Podcasts about State

(4:00) Squaring up Alabama(8:00) The importance of the UVA game(16:00) Generating Discussion sparked by Cummins(32:00) Tony White and head coaching aspirations(48:00) Flash(y) questions(52:00) Can they rattle Carson Beck?(1:00:00) More Miami thoughts(1:05:00) Gus with Tommy or Jordan?Music: Bearings - Float Awayvitaminenergy.com | PROMO: warchantbogo | buy one, get one free! Must be 18+ (19+ in Alabama & Nebraska; 19+ in Colorado for some games; 21+ in Arizona, Massachusetts & Virginia) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. See assets.underdogfantasy.com/web/PlayandGetTerms_DFS_.html for details. Offer not valid in Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org. In New York, call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Curtis Sliwa, Republican running for Mayor of New York City, joins Sid live in-studio to talk about his ongoing campaign for mayor, expresses determination not to quit, drawing parallels to Donald Trump's perseverance during his presidential campaign. He also criticizes political opponents like Andrew Cuomo for their policies and actions, accusing them of damaging New York City and State. Sliwa outlines his platform on issues like reducing taxes and improving public safety, particularly in the subway system. The discussion further highlights his opposition to current mayoral candidate Mamdani and his plans for reforms if elected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Josh discuss Sony's upcoming State of Play and the fallout from the recent Nintendo Direct. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calling Palestinians “barbaric animals,” US Secretary of State hails Israeli assault on Gaza City / Trump administration initiates government crackdown on free speech in wake of assassination of fascist Charlie Kirk

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com    Ever get into a good fight. A good old fashion butt kicking, arse whooping fisticuffs. It isn't necessarily an enemy just someone you are at odds with you both throw down. At the end of the fight even if you lost you can shake their hand and say well done my friend, I underestimated you. My last one was with my wife… just kidding, but thats where we are going today.  I love watching the UFC, I truly appreciate it when two men start banging and they both stop once and awhile tap gloves as if to say… heck of a fight, nice kick, nice hit… it shows respect. Why in todays world do we as Christians shy away from a good fight?  1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. Fight in the Greek 1. to struggle 2. (literally) to compete for a prize 3. (figuratively) to contend with an adversary 4. (genitive case) to endeavor to accomplish something Fight in the Greek 1. (properly) beautiful 2. (chiefly, figuratively) good 3. (literally) valuable 4. (morally) virtuous worthy {for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from G18, which is properly intrinsic} The one thing this verse reminds us of is we are in a fight, so if we choose not to fight, we choose to lose. Its not a choice as a follower of Christ. You love Jesus, you fight the fight of faith.  We have confused peace with being a pacifist. It is true, Jesus is the prince of peace, but he is also King and as King he leads us into spiritual battle…and that spiritual battle is against other people. We can love them, but still fight them.  1 Timothy says we are fighting for eternal life… I don't believe that is our eternal life but rather the eternal life of those who do not know Christ.  Having a "good fight" might seem like a contradiction, but it's a great way to think about how to handle conflict constructively. The goal isn't to win or dominate the other person, but rather to understand each other better and find a resolution that works for both of you. Here's a breakdown of how to approach a conflict in a healthy and productive way: Before the Fight 1. Pick the right time and place. Avoid bringing up a serious issue when one or both of you are tired, hungry, or stressed. Don't try to have a serious conversation in a public place or when you're in a hurry. Choose a private, quiet setting where you can talk without interruption. 2. State your intent. Start the conversation by explaining why you want to talk. This sets a collaborative tone. Try saying something like, "Hey, I've been feeling a little disconnected from you lately, and I'd like to talk about it. Is now a good time?" During the Fight 1. Stay calm and focused. It's easy for emotions to take over, but try to keep your voice calm and your mind clear. Stick to the topic at hand. If the conversation starts to veer off into old arguments or other issues, gently guide it back. Avoid using aggressive or accusatory language, like "You always..." or "You never..." 2. Listen to understand, not just to respond. The most crucial part of a good fight is active listening. Put down your defenses and genuinely try to see the situation from the other person's perspective. Ask questions to clarify what they're saying and show that you're hearing them. You can use phrases like, "What I hear you saying is..." or "Can you tell me more about how that made you feel?" 3. Use "I" statements. Instead of pointing fingers, focus on your own feelings. For example, instead of saying, "You make me so angry when you leave your dirty dishes everywhere," try saying, "I feel frustrated when I see dirty dishes on the counter because it makes the kitchen feel messy." This shifts the focus from an accusation to an expression of your personal experience. 4. Take a break if needed. If the conversation gets too heated, it's perfectly okay to pause. Acknowledge the tension and suggest a break. Say something like, "I'm feeling really overwhelmed right now. Can we take a 15-minute break and come back to this?" This prevents things from escalating and gives both of you time to cool down. After the Fight 1. Find common ground. Once you've both had a chance to speak and be heard, look for a solution together. This isn't about one person winning and the other losing. It's about finding a compromise that you can both agree on. It might be a small step, like agreeing to a trial run of a new behavior, or a bigger one, like seeking out couples counseling. 2. End with an apology and a hug. Even if you've done everything right, a fight can still be draining. A sincere apology for any hurt caused—even if it was unintentional—and a physical act of connection like a hug can help reconnect you and reinforce your bond. 3. Reflect and learn. After the conflict is over, take some time to think about what happened. What went well? What could you have done better? Learning from each fight will make the next one easier and more productive. Think of a good fight as a team effort to solve a problem. It's an opportunity to strengthen your relationship, not weaken it.

Go to http://shadyrays.com and use code FUNNY for 35% off polarized sunglasses. Go to http://factormeals.com/kindafunny50off and use code kindafunny50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year. Rumors of a State of Play next week, Dispatch is coming sooner than you think, and Sega goes after Nintendo in a throwback ad. Thank you for the support! Run of Show - - Start - HousekeepingThis Friday after the Gamescast, tell everyone that you know that Game Showdown returns! We got Greg the returning champ repping Team Blue, Tim repping Team Orange, and Team Purple returns with a mystery captain taking the helm. You'll have to tune in this Friday to find out who.We're an 11-person business all about live talk shows.Today after, KFGD, you'll get:GAMESCAST - a Shit List: IGN's Top 25 PS1 gamesThen the STREAM is the new Skate gameThank you to our Patreon Producers: Karl Jacobs, OmegaBuster, & Delaney "The Somm" TwiningThe Roper Report   - - PlayStation Has a State of Play Scheduled for Next Week, It's Claimed - Sam Sepiol @ Insider Gaming - Dispatch, the Superhero Comedy from Ex-Telltale Devs, Confirms PC and PS5 Release Date and Episodic Release - Ryan McCaffrey @ IGN - Ad - Sega resurrects its old ‘blast processing' Genesis TV ad to fire shots at Mario Kart World - Chris Scullion @ VGC - Nintendo Fans Spot Unannounced Character in Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Trailer - Tom Philips @ IGN - Microsoft's Xbox PC app adds Steam games and access to other stores - Tom Warren @ The Verge - Palworld will leave Early Access in 2026 with a ‘massive update' planned for version 1.0 - Chris Scullion @ VGC - Wee News! - SuperChats & You‘re Wrong Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Week 3 State of the Slate on today's Fantasy Footballers DFS & Betting podcast! Borg & Betz get you set for Week 3 DFS previewing the lines of the main slate and which salaries standout. They also review their cash & small field GPP process and what steps to take moving forward. Welcome to “DFS and Sports Betting For The Rest of Us.” Take your DFS and Betting Fantasy Football game to the next level on PrizePicks, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Underdog Fantasy. -- Fantasy Football Podcast for Sept 16th, 2025.Connect with The Fantasy Footballers:Visit us on the WebSupport the ShowFollow on XFollow on InstagramJoin our DiscordLove the show? Leave us a review wherever you listen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The State of Fortnite! Join our NEW Community Discord! https://www.discord.gg/podcast Follow our new Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@FortnitePodcastContent Follow Us On Twitter: MonsterDface - @MonsterDface Somebodysgun - @Somebodysgun  Email all of your complaints to us on twitter. Don't forget to leave us a comment! 

State of the Minnesota Vikings, starting with their playoff odds; Where Vikings QB JJ McCarthy ranks in some key categories; What happens if Carson Wentz plays well for the Vikings; Least favorite Vikings things so far; Favorite Vikings things so far; Plus a Random Viking of the Week and more on Purple Daily with former NFL lineman Jeremiah Sirles.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From monsters to myths, this episode unpacks the Vendée with Professor Jean-Clément Martin. One of the foremost authorities on the civil war, Martin shows how factional politics transformed local unrest into a national catastrophe. We explore how chaos and rivalries drove atrocities, why the conflict cannot be defined as genocide, and why “the Terror” should be seen not as historical reality but as a political invention. Video Versions: Patreon Further Reading La Vendée et la France (1987) Robespierre. La fabrication d'un monstre (2016) La Terreur. Vérités et légendes (2017) “The Vendée, chouannerie, and the State, 1791–99,” in Peter McPhee (ed.), A Companion to the French Revolution (2013) Vendée In Images ⁠Depictions of key events and leaders⁠ Early Access Become a True Revolutionary and listen now to Episode 99 English & French Revolutions with History of England. The Grey History Community Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Now And Support the Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make a one-off donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Me Send your questions, praise, and scorn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertising Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sales@advertisecast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon. All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. About Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the State of Texas denied funding for the Gay Softball World Series, the county which includes the city of Houston, contributed almost a half a million dollars to host the event. But first, gay obsessed Tucker Carlson apparently has super gaydar and has concluded that Pete Buttigieg is a “fake gay”. He would like to ask Mayor Pete some specific gay sex questions to prove his point. We can't wait. Finally, Kids in The Hall actor, Scott Thompson, says GLAAD should be eliminated. While working on a special for Amazon Prime, GLAAD censored and deleted all 14 sketches from his gay barfly character, Buddy Cole. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Matt Engel, a data expert from Gloo, unpacks the survey data of 1054 Lutheran leaders that recently completed “The State of the LCMS” survey through Red Letter Living. He talks about if the survey is reliable, and what the results mean for the future of our LCMS denomination. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.Today's episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. We create resources to help the church produce greater disciples. This season we are launching a series of videos on our YouTube channel called “The Voices of the LCMS,” where we are unpacking data from our survey of 1054 Lutheran leaders. These videos are opening up questions, conversations, and opportunities to help us walk together in the future.Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeGloo / Church analytics platformsBarna ResearchLifeWay Research on discipleship metricsData-Driven Ministry (Matt Engel's research/work)Red Letter Living resourcesMany want to be greater followers of Jesus but don't know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it's free! You will receive your results immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here. Technology isn't the enemy, it's a tool to help disciple-makers thrive.#MattEngel #TechnologyAndFaith #ChurchInnovation #RedLetterChallenge #ZachZehnder #VoicesOfTheLCMSSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Unity is acting together even when we don't think alike. And one of the primary aims of the American Constitution is to support a democracy of those unified in diversity. Yuval Levin joins Mark Labberton to explore the precarious state of American constitutional life and the imbalance of power between the branches of the U.S. government. Drawing from his book America's Covenant, Levin argues that the Founders designed the Constitution above all to preserve unity in a divided society. Yet today, he warns, the imbalance of power—particularly the weakness of Congress and the rise of presidential authority—threatens democratic legitimacy. In this conversation, Levin reflects on originalism, the courts, Donald Trump's expanding influence, and the dangers of both passivity and autocracy. With clarity and urgency, he calls for renewed civic engagement and for Congress to reclaim its central role. Episode Highlights “Unity doesn't mean thinking alike. Unity means acting together. And the question for a modern political society is how do we act together when we don't think alike?” “The biggest problem we have is that Congress is under-active, radically under-active and has turned itself into a spectator.” “The president is in charge of the executive branch, but the executive branch is not in charge of the American government.” “I am very concerned about this kind of Caesar-ism. I think it is very dangerous.” “What we're seeing is constitutional creep, where the president is pushing and nobody's pushing back, and only Congress can do it.” “I worry a lot about Donald Trump. But the reason I worry is because Congress isn't doing its job.” “The politics of an autocratic state is a politics of spectators, and we just cannot become spectators.” “All of us will find ourselves in the minority sooner or later.” Helpful Links and Resources America's Covenant: The Constitution and the Path to National Unity, by Yuval Levin American Enterprise Institute (Find Yuval Levin's current research and publications) *New York Times Opinion* – Yuval Levin's columns at the New York Times About Yuval Levin Yuval Levin is director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he also holds the Beth and Ravenel Curry Chair in Public Policy. He is the founder and editor of National Affairs, senior editor of The New Atlantis, a contributing editor at National Review, and a contributing opinion writer at The New York Times. He is the author of several books on political theory and public policy, most recently American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation—and Could Again (Basic Books, 2024), which examines the U.S. Constitution through the lens of national unity in a divided society. Show Notes Constitutional unity and division Yuval Levin summarizes America's Covenant as a reintroduction to the Constitution framed around the challenge of unity in diversity. “Unity doesn't mean thinking alike. Unity means acting together.” The Constitution prioritizes bargaining, negotiation, and legitimacy over efficiency. Congress was designed as the “first branch” of government to embody pluralism and force compromise. The decline of Congress and rise of the presidency Levin argues Congress is radically under-active, ceding ground to presidents and courts. “The biggest problem we have is that Congress is under-active, radically under-active and has turned itself into a spectator.” Excessive focus on the presidency erodes democratic legitimacy. Current frustrations stem from misunderstanding the system's design: it resists narrow majorities and forces broad coalitions. Courts, originalism, and the unitary executive Levin affirms he is an originalist: “a philosophy of judicial interpretation … a mode of self-restraint for judges.” Supreme Court decisions in recent years repeatedly signal: “Congress, do your job.” He outlines the unitary executive theory: the president controls the executive branch, but not the government as a whole. “The president is in charge of the executive branch, but the executive branch is not in charge of the American government.” Trump's expanding power Levin warns of the growing push to centralize authority in the presidency. “I am very concerned about this kind of Caesar-ism. I think it is very dangerous.” Trump's second term differs because restraints have vanished; his circle now encourages unrestrained executive action. Disruption of long-held norms has weakened trust in American institutions globally and domestically. Constitutional crisis vs. constitutional creep Levin distinguishes between “creep,” “conflict,” and “crisis.” He argues the U.S. is experiencing constitutional creep: unchecked executive power without Congress pushing back. True crisis would involve direct defiance of the courts—something still possible but not yet realized. The role of citizens and civic responsibility Levin stresses the danger of passivity: “The politics of an autocratic state is a politics of spectators, and we just cannot become spectators.” Citizens should keep writing to Congress, vote with clear expectations, and engage in local governance. State legislatures, though less visible, often function better than Congress today. Clear thinking itself, Levin suggests, is a moral act for a healthy republic. Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment Magazine and Fuller Seminary.  

