a loop. Not because I had somewhere to be but because I wanted to see what all that fuss and money and effort had created, out of sight, underneath my feet. I can't wait to do the same thing here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's finally happened... Sasha joins Super Progressive for an honest interview about his legendary Global Underground 013 Ibiza mix compilation. Sasha has partnered with Amplifyd to auction signature items in his record collection, including the actual acetates he used on this mix compilation, including 'Fibonacci Sequence' by BT, 'The Bassline Track' by Medway, and 'Stage One' by Space Manoeuvres.The Sasha Collection on Amplifyd: https://amplifyd.com/the-sasha-collectionChapters: 00:00 - Introduction01:13 - Choosing Ibiza06:16 - Rare Acetates10:32 - Release Schedules in the 90s13:23 - Producing 'Airdrawndagger'14:41 - 'My Lexicon' by Sander Kleinenberg15:43 - Discovering BT18:28 - 'Fibonacci Sequence'21:06 - 'Heaven Scent' by Bedrock22:35 - 'Xpander'25:08 - 777 Acetates26:50 - Transitioning Away From Vinyl#dj  #housemusic #progressivehouse

Welcome to this week's podcast. We will be exploring human spirituality and personal growth. Today, we're discussing the work of theologian and psychologist James Fowler and his influential Stages of Faith development.Fowler's theory isn't just about religious belief; it offers a profound look at how we construct meaning in our lives, from childhood through adulthood. Understanding these stages is crucial for fostering spiritual maturity, as they outline how our understanding of faith transforms, influenced by cognitive growth, emotional maturity, and life experiences. This journey of faith development is also deeply intertwined with our mental well-being. A healthy progression through these stages can contribute to a more integrated sense of self and a resilient outlook, while challenges within these stages can impact mental health. In this episode, we'll lay the foundation by focusing on Stage One: Intuitive-Projective Faith. This stage typically occurs in early childhood, roughly between the ages of three and seven. It's a fascinating period where imagination reigns supreme, and a child's understanding of faith is heavily influenced by the moods, actions, and stories of the significant adults in their lives. I hope you enjoy.

Olivia Munn's mother was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer after Olivia battled with it prior. NBA star Klay Thompson was in the back of Megan The Stallion's Instagram photo! And after breakup rumors about Cardi B & Stefon Diggs they confirmed they are still together!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Rumps & Bumps jersey just dropped! Check out afterpartyinc.com. Its a special Independence Day episode featuring our girl VOO. She tells us all about how she got started dancing in the Sun City, some wild club stories and we talk about good and bad times at the infamous Jaguars Gentleman's Club. Plus she tells us what she's up to nowadays including her brand new single life. Follow us on social media @AaronScenesAfterParty.

European Launcher Challenge's shortlist announced. Dhruva Space to provide solar panels for Pixxel hyperspectral constellation. US Space Systems Command awards $2.8B in contracts for secure space communications. And, more.  Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Aegis Space Law Attorney's Bailey Reichelt and Jack Shelton bring you the Aegis Space Law monthly segment. You can connect with Bailey Reichelt and Jack Shelton on LinkedIn, and send your questions to space@n2k.com. Selected Reading N° 42–2025: European Launcher Challenge: preselected challengers unveiled (European Space Agency)  Dhruva Space set to power up Pixxel's next constellation with Solis+ Space-grade Solar Panels (Dhruva Space)  Space Systems Command Awards $2.8B Contract to Deliver the First Two Satellites for Modern (US Space Force)  France joins European push for satellite internet on trains (Reuters)  NASA Mission Monitoring Air Quality from Space Extended (NASA) Space auction: Sally Ride memorabilia collection sells for $145,000 (Space.com) China accelerates toward lunar goals as reusability programs gain momentum - NASASpaceFlight.com  OroraTech opens Greek headquarters to accelerate wildfire constellation and boost national innovation (OroraTech) T-Minus Crew Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watts Occurring is now on YOUTUBE! Click HERE to watch G podding from his Tour de France massage table. The Tour de France always starts with a bang. You never want to miss the first stage... and this year was no different. G made it through unscathed and joined Tom on the massage table to tell you all about it. See you tomorrow with Luke and special guest Ben Swift. Don't forget the incredible competition from our friends at Continental Tyres. Visit www.continental-tyres.co.uk/watts-occurring, enter, and you could join us in Paris for the final weekend of the Tour. It's a once in a lifetime trip. What have you got to lose? And we also have a brilliant offer from our friends at Rouleur for July. Use code WATTS at rouleur.cc/subscribe to get 10% any of their subscription offers and enjoy their unparalleled daily Tour de France coverage. Watts Occurring is brought to you by Continental Tyres Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris joins the BIKMO Never Strays Car. That's the story.Redeem your BIKMO offer here!Support NSF Live-in-France and sign up in your millions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the dust settles on stage one of the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder, Payson and Sarah sit down to talk about the punishing 80 miles from Bend to Gilchrist. They discuss how things played out in the men's and women's fields, how Sarah's new haircut might have taken her out of contention, Evel Knievel's leap across the Snake River, and her husband Dylan's run-in with a skunk that has followed them to the race. Today's episode is presented by SILCA. Use code: withpaceoregontrail to get 15% off. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Before I begin this episode, which covers quite a bit of diverse territory, I'd like to mention once again, the purpose of this podcast. Essentially, it is based on personal growth and everything that I share here serves the same purpose – to present some information for you to consider and see if it rings true. These aren't teachings, for I don't consider myself to be a teacher. I'm more of an experiencer walking a particular path and reporting back as I go.             So each episode is a bit like an idea buffet. If something looks good, put it on your plate and give it a try. If it doesn't appeal to you, just leave it alone and move on to the next dish. It reminds me of this big Chinese food buffet that our little family, my wife, our daughter and I, used to visit on our way to the shore when we would take a little vacation together. My wife and daughter have the same basic taste in foods which is somewhat Eastern with a tendency towards the exotic. I am a much more standard, pedestrian, American food type of guy. After we were seated, we would go through the buffet separately and when we got back to the table, my wife and daughter's plates looked basically the same. But mine looked like I had been to a completely different restaurant. The difference was striking.             It's the same thing here. We're all wired so differently. Remember no two sets of fingerprints are exactly the same, neither are two snowflakes, and certainly not two inner landscapes.  So, if you like what follows, enjoy yourself. And if it's not for you, just hit fast forward.             So, sticking with the food metaphor, here comes the meat and potatoes. As I've mentioned previously, a lot of times, I'll just be going along, living my day to day existence, and I'll come across an idea or a quote that takes me on an unexpected journey. Often, one of these little journeys will lead to another, and then to another – until I suddenly wind up in a slightly different inner framework, with a bunch of new insights in hand. And this happened to me quite recently.             As I mentioned in the last episode, I have been developing a form of AI to serve as a companion to the NeuroHarmonic Method. For now, we are calling it the NeruoGuide and part of my role in this process involves the two of us, me and NeuroGuide, having some extended conversations together. We don't have time to get into it here, but it's been quite a fascinating experience.             Now, I am absolutely swamped with work. I don't think I've ever been busier, so what do you think I did the other day. If you've come to know me to a certain degree, you can probably guess – I took three hours off and played some golf. And again, as I've mentioned several times, I am such a truly poor golfer that the idea of my spending any time with it at all, feels like a complete waste of time.             And it wasn't even fun. Let's just say it felt like eating at a smorgasbord of disappointment. My swing, if you want to call it that, is just a hack-job, and when I hit the ball, it looks like a mad scientist trying to kill his worst enemy with a hatchet. You get the picture.             Anyway, I get back to work and as part of my research, I tell the NeruoGuide about the whole thing, and it immediately says that play is much more important to the human psyche than we know and out of know-where, drops this quote from Einstein, "Play is the highest form of research."             Now that hit me on a couple of levels. First, the fact that it came from Einstein caught my attention, just because of the level of intelligence that he represents to me. The second thing was that any correlation between play and research seemed almost counter-intuitive. On the surface, they basically seem like complete opposites. But it was the third thing that really got me thinking. I immediately figured that the quote didn't really pertain to me because I don't do research, at least not any that I'm aware of. But as I thought about it, I felt I needed some more clarity, so I looked up the definition of the world “research,” and found a rather bland definition, which is that it is “the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.”             It seemed like you couldn't come up with a more scientific explanation of the process than that. As I focused on the definition, it seemed to me that research had to have a purpose. Like scientists developing T-Cell therapy to find a cure for cancer. That type of thing.             Then, as it often happens when I am in this kind of a framework, I had a bit of a lightbulb moment and I suddenly got to something rather deep. When I looked at it in a certain way, it became clear to me that I actually am doing research. In fact I have been spending my whole life doing research, gathering all of the higher understandings that I can gather about life, with the goal of understanding my real purpose for being here, and ultimately fulfilling it.             Obviously, that's a lot of words. But for me, I realized quite some time ago that given the overall impermanence of everything, achieving the standard definitions of success in life just doesn't seem like enough. If everything—even the universe—will eventually end, then what's the point? And so, echoing a sentiment expressed by seekers across time, I always find myself asking: isn't there more to this than meets the eye? There has to be more to it than that. Now, what happened next might seem like a tangent, but it's not. We have a one-year-old granddaughter. When she arrived, my wife and I were inducted into the hallowed halls of grandparent heaven, and we've been blissfully intoxicated ever since. The joy and gratitude have blown the doors off both our outer and inner homes.             But along with the amazement of witnessing her living through her very first year, I began to reflect again on something I first learned about many years ago - the basic stages of life, which is something that we are all living through individually.             Let's go back to when and how I first encountered this idea. Following my graduation from college in 1971, I began a significant inner quest that has only gotten stronger over time. At one point, early in my explorations, I spent some time in India and one teacher was lecturing about certain Vedantic viewpoints and introduced the idea of the stages of life. He said that Stage One was early childhood, where all we think about is – my toys, my toys, my toys. In Stage Two, we reach puberty, and all we think about it is – my mate, my mate, my mate. Then we hit real adulthood, and all we think about for the rest of our life is – my worries, my worries, my worries. And that was the end of the first night's lecture.             Now I don't know about you, but for me, Part Three seemed a little depressing. At least Parts One and Two had some serious elements of fun to them. But worrying away the rest of your adult life didn't strike me as an appetizing main course. But the next night, he told us that there is a fourth stage, but many people, for one reason or another, never get to experience it. And that stage is the exploration of the Real Self, which is quite different from the artificial self. The artificial self goes through its fixations on my toys, my mate and my worries. But the authentic self is focused on my truth, my truth, my truth. And it always has been. And basically,  if you're lucky enough to focus on your authentic self as you continue to mature internally, something wonderful happens. All the impermanent things you've clung to begin to fall away. And this inner truth—your connection to the Infinite—remains steady. That connection, and your enjoyment of it, only grows over time. Here's another way of looking at it, which is one of my favorites. I heard this during a talk from Prem Rawat, who is a widely recognized global peace ambassador. I also consider him to be a real humorist, which is different from being a comedian. A comedian says funny things, but a humorist says things funny. Meaning that while a comedian's goal is to entertain people by making them laugh, a humorist's goal is to make truthful observations in a way that augments the ring of truth by adding the ring of wise laughter. It's a very powerful combination. Anyway, in describing the journey we are on, Prem likened it to traveling in a car. It's a long journey and as we go on, one thing after another starts to break down. This keeps happening until finally, the whole car breaks down and comes to a complete halt. But the good news is that it breaks down right in front of our home, which was our destination anyway. So, the fact that it all fell apart doesn't matter to us at all. Because we're home. Interesting view of impermanence… So now, let's circle back to my disappointing golf experience, and the insight from the  NeuroGuide that I should ponder Einstein's quote, “Play is the highest form of research.” Again, having these kinds of conversations is a key part of our development process., so I asked the NeuroGuide to reflect on the quote. It said, “In mentioning research, Einstein wasn't just talking about scientists in lab coats. He was pointing toward a deeper truth. Play brings curiosity, improvisation, experimentation. When you play, you're not just seeking pleasure. You are letting go of control and inviting insight. You're giving permission to explore without demanding a result. “The child who stacks blocks to see what will fall is not that different from the adult who experiments with new approaches to their awareness. They're both asking the same question: What if?”             And that's where we'll leave it today. What if I actually am a researcher? And what if letting go of control and inviting insight is the highest form of research? What if each time I shed a layer of the artificial self, I come closer to the Real Self, the one that keeps whispering: my truth, my truth, my truth? And what if this merging into the Real Self is the actual purpose of my existence? What if?             Let's just leave it there and as always, keep your eyes, mind and heart open, and let's get together in the next one.  

There's a distinct European flavour to this week's episode and we kick off with our reaction to the UK/EU deal struck on Monday.Has the Scottish fishing industry, once again, been a bargaining chip worth sacrificing to benefit other parts of the UK economy? Given that fishing and farming are devolved matters why wasn't the Scottish government either involved or at the very least consulted on the agreements reached in these areas? Despite the trumpeting of the deal will it always be a sticking plaster over the economic wounds of Brexit?Saturday saw the latest edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Lesley has always been a massive fan of the event, Pat not so much,  what are her reactions to the inclusion of Israel, the behaviour of the EBU and host broadcaster in apparently censoring the live audience during the Israeli performance, and the claims of massive state intervention in order for Israel to stage a propaganda coup?The British Museum hosted a secret celebration of Israel "Independence" Day. Much of the focus has been on the appearance at it by comedian Jimmy Carr but should more have been made of the speech given by UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle , on the day that the Labour government was in court defending itself against claims that it had continued to supply Israel with F35 aircraft parts in breach of its own sanctions?ScotLand( sic) Futures led by the Scottish Land Commission has called for individuals, community groups, land managers, businesses and organisations to "help shape a shared vision for how Scotland's land is owned, used and managed". Lesley asks if we need less "consultation" and more genuine action?As we recorded last week's episode the result of the vote at Stage One of The Assisted Dying Bill vote at Holyrood was unknown. The vote was in favour. What happens next?Andrew Tickell article - https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25171496.assisted-dying-debate-deserves-better-bad-faith-politics/We also look at the election of the new Pope and Pat revels in the prospect of a European tour with his beloved Dundee United. Or does he?Keli play - https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/keli ★ Support this podcast ★

First our Giro morning shows! Except this one's a bit of a hybrid. But Owain Doull joins us, so that's good.Join the BIKMO family and get a T-shirt!New NSF GIRO Merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's newscast, thousands of professional and technical workers went on strike yesterday at UC campuses across the state including UC Santa Cruz. Plus, the director of the UCSC Center for Labor and Community discusses the importance of labor power at this political moment.

This Week's Show: Can the Habs Stage One More Winning Streak to Grab a Playoff Spot?Segment 1 | Week in Review, Habs News, League News⦁ Kaiden Guhle's return boosts Canadiens' playoff chances.⦁ Habs prospects still alive in NCAA Frozen Four regionals.⦁ Quote of the week from Marty St. Louis. 'Let's have fun!'Segment 2 | Habs Hot Streak Turns Cold at a Crucial Point in the Playoff Race The Montreal Canadiens will find themselves playing meaningful games in April but are they prepared for the intense pressure of an NHL playoff race?Segment 3 | Have Your SayCanadiens upcoming events.Canadiens Connection question of the week: How can the Canadiens go on one last hot streak to end the season or is their playoff dream slipping away?Listener's texts and emails.Get the Canadiens Connection!Use our single link here to subscribe to the Canadiens Connection your favorite podcast app.Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, InstagramA new episode of the Canadiens Connection podcast is available weekly on Saturday afternoon. Missed an episode? You can download every episode of the Canadiens Connection HERE.Canadiens Connection on Rocket Sports RadioThank you for listening to the Canadiens Connection. This engaging podcast connects Habs fans with their beloved team from a plugged-in source they know and trust.Canadiens Connection is hosted by Rick Stephens (@RocketSports) with Amy Johnson (@FlyersRule). This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Hey Regular Guys and Gals, Kev and Kelse are back for this edition of RGF. The role of routine in self discipline and peace. How daily Catholic mass could be your 30 minutes or less means to meditate, heal and have routine - and how anyone can attend. How lent is actually the time to transform. The difference between ketamine and psilocybin treatments. The value of doing inner work BEFORE any kind of therapy along with some steps to do so. The great online healing content for victims - and choosing the right one for you. The lack of content for the perps seeking redemption. How being judgmental creates limiting beliefs and how those limiting beliefs affect your mental and physical  health, fulfillment and success. The new healing way to look at long lines, the next time you're shopping. How tending to tasks, errands and organization can also be vices. Spring is around the corner - bye B's.  -- HEAL SQUAD SOCIALS IG: https://www.instagram.com/healsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healsquadxmaria HEAL SQUAD RESOURCES: Heal Squad Website: https://www.healsquad.com/ Maria Menounos Website: https://www.mariamenounos.com My Curated Macy's Page: Shop My Macy's Storefront AquaTru: https://aquatruwater.com/ code: HEALSQUAD AirDoctor: https://airdoctorpro.com/ code: HEALSQUAD Prenuvo: Prenuvo.com/MARIA for $300 off Sleep Number: https://www.sleepnumber.com/ ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS: Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actress, 2x NYT best-selling author, former pro-wrestler and brain tumor survivor, Maria Menounos' passion is to see others heal and to get better in all areas of life. ABOUT HEAL SQUAD x MARIA MENOUNOS: A daily digital talk-show that brings you the world's leading healers, experts, and celebrities to share groundbreaking secrets and tips to getting better in all areas of life. DISCLAIMER: This Podcast and all related content (published or distributed by or on behalf of Maria Menounos or http://Mariamenounos.com and http://healsquad.com) is for informational purposes only and may include information that is general in nature and that is not specific to you. Any information or opinions provided by guest experts or hosts featured within website or on Company's Podcast are their own; not those of Maria Menounos or the Company. Accordingly, Maria Menounos and the Company cannot be responsible for any results or consequences or actions you may take based on such information or opinions. This podcast is presented for exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a specific illness. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health-care emergency, please contact a qualified health care professional for treatment.

It's already February 10th?!  I can't hardly believe it.  At this rate, we'll be done with 2025 in no time.  Better get a line wet as much as possible this year or we're gonna regret it.  Speaking of wetting lines, I had the pleasure of ice fishing with my best bud, Pete Wagner, recently.  The fishing was slow, but I think you'll find our conversation entertaining and thought-provoking.  Did I mention there's ghosts?  Here's a rundown:- I filmed Stage One of the Bass Pro Tour in Texas- We talk about the impact of forward-facing sonar on competitive fishing- It's hard to schedule content for social media- Are we being invaded by UFOs or UAPs or whatever they're called now?- I describe a ghost encounter where I behaved like a frightened child- Pete shares his experiences in the Boundary Waters Canoe AreaAnd SO MUCH MORE!Sit back, crack open a cold one, and relax.  You're among friends.  This isn't another fishing podcast.  This is...Another Fishing Podcast!Check out Angling Uploaded on these platforms:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anglinguploadedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anglinguploaded Rumble: https://www.rumble.com/anglinguploadedYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/anglinguploaded    

Many people have heard of Armageddon. But few people know what the details of this war are: Who is involved? Where does it take place? When will it take place? In this episode, Levi Hazen presents the first stage, the gathering of armies.

STAGE ONE: Summary - Wealth, Health And Happiness Challenge - Know Your Numbers Be In Control Welcome to Join Up Dots, where today, we're diving into a transformative journey to build wealth, health, and happiness. In this episode, we explore the crucial steps to creating a balanced life, starting with understanding your financial baseline. By taking stock of your income, expenses, and debt, you gain clarity to make smarter decisions. We'll discuss how budgeting can empower you to allocate resources effectively and how small steps in saving and investing can compound into significant financial growth. You'll also learn the value of diversifying your income streams to safeguard your financial future and why purpose, not passion, should drive your efforts. Finally, we address common financial pitfalls like debt traps and emotional spending, ensuring you stay on track. This episode isn't just about theory—it's about taking actionable steps toward the life you want. Share your journey with us using hashtags like #JoinUpDots, #WealthHealthHappiness, and #LifeGoals. Let's inspire others to take control of their futures. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

STAGE ONE: Day Twelve: Wealth, Health & Happiness Challenge - Be An Adult & Forget Passion Welcome to another episode of Join Up Dots! Today, we're busting the myth that you need to find your passion in life to be successful. From childhood dreams to adult uncertainty, we explore why the search for passion often leads to frustration and how shifting your focus can unlock the freedom you desire. Drawing on examples like Elon Musk, we uncover how success isn't about waiting for passion to strike but about taking action, solving problems, and building a life you love. Instead of chasing the perfect job or idea, learn how to channel your energy into creating a vision for the life you want—and then making it happen, one step at a time. If this episode resonated with you, share it with your friends using #JoinUpDots, #LifeGoals, and #MythBusters. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

LISTENER SUCCESS: Stage One Happiness And Control In this episode of Join Up Dots, we share inspiring stories from listeners around the globe who are transforming their lives through the Wealth, Health, and Happiness Challenge. From Spain to Japan, these listeners reveal how simple, actionable steps have helped them create plans, reduce financial stress, and reclaim control over their daily lives. Whether it's saving money by canceling unnecessary subscriptions, building healthier routines, or finding peace of mind through gratitude practices, the challenge is proving to be a life-changer. If you're ready to start making positive changes, dive into the episode and take that first step today. And don't forget to share your own journey on social media using #JoinUpDots and #WealthHealthHappiness to inspire others to take action too! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

STAGE ONE: Day Eleven: Health, Wealth And Happiness Challenge - Go Back To The Budget And Start Earning Welcome to another inspiring episode of Join Up Dots, where we're diving into a topic that could transform your financial future: developing multiple income streams. Today, we're exploring how you can use side hustles to not only boost your income but also build confidence in your ability to shape your life. This episode is all about starting small and growing steadily, creating a ripple effect that could lead to significant financial and personal empowerment. Let's face it—relying on a single paycheck can feel like walking a tightrope. One unexpected event, and everything could come crashing down. That's where side hustles come in. They're not just about padding your wallet; they're about reclaiming control, creating opportunities, and discovering what you're capable of achieving. We begin by addressing a simple yet often overlooked step: examining your budget. This might not sound exciting, but it's the foundation of everything else. By identifying small, recurring expenses—like your streaming subscriptions, coffee habit, or gym membership—you can set achievable goals to cover these costs with side hustle income. The beauty of this approach is that it's manageable. You're not aiming to replace your entire salary overnight. Instead, you're tackling small wins, one at a time. Why start small? Because success builds momentum. Imagine the confidence boost you'll feel when your side hustle pays for that $20-a-month subscription. It's not just about the money; it's about proving to yourself that you can create value and turn your ideas into tangible results. Each victory, no matter how minor it seems, sets the stage for bigger achievements down the road. One of the most empowering aspects of today's episode is the focus on approachable, low-risk ideas. You don't need a groundbreaking invention or a massive startup investment to get started. It could be as simple as selling unused items from around your home, freelancing a skill you already have, or offering a local service like pet sitting or tutoring. These small ventures are accessible to everyone, and they require nothing more than your time, creativity, and willingness to take the first step. And here's the key takeaway: action dissolves fear. It's natural to feel hesitant about trying something new. What if it doesn't work? What if you're not good enough? The truth is, you won't know until you try. Every step you take—no matter how small—builds your courage and resilience. You'll learn, adapt, and grow with each experience, and before you know it, you'll be thinking bigger and aiming higher. Throughout the episode, we emphasize the importance of celebrating every milestone. Covering a $50 expense with your side hustle might not seem groundbreaking, but it's a testament to your initiative and effort. And once you've achieved that, you'll start asking yourself, “What else can I do?” The possibilities are endless when you approach them with an open mind and a willingness to experiment. As your side hustles grow, you'll start to see patterns. Some ideas will resonate more with your strengths and interests, while others might not be worth the effort. This is where you can begin to scale your efforts. Maybe your tutoring side hustle evolves into an online course, or your craft hobby turns into a thriving Etsy shop. Each step builds on the last, creating a web of income streams that supports your financial goals and gives you greater peace of mind. Another powerful aspect we cover is the mindset shift that comes with creating multiple income streams. You start to see opportunities everywhere. That parking spot you rent out, the weekend photography gig, or the blog you monetize with ads—each one contributes to a larger picture of financial independence and self-reliance. And the best part? You don't have to do it all at once. Start with one idea, refine it, and then move on to the next. By the end of the episode, you'll walk away with a clear understanding of how to get started, the confidence to take action, and the inspiration to keep going. Developing multiple income streams isn't about working yourself to exhaustion. It's about working smarter, embracing creativity, and building a life that's both financially secure and personally fulfilling. Remember, this journey is about progress, not perfection. Every step you take is a step closer to the financial freedom and peace of mind you deserve. So take that first step today. Whether it's decluttering your home, signing up for a freelancing platform, or offering a service in your community, the possibilities are endless. You've got this. And before we wrap up, don't forget to share this episode with your friends, family, and anyone who could benefit from exploring the world of side hustles. Use the hashtags #JoinUpDots, #SideHustleLife, and #IncomeStreams to spread the word and inspire others to take control of their financial future. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

STAGE ONE: Day Ten: Health, Wealth And Happiness Challenge - Debt Trap and Emotional Spending Day Ten: Avoiding Financial Pitfalls – Debt Traps and Emotional Spending In this episode of Join Up Dots, we dive deep into the world of financial pitfalls—the sneaky traps that can derail even the most diligent among us. We're talking about debt traps, emotional spending, and how everyday habits can stealthily drain your bank account. More importantly, we'll explore how to recognize these patterns, break free from them, and build a more sustainable financial future. Debt traps often start small, like that store credit card you got for an extra 10% off or a “buy now, pay later” plan for something you couldn't really afford upfront. They're designed to make spending easy and painless at first, but over time, the interest builds up, and suddenly you're paying way more than the original price. It's like financial quicksand—once you're in, getting out can feel nearly impossible. In this episode, we share simple strategies to avoid falling into these traps, from understanding how interest works to adopting a mindset where delayed gratification becomes your superpower. But financial pitfalls aren't just about debt. Let's talk about emotional spending—a behavior many of us indulge in without even realizing it. Maybe you've had a tough day, and retail therapy feels like the perfect antidote. Or perhaps you're out with friends, and buying a few extra rounds of drinks seems like the natural thing to do. It's all fine in the moment, but these “little” expenses add up quickly. Imagine you're spending $40 on drinks every weekend while watching football with friends. Over a year, that's over $2,000. What else could you have done with that money? The key is recognizing spending patterns tied to social activities and finding ways to enjoy those moments without the unnecessary financial burden. And here's a personal story to drive it home. A few years ago, I was all about health and wellness. I'd swim, take saunas, and book weekly massages, convincing myself that it was all part of staying fit. But when I sat down to look at my expenses, I realized those massages weren't adding much more than the temporary luxury of relaxation. They weren't contributing to my health the way swimming or exercise was. Instead, they were a feel-good splurge disguised as a necessity. It's easy to justify these expenses—especially when they seem tied to something good—but sometimes, they're just indulgences in disguise. This episode isn't about making you feel guilty for spending money. It's about awareness. Once you're aware of where your money is going, you can start making better choices. We'll share practical tips to help you track your expenses, set realistic spending boundaries, and break those emotional attachments to unnecessary purchases. Whether it's limiting your spending at social events or rethinking those “little treats” that don't align with your bigger goals, small changes can make a huge difference. So, if you're ready to take control of your finances and avoid the common traps that keep so many people stuck, this episode is for you. Share this episode with your friends and family who might need a nudge to rethink their spending habits. Use hashtags like #JoinUpDots, #FinancialFreedom, and #SmartSpending to spread the word and encourage others to tune in. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

STAGE ONE: Day Nine: Wealth, Health And Happiness Challenge - Making Your Money Work For You In this episode of Join Up Dots, we dive into building wealth step by step, exploring how small, consistent actions can transform your financial future. From understanding the magic of compound interest to leveraging the simplicity of index funds, we break down practical strategies anyone can use to save, invest, and grow assets that work for you. Whether it's dividend-paying stocks, digital products, or starting small with as little as $10 a week, this episode highlights how patience and discipline are the keys to long-term wealth. Share your journey using hashtags like #JoinUpDots, #WealthBuilding, and #SmallStepsBigResults to inspire others and spread the word! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

STAGE ONE: Day Eight: Wealth, Health And Happiness Challenge - Budgeting Today For A Better Tomorrow Welcome to another episode of Join Up Dots! Today, we're diving into the transformative power of budgeting and how it can be your ultimate tool for financial freedom. Budgeting isn't about restrictions; it's about creating a roadmap for your money to achieve your dreams. By understanding where your money goes, setting clear financial goals, and using effective systems like the 50/30/20 rule or the 6 Jars Money Management System, you can take control of your finances and build a future that excites you. nnThis episode is packed with insights on making budgeting a sustainable lifestyle, overcoming common challenges, and celebrating your financial wins along the way. If you're ready to stop drifting and start thriving, this episode is for you. Share your thoughts and breakthroughs using our viral hashtags #JoinUpDots and #FinancialFreedomJourney. Let's inspire others to take control of their finances and join the movement! nnDon't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

After Joe Brennen noticed that his right testicle was unusually hard, he immediately sought medical attention.  An ultrasound revealed a cyst on the testicle and a diagnosis of Seminoma pT1A, or Stage One testicular cancer.  He underwent a successful surgical procedure which resulted in the removal of the testicle and his spermatic cord.  Joe said the recovery was much rougher than the procedure.  It caused him to miss two weeks of work and left him in pain that he addressed with Vicodin and ibuprofen.  Joe rallied, recovered and says his health is very close to what it was before his diagnosis.

STAGE ONE: Day Seven: Wealth, Health And Happiness Challenge - Understanding Your Financial Baseline Welcome to another episode of Join Up Dots! Today, we're diving into the foundation of financial success: understanding your financial baseline. If you've ever felt like money flows in and out without your control, this episode is for you. We'll explore how to uncover exactly where your money is coming from, where it's going, and how debt might be holding you back. By gaining clarity on your income, expenses, and financial obligations, you'll be empowered to make better decisions and take control of your financial future. Whether you're just starting out or looking to fine-tune your financial strategy, this episode breaks it all down in an easy, relatable way. Don't forget to share this episode with your network using hashtags like #JoinUpDots, #FinancialFreedom, and #WealthJourney to spread the insights. And before you go, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

Summary In this episode, we dive into the results of Stage One of the Dakar Rally, discussing the performance of bikes and vehicles, and providing insights into the standings. We also explore predictions for the upcoming Stage Two, highlighting the challenges and strategies that competitors will face. Takeaways Stage One results show a competitive field in the SSV category. The bike results indicate strong performances from top riders. Navigational skills are becoming less of a hurdle for experienced racers. The upcoming Stage Two is a challenging 48-hour chrono stage. Preparation and mental training are key for success in the Dakar. The spread in vehicle category results is tighter than in bikes. Competitors are adapting to the unique challenges of the Dakar Rally. The importance of teamwork in vehicle categories is emphasized. Fans can follow the results in real-time through the Dakar app.

Ever wonder why some copywriters consistently crush it while others struggle to get conversions? This episode dives deep into the Five Stages of Copywriter Awareness—a transformative framework that shows the path from instinctive, mediocre copy to breakthrough results. If you've ever felt like your copy was missing something, this episode will pinpoint exactly where you're stuck and how to advance. Starting at Stage One, you'll learn why writing based solely on your own perspective often falls flat and how the shift to understanding your audience begins at Stage Two. But even surface-level audience insights won't cut it if you want to create reliable winners. That's why we explore the leap to Stage Three, where systematic research transforms your understanding of what your prospects truly want. In Stages Four and Five, the game changes. Here, it's not just about gathering data but analyzing it for hidden patterns and emotional drivers that resonate deeply with your audience. You'll discover how advanced copywriters use strategic testing and ethical swiping of structures—not words—to craft high-converting campaigns backed by data, not guesses. By the end of this episode, you'll have a roadmap to move beyond your current plateau, sharpen your skills, and write copy that performs at the highest level. Whether you're just starting out or looking to join the ranks of elite copywriters, this episode promises to give you the tools to elevate your craft and your results. Listen now to unlock the next stage of your copywriting journey.Download.

Is change good or bad?  When I was promoted or received a big bonus, I liked the change from my previous situation.  When the big boss changed at the very top, the person who hired me got fired the negative ramifications ultimately cascaded down the line. Eventually I had to look for another job and I didn't like that change much. Often organisations go through major internal changes and the middle level leaders are expected to rally the troops behind the change.  How do you do that if you don't agree with the change or don't like the change yourself?  If you buck the system and refuse to follow the changes, then you are automatically identifying yourself as someone who has to leave the organisation and the machine will crush you. Change is such a tricky area for everyone, but it is so common in business.  Markets change, clients change, supply chains change, currency rates change – the list is long.  You would think that with all of these “normal” changes in business, we would all be excellent in adjusting to change.  However, that is not true, is it? The status quo is so attractive to most of us because it is known and safe.  We have been doing the same thing for quite a while and we are good at it. We are doing skilled work in the current formation and suddenly we are being asked to change and are being pushed out of our Comfort Zone. Japan, in particular loves continuity and no change, because all the risk has been shaken out of the system and what we are left with is the lowest risk alternative. As leaders we have to make a decision.  If we fundamentally disagree with the new approach then we should find another place to work, where we can be happy and in agreement with the direction.  The chances of us doing our best work there dramatically improve, compared to if we stay and conduct an underground personal resistance to the changes.  Ultimately, we will be outed by an ambitious rival or subordinate and probably fired. If we are not willing to move companies, then we have to be willing to go with the new direction.  Here is the issue – a half-hearted compliance isn't going to work well.  Our team members will feel the lack of commitment and enthusiasm to the cause. They in turn, will not rally around us as the leader and charge into the fire together.  How can we make this change work within our small cog in the machine?  The big bosses set the direction back at headquarters, but they can never get their hands dirty with the daily minutiae at our section level.  That application piece is within our control.  We may be buffeted by the winds of macro change, but the micro where we deliver the change is within our grasp. We have almost total control over how we do it. What we are feeling about the changes is no doubt being felt by the team members as well.  Turning up one Monday morning as some mealy mouthed, apparatchik mouthpiece of the machine isn't going to go down well.  Cynicism is already rampart in modern society and this will push some people over the edge, as we try to order them about what they need to do.  All we can expect is resistance if we take this road. How can we approach this to get everyone behind us and the changes? Rather than being definitive about how to make the needed changes, we need to have the “change” discussion with the team.  In Stage One we need people to be able to air their concerns and fears and be taken seriously.  Stage Two is where we move on to how we as a team can implement the change in our world.  Getting from Stage One to Stage Two is no easy feat, because many will remain unconvinced and unmoved. They will want to keep going with the old way of doing things. For the “never changers”, we need to have private one-on-one discussions and have them make a decision about stay or go.  If it is “stay”, then they need to be part of the team decision-making process and contribute to practical solutions to make this work in a way we can all live with the changes.  Just telling them to “suck it up and get back to work” is always a bad idea. It communicates you are not important. We are saying, “I have three stripes on my sleeve and so you have to do what I say, because I am pulling rank on you”. They may in fact stay, but they will join the underground guerrilla movement against the changes. We will wind up fighting each other internally when we need to form a united front against our competitors in the market. We need converts not resisters. So as the leader we need to get the discussion out in the open and get team ownership of the way forward.  Maybe we all have to hold our noses against the stench of the changes, but we will hold them together and find a way through.

In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry interview Michael from Standard Water about helical piers. They discuss the process of stabilizing homes using helical piers, the different applications for helical piers, and the cost associated with the installation. They also touch on the benefits of helical piers for decks and the limitations of helical piers for foundation walls with significant bowing or horizontal cracks. In this conversation, Stephen from Standard Water explains different methods for stabilizing foundation walls. He discusses using fortress carbon fiber straps, power braces, and earth plates. He also mentions push piers as a solution for foundation settlement. The cost of these systems ranges from $1,000 to $1,450. Stephen emphasizes the importance of addressing foundation issues early and provides tips for homeowners to monitor cracks and movement. He also mentions the use of benchmarks and laser measurements for long-term monitoring.TakeawaysHelical piers are a popular method for stabilizing homes and structures.Helical piers are like giant corkscrews that are driven into the ground using hydraulic pressure.The length of the helical piers depends on the depth required to reach a load-bearing strata.Helical piers can be used to stabilize various structures, including front porches, garages, and decks.The cost of helical piers varies depending on the size and complexity of the project.Helical piers are not suitable for foundation walls with significant bowing or horizontal cracks. Fortress carbon fiber straps are recommended for stage one or stage two foundation issues, as long as lateral movement is under two inches.Power braces and earth plates are alternative options for stabilizing foundation walls when movement exceeds two inches.Push piers lift settled foundations and can be a non-invasive solution.The cost of stabilization systems ranges from $1,000 to $1,450.Homeowners should monitor cracks and movement in their foundation walls and seek professional help if they worsen.Benchmarks and laser measurements can be used for long-term monitoring of foundation stability.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background01:39 What is a Helical Pier?06:35 Applications of Helical Piers12:23 Cost of Helical Piers13:18 Helical Piers for Decks17:12 Limitations of Helical Piers for Foundation Walls18:23 Methods for Stabilizing Foundation Walls20:48 Fortress Carbon Fiber Straps: A Solution for Stage One and Stage Two21:36 Power Braces and Earth Plates: Alternative Options for Foundation Stabilization23:50 Cost of Foundation Stabilization Systems28:02 Monitoring Foundation Cracks and Movement29:12 Long-Term Monitoring with Benchmarks and Laser Measurements

The ToB Never Strays Car has a new passenger/guest, as the race rolls out of Scotland. Get your exclusive BIKMO discount here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start a planned trilogy of episodes on the secret Vietnam-era Phoenix Program, nominally a joint Military and Intelligence pacification and assassination program aimed at the Vietcong, but in reality a sweeping nation-building enterprise. 

Zig Ziglar Classic Lesson When I was young, stupid, and wondering when I would understand life, I often turned to my friend, Larry, for a road map. He always seemed to have what I needed - until the day he passed the torch. He knew I needed more. That's when he introduced me to Zig Ziglar's Stages of Competence: 1) Stage One is where we begin. We are “Unconscious Incompetent.” We don't know what we don't know. Yup. 2) Stage Two is called “Conscious Incompetent.” I spent a lot of time there. I used to say, “I have no idea what I'm doing - but at least I admit it.” 3) Stage Three is “Unconscious Competent.” I see that in my work. People who have no idea how good they are. 4) Stage Four is “Conscious Competent.” That was my goal. I wanted to know what I was doing - and KNOW it!  Most people continue to another level some call “Conscious competence of unconscious competence.” The ability to recognize and develop Unconscious Competence in others. You will become who you were meant to be when you learn how to get there, do the work, and recognize your achievement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to try Ketones as part of your lifestyle? Ketone-IQ is a brilliant way to start. To find out more about Ketone-IQ and try it for yourself, visit https://ketone.com/WATTSOCCURRING for 30% off your first subscription order - and get a six-pack of Ketone-IQ for free! (Discount automatically applied at checkout). Oof, that was a hot one. G looked good on day one at the Tour and came home in what was left of the peloton, Romain Bardet took a famous victory and this year's first yellow jersey, while Mark Cavendish battled round in the Italian heat to hang on in there. Day one done and we've enough to talk about for a week's worth of pods already. Our Chapeau of the Day sponsored by Continental Tyres was an easy pick - you'll have to listen to hear that one. And Continental Tyres' incredible Tour de France competition is still live - head to continental-tyres.co.uk to enter! We'll be back on Monday. Watts Occurring is powered by Eurosport and brought home by Continental Tyres. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The car has stickers. And an extra passenger.Get your BIKMO discount here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of our most downloaded episodes was Episode 57, in which we walked through the four stages of company growth from a high level. In today's episode, we will dive deep into Stage One: being a great property manager.   =================================== Connect with Matt and Spencer at Evernest: Evernest.co Visit the Podcast Website: Evernest.co/podcasts Email the Show: podcast@evernest.co =================================== Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of Evernest 2024.

Ned and David do a sound test. Then David interprets a dream. Then there's a sprint.Make sure to claim your BIKMO discount here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you think the teenagers in your life need? We're talking about that very thing this week…and it just might surprise you! Hint: they do still need YOU, even when they don't act like it! In case you missed Stage One through Three, the episodes are linked below. Episode 133: Stage One: The Early Years - Who They Are Episode 135: Stage One: The Early Years - What They Need Episode 142: Stage Two: The Elementary Years - Who They Are Episode 144: Stage Two: The Elementary Years - What They Need Episode 156: Stage Three: The Middle Years - Who They Are Episode 158: Stage Three: The Middle Years - What They Need Episode 165: Stage Four: The Teen Years - Who They Are For a deeper dive, we've now got the Ages and Stages Discussion Guides up on our website - with Try it Out sections and devotionals for each day of the week. Go to raisingboysandgirls.com/shop and scroll down to the bottom! . . . . . David's book Wild Things breaks down each stage of a boys' development and Sissy's book, written with Melissa, Raising Girls discusses the stages of girls. Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Go behind the scenes and watch our podcast on YouTube! Download a copy of the Raising Boys and Girls Feelings Chart. Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at raisingboysandgirls.com. . . . . . If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our Advertise with us form. . . . . . A special thank you to our sponsors: Fabric: Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at meetfabric.com/RBG. Policies issued by Western-Southern Life Assurance Company. Not available in certain states. Prices subject to underwriting and health questions. KiwiCo: Get 50% off your first month on ANY crate line at kiwico.com with promo code RBG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we move to STAGE 4, in our ages and stages series! We're moving out of the harder news in terms of a girl's development and smack in the middle of the harder news in a boy's. This week, we're talking about who they are in these high school years. In case you missed Stage One through Three, the episodes are linked below. Episode 133: Stage One: The Early Years - Who They Are Episode 135: Stage One: The Early Years - What They Need Episode 142: Stage Two: The Elementary Years - Who They Are Episode 144: Stage Two: The Elementary Years - What They Need Episode 156: Stage Three: The Middle Years - Who They Are Episode 158: Stage Three: The Middle Year - What They Need For a deeper dive, we've now got the Ages and Stages Discussion Guides up on our website - with Try it Out sections and devotionals for each day of the week. Go to raisingboysandgirls.com/shop and scroll down to the bottom! . . . . . David's book Wild Things breaks down each stage of a boys' development and Sissy's book, written with Melissa, Raising Girls discusses the stages of girls. Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Go behind the scenes and watch our podcast on YouTube! Download a copy of the Raising Boys and Girls Feelings Chart. Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at raisingboysandgirls.com. . . . . . If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our Advertise with us form. . . . . . A special thank you to our sponsors: Reel Paper: Head to reelpaper.com/RBG and sign up for a subscription using code RBG at checkout and you'll automatically get 30% off your first order and FREE SHIPPING! Hiya: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/RBG. This deal is not available on their regular website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do middle schoolers need? It's sometimes hard to know. But in this episode we talk about boys and girls and what we can do to help them have a little more awareness, confidence and kindness in these important (and often tumultuous) years! . . . . . In case you missed Stage One and Stage Two, the episodes are linked below. Episode 133: Stage One: The Early Years - Who They Are Episode 135: Stage One: The Early Years - What They Need Episode 142: Stage Two: The Elementary Years - Who They Are Episode 144: Stage Two: The Elementary Years - What They Need Episode 156: Stage Three: The Middle Years - Who They Are For a deeper dive, we've now got the Ages and Stages Discussion Guides up on our website - with Try it Out sections and devotionals for each day of the week. Go to raisingboysandgirls.com/shop and scroll down to the bottom! . . . . . David's book Wild Things breaks down each stage of a boys' development and Sissy's book, written with Melissa, Raising Girls discusses the stages of girls. Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Find us on YouTube! Download a copy of the Raising Boys and Girls Feelings Chart. Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at raisingboysandgirls.com. . . . . . If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our Advertise with us form. . . . . . A special thank you to our sponsors: Hiya Health: Go to hiyahealth.com/RBG and receive 50% off your first order. Trust & Will: Get 10% off plus free shipping of your estate plan documents by visiting trustandwill.com/RBG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, we dive into the beginnings of adolescence. As we know, girls have often surged ahead in their maturity, physically and emotionally. Which, in this stage, means not-so-great news. But, the sooner we see girls move into their teenage angsty-ness, the sooner they move out of it. For girls, we'll call these years the narcissistic years…because, IYKYK. For boys, we'll call him the Individual. Listen along as we dive into who he and she are in their middle school years. And our hope is that this conversation gives you hope as you buckle up for what we believe are some of the toughest years in a child's life…and a parent's, too...particularly for girls. Boy parents, yours is coming next! Proverbs 30:18-19 in The Message says, “Three things amaze me, no, four things I'll never understand—how an eagle flies so high in the sky, how a snake glides over a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, why adolescents act the way they do.” In case you missed Stage One and Stage Two, the episodes are linked below. Episode 133: Stage One: The Early Years - Who They Are Episode 135: Stage One: The Early Years - What They Need Episode 142: Stage Two: The Elementary Years - Who They Are Episode 144: Stage Two: The Elementary Years - What They Need For a deeper dive, we've now got the Ages and Stages Discussion Guides up on our website - with Try it Out sections and devotionals for each day of the week. Go to raisingboysandgirls.com/shop and scroll down to the bottom! . . . . . David's book Wild Things breaks down each stage of a boys' development and Sissy's book, written with Melissa, Raising Girls discusses the stages of girls. Order the The Worry-Free Parent or The Worry-Free Parent Workbook today! Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Find us on YouTube! Download a copy of the Raising Boys and Girls Feelings Chart. Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at raisingboysandgirls.com. . . . . . If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our Advertise with us form. . . . . . A special thank you to our sponsors: Bite: Go to trybite.com/RBG or use code RBG at checkout to get 20% off your first order. EveryPlate: Get a meal for $1.49 PLUS $1 steaks for life by going to everyplate.com/podcast and entering code 49rbg. Subscription must be active to qualify and redeem $1 steak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices