Podcasts about Stepping

Life doesn't always shout its lessons—sometimes it whispers them in moments you almost miss. In this special solo episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius Mirshahzadeh unpacks four hard-earned lessons from a year marked by deep personal transformation. Stepping away from the polished highlight reel, he explores the quieter, in-between moments where lasting growth often begins. Through honest reflection and lived experience, Darius dives into themes of clarity, surrender, and identity—offering a raw look at what it means to truly do the inner work. This episode invites you to pause, reflect, and consider what life might be asking of you right now. In this episode, Darius will discuss: (00:00) Reflections on a Profound Year (04:54) Embracing Life's Shortness and Purpose (10:00) Trusting Yourself to Create Desired Outcomes (12:53) Ego vs. Soul: Finding True Purpose (16:51) Unapologetically Being Yourself Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send a textGary finds some hidden gems under a layer of rock. Tune in to find out what on earth he's talking about!PlaylistElias Alexander, Eamon Sefton, Kathleen Parks and Patrick Bowling with Grammy's Trip to Oregon, Antrim Rose and The Knowledge Drop Karate Chop from BywaterMetro Toronto Police Pipe Band with Bonnie Dundee, Steamboat, The Bugle Horn and the Atholl Highlanders from On the Beat.  Berroguetto with Vilalbalcan II from Navicularia  Donald MacPherson with Donald Gruamach's March from Donald MacPherson: a Living Legend. Fraser Fifield and John Mulhearn with The Ardoch Polka, EYP Live Recording University of Edinburgh, February 2026. Tony McManus with Inveran, The Devil in the Kitchen and Locheil's Awa Tae France from The Maker's MarkHamish Moore with Mrs Hamilton of Pencaitland from Stepping on the Bridge   P/M Alasdair Gillies with The Miller of Drone, the 74th Highlanders, the Rusty Gun, Alex Currie's, The Road to Balquhidder, the Lintie, Molly on the Shore, Rossie Castle from the Winter Storm Festival Concert, 2009 Nuallan with Donald James MacDonnell, P/M Donald MacLean of Lewis, Alice and Grace Twa and The Swaggering Jig  from Nuallan: Piping from Cape Breton Island.  LinksElias Alexander Tour Dates    Support the show

Get ready for a raw and inspiring episode about transformation and freedom. Our guest opens up about overcoming deep trauma and escaping a painful past to discover healing and purpose. We discuss how women can release shame, reclaim their worth, and take their first steps toward a new future — no matter how long they've carried regret. This episode is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to rise, heal, and walk boldly into your calling. To find out more about Tiffany you can reach her at: https://www.tiffanybrearton.com/ If you are interested in being a guest, check me out on podmatch. https://www.joinpodmatch.com/drtiffany  Podcast Disclosure The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by our guests or hosts on Tasty Tidbits Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official position or beliefs of Tasty Tidbits, its team, or its affiliates. All content shared on this podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. We do not guarantee, promise, or imply any specific results or outcomes based on the discussions or advice provided. Listeners are encouraged to use their own discretion and seek professional guidance where needed.

Starting sounds simple… until it's time to actually do it. In Episode 248, Jacqueline gets honest about something that often hides beneath our ambitions, ideas, and good intentions: the courage it takes to begin. We may talk about "just starting" all the time, but the reality? Stepping away from comfort—even comfortable stuckness—requires bravery. And in this episode, Jacqueline breaks down what that courage really looks like, how to build it, and how to use it in a way that feels honest and sustainable. This conversation is another "grandbaby" of the rich dialogue with Dallas Gordon in Episode 245, where the theme of multiple beginnings and evolving identities sparked this deeper dive. Inside this episode, you'll explore: 1. You Can Start Over—More Than Once You're not tied to old stories, old paths, or old roles. Jacqueline shares real examples (including from Dallas' many "lives") showing why new beginnings are not a sign of instability—they're a sign of permission. 2. Starting From Scratch Isn't Failure—It's Strategy Whether you're launching something new, restarting after a pause, or finally stepping into visibility, "scratch" isn't empty. You bring experience, wisdom, and tools that make each beginning stronger. 3. Fear, Uncertainty, and Imposter Syndrome Don't Disqualify You They make you human. You can take action with butterflies in your stomach. You can decide with imperfect information. Courage isn't the absence of fear—it's movement despite of it. This episode closes out a month inspired by Episode 245 with Dallas Gordon—an exploration of beginnings, reinvention, and visibility. If you missed that conversation, catch it at JacquelineMBaker.com/245. Next month kicks off with a powerful new visibility conversation and continues with three in-depth solo episodes to help you get visible in ways that align with who you truly are. Let this episode be your reminder: starting isn't easy—but you're worth the experience.

In this bonus Q&A episode, I tackle some of the most vulnerable and complex sexual questions couples are asking right now. We talk about: Anal play and whether certain acts are morally wrong Masturbation inside marriage — especially when your spouse is available What to do when teasing doesn't lead to follow-through How to talk dirty without feeling dirty Stepping into sexual confidence when your spouse wants more intensity Low desire that won't budge — even after trying everything And the painful dynamic of feeling like you're never "enough" Here's the core principle: Sex acts themselves are often neutral. What matters is the fruit they produce in your marriage. Is it building trust? Intimacy? Freedom? Playfulness? Or is it creating shame, pressure, resentment, or disconnection? This episode will help you think more deeply, talk more honestly, and navigate your sexual relationship with maturity and integrity. If you want deeper support, don't forget to check out the Get Your Marriage On Program — including our coaching community and 30-day free trial.   Mentioned in the episode: Get Your Marriage On Dirty Talk Guide (From Awkward to Arousing: A Guide to "Dirty Talk" for Christians) Episode #91: How to Talk Dirty Without Feeling Dirty or Awkward    SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY: Someone cancelled and now we have a spot open for you at our previously sold out spring retreat! Grab it now before it's gone!

Knowing Who You Are helps you step up and be who God has called you to be.

In this #coachbetter episode Kim chats with Fran Prolman, author, educational leadership consultant and founder of The Learning Collaborative. Fran brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership that is so relevant for coaches and middle leaders, and this episode is a deep dive into so many strategies, ideas and resources for all informal leaders! In this episode Fran and Kim talk about ... Sliding door moments - how to recognize them & what they can bring Recognizing your potential as a leader Key skills for all new leaders - in formal or informal leadership roles The difference between coaching and mentoring The importance of confidentiality in coaching Common barriers towards building a coaching culture This episode weaves together leadership and coaching in such an organic way. If you've been a long time subscriber, you know that as a coach, you are an informal leader in your school, and this episode really highlights that element of the role. If you're working towards recognizing and building on your informal leadership, this episode is for you! Find the show notes for this episode here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)

In this RaboElevate episode, we turn the tables and tap into Dr Robin Stonecash's extensive experience in negotiation. Join Rabobank's Skye Ward as she uncovers the fundamental rules of negotiation, how to anchor a negotiation and why it isn't always about the "yes". Packed with practical tips, this episode discusses how preparation and an understanding of your counterparty can help get to that handshake.  Disclaimer: This publication is not a RaboResearch publication and is for information purposes only. The contents of this publication are general in nature and do not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. As such, the contents of this publication do not constitute advice and should not be relied upon as a basis for any financial decisions. Rabobank Australia Limited ABN 50 001 621 129 AFSL 234700 and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. (Australia Branch) ABN 70003917655 AFSL 238446 (collectively referred to as, 'Rabobank Australia') recommend that you seek independent financial advice from your accountant or financial adviser before making any financial decisions related in any way to the contents of this publication. The information and opinions contained in this publication have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable. Any opinions, forecasts or estimates made are reasonably held, based on the information available at the time of publication and there can be no assurance that future results or events will be consistent with any such opinions, forecasts or estimates. All opinions expressed are subject to change at any time. No representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any information or opinions contained within the publication. You should make your own inquiries regarding the contents of this publication. Rabobank Australia does not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of any error or omission in the publication or arising out of any reliance or use of this publication or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. This publication may not be reproduced or distributed in whole or in part, except with the prior written consent of © Rabobank Australia Limited ABN 50 001 621 129 AFSL 234700 and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. (Australia Branch) ABN 70003917655 AFSL 238446, as part of the Rabobank Group.  

In this episode of the Beauty School Bobbi podcast, Bobbi and Erin Silver discuss the multifaceted journey of a beauty industry professional. They explore the challenges and triumphs of running a salon, the importance of leadership and systems, and the balance between personal life and business. Erin shares her experiences of fostering children while managing a growing salon, emphasizing the need for community support and self-care. The conversation highlights the evolution of a stylist's career and the significance of learning from mistakes. In this conversation, Bobbi and Erin discuss the challenges of balancing work and family life, the importance of setting boundaries, and the lessons learned from mistakes. They share valuable advice for new stylists entering the beauty industry, emphasizing the need for mentorship, continuous learning, and understanding different salon structures. The discussion highlights the significance of community support among women and the personal growth that comes with experience.   Takeaways Erin reflects on the unexpected journey in the beauty industry. Mistakes have led to valuable lessons and growth. The importance of having a supportive partner in business. Creating systems is essential for business success. Stepping back from behind the chair requires careful planning. Self-doubt is a common feeling among business owners. Personal time and self-care are crucial for balance. Fostering children brought new challenges and joys. Building a community of support is invaluable. Work-life balance is a continuous journey, not a destination. Balancing work and family is a continuous challenge. Setting boundaries is essential for mental health. Mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning. New stylists should say yes to diverse experiences. Mentorship is crucial for professional development. Understanding salon structures is vital for career success. Community support among women is invaluable. Time management is key to reducing stress. Personal growth comes with age and experience. Learning to prioritize is essential for a fulfilling life.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Beauty Industry Journey 02:49 Navigating Mistakes and Learning in Business 06:09 The Evolution of a Stylist's Career 09:04 Balancing Family Life and Business 11:55 The Importance of Systems and Structures 14:59 Embracing Change and Self-Doubt 18:02 Finding Personal Time and Self-Care 20:58 Fostering and Parenting in a Busy Career 23:49 Building a Supportive Community 27:06 Current Work-Life Balance and Future Goals 31:58 Balancing Work and Family Life 36:44 The Importance of Setting Boundaries 41:58 Learning from Mistakes and Growth 46:01 Advice for New Stylists in the Beauty Industry   www.beautyschoolbobbi.com www.beautyandstylenetwork.com www.silversalononline.com www.therefinenetwork.com     Follow Beauty and Style Network: @beautystylenet Beauty School Bobbi: @beautyschoolbobbi Erin Silver: @erinsilver

Bringing you the basics of Hearthstone improvement. Zeddy Joins the show to talk about new cards coming in, and old cards leaving. We talk about some Death Knight, Demon Hunter, Druid, and of course rogue cards. Also there's a priest card too!Come find out what Zeddy thinks about shadowstep rotating, his answers might surprise you!

Get ready for an enlightening and heart-centered episode of the Brooklyn Cafe Show featuring two powerful voices in spirituality and transformation — Sally Barnard and Baroness Anka Birgu.Sally, a self-taught artist, poet, and spiritual guide, brings her intuitive wisdom and creative insight to the table. Joining her is Baroness Anka Birgu, known for her deep spiritual teachings and empowering presence.Together, we'll explore: Spiritual awakening and personal transformation The power of intuition and divine connection Creativity as a pathway to healing Stepping into your purpose with confidenceThis is more than a conversation — it's an experience designed to uplift, inspire, and awaken something deeper within you. Tune in, share with a friend, and join us for a soulful journey on the Brooklyn Cafe Show.#BrooklynCafeShow #SpiritualAwakening #SallyBarnard #BaronessAnkaBirgu #SoulTalk #DivineConnection #CreativeHealing #WomenEmpowerment

On today's episode, Patrick and Ted break down the North London Derby — how worried should Arsenal really be, and how bad could it get for Spurs? Then they look at two clubs dealing with the fallout of sacking established coaches: Chelsea can't stop stepping on rakes, and Real Madrid have no idea what they are anymore. Plus Nico O'Reilly is turning into a real player, West Ham are quietly terrifying, and football has entered a post-control era. Enjoy! Tickets for The Transfer Flow Conference (May 22, London) are available now for a 10% discount: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1981005227964/?discount=earlybird10 Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 00:38 – North London Derby: Arsenal's form and the bottling narrative 05:26 – Is the media manufacturing an Arsenal crisis? 07:06 – Arsenal's injury problems and what Arteta keeps getting wrong 09:25 – Arteta's rotation problem and the fullback injury curse 11:22 – An edge vs. Arsenal? 13:25 – Chelsea & Real Madrid: life after their control-era coaches 17:06 – Chelsea can't stop stepping on rakes 17:48 – Cole Palmer's injury concern and the coaching matters debate 19:16 – Rosenior's midfield puzzle: Enzo, Andre Santos and Palmer 24:25 – Man United: are we underrating their rebuild? 27:27 – Why overpaying for players submarines clubs for years 32:01 – Nico O'Reilly and Pep's new NBA-style City 36:25 – Is Bernardo Silva done as a Pep staple? 38:28 – Champions League knockouts: why scorelines are getting crazy 39:32 – Football's post-control world 40:08 – West Ham are quietly terrifying 42:35 – Could Spurs actually get relegated? 44:22 – Outro: TTF Conference, Patreon & Variance Betting

Desiree at the River.By outdoorhorny. Listen to the ►Podcast at Steamy Stories.In May of my senior year in high school, summer came early. It was in the high 80’s every afternoon, and we were sweltering in the ancient high school as the air conditioner struggled to keep up. Desiree and I sweated through morning classes and afternoon study halls, longing to be out of there, somewhere cooler and more private. We were both 18, and the restrictions of school were almost over. That made them even harder to bear!It was one of our teachers who provided the solution; I thank her silently to this day! She suggested that we get together with students from another study hall to work on our Senior Projects. The next day, the four of us told our respective teachers that we were going to go to the other room to work with our partners. In reality, we slipped out through the Tech Ed classroom and went to our cars. Minutes later, we were whipping down the back roads away from school.I have no idea where the other two went. They weren’t a couple, so chances are they simply went home. Desiree had other ideas. Her little Honda Civic zoomed along and ended up on Rte. 6 in the next town. She pulled into a little IGA grocery store that backed up on sparse pine woods. I asked her what she was after, but she smiled and said, “You’ll see!”Intrigued, I followed her inside. She went right to the center aisles where the seasonal goods were. My eyebrows went up when she brought two cheap beach towels. She did not explain. I carried them while she grabbed snacks and drinks and headed for the checkout. She paid quickly, and when we left the store, she walked right past her car. I followed, very puzzled, as she went around the corner. I knew she would tell me when she felt like it, so I carried the bags and watched her ass as it twitched inside her tunic. When she passed the dumpster and entered the shady pine forest, she looked over her shoulder and smiled sexily. I grinned back, knowing she was up to something good.The trail twisted and turned for a hundred yards, then it ended abruptly at a knob of rock that stuck out into a shallow, broad river. I stopped and looked around amazed. I could see a quarter-mile in each direction, and there was nothing in sight. The water slipped over flat smooth rocks, occasionally interrupted by a snagged branch or a small boulder jutting up from the surface. The air smelled of pine, the sunlight was warm and tinged with green as it filtered through the high branches, and besides bird song, the only sound was the gentle hum of the distant road. It was spectacular; a tranquil oasis barely off a road I had driven countless times.“Des; this is beautiful! How did you find it?”“My uncle owns all this; he used to own the IGA before he retired.”“Does anyone come here?”“Nope. Didn’t you see all the "No Trespassing” signs and the rocks across the trail? That keeps people out unless they’re family.“"It’s perfect!” I exclaimed happily.“It’s ours,” she replied simply. “C'mon, let’s get cool first and have a snack!”Kicking off her sandals, she sat down on a low rock with her feet in the water. I brought the snack bag close, tugged off my sneakers and socks, and joined her. The water was still cold, but not as biting as the river we tried back in March. With the sun warm on our shoulders, we munched on chips and split a soda, laying the second bottle in a shallow pool to stay cold. Our shoulders bumped as we sat there side by side, enjoying our unexpected freedom.“Just think,” she said dreamily, “we could be sitting in Mr. Herman’s study hall right now!”“Just think,” I answered, “as far as Mr. Herman knows, we’re going to be in the other study hall for the rest of the year working on our projects!”“Hmm, that does open up some possibilities!”“Yes, it does!” I told her, reaching around to give her a squeeze.Des responded by turning toward me and resting her hands on my leg.“I’d rather be right here than anywhere else in the world.”She leaned forward a fraction and our lips met, softly at first, a slow, loving kiss. That kind of innocent, timeless kiss seems to disappear after high school, but I will never forget the way her lips felt against mine, or the first flicker of her tongue signaling it was time for more. My free hand twined in her hair and pulled her into my arms as our bodies began to respond.With an impatient snort, Desiree broke our kiss and sat back. “I’m too hot like this!” she said in a petulant voice. She stood up, brushed the crumbs off herself into the water. Then she stepped carefully and gracefully up onto the rock’s highest point and turned to look at me. Crossing her arms over her head, she whipped the tunic off in one smooth motion. I sat frozen, looking eagerly up at her as she tossed it further down the rock. Standing there in a pale bra and purple satin panties, she looked like some river goddess come to life. Full tits, winter-pale skin, and broad, luscious hips fought for my attention; Des smiled happily at my wide-eyed ogling.“That’s so much better!” she pronounced. “You should try it.”I stood where I was, turned to face her, and responded to her challenge. My shirt flew through the air to land on top of her tunic. I stepped up onto the rock I had just vacated and pushed my shorts down, taking my boxers along with them. Stepping out of them, I stood back up and tossed them onto the pile as well. The sun played across my body and it was Desiree’s turn to stare admiringly. I had been working out hard for soccer and indoor track and it showed. A smile tugged at her lips as her eyes traveled all over my arms, chest, abs, and then locked onto my semi-erect cock.“Mmm, you look good enough to eat!” she said eagerly.“You first!” I responded.She laughed happily. “I’m game!” she said. Her hands twisted up behind her back and unclasped her bra. A quick shake and it fell forward, revealing her tits and tightening nipples. Onto the pile it went. Her thumbs hooked the waistband of her panties, and drew them down an inch. I’m sure my eyes registered disappointment, because she laughed again at her successful tease and then pushed them down all the way, bending effortlessly at the waist until they brushed the rock between her feet. Then she simply stepped out of them and kicked them aside.It was my turn to stare again. Desiree’s mound was shaved smooth! My eyes locked onto that pale, delightful curve I knew so well, suddenly revealed in an amazing and arousing way. Although her cunt was in shadow, I could tell her grooming extended all the way because her labia were smooth and pale as well. My cock twitched, and Des giggled happily.“You like?” she asked needlessly. “I did it last night thinking we might have a chance today!”“I Love it!” I said fervently.“Grab the towels,” she commanded.Two quick steps, my cock bouncing in time, and I had them out of the bag.“Put one on the rock you were standing on.” I did as she asked.“Put the other one right there,” she said next, pointing at the front jut of the larger rock she stood on. I complied, wondering what she was up to.“Now,” she said with a smile, “what was that about ‘good enough to eat’ you mentioned?”I fumbled for a reply as Des stepped down onto the towel in front of her, then sank down to sit on the towel. She leaned back and spread her legs; she was rarely shy!; and rested her heels on ridges to either side. With one finger, she traced a line from between her tits down across her belly, and then over the shiny patch she had shaved.“Why don’t you kneel down right there and take a closer look?” she asked encouragingly.I nodded and folded the towel double before settling myself comfortably. She was at the perfect height and distance; I rested my hands on her knees and watched as her finger continued lower, tracing the edges of her cunt, stretched open by her pose. When she got to her perineum, she added a finger and came back up, dipping them into her opening just a bit and circling there.I stared hungrily and she smiled at my intense gaze. “Everything is So smooth!” she reported, spreading her juices all around her labia. “Your gonna love it!”No words came to mind, so I acted instead. Leaning in, I licked from as far down as I could, up along her clean-shaven lips, over her clit, and up to the ridge of her mound. There I paused and showered it with kisses, relishing its silky feel.“Des,” I said when I paused, “I fucking love it!”She giggled happily and settled back on her elbows, looking down at me through her lashes.Returning to my task, I lapped at her cunt with a broad tongue a few times and then extended it fully, ramming it as deeply as I could into her opening. My nose bumped her clit as I did this, and I could feel her twitch each time I did. She hummed happily, and I kept going.I moved my hands in close and used my thumbs to spread her lips even more. Then I turned my head a bit and nibbled my way up and down each delicate morsel of flesh, tugging at them and flicking them with my tongue. Another happy noise came from above me.Looking up into her eyes again, I slowly put two fingers into my mouth and sucked them. She raised her eyebrows in anticipation, and I rewarded her immediately. With a twisting motion, I slipped them into her cunt, retreated to coat them with her juices, and then eased them deeper. Soon I was sliding them in and out all the way, only stopping when my thumb jammed against her. Des rocked her hips to meet my strokes, and I had to match her timing when I leaned forward to lick her clit. Each time I buried my fingers inside her, she pushed back, and I gave her sensitive nub a swirling lash with my tongue. We found a steady rhythm then, and Des began breathing heavily, moaning a little every time I licked her.“Are you ready to cum?” I asked her teasingly when I paused my tongue action. I kept my hand moving steadily, and she had to gasp the words out to answer.“Fuck, yes; give me more!”Smiling, I leaned back in. I turned my hand palm up and curled my fingers so that they dragged across her G-spot, pumping them back and forth without fully withdrawing. Then I stiffened my tongue and licked the side of her hood repeatedly, no longer teasing her but trying to drive her over the edge. A deep groan and a raising of her hips told me I was on the right track.“Oh, fuck, oh, fuck, keep doing that!” she gasped in time with her thrusting.I kept doing that, just as she asked, and I soon felt her thighs fluttering. I pressed down hard on her mound with my free hand and began to suck on her clit while the tip of my tongue hit the same spot over and over again.“Oh, fuck!” Desiree moaned when her orgasm burst within her.I kept myself still then, feeling her cunt clamp down over and over on my fingers, soaking them with a rush of sweet, tangy juices. As I watched her body tremble, I admired the sun dappling every inch. The deep flush between her tits was stark against the untanned skin there, and her tits jutted straight up as her back arched in pleasure. I let her relax before withdrawing my fingers, which drew a tired whimper from her lips.When her eyes opened, I brought my fingers to my mouth again and sucked them clean. She smiled enigmatically as I licked them, staring directly into her eyes.“Well?” she asked.“Definitely good enough to eat!” I pronounced with a grin.“I love how you feel against my skin when it’s all shaved like this,” she told me seriously. “It added so much extra to everything you did!”“I love it, too,” I assured her. “You’re so smooth and sexy.”“I’m glad you like it,” she said in pleased tones.With that, she sat up and let her feet down, settling them on the outside of my towel. She leaned down, grabbed my face, and kissed me deeply. I know she could taste herself on my lips, and she even lapped my chin momentarily to gather her own deliciousness.“You know what else is gonna feel good?” she asked playfully.“What’s that?” I responded with an innocent look on my face.“Sliding my cunt all over you and letting you feel how smooth and wet it is.”I pulled her up to her feet and gathered her in my arms. “That,” I said seriously, kissing her between words, “sounds, amazing!”My cock was trapped between us, and Des wriggled her belly against it. Copious clear liquid was leaking from the tip, and the whole thing was twitching with the sudden heat and stimulation.“Besides, I think I need to tease you for a while,” she continued. “I don’t want to get you too excited yet!”I groaned at the thought, but consoled myself with the knowledge that my explosion would be even bigger and better when it happened.“Where do you want to do all this teasing?” I asked her.“Grab the towels,” she said. Then she pointed to a broad, flat rock about six feet from shore. The top was worn smooth by the passage of water over the years, but the top was dry now and looked invitingly warm. I laughed and gathered the cushioning towels. Holding hands, we made our way carefully across the slippery gap between our starting place and our new destination. When we got there, I passed her one towel and flipped the other one out to lie flat on the rock. Des followed suit and created a double layer of padding.“Get on up,” she said hotly. “It’s time for some payback!”I happily complied, sparing only a minute to look around.“No one is here,” she said reassuringly as I lay down on my back. Then her voice took on an Eastern European accent: “No one can help you. No one can hear your screams!”“Well that sucks,” I said with a smile. I settled myself comfortably on the rock and closed my eyes against the bright sunlight. “I’ll try to suffer in silence!”Desiree reached across me and grabbed my cock with one hand, aiming it straight up. She moved down and clambered onto the towel between my feet, and then paused to give me a few strokes. Her hand was warm and gentle on my shaft.Shifting one knee outside my leg, Des began to do exactly what she had said she would. She lowered herself and I felt her cunt bump into my knee. Slick and hot, she caressed her way up to my thigh, then moved across my lower body and did the same on my other leg. When I peeked up at her, I saw she had her lower lip between her teeth and a little frown of concentration on her face. I closed my eyes again and grinned as she moved up again. Her silky mound came down on my scrotum and Des rocked herself forward, arching her back so that she slid along the entire length of my cock from base to tip, her lips parted around me and coating me with lubrication before stopping and then moving back down to the base again.“Do you like that? Do you like how soft and smooth and wet I feel?”My mouth was dry as I answered her: “God, Des, I love it!”“I love rubbing myself all over you!” she said in a happy, sexy voice. I opened my eyes and she was gazing directly at me, her hands braced on her knees as she rocked herself back and forth along the underside of my shaft. Each time she reached the sensitive spot below the head, a pulse of precum leapt from my cock in response.“Des!” I said urgently, feeling the flutter of an approaching orgasm.“I know, I know, but it’s fun to tease you!” she said. Then she rose up, allowing the cool air to soothe the dangerous throbbing of my cock. She scooted forward a little more to straddle my chest. Lowering herself again, she rubbed the silky lips of her cunt on stomach, then on my chest as she eased higher. When her thighs were on either side of my head, I couldn’t help but lick her instantly from bottom to top. She gasped and pulled away.“Hey; you already had your turn!” she said indignantly. “Now I get mine!”With a quick, graceful move, she pivoted her body around, keeping her hips high enough so that her cunt was out of range of my tongue. She kissed my stomach, then trailed her hair across it, lower and lower with each swoop until it was tickling my thighs. Her left hand moved to brace herself on the towel while the other wrapped around my shaft again. She lifted it up to a 45 degree angle, perfectly aligned with her torso, and took me into her mouth.My rolled back with pleasure. I loved this position; it let Des take me as deeply as she wanted without awkward angles or pressure. She made the most of it; nothing fancy, but she sucked steadily and her lips moved from tip to base in one effortless motion. I could feel the restrictive heat at the back of her throat for a second, then she pulled back. A quick breath and she did it again. With each stroke, she squeezed my shaft as she rose and flattened her hand out of the way when she descended. I moaned happily and lifted my hands to hold her hips as they hovered above me.“Fuck, Des, that feels so good!”She hummed happily in response, which gave me a shiver of pleasure. Desiree’s motion was tireless, and I began to thrust upward a bit, knowing that I couldn’t hold back much longer. That signal was clear to her as well, and she paused to look back at me.“Do you want to cum?” she asked, squeezing my cock rhythmically.“I have to cum, Des, I have to cum in your mouth!” I gasped.“OK, I’m ready for that!” she smiled. Then she turned back and resumed her suction.Another dozen strokes and I was ready. My orgasm hit just as her mouth descended, and I arched myself up unconsciously. For a moment, my cock slipped past the ring of her throat and I could feel the twitching of her gag reflex against the sensitive head. The first jet of sperm flew directly down her throat, but she recovered quickly and pulled back, holding just the head between her lips and sucking frantically, pumping my shaft to milk out every drop. I could feel her swallowing as pulse after pulse threatened to overflow her mouth.Slowly, my hips fell back onto the towel. Des kept sucking steadily as my cock began to soften, and her tongue snaked all around to make sure she didn’t miss any of my cum. When she finally released me with a pop, I was completely spent. She planted a kiss on the underside of my cock, drawing a twitch in response that made her giggle. Then she turned herself around again and laid her head on my chest, her hand still wrapped around my spent shaft.“That was so amazing!” I murmured into her hair.“That was the most cum ever!” she said with a snort and a laugh.“Well, you are an exciting woman,” I told her, “so it’s kind of your fault. It’s all that teasing, too.&rd

Desiree at the River.By outdoorhorny. Listen to the ►Podcast at Steamy Stories.In May of my senior year in high school, summer came early. It was in the high 80’s every afternoon, and we were sweltering in the ancient high school as the air conditioner struggled to keep up. Desiree and I sweated through morning classes and afternoon study halls, longing to be out of there, somewhere cooler and more private. We were both 18, and the restrictions of school were almost over. That made them even harder to bear!It was one of our teachers who provided the solution; I thank her silently to this day! She suggested that we get together with students from another study hall to work on our Senior Projects. The next day, the four of us told our respective teachers that we were going to go to the other room to work with our partners. In reality, we slipped out through the Tech Ed classroom and went to our cars. Minutes later, we were whipping down the back roads away from school.I have no idea where the other two went. They weren’t a couple, so chances are they simply went home. Desiree had other ideas. Her little Honda Civic zoomed along and ended up on Rte. 6 in the next town. She pulled into a little IGA grocery store that backed up on sparse pine woods. I asked her what she was after, but she smiled and said, “You’ll see!”Intrigued, I followed her inside. She went right to the center aisles where the seasonal goods were. My eyebrows went up when she brought two cheap beach towels. She did not explain. I carried them while she grabbed snacks and drinks and headed for the checkout. She paid quickly, and when we left the store, she walked right past her car. I followed, very puzzled, as she went around the corner. I knew she would tell me when she felt like it, so I carried the bags and watched her ass as it twitched inside her tunic. When she passed the dumpster and entered the shady pine forest, she looked over her shoulder and smiled sexily. I grinned back, knowing she was up to something good.The trail twisted and turned for a hundred yards, then it ended abruptly at a knob of rock that stuck out into a shallow, broad river. I stopped and looked around amazed. I could see a quarter-mile in each direction, and there was nothing in sight. The water slipped over flat smooth rocks, occasionally interrupted by a snagged branch or a small boulder jutting up from the surface. The air smelled of pine, the sunlight was warm and tinged with green as it filtered through the high branches, and besides bird song, the only sound was the gentle hum of the distant road. It was spectacular; a tranquil oasis barely off a road I had driven countless times.“Des; this is beautiful! How did you find it?”“My uncle owns all this; he used to own the IGA before he retired.”“Does anyone come here?”“Nope. Didn’t you see all the "No Trespassing” signs and the rocks across the trail? That keeps people out unless they’re family.“"It’s perfect!” I exclaimed happily.“It’s ours,” she replied simply. “C'mon, let’s get cool first and have a snack!”Kicking off her sandals, she sat down on a low rock with her feet in the water. I brought the snack bag close, tugged off my sneakers and socks, and joined her. The water was still cold, but not as biting as the river we tried back in March. With the sun warm on our shoulders, we munched on chips and split a soda, laying the second bottle in a shallow pool to stay cold. Our shoulders bumped as we sat there side by side, enjoying our unexpected freedom.“Just think,” she said dreamily, “we could be sitting in Mr. Herman’s study hall right now!”“Just think,” I answered, “as far as Mr. Herman knows, we’re going to be in the other study hall for the rest of the year working on our projects!”“Hmm, that does open up some possibilities!”“Yes, it does!” I told her, reaching around to give her a squeeze.Des responded by turning toward me and resting her hands on my leg.“I’d rather be right here than anywhere else in the world.”She leaned forward a fraction and our lips met, softly at first, a slow, loving kiss. That kind of innocent, timeless kiss seems to disappear after high school, but I will never forget the way her lips felt against mine, or the first flicker of her tongue signaling it was time for more. My free hand twined in her hair and pulled her into my arms as our bodies began to respond.With an impatient snort, Desiree broke our kiss and sat back. “I’m too hot like this!” she said in a petulant voice. She stood up, brushed the crumbs off herself into the water. Then she stepped carefully and gracefully up onto the rock’s highest point and turned to look at me. Crossing her arms over her head, she whipped the tunic off in one smooth motion. I sat frozen, looking eagerly up at her as she tossed it further down the rock. Standing there in a pale bra and purple satin panties, she looked like some river goddess come to life. Full tits, winter-pale skin, and broad, luscious hips fought for my attention; Des smiled happily at my wide-eyed ogling.“That’s so much better!” she pronounced. “You should try it.”I stood where I was, turned to face her, and responded to her challenge. My shirt flew through the air to land on top of her tunic. I stepped up onto the rock I had just vacated and pushed my shorts down, taking my boxers along with them. Stepping out of them, I stood back up and tossed them onto the pile as well. The sun played across my body and it was Desiree’s turn to stare admiringly. I had been working out hard for soccer and indoor track and it showed. A smile tugged at her lips as her eyes traveled all over my arms, chest, abs, and then locked onto my semi-erect cock.“Mmm, you look good enough to eat!” she said eagerly.“You first!” I responded.She laughed happily. “I’m game!” she said. Her hands twisted up behind her back and unclasped her bra. A quick shake and it fell forward, revealing her tits and tightening nipples. Onto the pile it went. Her thumbs hooked the waistband of her panties, and drew them down an inch. I’m sure my eyes registered disappointment, because she laughed again at her successful tease and then pushed them down all the way, bending effortlessly at the waist until they brushed the rock between her feet. Then she simply stepped out of them and kicked them aside.It was my turn to stare again. Desiree’s mound was shaved smooth! My eyes locked onto that pale, delightful curve I knew so well, suddenly revealed in an amazing and arousing way. Although her cunt was in shadow, I could tell her grooming extended all the way because her labia were smooth and pale as well. My cock twitched, and Des giggled happily.“You like?” she asked needlessly. “I did it last night thinking we might have a chance today!”“I Love it!” I said fervently.“Grab the towels,” she commanded.Two quick steps, my cock bouncing in time, and I had them out of the bag.“Put one on the rock you were standing on.” I did as she asked.“Put the other one right there,” she said next, pointing at the front jut of the larger rock she stood on. I complied, wondering what she was up to.“Now,” she said with a smile, “what was that about ‘good enough to eat’ you mentioned?”I fumbled for a reply as Des stepped down onto the towel in front of her, then sank down to sit on the towel. She leaned back and spread her legs; she was rarely shy!; and rested her heels on ridges to either side. With one finger, she traced a line from between her tits down across her belly, and then over the shiny patch she had shaved.“Why don’t you kneel down right there and take a closer look?” she asked encouragingly.I nodded and folded the towel double before settling myself comfortably. She was at the perfect height and distance; I rested my hands on her knees and watched as her finger continued lower, tracing the edges of her cunt, stretched open by her pose. When she got to her perineum, she added a finger and came back up, dipping them into her opening just a bit and circling there.I stared hungrily and she smiled at my intense gaze. “Everything is So smooth!” she reported, spreading her juices all around her labia. “Your gonna love it!”No words came to mind, so I acted instead. Leaning in, I licked from as far down as I could, up along her clean-shaven lips, over her clit, and up to the ridge of her mound. There I paused and showered it with kisses, relishing its silky feel.“Des,” I said when I paused, “I fucking love it!”She giggled happily and settled back on her elbows, looking down at me through her lashes.Returning to my task, I lapped at her cunt with a broad tongue a few times and then extended it fully, ramming it as deeply as I could into her opening. My nose bumped her clit as I did this, and I could feel her twitch each time I did. She hummed happily, and I kept going.I moved my hands in close and used my thumbs to spread her lips even more. Then I turned my head a bit and nibbled my way up and down each delicate morsel of flesh, tugging at them and flicking them with my tongue. Another happy noise came from above me.Looking up into her eyes again, I slowly put two fingers into my mouth and sucked them. She raised her eyebrows in anticipation, and I rewarded her immediately. With a twisting motion, I slipped them into her cunt, retreated to coat them with her juices, and then eased them deeper. Soon I was sliding them in and out all the way, only stopping when my thumb jammed against her. Des rocked her hips to meet my strokes, and I had to match her timing when I leaned forward to lick her clit. Each time I buried my fingers inside her, she pushed back, and I gave her sensitive nub a swirling lash with my tongue. We found a steady rhythm then, and Des began breathing heavily, moaning a little every time I licked her.“Are you ready to cum?” I asked her teasingly when I paused my tongue action. I kept my hand moving steadily, and she had to gasp the words out to answer.“Fuck, yes; give me more!”Smiling, I leaned back in. I turned my hand palm up and curled my fingers so that they dragged across her G-spot, pumping them back and forth without fully withdrawing. Then I stiffened my tongue and licked the side of her hood repeatedly, no longer teasing her but trying to drive her over the edge. A deep groan and a raising of her hips told me I was on the right track.“Oh, fuck, oh, fuck, keep doing that!” she gasped in time with her thrusting.I kept doing that, just as she asked, and I soon felt her thighs fluttering. I pressed down hard on her mound with my free hand and began to suck on her clit while the tip of my tongue hit the same spot over and over again.“Oh, fuck!” Desiree moaned when her orgasm burst within her.I kept myself still then, feeling her cunt clamp down over and over on my fingers, soaking them with a rush of sweet, tangy juices. As I watched her body tremble, I admired the sun dappling every inch. The deep flush between her tits was stark against the untanned skin there, and her tits jutted straight up as her back arched in pleasure. I let her relax before withdrawing my fingers, which drew a tired whimper from her lips.When her eyes opened, I brought my fingers to my mouth again and sucked them clean. She smiled enigmatically as I licked them, staring directly into her eyes.“Well?” she asked.“Definitely good enough to eat!” I pronounced with a grin.“I love how you feel against my skin when it’s all shaved like this,” she told me seriously. “It added so much extra to everything you did!”“I love it, too,” I assured her. “You’re so smooth and sexy.”“I’m glad you like it,” she said in pleased tones.With that, she sat up and let her feet down, settling them on the outside of my towel. She leaned down, grabbed my face, and kissed me deeply. I know she could taste herself on my lips, and she even lapped my chin momentarily to gather her own deliciousness.“You know what else is gonna feel good?” she asked playfully.“What’s that?” I responded with an innocent look on my face.“Sliding my cunt all over you and letting you feel how smooth and wet it is.”I pulled her up to her feet and gathered her in my arms. “That,” I said seriously, kissing her between words, “sounds, amazing!”My cock was trapped between us, and Des wriggled her belly against it. Copious clear liquid was leaking from the tip, and the whole thing was twitching with the sudden heat and stimulation.“Besides, I think I need to tease you for a while,” she continued. “I don’t want to get you too excited yet!”I groaned at the thought, but consoled myself with the knowledge that my explosion would be even bigger and better when it happened.“Where do you want to do all this teasing?” I asked her.“Grab the towels,” she said. Then she pointed to a broad, flat rock about six feet from shore. The top was worn smooth by the passage of water over the years, but the top was dry now and looked invitingly warm. I laughed and gathered the cushioning towels. Holding hands, we made our way carefully across the slippery gap between our starting place and our new destination. When we got there, I passed her one towel and flipped the other one out to lie flat on the rock. Des followed suit and created a double layer of padding.“Get on up,” she said hotly. “It’s time for some payback!”I happily complied, sparing only a minute to look around.“No one is here,” she said reassuringly as I lay down on my back. Then her voice took on an Eastern European accent: “No one can help you. No one can hear your screams!”“Well that sucks,” I said with a smile. I settled myself comfortably on the rock and closed my eyes against the bright sunlight. “I’ll try to suffer in silence!”Desiree reached across me and grabbed my cock with one hand, aiming it straight up. She moved down and clambered onto the towel between my feet, and then paused to give me a few strokes. Her hand was warm and gentle on my shaft.Shifting one knee outside my leg, Des began to do exactly what she had said she would. She lowered herself and I felt her cunt bump into my knee. Slick and hot, she caressed her way up to my thigh, then moved across my lower body and did the same on my other leg. When I peeked up at her, I saw she had her lower lip between her teeth and a little frown of concentration on her face. I closed my eyes again and grinned as she moved up again. Her silky mound came down on my scrotum and Des rocked herself forward, arching her back so that she slid along the entire length of my cock from base to tip, her lips parted around me and coating me with lubrication before stopping and then moving back down to the base again.“Do you like that? Do you like how soft and smooth and wet I feel?”My mouth was dry as I answered her: “God, Des, I love it!”“I love rubbing myself all over you!” she said in a happy, sexy voice. I opened my eyes and she was gazing directly at me, her hands braced on her knees as she rocked herself back and forth along the underside of my shaft. Each time she reached the sensitive spot below the head, a pulse of precum leapt from my cock in response.“Des!” I said urgently, feeling the flutter of an approaching orgasm.“I know, I know, but it’s fun to tease you!” she said. Then she rose up, allowing the cool air to soothe the dangerous throbbing of my cock. She scooted forward a little more to straddle my chest. Lowering herself again, she rubbed the silky lips of her cunt on stomach, then on my chest as she eased higher. When her thighs were on either side of my head, I couldn’t help but lick her instantly from bottom to top. She gasped and pulled away.“Hey; you already had your turn!” she said indignantly. “Now I get mine!”With a quick, graceful move, she pivoted her body around, keeping her hips high enough so that her cunt was out of range of my tongue. She kissed my stomach, then trailed her hair across it, lower and lower with each swoop until it was tickling my thighs. Her left hand moved to brace herself on the towel while the other wrapped around my shaft again. She lifted it up to a 45 degree angle, perfectly aligned with her torso, and took me into her mouth.My rolled back with pleasure. I loved this position; it let Des take me as deeply as she wanted without awkward angles or pressure. She made the most of it; nothing fancy, but she sucked steadily and her lips moved from tip to base in one effortless motion. I could feel the restrictive heat at the back of her throat for a second, then she pulled back. A quick breath and she did it again. With each stroke, she squeezed my shaft as she rose and flattened her hand out of the way when she descended. I moaned happily and lifted my hands to hold her hips as they hovered above me.“Fuck, Des, that feels so good!”She hummed happily in response, which gave me a shiver of pleasure. Desiree’s motion was tireless, and I began to thrust upward a bit, knowing that I couldn’t hold back much longer. That signal was clear to her as well, and she paused to look back at me.“Do you want to cum?” she asked, squeezing my cock rhythmically.“I have to cum, Des, I have to cum in your mouth!” I gasped.“OK, I’m ready for that!” she smiled. Then she turned back and resumed her suction.Another dozen strokes and I was ready. My orgasm hit just as her mouth descended, and I arched myself up unconsciously. For a moment, my cock slipped past the ring of her throat and I could feel the twitching of her gag reflex against the sensitive head. The first jet of sperm flew directly down her throat, but she recovered quickly and pulled back, holding just the head between her lips and sucking frantically, pumping my shaft to milk out every drop. I could feel her swallowing as pulse after pulse threatened to overflow her mouth.Slowly, my hips fell back onto the towel. Des kept sucking steadily as my cock began to soften, and her tongue snaked all around to make sure she didn’t miss any of my cum. When she finally released me with a pop, I was completely spent. She planted a kiss on the underside of my cock, drawing a twitch in response that made her giggle. Then she turned herself around again and laid her head on my chest, her hand still wrapped around my spent shaft.“That was so amazing!” I murmured into her hair.“That was the most cum ever!” she said with a snort and a laugh.“Well, you are an exciting woman,” I told her, “so it’s kind of your fault. It’s all that teasing, too.&rd

How do you raise two world-class champions on a budget in a country with no tennis infrastructure? Judy Murray shares her raw, "old school" wisdom on avoiding burnout, handling the "human ATM" parent trap, and why letting your kids play is better than any coaching manual. A very insightful conversation with the mother of Jamie and Andy Murray.Chapters:01:14 Starting with wooden rackets and Scotland's weather02:19 Why Judy stopped playing to save her love for the sport05:13 No dreams of pros: Just wanting kids to enjoy sport06:24 Kitchen table tennis and cereal box nets08:16 The "Human ATM": The reality of individual sports10:41 Becoming a National Coach and learning by watching14:42 Knowing when to be the parent instead of the coach16:58 Teaching independence: Packing bags and supermarkets22:15 The Parent-Coach-Player triangle27:50 Watching Andy vs. Rafa: "Sit on your hands!"31:18 Communication: Handling the "surprise" visit disaster41:03 The danger of tennis becoming a child's identity46:42 Why the American University route is a game-changer49:03 Sending Andy to Barcelona at 1553:57 Managing the business of a professional athlete56:45 Stepping back: "Off you go, little bird"58:52 Advice for parents of young athletesIf you're a parent, coach, or athlete looking for the "real" side of the pro tour, make sure to subscribe and hit the bell icon! Let us know in the comments: what's the best advice you've ever received from a parent in sports?Follow Us:

The lads hit the bullseye with episode 180! Stepping up to the oche this week is Ryan Creech following his incredible 2:09:39 at the Seville Marathon, which sees the Leevale athlete up to fourth on the all time Irish men's marathon rankings. Sponsored by Show Rescue ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shoe Rescue | All Natural Shoe Odour Remedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our Newsletter here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/afb0461d5c93/runnersdiary⁠⁠⁠⁠

Desiree at the River.By outdoorhorny. Listen to the ►Podcast at Steamy Stories.In May of my senior year in high school, summer came early. It was in the high 80’s every afternoon, and we were sweltering in the ancient high school as the air conditioner struggled to keep up. Desiree and I sweated through morning classes and afternoon study halls, longing to be out of there, somewhere cooler and more private. We were both 18, and the restrictions of school were almost over. That made them even harder to bear!It was one of our teachers who provided the solution; I thank her silently to this day! She suggested that we get together with students from another study hall to work on our Senior Projects. The next day, the four of us told our respective teachers that we were going to go to the other room to work with our partners. In reality, we slipped out through the Tech Ed classroom and went to our cars. Minutes later, we were whipping down the back roads away from school.I have no idea where the other two went. They weren’t a couple, so chances are they simply went home. Desiree had other ideas. Her little Honda Civic zoomed along and ended up on Rte. 6 in the next town. She pulled into a little IGA grocery store that backed up on sparse pine woods. I asked her what she was after, but she smiled and said, “You’ll see!”Intrigued, I followed her inside. She went right to the center aisles where the seasonal goods were. My eyebrows went up when she brought two cheap beach towels. She did not explain. I carried them while she grabbed snacks and drinks and headed for the checkout. She paid quickly, and when we left the store, she walked right past her car. I followed, very puzzled, as she went around the corner. I knew she would tell me when she felt like it, so I carried the bags and watched her ass as it twitched inside her tunic. When she passed the dumpster and entered the shady pine forest, she looked over her shoulder and smiled sexily. I grinned back, knowing she was up to something good.The trail twisted and turned for a hundred yards, then it ended abruptly at a knob of rock that stuck out into a shallow, broad river. I stopped and looked around amazed. I could see a quarter-mile in each direction, and there was nothing in sight. The water slipped over flat smooth rocks, occasionally interrupted by a snagged branch or a small boulder jutting up from the surface. The air smelled of pine, the sunlight was warm and tinged with green as it filtered through the high branches, and besides bird song, the only sound was the gentle hum of the distant road. It was spectacular; a tranquil oasis barely off a road I had driven countless times.“Des; this is beautiful! How did you find it?”“My uncle owns all this; he used to own the IGA before he retired.”“Does anyone come here?”“Nope. Didn’t you see all the "No Trespassing” signs and the rocks across the trail? That keeps people out unless they’re family.“"It’s perfect!” I exclaimed happily.“It’s ours,” she replied simply. “C'mon, let’s get cool first and have a snack!”Kicking off her sandals, she sat down on a low rock with her feet in the water. I brought the snack bag close, tugged off my sneakers and socks, and joined her. The water was still cold, but not as biting as the river we tried back in March. With the sun warm on our shoulders, we munched on chips and split a soda, laying the second bottle in a shallow pool to stay cold. Our shoulders bumped as we sat there side by side, enjoying our unexpected freedom.“Just think,” she said dreamily, “we could be sitting in Mr. Herman’s study hall right now!”“Just think,” I answered, “as far as Mr. Herman knows, we’re going to be in the other study hall for the rest of the year working on our projects!”“Hmm, that does open up some possibilities!”“Yes, it does!” I told her, reaching around to give her a squeeze.Des responded by turning toward me and resting her hands on my leg.“I’d rather be right here than anywhere else in the world.”She leaned forward a fraction and our lips met, softly at first, a slow, loving kiss. That kind of innocent, timeless kiss seems to disappear after high school, but I will never forget the way her lips felt against mine, or the first flicker of her tongue signaling it was time for more. My free hand twined in her hair and pulled her into my arms as our bodies began to respond.With an impatient snort, Desiree broke our kiss and sat back. “I’m too hot like this!” she said in a petulant voice. She stood up, brushed the crumbs off herself into the water. Then she stepped carefully and gracefully up onto the rock’s highest point and turned to look at me. Crossing her arms over her head, she whipped the tunic off in one smooth motion. I sat frozen, looking eagerly up at her as she tossed it further down the rock. Standing there in a pale bra and purple satin panties, she looked like some river goddess come to life. Full tits, winter-pale skin, and broad, luscious hips fought for my attention; Des smiled happily at my wide-eyed ogling.“That’s so much better!” she pronounced. “You should try it.”I stood where I was, turned to face her, and responded to her challenge. My shirt flew through the air to land on top of her tunic. I stepped up onto the rock I had just vacated and pushed my shorts down, taking my boxers along with them. Stepping out of them, I stood back up and tossed them onto the pile as well. The sun played across my body and it was Desiree’s turn to stare admiringly. I had been working out hard for soccer and indoor track and it showed. A smile tugged at her lips as her eyes traveled all over my arms, chest, abs, and then locked onto my semi-erect cock.“Mmm, you look good enough to eat!” she said eagerly.“You first!” I responded.She laughed happily. “I’m game!” she said. Her hands twisted up behind her back and unclasped her bra. A quick shake and it fell forward, revealing her tits and tightening nipples. Onto the pile it went. Her thumbs hooked the waistband of her panties, and drew them down an inch. I’m sure my eyes registered disappointment, because she laughed again at her successful tease and then pushed them down all the way, bending effortlessly at the waist until they brushed the rock between her feet. Then she simply stepped out of them and kicked them aside.It was my turn to stare again. Desiree’s mound was shaved smooth! My eyes locked onto that pale, delightful curve I knew so well, suddenly revealed in an amazing and arousing way. Although her cunt was in shadow, I could tell her grooming extended all the way because her labia were smooth and pale as well. My cock twitched, and Des giggled happily.“You like?” she asked needlessly. “I did it last night thinking we might have a chance today!”“I Love it!” I said fervently.“Grab the towels,” she commanded.Two quick steps, my cock bouncing in time, and I had them out of the bag.“Put one on the rock you were standing on.” I did as she asked.“Put the other one right there,” she said next, pointing at the front jut of the larger rock she stood on. I complied, wondering what she was up to.“Now,” she said with a smile, “what was that about ‘good enough to eat’ you mentioned?”I fumbled for a reply as Des stepped down onto the towel in front of her, then sank down to sit on the towel. She leaned back and spread her legs; she was rarely shy!; and rested her heels on ridges to either side. With one finger, she traced a line from between her tits down across her belly, and then over the shiny patch she had shaved.“Why don’t you kneel down right there and take a closer look?” she asked encouragingly.I nodded and folded the towel double before settling myself comfortably. She was at the perfect height and distance; I rested my hands on her knees and watched as her finger continued lower, tracing the edges of her cunt, stretched open by her pose. When she got to her perineum, she added a finger and came back up, dipping them into her opening just a bit and circling there.I stared hungrily and she smiled at my intense gaze. “Everything is So smooth!” she reported, spreading her juices all around her labia. “Your gonna love it!”No words came to mind, so I acted instead. Leaning in, I licked from as far down as I could, up along her clean-shaven lips, over her clit, and up to the ridge of her mound. There I paused and showered it with kisses, relishing its silky feel.“Des,” I said when I paused, “I fucking love it!”She giggled happily and settled back on her elbows, looking down at me through her lashes.Returning to my task, I lapped at her cunt with a broad tongue a few times and then extended it fully, ramming it as deeply as I could into her opening. My nose bumped her clit as I did this, and I could feel her twitch each time I did. She hummed happily, and I kept going.I moved my hands in close and used my thumbs to spread her lips even more. Then I turned my head a bit and nibbled my way up and down each delicate morsel of flesh, tugging at them and flicking them with my tongue. Another happy noise came from above me.Looking up into her eyes again, I slowly put two fingers into my mouth and sucked them. She raised her eyebrows in anticipation, and I rewarded her immediately. With a twisting motion, I slipped them into her cunt, retreated to coat them with her juices, and then eased them deeper. Soon I was sliding them in and out all the way, only stopping when my thumb jammed against her. Des rocked her hips to meet my strokes, and I had to match her timing when I leaned forward to lick her clit. Each time I buried my fingers inside her, she pushed back, and I gave her sensitive nub a swirling lash with my tongue. We found a steady rhythm then, and Des began breathing heavily, moaning a little every time I licked her.“Are you ready to cum?” I asked her teasingly when I paused my tongue action. I kept my hand moving steadily, and she had to gasp the words out to answer.“Fuck, yes; give me more!”Smiling, I leaned back in. I turned my hand palm up and curled my fingers so that they dragged across her G-spot, pumping them back and forth without fully withdrawing. Then I stiffened my tongue and licked the side of her hood repeatedly, no longer teasing her but trying to drive her over the edge. A deep groan and a raising of her hips told me I was on the right track.“Oh, fuck, oh, fuck, keep doing that!” she gasped in time with her thrusting.I kept doing that, just as she asked, and I soon felt her thighs fluttering. I pressed down hard on her mound with my free hand and began to suck on her clit while the tip of my tongue hit the same spot over and over again.“Oh, fuck!” Desiree moaned when her orgasm burst within her.I kept myself still then, feeling her cunt clamp down over and over on my fingers, soaking them with a rush of sweet, tangy juices. As I watched her body tremble, I admired the sun dappling every inch. The deep flush between her tits was stark against the untanned skin there, and her tits jutted straight up as her back arched in pleasure. I let her relax before withdrawing my fingers, which drew a tired whimper from her lips.When her eyes opened, I brought my fingers to my mouth again and sucked them clean. She smiled enigmatically as I licked them, staring directly into her eyes.“Well?” she asked.“Definitely good enough to eat!” I pronounced with a grin.“I love how you feel against my skin when it’s all shaved like this,” she told me seriously. “It added so much extra to everything you did!”“I love it, too,” I assured her. “You’re so smooth and sexy.”“I’m glad you like it,” she said in pleased tones.With that, she sat up and let her feet down, settling them on the outside of my towel. She leaned down, grabbed my face, and kissed me deeply. I know she could taste herself on my lips, and she even lapped my chin momentarily to gather her own deliciousness.“You know what else is gonna feel good?” she asked playfully.“What’s that?” I responded with an innocent look on my face.“Sliding my cunt all over you and letting you feel how smooth and wet it is.”I pulled her up to her feet and gathered her in my arms. “That,” I said seriously, kissing her between words, “sounds, amazing!”My cock was trapped between us, and Des wriggled her belly against it. Copious clear liquid was leaking from the tip, and the whole thing was twitching with the sudden heat and stimulation.“Besides, I think I need to tease you for a while,” she continued. “I don’t want to get you too excited yet!”I groaned at the thought, but consoled myself with the knowledge that my explosion would be even bigger and better when it happened.“Where do you want to do all this teasing?” I asked her.“Grab the towels,” she said. Then she pointed to a broad, flat rock about six feet from shore. The top was worn smooth by the passage of water over the years, but the top was dry now and looked invitingly warm. I laughed and gathered the cushioning towels. Holding hands, we made our way carefully across the slippery gap between our starting place and our new destination. When we got there, I passed her one towel and flipped the other one out to lie flat on the rock. Des followed suit and created a double layer of padding.“Get on up,” she said hotly. “It’s time for some payback!”I happily complied, sparing only a minute to look around.“No one is here,” she said reassuringly as I lay down on my back. Then her voice took on an Eastern European accent: “No one can help you. No one can hear your screams!”“Well that sucks,” I said with a smile. I settled myself comfortably on the rock and closed my eyes against the bright sunlight. “I’ll try to suffer in silence!”Desiree reached across me and grabbed my cock with one hand, aiming it straight up. She moved down and clambered onto the towel between my feet, and then paused to give me a few strokes. Her hand was warm and gentle on my shaft.Shifting one knee outside my leg, Des began to do exactly what she had said she would. She lowered herself and I felt her cunt bump into my knee. Slick and hot, she caressed her way up to my thigh, then moved across my lower body and did the same on my other leg. When I peeked up at her, I saw she had her lower lip between her teeth and a little frown of concentration on her face. I closed my eyes again and grinned as she moved up again. Her silky mound came down on my scrotum and Des rocked herself forward, arching her back so that she slid along the entire length of my cock from base to tip, her lips parted around me and coating me with lubrication before stopping and then moving back down to the base again.“Do you like that? Do you like how soft and smooth and wet I feel?”My mouth was dry as I answered her: “God, Des, I love it!”“I love rubbing myself all over you!” she said in a happy, sexy voice. I opened my eyes and she was gazing directly at me, her hands braced on her knees as she rocked herself back and forth along the underside of my shaft. Each time she reached the sensitive spot below the head, a pulse of precum leapt from my cock in response.“Des!” I said urgently, feeling the flutter of an approaching orgasm.“I know, I know, but it’s fun to tease you!” she said. Then she rose up, allowing the cool air to soothe the dangerous throbbing of my cock. She scooted forward a little more to straddle my chest. Lowering herself again, she rubbed the silky lips of her cunt on stomach, then on my chest as she eased higher. When her thighs were on either side of my head, I couldn’t help but lick her instantly from bottom to top. She gasped and pulled away.“Hey; you already had your turn!” she said indignantly. “Now I get mine!”With a quick, graceful move, she pivoted her body around, keeping her hips high enough so that her cunt was out of range of my tongue. She kissed my stomach, then trailed her hair across it, lower and lower with each swoop until it was tickling my thighs. Her left hand moved to brace herself on the towel while the other wrapped around my shaft again. She lifted it up to a 45 degree angle, perfectly aligned with her torso, and took me into her mouth.My rolled back with pleasure. I loved this position; it let Des take me as deeply as she wanted without awkward angles or pressure. She made the most of it; nothing fancy, but she sucked steadily and her lips moved from tip to base in one effortless motion. I could feel the restrictive heat at the back of her throat for a second, then she pulled back. A quick breath and she did it again. With each stroke, she squeezed my shaft as she rose and flattened her hand out of the way when she descended. I moaned happily and lifted my hands to hold her hips as they hovered above me.“Fuck, Des, that feels so good!”She hummed happily in response, which gave me a shiver of pleasure. Desiree’s motion was tireless, and I began to thrust upward a bit, knowing that I couldn’t hold back much longer. That signal was clear to her as well, and she paused to look back at me.“Do you want to cum?” she asked, squeezing my cock rhythmically.“I have to cum, Des, I have to cum in your mouth!” I gasped.“OK, I’m ready for that!” she smiled. Then she turned back and resumed her suction.Another dozen strokes and I was ready. My orgasm hit just as her mouth descended, and I arched myself up unconsciously. For a moment, my cock slipped past the ring of her throat and I could feel the twitching of her gag reflex against the sensitive head. The first jet of sperm flew directly down her throat, but she recovered quickly and pulled back, holding just the head between her lips and sucking frantically, pumping my shaft to milk out every drop. I could feel her swallowing as pulse after pulse threatened to overflow her mouth.Slowly, my hips fell back onto the towel. Des kept sucking steadily as my cock began to soften, and her tongue snaked all around to make sure she didn’t miss any of my cum. When she finally released me with a pop, I was completely spent. She planted a kiss on the underside of my cock, drawing a twitch in response that made her giggle. Then she turned herself around again and laid her head on my chest, her hand still wrapped around my spent shaft.“That was so amazing!” I murmured into her hair.“That was the most cum ever!” she said with a snort and a laugh.“Well, you are an exciting woman,” I told her, “so it’s kind of your fault. It’s all that teasing, too.&rd

Episode 118 - Discovering Your Life Plan and Stepping into Your Destiny! Guy Needler explores how life plans and free will work together, the role of the ego and how we can consciously become masters of our own path.Disclaimer: Please note that all information and content on the UK Health Radio Network, all its radio broadcasts and podcasts are provided by the authors, producers, presenters and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge. As a service to our listeners/readers our programs/content are for general information and entertainment only.  The UK Health Radio Network does not recommend, endorse, or object to the views, products or topics expressed or discussed by show hosts or their guests, authors and interviewees.  We suggest you always consult with your own professional – personal, medical, financial or legal advisor. So please do not delay or disregard any professional – personal, medical, financial or legal advice received due to something you have heard or read on the UK Health Radio Network.

Finally connecting with a high-school friend.By outdoorhorny. Listen to the ►Podcast at Steamy Stories.Desiree should have been born in the 60’s. Everything about her reflected a kinder, gentler, and groovier vibe than the 90’s were comfortable with; in short, she was a hippie. She wore patterned peasant skirts, thin cotton T-shirts with mandalas and such, beads all over the place, Birkenstocks, and course, a peace-sign medallion. All of these things drew my eyes to her right away, but they in no way hid the luscious body beneath and behind them. She had long brown hair that fell in soft curls below her shoulders. Her eyes were dark brown, her lips deep red and shaped like Cupid’s bow. Full tits and wide hips stretched her garments tight in all the right places. Best of all, her skin was translucent and flawless, even in the dead of winter.We were both new students in school during our senior year. She had been kicked out of boarding school, and my parents had retired to a small town in the eastern part of the state. That made us the only 2 students in our grade who hadn’t been there all 4 years. Actually, the rest of the student body pretty much grew up together, but since the high school served 3 towns, only a third of them had been in school together all 12 years previously. Still, it was enough to make us feel like total outsiders.That alone was enough to bond us, but we also had a lot of classes together. There were only small sections of upper-level classes in English, history, math, French, and science, and we were in all those together. She was always somewhat spacey, but a good student, a good lab partner and homework buddy, and a pleasure to talk to, even if the conversations took odd turns.She was dating a guy named David who had already graduated. I spent the fall pursuing the only other single girl in our upper-level group, but she was still kind of seeing her old boyfriend from a few towns away, so that wasn’t a regular thing. We all went to the same parties, hung out after soccer and basketball games, and went to the nearest big town once in a while for some wild nights of pizza or McDonalds and a movie.It wasn’t until winter came that I realized how badly I wanted to be with Desiree. There was a lot of snow that winter, and she called one afternoon to tell me that her 18th birthday party was moved from the Science Museum to her own house; that way, no one had to drive 45 minutes in bad weather.When I got there, Des was dressed up for a change. There was still a hippie vibe to her outfit, but her parents had friends over as well, and everyone was dressed for a holiday party. It turned out that her family had scheduled both things, but combined them to save everyone a drive. Anyway, she looked amazing; her hair was silky and somewhat straighter, she had on a little makeup, and her outfit made her look older and more beautiful. I was glad I had taken some pains to dress up as well; some of our friends didn’t get the memo and showed up in our usual teenage gear. She told me how nice I looked, and I made sure to compliment her as well.Because of my mother’s job, I was accustomed to spending time with adults at parties like this one. I chatted with her parents, and with some other adults who were parents of kids at school, or people I had met around town. Even the damn principal of the high school was there, which was a little weird for all of us! I saw Desiree working her way around the room as well, and my eyes kept straying her way as I admired her outfit, her flashing eyes, and the soft ripples of laughter that I knew so well. She caught me looking every once in a while and smiled at me.When I finally broke away to hang out with my friends, her mom stopped me to say how glad she was that I had come. She complimented my poise, told me I was very grown up, and gave me a peck on the cheek. I grimaced, blushed, and thanked her before disengaging as gracefully as I could. When I got out of the kitchen and headed for the den where the kids were hanging out, Desiree was headed out as well.“Wow; you’re quite the hit with the mom-and-dad crowd, dude” she teased me.“Just working the room, ya know?” I said in my most pompous voice.“I’m sorry if my mom embarrassed you,” she said apologetically. “She can be kinda over the top. I keep trying to get her to mellow out, but she always comes out with something trippy!”“No problem; I can handle moms pretty well. My mom used to drag me to parties all the time for her old job, and you just kind of get used to the chit-chat.”“Well,” she began, taking my arm, “I was very impressed with your poise!”I blushed again. “Oh, you heard that, did ya?”She laughed happily and squeezed my arm, her tits pressing against me closely.“Yes, I did. I was thinking how grown-up you were, too. When I noticed you checking me out, I kept thinking it was some creepy older guy, but then it was you, and it just made me feel good.”I had no idea what to say to that, so I fell back on flattery.“Des,” I told her, “I’m sorry about that, you just looked so beautiful and natural chatting away with all those people that I couldn’t help but look at you!”A pleased smile appeared, and she squeezed me again.“Does that mean you didn’t think I was beautiful before?”“Oh, no, not at all!” Did I mention I was far from smooth back in those days?“So tell me, dude, how long have you been thinking I was beautiful?”At that point, I realized that she was completely messing with me, but I couldn’t stop myself.“Since day one of school,” I told her earnestly.I think my serious tone took her aback somewhat, but again the pleased smile appeared.“So it wasn’t just because I’m all dressed up and wearing makeup instead of being my usual crunchy self?” she asked. This time, the teasing quality of her voice was more apparent.“Nope. Crunchy Des is beautiful all the time, I just never get a chance to tell you.”“I can see why you’re such a hit with the moms,” she murmured just before we entered the den.She let go of me to rejoin the group, and we relaxed into our usual roles, joking around as a group and devouring the pizzas her mom had ordered for us. We stayed there for three or four hours, watched a movie, and at the cake her mom brought in. All in all, a good birthday party.The adults had drifted off before the movie ended, so the house was quiet when Desiree’s party was over. Everyone hit the road, but I stayed behind to say goodbye to her parents; again, my mother’s training was kicking in. She thanked me again for spending time with the grown-ups and, to me embarrassment, gave me another peck on the cheek, turned me around toward Des, and said, “Isn’t he great?” in a loud voice. “And handsome?”“Oh, he certainly is!” Des affirmed, desperately trying to keep a straight face.“Well, goodnight, thanks again for having me,” I muttered and headed for the door.Des caught me before I got my coat on completely. She grabbed my arm in the hallway, her eyes filled with laughter.“I’m sorry; I’m sorry! I couldn’t resist!”“No big deal,” I assured her somewhat truthfully. “It’s your mom; she’s just a little, ”“I know. I’m sorry. But she was right about one thing, ”“You Are very great and handsome,” she said softly. Then she stepped forward and planted a soft kiss on my lips. Her eyes were deep and serious, and she pulled back a few inches, watching me, waiting for my reaction.“Des,” I replied in a low voice, “I was serious when I said you look beautiful all the time. I’ve always thought so, it’s just that tonight, I saw you looking beautiful in a different way and it made me realize, ” My words trailed off.“Realize what?” she asked, holding herself just inches from my face.“How much I want to do this,” I told her, crossing the space between us and kissing her back, letting my arms wrap naturally around her slender waist.Des hummed happily, then broke our kiss to smile up at me. “Far out!” she said softly.Her mom was still moving around the living room and kitchen collecting glasses, so Des urged me out onto the broad bluestone steps and closed the door behind us. The outside lights were on and it felt like snow again. I pulled my coat all the way on, then opened the front and she stepped gratefully into the shelter it offered her from the cold. Her body was warm and lush against mine, and I felt every curve plastered against me as our lips met again.Away from prying eyes, her lips parted quickly and her tongue darted playfully into my mouth. I responded in kind, and our eyes closed for what seemed like an endless moment as we shared that thrilling rise of passion for the first time. I could feel my whole body responding, and Des shifted her weight, clearly feeling the same ripples of pleasure in her core.“I’ve got to help my mom,” she said apologetically.“I’ve got to get home, too,” I told her. “I don’t want to go, though, ”“I know, I don’t want you to go!”Stepping back into me, Des kissed me hard one more time, then pulled back and looked at me sadly. “I guess we’ll have to finish this some other time,” she said.“Yeah, definitely!” I said urgently.“Come back tomorrow if it doesn’t snow,” she said quietly.She smiled, then stepped back and opened the door. I watched her go and then turned down the icy stairs. Driving home, my mind was filled with possibilities, and I was grinning like an idiot.Thankfully, there was only a dusting of new snow when I got up the next day. I told my parents I would be hanging out with Desiree and working on a lab report. They nodded, told me to be careful and be home for dinner, and went back to whatever they were doing.The twisty back roads were gritty with salt and sand as I raced toward Des’s house. Pulling into the driveway, I noticed fresh tracks from the garage to the street. When I tapped the bird-shaped knocker, there was a long pause before I saw a flash of movement through the prisms of glass beside the door. I heard a click, and the door swung open a few inches. I could see one of Desiree’s dark eyes, a trace of a smile on her lips, a cloud of brown hair framing her face, a flash of bare thigh, and a thick bathrobe belted tightly at her waist.“Yes?” she asked in an imperious tone, raising an eyebrow playfully.“Good morning, miss,” I said earnestly. “Is your mom home? She told me yesterday that I should come by this morning. I believe that I was so poised and well-spoken at her party that she wanted to spend some more time with me, ”“You’re disgusting!” Des snorted, swinging the door open wider. “You probably would go after my mom!”“Not when you’re here,” I told her, stepping close once the door was closed behind me.Desiree grabbed the lapels of my winter coat and pushed them back off my shoulders. As the coat slid down my arms, she closed the distance between us, pressing her warm body against mine. Our lips met, softly at first and then with increasing passion.“Come upstairs,” she said after pulling back to catch her breath.“Parents?” I asked.“Gone for the day” she replied with a wicked smile.“Good!” I said fervently. “Let’s go!”She turned with a smile and a swirl of dark hair. Her bare feet were almost silent on the wooden treads as she flew up the central staircase. My hiking boots left melting snow behind as I rushed after her. I almost tripped because I was trying to run upstairs and watch her enchantingly bare legs as I went; the bathrobe was long, but I could see a lot of her beautiful form from that angle.When I got to her room, Desiree was standing on the far side, the neatly made double bed between us. Posters, tapestries, dried flowers, and a lingering whiff of sandalwood competed for and lost my attention as I halted just inside the door.“You can come in,” she said mockingly, a trace of that same sexy smile on her lips.I walked to the edge of the bed opposite her.“This is where I wanted to bring you last night,” she said. “Once I saw you with my mom, ”“Don’t start. I was just being nice, but I’m glad you noticed me, finally!”“I always noticed you, we just had other stuff going on.”“Yeah,” I replied with my usual brilliance.“So now, ” she began.“Now I’m all yours!” I told her with my best smile.“Good. I want to show you something!”I nodded and told her “Anything you want!”Her smile grew wider. Then she lifted on knee up onto the bedspread.“After you left last night, I came up here when everything was done.”She leaned forward and put her palms flat on the covers. Her other foot came off the floor, and she drew herself toward the middle of the bed, sitting with her knees together, feet tucked under her, and the bathrobe lying in soft folds on her lap. My eyes were drawn to her bare thighs, then moved slowly upward, taking in the swell of her full tits under the thick terry cloth. When I reached her face, I noticed both a smirk on her lips and a smoking, sensual glimmer in her eyes.“I was wishing you were here with me,” she continued. “So I threw my clothes over there.” She gestured with her chin, and I glanced at the outfit she wore last night piled in reverse order on the chair. “And then I climbed into bed, ”Her hands pulled slowly on the bathrobe belt. When it came undone, the lapels fell apart a few inches, drawing my eyes to the soft valley of her cleavage. Desiree shrugged her shoulders then, and the soft fabric slipped back off her shoulders. Her hands came up to cover her tits as they were exposed, but she kept up her narration.“And I started thinking about what I would do if you were with me, ”I stood there in awe as she used her palms to graze her nipples, making small circles without fully revealing herself to me.“I got so fucking horny!” she said more intensely. Her hands fell away from her chest, and as she shoved the bathrobe off her lap and away behind her, my heart beat faster and I drank in the sight of her tits: pale globes with dark, tight nipples and wide areolas. They were as gorgeous as my teenage fantasies had imagined them, and my hands itched to reach for them.Des dropped her hands to her lap then, and shifted herself to widen the space between her knees. I followed the motion and was treated to a glimpse of dark curls before one hand blocked my view. I thought for a moment she was being modest, but then I noticed her hand moving slowly, caressing herself with slight up and down motion.“Just thinking about having you up here last night made me want you so badly, I ended up sitting just like this, wishing it was you playing with my boobs, and I was touching myself like this.”Her free hand came up and I saw her pinch her own nipple delicately, twisting it as she did. Her other hand pressed more firmly into the shadowy depths of her lap, and I knew her fingers were curled underneath her, stroking the furry lips of her cunt.“Show me, ” I whispered, finally contributing to the conversation.Des smiled again and rose up to her full kneeling height. From knees to neck, her body was a symphony of pale olive skin and alluring curves. She kept her hands in place, but seemed to savor my admiration while I took in the narrow waist, the long muscles of her thighs, and the rippling bounce of her tits.Again, she spoke as she played with herself: “My nipples got really hard thinking about you pinching them, and I started playing with my clit because I was already so wet for you!”Looking down, I saw that she had two fingers extended and they were making tight circles at the base of her mound.“Sometimes, ” she resumed, “I put my fingers inside to get them wetter.” Her hand curled lower for a moment and then went back to lavishing attention on her most sensitive spot. “Is that what you would have done to me last night?”“God, yes!” I told her immediately. She smiled, but I wanted to raise the stakes a little more.“I would have started like that, Des, I wish I could have come upstairs and seen you naked like this! I would have kissed every inch of you and pinched your nipples and rubbed your clit exactly the way you’re doing it now!”“What else?” she asked in an urgent whisper, her back arching a bit and her eyes half-closed.“I would have pushed you back, though, so I could taste you,” I said.“Umm, I love that idea!” she assured me with a sexy smile.Her hand left her lap and she brought the two fingers she had been using to play with herself up to her lips. “I do that all the time!” she said happily before licking each finger individually. Then she sucked them both at once, slowly getting every trace of her juices off.As I stood beside the bed and watched this erotic display, my cock was achingly hard inside my jeans. I could think of nothing to say; my mind was gripped by the show in front of me, and I was fantasizing about those beautiful lips sucking me instead, and I was imagining the taste as well.Fortunately, Des kept things moving forward. “When I was thinking about what I wanted you to do to me last night,” she began, “you weren’t wearing all those clothes!”As quickly as I could, I unlaced my boots, shucked off my jeans and underwear, and whipped both sweater and T-shirt over my head. All this was hampered by the face that Des was naked in front of me and I couldn’t pull my eyes away from her!When I was as bare as she was, Desiree took the initiative again. Bracing her hands on the bedspread, she slipped her feet in front of her and moved them off the bed. Her legs parted even more as she scooted forward until her ass was just on the edge of the mattress. This position revealed her fully; wide-open thighs framed the neatly groomed, silky curls that covered her mound and along each side of her opening. Her earlier actions had turned her on, and her inner lips glistened with her arousal.“What were you going to do to me?” she asked enticingly.In a heartbeat, I fell to my knees on the soft rug beside her bed. My hands went to her inner thighs, pushing them wider apart while my thumbs did the same for her labia. Leaning in, I licked her from bottom to top, my tongue broad as I repeatedly lapped up her juices.Desiree groaned with pleasure, and her arms wrapped around my head, pulling me into her.“Oh, fuck!” she exclaimed. “Fuck me with your tongue!&rdquo

Finally connecting with a high-school friend.By outdoorhorny. Listen to the ►Podcast at Steamy Stories.Desiree should have been born in the 60’s. Everything about her reflected a kinder, gentler, and groovier vibe than the 90’s were comfortable with; in short, she was a hippie. She wore patterned peasant skirts, thin cotton T-shirts with mandalas and such, beads all over the place, Birkenstocks, and course, a peace-sign medallion. All of these things drew my eyes to her right away, but they in no way hid the luscious body beneath and behind them. She had long brown hair that fell in soft curls below her shoulders. Her eyes were dark brown, her lips deep red and shaped like Cupid’s bow. Full tits and wide hips stretched her garments tight in all the right places. Best of all, her skin was translucent and flawless, even in the dead of winter.We were both new students in school during our senior year. She had been kicked out of boarding school, and my parents had retired to a small town in the eastern part of the state. That made us the only 2 students in our grade who hadn’t been there all 4 years. Actually, the rest of the student body pretty much grew up together, but since the high school served 3 towns, only a third of them had been in school together all 12 years previously. Still, it was enough to make us feel like total outsiders.That alone was enough to bond us, but we also had a lot of classes together. There were only small sections of upper-level classes in English, history, math, French, and science, and we were in all those together. She was always somewhat spacey, but a good student, a good lab partner and homework buddy, and a pleasure to talk to, even if the conversations took odd turns.She was dating a guy named David who had already graduated. I spent the fall pursuing the only other single girl in our upper-level group, but she was still kind of seeing her old boyfriend from a few towns away, so that wasn’t a regular thing. We all went to the same parties, hung out after soccer and basketball games, and went to the nearest big town once in a while for some wild nights of pizza or McDonalds and a movie.It wasn’t until winter came that I realized how badly I wanted to be with Desiree. There was a lot of snow that winter, and she called one afternoon to tell me that her 18th birthday party was moved from the Science Museum to her own house; that way, no one had to drive 45 minutes in bad weather.When I got there, Des was dressed up for a change. There was still a hippie vibe to her outfit, but her parents had friends over as well, and everyone was dressed for a holiday party. It turned out that her family had scheduled both things, but combined them to save everyone a drive. Anyway, she looked amazing; her hair was silky and somewhat straighter, she had on a little makeup, and her outfit made her look older and more beautiful. I was glad I had taken some pains to dress up as well; some of our friends didn’t get the memo and showed up in our usual teenage gear. She told me how nice I looked, and I made sure to compliment her as well.Because of my mother’s job, I was accustomed to spending time with adults at parties like this one. I chatted with her parents, and with some other adults who were parents of kids at school, or people I had met around town. Even the damn principal of the high school was there, which was a little weird for all of us! I saw Desiree working her way around the room as well, and my eyes kept straying her way as I admired her outfit, her flashing eyes, and the soft ripples of laughter that I knew so well. She caught me looking every once in a while and smiled at me.When I finally broke away to hang out with my friends, her mom stopped me to say how glad she was that I had come. She complimented my poise, told me I was very grown up, and gave me a peck on the cheek. I grimaced, blushed, and thanked her before disengaging as gracefully as I could. When I got out of the kitchen and headed for the den where the kids were hanging out, Desiree was headed out as well.“Wow; you’re quite the hit with the mom-and-dad crowd, dude” she teased me.“Just working the room, ya know?” I said in my most pompous voice.“I’m sorry if my mom embarrassed you,” she said apologetically. “She can be kinda over the top. I keep trying to get her to mellow out, but she always comes out with something trippy!”“No problem; I can handle moms pretty well. My mom used to drag me to parties all the time for her old job, and you just kind of get used to the chit-chat.”“Well,” she began, taking my arm, “I was very impressed with your poise!”I blushed again. “Oh, you heard that, did ya?”She laughed happily and squeezed my arm, her tits pressing against me closely.“Yes, I did. I was thinking how grown-up you were, too. When I noticed you checking me out, I kept thinking it was some creepy older guy, but then it was you, and it just made me feel good.”I had no idea what to say to that, so I fell back on flattery.“Des,” I told her, “I’m sorry about that, you just looked so beautiful and natural chatting away with all those people that I couldn’t help but look at you!”A pleased smile appeared, and she squeezed me again.“Does that mean you didn’t think I was beautiful before?”“Oh, no, not at all!” Did I mention I was far from smooth back in those days?“So tell me, dude, how long have you been thinking I was beautiful?”At that point, I realized that she was completely messing with me, but I couldn’t stop myself.“Since day one of school,” I told her earnestly.I think my serious tone took her aback somewhat, but again the pleased smile appeared.“So it wasn’t just because I’m all dressed up and wearing makeup instead of being my usual crunchy self?” she asked. This time, the teasing quality of her voice was more apparent.“Nope. Crunchy Des is beautiful all the time, I just never get a chance to tell you.”“I can see why you’re such a hit with the moms,” she murmured just before we entered the den.She let go of me to rejoin the group, and we relaxed into our usual roles, joking around as a group and devouring the pizzas her mom had ordered for us. We stayed there for three or four hours, watched a movie, and at the cake her mom brought in. All in all, a good birthday party.The adults had drifted off before the movie ended, so the house was quiet when Desiree’s party was over. Everyone hit the road, but I stayed behind to say goodbye to her parents; again, my mother’s training was kicking in. She thanked me again for spending time with the grown-ups and, to me embarrassment, gave me another peck on the cheek, turned me around toward Des, and said, “Isn’t he great?” in a loud voice. “And handsome?”“Oh, he certainly is!” Des affirmed, desperately trying to keep a straight face.“Well, goodnight, thanks again for having me,” I muttered and headed for the door.Des caught me before I got my coat on completely. She grabbed my arm in the hallway, her eyes filled with laughter.“I’m sorry; I’m sorry! I couldn’t resist!”“No big deal,” I assured her somewhat truthfully. “It’s your mom; she’s just a little, ”“I know. I’m sorry. But she was right about one thing, ”“You Are very great and handsome,” she said softly. Then she stepped forward and planted a soft kiss on my lips. Her eyes were deep and serious, and she pulled back a few inches, watching me, waiting for my reaction.“Des,” I replied in a low voice, “I was serious when I said you look beautiful all the time. I’ve always thought so, it’s just that tonight, I saw you looking beautiful in a different way and it made me realize, ” My words trailed off.“Realize what?” she asked, holding herself just inches from my face.“How much I want to do this,” I told her, crossing the space between us and kissing her back, letting my arms wrap naturally around her slender waist.Des hummed happily, then broke our kiss to smile up at me. “Far out!” she said softly.Her mom was still moving around the living room and kitchen collecting glasses, so Des urged me out onto the broad bluestone steps and closed the door behind us. The outside lights were on and it felt like snow again. I pulled my coat all the way on, then opened the front and she stepped gratefully into the shelter it offered her from the cold. Her body was warm and lush against mine, and I felt every curve plastered against me as our lips met again.Away from prying eyes, her lips parted quickly and her tongue darted playfully into my mouth. I responded in kind, and our eyes closed for what seemed like an endless moment as we shared that thrilling rise of passion for the first time. I could feel my whole body responding, and Des shifted her weight, clearly feeling the same ripples of pleasure in her core.“I’ve got to help my mom,” she said apologetically.“I’ve got to get home, too,” I told her. “I don’t want to go, though, ”“I know, I don’t want you to go!”Stepping back into me, Des kissed me hard one more time, then pulled back and looked at me sadly. “I guess we’ll have to finish this some other time,” she said.“Yeah, definitely!” I said urgently.“Come back tomorrow if it doesn’t snow,” she said quietly.She smiled, then stepped back and opened the door. I watched her go and then turned down the icy stairs. Driving home, my mind was filled with possibilities, and I was grinning like an idiot.Thankfully, there was only a dusting of new snow when I got up the next day. I told my parents I would be hanging out with Desiree and working on a lab report. They nodded, told me to be careful and be home for dinner, and went back to whatever they were doing.The twisty back roads were gritty with salt and sand as I raced toward Des’s house. Pulling into the driveway, I noticed fresh tracks from the garage to the street. When I tapped the bird-shaped knocker, there was a long pause before I saw a flash of movement through the prisms of glass beside the door. I heard a click, and the door swung open a few inches. I could see one of Desiree’s dark eyes, a trace of a smile on her lips, a cloud of brown hair framing her face, a flash of bare thigh, and a thick bathrobe belted tightly at her waist.“Yes?” she asked in an imperious tone, raising an eyebrow playfully.“Good morning, miss,” I said earnestly. “Is your mom home? She told me yesterday that I should come by this morning. I believe that I was so poised and well-spoken at her party that she wanted to spend some more time with me, ”“You’re disgusting!” Des snorted, swinging the door open wider. “You probably would go after my mom!”“Not when you’re here,” I told her, stepping close once the door was closed behind me.Desiree grabbed the lapels of my winter coat and pushed them back off my shoulders. As the coat slid down my arms, she closed the distance between us, pressing her warm body against mine. Our lips met, softly at first and then with increasing passion.“Come upstairs,” she said after pulling back to catch her breath.“Parents?” I asked.“Gone for the day” she replied with a wicked smile.“Good!” I said fervently. “Let’s go!”She turned with a smile and a swirl of dark hair. Her bare feet were almost silent on the wooden treads as she flew up the central staircase. My hiking boots left melting snow behind as I rushed after her. I almost tripped because I was trying to run upstairs and watch her enchantingly bare legs as I went; the bathrobe was long, but I could see a lot of her beautiful form from that angle.When I got to her room, Desiree was standing on the far side, the neatly made double bed between us. Posters, tapestries, dried flowers, and a lingering whiff of sandalwood competed for and lost my attention as I halted just inside the door.“You can come in,” she said mockingly, a trace of that same sexy smile on her lips.I walked to the edge of the bed opposite her.“This is where I wanted to bring you last night,” she said. “Once I saw you with my mom, ”“Don’t start. I was just being nice, but I’m glad you noticed me, finally!”“I always noticed you, we just had other stuff going on.”“Yeah,” I replied with my usual brilliance.“So now, ” she began.“Now I’m all yours!” I told her with my best smile.“Good. I want to show you something!”I nodded and told her “Anything you want!”Her smile grew wider. Then she lifted on knee up onto the bedspread.“After you left last night, I came up here when everything was done.”She leaned forward and put her palms flat on the covers. Her other foot came off the floor, and she drew herself toward the middle of the bed, sitting with her knees together, feet tucked under her, and the bathrobe lying in soft folds on her lap. My eyes were drawn to her bare thighs, then moved slowly upward, taking in the swell of her full tits under the thick terry cloth. When I reached her face, I noticed both a smirk on her lips and a smoking, sensual glimmer in her eyes.“I was wishing you were here with me,” she continued. “So I threw my clothes over there.” She gestured with her chin, and I glanced at the outfit she wore last night piled in reverse order on the chair. “And then I climbed into bed, ”Her hands pulled slowly on the bathrobe belt. When it came undone, the lapels fell apart a few inches, drawing my eyes to the soft valley of her cleavage. Desiree shrugged her shoulders then, and the soft fabric slipped back off her shoulders. Her hands came up to cover her tits as they were exposed, but she kept up her narration.“And I started thinking about what I would do if you were with me, ”I stood there in awe as she used her palms to graze her nipples, making small circles without fully revealing herself to me.“I got so fucking horny!” she said more intensely. Her hands fell away from her chest, and as she shoved the bathrobe off her lap and away behind her, my heart beat faster and I drank in the sight of her tits: pale globes with dark, tight nipples and wide areolas. They were as gorgeous as my teenage fantasies had imagined them, and my hands itched to reach for them.Des dropped her hands to her lap then, and shifted herself to widen the space between her knees. I followed the motion and was treated to a glimpse of dark curls before one hand blocked my view. I thought for a moment she was being modest, but then I noticed her hand moving slowly, caressing herself with slight up and down motion.“Just thinking about having you up here last night made me want you so badly, I ended up sitting just like this, wishing it was you playing with my boobs, and I was touching myself like this.”Her free hand came up and I saw her pinch her own nipple delicately, twisting it as she did. Her other hand pressed more firmly into the shadowy depths of her lap, and I knew her fingers were curled underneath her, stroking the furry lips of her cunt.“Show me, ” I whispered, finally contributing to the conversation.Des smiled again and rose up to her full kneeling height. From knees to neck, her body was a symphony of pale olive skin and alluring curves. She kept her hands in place, but seemed to savor my admiration while I took in the narrow waist, the long muscles of her thighs, and the rippling bounce of her tits.Again, she spoke as she played with herself: “My nipples got really hard thinking about you pinching them, and I started playing with my clit because I was already so wet for you!”Looking down, I saw that she had two fingers extended and they were making tight circles at the base of her mound.“Sometimes, ” she resumed, “I put my fingers inside to get them wetter.” Her hand curled lower for a moment and then went back to lavishing attention on her most sensitive spot. “Is that what you would have done to me last night?”“God, yes!” I told her immediately. She smiled, but I wanted to raise the stakes a little more.“I would have started like that, Des, I wish I could have come upstairs and seen you naked like this! I would have kissed every inch of you and pinched your nipples and rubbed your clit exactly the way you’re doing it now!”“What else?” she asked in an urgent whisper, her back arching a bit and her eyes half-closed.“I would have pushed you back, though, so I could taste you,” I said.“Umm, I love that idea!” she assured me with a sexy smile.Her hand left her lap and she brought the two fingers she had been using to play with herself up to her lips. “I do that all the time!” she said happily before licking each finger individually. Then she sucked them both at once, slowly getting every trace of her juices off.As I stood beside the bed and watched this erotic display, my cock was achingly hard inside my jeans. I could think of nothing to say; my mind was gripped by the show in front of me, and I was fantasizing about those beautiful lips sucking me instead, and I was imagining the taste as well.Fortunately, Des kept things moving forward. “When I was thinking about what I wanted you to do to me last night,” she began, “you weren’t wearing all those clothes!”As quickly as I could, I unlaced my boots, shucked off my jeans and underwear, and whipped both sweater and T-shirt over my head. All this was hampered by the face that Des was naked in front of me and I couldn’t pull my eyes away from her!When I was as bare as she was, Desiree took the initiative again. Bracing her hands on the bedspread, she slipped her feet in front of her and moved them off the bed. Her legs parted even more as she scooted forward until her ass was just on the edge of the mattress. This position revealed her fully; wide-open thighs framed the neatly groomed, silky curls that covered her mound and along each side of her opening. Her earlier actions had turned her on, and her inner lips glistened with her arousal.“What were you going to do to me?” she asked enticingly.In a heartbeat, I fell to my knees on the soft rug beside her bed. My hands went to her inner thighs, pushing them wider apart while my thumbs did the same for her labia. Leaning in, I licked her from bottom to top, my tongue broad as I repeatedly lapped up her juices.Desiree groaned with pleasure, and her arms wrapped around my head, pulling me into her.“Oh, fuck!” she exclaimed. “Fuck me with your tongue!&rdquo

This episode is a powerful reminder to listen before life forces the lesson.After 26 years in law enforcement, raising triplets, and living with chronic pain from a hip injury, Kim reached a breaking point on April 10, 2020. That moment became her vow to become her own hero.

From Unconscious Loops to Empowered AgencyEpisode Summary:Are you running your life, or are your habits running you? In this episode, we dive deep into the "muscle memory of the mind" and how to find the leverage necessary to live no other way. We explore the five primary triggers—Location, Time, Emotional State, Other People, and Preceding Actions—and how to build the guardrails that protect your energy and your "Why."Watch it here https://youtu.be/W_XjbC4dRbIThe Catalyst Toolkit: Habits & AlignmentAs an Empowerment Catalyst, I don't just talk the talk—I walk the path. Here is how I am staying grounded and aligned during my current 21-day manifestation cycle.Current 21-Day Catalyst Goals (Day 9/21):Connection & Community: Reaching out to 10 people daily to nurture my 4/1 network and bridge the gap between "hustling" and "being."Conscious Nourishment: Tracking daily fuel via MyFitnessPal to move from unconscious snacking to intentional vitality.The Daily Alignment Affirmations:"I am not a victim of my triggers; I am the architect of my responses.""My energy is a sacred resource; I honour it by setting boundaries that fuel my soul.""I move with the rhythm of my Emotional Generator strategy—waiting for clarity, then acting with conviction."Catalyst Gratitudes:For the Support Circle: Deep gratitude for the steady presence of my nearest and dearest.For the Vision: The lakeside cottage with the year-round pool—my mortgage-free sanctuary—is already real in my mind.For the Body: Gratitude for the moments of ease and the resilience to lead even through the flares of neuralgia.The Empowerment Habit Tracker (For Your Week)Use this "Catalyst-Approved" framework to audit your own loops this week:Trigger Category: The "Old" Habit Loop. The "New" Catalyst Response: Location. Feeling "stuck" at the desk.Stepping outside to recalibrate my sensory input.TimeThe 3:00 PM energy slump.High-protein fuel and a 5-minute gratitude reset.Emotional StateMasking stress with humor.Pausing to ask: "What is my authentic self feeling?"Other People Pushing "uphill" to please others. Responding only when I have a "defined" YES.Catalyst Reflection: Asking the Hard QuestionsBefore our next session, grab your journal and ask yourself the questions from my booking form:On a scale of 1-10, how much of your daily energy is spent "hustling" vs. "being"?Does your stress show up as physical symptoms or sensory overwhelm?What is the biggest thing stopping you from being your most authentic self today?Resources & Connection:

On today's episode, we welcome Mike Glick, CEO of NIMA Partners — the company behind the next-generation portable gluten sensor designed to deliver real-time food testing with 99% accuracy across major gluten sources. With growing demand for food transparency and consumer diagnostics, NIMA is helping reshape how people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity confidently navigate what they eat.Mike's journey to leading NIMA Partners has been rooted in a career focused on improving nutrition, safety, and health outcomes. Prior to joining NIMA, he led and scaled multiple food allergy and nutrition startups including Goode Health, Else Nutrition, and SpoonfulOne — the latter acquired by Nestlé. Earlier in his career, Mike spent over a decade at Abbott and began professionally in supply chain consulting after studying Business and Engineering at the University of Illinois and earning his MBA from Wake Forest University. Stepping into NIMA in 2025, he has been instrumental in relaunching the business at a moment when consumer trust and verification in food have never been more important.In this episode, Mike shares why he transitioned from packaged foods to food-tech diagnostics, the powerful consumer problem NIMA's sensor is solving, and what has changed in gluten testing since the company first launched. We discuss the prevalence of celiac disease, how people manage risk today, and the emotional impact of having real-time answers about what's on your plate. Mike also talks about leadership, measuring success, recognizing the right moment to move forward, and why standing still is rarely an option. A thoughtful conversation for founders, operators, health innovators, and anyone interested in the future of transparency in the food system. Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at karagoldin@gmail.com. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks. To learn more about Mike Glick and NIMA Partners:https://www.nimapartners.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/glick/https://www.linkedin.com/company/nima-partnershttps://www.instagram.com/nimapartners/ Sponsored By:NerdWallet - Go to NerdWallet.com/KARAGOLDIN to find the funding you deserve. Check out our website to view this episode's show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/803

Stepping into the world of medieval sword collections and vampire love stories, Steffanie Holmes is the author of over 50 books and she's legally blind.

Are you building your business from alignment or from pressure? In this episode, I share 7 things I'm not doing in my business; even though the internet says I should. From posting daily and niching down further, to scaling faster and launching constantly, we're unpacking the online "rules" that often lead to burnout instead of sustainability. If you're an entrepreneur, creative, or small business owner feeling overwhelmed by business advice, today's episode will help you rethink growth, visibility, and success on your own terms. I talk about: Why posting every day isn't the only growth strategy The truth about niching down Depth vs scale in business Why constant launching can create pressure The danger of building from fear If you've ever felt behind, not strategic enough, or like you're not doing "enough" then this episode is your permission to pause and choose alignment over algorithms.   Key Takeaways Not all "shoulds" are aligned with your vision: Just because something works for someone else doesn't mean it's right for you. Strategy without alignment leads to burnout. Depth can be more powerful than scale: Bigger isn't always better. Building for impact, connection and sustainability may serve you more than chasing numbers. Consistency doesn't have to mean constant: You don't have to post daily, launch quarterly, or pivot with every trend. Intentional visibility can be more powerful than relentless output. Fear shouldn't be your business strategy: Many online "rules" are rooted in fear; fear of irrelevance, slow growth, or being left behind. Building from alignment creates longevity.   Episode Highlights 00:00 – Why I'm questioning business "shoulds" 01:35 – Not posting every day 03:10 – Not niching down into something microscopic 05:00 – Choosing depth over scale 06:45 – Stepping off the launch treadmill 08:10 – Not chasing trends 09:30 – Not outsourcing everything (yet) 10:45 – Why I refuse to build from fear 12:00 – Final thoughts: Choosing alignment over noise   I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! If you like to watch your podcasts you can watch all of my solo episodes including this one on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This episode is a re-run. It was originally published in July 2024.Most subcontractors are stuck on the tools when they should be building the business.There is a point where hard work stops growing the company and starts trapping the owner inside it.In this episode, we unpack why stepping back into leadership is the move that unlocks bigger contracts, stronger cash flow, and a business that runs without you.Listen up!Struggling with unfair contracts or slow payments in construction? With 6,000+ contracts reviewed and $20 billion in contracts managed, Quantum Contracts' proven framework is designed to help you negotiate fair contracts, secure faster payments, avoid disputes, and improve cash flow.Don't let contract issues hold you back—gain the confidence to focus on growing your business. Ready to take control and make more profit per project?Click here to GRAB the FREE Industry Standards Guide: quantumcs.co/ISYtClick here to IMPROVE your contracts using the Quantum Contract System: quantumcs.co/Yt2025Click here to GAIN expert advice weekly for FREE: quantumcs.co/YTNewsOptInTimestamps:(3:43) - What machinery and systems are you making money on right now? How can you boost their efficiency?(4:39) - Real growth happens when you do step back off the tools and start leading(5:20) - Leaders need to work on the non-urgent, but really important stuff(6:44) - Stepping back from the day-to-day task isn't just about delegation, it's about proper handover period with systems and trainingDISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and can not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any matters you or your business may have.Follow our Socials and let's get connected! ⤵️⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter

Stepping into Shinji's feels a bit like tumbling down the rabbit hole.Drinks arrive inside hollowed-out oranges. A Ramos Gin Fizz appears in seconds instead of minutes. Plumes of dry ice drift across the bar. It's playful, theatrical, and a little surreal—yet somehow everything still tastes incredible.The creative force behind it all is Jonathan Adler. On this episode of The Buildout, Adler joins host Adam Teeter to share the story of how Shinji's came to life and how he designs cocktails that are equal parts spectacle and serious craftsmanship.Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcastShinji's: https://www.instagram.com/shinjisbarJonathan Adler: https://www.instagram.com/jonservesdrinksVinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepairHosted by VinePair Co-Founder: https://www.instagram.com/adamteeterProduced and edited by: https://www.instagram.com/dolldoctor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first installment of my series, "Where Are They Now?", I'll be interviewing past Canadian therapists that I've had on the show to see how their private practice is doing. Today, I'm checking in with Christina Page! Tune in to gain extra insight into where she was when we first spoke, and see the progress she has made!  We discuss the surprising discoveries she has made along the way, the discomfort she has overcome, and the wonderful lessons that she has learned from both. Join our conversation, and see if you can pick up an informative gem to help you on your path in Canadian private practice! MEET CHRISTINA Christina Page is a Certified Perinatal Therapist and the owner of Whole Family Psychotherapy - a collective of heart-centered perinatal specialists offering virtual counselling services across Ontario to parents and parents-to-be. Christina's team offers individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and parenting support sessions for folks through pre-conception journeys, during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond into later stages of family life. The team at Whole Family understands that when parents feel whole, family systems thrive.  Learn more about Christina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.  In this episode:  A quick recap  Christina's group practice update to today  Stepping fully into the CEO role  The importance of having an emergency savings fund Christina's goals for the future A quick recap Christina re-listened to her first appearance on the Fearless Practice Podcast as well, and she discusses how much it brought back for her.  At the beginning of her group private practice journey, Christina wore most of the hats. She was the clinical director, admin, and saw a full caseload of clients, all while being a mother to young children. While she loved it too, she knew that it wasn't sustainable.  Therefore, over the year and a half since our first podcast episode, she has smoothed and straightened out her practice to the extent that she can take a step back and enjoy it more, rather than just running from task to task.  Christina's group practice update to today Her practice has grown! They are now a team of seven therapists, including an intern. She has full admin support, which Christina explains has been one of the biggest benefits to date.  As Christina explains, the most crucial element for success that she has seen in her private practice over the months is to support its flexibility.  The businesses needed to handle an increased number of clients coming in, admin requests, and paperwork, which meant the business's foundation needed to be broadened, strengthened, and made as autonomous as possible so that Christina herself didn't become the bottleneck.  Secondly, Christina's next biggest lesson was learning how helpful it can be to slow down. Not everything needs to be treated as a crisis, and not everything needs your response right away.  Stepping fully into the CEO role Another big change that Christina hadn't ever thought would happen is that she has stopped seeing clients herself! She has since stepped fully into the role of being the practice CEO, the leader of her team, and the business entity.  Christina took a leap of faith and trusted the process. She was able to work through the initial discomfort of not knowing what might happen and navigating uncertain financial situations, and while things are still not yet where she wants them to be financially, they are improving.  All this was made possible by her recognizing that it would be good for her practice to take a step back from seeing clients and step forward into a more leadership role.  The importance of having an emergency savings fund Having an emergency fund is crucial, and specifically for two reasons:  1 - To give you leeway to make changes in your practice, such as Christina going from a full caseload of clients to being the full-time boss only, and having some financial cushioning can help you make these transitions easier  2 - To make it through uncertain times in the economy or when client conversion rates dip, which is common in private practice  Take good care of yourself and your nervous system, because tolerating the uncertainty of business in private practice, in our world today, requires you to have a sense of groundedness.  Christina's goals for the future Now, Christina's goals for the future are to create stability for the practice to support and nurture what they are currently doing well. She's going to remain open and flexible in terms of what's to come!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Tina Bells: Balancing Non-Profit and Private Practice | EP 189 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Christina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles  Listen to the previous episode with Christina Page here!  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn  

Send us a message or question! Hitting the Target – Bombing Accuracy, Altitude, and the Physics of Air PowerWith Matt Doncaster Never Mind the Dambusters – Series 4In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies are  joined by Matt Doncaster, a former RAF Harrier pilot, for a deep dive into one of the most fundamental — and often misunderstood — challenges of the air war: how to hit a target from a bomber.Stepping away from individual aircraft and raids, this discussion focuses on the underlying physics, principles, and limitations of aerial bombing, many of which were shared by both RAF Bomber Command and the US Eighth Air Force during the Second World War.Drawing on his experience as a modern fast-jet pilot, Matt helps unpack why bombing from altitude in the 1940s was such an uncertain and demanding task, and why aircrews were often working at the very edge of what was technically possible.Topics discussed include:Matt Doncaster's background and RAF flying careerThe core principles of medium- and high-altitude bombingWhat happens to a bomb after it leaves the aircraftWhy bombing accuracy relies on reverse-engineering the release pointThe critical impact of wind between release and impactWhy wind was the greatest unknown facing wartime aircrewsThe advantages of low-level bombingHow and why dive bombing improves accuracy — and the risks involvedThis episode offers listeners a clearer understanding of the technical and operational realities faced by Second World War bomber crews, and helps explain why bombing accuracy was such a persistent challenge despite enormous effort and innovation.About the GuestMatt Doncaster is a former Royal Air Force Harrier pilot with extensive experience in fast-jet operations. His professional insight provides a valuable modern perspective on the principles of weapons delivery and air power, helping to illuminate the challenges faced by bomber crews during the Second World War.Support the showPlease subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams. Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here

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In his reflection for the First Sunday of Lent, Dani Chahine '27 connects his own experiences at Boston College to this Sunday's Gospel. As Dani reflects, through stepping out of his comfort zone at BC, he was able to grow in friendship, community, and faith. In a similar way, he asks us how we might be called to step out of our comfort zones this Lent and allow ourselves to trust God. Explore more Lenten faith resources at https://bc.edu/c21lent Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/C21Center LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104167883 Questions? Email church21@bc.edu 

For many developers and engineering leaders, executive coaching feels like something you turn to only when things go wrong. We're trained to solve problems, push through obstacles, and rely on our own expertise. So when progress slows, the default reaction is often to work harder—not to step back and reassess. That's exactly why executive coaching can be so valuable when used intentionally. At its best, coaching isn't about fixing weaknesses. It's about uncovering blind spots, challenging assumptions, and helping capable leaders see where their habits are limiting growth. When the fit is right, coaching brings clarity and momentum. When it's wrong, it simply adds noise. About Andrew Hinkelman Andrew Hinkelman is a certified executive coach and former Chief Technology Officer who works with tech founders, CTOs, and engineering leaders to strengthen their leadership and people skills. With over 25 years of corporate experience, including 8 years as a CTO, Andrew understands firsthand the pressures technical leaders face as they move from hands-on execution to leading teams and organizations. His coaching focuses on helping leaders build trust, develop others, and stay strategic as responsibilities grow. Andrew's philosophy is simple: all professional development is personal improvement. After experiencing burnout in his own leadership journey—constantly stepping in to fix problems and being needed by everyone—he learned the value of trusting his team instead of controlling outcomes. Today, Andrew helps leaders avoid that same trap by building resilient teams, focusing on relationships, and creating environments where others can succeed. Follow Andrew on Instagram and LinkedIn. What executive coaching actually does Leadership coaching is frequently misunderstood, especially in technical environments. It's not mentoring, consulting, or performance management. Rather than providing answers, a coach helps leaders examine how they think, make decisions, and show up—particularly under pressure. This kind of perspective is difficult to gain from inside your own day-to-day context. For technical leaders, this distinction matters. Many engineers advance by being exceptional problem solvers. Over time, that strength can become a constraint. Coaching helps leaders recognize when execution, control, or perfectionism starts to limit influence, trust, and scale. At its core, this work builds awareness—and awareness is what enables meaningful change. When executive coaching is the right move Coaching isn't necessary at every stage of a career. If progress feels steady and challenges are manageable, it may not add much value. However, it becomes especially useful during moments of transition or tension, such as: Stepping into a new leadership role Navigating organizational or team change Feeling stuck despite sustained effort Noticing that familiar approaches no longer work These moments often signal that your environment has changed—but your operating model hasn't. A strong coaching relationship helps leaders adapt intentionally instead of reacting out of habit. Executive coaching for leaders in new roles New leadership roles come with unspoken expectations. Success is no longer defined purely by output, and feedback becomes less direct or less frequent. Many leaders assume they need to "get everything under control" before working with a coach. In reality, coaching is most effective when things still feel unclear. That uncertainty highlights where growth is needed—whether in communication, prioritization, delegation, or decision-making at scale. You don't need to show up polished. You need to show up honestly. What a real coaching engagement looks like One common misconception is that leadership coaching is a one-time conversation or a motivational reset. In practice, effective coaching is an ongoing engagement built around clarity, feedback, and behavior change over time. It starts with defining what success actually looks like—not in abstract terms, but in concrete outcomes that matter to you and your organization. From there, the work focuses on identifying what's getting in the way. Often, these are habits that once helped you succeed but now create friction. If they were obvious, you would have addressed them already. Many engagements begin with structured feedback to ground the work in reality. This helps align self-perception with impact and reduces guesswork. It's not about judgment—it's about accuracy. How to evaluate coaching fit Coaching is a relationship, not a transaction. Talking to multiple coaches isn't optional—it's essential. A strong indicator of fit is experiencing a real working session rather than a polished sales call. Pay attention to how the coach listens, challenges assumptions, and guides reflection. Productive discomfort is often a good sign. If you leave a session seeing a situation differently or questioning a long-held belief, growth is likely. If you leave feeling simply validated, it probably isn't. Red flags that signal a poor coaching fit Coaching is not a rescue tool for poor performance. When someone is disengaged or unwilling to grow, it rarely works. Another red flag is a coach who consistently agrees with you. Comfort feels good in the moment, but it doesn't change behavior. Effective leadership development introduces intentional, constructive friction that leads to insight. Executive coaching during burnout and plateaus Burnout often comes from effort without impact. Leaders work longer hours, take on more responsibility, and still feel stuck. Coaching can help identify a keystone goal—the one focus area that makes everything else easier. It also helps leaders stop over-investing emotional energy in things outside their control, which is a common and costly source of exhaustion in senior roles. Executive Coaching Checklist Signs coaching may help you move forward Indicators that a coach will challenge rather than placate Coaching Fit Test: One Session What a meaningful trial session should reveal How to tell if the coach will stretch your thinking Stuck or Burned Out? Find the Keystone Goal How to identify the one change that unlocks momentum A reset approach for overwhelmed leaders Conclusion Executive coaching isn't about hiring someone to give advice—it's about choosing a partner who helps you see yourself and your situation more clearly. If you're navigating change, feeling stalled, or sensing that effort isn't translating into progress, this kind of support may be less about doing more and more about seeing differently. Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, there's always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let's continue exploring the exciting world of software development. Additional Resources Embrace Coaching To Advance Your Career Giving Back As A Mentor, Coach, and Lead Detecting and Avoiding Burnout Building Better Foundations Podcast Videos – With Bonus Content

On the latest Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss  the latest from the Roundhouse with just a few days to go.    Paul and Wally discuss the gun bill, medical malpractice, the budget, and "free" childcare, the tax bill, and the prospects for each including the fact that pay raises for state government employees have been eliminated in the push for universal "free childcare"    SB 18 the Clear Horizons bill died in a bipartisan Senate vote last week.     NM's House Speaker endorses Cuban health care during hearing over medical malpractice:   Stepping outside Santa Fe Paul and Wally discuss the unveiling of Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller's ridiculous tumbleweed sculpture on the new and costly "rail trail."  

When I first found out I was expecting I was completely terrified. I thought my career was going to be completely derailed. Throughout the process I gained my confidence and went on to have an unmedicated birth and receive a promotion that same year. I am now pregnant with my second and walking in that same confidence. It has not been easy but I have found strength in the journey and I am the better for it. I would love to share my lows and the tools I used to get to where I am now. FIND HER HERE:https://www.linkedin.com/in/siena-dean/

While most strategies focus on "hustling through" these days... we dive into a more sustainable approach for women who are here to make a difference

What does it really mean to shape European policy? From 5–8 February 2026, students in Košice experienced it firsthand. Model European Union brought together 60 high school students from across Slovakia for an immersive, English-language simulation of EU decision-making. Stepping into the roles of Members of the European Parliament, EU Commissioners, and national representatives, they debated pressing topics such as the EU–Mercosur trade agreement and the Green Claims Directive tackling greenwashing. Organised by BETA Slovakia in cooperation with FUTURUM Bilingual High School, and supported by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Slovakia, the event blended dynamic debate with real-world insight. We spoke with participating students, as well as Veronica Anna Lacová, President of BETA Slovakia, and Ján Haraslín, Community Manager at the EP Liaison Office in Bratislava. The programme was further enriched by the opening address of the Vice Mayor of Košice and by discussions with MEPs Katarína Roth Neveďalová and Michal Wiezik, who engaged directly with students about the work of the European Parliament and the importance of youth participation in European democracy.

This is a clip from Dawn of Discernment! Get access to the full episode and all thier content on all podcast platforms or click the link below!Full episode here! https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-27-stepping-into-uncompromising-authenticity--69883731Get access to every episode of Dawn of Discernment!https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dawn-of-discernment--6850395Forbidden Knowledge Network https://forbiddenknowledge.news/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forbidden-knowledge-news--3589233/support.

In this special bonus episode of Hidden Wisdom, Meghan and McKay Farner share the talks they delivered in sacrament meeting on the greatest commandment: to "love thy neighbor as thyself." Meghan explores the often-overlooked doctrine of self-love through the lens of agape—the unconditional love that God is. She unpacks false beliefs (“unbelief”) that keep us stuck in shame and natural-man identity, reframing repentance as healing rather than punishment. Drawing from Mosiah 3:19, Doctrine & Covenants 93, Moroni 7, and the teachings of President David O. McKay, she invites listeners to see themselves as the “pearl of great price”—already worthy of divine love.McKay then shares a powerful mission story that forever changed his understanding of loving your neighbor. Through personal experience—including stepping away from church activity—he reflects on charity without ulterior motive and what it truly means to love as Christ loves.Together, these talks offer a message of hope, grace, and spiritual maturity:You cannot hate yourself into holiness.You cannot give a gift you have not received.And love is not kindness with a destination attached.00:00 Introduction & purpose of the message00:33 The Great Commandment (Matthew 22)01:19 Agape: the unconditional love God is02:35 False beliefs (“unbelief”) about self-love04:24 Natural man vs. true eternal identity07:23 Repentance as healing, not punishment09:26 Shame, fear, and perfect love10:16 Rest, worthiness, and grace11:50 Meditation as communion with God12:42 The pearl of great price13:52 McKay's mission story begins15:47 What love is not17:13 “Love is not kindness with a destination attached”20:10 Charity defined (Moroni 7)22:27 Princess & sacrificial love23:40 “Greater love hath no man…”24:16 Stepping away from church activity24:48 “It's what Jesus would do.”25:02 Final testimony & invitation Join the Contemplative Prayer + Meditation Q&A with Meghan and Phil McLemore, on February 16th at 7pm MT. Register here! Hidden Wisdom initiates truth-seekers into the Mysteries, guiding listeners toward a lived experience of the Divine that awakens and transforms faith—without dismantling family or community. Pursue your Journey: ✨ Hidden Wisdom App – Coming Spring 2026! Pathway programs, community, library, events and more! Join the waitlist for updates, sneak peeks, and discounts!

Episode 190 - Carry On Cabby (1963) "I wonder if I've got the right soap? I can't remember if it was green for oily skin or oily for green skin." "Carry On Cabby" is widely celebrated as one of the most heartwarming and narrative-driven treasures in the famous franchise. Stepping away from the purely episodic sketches of its predecessors, this 1963 classic delivers a genuinely sweet romantic comedy that stands the test of time. It is a delightful battle of the sexes that combines wit, charm, and a surprising amount of emotional depth. The story centers on workaholic Charlie Hawkins, played by the legendary Sid James, who runs the gritty "Speedee Taxis." When Charlie begins to neglect his home life, his wife Peggy—portrayed by the wonderful Hattie Jacques—decides to teach him a lesson he will never forget. She secretly uses his money to launch a rival company, "Glam Cabs." Suddenly, Charlie faces stiff competition from a fleet of shiny new Fords driven by stunning women, turning the streets of London into a hilarious battleground. What makes this film truly special is the undeniable magic between the leads. Sid James and Hattie Jacques are at their absolute best, portraying a married couple with a warmth that grounds the wackiness. The humor is infectious, moving from the cheeky banter of the "Glam Cab" drivers to the slapstick failures of Charlie's men as they attempt to sabotage the competition. Beyond the laughs, the movie serves as a vibrant time capsule, offering viewers a nostalgic glimpse of 1960s London in all its retro glory. Ultimately, love conquers all in a chaotic, horn-honking finale, proving that this is one ride you don't want to miss!

How do you respond to the needs of those around you, and what have you learned through those experiences? Rob Parsons shares the story of his response to a need that lasted 45 years and changed his life.

Recorded at the 2025 American Exploration and Mining Association Annual Meeting, this Mining Minds episode features Walsh Reclamation Operations Manager Troy Hawkins. Troy shares his background as a ninth-generation miner and reflects on how his father—a self-described "tramp miner"—was his hero and shaped his values around respect, hard work, and character over credentials. He discusses growing up in a small mining town, leaving school early, and entering the mining industry alongside his family. Troy reflects on his 23-year career at one operation, where he began as a haul truck driver and advanced through multiple operational and leadership roles. Once a rebellious young operator, he evolved into a people-focused leader who prioritizes morale, respect, and personal connection—building high-performing crews through trust and genuine care. Please help us welcome Troy Hawkins to The Face. We would like to thank the American Exploration and Mining Association (AEMA) for hosting Mining Minds at the event and for their ongoing dedication to advancing and amplifying voices throughout the mining industry.   Episode Sponsors:  American Exploration and Mining Safety First Training and Consulting JSR Fleet Performance Motor Mission Machine and Radiator    Episode Chapters:  05:05 Feral Mining-Town Childhood & How Kids Are Different Now 12:18 School Struggles, Sports Dreams, and Learning Outside the Classroom 33:34 "Your long hair will never make you successful" — proving them wrong 39:14 When leadership gets personal 47:22 How he builds trust 55:40 Hiring without the script: real interviews, real people 01:01:27 Marriage & support system 01:12:04 First Date at Carver's 01:16:20 Stepping into Walsh 01:22:54 Scaling Up with Trust 01:24:18 Why People Take a Pay Cut to Work for Good Leaders 01:33:10 Pucker Factor Stories

In this reflective and refreshingly honest episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by well-known book influencer and paramedic Jules Swain for a conversation that goes far beyond algorithms, star ratings, and reading targets.What begins as a discussion about social media platforms — from X and Instagram to BookTok — quickly becomes a deeper exploration of burnout, pressure, and reclaiming reading as a joy rather than a performance.Together, Philippa and Jules talk about:Stepping back from social media and why it can be healthyThe pressure to post, review, and read “enough” booksWhy it's okay to DNF a book — and stop feeling guiltyStar ratings, negative reviews, and whether every book needs an opinionBookTok hype, genre oversaturation, and discovering fantasy unexpectedlyPhysical books vs e-readers vs audiobooksBuilding real-life book communities and local book clubsReading as escapism after emotionally demanding workJules also shares her most-loved books, her perfect reading day, thoughts on Goodreads vs StoryGraph, and settles the all-important biscuit debate (custard creams, for the record).A calming, thoughtful episode for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by bookish noise — and a reminder that reading is allowed to be slow, personal, and joyful.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.

In this episode, we perceive the communication of a hidden message, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 180, penned by Karuvoor Kannampaalanaar. The verse is situated amidst the sand dunes and flower orchards of the ‘Neythal’ or ‘Coastal landscape’ and narrates an incident and its consequences. நகை நனி உடைத்தால் தோழி! தகை மிககோதை ஆயமொடு குவவு மணல் ஏறி,வீ ததை கானல் வண்டல் அயர,கதழ் பரித் திண் தேர் கடைஇ வந்து,தண் கயத்து அமன்ற ஒண் பூங் குவளைஅரும்பு அலைத்து இயற்றிய சுரும்பு ஆர் கண்ணிபின்னுப் புறம் தாழக் கொன்னே சூட்டி,நல் வரல் இள முலை நோக்கி, நெடிது நினைந்து,நில்லாது பெயர்ந்தனன், ஒருவன்; அதற்கேபுலவு நாறு இருங் கழி துழைஇ, பல உடன்புள் இறை கொண்ட முள்ளுடை நெடுந் தோட்டுத்தாழை மணந்து ஞாழலொடு கெழீஇ,படப்பை நின்ற முடத் தாட் புன்னைப்பொன் நேர் நுண் தாது நோக்கி,என்னும் நோக்கும், இவ் அழுங்கல் ஊரே. In this little trip to the seashore, we get to hear the lady say these words to her confidante, pretending not to notice the man listening nearby, but making sure he’s in earshot: “It makes me laugh out aloud, my friend! Along with my esteemed playmates, clad in garlands, I had climbed on a sand dune, and then was relaxing by building sand houses in that flower-filled orchard. Just then, a speeding, sturdy chariot stopped there. Stepping down, bringing a bee-buzzing head garland, tied tightly with buds of shining blue-lilies that had been blooming in a cool pond, a man tied it to the tresses hanging low on my back, without me seeking that. Then, he took a look at my uplifted, young bosom, stood there thinking for a long time and parted away without staying longer. After searching the flesh-reeking, dark backwaters, along with their flock, birds rest upon the spiny tall branches of the pandanus, fused with the tiger claw, standing next to the laurel-wood tree, with a curving stem, in our hamlet. Just for that unexpected moment with the man, this uproarious, slanderous town looks at me and looks at the gold-like pollen of the laurel wood tree alike!” Ready for a walk upon the pristine sands of an ancient shore? Here we go! The lady starts by remarking that something seemed ridiculously funny to her. Then she goes on to tell what that incident is, talking about how one day, she had been playing with her mates on the heaped sand in the fragrant orchards by the sea. At that time, a chariot that was whizzing by, stopped near them. A man stepped down, with a garland of blue lilies in his hand. Then, coming near the lady, he seemed to have tied it on her braids, hanging low on her back. The lady insists that she didn’t want that or ask for that. Then she talks about how the man had stood looking at her bosom, thought and sighed for a bit, and left without a word. This was all that happened, and the townsfolk are pointedly looking at me and the golden pollen of the laurel wood tree, the lady concludes. That seems like a puzzle to you, no doubt! What’s the connection between pollen and the lady and why should this make the lady laugh with exasperation? The answer lies in the association between the golden pallor spots that spread on a lady’s skin and the pollen of this tree. The lady must have got into a relationship with the man and was perhaps yearning for him when he was gone. This would result in the appearance of those spots, leading to gossip and slander in town, the lady implies. These words are said for the benefit of the man, listening nearby, to echo the troubles the lady’s facing and nudge him to seek her hand and put an end to this misery! If at all these ancient poets are to be believed, imagine what mental gymnastics those in love in that era had to go through to simply understand what was in the mind of the other! On the other hand, perhaps such contortions of the mind are something natural and needed for those in love, no matter where or when they live, with only the ‘why’ changing every time! 

The race is shaping up to be a bruising contest between Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and former At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. And ranked choice voting is an unknown factor in the race.

Host Dr. Tarryn McCarthy delivers a powerful reminder every high-achieving healthcare professional and woman in dentistry needs to hear. You are not broken, and your self-doubt is not the truth. She explains why even successful dentists and doctors struggle with negative self-talk, burnout, and the pressure to be perfect. Through real stories and clear insight, Dr. Tarryn challenges the inner voice that weakens confidence and limits your impact with patients, teams, and family.This episode will change how you see yourself and your success. If you are ready to protect your energy, strengthen your mindset, and lead with confidence, this is your reset. Drop the doubt. Own your worth. Lead from your power.Show notes:(2:51) Automatic negative thoughts explained(5:01) Success with hidden self-doubt(8:52) Where insecurity comes from(11:08) Impact on patients and leadership(13:40) Stress and fight-or-flight thinking(18:43) Awareness is the first step(20:18) Replacing negative self-talk(22:42) Stepping into your leadership power(24:22) Outro________________IMPORTANT LINKS:Connect with Dr. MacCarthy:Email: tarryn@drtarrynmaccarthy.comBook a call with Tarryn:https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/happiness-and-prosperity-strategy-callUnlock your inner peace and reclaim joy in your profession with the Nervous System Regulation For Dentists Course: https://www.thebizofhappiness.com/calmPlease join my Facebook group, Business Of Happiness Hive, so we can all take this journey to find fulfillment and happiness together. Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2047152905700283Where to find me:Website: www.thebizofhappiness.comFacebook: facebook.com/thebusinessofhappinessIG: @thebizofhappinessIt would mean the world to me if you subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with your friends, co-workers, and families. This will help the trajectory of this podcast and allow others who are seeking true happiness to find the podcast.

Not everyone feels finished when their career ends, especially people who are wired to build.   This week, I'm joined by Randy Gage, an entrepreneur, author, and speaker who retired at 40 and realized he wasn't done creating. Stepping away from work didn't bring the sense of completion he expected, so he returned to building businesses, writing, and teaching. Not because he had to, but because he wasn't done.   That instinct to question what comes next started much earlier. At 15, Randy was sitting in a jail cell, facing the consequences of a life that had gone off track. That moment forced him to rethink his direction, and he's been asking those same questions about what comes next ever since.   We talked about: How a stint in jail at 15 forced Randy to rethink his life Why early beliefs shape how we think about money, relationships, and health What Randy learned after retiring at 40 (and why he went back to work) The difference between a finite game and a life built around purpose How Randy defines prosperity beyond money What it means to age with intention and resilience   Resources: https://www.randygage.com Breakthrough U   Randy on X Randy on LinkedIn  

To give towards our new campus click here: https://ascendchurchatl.com/expansion/You can also text any dollar amount to “888-547-7520” followed by "New Church Campus"Check out our YouTube Channel here:https://www.youtube.com/@thebridalgloryFollow us on:https://ascendchurchatl.com/https://www.instagram.com/bridalglory/https://www.instagram.com/ascendchurc...https://www.instagram.com/ascendacademy/https://www.facebook.com/ascendchurchatlhttps://www.facebook.com/ascendacadem...https://www.facebook.com/bridalglory#brianguerin  #ascendchurch  #bridalglory  #podcast #ascendacademy  #preaching #church