Podcasts about Stripped

This week, we welcome the brilliant Dylan Meconis, creator of Queen of the Sea and Bite Me. Here's what we cover: How most colorists actually break in (hint: it's not by “murdering another colorist in single combat” — though that was discussed) What “flatting” is — and why it's often your first step into paid coloring work Why networking is really just “being friends with cartoonists” Portfolio strategy: Why saying “I do everything” is less effective than saying “I do this brilliantly” Analog coloring techniques — watercolor paper, oil-based pencils, and why certain materials go extinct at the worst possible moment The realities of scanning physical art (and why scanners are basically cameras on an arm) How to handle black plates, rich black, and avoiding fuzzy type in print If you've ever wondered whether coloring could be an income stream for you — or how to level up your current process — this episode is a masterclass. Products and Programs mentioned on the show Note: Some of the links are affiliate links WildCraft Studio is in Portland, Oregon.  PITT monochrome oil pencils by Faber-Castell Watercolor paints, Daniel Smith brand Watercolor paper (cold press) by Arches White watercolor paper, Dick Blick house brand Epson scanner, Perfection series Epson scanner, Workforce series Colored pencils, Caran d'Ache Summary In this engaging conversation, the hosts welcome cartoonist Dylan Meconis to explore various topics including coloring techniques, the integration of digital and traditional media, and the importance of choosing the right materials for comic creation. Dylan shares insights into her unique artistic process, the challenges of color printing, and the significance of lettering in comics. The discussion also highlights the value of collaboration and the joy of discovering new art supplies. Takeaways Dylan Meconis emphasizes the importance of using various mediums in art. The process of creating 'Queen of the Sea' involved unique coloring techniques. Dylan's artistic process includes both traditional and digital methods. Choosing the right materials can significantly impact the final artwork. Scanners play a crucial role in capturing traditional art for digital use. Lettering is an essential aspect of comic creation that requires careful consideration. Collaboration with other artists can enhance the creative process. Experimenting with different art supplies can lead to unexpected discoveries. Understanding color printing challenges is vital for comic artists. Dylan's approach to art is influenced by her background and experiences.     You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

From Scott Gibson: Life After Death https://www.comedydynamics.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The King of England's brother has just been arrested, and the story is making headlines all over the world. In this lesson, we'll talk about what happened and learn the essential English vocabulary you need to understand this breaking news.

The team talk Palestine Action and school holidays while Tatton gets very cross about the justification for Votes at 16! Who we are Simple Politics does things differently. We exist to help you have better conversations about the issues and the changes that matter. We do so by being clear, accurate and impartial. Also, light-hearted, engaging and occasionally (but not as often as we think) amusing. It's not just about understanding the facts and the topics themselves but also looking at why different people hold the opinions they do. Those with whom you disagree aren't monsters. Understanding and respect are at the core of everything we do. Our core offering will always be free. Unfortunately, giving things away for free isn't a great business model. We've never been business people. But. We do need to make this work. We do so through our amazing supporters, who keep us going by buying stuff in our shop and making monthly donations. This podcast has been Produced by Stripped Media If you want to know more about this podcast and others produced by Stripped Media, please visit www.Stripped.media or email Producers@Stripped.Media to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A listener writes in after a breakup, worried they've lost their creative spark for good. Brad and Dave unpack the emotional toll of heartbreak, why creative paralysis is normal, and how time, grief, and self-reflection can ultimately deepen your storytelling. Also: Dave is quitting Amazon Advantage, and he shares why he made that startling decision.Today's ShowComics Will Break Your Heart (and so will dating)Dave Kellett's "Double Dog Dare" bookAmazon AdvantageImposter Syndrome and mental healthTakeawaysIt's normal to feel creatively blocked after a heartbreak.Finding joy in solitude can help with creativity.Time is essential for healing after a breakup.Navigating international shipping can be complex and frustrating.Mental health is crucial for creative individuals.Imposter syndrome can hinder the creative process.Seeking professional help is important for mental health issues.Weather can significantly affect mood and creativity.Sharing experiences can help others feel less alone.Listener feedback can provide valuable insights for improvement. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

At its core, the case hinges on a straightforward legal framework: sex trafficking of minors involves recruiting or obtaining someone under eighteen for sexual activity in exchange for money or something of value. The conduct described in this instance followed a consistent pattern. Underage girls were allegedly approached with offers of cash for “massages,” encounters escalated into sexual acts, and payments were made afterward. Reports further described a referral system in which girls were encouraged to bring other girls and were compensated for doing so. Because minors cannot legally consent to commercial sex, the presence of payment and recruitment carries decisive legal weight. The absence of overt force does not negate the charge when the alleged victims are under eighteen.The allegations were not confined to a single episode or location. Similar accounts surfaced across multiple properties and over an extended period, suggesting repetition and coordination rather than isolated misconduct. Critics note that a prior plea agreement and the lack of a completed federal trial do not eliminate the factual allegations that formed the basis of later indictments. The commercial element—cash tied to sexual access involving minors—remains central. When recruitment, payment, and repetition converge, investigators and prosecutors characterize that structure as organized commercial sexual exploitation of minors. Stripped of political framing, the factual framework aligns with the statutory definition of sex trafficking.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

At its core, the case hinges on a straightforward legal framework: sex trafficking of minors involves recruiting or obtaining someone under eighteen for sexual activity in exchange for money or something of value. The conduct described in this instance followed a consistent pattern. Underage girls were allegedly approached with offers of cash for “massages,” encounters escalated into sexual acts, and payments were made afterward. Reports further described a referral system in which girls were encouraged to bring other girls and were compensated for doing so. Because minors cannot legally consent to commercial sex, the presence of payment and recruitment carries decisive legal weight. The absence of overt force does not negate the charge when the alleged victims are under eighteen.The allegations were not confined to a single episode or location. Similar accounts surfaced across multiple properties and over an extended period, suggesting repetition and coordination rather than isolated misconduct. Critics note that a prior plea agreement and the lack of a completed federal trial do not eliminate the factual allegations that formed the basis of later indictments. The commercial element—cash tied to sexual access involving minors—remains central. When recruitment, payment, and repetition converge, investigators and prosecutors characterize that structure as organized commercial sexual exploitation of minors. Stripped of political framing, the factual framework aligns with the statutory definition of sex trafficking.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

This week in the world we live in and life in general w/ host Jon Justice - The story behind Stripped- Why DM didn't visit Australia on the last tour - Listener feedbackSUPPORT JON JUSTICE BY PICKING UP YOUR COPY OF THE EMBARK, THE SCIENCE FICTION SERIES WRITTEN BY JON JUSTICEAn exciting mix of Fast and Furious, Star Wars, Ready Player One and the sci-fi adventures of the 70's - 1990'sEMBARK: Book 1 and EMBARK: Treasure in Darkness (Book 2) EMBARK: The Vanishing War (Book 3) Gahan Corbijn and the Asteroid of Misfortune, The Rocket Queen (Book 5) Fear the Dangerous Night (Book 6) are available now in ebook, paperback, audiobook and free on Kindle Unlimited!EMBARK Battle Planet (Book 7) is now available!https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K7LLFZY50'S DEPECHE MODEhttps://youtu.be/Vt69FeFz-ko?si=xmqmYcxCZa4q9P_GLatest drink and chat with Rob Rohm https://youtu.be/rXs7iZX1tfUEmail: TalkShowNerd@gmail.com@X @JonJusticeInstagram TheJonJusticeFacebook Jon Justice

We wrap up our two-part conversation with Trey Ackerman—songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, producer, IT expert, and creative thinker.In Part 2, we continue and conclude our deep discussion on AI in music, sharing final thoughts, real-world takeaways, and where Trey believes the balance between technology and creativity ultimately lands. It's a thoughtful, honest look at how artists can use new tools without losing the human heart of songwriting.Then, we shift gears and let you experience Trey the songwriter as he performs live, acoustic songs around the dining room table—the way great songs are meant to be shared. Stripped-down, intimate, and full of stories, this episode brings the conversation full circle from technology back to the song.

At its core, the case hinges on a straightforward legal framework: sex trafficking of minors involves recruiting or obtaining someone under eighteen for sexual activity in exchange for money or something of value. The conduct described in this instance followed a consistent pattern. Underage girls were allegedly approached with offers of cash for “massages,” encounters escalated into sexual acts, and payments were made afterward. Reports further described a referral system in which girls were encouraged to bring other girls and were compensated for doing so. Because minors cannot legally consent to commercial sex, the presence of payment and recruitment carries decisive legal weight. The absence of overt force does not negate the charge when the alleged victims are under eighteen.The allegations were not confined to a single episode or location. Similar accounts surfaced across multiple properties and over an extended period, suggesting repetition and coordination rather than isolated misconduct. Critics note that a prior plea agreement and the lack of a completed federal trial do not eliminate the factual allegations that formed the basis of later indictments. The commercial element—cash tied to sexual access involving minors—remains central. When recruitment, payment, and repetition converge, investigators and prosecutors characterize that structure as organized commercial sexual exploitation of minors. Stripped of political framing, the factual framework aligns with the statutory definition of sex trafficking.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

John Harbaugh's coaching staff is finalized, Dawn Aponte hired in an executive role but she may have more influence than you think, and what power is left in Joe Schoen's role nowStart your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/giants for your personalized ED treatment optionsUse our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/JOMBOY10. Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount00:00 Has Joe Schoen's Power as GM Been Stripped06:00 Harbaugh's influence in the Giants Organization09:30 Joe Schoen's dwindling role as GM15:00 What does Dawn Aponte's role mean for the Giants23:08 Aponte's time with the Dolphins34:00 Giants complete their coaching staff35:00 Coaching staff comes together41:50 Excited for the defense staff47:20 Cinco de Five-ohCheck out our Merch: https://shop.jomboymedia.com/collections/talkin-giantsSubscribe to JM Football for our NFL coverage: https://www.youtube.com/@JMFootballFollow all of our content on https://jomboymedia.com#giants #nygiants Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The guys are joined by Reneigh! Smith wants to collect his cigar funds, and has a note to read from his doctor. Smith suggests reading Michael Crichton over the BOM. Smith asks about a David Bazan documentary and mentions a Pedro the Lion song. Smith leaves at the arrival of Minnette Mumbalance. The crew is interrupted by someone speaking in brogue-code. It's Jenny from Big Brother UK. She's from Scotland Yard.     Presented by Catchall Audio Music Provided by Eric VanAusdal The Book of Mormon is publicly available at churchofjesuschrist.org  Become a subscriber on our patreon at- https://patreon.com/joeandsmith  Remember who you are and what you stand for

Meine Güte, Stripped ist jetzt auch schon 40 Jahre alt. Ein ganz besonderes Lied für Ohst und mich und sicher noch für ganz viele andere Depeche-Fans auch. Grund genug, da mal wieder übertrieben lange drüber zu quatschen, oder? ODER??

This week Tatton and Diane chat about the Westminster media, the idea of a basic income for artists and how long a Prime Minister can expect to last these days. Who we are Simple Politics does things differently. We exist to help you have better conversations about the issues and the changes that matter. We do so by being clear, accurate and impartial. Also, light-hearted, engaging and occasionally (but not as often as we think) amusing. It's not just about understanding the facts and the topics themselves but also looking at why different people hold the opinions they do. Those with whom you disagree aren't monsters. Understanding and respect are at the core of everything we do. Our core offering will always be free. Unfortunately, giving things away for free isn't a great business model. We've never been business people. But. We do need to make this work. We do so through our amazing supporters, who keep us going by buying stuff in our shop and making monthly donations. This podcast has been Produced by Stripped Media If you want to know more about this podcast and others produced by Stripped Media, please visit www.Stripped.media or email Producers@Stripped.Media to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mel Brooks documentary, "The 99-Year-Old Man!" holds a lot of wisdom for cartoonists. Speaking of wisdom, it doesn't take much to avoid these common Kickstarter scams.Today's ShowWhat can cartoonists learn from Mel Brooks?KickstarterSummaryIn this episode of ComicLab, cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the challenges and joys of creativity, drawing inspiration from Mel Brooks' documentary. They explore themes of fear, kindness, and the importance of perseverance in artistic careers. The conversation also touches on the realities of navigating Kickstarter campaigns, including the rise of scams targeting creators. Throughout, the hosts emphasize the power of laughter and the need for support in the creative community.TakeawaysFear is a recurring theme in creativity.The fear of not trying is greater than the fear of failure.Kindness can have a profound impact on artists.Perseverance doesn't mean sticking to what's not working.You can reinvent yourself as an artist at any stage.Kickstarter scams are on the rise; be cautious.Laughter is a powerful tool for change.Support from friends is crucial in creative journeys.It's important to recognize the struggles behind success.Creativity often requires stepping out of comfort zones.   You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This week in the world we live in and life in general w/ host Jon Justice - NIN performs a snippet of Stripped on tour - Listener feedbackSUPPORT JON JUSTICE BY PICKING UP YOUR COPY OF THE EMBARK, THE SCIENCE FICTION SERIES WRITTEN BY JON JUSTICEAn exciting mix of Fast and Furious, Star Wars, Ready Player One and the sci-fi adventures of the 70's - 1990'sEMBARK: Book 1 and EMBARK: Treasure in Darkness (Book 2) EMBARK: The Vanishing War (Book 3) Gahan Corbijn and the Asteroid of Misfortune, The Rocket Queen (Book 5) Fear the Dangerous Night (Book 6) are available now in ebook, paperback, audiobook and free on Kindle Unlimited!EMBARK Battle Planet (Book 7) is now available!https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K7LLFZY0'S DEPECHE MODEhttps://youtu.be/Vt69FeFz-ko?si=xmqmYcxCZa4q9P_GLatest drink and chat with Rob Rohm https://youtu.be/rXs7iZX1tfUEmail: TalkShowNerd@gmail.com@X @JonJusticeInstagram TheJonJusticeFacebook Jon Justice

The Peter Mandelson scandal is unfolding, and the Labour government are drafting legislation to grant themselves the power to strip Lord Mandelson of his title. Seems justifiable. But could this have huge unintended consequences for all members of the House of Lords? Founder and General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, and Conservative Peer, Toby Young thinks so. #mandelson #labour #cancelculture Follow Toby Young: https://x.com/toadmeister Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union: https://x.com/SpeechUnion https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/  https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion 

There are calls for Grace Tame to be stripped of one of the Nation's highest honours. Roblox will NOT be included in the social media ban, despite accusations its exposing children to online predators. And Catherine O'hara's cause of death is revealed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls for Grace Tame to be stripped of one of the Nation's highest honours. Roblox will NOT be included in the social media ban, despite accusations its exposing children to online predators. And Catherine O'hara's cause of death is revealed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Ringside Reporter, your #1 source for the latest boxing news, fight previews, and breaking updates around the world of combat sports. In today's episode, we break down a HUGE week in boxing:

We're back to go over two separate world title main events in both Mexico and England, plus, LOTS of fight news, too on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and NewsletterPreviewsMatchroom/BXSTARS card Friday night on DAZN in Guadalajara, MexicoChristian Medina vs. Adrian Curiel, for Medina's WBO bantamweight title. Should be a highly competitve world title fight.Queensberry card Saturday on DAZN in Liverpool, EnglandNick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa, for Ball's WBA featherweight title. This fight has the makings of an entertaining, brawling battle. NewsWBC strips Shakur Stevenson of lightweight belt in an apparent sanctioning fee dispute like with Crawford. We HAVE TAKES! Baltimore judge in Gervonta Davis hit and run case issues warrant for his arrest due violating probation terms related the domestic violence case in Miami Gardens, Florida. Will he be doing time again in Baltimore. Bakhram Murtazaliev, who lost the IBF junior middleweight title by majority decision to Josh Kelly last Saturday, has formally asked the IBF to order an immediate rematch. What kind of chance does he have?Lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who became the first current champion to sign with upstart Zuffa Boxing last month and whose first fight with the company was announced for March 8 (Paramount+) at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, will face Brandon Glanton, per source to Dan.Mandatory challenger Liam Paro will have the Australian home advantage when he challenges IBF welterweight titlist Lewis Crocker after his promoter, No Limit Boxing, beat Matchoom Boxing in a purse bid on Tuesday. Dan has the details on how it happened.With Diego Pacheco pulling out of talks with Hamzah Sheeraz for the vacant WBO super middleweight title, Sheeraz will fight Alem Begic (29-0-1, 23 KOs), 38, of Germany, whose record is glittering but whose resume is devoid of a single notable foe. The fight hasn't been announced yet but, per Dan sources, it will take place May 9 in Manchester, England.  NostalgiaFirst-ever HBO “Boxing After Dark” card at the Forum in Inglewood, California, where Marco Antonio Barrera TKO12 Kennedy McKinney in a spectacular war – Feb. 3, 1996 – 30 years ago on Tuesday. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

This week Diane and Tatton talk term-time fines, support for families with sick children and the price of petrol. Who we are Simple Politics does things differently. We exist to help you have better conversations about the issues and the changes that matter. We do so by being clear, accurate and impartial. Also, light-hearted, engaging and occasionally (but not as often as we think) amusing. It's not just about understanding the facts and the topics themselves but also looking at why different people hold the opinions they do. Those with whom you disagree aren't monsters. Understanding and respect are at the core of everything we do. Our core offering will always be free. Unfortunately, giving things away for free isn't a great business model. We've never been business people. But. We do need to make this work. We do so through our amazing supporters, who keep us going by buying stuff in our shop and making monthly donations. This podcast has been Produced by Stripped Media If you want to know more about this podcast and others produced by Stripped Media, please visit www.Stripped.media or email Producers@Stripped.Media to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back to go over two separate world title main events in both Mexico and England, plus, LOTS of fight news, too on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and NewsletterPreviewsMatchroom/BXSTARS card Friday night on DAZN in Guadalajara, MexicoChristian Medina vs. Adrian Curiel, for Medina's WBO bantamweight title. Should be a highly competitve world title fight.Queensberry card Saturday on DAZN in Liverpool, EnglandNick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa, for Ball's WBA featherweight title. This fight has the makings of an entertaining, brawling battle. NewsWBC strips Shakur Stevenson of lightweight belt in an apparent sanctioning fee dispute like with Crawford. We HAVE TAKES! Baltimore judge in Gervonta Davis hit and run case issues warrant for his arrest due violating probation terms related the domestic violence case in Miami Gardens, Florida. Will he be doing time again in Baltimore. Bakhram Murtazaliev, who lost the IBF junior middleweight title by majority decision to Josh Kelly last Saturday, has formally asked the IBF to order an immediate rematch. What kind of chance does he have?Lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who became the first current champion to sign with upstart Zuffa Boxing last month and whose first fight with the company was announced for March 8 (Paramount+) at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, will face Brandon Glanton, per source to Dan.Mandatory challenger Liam Paro will have the Australian home advantage when he challenges IBF welterweight titlist Lewis Crocker after his promoter, No Limit Boxing, beat Matchoom Boxing in a purse bid on Tuesday. Dan has the details on how it happened.With Diego Pacheco pulling out of talks with Hamzah Sheeraz for the vacant WBO super middleweight title, Sheeraz will fight Alem Begic (29-0-1, 23 KOs), 38, of Germany, whose record is glittering but whose resume is devoid of a single notable foe. The fight hasn't been announced yet but, per Dan sources, it will take place May 9 in Manchester, England.  NostalgiaFirst-ever HBO “Boxing After Dark” card at the Forum in Inglewood, California, where Marco Antonio Barrera TKO12 Kennedy McKinney in a spectacular war – Feb. 3, 1996 – 30 years ago on Tuesday. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett dig into the many ways we react to humor — from full-on belly laughs to the silent internal “that was good” response. After that the way, they tackle some big (and surprisingly relatable) topics:Are they actually going to use Patreon Quips?Dave's Bad 2025 — what went wrong, what he learned, and why it mattersWhy you never stop building an audience, even when things feel “established”And yes… being scared of Reddit comments is universal!SummaryIn this episode of Comic Lab, hosts Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar dive into the nature of humor in comics, prompted by a listener's question about whether funny comics truly elicit laughter or if they are simply enjoyable. Brad and Dave explore the subjective nature of humor, sharing their own experiences with laughter and recognition of craft in comedy. Next, they delve into the ongoing journey of building and maintaining an audience in the ever-evolving landscape of comics. They emphasize that there is no such thing as a 'built audience.' Audience engagement is a continuous process that requires constant effort and adaptation. Drawing on the metaphor of the Ship of Theseus, they discuss how creators must regularly replace and update their strategies to keep their audience engaged, acknowledging that audience members may leave for various reasons, including life changes or simply forgetting about the content.The conversation also touches on the emotional toll of negative feedback, particularly on platforms like Reddit, where creators often face harsh criticism. Brad and Dave share personal anecdotes about dealing with trolls and the importance of focusing on the positive aspects of audience engagement. They conclude by reinforcing the idea that the creative journey is ongoing, and that every creator must continually learn and adapt to thrive in the industry.Takeaways"Not every year is going to be gangbusters."There's no such thing as a built audience; you're always in building mode.Audience engagement is like the Ship of Theseus; it's constantly changing.You should aim to gain 2-6% new audience every month to replace those who leave.Negative comments often come from unhappy individuals; don't take them personally.Every creator must continually learn and adapt to thrive in the industry. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

The following is an AI-generated rough transcript of the Equipping Hour. It may contain inaccuracies.  Opening and Introduction Smedly Yates: Well, good morning. Happy Sunday. Welcome to Grace Bible Church this morning and to Equipping Hour. This morning, we’re going to be doing a follow-up from an equipping hour that Jake taught on January 11th on dementia. And that was, Jake, that was riveting and encouraging. And I thought you taught us everything we needed to know, but apparently you didn’t. Because the numbers of follow-up questions from that equipping hour broke all records. So we’ve sort of accumulated those questions. And let me just encourage you, if you didn’t get a chance to listen to that equipping hour from January 11th, pull it up on the website, go back and listen to that. And this morning, what we’re going to do is just put the questions that many of you asked in person and submitted. Or just get to ask those of Jake in front of all of us. And so Jake really is going to give most of the answers here. I don’t know if I have a whole lot to say. Other than these are the questions we got, Jake, help us. So with that, let me open us in a word of prayer and we’ll get started. Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your kindness to us. We don’t deserve to have physical ability endure in this life. We don’t deserve to have mental capacity sustained in this life. We truly only deserve condemnation under your wrath for our sins. And so anything that you give to us, we pray to use as a gift, as a stewardship, to use well and for your glory, and to be content and to trust you as things diminish. And we thank you for the preparation, for mental decline. You’ve already given us from principles from your word. We pray even now as we discuss caring for one another and seeking to glorify you in personal worship in our physical existence that you would be honored as we listen and apply and are strengthened and sharpened to help others. We ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen. I’m going to start with kind of a personal question that came in, Jake, and it goes like this. If I try not to get dementia, you gave us a lot of helps, dietary exercise, sleep, some of those things that were really helpful, practical things. So if I’m doing those things, if I’m trying not to get dementia, am I expressing distrust and dissatisfaction in God and his sovereignty? Stewardship, Planning, and God’s Sovereignty Jacob Hantla: Maybe. So, yeah, we spend a lot of time talking about the practical ways that you might want to steward this life and this body that God’s given you. The big hitters were exercise, right? We said if there’s one that you can do, it’s that. But there’s a lot more. There’s a, but if you’re doing those things, is that sinful? It might be. There’s a way to do the right thing for the wrong reasons. Planning, though, is not unbelief. Planning like God doesn’t exist is unbelief. or planning like God’s way isn’t best in your selfishly, arrogantly grabbing after your own desires. That’s unbelief. That’s sin. So the issue isn’t whether you should steward, but it’s whether an action that you’re saying is stewardship is actually a mask for control, pride, and fear. Proverbs 27:12 says the prudent sees danger and hides himself. There’s a way to see that. Where you see danger, you hide yourself from it. You take planned steps in order to avoid it that actually roots itself from fear of the Lord. And that would be right. And in contrast, it says the simple go on as if that danger isn’t there and they suffer for it. So there’s nothing inherently righteous or right and just saying, I’m going to trust the Lord and use that as a mask for just lazy thoughtlessness. Similarly, there’s nothing righteous at all in saying, I don’t want what I fear is coming and I’m going to grasp after what I want. But James 4, you guys might want to open there. This is, a really, really helpful section of scripture for planning. And it reveals why we actually have to, at the heart of all of this, guard our hearts, not merely do the right thing. James Chapter 4. And this is in the context of the warning, or the command to humble yourself from verse 10, humble yourselves before the Lord because God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. And now, he says, come now, verse 13, you who say today or tomorrow, we’re going to go into such and such a town, spend a year there trade, and make a profit. Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You’re a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we will do this or that. So the take home from that is not don’t plan, don’t run a business, but rather as you run it, run it as one who actually embraces and recognizes your temporalness, your weakness, your dependence, and God’s sovereignty. Smedly Yates: If we zoom out from the topic of dementia, and we just think about the principle underlying that, we’re dealing with the realities of God using human means in his sovereign plans. If we rephrase the question, we might say, is it sin and distrust of the Lord to study for your chemistry exam? No, of course not. Can you sin by studying for your chemistry exam without thought toward God and exalt your own pride and intellect and your hard work? Yeah, that’d be wrong. A godless, practical, atheistic approach to effort would be sin. But a laziness that says, well, I’m just trusting in the Lord, but I’m not going to go apply for a job, study from my exam, practice for the athletic endeavor, or whatever is sin the other way. And I love the example of evangelism. We know that God will save people, but we know that God uses means to do it. So is it a failure to trust God when I go out and share the gospel with people? No, it’s actually the obedience that God uses as a means to accomplish his ends. Now, I can’t control the results. So you can be faithful, worshiping the Lord, telling others how great Jesus is all day long and nobody gets saved and God is honored and we trust him. Jacob Hantla: Yeah. There’s two biblical, I love the illustration. It’s throughout the Bible of horses and chariots. You can write down Proverbs 21:31 and Psalm 20:7. In Proverbs 21:31, it says, the horse is made ready for the day of battle. Who does that? We do that. The people do that, and they go, battle, but it says, but victory belongs to Yahweh. And similarly, in Psalm 20:7, this, this was actually one of my favorite passages in fighting cancer. I stole it from Piper in his book, Don’t Waste Your Cancer. He says, some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of Yahweh our God, which doesn’t mean go to battle with slow horses and broken down chariots, it’s wise to get the best you can. If you know that you might be facing a future with dementia or anything else you might face, chemistry test or other health problem, be diligent to plan, but do it in a way that when you don’t get dementia, it wasn’t your effort that gets the glory. It was Yahweh’s. And if you get dementia anyway, you say, it was the Lord’s will. It’s best, I trust. Reverse Sanctification and Dementia Smedly Yates: A question came through, and really there were several facets that sort of get at the same kind of question. But people wondered, and this comes obviously from people who have worked hard to care for people with various forms of dementia. But it seems like Christians at times can experience what looks like reverse sanctification. Is that what’s going on there? Have people been abandoned by the Holy Spirit when behaviors change in mental decline. Jacob Hantla: Yeah, I think probably about five, six of you asked that question with very particular circumstances in mind. And the question doesn’t overstate the reality of what occurs. So reverse sanctification. Sanctification is the process of progressively being conformed to the image of Christ from the point of salvation, usually, and normally for a Christian, until the point when they finish well, die, and are taken home, and then glory. But that doesn’t always happen for Christians. The reality is sometimes in dementia, some Christians become more childlike in their faith. It’s not inevitable that your sanctification will reverse. And I don’t think that’s the right term. It’s the observed reality that we see. But sometimes their faith becomes more simple, but not less godly. They might tell the same stories over and over again. Or if you imagine sometimes what happens in dementia, your existence in the moment is separated from what’s gone before it. So you’re always disoriented. That’s terrifying. And so you see the Christian in those moments having a childlike trust questions that you feel bad for them, but they are trusting the Lord in a real way. But sometimes, and this is the words of Dr. John Dunlop, wrote a book on the Christian and dementia. He goes, dementia can indeed change personalities. It has transformed wonderful, loving, godly people into tyrants. And that happens. I’ve seen, you see somebody who was self-controlled loving. and as they progress into dementia, they curse. They use language that’s not befitting a Christian at all. There’s inappropriateness in all kinds of ways. And so what’s going on there? I think it’s helpful. I’m going to do another physiology lesson. Bear with me, I promise it’s worth it. It helps me. So there’s some types of dementia, especially that there’s one we talked about called frontotemporal. What does that mean? It’s the area of the brain in which it happens. And it changes the way that your brain physically works. So there’s an, I’m going to oversimplify a little bit. So, but this is, this is helpful. If you think of your prefrontal cortex, you might have heard that word because we joke. Teenagers, their prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed. And that’s true. It’s why you don’t trust your kids to make life-altering decisions. But the prefrontal cortex is, you could think of it as the executive control center of your brain. It houses the part of your brain for abstract thought, concentration, working memory, and most critically, inhibition of inappropriate thoughts and actions. You and I do it all the time you think it’s like the breaks. There’s a filter on, thank God there’s a filter, right? Something comes to your mind and it doesn’t come out your mouth. Because of the prefrontal cortex, it overrides automatic impulsive thoughts. It helps you consider the consequences in the future before acting. It connects your current behaviors to the past experiences and your goals. And when that area is damaged, somebody has a really hard time choosing the appropriate behavior for the situation. The damage, it sort of removes the filter. There’s another thing, orbital frontal cortex. It’s just another area of your brain. You don’t need to know the big word. But what that is is that’s particularly critical for regulating social behavior. When that area of the brain gets damaged, like if you get a cancer to that area or a surgery that affects, that area instantly, that person can explain what appropriate social behavior is, but they don’t recognize when their behavior violates that. So it’s manifested by like just a list from a textbook that I looked up on this. It’s greeting strangers in an overly familiar manner, standing too close to others, inappropriate touching, being aware of social norms, like I said, but unaware that your behavior violates that, and that can go to extremes, sexual inappropriateness, language inappropriateness, and they’re just unaware. You and I, if we were to be saying that, it would be sin. In this case, it actually may represent a physical inability. So what’s going on there? I want to think about the brain and the believer. When the Holy Spirit expresses self-control in a believer. So, right, the fruit of the spirit is self-control. And I just said, well, self-control comes from the prefrontal cortex. So are we just our brains? No. When the Holy Spirit makes a believer new. And when the Holy Spirit controls that believer, he does it in a way through the working of our physiologic brain that enables us to submit to him, which means that he’s actually using our prefrontal cortex in a renewed way. I think it’s helpful. Open your Bible’s to Ephesians 5:18. I think this is really helpful. And there is an inner working between the way our brains and our most inner us, your soul, your mind, you’re who you are. There’s a working there that we, don’t truly understand, but that we can get glimpses into here. And I think that that, if we think of the way our brains in the working of the Holy Spirit to accomplish things like self-control, I think this is a helpful verse. Ephesians 5:18, do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery. And what’s that contrasted with? But be filled with the Holy Spirit, with the Spirit. So what does alcohol physically do? Alcohol in a person, it actually, you’re going to now see why I did this physiology lesson, it actually dramatically reduces prefrontal cortex activity. It takes the break off. It takes the filter off. You may still have the Holy Spirit, but the physiologic means that he uses to exercise control of, you would use to minimize your expressions of sin while in this body that’s falling apart, you’ve now chemically altered that. And so you have a lack of self-control, an impaired moral reasoning, increased risk-taking. Similarly, your orbital frontal cortex goes dysfunctional. That’s why I mentioned those two things. That happens with alcohol and anything that stimulates GABA receptors. That would be like benzodiazepines, some sleeping pills, some anti-enactylase, some anti-enactylase. anxiety meds, it can lead to social inappropriateness for those same reasons. Opioids. Research shows that chronic amphetamine and opioid use alters decision-making by ways that are very similar to focal damage to that orbital frontal cortex. You can see now chemicals interacting with your brain in a way that we’re used to seeing those people don’t act right. THC from marijuana, same thing, decreased brain volumes in chronic use, especially in the orbital frontal cortex. Sleep deprivation. Tons of breakdown, temporary, and the connection between amygdala, which is like your fighter flight, your stress area, and your prefrontal cortex connectivity. So sleep deprivation triggers this. You basically don’t have a brain. on your emotional regulation. So why am I going through all that? If we have the ability, it’s right for us to keep ourselves from breaking our brain intentionally. Don’t be drunk. Avoid chemicals that would alter those areas and make the expression of self-control more difficult or less likely. and you can actually, you see it in your kids when they’re unslept, more prone to sin. You see it in yourself. So imagine yourself with 48 hours without sleep, then drink a little bit of alcohol. You will become disinhibited, irritable, and be much more prone to sin. Don’t do that to yourself. But now what happens if that’s actually happening physically because areas of your brain are dying, they’re tangled up with proteins, or they’re otherwise that they can’t access the energy stores to function? That’s effectively what they’re, but they can’t sleep it off or sober up. It helps you be probably a little more understanding and maybe see that it’s not actually a reversing of sanctification, but rather, I think it’s a, well, let’s just turn to 2 Corinthians 4, and I think we’ll see what it is. You see that dementia can change behavior by damaging the brain’s physiologic instruments of restraint and judgment, but it’s not the same thing as the Holy Spirit moving out. sanctification isn’t stored in a lobe of the brain. You are more than your brain. It’s actually our brain is that part of us that’s wasting away. It’s not our inner man. So 2nd Corinthians 4:16, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. day. This is helpful to remember in somebody whose outer self is falling apart, not just physically their body doesn’t work anymore, but their brain’s not working. This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. As we look not to the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen, the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. It’s really helpful. when we look at somebody with dementia and it looks like they’re becoming less and less Christian. I love the way John Piper says it. He has a helpful ask Pastor John on dementia. And he says, Paul’s telling us that weak, in glorious, demented shadow of a once strong Christian in front of us is on the brink of glory and power. You need to go into nursing homes and think that way. These people are on the brink of glory and power. We must keep this continuity in mind between diminished powers of human beings here and the spectacular powers that they’re going to have in the resurrection. It’s so important if we lose a sense of that continuity for the Christian, will assume that we are becoming less human rather than being on the brink of gloriously superhuman. So it’s helpful to see that your brain is the outer person that’s wasting away. And that isn’t necessarily connected to the what God has done in the most inner you. Confrontation, Rebuke, and Care for the Weak Smedly Yates: Given that reality, Jake, we think about somebody whose inhibitions are broken down. The manifest ability for self-control allows things in the heart to make their way out. Is there ever a place for confrontation, rebuke, encouragement, help for somebody who’s still living the Christian life, still susceptible to sin? At what level is it appropriate? How should we think about, you know, helping behavior and rotten speech and things like that? Jacob Hantla: Yeah, absolutely. There is. You have to recognize that the purpose of rebuke would be repentance, right? And just like with children and with all Christians, it’s really wise and necessary to discern when possible between sin and inability. The reality is that we can’t always do that. But before I go there, I want to get back to this question. Let’s think about ourselves and what we’re going to be prone to do with what I just said. I’m going to be prone, you might be prone, to say, well, I didn’t sin. It’s just my physiology that made me do it. You don’t get off the hook ever in the Bible because your physiology had a weakness. God uses our weakness and our physiology as the platform in which he demonstrates his power, and particularly his power over sin. Our brains, actually a significant part of why they’re weak and why they break like this, is because it’s a part of God’s judgment for us. Romans 1, right? We became futile in our thinking, and our minds were darkened as a result of our unwillingness to acknowledge God as God. We are not merely our brains, and yet the dysfunction of our brains is actually a significant part of the fall. God renews that. He changes that in the believer. And if you as a Christian say, I know where I am particularly vulnerable, maybe I’m heading down a path towards dementia, or maybe I have some particular weaknesses where I haven’t slept much this week. I just had back surgery. I know I’m going to be on an opioid for pain, and I know that I’m going to have a particular—even if you can’t say the area of your brain that’s going to not function right—you're going to say, all right, Jake taught me that I’m going to tend to act inappropriately towards people. I’m not going to view myself rightly. I’m going to have a lack of self-control. I better ask for help. I’m not going to justify sin, but I’m actually going to be more vigilant for it. Fight it more diligently and get people around me to help me fight it. So now let’s go to the question of, is it ever appropriate to rebuke a dementia patient? Let’s assume that person is a Christian. Go to 1 Thessalonians 5:14. If that person is a Christian and they are sinning, even if they’re not even aware of it, they’re going to say, will you please come to me and help me? I’m going to need help. We need to, as best we can, use the right tool for the situation. Discern weakness, faint-heartedness, and still don’t hesitate to admonish unruliness or idleness. So 1 Thessalonians 5:14: “We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle or the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak.” Do you see those three different instructions? Somebody might be expressing sin. All three of these might be evidences of—in all of these three cases—there might be somebody evidencing unbelief or something that needs turning, changing. And in one case, the tool is admonishment. In another, it’s actually help. And in the other, it’s encouragement. Now consider the person with dementia. Their brain is not functioning the way that yours is. They can’t connect their actions to what’s socially appropriate. They can’t connect their actions with the goals they’re aiming at. They might be unclear as to even the situation that they find themselves in, the context of their life. That’s a pitiable—in all the right ways—pitiable circumstance. That would tend to make that person fainthearted, very weak. What they probably need more than admonishment is help and encouragement. I love Poithress. This is from Piper and Grudem’s book, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. He says, “Our privilege as Christ’s children altogether should stimulate rather than destroy our concern to treat each person in the church with the sensitivity and respect due to that person by reason of his age, gift, sex, leadership status, personality,” and I would add mental status. So how should you do this? With mild impairment, let’s just go down a category. If you had somebody with mild impairment—not all dementias, it’s not this catch-all where everybody’s all the same—you can have a mild impairment. Probably normal accountability. They’re going to tend to need more admonishment and help and encouragement, but be slower, be gentle, be more concrete. You’re probably not going to be able to string together three or four if-then statements to logically get them there. Make it simple. Sort of like when you’re admonishing your three-year-old, maybe your five-year-old, your seven-year-old. You still do it, but not in the same way that you would a 25-year-old or a 35-year-old. But then with moderate impairment, your correction probably becomes more redirection. Just simple statements of, “That’s not okay. Let’s go over here.” Change the environment. And then