Podcasts about Step One

A sundry talk from 2025. More information can be found here: https://first164.blogspot.com/

Tadifi's legendBook 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.Meanwhile, Elsa was quietly amused. It wasn't like I could request the SD to force my House Guard to not do something they had been told to do by someone in my hierarchy. That would lead to chaos, and it was unfair to Juanita."Fine," I decided. "Get us three some water. Elsa and I will be practicing."Now Juanita was stuck. I wasn't asking her to leave the room, just leave me alone. I was technically her leader, respect notwithstanding."It is good to see you have not become drunk with power," Elsa smirked once Juanita had left on her errand."Your mockery is unappreciated," I glared back. I was only kidding. "I haven't seen you around recently. It is good to see you.""It is good to see you too," Elsa said in a voice far softer and compassionate than I would have preferred. After all, she had me drugged, beaten, then beaten me up again in the not so distant past.Of course, I had also sexed her up, bringing her to orgasm with my fingers alone. We had also exchanged a burning French kiss in Katrina's office that Buffy was aware of. Then there was the Buffy-Elsa personal feud and the Elsa-Rhada family feud. Balancing that was Elsa's super-hot body and intriguing personality. Sex with her promised to be memorable, more memorable than normal."What have you been up to? I'd like to say I've been behaving myself, but I don't want to advance our relationship by lying (right now, about this).""You are largely responsible for what I've been up to the past two weeks," she stepped back. She tossed her spear aside and entered her fighting stance. How nice of her to warn me, and get rid of her weapon. How erotically odd of her to give me the illusion of a chance."I deny everything," I rocked back. She was blindingly fast. The fact that I was able to block most of the blow was a testament to how much I had learned in the past two and a half months."Watashi wa nihongo o hanashimasu', 'Wǒ shuō pǔtōnghu ', 'Wǒ shuō guǎngdōng hu ' and 'Aku isa basa jawa'," she lectured me as she maneuvered me into a corner with a series of kicks and feints. She spoke Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Javanese. That was nice to know."Wait," then she kicked me off the mat."Amazons don't have a 'time out'," she smiled. I cautiously worked my way back onto the practice area."What part did you play?" I readied myself. This time, I went on the offensive. I used my greater strength and reach to compensate (rather poorly) for her superior reflexes."Someone had to ride herd on those disparate forces. My status was respected by the Amazons, I had experience dealing with outsiders, plus your person Addison nominated me, and Katrina suggested that you and I were close. That was enough for the Khanate. Your embassy and earlier aid to the Seven Families brought the 9 Clans along.""And you stole the carrier?""It was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to humiliate the Seven Pillars," she grinned. "Riding in a nuclear submarine was interesting, right up there with running around, spray painting translations next to all the markings onboard the captured vessel. Herding regular civilians wasn't nearly as much fun.""In the annals of the SD, that is going to be a victory hard to surpass," I got out right before my legs were swept out from under me. Before I could roll over, she landed on top of me. She didn't go for a pin. Elsa simply sat there, straddling my hips and looking down at me. We were both breathing heavily."I owe you for that," she patted me on my bare chest."Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?""I'll let you figure that out during the Great Hunt," she gave a sliver of a smile."Not you too," I groaned."Who else are you worried about?""You and twenty-nine other Amazons. By name, Rachel. She's pretty upbeat about her chances and believes she has a score to settle.""Rachel will be a tough one," Elsa acknowledged."Comfortable?" Juanita muttered."Yes, I am," Elsa grinned her way. "Thank you for asking." Juanita gave me a look that suggested I do something like protest, or actually try to fight her off."Why are you being nice to me?" I wondered."I've learned to appreciate your numerous qualities," Elsa enlightened me. "I am also honest enough to admit I was completely wrong about you. You make a good Amazon." That was huge praise indeed and more importantly, it was to a public audience. I was double fortunate that no one was close enough to see Elsa's camel toe resting against my lightly covered hard-on."Thank you. Is there anything I can do for you?""Aren't you engaged to someone?" Juanita reminded me. What she was really saying was 'don't you know you belong to the maidens of House Ishara?' Trust me, I know these things. Had she meant Hana, she would have said Hana."She has the patience of Job," I reasoned. "Oh, Elsa, Job is a figure in the Old Testament of the Bible." I doubted she knew."Oh. Is he a bloody-handed butcher, raging misogynist, or one of those pacifistic wimps?""He's a nice guy who gets swallowed by a whale.""That's Jonah," Juanita corrected me. "Job is the one who was tested by God. Job accepted God taking away all his family, wealth and health, only to be rewarded for his loyalty to God with more than he ever had before.""Wimp.""I would never turn away from Ishara," Juanita rumbled."Zorja would never feel the need to test my loyalty so," Elsa riposted."Oh look," I thrust my hips up. "I seem to need a shower." Elsa's expression was of superiority and lust combined into a lethal cocktail of my demise."Let's go. You can wash my back," she said as she rose over me. She even offered me a hand up. That was unexpected and accepted warily."Is there some battle wound that makes you incapable of bathing yourself?" Juanita got feisty. Holy Hell, she was my Caribbean Buffy-twin."None," Elsa smugly commented. "I like the feel of his hands on my body. He possesses non-threatening masculinity wed with sisterly solidarity. It is a unique experience that you seem woefully unaware of.""Yippee!" I whispered."You really are a man-whore," Juanita declared under her breath."Check," I gave her a thumbs-up. Sadly, Elsa gave me enough respect to walk at my side, not in front of me (so I could have been mesmerized by her buttocks.) As I was stripping down in the locker room, I noticed Juanita hovering close by. "Are you going to follow me into the shower?""Yes.""Why? I am not going to be in danger in the middle of Havenstone.""I'll be the judge of that," she insisted."You do realize I've had sex with an audience before, don't you?""I've been warned about that and know proper counter-measures.""What? What kind of measures?" I was now naked and, towel in hand, was making my way to the communal showers."Charlie horses, trips, stun-gun if applicable," she informed me with relish."You are threatening to damage my prestige," I enlightened her."Cáel, I was chosen for more than my martial skills. I was selected because I will not wilt before your childish ways.""Are you a lesbian?""No. Why would a woman have to be a lesbian to withstand your wiles?""You'll figure it out eventually," I chuckled. Actually, knowing what a playboy-cad I was turned out to be a counter-intuitive edge for me. Expecting me to be a letch just meant I totally ignored the woman. Then the doubt would set in. 'Why wasn't I hitting on her?' she would think. She'd go through the phase of her not being good enough for me to knowing that wasn't the case, definitely, and would come at me to prove herself right. Wham-bam, another one in the can. Oink.Step One: reduce the amount of time talking to her as a fellow human traveler of life. From here on out, I would address her by her name when I wanted something and otherwise treat her like furniture ~ furniture I was comfortable with. In this case, I treated her like a towel rack. She promptly dropped it. That was okay, I was planning to get dressed wet anyway.I rinsed off my hair quickly as Elsa settled underneath the showerhead beside me. As soon as I finished, she handled me a bottle of (scentless) body soap. It was probably one of those the jaguar will smell me coming ten miles away excuses Amazons used to avoid being girlie. I got my hands all sudsy and began working on her shoulders and neck from behind.Wordlessly, Elsa followed my physical directions, allowing me to wash her arms before working my way down her back in languid, amorous circles. Around the 10th thoracic vertebrae, Elsa gave me a deep, cleansing exhalation. I dug my fingers into her taut back muscles, racking them down to her buttocks, deftly ran them along the sides of her glutes and finished up caressing them along the line between her thighs and ass.I worked her buttocks apart, worked my fingers along her perineum, tickling the back of her labia then up, across her anus and back to her tailbone and the small of her back. A crazy idea came to me: maybe I could talk her into a tramp stamp; something like If you are reading this, know I'll kill you next. That would be so Elsa.I lathered her ass up for another half-minute before working my way down to her thighs, starting with the hip joints and then coaxing of her parted lips. I knelt down so that I was resting on the balls of my feet. Elsa obliged me by parting her legs, standing on her toes with her feet over a foot apart, then placing her hands against the shower stall while arching her back so that her hips were thrust back."Oh, come on," Juanita protested. "What kind of bath is this?""Did you hear something?" Elsa looked down at me."Nope. I was focusing all of my attention on you," I smiled up at her. I was really liking the way her muscles were stressed through her exertions. I couldn't seem to pay enough attention to her robust calves. I didn't pass up the opportunity to plant gentle kisses on each cheek either.Elsa's ankles and feet happened all too fast and the pretense of a bath was complete. She looked at me while she soaped up her breasts then let the water cascade all over her body."Thank you, Cáel," she gave me a regal nod of her damp head, turned and left. "Train harder for the Hunt. You are going to need every edge you can get.""I'm stalking oysters over the weekend. They are cunning and stealthy adversaries," I replied sagely. Elsa snorted, then started toweling off as she left, going toward her own locker. I walked past my soaked towel on the floor without a single glance. Juanita stalked behind me, clearly with a lot on her mind she was now waiting for the proper moment to share. I got dressed."Not going to dry off?" she grumbled."I never use towels," I lied. "I like the rain-washed feel." By ignoring her act of defiance, I really steamed her. I wasn't done. As we headed toward the elevator, I opened up with my next jibe. Buffy really shouldn't challenge me so. I'm a past-master of dealing with clingy, bossy women."Regretting you made that bet?" I mused while we waited."What bet?" she simmered."The bet where you assured Buffy and whomever else was in the room that you wouldn't break down and physically harm me ~ punishing me for my wicked ways?""What? How did," she groused then, "You are playing me.""Yep.""You really are full of yourself," she seared me with her gaze."No, but I know what I'm good at and I'm good at frustrating women. I've been working at it for the past four years and I've got over 200 women who would agree that I'm very good at doing it.""Why are you doing this to me? I'm on your side," she turned all pouty and hurtful."Because if I don't, I'll go mad, Juanita," I enlightened her. "You want to protect me, right?""Yes," she sensed a verbal trap. The elevator opened and we stepped in."See, I don't want to be protected," I started."That's,""Let me finish, please," I stopped her. She gave me the visual 'go-ahead'. "I don't want to live a life where I need to be protected. I don't want to worry that women I hang out with could be cornered by some unsavory types at an eatery because those women happen to know and like me.""I admire what you are doing, I really do. This is not the life I wanted, though. This is not what I wanted to be doing four months after leaving college. I wanted to be some corporate worm, barely scraping by on my work reviews and being, as you said, 'a man-whore'.""You don't have that luxury," she pointed out."Am I not doing my job?" I countered."I guess you are," she grudgingly admitted."Yet you feel you have the right to critique my personal life and how I approach it," I related. "I'm not beating you up by playing the I am Ishara bullshit. I certainly don't expect anyone to be grateful to me for the opportunity to be in a House. I don't because I believe that every member of House Ishara has already proven they belong here before I ever meet them. I believe in you. Sometimes I would appreciate it if my sisters would give me the same respect."She looked away because my harpoon had struck home."Unlike the rest of you, I inherited my place in this madhouse. Unlike every other Amazon here, I am only a part of House Ishara because I am the choice of a thousand ancestors to be our leader. Notice that no one asked me if I wanted to do this. And I don't think I ask too much of you because frankly, there are times when I feel unworthy to be in your company.""You are still Ishara and I must still be your guardian," she held her ground. I glared at her. She glared back. I coughed. She kept glaring."What's my name?""Oh," she shrugged. "Cáel Wakko Ishara.""That may sound silly you to, but I have chosen the designations for myself, my First Ancestor and the Goddess for a good reason."We rode in silence. When we got to the ground floor, we made our way to our bikes and got ready to head home."What is the reason?""To never take ourselves too seriously. The worst thing I can think to befall my House is we become as humorless as the rest of the bitches around here. 'Laugh at Death' should be our motto.""Isn't that a bit childish?""Of course it is," I groaned. "You clearly haven't been paying attention to a damn thing I've been saying. I swear I'm thinking about bringing back 'National Clown Nose Day'.""We had a 'National Clown Nose Day'?" she pedaled to keep up."God help me," I muttered.(Where is my Serge?)"You are not going to let me go through my door first?" I sighed in exasperation. Juanita insisted that she go through every door first, because today was so very different than yesterday, when I had Pamela, perhaps I protest too much."You have a gun," a somewhat familiar voice said from inside my/Timothy's apartment. Oh, fuck. Ya know, because Juanita was as pretty as she was lethal, which is to say 'too much for the given company'."Don't make any sudden moves unless you want to see it," Juanita cautioned her."Oh, it's okay," Odette intervened. "This is Anais Saint-Armour. She's a Mountie.""Oh, she's on the List too," Juanita grumbled. "What has he done wrong this time?""Why don't you tell me who you are first?" Anais growled at Juanita while I pushed my way into the room."I don't like your attitude," Juanita glared."Anais, this is Juanita Leya Antonio Garza; she's my latest bodyguard. Juanita, this is Anais, a good friend of mine who helped save my life in Hungary when the 'terrorists' were closing in," I somewhat exaggerated,, she had helped me catch up with the rest of the team when Pamela and I got sidetracked."Why did he chose you?" Anais fumed. Did I mention she's insanely jealous with an aching need to know why I was marrying anyone else, but her."What list?" Odette proved to be on the ball."He didn't chose me. I volunteered for the spot.""Buffy made an anti-girlfriend list. Elsa is on it too," I mumbled."I bet you did," Anais (responding to Juanita)."It is not like that," I moved to interpose myself between my Mountie and my non-mounted (for now) guardian. "I'm on the board of directors for Havenstone now and,""How did that happen?" Anais turned 'The Force' on me. (That's Canadian for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, really) "You insisted (reference back in the days we were seeing one another) you were impoverished.""I inherited it from my Father,""He's poor too. I ran a background check when we first started dating," Anais kept up the pressure."My Mother?""She's dead.""Okay, it was my Father through a convoluted meandering of genetics," I went back to attempting the truth (shame on me)."Which is it?" she glowered."My Father, but it's too complicated to get into now," I tried to touch her. She recoiled. She was still pissed with me."He's telling the truth this time," Odette rose to my defense."Why didn't you tell me this when you were in Hungary? For that matter, if you are rich, why didn't you use those resources to get yourself out of trouble instead of involving me?" She really was a great cop."I had to make a call to someone I trusted and who couldn't be traced back to me, or Havenstone, or the Irish Embassy," I fibbed."What have you gotten yourself into?" Anais thawed somewhat."I believe I promised you dinner," I reminded her."You did.""Where are we going?" Juanita stressed our lack of privacy."'We' aren't going anywhere. Ms. Anais Saint-Armour and I are going to a restaurant of her choosing. Don't worry about it. She carries a gun.""I'm not carrying a gun," Anais torpedoed my plan."Where are we going?" Juanita repeated herself. I had to switch mental gears quickly to take in the new looks I was getting from Anais. I shouldn't have ignored those cues."I can't get around my personal security service," I sighed. Why did I give in? Anais was all about gathering evidence and then drawing conclusions from the facts in available.I had been involved in some significant bad-assery in Europe that was way beyond anything she would have associated with the old me. Terrorist cells duking it out with me (and others) in a Budapest metro station? A rustic inn being reduced to ashes after a suspected firefight? Bomb threats? A full-scale military operation in Romania?I had been kidnapped with a resultant massive manhunt for me then returned under highly mysterious circumstances. There had been a young girl with me, we were close for reasons not really gone into and I had saved her despite all forms of parenthood had been anathema to me.I was a man who others deemed necessary to protect, thus a man making secretive phone calls, getting snippets of information and being involved in the deaths of way too many people to be the old, playboy me. Who had I become?I therefore might be a man who 'needed' to marry a billionairess due to some unspeakable political reasons, not out of any romantic/sexual desire of my own. Anais knew that I was a commitment-phobe, not a gold-digger. That meant she could be involved with me without it really being cheating. I needed her help, I had reached out to her when I was in crisis and she was in the people-helping business, right?There was clearly more evidence out there for her to discover and she had the good fortune to be able to have me in a spot where I could be interrogated."Where do you want to go?" I disengaged and went to my room. The door was only partially shut as I changed."Eleven Madison West," I was told."Oh," Odette cooed, "that place is expensive.""I know," Anais remarked."Why did you pick it?" Odette inquired."To remind Cáel that meals can be very expensive." That was my 'date' reminded me that I'd cheated with her over the course of a home-cooked meal, cooked not-by-her in someone else's home. I wondered how Maya was doing.Eleven Madison West meant I pulled out one of my Havenstone suits. They were tailored after all and I suspected that getting into this place at this time of night was going to take some charisma and finagling. Dressing as causal-me wouldn't do. When I stepped out, jaws dropped ~ I do look good all gussied up. Odette dispelled the shock by jumping into my arms."You look hot," she squealed. "Too bad I'm not going out with you.""You might want to remember that," Anais griped."We need to stop by Havenstone so I can attempt to dress up for this affair," Juanita stated."How about we call in a replacement? Give you the night off?" I suggested."Who?""Chaz?""You want that British SSR non-commissioned officer to be your personal bodyguard for tonight? You've got balls," Juanita coughed. I took out my phone and got ready to give him a call."Hey, Anais, why didn't you call me to tell me you were coming over?" I carefully avoided the word 'warned' as she would take that the wrong way."I don't have your personal phone number. I called your home phone and got the answering service, last night and again this morning," she narrowed her eyes."Odette, did Timothy get lucky last night?" I looked past the Mountie."No. A good friend of his rolled his motorcycle and he went to the hospital to help him out," Odette shook her head. Poor Timothy. My roomie/fuck-buddy misinterpreted Anais's pique. "Timothy is gay, not a sexual enabler.""Huh?" Juanita wondered."Wingman," I translated. "Sometimes the three of us go to gay clubs where I act as his wingman,""And they feed me to lesbians," Odette sounded enthusiastic. Thanks to me she was hardly a same-sex virgin."If there are three people living here and two bedrooms, who sleeps on the sofa?" Anais skewered Odette with her eyes."If Cáel has company and isn't sharing, I sleep with Timothy," Odette refused to wilt, or cut me some slack with Anais."Isn't sharing?" those ocular death orbs flicked my way."Hmm, if we are going to Elven Madison West, I had better make that call," I evaded. I rang Chaz."Nyilas," he answered. "How are you doing this evening?""I'm good. I have an ex-girlfriend from out of town visiting, she wants to go to a swanky place and Juanita isn't dressed for the detail so,""You want me to double date?""No, I need a bodyguard.""You are assuming I have something appropriate to wear.""You are British!" I protested. "Even your chicks have tuxedos.""Very well. Will this be a personal protection detail, or close support?""Aahhh,""Close support," said Anais."Personal Protection," countered Juanita."The one most likely to save me from being stabbed with a steak knife," I muttered."I am not going to physically attack you," Anais simmered. Yeah, right, I had heard that one before, and not just from her."Personal Protection it is," Chaz informed me."Oh, and she's a Mountie.""Is she armed?""No," I thanked the goddesses."Does she want to be?""Huh? Are you going to arm her?" I panicked."No. You have a NYPD liaison. Give Officer Kutuzov a call and make a formal request. If she is a law enforcement officer in good standing, it shouldn't be a problem.""Oh, I can do that?, I'm not sure that's the best idea," I prevaricated."Man up, Nyilas," he chided me. "You should work on making it so women don't want to shoot you instead of thinking of ways to disarm them.""Spoken like a man who wisely prefers the company of other men," I grumbled."Good use of the word 'wisely'. Next question: what are we using as a means of conveyance?""Umm,""I have my motorcycle," Anais was less than helpful."If you weren't one of the bravest human beings I'd ever met, I would determine at this moment that you are a dolt. Call Havenstone and arrange for one of those Mercedes Armored GL550s. Bring your license. I drive on the correct side of the road and I'm not keen on having a distraught paramour driving into a storefront at 80 kph.""Man, I like the way you speak," I joked."I took advantage of a proper English education.""I was joking with you.""I know.""Can I date your sister?" I didn't know if he had a sister, but he'd hinted there were multiple Tomorrow's out there. Anais' mood didn't improve."Yes. I like you. You are a good bloke.""Does your sister know how to kill people?""Yes. I'd say she's relatively proficient with a variety of small arms and hand-to-hand techniques," he enlightened me."Just checking.""Cáel, every woman you are interested knows how to kill people, or how to have people killed," Chaz reminded me."What about Odette? She's neither well connected nor lethal.""Odette is indeed an enigma. She counters that by being well liked by people who are capable of killing others who hurt her, except where you are concerned. You live a treasured life.""Have you made dinner reservations? If you need me for a black tie event it has to be, what is the American for it, swanky.""That's more of a Cael/Pamela thing," I corrected him. "American's say 'high class', expensive, or 'hot spot'.""Thanks for the update. Make those calls.""O-kay. Will do. I'll meet you at Havenstone in thirty minutes. Does that work for you?""Yes. Make those calls. I'll see you at, 7:52 pm, EDT. Mark.""Huh?""Goodbye Cáel," and he hung up."Who is this 'Chaz' character?" Anais questioned me."He is Color Sergeant Charles Tomorrow of the British Army's Special Reconnaissance Regiment, he's a badass and he's delicious," Odette answered for me."How do you know him, either of you?" came next."He was with," Odette began blabbing 'National Security' stuff."Odette, don't. Anais, he is member of the Joint International Khanate Interim Taskforce along with me. Odette helps out in an auxiliary role," I answered."Cáel, how did you end up doing this kind of work?" she was perplexed. "You were devoid of anything approaching civic responsibility when we were last together. Quite frankly, I didn't think you cared for anyone but yourself.""Hey now," Odette got feisty. She was my friend after all."We can talk about that over dinner?" I suggested. She didn't like that answer, so I lied. "I grew up," which was what she wanted to hear. I was spared any more interrogation at the moment by the necessity of making those three phone calls. Nikita liked hearing from me again, though she was less pleased that it was official business. She did agree to contact the appropriate agency for me, despite me making it for a different female law enforcement agent.I'd wised up about Havenstone. I called Executive services to have the car delivered to my door step. I cautioned the operative that, in my neighborhood, they might be stopped on suspicion of purchasing guns, drugs, and/or a good time. I would have the car in fifteen minutes and agreed to take the delivery driver back to work afterwards. I'd have done it even if I wasn't meeting Chaz.At Eleven Madison West, I got a snooty 'exactly who do you think you are?' followed by 'you will be placed on the waiting list, a spot may open up around 9:50'. Was I going to inform Chaz and Anais of this? Of course not. I planned to beg like a big dog, suggest that while I was a nameless face, I actually knew people, a person, and we'd see how far that got me.While waiting for the S U V to arrive and on the drive back to Havenstone, this is pretty much what followed:"Do you know who was behind your father's murder yet?""Yes, but I can't talk about it.""Was that the reason people are trying to kill you?""Yes. That and other reasons.""What other reasons?""Things I can't talk about.""Why can't you talk about it?""Secret society stuff ~ decoder rings, secret handshakes, writing in cyphers, holding clandestine meetings in public places after dark, and various other things world governments don't want me talking about.""Are you pulling my leg?" I wished I was running my hands over her legs. This wasn't the time for that revelation."No. Most of what I am telling you is the truth.""Were you in a shootout at the Chicago Medical Examiner's morgue?""Yes. I was unarmed at the time.""Was your life in danger?""It depends on what you mean by 'danger'. My allies had guns and were expert shots. I was shot at, but they missed me, so I not sure how much my life was at risk.""Can you please be serious?""I'm trying. You scare me.""You don't need to be afraid of me. I only want to help." That was mostly true. She was a diligent, hard-working incorruptible public servant,well, as long as you overlooked her charging me with bestiality when she was truly pissed with me."I'm not afraid of you hurting me. I'm afraid for you. You are an excellent peace officer and I'm worried that you will learn too much. Then your life will be as screwed up as mine.""I can take care of myself.""The reality that you are going out with me unarmed speaks volumes about what you don't know, Anais.""Don't think this line of questioning is over, Cáel.""Don't worry. I know you are not done.""Very well. How is your aunt?" The crab-fisherwoman, not the Irish menagerie."Happy as a clam, working a real job and living life on her own terms.""Where did you go wrong?" That was a loaded question. I had to tread carefully."A girl humiliated me in high school. I decided to take control of my life and somehow, despite my best intentions to be an unreliable lothario, I've ended up with people closer to me than family,and this constant need for physical protection.""Why are you engaged?" Finally, the real reason she was here. Had she come by to pick up her accoutrements, she would have been gone by the time I came home. She wanted answers, answers that allowed her to be in charge of our relationship again. It was the double-barreled impact of exceptional sex and wondering why she wasn't 'the one'.(Me) "Are you seeing somebody?""You didn't answer my question.""I've answered plenty of your questions. Answer mine.""No. Men expect too much from a career woman." Translation: 'I'm a bitch that, regardless of my dynamite looks and raunchy sex drive, repels men because I'm a compulsive control freak with abysmal trust issues.'"You do put your career first." Translation: 'I've totally forgotten that you are a compulsive control freak with abysmal trust issues.' It was what she wanted to hear."Your turn.""Put on your tin-foil hat. I did it to save lives in Central Asia when the anthrax strikes were going on. I have this friend over there that people listen to.""Who? The Great Khan?"I didn't respond which wasn't the answer she was expecting."How?" as in how could I possibly be good friends with the master of arguably the third or fourth most powerful nation on the face of the Earth"That's one of those things I can't talk about.""Do you love her?""I don't know. I'm lousy at relationships. I get along with her daughter. Her father wants to bury me alive in the Nevada desert. The rest of the family seems to be coming around to the idea that I might be one of them.""That isn't a 'yes'.""No, it isn't.""Do you think you can ever love someone?" If you need translated, sigh, okay, 'why don't you love me?'"Do you mean 'when am I going to stop stumbling from botched relationship to botched relationship and make something constructive of my personal life?'""Yes.""Did I mention that I've discovered I have a grandfather?""No. That isn't answering my question.""It is in a way. Did I mention that Mom had ten sisters I wasn't aware of? I had an uncle, but he died in my arms.""No. My condolences on your uncle. What does this have to do with you becoming more of an adult and becoming accountable for your life?""Did I mention I have an adopted grandmother who is my spiritual twin?""No.""Don't worry about my uncle. He died trying to kill me. My aunts murdered him, though I can never prove it.""Oh.""My grandfather? He was the one who sent those terrorists to kill me. It was his litmus test to see if I was worthy of being in his family. I passed.""Are you serious?""Yes. My spiritual grandma? She's a retired professional assassin. Daily I interact with a half-dozen people who have killed multiple human beings in their lifetimes. You want to know why I'm not behaving responsibly? I am acting responsibly. I'm trying to not get the decent civilians around me killed."She took awhile digesting that. By that time, we had returned to Havenstone and picked up Chaz. I made introductions."So, are you really with the SRR?" she asked him."Yes.""Why are you with Cáel?""My mandate contains multiple answers. Suffice it to say, since my RAF contemporary will not be returning from the UK until tomorrow, I am presently chief liaison officer for Her Majesty's government with JIKIT.""Why are you coming along as Cáel's bodyguard? Don't you have something better to do with your Friday evenings?" Subtle and polite, Anais ain't. Why was I putting up with her? She was a sexual tornado who would try anything once. She was a real prize."First question: Cáel is a friend, his life is in perpetual danger and I consider it my duty to keep him alive. He would do the same for me. Second question: the nature of my present assignment doesn't leave much room for any meaningful romantic associations.""Hmm," I contemplated what wasn't being said. "Chaz, you are nailing one of my security chicks, aren't you?""Yes.""Which one?""A man of character doesn't brag about such things."Chaz was getting some Amazon nookie. I had to find a way to tell him how dangerous that was. She might decide he's make good father material, not a good thing where Amazons were concerned."Are all of his security personnel women?" Anais pressed."Miss Saint-Amour, Havenstone is a corporation that employs over ten thousand people. There are precisely five men currently on their payroll. All their security personnel are woman. Cáel has very limited, if any, input on the matter.""Are you sure about that?""Yes, Miss Saint-Amour. Who would trust a man of Cáel's dubious experience with his own security?" Chaz pointed out."Oh." She hadn't thought of that."Can you tell me why you think his life is in danger?""He is far more likely to be kidnapped than murdered. He possess certain sensitive data that powerful entities would like to access, thus I am his bodyguard tonight. Considering the quality of the women who normally guard him, I consider it an honor.""To guard Cáel, on a date?""He was kidnapped visiting a child at a playground. Yes, we believe his life is in constant peril. The training and experience of his security service is top flight and it has been a pleasure to serve among them.""Were you with him in Budapest and Romania?""The metro station?""Yes.""Yes.""Romania?""Do you mean the counterterrorism action south of Miercurea Ciuc?""Yes.""Yes."Wow, these two were lousy communicators. I could imagine Chaz propositioning one of my Amazons.Chaz: 'You have a superior feminine physique which I find appealing. Want to fuck?'Amazon: 'You look like you have the prerequisite stamina and battle scars to be part of the New Directive. Sure.'"Were you involved in the actual combat? The SRR is normally an intelligence gathering unit.""I was gathering battlefield intelligence, Miss. That required my close proximity to armed and actively hostile enemy aliens (as in they were in Romania illegally, not that they were all supernatural beings). My involvement resulted in two KIA's and one WIA.""Damn Chaz, you rock.""I am a professional.""How many did Pamela gak?""One KIA.""Just one? Whoa, that's so unlike her.""She kept trying to bracket the cell leader (aka Ajax). He had the Devil's Own Luck.""Cáel, why are you making light of all those deaths?" Anais chastised me. "How many terrorists did you wound, or kill?""I wounded one guy.""That is disingenuous," Chaz chided me. "You orchestrated the operation, showed tactical expertise in seizing the most critical terrain feature and engineered the death of the terrorist leader.""My Cáel did that? When I knew him, he was adverse to violence," Anais shook her head."Considering the considerable number of people he's killed, he's still adverse to physical confrontation where his own life is involved. But God help you if you threaten someone he is close to, though. He's the man who can get things done when the team is in a pinch.""Cáel, what happened to you?" she didn't sound upset at all."I learned to care for people beyond my immediate interest, you know, actual long-term relationships," with the unspoken 'as opposed to women I'm currently having sex with'."It took you long enough," she snipped. Reference her being a compulsive control freak with abysmal trust issues.The interrogation was put on hold while we entered the restaurant and,"Mr. Nyilas?" the maytre dee greeted me."Yes.""We will get you a table right away," he nodded obsequiously. What the hell was up with that? Where was my two hour wait time? Oh yeah, I was a minor, fifteen seconds of fame celebrity."Will Ms. Sulkanen be joining you this evening?""No. She had to oversee a packaged Erythrosine-monosaccharides explosion in Boca Raton. Flaming plastic pink flamingo bits were raining down everywhere. I imagine it is taking an Everest-sized load of hush money to keep this out of the media," I replied. I was so eerily sincere, he bought it and a look of horror snuck over his face. I had become the public face of corporate malfeasance."Your table (gulp) is ready, Sir," he began to sweat. He took us to our table for four then beat a hasty retreat. Undoubtedly his civic-mindedness would have him calling up TMZ within a minute. After all, it was unlikely he owned any plastic pink flamingos, or invested in their construction. Once he was gone, Chaz let a thin smile break through his hard-earned military unfazed-ability."What exactly are packaged Erythrosine-monosaccharides?" he inquired."Packaged is self-explanatory. Erythrosine is pink food coloring and monosaccharides are,""Sugar," Anais frowned."Exploding pixie sticks, I have nieces and nephews. You are a genius at misdirection, Mr. Nyilas," he nodded."Thank you, Color Sergeant Tomorrow. It is nice to be appreciated for my bizarre and useless preoccupation," I grinned."You practice lying?" Anais' view of me dimmed."Miss, he excels at extraneous, outrageous utterances. No harm is intended.""Things like I was helping her find her contact lenses?" That had been my excuse when caught coming out of Maya's apartment. Sadly, Anais is highly perceptive and knew the lady didn't wear contacts. The copious female aroma wafting off me certainly hadn't helped."That's unfair," I countered. "Back then, I was a college nitwit suffering from undiagnosed nymphomania. I'd like to think I'm getting better."" tes-vous mieux?" she retorted in French."Je suis assez intelligent pour aller vers vous lorsque des vies  taient sur la ligne." That's right, Anais. When my life and the lives of others were on the line, she was the first one I thought to call. Letting a woman know that you admire her profession, professionalism and reliability never hurts."Are you really a nymphomaniac?" she returned to English. French is the language of sex, as is any derivative of Sanskrit, Farsi and Portuguese. Reference the multitude of Indians, the hotness of Persian women and the outpouring of lust that is Brazil."I had a magnetoencephalography recently. The neuroscientists didn't know what to make of my brain patterns. I appear to be somewhat unique in my madness."She didn't believe me. I didn't blame her. No one really likes hearing a truth they don't want to accept."Here," I leaned forward and pointed to the tiny divot in my forehead. "I was stabbed with a needle in the skull. That is why they looked at me, not because of my sexual malfunction."She touched it to makes sure. We were interrupted by the waiter stopping by to see if we were ready to order yet."We will have three of the most expensive appetizers, dinners, deserts and wines," Anais preempted us. Ugh. I was either a millionaire by the wonders of Havenstone accounting, or broke. I foolishly never looked into such things, never having had much money before. I needed a distraction."Hey Chaz, nice suit," was what came to mind. It was a swell masterpiece of the tailoring arts I hadn't expect from a ground-pounder from a family of ground-pounders serving Queen and Country for generations."Thank you. Pamela picked it out for me, suspecting an event such as this would transpire. She told me you paid for it," Chaz answered."I did?""I made the reasonable deduction that she forged your signature on whatever medium was used for payment," he shrugged, "in the same way she exhibits a criminal tendency toward every other aspect of her life.""What does Pamela look like?" Anais glowered."She's his grandmother," Chaz responded politely. "They make quite the pair. Normally we don't let them alone in the same room. Bad things happen.""Bad things?""Things like that scenic hostel being reduced to ruin," he enlightened her."This is the supposed assassin?""Retired assassin," Chaz corrected her. "So far she's only, what is the term you two use?" he looked at me."Sending a Get-Well card to their next of kin? Pumping up the volume? Making a critical attitude adjustment? Retroactively revoking their lease on life? We have a few.""Yes, those. Pamela has assured the team director that she no longer accepts assignments of a murderous nature. These days she only practices her skills on those we determine are a threat to the greater endeavor," he explained."She murders people? You all murder people?" Anais furrowed her brow. "Cáel, do you engage in these activities?""What? Who? Me? No!" I waved off any conspiratorial associations. "The vast majority of people I've killed was totally by accident.""How do you accidently kill people?" she pierced my soul with her voice."Okay, I let them kill themselves because warning them would have resulted in me and some friends meeting very immediate violent ends," I pleaded."Miss Saint-Amour, I've talked to trustworthy people who were on the scene when this happened. It was a paramilitary action with the lives of children on the line. Cáel acted to save the lives of innocents," Chaz defended me. That is what Anais wanted to believe; that I was basically a decent human being. I was a pig, but a courageous one. I had confronted her after my infidelity, on the other side of the US/Canadian border where her jurisdiction didn't apply.I knew my revelations were hideously hard to believe. In my favor, I had been in dangerous places doing dangerous things. The Metro firefight had been captured on the place's security system (which had been leaked to the public thus leading to some delusional admirers into thinking I would make a great new King of Hungary even though they hadn't had a monarch since 1918 nor was I from the right (Hapsburg) family. In case this whole Havenstone thing came crashing down in flames, I needed to keep my options open).There had been a bomb threat at Mindszent which I had reputable sources call in (and where I had admittedly hung out with a few of the women who saved me from an earlier disaster) and Miercurea Ciuc had made the international news. Well over 100 people had died and some of the terrorists were still at large. The Romanian government declared I had been 'instrumental' in the confrontation without saying what 'instrumental' meant.I was heroically vague, more mature than where we left off and clearly incited pussy-twitching memories. We'd once fucked so continuously hard and long one weekend that neither one of us could stand until an hour after we stopped. Anais was well worth the pain I was contemplating. Sex with her wasn't the pain I was worried about. It was dodging all her calls afterwards. Once again reference her being a compulsive control freak with abysmal trust issues.Oh, how did I know she was reveling in our past coital moments? She hadn't walked out on me yet. She hadn't walked out when she found Odette in my domicile, when she met Juanita, or when she found out that I worked with highly experienced killers as part of my new daily routine.Normally Anais was smarter than this and had a career in law enforcement to contemplate. Lastly, she hadn't asked to be armed, despite getting permission from the NYPD. Had she decided to get a gun, Anais was sure in her hormonally-cascading mindset she would have shot me by now. I incite all kinds of passion in women. It is a curse.The rest of dinner was unremarkable. Anais continued to interrogate Chaz who proved that he was both skilled in counter-interrogation techniques and not willing to spill anymore secrets about what anyone at JIKIT did. However he had provided her with every logical reason to beat feet back across the Canadian border and she hadn't taken the hints about what a disaster sleeping with me could be.We drove Anais back to her motel, then Chaz and I headed home in silence. Despite his earlier declarations, he knew how to drive the 'right' way all along. As he was letting me out in front of my building, he gave me this pleasant warning."I'm not going to lecture you about not going back there, or avoiding the crazy ones. You already know better and are going back by her place anyway. I do advise that whatever you do, don't let her restrict your movements in any way. She's likely to make you pay double for your past indiscretions and take payment out on your cock. Good luck, Mate.""Wait," I stopped him. "Can you help me hotwire her bike? I can use that as an excuse to darken her doorway.""Dolt," he muttered. He helped me anyway because that's what really good friends do ~ assisting you in your self-destruction so we could joke about it later. At least that was what I hoped was going on. Chaz being a closet sadist was an unsettling idea. I didn't get to immediately pursue my plan because,(We work for you, don't we?)At 9 am, the President of the United States of America, after a late night briefing and a good night's sleep, decided that for the sake of world peace he had to intervene in Southeast Asia ~ Thailand to be specific, though he had some vague notion that a summit of regional leaders was in the offing and the US needed to establish some sort of game plan instead of looking impotent and disinterested.Based on carefully selected bits of information supplied to him by us (JIKIT), he ordered two carrier taskforces to move to the Gulf of Thailand to enforce an anticipated UN arms embargo and 'No-Fly Zone'. It would take four days (September 3rd) for Carrier Strike Group Nine (built around the USS Ronald Reagan) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (2,200 souls) to take up a position in the South China Sea close to the Gulf of Thailand. By fortuitous circumstance, 500 Marines and sailors were already deployed to Malaysia on a joint training mission with the Malaysian Marines.The second one, the USS Carl Vinson's Carrier Strike Group One wouldn't arrive until the 9th, six days later. What the US government wanted to know was what the Khanate and Vietnam would do in those long, lonely six days. The Khanate had as many modern, up-to-date combat aircraft on Woody Island as the Reagan could send up. The Vietnamese could add another 48 planes worth worrying about.There was the added complication that Thailand hadn't asked for help yet. His experts (us again) were suggesting that he was about to wake up one morning and find Khanate tanks rolling down the streets of Bangkok, which

My guest this week is Tom Winter, the Chief Growth Officer and Co-founder of SEOwind, an AI-powered writing tool that creates content that actually ranks on Google and drives organic traffic. With nearly a decade of experience as Co-founder at DevSkiller where he helped corporations like Tata Consultancy Services and General Motors streamline tech recruitment, Tom combines technical expertise with a no-nonsense marketing approach. His experience extends to roles as Managing Partner at GetFound.pl, an Inbound Marketing Agency, Advisor at Eye One, and Chief Growth Officer consultant at Reffine.   Tired of empty promises in the marketing world, Tom specializes in metrics-based strategies that bridge the gap between marketing and sales results. He's scaled his company from zero to customers in over 100 countries by focusing on growth hacking, content marketing, and AI-driven solutions. What sets Tom apart is his ability to develop frameworks that have helped companies achieve 10x growth through optimized content processes, coaching growth teams, and transforming businesses into sales machines. In today's conversation, Tom will share actionable insights that go beyond buzzwords to deliver real impact.   Socials and website Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-winter/ Website: https://seowind.io/   Follow Digital Niche Agency on Socials for Up To Date Marketing Expertise and Insights: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalnicheagency Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalnicheagency Instagram: DNA - Digital Niche Agency @digitalnicheagency  Twitter: https://twitter.com/DNAgency_CA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalNicheAgency  

Trigger Warning: talk of incest.The sound quality is poor due to the Speaker's microphone.Kathleen S spoke on 3.4.25

Step one of a $7 million dollar estate plan. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free strategy session at the link in our bio. #estateplanning #probate #realestate #wealth #trusts #legacy #estatetaxes #lawyer #attorney #taxes #money

The hardest part about getting started is getting started. Learn how to get over beginning hurdles so you can find your way towards completion. #ThePitch #INICIVOX #VirtualMentorship

On today's episode, we're kicking off a series that will follow my year-long journey through a trauma certification program. This biblically-backed approach to neuroscience and healing focuses on various aspects of life including marriage, motherhood, and personal health. We explore the deep work involved in private coaching sessions where it's not just about giving diet plans but addressing the root causes behind struggles such as the inability to eat healthily consistently. I talk about my personal journey of healing and restoration, including how taking Fridays off from calls has significantly helped me. We dive deep into the complexities of marriage, specifically the struggles of sharing responsibilities and the significant mental load women often carry. I share personal anecdotes and practical strategies such as using the Fair Play deck to visually distribute responsibilities with your partner. This conversation also touches on critical insights about surrendering control to God and allowing Him to work in our lives and marriages. Let's dive in!Resources + LinksThe Fair Play Deck: A Couple's Conversation Deck for Prioritizing What's ImportantFollow Brooke on Instagram @brookerozzieReady to learn more about working with us? Schedule a 15 minute Meet & Greet: SCHEDULE HEREGet 15% Off high quality supplements: HERELearn more on Brooke's website: www.brookerozzie.comDid you love this episode? Share + Tag @brookerozzie on IG! If you are loving this podcast, I would greatly appreciate it if you would give it a Rate + Review!

Episode Summary:In this episode, host Molly Watts revisits a key discussion from 2022, exploring the challenge of changing your relationship with alcohol when you genuinely enjoy drinking. Molly shares insights on how to shift your habits without guilt, deprivation, or an all-or-nothing mindset. She discusses four key strategies for breaking the cycle of daily drinking while still being able to enjoy alcohol in moderation.Molly also reflects on the launch of Step One, a foundational program that is now an integral part of Making Peace with Alcohol. She recounts her own journey of overcoming a long-standing daily drinking habit and provides actionable tips for listeners who want to redefine their drinking patterns.Whether you're struggling with the idea of drinking less or simply looking for ways to be more intentional about your alcohol consumption, this episode is packed with science-backed strategies and real-life wisdom to help you on your journey.Key Topics Covered:✔️ The mindset shift required to change your drinking without feeling deprived ✔️ Why the "I just love to drink" thought keeps you stuck ✔️ How to reframe your beliefs about alcohol without relying on fear-based messaging ✔️ Understanding the science behind habit formation and alcohol consumption ✔️ Four key actions you can take to create a more peaceful relationship with alcoholMentioned in This Episode:

In Today's episode I will be discussing how to Solo Date. You see I don't just jump up and go on a date. There is what I like to call a “ Preparation” for the date. This episode will include how I prepare for my Solo Date. Let's call this episode Step One for Self Love, Self Care. Thanks for Listening, Ms. Judy O

Joanne

Recorded at the Choose Your Own Conception OA Big Book Study meeting.  Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays  
8:00-9:00 PM Eastern Time  Meeting ID: 985 0940 4749  Passcode: 12164  Inspired by the line from Bill's Story on page 12 in the Big Book, “Why don't you choose your own conception of God?”, the mission of this Overeaters Anonymous meeting is to be as inclusive as possible regarding spirituality and language, while staying firmly rooted in the program of recovery outlined in The Big Book. Multiple meetings/speakers on every chapter/step allow for access to multiple perspectives on our common solution.   For more information about this meeting: https://cyocbbstudy.blogspot.com

Welcome Back to our Ketch A Vibe Show,it's the usual blend of Jazz,soulful,hip hop,afro,spiritual latin beats.And thank you to all the labels,Promoters & Artist who without them there would be no shows XAja & ClaireSamurai Guru -  It All Started In A DreamGuru Ft Donald Byrd - LounginSouls Of Mischief - 93 Til Infinity (Jimmy Green & Step One's 93 Beats remix)Globetroddas - LoveDigable Planets - Flyin High InThe Brooklyn SkyyOhm Guru   Jazz BrakeKool & the Gang - Dujii Coke Escovedo - I Wouldn't Change A ThingOscar Brown Jr. - Brother Where Are You- (Matthew Herbert Remix)Roberta Flack  - Qual E Malandrinho (Why Are You So Bad)Sheila Landis - Guess I'll Call It LoveNathan Haines - Thorne Bay BossaMadoron - Samba De FloraEl Paso - BesokaNicola Conte - Here (feat Jose James)Kenji Eno - The Fear Theme (The Cinematic Orchestra re-interpretation)SoulChef - Brazilian SummerBen Westbeech - So Good TodayBlossom Dearie - I Like London In The RainNostalgia 77 - Crescent CityJames Spaulding - Give It UpBuild An Ark - You've Gotta Have FreedomNicola Conte - Ghana (feat Gregory Porter)Emma-Jean Thackray - Wanna DieCitrus Sun - SantiagoButcher Brown -IbizaHiromi - Pop BalloonThe R H Factor - Kwah/Home

Escape rooms, scheduling software, creative writing, the EBR soundtrack, Cory dollars, Andrew's Indie Game Corner, and more! (00:00:00) Intro (00:09:34) Work Stories (00:38:10) Listener Questions (01:03:15) Stuff We're Into

Dr. David Swanson | 1 Kings 18:18-21True transformation is only possible when we have truly yielded to the Lordship of Jesus in our lives. Do we want to change or do we just say that, instead desiring in our hearts to keep doing the very same things?

In this conversation, Dayna Johnson discusses the transition of dental offices from in-network to out-of-network insurance plans, focusing on the necessary adjustments in Dentrix software. She outlines the steps to dismantle existing fee schedules, update treatment plans, and ensure accurate insurance estimates. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the software's capabilities and preparing for the changes that come with going out of network. Takeaways ➡2025 marks a significant change for many dental offices. ➡Transitioning to out-of-network requires careful planning. ➡Dismantling fee schedules is essential when going out of network. ➡Updating treatment plan fees is a critical step. ➡Dentrix can help in estimating treatment costs accurately. ➡There are methods to copy fee schedules for efficiency. ➡Clearing the allowed amount column is necessary for accurate estimates. ➡Understanding insurance tables is crucial for accurate billing. ➡Preparation is key to a smooth transition to out-of-network. ➡Future discussions will delve deeper into Dentrix's estimating capabilities. Chapters 00:00 Transitioning to Out-of-Network Insurance Plans 14:54 Understanding Dentrix Insurance Setup 15:24 Updating Treatment Plans and Fee Structures Please rate, review and share this episode with your colleagues. Book a call with Dayna: https://calendly.com/dayna-johnson/discovery-call

Recorded at the Choose Your Own Conception OA Big Book Study meeting.  Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays  
8:00-9:00 PM Eastern Time  Meeting ID: 985 0940 4749  Passcode: 12164  Inspired by the line from Bill's Story on page 12 in the Big Book, “Why don't you choose your own conception of God?”, the mission of this Overeaters Anonymous meeting is to be as inclusive as possible regarding spirituality and language, while staying firmly rooted in the program of recovery outlined in The Big Book. Multiple meetings/speakers on every chapter/step allow for access to multiple perspectives on our common solution.   For more information about this meeting: https://cyocbbstudy.blogspot.com

January 22nd 2025 - Step One....add us to your PRESETS on the free iHeartRadio app! Step two.....enjoy today's Complete Show podcast including The Dish, Dad Joke, Where Am I? and more!

In this episode I read a couple emails from listeners, one of which concerns struggling with Step One. My websiteMy InstagramGet my books on Amazon

Recorded at the Choose Your Own Conception OA Big Book Study meeting.  Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays  
8:00-9:00 PM Eastern Time  Meeting ID: 985 0940 4749  Passcode: 12164  Inspired by the line from Bill's Story on page 12 in the Big Book, “Why don't you choose your own conception of God?”, the mission of this Overeaters Anonymous meeting is to be as inclusive as possible regarding spirituality and language, while staying firmly rooted in the program of recovery outlined in The Big Book. Multiple meetings/speakers on every chapter/step allow for access to multiple perspectives on our common solution.   For more information about this meeting: https://cyocbbstudy.blogspot.com

Recorded at the Choose Your Own Conception OA Big Book Study meeting.  Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays  
8:00-9:00 PM Eastern Time  Meeting ID: 985 0940 4749  Passcode: 12164  Inspired by the line from Bill's Story on page 12 in the Big Book, “Why don't you choose your own conception of God?”, the mission of this Overeaters Anonymous meeting is to be as inclusive as possible regarding spirituality and language, while staying firmly rooted in the program of recovery outlined in The Big Book. Multiple meetings/speakers on every chapter/step allow for access to multiple perspectives on our common solution.   For more information about this meeting: https://cyocbbstudy.blogspot.com

Are you always in control, suave and self assured? Or do you sometimes feel as if you're going through life with two left feet, trying to keep up with dance steps you don't know? Join us for the message “The Twelve Step Shuffle: Dancing with God with Two Left Feet,” “Step One.” This is a recording of the scripture and sermon portion of our service on 1/12/25.  If you like what your hear on this podcast, you can also support our ministry with your gift through our website at www.TUMCD.org You can also see the video version of this podcast and our special videos on our YouTube channel “@Trinity UMCD”  If you're looking for a church where you'll be welcomed, accepted and affirmed we hope you'll consider Trinity.

Be A Better You Annual Challenge Day 14: Step One Of SOAP Framework...Story! Do One Thing Every Day To Improve! Join in every day in 2025 for a quick challenge that is all about you improving and creating the life you want! https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSharon Ask your questions, share your wisdom! #beabetteryouhallenge #doonethingadaytoimprove #SOAPframeworkstory

In this insightful episode, we explore the transformative journey of the 12-step recovery process, offering a compassionate and structured path to healing. We are joined by friend of the podcast, Darren S, who brings his personal experiences and unique perspective to the discussion.The journey begins with Step One, where the crucial realisation of powerlessness over addiction and the unmanageability of life lays the foundation for change. Darren shares his thoughts on the hidden struggles of functioning addicts and the pivotal moment of acknowledging the need for help.In Step Two, we discuss the importance of believing in a higher power, which can restore a sense of sanity and hope. Building on this, Step Three emphasises the necessity of turning one's will and life over to this higher power, fostering trust and surrender.Moving deeper, we explore Step Four, a moral inventory process that requires honesty and introspection. While this step can be an emotional rollercoaster, it is also a critical moment for identifying personal flaws and uncovering the roots of dysfunction. Darren shares his own experiences of tackling this challenging yet rewarding step. This is followed by Step Five, which highlights the liberating act of sharing our wrongs with others, breaking the chains of isolation.The podcast continues by exploring Steps Six and Seven, which focus on acknowledging character defects and humbly asking for help to address them. These steps remind us that imperfection is a shared human experience and that humility is a strength, not a weakness.Finally, we discuss the role of service in recovery. Helping others not only enhances personal growth but also underscores the importance of community and connection in the healing process. The episode concludes by affirming that dysfunction is a common aspect of life, extending beyond addiction, and that recovery is a journey of continuous action, self-awareness, and service.Whether you're navigating recovery or seeking to understand the transformative power of the 12 steps, this episode—featuring Darren S's heartfelt insights—offers practical wisdom and inspiring reflections to guide listeners.

Mentioned in this episode: Joshua 1 Ephesians 6   Connect with Katy:  Website Instagram Facebook  

Summary New year, new series. We're exploring the 4 steps to achieving fearless success in 2025. I'll outline four critical steps to success in this series. Step one starts with the Choose Success. Really? Yes, that's where it all starts. Because you can't go into this half-hearted and think you'll overcome the challenges when they hit, so I'll give you three ways to choose and commit to success in 2025. The conversation is filled with my personal story and motivational insights to empower you to take courageous actions in your life and business. Takeaways Fear of the unknown can paralyze decision-making. Fearless success involves taking action despite fear. Success requires a conscious choice and commitment. Choosing faith over fear is essential for growth. Commitment can serve as a springboard to overcome obstacles. Personal growth brings joy and fulfillment. We must actively choose to succeed, not just hope for it. God has a plan for us that is good and prosperous. We are called to great things and must take action. A choice is only as good as the actions we take. Sound Bites "We must choose to succeed; that's where Fearless Success all starts.” "Do or do not, there is no try." – Yoda "Choose faith over fear." Chapters 00:00 4 Steps to Fearless Success in 2025 02:13 What is Fearless Success? 05:51 Whiplash Story about Choosing Success 12:34 1. It Starts with a Choice 15:13 2. Choose Faith Over Fear 17:28 3. Use Your Commitment to Your Choice as Your Springboard to Overcome Obstacles 20:51 Part 1 Recap 22:25 Courageous Action Step 25:01 Outro Courageous Action: Choose one goal you've made for this year. Journal about your choice to make this goal happen. What am I committed to? What am I willing to do? What am I willing to give up? How can I use faith in Father on this journey? Heather Bunch – The Courageous Coach  Heather is a certified life and Enneagram coach, speaker and author who helps women of faith close the gap between their dreams and reality by Live Fearlessly Free. Now they can stop hiding, show up fully themselves and fulfill their God-given purpose–courageously.  Heather also uses her ninja writing skills to help other coaches, speakers, and authors get their ideas out of their heads into their signature system so they can create the income and income they dream about.  Heather's book is available on Amazon––Hello, Courageous! The Gal's Guide to Delight, Discover, and Direct Your Divine Life by Heather Bunch: https://hellocourageous.com/hcbook Or get it on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP3BZ7ZP Beat Procrastination cheat sheet: https://www.heatherbunch.com/beatit You can find Heather at https://www.heatherbunch.com.  Or email her at hello@heatherbunch.com

Hey! I see you! Have a question for me, you can privately text me here! (This Episode is a Re-Release)In this first season, I'm still discovering what FLR means and how it can reshape a partnership. My goal is to bring you a real-world view with relatable stories and insights as I navigate this new and exciting relationship dynamic.In this episode,  I open up about my struggles with intimacy and connection in past relationships and how they affected my self-confidence. I also talk about a pivotal moment when I met someone who introduced me to alternative perspectives on relationships, which sparked my curiosity about FLR. This episode is personal, honest, and serves as a stepping stone in my exploration of female-led dynamics.Value to Listeners:Listeners interested in alternative relationship styles will find this episode relatable and insightful. Krystine's transparency about her journey, coupled with her exploration of FLR, offers valuable lessons on self-discovery, overcoming societal norms, and embracing new relationship possibilities. The episode is rich with relatable stories and key phrases that make it a helpful resource for those considering FLR or reflecting on their own relationship paths.Key Takeaways:Reflecting on the Past: Krystine shares her struggles with unsatisfying, traditional relationships and how they shaped her understanding of intimacy.A Turning Point: She describes meeting a partner who introduced her to alternative views on sex and relationships, sparking her curiosity about FLR.Self-Discovery: Krystine highlights the importance of personal growth and self-confidence in preparing for non-traditional dynamics.Exploring FLR: The episode hints at how FLR has begun to redefine her perspective on connection and trust in relationships.Humor and Honesty: Krystine uses humor and authenticity to share her journey, making the content accessible and engaging for listeners.Potential Listener Search Questions:"How do I start exploring female-led relationships?""What are the first steps to understanding FLR?""How can personal growth improve my relationship?""What are real-life examples of overcoming traditional relationship struggles?""How can humor and honesty help in discussing alternative relationships?"Support the show Want to support the podcast and be involved with the behind-the-scenes, including voting on episode topics, as well as tiptoe with me into this whole "coaching" thing. Also, my psuedo-autobiographical audio drama podcast "Control" will "re-debut" this spring as we drop the entire first season exclusively on Patreon! Find my Patreon HERE!

Step One in the 49ers rebuilding for the 2025 season #sanfrancisco49ers #NFL Join this channel to get access to perks and support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzZkcTcRj7vKSTHL9DQI4Bw/join Also hop on over to Patreon and get EXCLUSIVE 49ers Cutback content including ALL 22 Film Breakdowns: https://www.patreon.com/49erscutback Find links to all our socials on our Link Tree page: https://linktr.ee/49erscutback Don't forget to check out our NEW MERCH SHOP at: https://49erscutbackshop.com

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Reflecting on the past 100 episodes reveals a profound shift in understanding homeschooling and its implications on parenting. The episode delves into concerns over school safety, parental rights, outdoor learning, and the importance of nurturing authentic connections, while also overcoming fears and uncertainties that arise throughout the homeschooling journey. • Recognizing safety concerns in schools and questioning the effectiveness of active shooter drills • Discussing the implications of medical mandates and parental rights regarding children's healthcare • Highlighting the value of outdoor experiences for fostering creativity and engagement in learning • Exploring fears surrounding self-discipline and the need for critical thinking in education • Emphasizing the importance of authentic friendships fostered through shared interests • Acknowledging the perspectives of teachers who have shifted to homeschooling due to educational system shortcomings • Celebrating the evolution of knowledge and experience over the course of 100 episodes If you appreciated this episode, please share it with a friend, or consider leaving a review here!Kypper's Slippers- A Comfy Footwear Brand Driven With A Purpose: to give back to homeschooling families! These slippers are affordable, give back to the homeschooling community, and help our little ones from slipping and sliding on those slick surfaces! They've helped my two year old so much!!Step ONE in Homeschooling: Help a child you know navigate how to handle an emergency! Right from Amazon:Let's Talk, Emergencies! -and don't forget The Activity Book!The Tuttle Twins - use code Cheryl40 for 40% off ages 5-11 book seriesSupport the showInstagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

TUNE IN TO LEARN: What if you COULD achieve your most audacious goals this year?    Introducing the "Bridge the Gap" method - hundreds of coaching clients have used it to succeed, and ahieve goals they couldn't achieve before.    A simple three-question process to help you get where you want to go by the end of 2026.    • Opening thoughts on New Year's traditions and authenticity  • The impact of how you start the year on future outcomes  • the

I love the steps. They have helped me reach a potential that I never knew I had! More than that I love sharing my experience in the fact that it may help you to a better life. I have been studying the steps since I was 18 years old now and I have helped and seen others in this program make it. Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. 

Hour 1 – The Drive opened the show discussing the Chiefs AFC West title and how that was the first step to their four step plan.

Have you stopped long enough to plan a new way forward?

Send us a textNeil Gordon is a persuasion expert who focuses on helping entrepreneurs, speakers and other thought leaders deliver compelling messages.This includes the elevator pitch. Usually found in action when people go to networking events or indeed any situation where they get a brief amount of time to explain themselves the elevator pitch can be very samey when lots of people are taking it in turns. Which is why this episode will help you transform your elevator pitch.The usual question that prompts the elevator pitch is 'what do you do?'  Neil though suggests that you should think that the question you've actually been asked is 'what can you do for me?'People often when delivering their elevator pitch introduce themselves, the name of the company and then they describe the product or service they offer in the context of a customer or indeed an industry Neil offers a much better four step alternative:Step One - describe a problem your audience can relate to 'You know how hard it is.....' - Neil calls this framing the problemStep Two - explain the common flawed solutions to the problem 'and often people think the best way to solve this is to....'Step Three - introducing what Neil call's the ‘Silver Bullet' solution - which includes a single powerful sentence that sums up the problem and your solution. Neil shares several examples of this during the recording.Step Four - explain what you do and how you can help - 'I help....so that they .......'You can find Neil at neilcanhelp.com and on his website you can access tons of free resources to help you transform your elevator pitch and become much more persuasive. I think Neil's ideas will enable you to transform your elevator pitch so give them a go and stand out from everyone else next time you go networking! If you think you might need some help with your next key sales pitch book a free 15 minute Zoom call with me and we can discuss your sales pitch and if I can help you.If I can then the next step would be a 40-50 minute Zoom call where we will go through your pitch and I will be your audience, your challenger and your coach.To find more about my full range of sales pitch and business presentation training and coaching offers please click on these links key presentation or sales pitch If you are interested in trialling for free my online course ‘Transform your Business Presentations' then drop me an email to I can help you transform your business presentations and win more sales pitches. Click on the links below to find out more and book a free 15-20 minute Zoom call with to discuss what you might need help with. Presentation TrainingSales Training 15 Minute Free 'How can I help you' Zoom callTrevor Lee Linked Trevor Lee You TubeMy latest book: 7 Steps to Successful Presentations

Supersize Your Business With SOAP Framework Step One: Current And Desired Story? Pop here every day for a dose of different business building perspective: https://facebook.com/supersizebusiness #supersizeyourbusiness #SOAPframework #story #currentanddesiredstory

This might not apply to everyone, but it's certainly a life system/strategy that helps me all the time...

In this episode, my friend Dave and I have a very general discussion about what the Big Book says concerning Step One, by sharing varying topics and the respective consensus of each, according to the study that's been described. - "Untreated alcoholism"- Insanity/Sanity- Unmanageability(Originally broadcast 2021)

"Doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result." That's crazy, right?Are you a doctor caught in the relentless demands of your profession, yearning for a way to regain balance and satisfaction in your work life?Is it clear that working harder isn't the solution to your overwhelm?This episode dives into creating a practical, personal strategy to prevent burnout, specifically for doctors. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the pace and pressure of your job, this guide will help you design a path toward a healthier, more fulfilling practice—even amid your busy schedule.Learn how to craft your "ideal job description" to clarify the type of practice that genuinely fulfills you.Discover the step-by-step process for breaking free from the whirlwind of demands tp work ON your practice, not just IN it.Learn how to practice a sustainable rhythm of growth and reflection with the "Power Half-Hour" approach to keep your goals in focus.Listen to this episode to unlock tools and strategies that will empower you to step out of the daily grind and make meaningful progress toward a balanced, rewarding medical practice.*SALE* BURNOUT PROOF ONLINE WORKSHOP Video Training LibraryThe Complete Ideal Practice Generator Process & All the Toolkits37 CME CREDITS >>> LIFETIME ACCESS ONLY $125 https://bit.ly/Burnout_Proof~~~~~~~~~Explore physician leadership tools and strategies to stop physician burnout, enhance physician wellness and give you the power of personal influence in the C-Suite. All the tools you need to play your role in leading the charge to wellness - at three levels - for you, your teams and your entire organization.Takeaways: Implementing a personal burnout prevention strategy is essential for busy physicians. To create an ideal job, focus on what you want and document it clearly. Stepping outside the whirlwind of daily responsibilities helps to clarify your goals. Regular reflection on your ideal job description can guide meaningful career changes. Take actionable steps towards your ideal practice, starting with small changes. Utilizing structured planning sessions can enhance your work-life balance and job satisfaction.

In this episode of the Building Geniuses podcast, host Tim Vogel and experts E.J. von Schaumburg, Michael MacMahon, and Lucian Niemeyer delve into the crucial first steps in enhancing cybersecurity and resilience in building infrastructure. They discuss the importance of understanding asset inventory, owner's risk, and the roles various stakeholders play in managing cyber risk. The panel emphasizes the need for baseline assessments, collaborative efforts, and the evolving responsibility of asset owners in addressing cybersecurity challenges, particularly in buildings' operational technology. Learn more: https://www.kmccontrols.com/

Ryan R. gives a Step One talk for the Emotional Sobriety Conference held via Zoom in June of 2024 hosted by the Everything or Nothing Group in Gainesville, FL. Find us at https://maddogspeakers.com/.

Leave Health Bite a Feedback.Click This Link.One foot in front of another - that's the secret to lasting success. Feeling overwhelmed by your goals? Learn how to break them down into manageable steps and celebrate every small winJoin Dr. Adrienne Youdim in this powerful episode of Health Bite as she shares inspiring stories and practical wisdom about achieving long-term goals through perseverance and small, consistent actions.Discover why "overnight success" is often years in the making and how you can harness the power of small, consistent actions to create lasting change.What You'll Learn From This Episode:The science behind grit and why it's the #1 predictor of successHow to break down overwhelming goals into manageable daily actionsWhy self-compassion is crucial for maintaining long-term motivationReal strategies for celebrating small wins and building momentumThe importance of accepting where you are while working toward where you want to be"— just one thing, one decision that is better today than yesterday. And doing that one thing again and again and again, one day after another, one foot in front of the other, one step at a time." --- Dr. Adrienne YoudimPeople and Resources Mentioned:Angela Duckworth -The Power of Grit and PerseveranceCorrine Crabtree - Transform Your Body with No BS Weight Loss:10lbs Off of Your Weight Without Calorie Counting, Fasting, or Off Limit Food Rancho La Puerta - https://rancholapuerta.com/ Special Invite: Ready to Shift from Reactivity to Resilience? Learn to manage your reactivity. Take control, choose your response, and build lasting resilience towards more intention in your life. Spaces are limited—reserve your spot now! Manage stress effectively Boost resilience and focus Improve relationships Live with intention Through interactive sessions, master techniques like meditation, mindful movement, and therapeutic drawing. Perfect for busy professionals, parents, or anyone facing chronic stress. No experience needed—just a desire to thrive. Connect with Dr. Adrienne Youdim Website: https://dradrienneyoudim.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrienneyoudim/

Send us a textAre you questioning your relationship with alcohol but thinking "I haven't lost everything yet"? In this raw and revealing episode, we dive into what it really means to be a "high bottom" alcoholic in today's world.Matt shares his personal struggle with Step One, challenging the traditional "rock bottom" narrative from the 1930s Big Book. From the exhausting mental gymnastics of "just one drink" to the profound revelation that unmanageability isn't always about losing homes or jobs – sometimes it's the quiet chaos in your head that's the real wake-up call.Key moments in this episode:The eye-opening story of a family gathering that became a battlefield of "should I drink?" decisionsWhy comparing your story to others might be keeping you stuckThe unexpected conversation with a well-heeled woman that changed everythingWhat unmanageability really looks like when you still have the house, the job, and the familyWhether you identify as a "high bottom" drinker or you're just questioning your relationship with alcohol, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be powerless over alcohol in today's world. You don't have to wait until you lose it all to make a change.

Carlos (9.10.24)

Do you know what the first step is on your fitness journey? It's not a workout plan, it's not a nutrition plan, it's something much simpler (yet harder) to do. Master this and I guarantee you get results!Have you ever wanted to work with me as your coach? Book a consult call with me and we'll talk about where you are at with your goals/life/fitness, where you want to be, and a strategy to get you there!Free Download 10 Mini Routines to make getting everything done in a day more simple!Free Download 10 Mini FIT Routines to make living healthy a simple part of your lifestyle!Want to get more time back in your days? Want to stop feeling overwhelmed and stressed with everything you have to do? Want to figure out how to 'do it all?' Join my new course, Time Management for Moms! Where I cover it all from scheduling to mindset to help you transform your days!Are we friends over on the 'gram? I'd love if you came and said hello! If this episode made a difference in your day, I'd love if you wrote a review and shared with your bestie!

Steven R. gives a Step One pitch at the Capital of Texas Conference in Austin, Texas. Find us at https://maddogspeakers.com/

Choose your country. It's the first step towards finding the healthy variety of patriotic love. But what sort of ‘choice' is it? IDEAS producer Tom Howell speaks with exiles, nationalists, dual citizens, and people whose ‘country' doesn't officially exist, in a quest for peace on fraught terrain: modern patriotism. 

Today on the podcast, Selena and Jaz are joined by a returning guest and wedding-planning goddess, Melissa Andre! Melissa, Creative Consultant and founder of Melissa Andre Design Company, is renowned for creating distinctively whimsical designs with an unexpected edge. Listen in as the three discuss the first step in wedding planning, common mistakes couples make while planning, and some of the wildest wedding stories Melissa has heard while in the business. Have a story to share or need some advice? Email us at brides@betches.com with your wedding questions and horror stories, or leave your own voicemail at (646) 389-7804. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get more High Ticket Clients.  Action Step One! This is one of the best action steps you can take to generate more income and get more clients.  In fact, it's one of the best ways to explode out of the mud if you are discouraged, depressed or frustrated with your business (and life!) This episode will change some lives (in my opinion). Let me know what you think of this episode or if you have some questions about what was discussed… shoot me a message on Instagram at:  @EricLouviere Head to https://CoachingUncensored.com to get the free cheat sheet and other trainings as my gift! If you are a coach, business coach, life coach or executive coach, or agency owner, then this episode can move the needle for you in revenue.

Spencer and Nora explore Step One of Al-Anon, which is about admitting powerlessness over alcohol and recognizing the unmanageability in one's life. They read from the book ‘How Al-Anon Works' and discuss how their lives have been impacted by others' alcoholism. Both hosts share personal anecdotes on their journey to accepting their lack of control... The post Step One: Finding Strength in Surrender – 413 appeared first on The Recovery Show.