It's Monday Morning Fallout! Pickle and Tepper overreact to the football weekend, including the game of the week, the play of the week, the dude of the week and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Melo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin Graver⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are back for their weekly State of the Titans Tuesday check-in on the current state of the franchise. We grade Cam Ward's Week 2 performance, share our Confidence Rating in the direction of the franchise, and run through areas where the Titans have improved since last year, where they've gotten worse, and what has stayed mostly the same. 0:00 Intro 1:16 Grading Cam Ward's Week 2 Performance 9:33 Confidence Meter 14:05 Where have the Titans actually improved? 41:13 Wrap Up ------------ The Music City Audible is presented by Sinker's Beverages in East Nashville and Bluegrass Beverages in Hendersonville. Join the Sinker's Beverages In Crowd: https://sinkers.storebyweb.com/s/1000-1/register ------------ Order Justin Melo's book "Titans of the South" here: https://shop.adventurewithkeen.com/product/titans-of-the-south/ ------------ MCA YOUTUBE CHANNEL: youtube.com/@musiccityaudiblepodcast

**Season Break Re-Release** S3 EP9: Rachael Garden Missing Person Cold Case On this episode of Invisible Tears, Amanda and Aubriana cover the missing person cold case of Rachael Garden. Rachael was just 15 when she went missing back in 1980. She has been missing for 45 years and was last seen where she lived at the time in Newton NH. If you have any information on Rachael's case, please utilize the State of NH Tip Form ⁠Tip Form⁠. Or contact the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office Missing Persons Unit 603-679-2225 or the Newton Police Department at 603-382-6774. References for this episode: ⁠https://www.doj.nh.gov/criminal/cold-case/victim-list/rachael-garden.htm⁠ ⁠https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-unsolved-case-file-disappearance-of-rachael-garden/19513088⁠ ⁠https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2019/03/29/the-disappearance-of-rachael-garden/⁠ ⁠https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/nh-rachael-garden-15-newton-22-march-1980.64642/⁠ Follow or Visit Invisible Tears everywhere at: ⁠https://linktr.ee/invisibletearspodcast⁠   Music Credits dreamy-piano-soft-sound-ambient-background-4049 Music by ⁠WinkingFoxMusic⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠ ethereal-wasteland-music-1-3490 Music by ⁠astrofreq⁠ from ⁠Pixabay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does cyberwarfare really look like behind the headlines? This week, Roo sits down with Hayley Benedict, a cyber intelligence analyst at RANE, to explore the evolving world of digital conflict. From hacktivists to disinformation specialists, Hayley shares how nation states, criminals, and ideologically driven groups are blurring lines — and why data theft, disruption, and doubt remain the weapons of choice.

In this candid conversation, Poppy Bourg and Shannon McGough of Poppy McGough Design House unpack the evolving Dallas design scene, the challenges of modern publishing, and the importance of integrating architecture and interior design. They discuss how their unique backgrounds inform their approach, client expectations in a shifting market, and why authenticity and craftsmanship matter more than fleeting trends. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. Design Hardware - A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home! TimberTech - Real wood beauty without the upkeep LOME-AI.com, simple, inexpensive, text to video harnessing the power of AI to grow your firm, beautifully. From the pitfalls of celebrity-driven design magazines to the nuanced demands of Dallas homeowners, Poppy and Shannon reveal how they balance creativity, technical knowledge, and client relationships to create spaces that are not only beautiful but built to last. They explore the impact of regional influences, climate challenges, and the expanding role of interior designers in shaping cohesive, livable homes. 1. The State of Design Publications & Celebrity Influence Shift in design media focus: from architecture to celebrity homes Challenges of magazines cutting back editorial staff and local flavor Dallas's design culture: diverse, not pigeonholed into one “look” 2. Client Trends and Diversity in Dallas Architecture Clients influenced by wide range of styles via online exposure Resurgence of traditional styles alongside modern, Mediterranean, Santa Barbara influences Growing trend of lake homes post-2020 pandemic and its impact on local design culture 3. Modernism and Design Inspirations Experience visiting Modernism Week in Palm Springs Dallas's limited mid-century modern presence compared to other cities Appreciation for maximalism and richly detailed interiors beyond minimalist trends 4. Backgrounds & Partnership Story Shannon's hospitality design and hotel experience, focus on durability and build process Poppy's real estate and builder project management background, deep builder and trade knowledge How their combined skills create a holistic approach to residential design and construction collaboration 5. Building Challenges in Dallas Impact of active soil, climate extremes, and shifting weather on construction and interiors Importance of realistic client expectations around timelines, soil testing, and permitting Regional differences in design challenges and neighborhood personalities across Dallas metroplex 6. Expanded Role of Interior Designers Growing client education on lighting, air quality, water filtration, and acoustics Increasing involvement in exterior design for cohesive indoor-outdoor flow Navigating intellectual property issues, brand extensions, and designer-led product lines 7. Photography, Styling, and Portfolio Strategy Not every project gets photographed due to client preference or cost In-house styling process balancing client personality with editorial needs Preference for showcasing recent projects and maintaining strong referral-based business Thank you, Poppy, Shannon. Loved our chat and appreciate the time. Thank you for listening. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend or colleague who loves design and architecture like you do, subscribe to Convo By Design wherever you get your podcasts. And continue the conversation on Instagram @convo x design with an “x”. Keep those emails coming with guest suggestions, show ideas and locations where you'd like to see the show. Convo by design at outlook.com. Thank you, Poppy, Shannon. Loved our chat and appreciate the time. Thank you for listening. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend or colleague who loves design and architecture like you do, subscribe to Convo By Design wherever you get your ...

CPH is excited to announce Season 5 of The Past, the Promise, The Presidency. This season will feature brief interviews with historians about their newest books, ranging in topic from religious freedom to technology theft; from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River; from global diplomacy to Texas football.This week's conversation features CPH Assistant Director Ashlyn Hand, who will be giving a book talk on Thursday, September 18th, at 6 pm in SMU's McCord Auditorium (Dallas Hall 306). Dr. Hand is the author of Prioritizing Faith: International Religious Freedom and U.S. Policy Choices (1993-2017), which compares the varied approaches to promoting freedom of conscience abroad during the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations. Prioritizing Faith shows how evolving bureaucratic dynamics, agenda-setting processes, and strategic shifts at the presidential level interact and change U.S. policy. Dr. Hand is interviewed by CPH Associate Director Brian Franklin and CPH student research assistant Kennedy Moore. Ashlyn Hand joined SMU's Center for Presidential History in the fall of 2022. She received her Ph.D. from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin in 2021, where she was a graduate fellow at the Clements Center for National Security. Prior to joining the team at CPH, she was a fellow with the America in the World Consortium, completing a pre-doctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins SAIS (2020-2021) and a postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University (2021-2022). Ashlyn's work has been published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution, the Journal of Church and State and Foreign Policy.Ashlyn is the Assistant Director for Advancement and Partnerships at the Center for Presidential History and is the Program Director for the Article II Society. She is a Lecturer in Political Science, teaching classes on American politics and U.S. foreign policy.Brian Franklin is the Associate Director of the SMU Center for Presidential History and an adjunct Lecturer in the Clements Department of History and the University Honors Program. Dr. Franklin's research focuses on the religious, political, and regional history of the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. His current manuscript America's Missions explores the role of Protestant mission societies in shaping the early American republic. He teaches courses on Texas History and American History.Kennedy Moore is a junior at SMU, and is double majoring in public policy and music with a minor in public policy and international affairs. Kennedy is a President's Scholar, Pre-law Scholar, and Meadows Scholar. At SMU, Kennedy is involved in Hegi Board Fellows, Meadows Chorale, the Tower Center's premier undergraduate research journal The Dialogue, and works at SMU's Center for Presidential History. Kennedy is interested in educational equity and national defense. She aspires to work for a federal agency to research and create policies to protect our education system and recenter citizens' voices in policy. 

Hello Youtube Members, Patreons and Pacific War week by week listeners. Yes this was intended to be an exclusive episode to join the 29 others over on my Youtube Membership and Patreon, but since we are drawing to the end of the Pacific War week by week series, I felt compelled to make some special episodes to answer some of the bigger questions. Why did Japan, or better said, why did Emperor Hirohito decide to finally surrender? It seems obvious on the face of it, but there is actually a lot more to it than bombs or Soviet invasions. I guess you can call this episode a teaser or a shameless plug for going over to my Youtube Membership or Patreon. There's honestly a lot of interesting subjects such as ‘why was the japanese army so brutal”, “Hirohito's war time responsibility”, “the 4 part Kanji Ishiwara series”. Thus if you liked this one please show some love and check out my other stuff on my Youtube Membership or over at www.patreon.com/pacificwarchannel.   Stating all of that lets just jump right into it.   We first need to start off briefly looking at Emperor Hirohito.    Upon taking the throne, Emperor Hirohito in 1926 Hirohito inherited a financial crisis and a military that was increasingly seizing control of governmental policies. From the beginning, despite what many of you older audience members may have been told, Hirohito intensely followed all military decisions. Hirohito chose when to act and when not to. When the Kwantung Army assassinated Zhang Zuolin, he indulged their insubordination. This emboldened them to invade Manchuria in 1931, whereupon Hirohito was furious and demanded they be reigned in. Attempts were made, but they were heavily undermined by radicals. Hirohito could have put his foot down, but he chose not to. On September 22nd, at 4:20pm Hirohito said to the IJA Chief of General staff, Kanaya Hanzo “although this time it couldn't be helped, the army had to be more careful in the future”. Thus Hirohito again acquiesced to the military, despite wanting them to stop or at least localize the conflict. The military had disregarded his wishes, they should have been severely punished. Why did Hirohito not take a firmer stance?    Again for older audience members you may have heard, “hirohito was a hostage at the whim of his own military”. This narrative made it seem he was some sort of hostage emperor, but this is not the case at all. In fact Hirohito was instrumental in many military decisions from 1931-1945. The reason this, I will call it “myth” , went on was because after Japan's surrender, the US basically rewrote the Japanese constitution and covered up the Emperor's involvement in all the nasty stuff, to maintain control over Japan. Yeah it sounds a bit conspiracy esque, but I assure you it was indeed the case. This narrative held firm all the way until Hirohito's death, when finally meeting notes and personal accounts from those close to him came out, illuminating a lot. Though to this day, many records are still red -tapped.   The reason Hirohito did not stamp his foot down has to do with the Kokutai.    The Kokutai   So before I carry on, I have to explain what exactly is the Kokutai.    The Kokutai, loosely translated as "national essence," refers to the qualities that distinguish the Japanese identity. However, this concept is remarkably vague and poorly defined; even Japanese historians acknowledge this ambiguity. In contrast to Kokutai is seitai, or "form of government." While the Kokutai embodies the eternal and immutable aspects of Japanese polity—rooted in history, traditions, and customs centered around the Emperor—Japan's seitai has evolved significantly throughout its extensive history. For instance, shoguns governed for over 700 years until 1868, when the Meiji Restoration reinstated direct imperial rule.   Nevertheless, Emperor Meiji's direct authority came to an end with the adoption of the Meiji Constitution in 1889, which established a constitutional monarchy, introducing significant complexities into the governance system.   Article 4 of the constitution declares: “The Emperor is the head of the Empire, combining in Himself the rights of sovereignty, uniting the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, although subject to the consent of the Imperial Diet.” Under this framework, the Emperor alone possessed the power to appoint or dismiss ministers of state, declare war, negotiate peace, conclude treaties, direct national administration, and command the army and navy.   A glaring flaw in this arrangement is the inherent ambiguity of the Meiji Constitution. While it established a democratic parliament, it simultaneously afforded the Emperor absolute authority to usurp it. The document failed to clearly define the relationships between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and its language was intentionally vague. Most critically, the military—the army and navy—were not directly accountable to the civilian government.    So with the kokutai, the Emperor is a divine figure who embodies the state's sovereignty. It was not necessarily the Emperor's job to surrender on behalf of the official government of Japan, but he most certainly could do so, given the Japanese people still remained faithful to the kokutai.    Now Hirohito did not live an ordinary life. According to the imperial custom, Japanese royals were raised apart from their parents, at the age of 3 he was placed in the care of the Kwamura family who vowed to raise him to be unselfish, persevering in the face of difficulties, respectful of the views of others and immune to fear. One thing that was absolutely indoctrinated into him was to defend the kokutai. It became his top mission as a monarch, it was the only mission in many ways. At the very core of how he saw the world and how he acted, it was always to protect the kokutai.    So when the Japanese military began these insubordinate acts, Hirohito's primary concern was to the kokutai, ie: anything that threatened his imperial authority and the imperial institution itself. Although the military usurped his authority, the operations had been successful. Hirohito was not at all opposed to seeing his empire expand. He understood the value of manchuria, he was fully onboard with the military plans to eventually seize control over it, but these radicals were accelerating things to quickly for everyone's liking. He turned a blind eye, dished light punishments and carried on. However the local conflict escalated. It traveled to Shanghai by 1932 and here Hirohito took action. He understood Shanghai was full of western powers. Nations like Britain and America could place economic sanctions on Japan if things were allowed to get out of hand here. So he ordered General Yoshinori Shirakawa to bring the Shanghai expedition to a close.    During this period, two factions emerged within the Japanese military: the Kodoha, or “Imperial Way,” and the Toseiha, or “Control” faction. The Kodoha was founded by General Sadao Araki and his protégé, Jinzaburo Masaki. Their primary objective was a Shōwa Restoration aimed at purging Japan of corrupt politicians and businessmen, especially those associated with the zaibatsu. Composed mainly of young army officers, the Kodoha espoused a romanticized and radical interpretation of Bushido, idealizing pre-industrial Japan, which Araki believed had been tainted by Western influences. To achieve their goals, they resorted to assassinations and planned a coup d'état.   In response, the Toseiha faction was formed, initially led by Lt. General Tetsuzan Nagata and later by Hideki Tojo. Like the Kodoha, the Toseiha sought a Shōwa Restoration but adopted a more moderate and conservative approach. They recognized the importance of preserving traditional values while integrating Western ideals, advocating for a balanced perspective. The Toseiha promoted pragmatic military strategies to navigate the complexities of modern warfare. Although they acknowledged the existence of corrupt politicians and zaibatsu, they preferred to work within the existing political system, anticipating that future total wars would necessitate a strengthened industrial and military capacity. Their ranks primarily included promising graduates from the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Academy, Army Staff College, and select naval members. The most significant distinction between the two factions was that the Toseiha explicitly rejected the use of a coup d'état in pursuit of their goals.   Between 1932-1936 radical officers, mostly of the Kodoha faction assassinated politicians and military leaders trying to usher in a showa restoration. You might be led to believe this was in the interest of Hirohito, you would be mistaken. Hirohito did not want a military dictatorship at the whim of the cult of the emperor. Ironic to say, given how WW2 turns out mind you. This really would have been a hostage situation. Hirohito wanted to maintain the exact ambiguous situation that was Showa Era Japan pre 1945. He saw this as the most ideal structure to defend the kokutai, because blame could not be placed solely upon his shoulders. He always maintained a get out of jail free card one could say.    The February 26 incident of 1936, was the climax of the Kodoha faction. They performed a mutiny trying to usher in a SHowa restoration. They assumed when their messenger came to the emperor he would join them and take direct rule. Instead Hirohito was furious. His first thought was the mutineers were trying to enlist his brother Chichibu to overthrow him. He dragged his brother who was a fraternizer amongst the kodoha members mind you, into a meeting, demanding he never associate with them again nor attempt to challenge him. Then Hirohito furious demanded the mutineers be dealt with. At one point he even threatened to lead the imperial guards to put them down. The coup failed, the kodoha faction was destroyed. Ironically the toseiha faction were the ones to do it and thus they became the defacto ruling clique.    The military, especially the kwantung army did not stop with their insubordination.    On July 8th of 1937 the Kwangtung army performed the Marco Polo Bridge incident, ushering in the second sino-japanese war. This was one of many false flag operations they had pulled off over the years. Upon being told about this Hirohito's first response was whether the USSR would invade Manchukuo over the matter. This is what he said to Prime Minister Konoe and army minister Sugiyama “What will you do if the Soviets attack us from the rear?” he asked the prince. Kan'in answered, “I believe the army will rise to the occasion.” The emperor repeated his question: “That's no more than army dogma. What will you actually do in the unlikely event that Soviet [forces] attack?” The prince said only, “We will have no choice.” His Majesty seemed very dissatisfied. Hirohito furious demanded to know what contingency plans existed and his advisors told him before he gave his red seal of approval to invade northern china.   Henceforth he micromanaged a lot of the military decisions going forward and he oversaw the forming and dissolving of numerous cabinets and positions when things went his way or did not in the military and political scene.  Emperor Hirohito was presented with several opportunities to cause cease-fires or peace settlements during the war years. One of the best possible moments to end it all came during the attack on Nanking when Chiang Kai-sheks military were in disarray. On July 11 of 1938, the commander of the 19th division fought a border clash with the USSR known to us in the west as the battle of Lake Khasan. It was a costly defeat for Japan and in the diary of Harada Kumao he noted Hirohito scolded Army minister Itagaki “Hereafter not a single soldier is to be moved without my permission.” When it looked like the USSR would not press for a counter attack across the border, Hirohito gave the order for offensives in China to recommence, again an example of him deciding when to lay down the hammer.   By 1939 the US began threatening sanctions for what Japan was doing in China. Hirohito complained to his chief aide de camp Hata Shunroku on August 5th “It could be a great blow to scrap metal and oil”. Hirohito was livid and scolded many of his top officials and forced the appointment of General Abe to prime minister and demanded of him “to cooperate with the US and Britain and preserve internal order”.   Fast forward a bit, with war raging in Europe Hirohito, on June 19th of 1940 Hirohito asked if chief of staff Prince Kan'in and Army Minister Hata “At a time when peace will soon come in the European situation, will there be a deployment of troops to the Netherlands Indies and French Indochina?” This question highlighted Hirohito's belief at that time that Germany was close to achieving victory, which led him to gradually consider deploying troops to French Indochina and the Dutch East Indies since neither of those parent nations was in a position to protect their territories and vital resources. Regarding the war in China, the Japanese aimed to stop the flow of materials entering China from places like Hong Kong. Hirohito received reports indicating that Britain would not agree to block the shipment of materials into China via Hong Kong. The military recognized that an invasion of Hong Kong might be necessary, which would mean declaring war on Britain. When this was communicated to him, Hirohito responded, “If that occurs, I'm sure America will enforce an embargo, don't you think?” In response, Kido, the lord of the privy seal, reassured him by stating, “The nation must be fully prepared to resist, proceeding with caution and avoiding being drawn into events instigated by foreign interests.”   Hirohito went through countless meetings, but eventually signed order number 458 authorizing the invasion of French Indochina, knowing full well the consequences. The US,UK and Netherlands began embargoes of oil, rubber and iron. In the words of Admiral Takagai “As time passes and this situation continues, our empire will either be totally defeated or forced to fight a hopeless war. Therefore we should pursue war and diplomacy together. If there is no prospect of securing our final line of national survival by diplomatic negotiations, we must be resolved to fight.” Hirohito understood the predicament full well, that each day Japan was wasting its oil reserves, if they were to strike it had to be quickly.   On October 13th Hirohito told his closest advisor Koichi Kido “In the present situation there seems to be little hope for the Japan–U.S. negotiations. If hostilities erupt this time, I think I may have to issue a declaration of war.”   The reason I am bringing up all this stuff is to solidify, Hirohito had agency, he was micromanaging and forming decisions. After the war broke out with the west, Hirohito did have the ability to stamp his foot down. Of course there could have been wild repercussions, his military could have usurped him with Chichibu, it was definitely possible. But you need to keep this mind set, as far as why Hirohito acts or doesn't, its always to protect the Kokutai. Thus one of the levers for peace, solely rested on Hirohito's perception if the kokutai could be retained or not.    From the outset of the Pacific War, Hirohito believed Germany was going to defeat the USSR. In line with his military leaders, they all believed Japan had to seize everything they could in the asia-pacific and thwart off the US until a negotiated peace could be met. Hirohito committed himself to overseeing the war, determined to achieve victory at any cost. He was a very cautious leader, he meticulously analyzed each campaign, anticipating potential setbacks and crafting worst-case scenario predictions. He maintained a skeptical view of the reports from his senior officials and was often harshly critical of high commanders.   While he did not frequently visit the front lines like other commanders in chief, Hirohito wielded significant influence over theater operations, shaping both planning and execution whenever he deemed necessary. Similar to his approach during the war in China, he issued the highest military orders from the Imperial Headquarters, conducted audited conferences, and made decisions communicated under his name. He regularly welcomed generals and admirals to the imperial palace for detailed briefings on the battlefront and visited various military bases, battleships, and army and naval headquarters. His inspections encompassed military schools and other significant military institutions, adding to his comprehensive involvement in the war effort.   Now the war went extremely well for Japan until the battle of Midway. This was as major setback, but Japan retained the initiative. Then the Guadalcanal campaign saw Japan lose the initiative to the Americans. Upon receiving the initial report of the Ichiki detachment's destruction, Hirohito remarked, “I am sure it [Guadalcanal] can be held.” Despite the numerous reports detailing the devastating effects of tropical diseases and starvation on his troops, he persistently demanded greater efforts from them. Hirohito exerted continuous pressure on his naval and land commanders to retake the island. On September 15th, November 5th, and November 11th, he requested additional Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) troops and aircraft to be allocated to the cause.   General Sugiyama expressed concerns about dispatching more IJA pilots due to their inexperience in transoceanic combat, preferring to reinforce the North China Army for an attack on Chongqing instead. Hirohito pressed the issue again, but Sugiyama responded that the IJA had diverted its air resources to New Guinea and Rabaul. Undeterred by the objections from senior commanders, Hirohito persisted in his demands. By late November, it became evident that Guadalcanal was a lost cause.   At an Imperial Headquarters conference on December 31st, 1942, the chiefs of staff proposed canceling the attempts to recapture Guadalcanal. Hirohito sanctioned this decision but stated, “It is unacceptable to just give up on capturing Guadalcanal. We must launch an offensive elsewhere.” He insisted on this point, leading to the selection of new strategic targets in the Solomons, north of New Georgia, and in the Stanley Range on New Guinea. Hirohito even threatened to withhold authorization for withdrawing troops from Guadalcanal until a new plan was established. He later opposed the withdrawal from Munda Airfield, as it contradicted the newly defined defensive line.   As the defensive perimeter in the central and northern Solomons began to crumble, Hirohito continued to insist that the navy engage in decisive battles to regain the initiative, allowing for the transport of supplies to the many soldiers trapped on various islands. When he learned of the navy's failure to reinforce Lae on March 3rd, he asked, “Then why didn't you change plans immediately and land at Madan? This is a failure, but it can teach us a good lesson and become a source of future success. Do this for me so I can have peace of mind for a while.” The phrase “Do this for me” would come to be his signature rallying cry.   After Guadal canal, it was loss after loss for Japan. By February of 1944, Hirohito forced Sugiyama to resign so Hideki Tojo could take his position as chief of the general staff, note Tojo was prime minister and army minister at this point. Hirohito worked alongside Tojo to plan some last ditch efforts to change the war situation. The most significant one was Operation Ichi-Go. As much damage as they did to China with that, Chiang Kai-Shek's government survived. Hirohito watched as island by island fell to the Americans. When the Americans were poised to take Saipan he warned Tojo “If we ever lose Saipan, repeated air attacks on Tokyo will follow. No matter what it takes, we have to hold there.” Saipan fell, so Hirohito stopped supporting Tojo and allowed his rivals to take down his cabinet by june 18th of 1944.    Hirohito remained resolute in his determination to wrest victory from the Allies. On October 18th, the Imperial Headquarters ordered a decisive naval engagement, leading to the Battle of Leyte Gulf. After the war, Hirohito publicly stated, "Contrary to the views of the Army and Navy General Staffs, I consented to the showdown battle at Leyte, believing that if we launched an attack and America hesitated, we might find an opportunity to negotiate." Leyte Gulf didnt work. The military began the kamikaze program. On new years day of 1945 Hirohito inspected the special last meal rations given to departing kamikaze units. Iwo Jima fell. Okinawa remained, and Hirohito lashed out “Is it because we failed to sink enemy transports that we've let the enemy get ashore? Isn't there any way to defend Okinawa from the landing enemy forces?” On the second day of Okinawa's invasion Hirohito ordered a counter landing by the 32nd army and urged the navy to counterattack in every way possible. It was a horrible failure, it cost the lives of up to 120,000 Japanese combatants, 170,000 noncombatants. The Americans lost 12,500 killed and 33,000 wounded. An absolute bloodbath.    The Surrender time   Now we come to the time period where Japan seriously began looking for ways to surrender. In Europe Germany was heading to its defeat and Japan knew this. As for Japan, their army in Burma had been annihilated. Their forces in China were faring better after Operation Ichi-go, having opened up a land corridor along the main railway from Beiping to Wuhan and from throughout Guangdong but still stuck in a deadlock stalemate, facing a guerrilla war that was costing them 64% of their military expenditures. They deeply feared once the Soviets finished up with Germany, they would undoubtedly turn east against Manchuria. With the Soviets attacking from the north, the US would attack from the south, perhaps landing in Shanghai and the home islands. The Kamikaze tactics were proving formidable, but not nearly enough. By 1945, 43% of the IJA were now stationed in Japan, Korea and Formosa, bracing for the final stand. Former prime minister Reijiro Wakatsuki came out of retirement in may of 1945, having heard Germany collapsed, to urge Hirohito and the Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki to open negotiations with the US as soon as possible. However he also said “the enemy must first be made to see the disadvantages of continuing the war”. To this Hirohito's chief counselor Makino Nobuaki said that “the ultimate priority is to develop an advantageous war situation.” Advisor admiral Kesiuke Okada said Japan should wait for “a moment favorable for us,” then make peace. Advisors Kiichiro Hiranuma and Koki Hirota advised the emperor to fight on until the end.   Now I want to bring in a key player to the surrender decision, that of Prince Konoe. Konoe was very close to Hirohito and understood the emperors mentality, especially how he viewed things in relation to the kokutai.    The senior statesman Prince Konoe had been consulting with Hirohito for over 18 months at this point trying to convey the message that if the war continued it would threaten the kokutai. Many months prior, he confided in the emperor's brother, Prince Takamatsu, that the army was suffering from “a cancer” in the form of the Toseiha faction. However, he noted that “Kido and others” did not share his perspective, while “his Majesty is relatively unconcerned with ideological issues.” For the past four years, he continued, the emperor had been advised and still believed that “the true extremists are the Kodoha faction.” In reality, the greater threat to the kokutai arose from the Toseiha faction. Konoe further asserted that if the war escalated, they would attempt to alter the kokutai.   Konoe speculated that whether the threat originated from communists within the nation, primarily referring to left-wing radicals in the Toseiha faction, or from the “Anglo-American enemy,” both would seek to preserve the emperor while pushing towards the country's communization.In his written report to the emperor on February 14, which Kido listened to attentively, Konoe elaborated on his conspiracy theory. He asserted that the Soviet Union regarded Japan as its primary threat in East Asia. The Soviets had allied with the Chinese Communists, the largest and most formidable Communist party in Asia, and were collaborating with the United States and Britain to drive Japan out of China. He warned that they would enter the war when the opportunity arose.   Defeat, he cautioned the emperor, was inevitable if the conflict persisted. However, he emphasized that a far greater fear was the potential destruction of the kokutai. The ongoing war was eroding the domestic status quo, unleashing forces that threatened Japan and its imperial institution from within as much as from external adversaries. The real danger lay in the emperor's and Kido's trust in the generals of the Toseiha faction, who were unintentionally facilitating the communization of Japan. Konoe implored for a swift peace settlement before a Communist revolution emerged, making the preservation of the kokutai impossible. Hirohito agreed with Konoe but stated “ To end the war would be “very difficult unless we make one more military gain.” Konoe allegedly replied, “Is that possible? It must happen soon. If we have to wait much longer, . . . [a mere battle victory] will mean nothing.” Hirohito replied “If we hold out long enough in this war, we may be able to win, but what worries me is whether the nation will be able to endure it until then.”   On February 15th of 1945, Hirohito's intelligence warned the Soviet Union would likely abrogate its Neutrality Pact with Japan. Even Tojo conceded there was a 50/50 chance the USSR would invade Manchuria. In March, the US began B-29 incendiary bombing raids over Tokyo, turning 40% of the capital into ash. On March 18th, Hirohito with some aides drove around the capital to witness the devastation. The civilians looked exhausted and bewildered to Hirohito. Factory production was collapsing, absenteeism was rising, instances of lese majeste were running rampant. For the next 5 months imperial family members and senior statesmen all began speaking to Hirohito about the “crises of the kokutai”. The threat Konoe had warned about for months was becoming the main talking point. It seemed like the Japanese people within the countryside and urban areas remained steadfast in the resolve to obey their leaders, work and sacrifice for their nation, but for how long would they feel so?    It was only after the battle for Okinawa was lost and 60 Japanese cities had been leveled by American incendiary bombs that Hirohito openly indicated he wanted to negotiate a surrender.   Kido's diary reveals the first clear indication that the emperor might be urged to consider an early peace on June 8, 1945, when Kido drafted his “Draft Plan for Controlling the Crisis Situation.” This marked a pivotal moment. It followed the unintentional bombing of the Imperial Palace, the complete loss of hope for saving Okinawa, and coincided with the day the Supreme War Leadership Council adopted the “Basic Policy for the Future Direction of the War.” With the fighting in Europe concluded, Japan found itself entirely isolated. Kido's plan, although vague, proposed seeking the Soviet Union's assistance as an intermediary to help Japan gain leverage in negotiations with its adversaries. By drafting this plan, Kido signaled the end of his long alliance with the military hard-liners. Hirohito's acceptance of it indicated his readiness for an early peace.   Hirohito was moved to an underground bunker in the mountains of Matsushiro in Nagano prefecture where upon those around him noted he fell into a deep depression. On June 22nd  Hirohito informed the Supreme War Leadership Council he wanted them to open diplomatic maneuvers to end the war. In early July Soviet Ambassador Jacob Malik broke off inconclusive talks with Hirota. Hirohito stepped in immediately and ordered a new special envoy be sent to Moscow. However Hirohito nor the Suzuki government had concrete plans on how to mediate a surrender through the Soviets. The only things they did prioritize was a guarantee of the emperors political position and retainment of the imperial system, ie the kokutai. This was taken into consideration rather than ending the war as quickly as possible to save the lives of millions.    From April 8, 1945, until Japan's capitulation, the Suzuki government's chief war policy was “Ketsugo,” an advanced iteration of the “Shosango” (Victory Number 3) plan for defending the homeland. The hallmark of this strategy was a heavy reliance on suicide tactics, including deploying a massive number of kamikaze “special attack” planes, human torpedoes launched from submarines, dynamite-stuffed “crash boats” powered by truck engines, human rocket bombs carried by aircraft, and suicide assaults by specially trained ground units.   While preparations for Operation Ketsu progressed, the Imperial Diet convened on June 9 to pass a Wartime Emergency Measures Law, along with five additional measures aimed at mobilizing the entire nation for this final battle. On the same day, the emperor, who had yet to initiate efforts to end the war, issued another imperial rescript in conjunction with the Diet's convocation, instructing the nation to “smash the inordinate ambitions of the enemy nations” and “achieve the goals of the war.” Concurrently, the controlled press launched a daily die-for-the-emperor campaign to foster gratitude for the imperial benevolence and, from around mid-July onward, initiated a campaign to “protect the kokutai.”   The Americans countered with their own propaganda aimed at breaking Japan's will to fight. B-29 bombers dropped millions of leaflets written in Japanese, announcing the next scheduled targets for bombing raids and urging surrender, while using the emperor to challenge the militarists. Leaflets bearing the chrysanthemum crest criticized the “military cliques” for “forcing the entire nation to commit suicide” and called on “everyone” to “exercise their constitutional right to make direct appeals [for peace] to the Emperor.” They asserted that “even the powerful military cliques cannot stop the mighty march for peace of the Emperor and the people.” One notable batch of seven million leaflets conveyed the terms of the “joint declaration” issued by the United States, Great Britain, and China. “Today we come not to bomb you,” they stated. “We are dropping this leaflet to inform you of the response from the United States government to your government's request for conditions of surrender.... Whether the war stops immediately depends on your government. You will understand how to end the war if you read these two official notifications.”   Amid pressures from imperial edicts to continue preparations for a final battle and focus solely on victory, the Japanese people were also subjected to an intense American psychological warfare campaign in addition to aerial bombardment. During late July and August, prefectural governors, police chiefs, and officers of the “special higher police” submitted reports to the Home Ministry detailing the rapidly deteriorating national morale.    Now on the other side, Roosevelt made it known back in January of 1943 at the Casablanca conference, the allies would only accept unconditional surrender. By 1945, the allies understood the predicament this left Japan with. On May 8th of 1945, Truman added “Japan's surrender would not mean the extermination or enslavement of the Japanese people” trying to indicate a non vindictive spirit. However the Kokutai question always remained ambiguous. State Department Joseph Grew, the former ambassador to Japan, began arguing to Truman they needed to make public a clear definition of the terms to persuade Japan to surrender. As he argued to Truman: Emperor Hirohito was seen as the key figure in Japan's surrender, likened to a "queen bee in a hive... surrounded by the attentions of the hive." Throughout the war, he was characterized in various ways—as a “puppet” of the militarists, a constitutional monarch, and a pacifist. Grew had immense faith in the influence exerted by what he referred to as the “moderates” surrounding the Japanese throne.    However many of Grew's colleagues argued the future existence of the monarchy was intolerable as it was akin to fascism. Many wanted to punish the emperor. Truman was in a tug of war. The Potsdam declaration issued on July 26th of 1945 came in the form of a ultimatum aiming to quicken japans surrender. Truman clarified the terms for the unconditional surrender at the end of its terms: "We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces, and to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such action. The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction." Zero mention of the emperor. Grew had argued to add “this may include a constitutional monarchy under the present dynasty.” But it was deleted from the article. The status of the emperor was not guaranteed, the kokutai was thus up in the air.    The next day, the Suzuki cabinet rejected the terms. The Japanese leadership and Hirohito were still banking and awaiting Soviet replies to their terms.    Lets talk about the Soviet talks now   Back on July 12th ambassador Naotake Satō sent this message to the Soviets: “His Majesty the Emperor, mindful of the fact that the present war daily brings greater evil and sacrifice upon the peoples of all the belligerent powers, desires from his heart that it may be quickly terminated. But so long as England and the United States insist upon unconditional surrender, the Japanese Empire has no alternative but to fight on with all its strength for the honor and existence of the Motherland”.  However the Soviets had made commitments to their allies, promising in fact to invade Japan to aid them.    As for the Soviets their primary objective was to ensure unrestricted access to the Pacific Ocean. The year-round ice-free areas of the Soviet Pacific coastline, particularly Vladivostok, could be blockaded by air and sea from Sakhalin Island and the Kurile Islands. Securing these territories to guarantee free access to the Soya Strait was their main goal. Secondary objectives included acquiring leases for the Chinese Eastern Railway, the Southern Manchuria Railway, as well as gaining control over Dairen and Port Arthur.   To achieve these aims, Stalin and Molotov prolonged negotiations with the Japanese, creating a false sense of hope for a Soviet-mediated peace. Simultaneously, in their discussions with the United States and Britain, the Soviets insisted on strict adherence to the Cairo Declaration, which had been reaffirmed at the Yalta Conference. This declaration stipulated that the Allies would not accept a separate or conditional peace with Japan; thus, the Japanese would need to surrender unconditionally to all the Allies. The Soviets aimed to prolong the war by opposing any efforts to dilute this requirement. This approach would provide the Soviets with the necessary time to complete the transfer of their troops from the Western Front to the Far East and to conquer Manchuria, Inner Mongolia, northern Korea, South Sakhalin, the Kuriles, and potentially Hokkaidō, starting with an assault on Rumoi. AUGUST 1945   Thus we come to at last the critical point, August of 1945.    The Americans prepared for the deployment of atomic bombs and for an invasion of southern Kyushu, known as Operation Olympic, scheduled to commence on November 1. At 8:15 A.M. on August 6, a single B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay dropped little boy, devastating much of the undefended city of Hiroshima, instantly killing an estimated 100,000 to 140,000 people and leading to the deaths of possibly another 100,000 over the next five years. At the epicenter of the explosion, “a light appeared 3,000 times brighter than the sun,” creating a fireball that emitted thermal radiation capable of “instantly scorching humans, trees, and houses.” As the air heated and rushed upward, cold air surged in to ignite a firestorm. Hours later, a whirlwind escalated the flames to their peak until more than eight square miles were virtually reduced to cinders. Subsequently, black, muddy rain filled with radioactive fallout began to fall. Two days later, using Japan's rejection of the Potsdam Declaration as a pretext, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan. Then on August 9, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, resulting in the immediate deaths of approximately 35,000 to 40,000 people and injuring more than 60,000.   Meanwhile, in Tokyo, during the critical period between the Potsdam Declaration and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Emperor Hirohito remained silent about accepting the Potsdam terms. However, on July 25 and 31, he explicitly conveyed to Kido that the imperial regalia must be defended at all costs. The three sacred objects—a mirror, a curved jewel, and a sword—symbolized the legitimacy of his rule through the northern court and were integral to his identity as the divine sovereign. Hirohito's focus was on protecting these symbols of office, as he insisted on having them brought to the palace. This fixation on maintaining his symbols occurred during a pivotal moment when the pressing issue was whether to accept immediate capitulation. Reflecting on this, he was unprepared to seize the opportunity to end the war himself.   Prime Minister Suzuki, following his initial rejection of the Potsdam ultimatum, also saw no need for further action. His Cabinet Advisory Council, which included the president of Asano Cement, the founder of the Nissan consortium, the vice president of the Bank of Japan, and other representatives from the nation's leading business interests that had profited significantly from the war, convened on the morning of August 3. They recommended accepting the Potsdam terms, arguing that the United States would permit Japan to retain its non-military industries and continue participating in world trade.    Here are some reactions to the two bombs and invasion of Manchuria.    Yonai Mitsumasa said to admiral Takagi Sokichi, on August 12, that “I think the term is perhaps inappropriate, but the atomic bombs and the Soviet entry into the war are, in a sense, gifts from the gods [tenyu, also “heaven-sent blessings”]. This way we don't have to say that we quit the war because of domestic circumstances. I've long been advocating control of our crisis, but neither from fear of an enemy attack nor because of the atomic bombs and the Soviet entry into the war. The main reason is my anxiety over the domestic situation. So, it is rather fortunate that we can now control matters without revealing the domestic situation”.    Konoe's characterized the Soviet involvement in the war as “a godsend for controlling the army,”. Kido viewed of both the atomic bombings and the Soviet entry into the conflict as “useful” elements for ensuring a smooth transition. A nascent power struggle was unfolding, rendering the potential death toll—whether one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand—immaterial to those involved, as long as their desired outcome was achieved: an end to the war that would leave the monarchy intact and capable of managing the discontent that defeat would inevitably provoke. Throughout the final acts of this wartime drama, the Japanese “moderates” found it easier to capitulate to external pressures than to take decisive action on their own to conclude the war.   Another illuminating looks at Japan's elite's perspective on surrender terms was the document titled “Essentials of Peace Negotiations” (wahei kosho no yoryo). Drafted by Konoe and his adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Sakai Koji, after Konoe had reluctantly accepted a mission to Moscow, this document, stipulated the preservation of the emperor system, along with most of the imperial prerogatives, as the absolute minimum condition for peace. It defined the “original” or “essential homeland” as including the southern half of the Kurile Islands but showed a willingness to concede all overseas territories to the enemy, including Okinawa and the American-occupied Bonin Islands, as well as the southern half of Sakhalin. The “Essentials” also accepted complete disarmament for an unspecified period, thereby compromising on the issues of demobilizing and disarming the armed forces. More significantly, an “explanation” attached to the “Essentials” emphasized that “the main aim is to secure the imperial line and maintain the political role of the emperor.”    Why Japan surrendered   We come to it atleast after a long podcast. Why did Japan ultimately surrender?   The twin psychological shocks of the first atomic bomb and the Soviet entry into the war, combined with Kido's and the emperor's concern over escalating public criticism of the throne and its occupant, fueled an almost paranoid fear that, sooner or later, the populace would react violently against their leaders if the war persisted much longer. These factors ultimately led Hirohito to accept, in principle, the terms of the Potsdam Declaration.   At the first meeting of the six member constituents of the Supreme War Leadership Council, held from 10:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on August 9, Army Minister Anami Korechika, Chiefs of Staff Umezu Yoshijiro, representing the army, and Yonai, representing the navy, along with Tōgō, from the Foreign Ministry, were expected to discuss the acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. Instead, the conversation revolved around whether to attempt a conditional surrender—specifically, should they insist on one condition, the preservation of the kokutai, or four?   After Suzuki addressed the assembly regarding the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the Soviet attack, Yonai, as recounted by Navy Chief of Staff Toyoda, was the first to speak, framing the issue in terms of four conditions. “Let's start to talk, Do we accept the Potsdam Declaration with no conditions? If not, and we wish to insist on attaching hopes and conditions, we may do so this way. First, preservation of the kokutai; then for the rest, the main items in the Potsdam Declaration: treatment of war criminals, method of disarmament, and the matter of sending in an army of occupation.” Thus, the participants identified what they perceived to be the ambiguous points within the Potsdam Declaration and used them as the foundation for their discussions.   The army insisted on four conditions: First, the preservation of the kokutai, which they considered distinct from the Potsdam Declaration itself. The other conditions proposed were, second, that the Imperial Headquarters assume responsibility for disarmament and demobilization; third, a prohibition on occupation; and fourth, the delegation of the punishment of war criminals to the Japanese government. The army equated the kokutai with the emperor's right of supreme command. Their self-serving desire for autonomous war crimes trials was based on the belief that the Allies would use such trials to politically indict the military. Consequently, army leaders aimed to preempt the activities of any international tribunal by conducting their own trials—similar to the approach taken by the uninvaded and unrepentant Germans after World War I.   Supporting the military's views during cabinet meetings that day were three civilian members of the Suzuki cabinet: Justice Minister Matsuzaka Hiromasa, Home Minister Yasui Toji, and Minister of Health Okada Tadahiko. At the imperial conference that night, which extended into the early hours of the tenth, Foreign Minister Tōgō's interpretation of the “preservation of the kokutai” referred solely to the safeguarding of the Imperial House or dynasty, rather than the continuation of Hirohito's reign.   Hiranuma, another advocate for the single condition, interpreted the kokutai as the “emperor's sovereign right to rule the state [not] deriving from national law. Even if the entire nation is sacrificed to the war, we must preserve both the kokutai and the security of the imperial house.” This discrepancy illustrated that there was no completely unified understanding of what the kokutai entailed; the debate over one condition versus four represented conflicting visions for the future of the Japanese state and masked the competition for political power that was already unfolding.   It remains doubtful whether the emperor and Kido initially sided with Tōgō against the four conditions proposed by the senior military leaders. A more likely inference is that both men retained sympathies for the hardliners, both military and civilian, who preferred to continue the futile war rather than surrender immediately and unconditionally. This may explain why, on August 9, Konoe had Hosokawa Morisada approach Navy General Headquarters to urge the emperor's brother, Prince Takamatsu, to pressure Hirohito (through Kido) to accept the Potsdam terms. Later that afternoon, Konoe enlisted the help of diplomat Shigemitsu Mamoru to persuade Kido to reconsider his stance on the four conditions. Ultimately, at the urging of Takamatsu and Shigemitsu, Kido did shift to support Tōgō's position.   At the end of the war, as at its beginning and throughout every stage of its progression, Emperor Hirohito played a highly active role in supporting the actions carried out in his name. From the very beginning of the Asia-Pacific war, the emperor played a significant role in the unfolding events around him. Prior to the Battle of Okinawa, he consistently advocated for a decisive victory. Afterward, he acknowledged the necessity of pursuing an early peace, although he did not favor an immediate cessation of hostilities. Instead, he wavered, steering Japan toward ongoing warfare rather than direct negotiations with the Allies. When the final crisis fully unfolded, the only option left was unconditional surrender. Even then, he continued to procrastinate until the atomic bomb was dropped and the Soviets launched their attack. The wartime emperor ideology that once sustained morale made it exceedingly difficult for Japan's leaders to accept the act of surrender. Aware of their objective defeat, yet indifferent to the suffering the war inflicted on their own people—as well as on the populations of Asia, the Pacific, and the West whose lives they had disrupted—the emperor and his military leaders sought a means to lose without appearing to lose. They aimed to mitigate domestic criticism following surrender while preserving their power structure.   Blinded by their fixation on the fate of the imperial house and committed to an overly optimistic diplomacy toward the Soviet Union, Japan's leaders missed several opportunities to end their lost war. Would Japan's leaders have surrendered more promptly if the Truman administration had “clarified” the status of the emperor before the cataclysmic double shocks of the atomic bomb and the Soviet entry into the war? Probably not. However, it is likely they would have surrendered to prevent the kokutai from being destroyed from within. The evidence suggests that the first atomic bomb and the Soviet declaration of war led Hirohito, Kido, and other members of the court to believe that continuing the war would inevitably result in that destruction. They recognized that the populace was war-weary and despondent, with rising hostility toward the military and the government, accompanied by increasing criticism of the emperor himself. More specifically, Kido and Hirohito were privy to Home Ministry reports, which contained information from governors and police chiefs nationwide. These reports indicated that citizens were beginning to label the emperor as an incompetent leader responsible for the deteriorating war situation.   This is the third variable, never spoken about. Many first look at the atomic bombs. Bigger brain people turn to the Soviet Invasion of Manchuria. But hardly anyone reads about how the collapse of Japan's social fabric, scared the shit out of the Emperor and his closest advisors. You can't have a kokutai, without a populace that worshiped you.    When the emperor expressed in February, “What worries me is whether the nation [could] endure” long enough to achieve victory, he was not merely voicing concern for the suffering of his subjects; rather, he feared that such suffering could lead to social upheaval—in short, revolution. At that time, he referred to the ordinary, war-related hardships of food shortages, air raids, devastated cities, destruction of homes, and the omnipresent grief from the loss of loved ones. The atomic bomb escalated death, pain, and suffering to unimaginably higher levels, intensifying the threat from within. After the bombings of Japan and two atomic bombs, Hirohito was in a dark way, given a golden get out of jail free card. Hirohito could now save his suffering people from further anguish by surrendering, allowing him to deflect responsibility for leading them into misery while adopting an air of benevolence and care. Indeed, Hirohito did care—though not primarily for the Japanese people, but rather for the survival of his own imperial house and throne.   After the bombing of Hiroshima, Hirohito delayed for a full two days before instructing Kido, shortly before 10 A.M. on August 9, to “quickly control the situation” because “the Soviet [Union]” had declared war. Kido immediately communicated with Prime Minister Suzuki, who began arrangements for an Imperial Conference scheduled for later that night. Following the seidan of August 10, Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakomizu took charge of drafting the “Imperial Rescript Ending the War” based on Hirohito's directives. Assisted by two scholars of the Chinese classics, Kawada Mizuho and Yasuoka Masahiro, Sakomizu worked tirelessly for over three days before submitting a version of the rescript to the Suzuki cabinet. After six hours of contentious discussion on the night of August 14, the cabinet modified and approved the document. Hirohito promptly signed it, and Shimomura and Kido persuaded him to record a suitably opaque final version for broadcast to the nation.   On the night of August 14, the Suzuki government notified the United States and other Allied nations that it had accepted both the Potsdam Declaration and the Byrnes letter of August 11. Accelerating the emperor's actions during this climactic moment of the unconditional surrender drama was the American psychological warfare campaign. When a leaflet dropped from B-29 bombers came into Kido's possession on the night of August 13 or the morning of the fourteenth, he conferred with the emperor and explained the gravity of the situation. The latest enemy leaflets were informing the Japanese people of the government's notification of surrender under one condition, along with the full text of Byrnes's response. If this continued, it would undermine the imperial government's reliance on secrecy to obscure the true nature of the lost war and the reasons for the prolonged surrender delay.   Given Kido's and the emperor's concerns about rising signs of defeatism, including criticism of the throne, immediate action was necessary to prevent the populace from acting on their own initiative. Thus, the second seidan was convened. At noon on August 15, the Japanese people gathered around their radio receivers and heard, for the first time, the high-pitched voice of their emperor telling them:    “After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in Our Empire today, We have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure. We have ordered Our Government to communicate to the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that Our Empire accepts the provisions of their Joint Declaration. To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of Our subjects is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by Our Imperial Ancestors and which lies close to Our heart. Indeed, We declared war on America and Britain out of Our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from Our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement. But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone—the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of Our servants of the State, and the devoted service of Our one hundred million people—the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest. Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization. Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers... The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, Our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is unsufferable”.   Clearly Hirohito sought to justify his decision to surrender by citing the dropping of the atomic bombs. He wanted to become the saviour of the Japanese people. Hirohito wanted to obfuscate the issue of accountability, to prevent expressions of strife and anger and to strengthen domestic unity around himself, to protect and raise the kokutai.  Interestingly, the surrender declaration to the civilian population was not the same one sent to the military. On August 17th Hirohito issued a second “rescript to soldiers and sailors” throughout the asia-pacific.   “ Now that the Soviet Union has entered the war against us, to continue . . . under the present conditions at home and abroad would only recklessly incur even more damage to ourselves and result in endangering the very foundation of the empire's existence. Therefore, even though enormous fighting spirit still exists in the Imperial Navy and Army, I am going to make peace with the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, as well as with Chungking, in order to maintain our glorious national polity”.   The lesser-known August 17 rescript to the army and navy specified Soviet participation as the sole reason for surrender, while maintaining the kokutai as the primary aim. Dissembling until the end—and even beyond—it was noted that the emperor presented two different justifications for his delayed surrender. Both statements were likely true.   Months later Hirohito's said this about his decision to surrender “The main motive behind my decision at that time was that if we . . . did not act, the Japanese race would perish and I would be unable to protect my loyal subjects [sekishi—literally, “children”]. Second, Kido agreed with me on the matter of defending the kokutai. If the enemy landed near Ise Bay, both Ise and Atsuta Shrines would immediately come under their control. There would be no time to transfer the sacred treasures [regalia] of the imperial family and no hope of protecting them. Under these circumstances, protection of the kokutai would be difficult. For these reasons, I thought at the time that I must make peace even at the sacrifice of myself.”    There exists this sort of childish argument today whether it was the atomic bombs or the Soviet Invasion that caused Japan to surrender. However, this overlooks as I think I've explained in 9000 words jeez, the influence of the kokutai. Defending the kokutai was Hirohito's number one priority. The Soviets threatened it. Communism threatened it. What Japan perceived to be “democracy” threatened it. American victory threatened it. And the destruction of Japan's social fabric threatened it. I love this one piece of history, that I have only come across in one book, that being the main one I am using here.   On August 12th, Hirohito came to the imperial family to tell them he had made the decision to surrender. His uncle Prince Yasuhiko Asaka asked him whether the war would be continued if the kokutai could not be preserved. Hirohito replied “of course”.

As President Trump prepares to hop over the pond for his second State visit - Sean Farrington speaks to businesses who want clarity after months of trade negotiations between the UK and the US.He'll also hear from the boss of the UK's biggest energy company about bills, pay and a new nuclear project.And we find out why a bumper apple harvest could be good news for cider drinkers.Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

On the Tuesday September 16th edition of Georgia Today: State leaders celebrate the groundbreaking of a new Rivian electric vehicle plant in Atlanta; Governor Brian Kemp says an immigration raid at a Georgia Hyundai plant won't deter foreign investors; And how will changes to national vaccine policy affect access in Georgia?

Amy King hosts your Tuesday morning Wake Up Call. ABC News White House correspondent opens the show talking about Trump's second State visit highlighting and renewing the special relationship between the US and the UK. ABC News national reporter Jim Ryan speaks on gasoline taking a smaller bite out of our paychecks. Amy talks with _____ from Pasadena Humane about pet portraits and the story behind it. Bloomberg Media's Courtney Donohoe shares the latest in business and Wall Street. The show closes with the host of ‘How to Money' on KFI Joel Larsgaard talking about new iPhone debt, health insurance, and American's reliance on social security.

*** A landmark trial begins in the UK over the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre... *** The US Secretary of State visits a contentious site during his latest visit to Israel... - *** 1972年の血の日曜日事件をめぐる裁判がイギリスで始まりました。 *** アメリカ国務長官マルコ・ルビオ氏は、イスラエル訪問中に、エルサレムの地下にある遺跡を視察しました。 *** ソーシャルメディア企業は、今日中に各社のプラットホームから１６歳未満のユーザーを締め出す方法について指示を受ける予定です。 2025年9月16日放送。

This week, we're bringing you a special collaboration with Outside She Goes. Together, we're diving into four haunting cases of women who vanished in the wild. From the rugged mountains of Colorado and California, to the unforgiving trails of Vermont and Alaska-Michelle Vanek, Rosemary Kunst, Paula Jean Welden, and Sharon Buis set out into nature and were never seen again. These stories remind us of the beauty, mystery, and danger that live side by side in the outdoors.Episode Sources:NamUs, Strange Outdoors_SB, The Doe Network, KTOO, YouTube - Bryan's Mysteries & Adventures on Trail, AllTrails, Goldbelt Tram, Strange Outdoors_RK, Find a Grave, WebSleuths, Valhikes, State of California Dept. of Justice, 5280Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcastFollow us on Facebook at Off the Trails PodcastIf you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at offthetrailspodcast@gmail.com  Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!**We do our own research and try our best to cross-reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any information during this episode, and we will be happy to correct ourselves in a future episode.

Tommy Meskill, London Correspondent, on the State visit of Donald Trump to the United Kingdom.

State of the Bay addresses confusion over this year's COVID vaccine with UCSF's Dr. Monica Gandhi, investigates America's troubled rehab industry with journalist Shoshana Walter, and celebrates San Francisco's Dance Mission Theater.

Tonight's Triple Feature brings together three wildly different but thematically connected films: Happy Gilmore 2, Heads of State, and The Thursday Murder Club. Netflix leads with Happy Gilmore 2, directed by Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) and marking Adam Sandler's return to his most iconic role in a sequel that blends nostalgia with heart. Amazon Prime counters with Heads of State, an action-comedy from Ilya Naishuller (Nobody) starring John Cena and Idris Elba as unlikely political partners, mixing campaign satire with explosive buddy-movie energy. Rounding things out is Netflix's adaptation of Richard Osman's bestseller The Thursday Murder Club, helmed by Chris Columbus and headlined by Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley in what looks to be the start of a cozy-crime franchise. Critics call Happy Gilmore 2 a fun if uneven revival, Heads of State a brash but entertaining streaming-era crowd-pleaser, and The Thursday Murder Club charming and faithful, if leisurely paced. Together, these films explore the comedy and drama of second chances and reinvention—whether it's Sandler's aging golfer taking another swing, Cena and Elba finding common ground in chaos, or a group of retirees proving that friendship and wit never go out of style.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59 

No single world region has experienced a greater relative increase in international migration since 2010 than Latin America and the Caribbean. Buffeted by displacement crises, economic dislocation, and changing migrant demographics, Latin America and the Caribbean have seen migration become one of the most pressing issues of our time. And while movement from the region toward the United States has dominated much of the public discourse, in fact, most migrants from the region remain within Latin America and the Caribbean. How are these countries responding to this new reality? In a newly published Stanford University Press book, On the Move: Migration Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean, Migration Policy Institute (MPI) President Andrew Selee and coauthors Valerie Lacarte, Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, and Diego Chaves-González offer the first comprehensive look at policy responses by governments in the region and shed light on the lesser-known dynamics of migration in, to, and through the region. Through compelling storytelling and rigorous analysis, the authors uncover how governments and societies in Latin America and the Caribbean are adapting—unevenly, yet innovatively—to an era of unprecedented human mobility. This webinar features discussion of the authors' key findings, surprising patterns, and the urgent policy questions facing Latin America and the Caribbean today. Speakers:  Andrew Selee, President, MPI Valerie Lacarte, Senior Policy Analyst, MPI Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, Senior Policy Analyst, MPI Diego Chaves-González, Senior Manager, Latin America and Caribbean Initiative, MPI Opening Comments by: Roberta S. Jacobson, Founding Partner, Dinámica Americas; former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico 

You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for September 15, 2025. 0:30 On today's episode, we reflect on the tragic killing of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, and the intense media reaction that followed. Vice President JD Vance calls out institutions of the left for continuing to lie and justify Charlie Kirk's death. Plus we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know. The State of Missouri has finished redrawing congressional lines in the mostly conservative state. The FBI arrested two men in Utah for attempting to blow up a news vehicle. An ICE Officer was seriously wounded after being struck and dragged by a car driven by an illegal alien. 12:30 Get Performlyte from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 13:30 We discuss the dangerous lure of notoriety, how fame and validation can influence some perpetrators, and the moral responsibility society bears in addressing these cultural pressures. And we ask the American Mamas if they've seen the Netflix documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. If you'd to ask our American Mamas a question, go to our website, AmericanGroundRadio.com/mamas and click on the Ask the Mamas button. 23:00 We break down Governor Kathy Hochul’s endorsement of self-described democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor. What does Hochul's endorsement mean for the Democratic Party’s direction, free markets, and the city’s ongoing struggles with crime, taxes, and urban flight? We Dig Deep into the latest 2026 college free speech rankings from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression—released just days before Charlie Kirk’s assassination. 32:30 Get Prodovite from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 33:30 Firings continue over people celebrating the the death of Charlie Kirk's assassination in social media posts. Is that a violation of their First Amendment right? Plus, Charlie Kirk's death was an act of pure evil. The result of people being called to God is a Bright Spot. Many Americans have returned to church or sought faith for the first time in years after the tragedy. We share some suggestions on how to choose a new church. 40:30 President Trump announces a second strike on boats carrying drugs into U.S. waters. And we finish off with a 9-year-old aspiring neurosurgeon who will make you say, "Whoa!" Follow us: americangroundradio.com Facebook: facebook.com / AmericanGroundRadio Instagram: instagram.com/americangroundradio Links: Missouri Republicans Pass Map To Send ‘Additional MAGA Republican To Congress’ FBI Arrests Two After Bomb Found Under News Vehicle Near Utah Site Of Charlie Kirk Assassination Illegal Immigrant Shot And Killed After Wounding ICE Agent In Chicago 'Really hit me hard': Supporters remember Charlie Kirk at Kennedy Center prayer vigil Speaker Johnson, RFK Jr., other GOPers mourn loss of Charlie Kirk at touching DC vigil: ‘Leaders of the nation have been shaken’ Vance to host Charlie Kirk Show in honor of his close friend See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newscast from Capital Public Radio

The boys are LIVE from the Grub Hub once again! This week we discuss who impressed us the most, why the Hudson Young sin bin was the wrong call, the best fan experiences we've ever had and what exactly a State of Origin train off consists of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Robert Dillman is the founder of the NEVO Driving Academy, and a former federal driving instructor with the US Dept of State. He joins Megan Lynch. Credit: © Abigail Dollins / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Tuesday, in a groundbreaking new report, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory officially concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This comes ahead of the members of the commission stepping down later this year, after announcing their resignations this summer amid the US's escalating attacks on UN personnel.“The Commission concludes that the State of Israel bears responsibility for the failure to prevent genocide, the commission of genocide, and the failure to punish genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” the report says.In this exclusive interview, Mehdi speaks with two of the commissioners behind this report: Chair Navi Pillay of South Africa and commissioner Chris Sidoti, one of Australia's most prominent human rights lawyers.In the interview, Pillay – who previously served as president of the UN's International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda – immediately draws parallels between genocide in Gaza and the Rwandan genocide.“It's when I came to the deliberate shooting of the single standing building where the fertility clinic was and the embryos. That immediately reminded me of the Rwanda genocide where I was a judge and where they ripped the bellies of pregnant women, pulled out the fetuses because they wanted to kill off the entire Tutsi group,” Pillay recounts.Pillay and Sidoti also both point out that unlike the Rwandan genocide, Palestinians in Gaza do not have neighboring countries they can escape to.“There is nowhere that the people of Gaza can go to escape this slaughter,” Sidoti tells Mehdi. “And yet the slaughter has continued.”The commissioners also address criticism that their report does not cover Hamas's war crimes, with Pillay noting that the commission has addressed Hamas's war crimes in previous reports.“It doesn't mean to me that every time you have to strike some kind of balance as if the parties are equal,” she explains. “They are not equal. One is the occupier and the other is occupied.”You can watch the full interview above to hear Mehdi press the commissioners on why it has taken almost two years for them to declare that Israel is committing a genocide, and why Israel prevented their commission from investigating claims of rape and sexual violence from both sides. He also asks whether they fear retaliation from the US for their report, after the Trump administration's sanctioning of ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.If you're not a paid subscriber, please do consider upgrading your subscription today and supporting independent journalism. Check out Zeteo's other stories from this week: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeteo.com/subscribe

My guest is Dr. Christof Koch, PhD, a pioneering researcher on the topic of consciousness, an investigator at the Allen Institute for Brain Science and the chief scientist at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation. We discuss the neuroscience of consciousness—how it arises in our brain, how it shapes our identity and how we can modify and expand it. Dr. Koch explains how we all experience life through a unique “perception box,” which holds our beliefs, our memories and thus our biases about reality. We discuss how human consciousness is changed by meditation, non-sleep deep rest, psychedelics, dreams and virtual reality. We also discuss neuroplasticity (rewiring the brain), flow states and the ever-changing but also persistent aspect of the “collective consciousness” of humanity. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Helix: https://helixsleep.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps (0:00) Christof Koch (2:31) Consciousness; Self, Flow States (8:02) NSDR, Yoga Nidra, Liminal States; State of Being, Intelligence vs Consciousness (13:14) Sponsors: BetterHelp & Our Place (15:53) Self, Derealization, Psychedelics; Selflessness & Flow States (19:53) Transformative Experience, VR, Racism & Self; Perception Box, Bayesian Model (28:29) Oliver Sacks, Empathy & Animals (34:01) Changing Outlook on Life, Tool: Belief & Agency (37:48) Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & Helix Sleep (40:23) Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) & Higher Power (42:09) Neurobiology of Consciousness; Accidents, Covert Consciousness (51:09) Non-Responsive State; Disability Bias, Will to Live, Resilience (55:34) Will to Live, Akinetic Mutism, Neural Correlates of Consciousness (57:43) Conflicting Perception Boxes, Meta Prior, Religion, AI (1:06:47) AI, Violence, Swapping Perception Boxes, Video (1:12:19) 5-MeO-DMT, Psychedelics, Light, Consciousness & Awe; Loss of Self (1:20:54) Death, Mystical Experience, Ocean Analogy; Physicalism & Observer (1:27:57) Sponsor: LMNT (1:29:29) Meditation, Tool: Spacetime Bridging; Ball-bearing Analogy; Digital Twin (1:36:16) Mental Health Decline, Social Media, Pandemic, Family & Play, Tool: Body-Awareness Exercises (1:41:34) Dog Breeds; Movement, Cognitive Flexibility & Longevity (1:47:17) Cynicism, Ketamine, Tool: Belief Effect; Heroes & Finding Flaws (1:52:46) Cynicism vs Curiosity, Compassion; Deaths of Despair, Mental Health Crisis (1:57:26) Jennifer Aniston, Recognition & Neurons; Grandmother Hypothesis (2:03:20) Book Recommendation; Meaning of Life (2:09:10) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says he doesn't rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders "wherever they are," despite being criticised for launching an attack on Qatari territory last week. Israel's decision to target senior Hamas leaders in Qatar - a close US ally - drew international outrage and criticism, even from US President Donald Trump. Mr Netanyahu was speaking after meeting the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who blamed Hamas and urged Qatar to continue to play a constructive role on Gaza. Also: a Turkish court has adjourned its hearing into allegations of vote-buying by the leader of the opposition CHP party, and we hear from young people demanding a voice ahead of Malawi's elections. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Halfway through the opening track of Joe Keery's The Crux, a line emerges that sounds like casual conversation: "My dog is at my house again, but I live somewhere else." The song refuses to settle into predictable pop architecture, drifting from whispered confession to baroque strings that recall Pachelbel more than indie rock. Recorded live at NYU, Charlie explores how this structural restlessness reflects broader questions about authenticity in contemporary music, examining how Keery's creative process emerged from practical constraints like writing in Stranger Things trailers and stripping back arrangements to work live. The album's hotel metaphor isn't marketing concept but lived displacement: temporary rooms, fractured domesticity, the search for stability. From the snarky dismissiveness of "Basic Being Basic" to a stadium-rock anthem written for his sisters, The Crux demonstrates how eclectic influences can serve cohesive emotional architecture, trusting listeners to follow sophisticated progressions while never losing sight of why these songs matter to people finding their way back to their own hearts. Songs Discussed Djo - "End of Beginning" Djo - "Lonesome is a State of Mind" Djo - "Basic Being Basic" Djo - "Potion" Djo - "Charlie's Garden" Djo - "Back On You" Djo - "Carry the Name" Djo - "Crux" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

(2:00) Crazy Saturday slate offers better odds for FSU's playoff hopes(6:00) ...so is Alabama good again?(10:00) DJ Lagway continues struggles(25:00) Tommy Castellanos looks every bit as sharp as other top QBs?(34:00) Around the ACC(43:00) The true sign of strong evaluations by FSU staffMusic: Hit The Lights - Get Your *** To Marsvitaminenergy.com | PROMO: warchantbogo | buy one, get one free! Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code WAKEUP at https://www.Ridge.com/WAKEUP #Ridgepod Download the app today and sign up with promo code WARCHANT to score FIFTY DOLLARS in Bonus Funds when you play your first FIVE dollars Must be 18+ (19+ in Alabama & Nebraska; 19+ in Colorado for some games; 21+ in Arizona, Massachusetts & Virginia) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. See assets.underdogfantasy.com/web/PlayandGetTerms_DFS_.html for details. Offer not valid in Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org. In New York, call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369)   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John Catsimatidis, Red Apple Media Owner & Operator, joins Sid for his weekly Monday morning hit to talk about the political climate in New York. He expresses concerns about the possible shift of New York City and State towards socialism, highlighting Governor Kathy Hochul's endorsement of Zohran Mamdani and pressure from the Socialist Party. Catsimatidis shares his conversation with President Trump, who shows interest in saving New York and suggests that Andrew Cuomo has the best chance of achieving that goal. The discussion also covers Trump's strained relationship with Curtis Sliwa and the need for voter registration among common-sense New Yorkers. Catsimatidis emphasizes the importance of standing up for common sense within the Democratic Party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's really happening to the West? In this explosive episode of Heretics, Andrew Gold speaks with Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA spy who reveals the truth about immigration, the deep state, and the existential threats facing our world. SPONSORS: Grab your free seat to the 2-Day AI Mastermind: https://link.outskill.com/ANDREWS2  Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at https://mintmobile.com/heretics  Start your MyHeritage journey now with a 14-day free trial using my link: https://bit.ly/AndrewGoldMyHeritage Go to https://TryFum.com/HERETICS  and use code HERETICS to get your free FÜM Topper when you order your Journey Pack today!  Want to learn more from Andrew Bustamante? Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/4k34eCZ  Read Andrew's CIA book ‘Shadow Cell': https://geni.us/ShadowCellBook   Follow Andy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante  Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/   Support Andy's sponsor Axolt Brain: https://axoltbrain.com/andy  Listen to the podcast: https://youtube.com/@EverydaySpyPodcast  --- From walking through London neighborhoods that no longer feel like London, to the political lies behind immigration, to the nuclear danger with Iran, Bustamante exposes the uncomfortable realities our leaders and media refuse to discuss. This is not the polished, politically correct version of events — it's the unfiltered truth about immigration, surveillance, propaganda, and the decline of democracy.

Today on New Movie Monday we lace up our boots and walk through a nightmarish American landscape in The Long Walk. We unpack the rules and weaponization of the Long Walk by the militarized state, the dynamic of these young men and their myriad of goals and dreams, and finally how this movie may capture the constant cycle of doom as America feels like it maybe beyond the American Dream.  This is a heavy, oppressive movie. It's not a blast, but it is absolutely incredible. This movie is sure to touch a nerve with modern audiences. This is a truly Messed Up Movie.  Youtube: https://youtu.be/0B20mz3mVbs Synopsis: A group of teenage boys compete in an annual contest known as "The Long Walk," where they must maintain a certain walking speed or get shot. Starring: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Mark Hamill, Ben Wang, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer Written by JT Mollner, Stephen King Director by Francis Lawrence Help us make our first feature length Messed Up Movie: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mr-creamjean-s-hidey-hole-horror-comedy-movie#/ Support the show on the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/messedupmoviespod Watch our newest short film Sugar Tits Now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz7leFqqo4g  

Joe is the Host of one the hottest and most listened to Sports Internet Radio Show in the State. He has on guests from all over the state who are standouts in what they do. Joe is a goo friend and someone who I have known for a really long time and is truly a really good dude! Great listen to a guy who works a lot!

AI companies are hitting growth milestones in record time—some reaching $100 million in revenue in just two years. But while this pace feels familiar in tech, healthcare has always been slower to adopt new tools. That may finally be changing.Kent Bennett and Sofia Guerra of Bessemer Venture Partners join Steve Kraus to unpack findings from Bessemer's State of AI 2025 report and what they mean for healthcare. From “supernovas” and “shooting stars” to the rise of systems of action, they explore how AI is reshaping not only software businesses but also the way doctors, health systems, and patients interact with technology.We cover:

Gavin Ortlund and Fr. Josiah Trenham discuss culture, Christian collaboration, and their upcoming conference, Marriage: Bedrock of Civilization.Get your tickets here! - https://www.themarriageconference.com/Truth Unites (https://truthunites.org) exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites, Visiting Professor of Historical Theology at Phoenix Seminary, and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.SUPPORT:Tax Deductible Support: https://truthunites.org/donate/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truthunitesFOLLOW:Website: https://truthunites.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truth.unites/X: https://x.com/gavinortlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnitesPage/Timestamps(00:00) - Coming Up(00:26) - The State of the World(03:01) - The Ortlund Family (05:47) - Gavin's Ministry History (18:19) - Gavin's Theology (26:57) - The Marriage Conference(47:18) - Outro

Gym growth is simple when you understand the only six metrics that really matter in fitness businesses.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper breaks them down so you can improve your gym:Average revenue per member (ARM)Length of engagement (LEG)Return on investment (ROI)Effective hourly rate (EHR)Net owner benefit (NOB)Client headcountUsing data from over 15,000 gym owners who contributed to Two-Brain's 2024 “State of the Industry” guide, Coop presents the industry averages for each metric so entrepreneurs know exactly where they stand in comparison.Then, he equips gym owners with specific tactics to improve each metric and explains why many gyms actually don't need more members to generate additional revenue. Plus, Coop dives deep into marketing with Two-Brain's four-funnel system: referrals, content, social media and paid ads. He even shares an exclusive preview of the clients-only worksheet Two-Brain gym owners use to audit marketing performance, and he provides actionable fixes for each funnel.Tune in to learn how to track and improve the critical numbers in your gym business.Want Coop's $100K checklist? Head to Gym Owners United using the link below and send him a DM.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call2:14 - Average revenue per member (ARM)8:23 - Length of engagement (LEG)14:33 - Return on investment (ROI)21:48 - Effective hourly rate (EHR)27:14 - Net owner benefit (NOB)32:47 - Client headcount37:13 - Four marketing funnels45:13 - Auditing and fixing your funnels59:34 - Getting more leads

In this episode of the MTNTOUGH Podcast, host Dustin Diefenderfer welcomes Jason Khalipa, former CrossFit Games champion and passionate advocate for men's physical and mental transformation. Jason shares his evolution from being the fittest man on earth to leading weekly men's clubs that foster camaraderie and resilience through shared fitness challenges. He discusses the critical role of fitness in preparing men to protect and provide, the power of faith in answering life's callings, and his simple yet transformative "45 Principle" for jumpstarting a healthier lifestyle. This conversation is a compelling call to action for men to rise up, build their fortress, and embrace their potential as husbands, fathers, and community leaders.Join Dustin Diefenderfer, Founder of MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab and creator of the MTNTOUGH+ Fitness App in the top podcast for Mental Toughness and Mindset. (P.S.

Samuel Ramani is an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank in London and the CEO of Pangea Geopolitical Risk. Samuel is the author of Russia in Africa: Resurgent Great Power or Bellicose Pretender and Putin's War on Ukraine: Russia's Campaign for Global Counter-Revolution, which were published by Oxford University Press and Hurst in 2023. Samuel frequently advises the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, US Department of State, US Department of Defence, and NATO on defense and security issues, and is a regular contributor to the BBC World Service, Al Jazeera, CNN International, and Foreign Policy magazine.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------LINKS:https://www.mei.edu/profile/samuel-ramani----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------DESCRIPTION: Russia's Global Counter-Revolution: In-Depth Analysis with Samuel RamaniIn this episode, Jonathan interviews Samuel Ramani, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute and CEO of Pangea Geopolitical Risk. Ramani, author of books such as 'Russia in Africa' and 'Putin's War on Ukraine: Russia's campaign for Global Counter-Revolution,' discusses the overarching narrative behind Russia's global resurgence and counter-revolutionary efforts. They delve into the ideological and pragmatic motivations of Vladimir Putin, Russia's historical sense of humiliation, and Putin's strategic alignment with global far-right movements. The conversation also covers the implications of a potential post-war period in Ukraine and the future of Russian imperialism in regions like the Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and South Caucasus. Through detailed analysis, Ramani elucidates the complexities of Russia's domestic politics, its international strategies, and the sociopolitical forces that sustain Putin's regime.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Samuel Ramani and His Work00:21 Overview of Russia's Global Counter-Revolution02:06 Putin's Historical Ambitions and Russian Identity05:06 Russian Ideology and the Invasion of Ukraine08:50 Generational Divide in Support for the War13:40 Economic Stability and Rising Ultra-Nationalism20:46 Putin's Pragmatism vs. Ideology25:57 Reconciling Contradictions and Promoting Sovereign Democracy27:14 Russia's Multipolar World and Sovereignty Contradictions29:45 Russian Propaganda and Anti-Western Sentiment32:08 The Evolution of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict36:04 Russia's Global Influence and Counter-Revolutionary Strategy41:10 Putin's Grip on Power and Potential Threats44:54 The Future of Russian Aggression and Global Stability50:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------

The US Secretary of State meets Netanyahu, while Arab and Muslim leaders gather in Doha after Israel’s strikes on Hamas in Qatar last week. Plus: A report on democracy’s health globally, the latest in aviation and The Emmys.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Autonomous trucking companies have been strategically relocating their headquarters to Texas to test driverless long-haul trucks across the region. State lawmakers have recently signaled they're paying more attention to the flock of driverless trucks that increasingly traverse Texas roadways — and changes are coming. In other news, the senior pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church has announced a temporary leave of absence after a medical diagnosis, according to a news release Sunday from the church. Frederick Douglas Haynes III has served at the church in Dallas for over 40 years; the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 40-37 in overtime after Brandon Aubrey booted a 64-yarder to force OT and a 46-yarder to win it; and Scottie Scheffler closed with a 5-under 67 to win the Procore Championship for his sixth PGA Tour victory of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Parenting is one of the hardest jobs you'll ever take on—and if you've ever thought “am I doing this wrong?” you're not alone. In this episode, we're talking about the reality of raising kids while also doing the deep personal work of breaking cycles, letting go of perfection, and teaching our children resilience. From navigating the messy middle years (ages 7–10) to dealing with confidence dips, complaints, and those mirror-like moments where you see yourself reflected back in your child, we open up about the challenges—and the opportunities—that come with motherhood. You'll hear honest stories, laughter, and encouragement for letting go of the Pinterest-perfect ideal and embracing parenting as preparation, not protection. Tune in as we share the hard truths and hopeful perspectives every mom needs to hear: you're not failing—it's just really, really hard. Today we cover:Why the middle years of parenting can feel like a gauntlet (and how to cope)The myth of perfection and why Pinterest-style parenting isn't sustainableBuilding resilience in kids by letting them face challenges and make choicesBreaking generational cycles and redefining legacy for future womenHow to navigate your own healing while guiding your children Connect with Whitney & Stephanie: captureyourconfidencepodcast@gmail.comStephanie IG: @_stephanie_hanna_The Other 85: https://theother85.net/Whitney IG: @whitneyabrahamJoin the State of Women Conference on October 9, 2025: https://whitneyabraham.kartra.com/page/stateofwomenconference