severe impairment, probably treat it more as symptom management, prioritizing safety, comfort. Simple statements still: “That’s not okay.” Like you would use for your one-year-old: “Use your hands for gentleness. We don’t speak like that. That doesn’t honor the Lord.” Normal Aging, Forgetfulness, and Dementia Smedly Yates: Statements like that. This is so helpful, Jake. I think partly because we don’t want to be in a position where we’re shocked and our black-and-white categories of sanctification, justification, get in the way of compassionate care and love for someone who is in a weakened state that needs help. It’s not dismissing sin, but just really helpful, compassionate care. I have a more personal question for you. Last evening, we had a number of friends in our home, and I got confused and thought that a dear sweet friend was somebody else altogether. And it occurred to me later, I asked a really strange question that didn’t make any sense to her at all. Do I have dementia? Jacob Hantla: I don’t think so. But you are getting older. There’s a forgetfulness that’s just a part of being human. And there is a forgetfulness that’s increasingly normal with age. Smedly Yates: You’re right behind me. You’re catching up. No, you’re not catching up, but you’re behind me. Jacob Hantla: Percentage-wise, I’m catching up, and I will never in an absolute, absolute way. So there’s normal aging, and some normal cognitive decline with aging is very different than actual dementia. So if you do have questions about that, it’s helpful. Regardless, if you just say, hey, I’m getting old. I’m not sleeping as well. Just as a result of not sleeping as well, as a result of just being weaker, maybe having more history behind you, some more stuff to forget, or whatever, you realize, hey, I don’t have dementia, but I’m not who I once was. That’s not a bad place to be. There’s a weakness there that’s helpful to get people around you to augment your weaknesses. How much more, if you were heading toward dementia. I promise I’ll tell you if I see it. You do the same for me. But regardless, you might or you might not. I don’t think you do. But let’s say that you’re saying, I forget stuff, do I have dementia? The second that you start thinking that, you’re probably not the right person to be making that call. It’s wise to get family members, elders, even medical professionals, doctors to assess: is this dementia? Is it a reversible cause? What’s the probability it’s going to accelerate? And then as you start seeing more and more likelihood that, yeah, this is progressing, start getting people around you to start relinquishing intentionally controls that you might have on your life. Can you double-check me on any purchases greater than X amount of money? Let’s go update the will. Let’s get you on a power of attorney. Invite them to take away the keys at the appropriate time. Even if you say that’s a long way from now, that’s a really humble way to invite, in a godly way, people who love you to be enabled to help you. Forgetting the Gospel and Childlike Faith Smedly Yates: Jake, can a believer forget the gospel in a mentally diminished state or not have the ability to articulate the gospel? Jacob Hantla: Yeah. They can. Memories are stored in our brain. And you might not have access to those memories even while you are saved. Right? That unbreakable chain of salvation will end in glorification from Romans chapter 8: all those whom he foreknew, and it gets all the way to glorification. And in the midst of that may be a trial like your memories are disconnected from you in a way that you can’t explain concepts like substitutionary atonement, you might not even remember that Jesus is your Savior, though he is. And so if somebody has forgotten those things, don’t tire of reminding them of those things. Because even if that memory can only stay with them for that one moment, it’s real. And it might help them endure that moment. It’s a really complex, I can’t say that we understand it at all. But God does. There’s a complex relationship between our thoughts, our memories, how those connect to our actions, and what our ultimate status before God that’s normally expressed through faith. And you can’t have faith without trusting in Jesus. So how can somebody who doesn’t even know who Jesus is trust in him? I’m just going to say I’m not God. God knows. And when you are in your right mind, if you do, that’s evidence of God’s work in you. Because nobody can say Jesus is Lord apart from, in me, and being it, apart from God changing them, saving them, making them new. And so if their brain breaks, and they no longer are able to say that in the same way, I don’t think that’s going to be devastating because they weren’t saved on the merit of faith, but they were saved by grace through the exercise of faith. That faith may look different now. But it’s helpful to think of what kind of people go into the kingdom. Like the disciples, when the children were coming, and they said, no, don’t let them near. And Jesus says, no, it’s, it’s that kind of person who gets into the kingdom. Don’t think that those, faith doesn’t have to be complex. Faith doesn’t have to be well reasoned out. That doesn’t mean that you have an excuse not to think. Peter says, add to your faith knowledge, right? We are expected to grow in faith. I’d love to hear you expound on this, Smed. But there’s a childlikeness of faith that actually in your dementia, you might be able to express that. In your arrogance, maybe in your self-trusting when your faculties are working, it may actually be God’s means of separating you from your strength, because when we’re weak, we’re strong in him, that we don’t get to see all the interplay of that, but we may be a means moment by moment of reminding the Christian who forgot who Jesus was of who he is. Smedly Yates: I think that’s so helpful. The weakest place you will ever be in life are at your last moments on the earth. No matter how it is you go out of this life. Just last night I was working through the details of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. And listen to this, Paul is comparing the resurrection to a seed sown into the ground and then what comes out afterwards. And there are different levels of glory from sun, moon to stars, different kinds of bodies, fish, and other things. But not everybody’s the same. But every human being who faces physical mortality ends life here and then experiences resurrection, every one of us will experience the most profound weaknesses in the last moments. And here’s how Paul describes it. The body is sown, placed into the ground like a seed, corruptible. Subject to absolute humiliating corruption, raised incorruptible. No longer ever subject to corruption. And when we think about brain deterioration, that word corruption is weighty. Sown in dishonor. The last moments of anyone’s physicality are the most dishonorable. Stripped of power, stripped of strength, stripped of dignity, but raised in glory. And Jake, what you shared earlier about somebody being on the brink of the kind of glory that C.S. Lewis described—if we were to see a resurrected saint now we’d be tempted to fall down and worship them or run away in abject terror. We just have no idea what this glory is like on this side of it. But we go from the lowest, most undignified, most powerless spot in our earthly existence in those last moments. And he goes on and says, put in the ground in weakness, raised in power, put in the ground natural, raised supernatural. And so the earthy is first and then the spiritual. And so it’s just helpful to think about not being surprised when someone is at their most profoundly weak, not just physically but mentally, end-of-life scenarios. Jacob Hantla: Yeah, it’s profoundly humbling. And it makes us want to say, I don’t want to be there. Can I avoid that? Okay. I mean, do your best. And ultimately God may bring us there in a way that all of us, sometimes our last moments are momentary, sometimes our last moments of that corruptible humiliation last a really long time. In this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on, we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, this physical body that’s falling apart, we groan, being burdened. Not that we would be unclothed. It’s not merely saying, hey, let’s take this thing off, but that we would be further clothed so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. It’s not even worth comparing. And so if that’s the way that God has to be glorified in us—to go back to that first question—okay, I’ll do that. It’s light and momentary, even if it lasts a long time. And even if I’m not even able in the moment to contemplate what time is, it’s humiliating. And you know what? I’m going to ask the Lord to take that from me. I’m going to say, God, please don’t. That’s an okay prayer. That’s similar to what Paul prayed and said in 2 Corinthians 12. And Jesus says, no, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. And if Jesus says that to you, Christian, you can say, okay, I’m going to be content with weaknesses. And man, if you get to care for somebody in their weak moments there, it’s helpful to have these things in mind to know they’re on the brink of glory. Marriage, Roles, and Dementia Smedly Yates: I want to move to a practical and theological question related to roles, thinking particularly about husbands and wives honoring biblical roles in marriage, particularly when a husband is experiencing mental decline and dementia. How does a wife caring for a husband honor those roles with a diminished ability? Jacob Hantla: Yeah, that’s a really helpful question. I loved thinking through this. Smedly Yates: I came up with it myself. No. Several people asked. I just wrote it down. Jacob Hantla: You did. I think we want to avoid two opposite errors. One is a view of submission and leadership as a rigid subservience. If a husband can’t lead, the wife can’t act. Or on the other side, a role evaporation. That illness or inability cancels biblical patterns. Both of those would be absolutely wrong. Did you get that? One would be if the husband can’t lead, then the wife shouldn’t be able to act. And if the husband can’t lead because of inability, role distinction, that God set out that is grounded in creation order, not in ability, right? Men aren’t pastors because we’re better at it or smarter at all or better teachers. That’s not where God grounds it. But in his purposes. And so it’s helpful. If we think about what femininity is, so we’re helping a wife whose husband is just incapable of leading in the ways that she wishes he could, a heart that longs to follow. You think of 1 Peter 3:4. The adorning for the woman is in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. Normally, that’s going to be expressed through submitting to husbands, to their leadership, even in ways, as long as their leadership—for unbelievers, as long as their leadership doesn’t lead them to go against the Lord—even submitting to that with a gentle and quiet spirit. That’s going to play itself out differently for a husband who can’t lead through inability or poor decision-making due to brain decline. You go to Proverbs 31. This breaks the category of a submissive wife as one who’s subservient and just says, “Tell me exactly what to do, so I only do that thing.” No, an excellent wife who can find, she’s far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her. He will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not harm all the days of her life. You see right there a husband who can trust his wife, whose wife is working for his good and not harm, that’s a wife who’s embraced godly roles. It’s not a wife, it’s not neediness that she expresses, but productivity and care. Jump forward to verse 15 of Proverbs 31. She rises while it is yet night, provides food for her household, portions for her maidens, she considers a field and buys it, the fruit of her hand, she plants a vineyard, she dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable, her lamp does not go out at night. This is a woman who can work, who can work hard, but very different from that which feminists would say, hey, a woman who doesn’t need a man, a woman who functions for her own good, depart from him, but this is a woman who’s functioning strong for the good of her husband. And her husband trusts, she, verse 27, looks to the ways of her household. She doesn’t eat the bread of idleness. Children and her husband call her blessed and praise her. Charm is deceitful, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. This biblical femininity is rooted in fear of the Lord, love of her husband, not a desire to dominate over the husband, but to come alongside as a God-given helper to build him up, that can be demonstrated in very unique, very God-glorifying ways with a husband whose mind is increasingly not working. It’s fundamentally a disposition to honor and support the husband voluntarily and gladly. Leadership often involves delegation. So, husbands: if you’re heading that way, plan in advance for the kinds of ways so that your wife, even when you can no longer give your preferences, she knows, and it seems like in the moment, she’s actually working against it when you no longer understand what’s going on. She’s actually able to follow. So it’s good and right for the wife to be productive, capable, in a way that might look independent, but with a hard attitude that supports. So anticipate that. I want to give a personal example. This is actually hard and a little bit embarrassing. So dementia is different than delirium. Delirium is something that’s short-term, usually from a cause. You see it in elderly when they get like UTIs. You can see it from medications. Post-surgery, I see it all the time with anesthesia. As many of you guys know, I spent a long time in the hospital with Burkitt lymphoma. I was getting a lot of chemo. They stick a needle in my spine, give me chemo directly into my cerebral spinal fluid around my brain. I was on tons of pain medication and all kinds of other medications that did weird things to my brain. I don’t remember this time, but there was apparently a few days—I remember bits and pieces of it—where I was out of my mind. I at one point apparently tried to hit Kiki. I took all my clothes off and tried to go in the hall at the hospital. Kiki was a loving, submissive, supportive wife by helping me not do that. I am very grateful for her tearfully persevering, guarding me from myself as my brain was failing me. At that point, thankfully, in a reversible way. But she was not stepping out of her God-ordained role by saying, “No, Jake, you cannot go in the hall naked. No, Jake, you cannot hit me. Jake, get in bed,” and even physically and chemically restraining me for a time. That was a gracious expression of role differentiation that I think honored the Lord and honored me. I remember also, just husbands to wives, me at the—I was reading my vows this morning from almost 25 years ago. I wrote in those vows. And I’d encourage you guys to think through that now. And singles, as you’re thinking through marriage, think through what it might mean in all the different stages. I said, “I pray that as we grow old together, our love will grow stronger because we are together growing as one closer to Christ. I commit myself to loving you, even when your beautiful body is gone, even when your mind is not sharp, even when you do not recognize who I am. No matter what the cost to me, I will be married to you until God takes you.” And that’s what it means. That love isn’t in it for what the other one can give. It’s not self-seeking. It actually seeks the good of the other. So have this mind in you, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped after, but he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being found in human form. He did that all the way to the point of death, death on the cross. That’s what husbands are called to. That’s what all of us are called to. So thinking, I am above changing this diaper or correcting my spouse for the thousand and seventy-second time this week. Stooping that low is nothing compared to our Savior’s humble condescension to us. And so you actually are embracing God-given roles as a Christian when we help and endure and love our spouse to the very end. Honoring Parents and End-of-Life Care Smedly Yates: And that’s a great segue, Jake. When I think about what you just described, our parents did those very things for us when we were helpless. There may come a time where those roles are reversed and we’re helping our parents in their end-of-life situations. I’m going to ask you a series of questions that came in and you can answer whichever ones you want. I’ll try to go faster so we get through them. Maybe. Maybe we do a part 17 of this series, whatever. But I’m thinking about the command, the prohibition, do not sharply rebuke an older man. And the positive commands honor your father and mother. Those commands don’t expire. And when I think about don’t sharply rebuke an older man, there ought to be an elevated view of those who have walked this life longer than we have. We’ve lost that in an American culture, right? Tribal cultures have kept that in some ways. Other places, other cultures have kept that. We just sort of disregard the elderly as a new cultural phenomenon. And, you know, the word euthanasia, the beginning of the word is, is eu or good and thanasia, thanos, death. Good death. It’s not good. And we don’t discard people when they’re no longer of utilitarian purpose. But that is where our culture is going. And Christians must look very different. So when we think about how do we gently, compassionately, lovingly honor God, honor our parents, loving them through end-of-life scenarios. Here’s a series of questions. How do I honor those relationships when compassionate care, sometimes correction, help the 1,077th time. Dad, use your words. Don’t use your hand. You know, whatever it is. Give me the keys. How do we do that and honor them in our disposition? Number two, is it sin to employ the resources of home health care or a live-in situation, a retirement community, etc.? And then what do we need to think about with end-of-life scenarios? Yeah. That’s a lot of questions. Let’s go. Jacob Hantla: Let’s go. So I think honoring your parents means, first off, it’s a disposition of the heart, but it’s a disposition of the heart that is connected to meeting their physical needs. You went to 1 Timothy 5. Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but encourage him as you would a father. And then dot that dot, second, verse 2, older women as mothers. And then it rolls into, let’s think of widows who are truly widows. Open to 1 Timothy 5. This is maybe a section that you’re like, you might not read this honor widows who are truly widows section, thinking it applies to you. It does. And I think in it is the answer to this question, or at least a significant part of it. Verse four, the thought here is the church needs to take care of widows, but don’t do so in a way that robs a family of the responsibility and need to take care of their own parents. So look at verse four. If a widow has children or even grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household. And now look at this three part: make some return to their parents. So rooted in just a mom, dad, thank you for however many years of my life. You changed my diapers and fed me and looked after every need. It’s okay if my career is messed up because I have to have you in my home and I have to go take care of you. That is, do you see what it says? That is actual showing of godliness. I love what you just said. It’s so different than the culture. The culture might do this in a way that Christians have to be sharply different than. It is godliness to make return for the way that your parents cared for you. Number two, this is pleasing in the sight of God. You don’t do it out of social obligation—well, who else is going to do it? They don’t have enough insurance. Or even if they do have insurance and you do get the privilege of having live-in help. No, you are seeking to please the Lord as you make return to them. This is pleasing. Yeah, and then the third was, yeah, so godliness, make return to their parents. It’s please the Lord. Take care of your parents. Meet the needs. And if you don’t, verse 8, do you see what it says? If anyone does not provide for relatives, especially members of his household, do you see what you’re saying? You have denied the faith and you are worse than an unbeliever. This is what James is referring to in chapter 2. That’s a faith that’s dead being by itself. The religion, end of James 1, the true religion, takes care of orphans and widows in their distress. How much more are your parents? So, yes, take care of your parents. You have to. It’s a great privilege. It’s actually God’s ordained means of living out godliness. So can you send your parents to a care home? Does that mean you have to maximally sacrifice? Not necessarily. It doesn’t mean that you have to perform every task. Neglect is sin, but using help may be wisdom. The reality is dementia needs are often 24-7. They involve skilled needs at times. They may wander, fall, be incontinent, unsafe swallowing. Care at home at all costs—that may be rooted in love. It may also be rooted in pride or even foolishness. Honor can actually look like choosing a good facility, visiting often, advocating, overseeing care. Encourage the church to be involved, but don’t demand the church do the work at you avoiding it. I don’t remember what the other questions were. Smedly Yates: That’s all right. We got one minute left, Jake. Would you close our time in prayer? Closing Prayer Jacob Hantla: God, thank you for your word and just how replete it is with wisdom and principles and instruction and most of all revelation of who you are and what pleases you. God, I pray from this and just from this lesson and all the trials that you bring us through related to dementia and so many others that you would increasingly form us each individually and then corporately as your body. Form us into your image. Increase our godliness and then, God, bring us safely home. We love you. Be glorified in our lives and in our church. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. The post Equipping Hour: Dementia and the Christian Q&A appeared first on Grace Bible Church.

Connect with Talk Cosmos for the long anticipated outer planet conjunction “Saturn Neptune Aries Awakening”. Igniting our 1st week's potent planetary buzz happening in the cosmos this month, we feature guest Dr. Stormie Grace from Spain who joins host Sue ‘Rose' Minahan with Dr. Laura Tadd.A rare world point cycle is here since Saturn and Neptune 0° Aries occurred in 4,361 BCE! As Saturn's steady orbit conjuncts other-worldly Neptune at 0° Aries, we begin to enter a profound new era of potential spiritual reality.At its highest level, these planets juxtapose popular notions of boundaries and structures to the limitless boundary of the infinite. However, according to Vibrational Astrology research, Saturn represents determining what is essentially fundamental. Stripped down to what is basic, often interpreted as structure, or the bones of an issue. Adding Neptune's essence according to Vibrational Astrology research, it incorporates giving us a sense of the extraordinary adding a special magical component in living. For some, a concert or sport game, but these energies paired together represent at their highest level, a spiritual consciousness.We begin a stage of building a reset of world consciousness. You might ask yourself --how might you step into the gap between your highest vision and your physical reality? Come explore to bridge between infinite spirit grounded into reality, represented in the seen and unseen.Stay connected and subscribe at TalkCosmos.com to catch new episodes weekly on YouTube, Facebook, radio, and all major podcast platforms.STORMIE GRACE DM: Professional astrologer, national & international conference lecturer, keynote presenter, and workshop facilitator with a Doctor of Management (DM) in Business. Teaches astrology and host on YouTube since 2014, and founder of a free YouTube Astrology Academy dedicated to help students through her signature AstroFluency™ Framework. Stormie is currently under contract with Llewellyn Publishing for a book release in 2026 and another in 2027!Stormie bridges spirituality and structure in a way that feels accessible, grounded, and deeply transformative. Creator of Venus Reset, a transformational program designed to help women reconnect with their feminine power, safety in the body, and self-worth, and the founder of Legatia Academy, where she supports creative entrepreneurs in building profitable, purpose-driven businesses through clear strategy, embodied leadership, and strong business foundation.Member of OPA, ISAR, and NCGR; contributor to Astrology Hub, Evolving Astrologer, and Midheaven Magazine. Her work focuses on empowering people to understand their inner worlds while taking conscious action in their outer lives.LAURA TADD: A spiritually oriented psychological astrologer, Dr. Tadd works as an astrological counselor, writer, teacher, and lecturer both in-person and remotely with people worldwide. Laura teaches 6–8-week online courses on astrology and personal mythology and co-facilitates retreats. Next Goddess Retreat in Feb 2026, info at website. Creator of “Moon Journal”. Info at website: MythicSky.comSUE ROSE MINAHAN: an Evolutionary Astrologer Consultant, speaker, writer. Vibrational Astrology student, Dwarf Planet Astrology graduate, Kepler Astrologer Toastmaster. WineCountrySpeakers.org, Associate of Fine Arts Music Degree, a Certificate of Fine Arts in Jazz. Mythology enthusiast, Musician, Artist. Founder Talk Cosmos since 2018 where weekly conversations awaken heart and soul consciousness on YouTube, Facebook, radio & podcasts.#SaturnNeptune #ariesawakening #talkcosmos #astrology2026 #spiritualresetSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NOTE: There is 7 minutes of missing audio in the middle of the sermon.

This week Diane and Tatton are chatting play at school, how to save local pubs and Northern Ireland's new driving rules! Who we are Simple Politics does things differently. We exist to help you have better conversations about the issues and the changes that matter. We do so by being clear, accurate and impartial. Also, light-hearted, engaging and occasionally (but not as often as we think) amusing. It's not just about understanding the facts and the topics themselves but also looking at why different people hold the opinions they do. Those with whom you disagree aren't monsters. Understanding and respect are at the core of everything we do. Our core offering will always be free. Unfortunately, giving things away for free isn't a great business model. We've never been business people. But. We do need to make this work. We do so through our amazing supporters, who keep us going by buying stuff in our shop and making monthly donations. This podcast has been Produced by Stripped Media If you want to know more about this podcast and others produced by Stripped Media, please visit www.Stripped.media or email Producers@Stripped.Media to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An online publisher has become the center of some genuinely alarming stories. Brad and Dave break down five hard lessons comic creators can learn when a publisher shows signs of instability, mismanagement, or collapse.Today's ShowFive Lessons from a Publisher in CrisisSubmitting your work for awardsSummaryCartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the importance of owning and controlling one's career in the comic industry. They discuss the need for business acumen among cartoonists and the risks of signing contracts. The conversation emphasizes the value of learning from mistakes in self-publishing, the power of transparency among creators, and the benefits of submitting work for awards. Ultimately, they stress that the goal is not independence at all costs, but informed consent in business relationships.TakeawaysThere is a percentage of humans who can close their nostrils underwater.Cartoonists must be prepared to be business people.Your best defense is often not signing a contract.Mistakes in self-publishing are manageable and teach valuable lessons.Transparency among creators is crucial for success.Experience changes the power dynamic in negotiations.Submitting for awards can provide valuable insights into your work.Reviewing your work helps improve your editorial and aesthetic eye.Self-publishing allows for greater control over your career.Imposter syndrome should not prevent you from submitting your work.  You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

This isn't a teaching episode. This is a testimony. 2025 was the year God stripped it away. Not gently. Not quietly. Not one thing at a time. But layer by layer… identity by identity. And for the first time in my entire adult life, I was left standing without the things that told me who I was.     If you want to learn how to embrace the Dirt on your journey, come join me over on Substack at kawailani.substack.com

On this episode of the Finest Unfiltered, we break down the bizarre NYC beach incident where an aggressive raccoon charged a group of people, and was shot by police. An NYPD sergeant was stripped of badge and gun as a result . We'll also analyze the ICE shooting in Minnesota, unpacking what happened, what authorities are saying, and why the incident has sparked national outrage and protests. ️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5689366474915840 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Prince Andrew has finally been stripped of every last royal title and honor he once clung to like a lifeline. King Charles III, evidently tired of cleaning up his brother's messes, used his royal prerogative to remove Andrew's styles, ranks, and knighthoods—everything from “His Royal Highness” to the Duke of York and beyond. The disgraced royal, now simply Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has also been ordered to vacate the lavish Royal Lodge, marking a total fall from grace for the man who once strutted around as the Queen's favorite son. The move is being described as unprecedented, but in truth, it's been a long time coming. After years of scandal, arrogance, and shameless denial over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the crown finally decided that Andrew's dead weight was too heavy to carry any longer.For Prince Andrew, this wasn't just a fall from grace—it was a full-scale implosion of everything he thought made him untouchable. Even stripped of his titles, he's still clinging to denial like it's his last shred of nobility, pretending the world just “doesn't understand.” The man who once swaggered around royal circles with smug entitlement now stands exposed as the cautionary tale of what happens when arrogance meets consequence. His downfall isn't tragic—it's poetic justice. He built his own downfall one disastrous decision at a time, from his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein to his laughable denials and public meltdowns. The final insult isn't that he lost his titles—it's that the titles ever disguised what he really was: a spoiled, self-serving opportunist who mistook birthright for character.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:'Boorish and entitled' Andrew is now an 'ordinary member of the public': King stripped his brother of his prince title and ordered him to leave Royal Lodge after being 'consistently embarrassed' | Daily Mail Online

Sometimes, the greatest breakthroughs come not in moments of triumph, but in the quiet unraveling of everything we thought we had figured out. In this powerful solo episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius Mirshahzadeh takes us deep into a personal journey that reshaped his life. For the first time, Darius opens up about a transformative moment in the summer of 2022—when he confronted a lifelong battle with anxiety head-on during a 30-day stay in Oaxaca, Mexico. Despite achieving financial success and building a dream life, Darius found himself overwhelmed by anxiety, unable to enjoy the present, and haunted by fears of the future and regrets of the past. Stripped of his usual distractions, he was forced to sit with his thoughts and emotions—leading to a profound realization about ego, identity, and the illusion of control. In this episode, Darius will discuss: (00:00) Introduction to Personal Transformation (02:49) The Struggle with Anxiety (06:10) The Turning Point in Oaxaca (11:58) Discovering New Perspectives Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 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

A listener asks: "Should you judge a book by its cover?" Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar say... YES! Next, a cartoonist who is too embarrassed to promote his own work gets some encouragement and words of advice from the veteran comic creators.TODAY'S SHOWShould you judge a book by its cover?Too embarrassed to promoteTakeawaysA book's cover plays a significant role in its marketability.It's important to design a cover that reflects the content of the comic.Promoting comics can be challenging, especially in unexpected social situations.Introverts can find it difficult to promote their work in person.Having a decoy website can help ease the promotion process.It's okay to feel uncomfortable discussing your work with strangers.Using humor can help deflect awkward conversations about your work.Online promotion can be more effective than in-person promotion.  You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Prince Andrew has finally been stripped of every last royal title and honor he once clung to like a lifeline. King Charles III, evidently tired of cleaning up his brother's messes, used his royal prerogative to remove Andrew's styles, ranks, and knighthoods—everything from “His Royal Highness” to the Duke of York and beyond. The disgraced royal, now simply Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has also been ordered to vacate the lavish Royal Lodge, marking a total fall from grace for the man who once strutted around as the Queen's favorite son. The move is being described as unprecedented, but in truth, it's been a long time coming. After years of scandal, arrogance, and shameless denial over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the crown finally decided that Andrew's dead weight was too heavy to carry any longer.For Prince Andrew, this wasn't just a fall from grace—it was a full-scale implosion of everything he thought made him untouchable. Even stripped of his titles, he's still clinging to denial like it's his last shred of nobility, pretending the world just “doesn't understand.” The man who once swaggered around royal circles with smug entitlement now stands exposed as the cautionary tale of what happens when arrogance meets consequence. His downfall isn't tragic—it's poetic justice. He built his own downfall one disastrous decision at a time, from his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein to his laughable denials and public meltdowns. The final insult isn't that he lost his titles—it's that the titles ever disguised what he really was: a spoiled, self-serving opportunist who mistook birthright for character.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:'Boorish and entitled' Andrew is now an 'ordinary member of the public': King stripped his brother of his prince title and ordered him to leave Royal Lodge after being 'consistently embarrassed' | Daily Mail OnlineBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

This week Tatton and Diane chat about firework laws, the impact of student debt and social media bans! Cast your vote for us in the People's Choice category of the Political Podcast Awards here: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ Who we are Simple Politics does things differently. We exist to help you have better conversations about the issues and the changes that matter. We do so by being clear, accurate and impartial. Also, light-hearted, engaging and occasionally (but not as often as we think) amusing. It's not just about understanding the facts and the topics themselves but also looking at why different people hold the opinions they do. Those with whom you disagree aren't monsters. Understanding and respect are at the core of everything we do. Our core offering will always be free. Unfortunately, giving things away for free isn't a great business model. We've never been business people. But. We do need to make this work. We do so through our amazing supporters, who keep us going by buying stuff in our shop and making monthly donations. This podcast has been Produced by Stripped Media If you want to know more about this podcast and others produced by Stripped Media, please visit www.Stripped.media or email Producers@Stripped.Media to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting a webcomic in 2026 isn't about chasing algorithms or copying what's popular — it's about building something sustainable, creative, and yours. In this episode, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett break down what new cartoonists actually need to focus on in their first years: writing first, consistency over hype, owning your work, and building an audience the right way.You'll learn why you don't need Webtoon or Tapas, why monetizing too early can derail your career, how social media really fits into comics growth today, and why a website and mailing list are non-negotiable. This is a marathon mindset episode for creators who want to do comics for the long haul — and do them for love.Getting off on the Right FootDon't try to “game” your readership. Write about what YOU like. Readers are drawn to a creator's passion. It doesn't work the other way around.Building readership takes time and consistency. Creating for love is essential in the early years.Focus on writing as the core of comic creation. They're called comics readers, not comics lookers. It's all about the writing.Focus on creating comics for the love of the craft. The first comics may only be seen by you; embrace the process.Mistakes in the early stages are recoverable. Stop fretting over them.Common copyright fears and how to approach themOwn and control your workBuilding an audienceYou do NOT need to be on Webtoon/Tapas. Look at the comics on the front pages of those sites? Does your comic look like those? Is your content similar? If not, you're not going to fare well there. It's pretty obvious.Social media presence is still important for comic creators. Today, we recommend Bluesky and Reddit. ComicLab has Collections that provide solid social-media strategies. They're free to members and available at a one-time fee for others.Be active on social media to build your audience. Follow the Four Cs — Creation, Curation, Commercial, and KindnessHow many updates? FCS — Frequent / Consistent / Significant — there are no magic numbers.Start building your mailing list NOW with a newsletter. This will be increasingly important when you turn to monetization in a few years. You should send every comic out in a newsletter post and you should also post a weekly newsletter of no longer than 500 words per update with BTS content (to the extent you're comfortable sharing).You need a website. This is not old or outdated — it's incredibly powerful, and you need to start planning for one now… even if it's a very bare-bones site. This is a non-negotiable.Consider The 2-2-1 Rule: Two social media platforms, two newsletters (including a free-membership tier on Patreon), one website. Then, use these together to funnel traffic inward towards the website. Later, when you've launched monetization, the funnel will direct towards that.Don't listen to your reader; listen to your readersDon't mistake social media followers for income.MonetizationDON'T START MONETIZING IN YOUR FIRST YEAR. Maybe not even the second. Everything you need to know about crowdfunding is in the name. First comes the crowd, THEN comes the funding. In the first few years, you need to focus on building that crowd. The only thing worse than having no Patreon backers is having ONE Patreon backer. Hundreds of new comic creators have become derailed by focusing on monetization too soon.Comic Cons: We don't recommend them. They don't build audience. They don't have great sales unless you have a lot of merch that *does well as in-person merch* (there's a difference!). And it's very hard to make profit unless you can religiously control costs. If you're making merch to go to the show, you're doing this all wrong. Psychologically, a lot of folks like to “play” professional cartoonist by exhitibiting.Accepted into show start making stuff to sell.Start planning now for print — hi-res (400+ dpi),  bigger than final size, cmyk, maintain layers, etc. Save in the native software.Marathon thinkingPersistence is key; it's a marathon, not a sprint. If you need a schedule to post regularly, set a schedule and stick to it.Develop your aesthetic by studying good comics.Seek honest feedback to improve your work.Reach out to other comics creators who are doing stuff that's similar to yours and build networks. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

NEW FOR JANUARY 15, 2026 See no evil, speak no evil, hear only the good stuff . . . Stripped Senses - The Best Radio You Have Never Heard Vol. 524 1. Dialogue (Pts. 1 & 2) - Chicago 2. Times Like These (live) - Glen Campbell 3. King Of The World - Steely Dan 4. Shakedown Street (live) - The Grateful Dead 5. Deja Vu (live) - David Crosby with The Lighthouse Band 6. Wooden Ships (live) - Paul Kantner 7. Almost Cut My Hair (live) - The Allman Brothers Band w/ David Crosby, Graham Nash and Phil Lesh 8. Midnight Rider (live unplugged) - Gregg Allman 9. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (live) - Joan Baez 10. Pay Me My Money Down (live) - Bruce Springsteen and The Seeger Sessions Band 11. Little Wing (early) - Jimi Hendrix Experience 12. Tank - Carl Palmer 13. Cookie's Puss (live) - Liquid Soul 14. Skaffle (live) - The Urbations 15. Been Undone (Dark Side Mix) - Peter Gabriel 16. Anyway / Here Comes the Supernatural Aneasthetist / The Lamia - Genesis 17. Aurora (pts 1 & 2) - Jean-Luc Ponty 18. Mother Russia (live) - Renaissance The Best Radio You Have Never Heard. Generationally Compatible. Accept No Substitute. Click to leave comments on the Facebook page.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Ruth for an exploration that begins with goddesses and gently unfolds into land, nature, grief, healing, paradox, and the quiet magick of being alive.In this conversation, we explore:1. Do we choose goddesses, or do they emerge when we are ready?Ruth opens the conversation by reflecting on her work with goddesses across the Wheel of the Year, and the quiet confusion that can arise around “favourites,” loyalty, and doing devotion correctly. What emerges is a shared recognition that goddess energy is not hierarchical or exclusive, but fluid, embodied, and responsive.We explore reframing gods and goddesses as energies that rise from land, culture, and human need, meeting us in forms we can recognise, rather than demanding allegiance.2. Goddess as landscape, not doctrineThe conversation deepens into local goddesses, particularly Andraste, and how land-based deities feel different when encountered in place. Ruth speaks about walking by rivers, standing in landscapes, and feeling connection not through belief, but through presence.We talk about how goddess energies shift across time, culture, and human evolution, emerging in different guises as we need them, rather than remaining fixed or singular.3. Releasing guilt from spiritual practiceWe dismantle the idea that devotion must be constant, perfect, or fear-driven. There's a clear rejection of punitive spirituality, whether religious or magickal. Relationships with goddesses, land, or ritual are described as cyclical, seasonal, and alive.The idea that missed rituals, forgotten candles, or inconsistent practices might invite punishment is named as inherited conditioning, not truth.4. Rhythm, attention, and everyday magickThe conversation turns toward daily practices: tarot, journaling, meditation, walking, noticing. We speak about the danger of turning spiritual tools into checklists, and Ruth reflects on how presence matters more than frequency.5. Nature as a companion through illness and isolationRuth shares her experience of living alone in nature during chemotherapy and lockdown. Stripped back physically and emotionally, she describes how land, trees, animals, and seasons became companions rather than scenery.From butterflies overwintering in outbuildings, to deer sleeping nearby, to trees marked with her birth year, nature is described as witness, mirror, and quiet ally during a time of profound vulnerability.6. Bones, feathers, and respectful relationshipThe conversation moves towards skulls, bones, feathers, and instinctive boundaries. Ruth speaks about collecting skulls with permission and reverence, not as tools of power, but as companions and protectors. And I share my own discomfort with feathers, illustrating how intuitive limits are as important as intuitive pulls.There's no judgment here. Only curiosity, humour, and respect for how differently people relate to material allies.7. Vastness, insignificance, and freedomTogether, we talk on the vastness of the universe, deep time, evolution, and humanity's smallness within it all. Rather than nihilism, this awareness brings relief. Perspective. Permission to make mistakes. Permission to live.8. Becoming part of nature, not its managerWe close with reflections on ageing, cronehood, and belonging. Ruth speaks about no longer fearing the dark, about sitting quietly in woods, releasing hedgehogs, and allowing nature to carry on around her.This is a conversation about remembering that we belong, even when we feel stripped bare.-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --All of the Magick:The A Pinch of Magick App:IPhone - download on the App StoreAndroid - download pn the Google PlayOur (free) magickal Community: Facebook GroupMagickal JournalsExplore on Amazon Rebecca's Author PageWebsiteRebeccaAnuwen.comMagickalHabits.comInstagramFor Magick: Click hereFor a Sacred Pause in Nature: Click hereFor CharmCasting: Click hereFor Merlin, my Dog: Click here

What does it really mean when someone looks at your career and says, “You should be doing more”?In this episode of ComicLab, Brad and Dave respond to a pointed listener question that cuts straight to the bone: If they have the skills, the experience, and the ideas — why haven't they launched even more projects? The answer isn't defensive or dismissive. Instead, it becomes a clear-eyed breakdown of creative bandwidth, sustainability, work-life balance, and the invisible labor that propels up a long-term comics career. From Patreon and newsletters to storefronts, commissions, podcasts, and family responsibilities, they unpack why “doing enough” is often misunderstood from the outside — and why restraint can be a strategic choice, not a lack of ambition.The conversation then pivots to one of the trickiest problems any humor writer faces: How to judge your own work when readers don't get the joke. How many confused comments are just statistical noise—and when do they signal a real problem in execution? Brad and Dave dig into the uncomfortable middle ground between ego and humility, exploring how to listen to feedback without letting it derail your voice, and how to improve clarity without sanding off what makes your work distinctive. It's a nuanced, experience-earned discussion about ramps, chasms, audience expectations, and why “it happens to everyone” is not an excuse — but also not a death sentence.If you've ever felt pressure to produce more, or struggled to decide whether reader confusion is a warning sign or just the cost of taking creative risks, this episode offers hard-earned perspective from two cartoonists who've been navigating those exact questions for decades.TakeawaysCreative projects often take a backseat due to time constraints.Cartoonists manage a heavy workload that includes multiple projects.Balancing creativity with administrative tasks is crucial for success.Feedback from readers can help improve comic writing.Self-editing is a continuous process for comic creators.Reader confusion can indicate a need for better communication in comics.Communication is key in the artistic process.     You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Tomás Pinheiro explains how an act of urban erasure in the Thai capital stole the charm from one of the city’s iconic structures.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar make their predictions for 2026 and share their goals for the new year. Also — they offer their annual reminder to shop the Comicraft New Year's Day sale on January 1st.Brad's PredictionsSyndicated comics reach the tipping pointCreator identity becomes prominentSubstack pulls throughWebtoon bubble burstsPatreon expands “community” and “discovery” tools.AI gains acceptanceDave's predictionsIf you want a stable career in comics, produce Dog Man.NCS will continue to grow its membership to numbers it hasn't seen in decades.If Funko Pop indeed goes bankrupt — and that's still a big if — there might be SDCC space available for the first time in years.I'm predicting a good-sized market correction in the second part of the year.Brad's GoalsShifting from survive to thrive.This will be a two-Kickstarter year. Spice Rack was a moderate success. Uncensored Artists is the next stepRepackaging, re-releasing, and rebranding my archives for a new and evolving audience.20% email list growth on the Evil Inc Substack and the free-membership tier on Patreon.Start doing monthly assessments so I can improve my annual assessments. Dave's GoalsKickstart one new book, “Double Dog Dare”Exhibit at WorldCon in LA for the first time in a decade.Successfully navigate the first of the last four years of DRIVE. Get more “Tales of the Drive” in the works.  You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

STRIPPING THE GUNS FOR A SUICIDE MISSION Colleague James M. Scott. For the March 9th raid, LeMayordered bombers stripped of all guns and ammunition to carry more incendiaries and prevent friendly fire in the dark. Crews viewed this low-level entry into a heavily defended city as a suicide mission, with predictions of 70% casualties. LeMay bypassed his superiors, not informing Washington or Brigadier General Norstad until the planes were nearly launching. The target was Asakusa, a dense residential district home to 135,000 people per square mile. The objective was to create a self-sustaining firestorm that would act as its own weather system. NUMBER 5 1945 OKINAWA

The Trump administration has removed over 600,000 people without legal status from the U.S. through deportation this year, according to the Department of Homeland Security.The Trump administration has also been busy revoking legal status for immigrants who entered the country through legal pathways -- affecting at least 1.6 million people -- by canceling programs and protections like CBP One, Temporary Protected Status, humanitarian parole and student visas.That legal limbo means they too now fear the constant threat of deportation.NPR's Sergio Martinez-Beltran and Ximena Bustillo recap the largest effort to delegalize immigrants in U.S. history.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Vincent Acovino, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon, Eric Westervelt and Anna Yukhananov. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Donald Trump's primetime address this week was far less dramatic than advertised, but far more revealing than it looked at first glance. Stripped of the rumors and speculation, the speech functioned as a quiet reset on the issue that matters most to his presidency: the economy.Going into the address, expectations were wildly inflated. Cable chatter and online speculation had convinced many people that Trump was preparing to announce military action in Venezuela or unveil a sweeping foreign policy shift. Instead, the speech clocked in at just under 20 minutes and stayed tightly focused on affordability, inflation, and household pressure. That choice alone tells you where the White House believes its real vulnerability lies.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Trump did something slightly out of character by acknowledging economic strain without declaring immediate victory. He framed the economy as a process rather than a finished product, arguing that recovery takes time and patience. That is a notable shift from his usual insistence that conditions are already excellent. It was not an apology, but it was an admission that voters are not wrong to feel squeezed.Much of the address revolved around tariffs and tax policy, with Trump asking voters to accept short-term pain in exchange for long-term gain. He pitched tariffs as leverage that will eventually lower costs and increase domestic production, and he pointed to upcoming tax benefits tied to overtime, tips, and Social Security as proof that relief is coming. The problem is timing. Politically, promises that hinge on next year's tax filings are hard to feel in the present, especially when prices remain high.Trump's instinct throughout the speech was still salesmanship. He moved quickly, spoke loudly, and leaned on confidence rather than detail. The strongest moments came when he attacked insurance companies and framed his agenda as a fight against corporate abuse. Those lines landed because they matched public frustration. The weaker moments were the familiar optimism that everything is already turning the corner. For voters who do not feel that turn yet, tone matters as much as substance.This address was not about breaking news. It was about recalibration. Trump needed to re-anchor his presidency around the economy and away from foreign policy speculation, legal noise, and internal party drama. In that sense, the speech did its job. It lowered the temperature, narrowed the focus, and reminded supporters what they are supposed to be rooting for.Still, a reset speech only works if reality cooperates. If affordability does not improve, no amount of rhetorical discipline will save the argument. This speech could have been shorter, and it certainly could have been written as a memo. But compared to the expectations of escalation and crisis, it was a deliberate attempt to sound grounded. Whether voters reward that restraint is the question that will define the year ahead.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:34 - Trump's Affordability Speech00:12:23 - Brian Brushwood on Empathy00:28:53 - Update00:29:19 - Marijuana00:33:07 - Appropriations Package00:34:00 - DNC 2024 Report00:38:10 - Brian Brushwood on Empathy, con't01:01:32 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Joseph Postell discusses the 1983 INS v. Chadha decision, which eliminated the legislative veto. He explains how this ruling stripped Congress of its ability to check the executive branch, transforming a once-dominant legislature into a weak institution unable to reverse administrative decisions on issues like tariffs. 1876 SCOTUS

Did the leaked deal ruin the peacemaking process between Russia and Ukraine? Filling in for Glenn, Stu and Pat further discuss the peace deal allegedly agreed upon by the two countries to end the years-long conflict. The guys discuss the Left's plan for a publicly owned grocery store, despite such stores failing in the past. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) responded to the backlash he received for participating in a video featuring Democrat lawmakers calling on the military to defy orders deemed "illegal." The guys discuss the video and President Trump's responses to it. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) recently signed the CROWN Act, which bans hair discrimination within the state. The guys discuss the absurdity of the concept of hair discrimination. A biological man won the title of "World's Strongest Woman" but was stripped of the win after officials learned his biological sex. Did an executive at Campbell's describe the company's products as low-quality food for poor people? The guys discuss the lawsuit against Campbell's by a disgruntled former employee, which is where the accusation came from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices