Podcasts about Subtle

In this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Tony and Jesse continue their deep dive into the Parable of the Prodigal Son by examining the often-overlooked character of the elder brother. While the younger son's rebellion is obvious, the elder brother's self-righteous moralism represents a more subtle—and perhaps more dangerous—form of lostness. Through careful exegesis of Luke 15:25-32, the hosts explore how religious performance, resentment of grace, and merit-based thinking can keep us far from the Father's heart even while we remain close to the Father's house. This conversation challenges listeners to examine their own hearts for traces of elder brother theology and calls us to celebrate the scandalous grace that restores sinners to sonship. Key Takeaways Two ways to be lost: The parable presents both flagrant rebellion (the younger son) and respectable self-righteousness (the elder son) as forms of spiritual lostness that require God's grace. The elder brother's geographic and spiritual position: Though physically near the house and faithful in service, the elder brother was spiritually distant from the father's heart, unable to celebrate grace extended to others. Moralism as a subtle distance: Self-righteous religion can be more deceptive than open rebellion because it appears virtuous while actually rejecting the father's character and values. The father pursues both sons: God's gracious pursuit extends not only to the openly rebellious but also to the self-righteous, demonstrating that election and grace are sovereign gifts, not earned rewards. The unresolved ending: The parable intentionally leaves the elder brother's response unstated, creating narrative tension that challenges the original audience (Pharisees and scribes) and modern readers to examine their own response to grace. Adoption as the frame of obedience: True Christian obedience flows from sonship and inheritance ("all that I have is yours"), not from a wage-earning, transactional relationship with God. Resentment reveals our theology: When we find ourselves unable to celebrate the restoration of repentant sinners, we expose our own need for repentance—not from scandal, but from envy and pride. Key Concepts The Elder Brother's Subtle Lostness The genius of Jesus' parable is that it exposes a form of lostness that religious people rarely recognize in themselves. The elder brother never left home, never squandered his inheritance, and never violated explicit commands. Yet his response to his brother's restoration reveals a heart fundamentally opposed to the father's character. His complaint—"I have served you all these years and never disobeyed your command"—demonstrates that he viewed his relationship with the father transactionally, as an employer-employee arrangement rather than a father-son bond. This is the essence of legalism: performing religious duties while remaining distant from God's heart. The tragedy is that the elder brother stood within reach of everything the father had to offer yet experienced none of the joy, fellowship, or security of sonship. This form of lostness is particularly dangerous because it wears the mask of righteousness and often goes undetected until grace is extended to someone we deem less deserving. The Father's Gracious Pursuit of the Self-Righteous Just as the father ran to meet the returning younger son, he also went out to plead with the elder brother to come into the feast. This detail is theologically significant: God pursues both the openly rebellious and the self-righteous with the same gracious initiative. The father's response to the elder brother's complaint is not harsh correction but tender invitation: "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours." This reveals that the problem was never scarcity or the father's favoritism—the elder brother had always possessed full access to the father's resources and affection. The barrier was entirely on the son's side: his inability to receive sonship as a gift rather than a wage. This mirrors the historical situation of the Pharisees and scribes who grumbled at Jesus for receiving sinners. They stood adjacent to the kingdom, surrounded by the promises and covenant blessings of God, yet remained outside because they could not accept grace as the principle of God's dealing with humanity. The invitation still stood, but it required them to abandon their merit-based system and enter the feast as recipients of unearned favor. The Unresolved Ending and Its Challenge to Us Luke deliberately leaves the parable unfinished—we never learn whether the elder brother eventually joined the celebration. This narrative technique places the reader in the position of the elder brother, forcing us to answer for ourselves: will we enter the feast or remain outside in bitter resentment? For the original audience of Pharisees and scribes, this unresolved ending was a direct challenge to their response to Jesus' ministry. Would they continue to grumble at God's grace toward tax collectors and sinners, or would they recognize their own need and join the celebration? For contemporary readers, the question remains equally pressing. When we hear of a notorious sinner coming to faith, do we genuinely rejoice, or do we scrutinize their repentance with suspicion? When churches extend membership to those with broken pasts, do we celebrate restoration or quietly question whether they deserve a place at the table? The parable's open ending is not a literary flaw but a pastoral strategy: it refuses to let us remain passive observers and demands that we examine whether we harbor elder brother theology in our own hearts. Memorable Quotes The father's household is a place where grace produces joy, not just merely relief. The elder brother hears the joy before he sees it. That's often how resentment works, isn't it? We're alerted to the happiness of others and somehow there's this visceral response of wanting to be resentful toward that joy, toward that unmerited favor. — Jesse Schwamb There is a way to be near the house, church adjacent, religiously active, yet to be really far from the father's heart. The elder brother is not portrayed as an atheist, but as a moralist. And moralism can be a more subtle distance than open rebellion. — Jesse Schwamb God doesn't keep sinners from repenting. The reprobate are not prohibited or prevented by God from coming to faith. They're being kept out by their own stubborn refusal to come in. That's where this punchline hits so hard. — Tony Arsenal Full Transcript [00:00:44] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 477 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse.  [00:00:51] Tony Arsenal: And I'm Tony. And this is the podcast with ears to hear. Hey brother.  [00:00:55] Jesse Schwamb: Hey brother.  [00:00:56] Parables and God's Word [00:00:56] Jesse Schwamb: Speaking of ears to hear, it struck me that this whole thing we've been doing all this parable talk is really after the manner of God's words. And one of the things I've really grown to appreciate is how God speaks to the condition of those whom he addresses. He considers our ability, our capacity as his hearers to process what he's saying, and that leads into these amazing parables that we've been talking about. He doesn't speak as he is able to speak. So to speak, but I didn't mean that to happen. But as we were able to hear, and that means he spoke in these lovely parables so that we might better understand him. And today we're gonna get into some of the drama of the best, like the crown jewel as we've been saying, of maybe all the parables. The Parable of the Lost Son. We spoke a little bit about it in the last episode. Definitely want to hit that up because it's setting you up for this one, which is the definitive episode. But now we're gonna talk about this first, this younger lost son. Get into some of all of these like juicy details about what takes place, and really, again, see if we can find the heart of God. Spoiler. We can and we'll,  [00:02:04] Tony Arsenal: yeah,  [00:02:04] Affirmations and Denials [00:02:04] Jesse Schwamb: but before we do both of those things, it's of course always time at this moment to do a little affirming with or denying against. Of course, if you haven't heard us before, that's where we take a moment to say, is there something that we think is undervalued that we wanna bring forward that we'd recommend or think is awesome? Or conversely, is there something that's overvalued that's just, we're over it. The vibe is done. We're gonna deny against that. So I say to you, as I often do, Tony, are you affirming with or deny against?  [00:02:31] Tony's Nerdy Hobby: Dungeons and Dragons [00:02:31] Tony Arsenal: I'm affirming tonight. Um, I don't know how much the audience realizes of a giant ridiculous nerd I am, but we're about to go to entirely new giant nerd depths. [00:02:43] Jesse Schwamb: All right. I  [00:02:43] Tony Arsenal: think,  [00:02:44] Jesse Schwamb: let's hear it.  [00:02:44] Tony Arsenal: So, um, I was a huge fan of Stranger Things. Some, there's some issues with the show, and I understand why some people might not, um, might not feel great about watching it. You know, I think it falls within Christian liberty. But one of the main themes of the show, this is not a spoiler, you learn about this in episode one, is the whole game. The whole show frames itself around Dungeons and Dragons, right? It's kind of like a storytelling device within the show that the kids play, Dungeons and Dragons, and everything that happens in the Dungeons and Dragons game that they're playing, sort of like, um, foreshadows what's actually gonna happen in the show. Which funny if, you know Dungeons and Dragons lore, you kind of learn the entire plot of the story like ahead of time. Um, but so I, stranger Things just finished up and I've kind of been like itching to get into Dungeons and Dragons. I used to play a little bit of tabletop when I was in high school, in early college and um, I just really like the idea of sort of this collaborative storytelling game. Um, whether it's Dungeon Dragons or one of the other systems, um, Dungeons and Dragons is the most popular. It's the most well published. It's the most well established and it's probably the easiest to find a group to play with. Although it is very hard to find a group to play with, especially, uh, kind of out in the middle of nowhere where I live. So this is where the ultra super nerdy part comes in.  [00:04:02] Jesse Schwamb: Alright, here we  [00:04:03] Tony Arsenal: go. I have been painstakingly over the last week teaching Google Gemini. To be a dungeon master for me. So I've been playing Dungeons and Dragons more or less by myself with, uh, with Google Gemini, and I'm just having a lot of fun with it. Um, you can get a free copy of the rules online if you, I think it's DND, the letter NDND beyond.com. They have a full suite of like tools to create your character. Access to a basic set of the core rules. Um, you can spend a lot of money on Dungeons and Dragons, uh, and if you want to like really get into it, the books are basically textbooks. Like you're buying $300 or 300 page, $300, 300 page textbooks, um, that are not all that differently costs than like college textbooks. You'll buy a 300 page Dungeon master guide that's like $50 if you want a paper copy. So, but you can get into it for free. You can get the free rolls online, you can use their dungeon, the d and d Beyond app and do all your dice rolls for free. Um, you, you can get a free dice roller online if you don't want to do their, their app. Um, but it's just a lot of fun. I've just been having a lot of fun and I found that the, I mean. When you play a couple sessions with it, you see that the, the um, the A IDM that I've created, like it follows the same story beats 'cause it's only got so much to work with in its language model. Um, but I'm finding ways to sort of like break it out of that model by forcing it to refer to certain websites that are like Dungeons and Dragons lore websites and things like build your, build your campaign from this repository of Dungeons and Dragons stuff. So. I think you could do this with just about any sort of narrative storytelling game like this, whether you're playing a different system or d and d Pathfinders. I mean, there's all sorts of different versions of it, but it's just been a lot of fun to see, see it going. I'm trying to get a group together. 'cause I think I would, I would probably rather play Dungeons and Dragons with people, um, and rather do it in person. But it's hard to do up here. It's hard to get a, get a group going. So that's my super nerdy affirmation. I'm not just affirming Dungeons and Dragons, which would already be super nerdy. I'm affirming playing it by myself on my phone, on the bus with Google Gemini, AI acting like I'm not. Just this weird antisocial lunatic. So I'm having a lot of fun with it.  [00:06:20] Jesse Schwamb: So there are so many levels of inception there. Yeah. Like the inception and everything you just said. I love it.  [00:06:27] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Well, what I'm learning is, um, you can give an, and, and this is something I didn't realize, what ai, I guess I probably should have, you know, it's not like an infinite thing. Um, you can give an AI instructions and if your chat gets long enough, it actually isn't referring back to the very beginning of the chat most of the time. Right. There's a, there's like a win context window of about 30 responses. So like if you tell the AI, don't roll the dice for me, like, let me roll dices that are related to my actions, eventually it will forget that. So part of what I've been doing is basically building, I'm using Google Gemini when the AI does something I don't want it to do, I say, you just did something I don't want it to do. Gimme a diagnostic report of why you did that. It will explain to me why it did what it did. Right. Why it didn't observe the rules. And then I'm feeding that into another. Prompt that is helping me generate better prompts that it refers back to. So it's kind of this weird iterative, um, yeah, I, I don't, I'm like, I maybe I'm gonna create the singularity. I'm not sure. Maybe this is gonna be possible. We should sit over the edge. It's gonna, it's gonna learn how to cast magic spells and it's gonna fire bolt us in the face or something like that. Right. But, uh, again, high risk. I, I, for one, welcome our AO AI dungeon masters. So check it out. You should try it. If you could do this with chat GPT, you could do it with any ai. Um, it, it, it is going to get a little, I have the benefit because I have a Google Workspace account. I have access to Google Pro or the Gemini Pro, which is a better model for this kind of thing. But you could do this with, with chat GPT or something like that. And it's gonna be more or less the same experience, I think. But I'm having a, I'm having a ton of fun with it. Um. Again, I, I, there's something about just this, Dungeons and Dragons at its core is a, it's like a, an exercise in joint storytelling, which is really fascinating and interesting to me. Um, and that's what most tabletop RPGs are like. I suppose you get into something like War Hammer and it's a little bit more like a board. It's a mixture of that plus a board game. But Dungeons and Dragons, the DM is creating the, I mean, not the entire world, but is creating the narrative. And then you as a player are an actor within that narrative. And then there's a certain element of chance that dice rolls play. But for the most part, um, you're driving the story along. You're telling the story together. So it's, it's pretty interesting. I've also been watching live recordings of Dungeons and Dragon Sessions on YouTube. Oh,  [00:08:50] Jesse Schwamb: wow.  [00:08:51] Tony Arsenal: Like, there's a, there's a channel called Critical Role. Like these sessions are like three and a half hours long. So, wow. I just kinda have 'em on in the background when I'm, when I'm, uh, working or if I'm, you know, doing something else. Um, but it's really interesting stuff. It's, it's pretty cool. I think it's fun. I'm a super nerd. I'm, I'm no shame in that. Um, I'm just really enjoying it.  [00:09:09] Jesse Schwamb: Listen, nerdery is great. That's like part of the zeitgeist now. Listen to culture. It's cool to be a nerd. I don't know much about d and d. I've heard a lot about this idea of this community that forms around. Yeah. The story, correct me if I'm wrong, can't these things go on for like years, decades?  [00:09:25] Tony Arsenal: Oh yeah, yeah. Like, you can do there. There, some of this has made its way into the official rule books, but basically you could do what's called a one shot, which is like a self-contained story. Usually a single session, you know, like you get a Dungeon master, game master, whichever you wanna call the person. Three to four, maybe five characters, player characters. And one session is usually about two hours long. So it's not like you sit down for 20 minutes, 30 minutes at a time and play this right. And you could do a one shot, which is a story that's designed to, to live all within that two hour session. Um, some people will do it where there isn't really any planned like, outcome of the story. The, the DM just kind of makes up things to do as they go. And then you can have campaigns, which is like, sometimes it's like a series of one shots, but more, it is more like a long term serialized period, you know, serialized campaign where you're doing many, um, many, many kinds of, uh, things all in one driving to like a big epic goal or battle at the end, right? Um, some groups stay together for a really long time and they might do multiple campaigns, so there's a lot to it. Game's been going on for like 50, 60, 70 years, something like that. I don't remember exactly when it started, but  [00:10:41] Jesse Schwamb: yeah.  [00:10:41] Tony Arsenal: Um, it's an old game. It's kinda like the doctor who of of poor games and it's like the original tabletop role playing game, I think. [00:10:47] Jesse Schwamb: Right. Yeah, that makes sense. Again, there's something really appealing to me about not just that cooperative storytelling, but cooperative gameplay. Everybody's kind of in it together for the most part. Yeah. Those conquest, as I understand them, are joint in nature. You build solidarity, but if you're meeting with people and having fun together and telling stories and interacting with one another, there's a lot of good that comes out of that stuff there. A lot of lovely common grace in those kind of building, those long-term interactions, relationships, entertainment built on being together and having good, clean, fun together.  [00:11:17] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Well, and it's, you know, it's, um. It's an interesting exercise. It's it, in some ways it's very much like improv. Like you, you think of like an improv comedy like show I've been to somewhere. Like, you know, you go to the show and it's an improv troupe, but they're like calling people from the crowd up and asking them for like different scenarios they might do. It's kind of like that in that like the GM can plan a whole, can plan a whole thing. But if I as a player character, um. And I've done this to the virtual one just to see what it does, and it's done some interesting things. One of the campaigns I was playing, I had rescued a merchant from some giant spiders and I was helping, like, I was helping like navigate them through the woods to the next town. And we kept on getting attacked and just outta nowhere. I was like, what if I sort of act as though I'm suspicious of this merchant now because why are we getting attacked all the time? And so I, I typed in sort of like a little. A mini role play of me accusing this guy. And it was something like, Randall, we get, we're getting attacked a lot for a simple merchant, Randall merchant. What happens if I cast a tech magic? What am I gonna find? And he's like, I don't know what I'm gonna find. I know I don't know anything. And then I cast a tech magic and it shifted. I mean, I don't know where the campaign was gonna go before that, but it shifted the whole thing now where the person who gave him the package he was carrying had betrayed him. It was, so that happens in real life too in these games, real life in these games. That happens in real, in-person sessions too, where a player or a group of players may just decide instead of talking to the contact person that is supposed to give them the clue to find the dungeon they're supposed to go to, instead they ambush them and murder them in gold blood. And now the, the dungeon master has to figure out, how do I get them back to this dungeon when this is the only person that was supposed to know where it is? So it, it does end up really stretching your thinking skills and sort of your improvisational skills. There's an element of, um, you know, like chance with the dice, um, I guess like the dice falls in the lot, but the lot is in the handle. Or like, obviously that's all ordained as well too, but there is this element of chance where even the DM doesn't get to determine everything. Um, if, if I say I want to, I want to try to sneak into this room, but I'm a giant barbarian who has, you know, is wearing like chain mail, there's still a chance I could do it, but the dice roll determines that. It's not like the, the GM just says you can't do that. Um, so it's, it's a, I, I like it. I'm, I'm really looking forward to trying to, getting into it. It is hard to start a group and to get going and, um, there's a part of me that's a little bit. Gun shy of maybe like getting too invested with a group of non-Christians for something like this. 'cause it can get a little weird sometimes. But I think that, I think that'll work out. It'll be fun. I know there's actually some people in our telegram chat. Bing, bing, bing segue. There we go. There's some people in our telegram chat actually, that we're already planning to do a campaign. Um, so we might even do like a virtual reform brotherhood, Dungeons and Dragons group. So that might be a new sub channel in the telegram at some point.  [00:14:13] Jesse Schwamb: There you go. You could jump right in. Go to t.me back slash reform brotherhood.  [00:14:18] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Jesse, what are you affirming since I just spent the last 15 minutes gushing about my nerdy hobby?  [00:14:23] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, no, that was great. Can I, can I just say two things? One is, so you're basically saying it's a bit like, like a troll shows up and everybody's like, yes. And yeah. So I love that idea. Second thing, which is follow up question, very brief. What kind of merchant was Randall.  [00:14:39] Tony Arsenal: Uh, he was a spice trader actually.  [00:14:42] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. I don't trust that.  [00:14:43] Tony Arsenal: And, and silk, silk and spices.  [00:14:45] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. That's double, that's too strict.  [00:14:47] Tony Arsenal: He was actually good guy in the, in the story that developed out of this campaign. He actually became part of my family and like, like, like got adopted into the family because he lost everything on his own. Randy we're  [00:15:00] Jesse Schwamb: talking about Randy.  [00:15:01] Tony Arsenal: Randy Randall with one L. Yeah. The AI was very specific about  that.  [00:15:05] Jesse Schwamb: There's, there's nothing about this guy I trust. I, is this still ongoing? Because I think he's just trying to make his way deeper in,  [00:15:11] Tony Arsenal: uh, no, no. It, I'll, I'll wait for next week to tell you how much, even more nerdy this thing gets. But there's a whole thing that ha there was a whole thing out of this That's a tease. Tease. There was a, there was a horse and the horse died and there was lots of tears and there was a wedding and a baby. It was, it's all sorts of stuff going on in this campaign. [00:15:27] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. And I'm sure. Randy was somewhere near that horse when it happened. Right?  [00:15:32] Tony Arsenal: It was his horse.  [00:15:33] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, exactly. That's  [00:15:35] Tony Arsenal: exactly, he didn't, he didn't kill the horse. He had no power to knock down the bridge The horse was standing on.  [00:15:40] Jesse Schwamb: Listen, next week, I'm pretty sure that's what we're gonna learn is that it was all him. [00:15:45] Tony Arsenal: Alright, Jesse, save us from this. Save us from this, please. Uh,  [00:15:49] Jesse Schwamb: no.  What  [00:15:50] Tony Arsenal: you affirming, this is  [00:15:50] Jesse Schwamb: great.  [00:15:50] Jesse's Affirmation: Church Community [00:15:50] Jesse Schwamb: It's possible that there is a crossover between yours and mine if we consider. That the church is like playing a d and d game in the dungeon Masters Christ, and the campaigns, the gospel. So I was thinking maybe is it possible, uh, maybe this is just the, the theology of the cross, but that sometimes, like you need the denial to get to the affirmation. Have we talked about that kind of truth? Yeah,  [00:16:14] Tony Arsenal: yeah,  [00:16:15] Jesse Schwamb: for sure. So here's a little bit of that. I'll be very, very brief and I'm using this not as like just one thing that happened today, but what I know is for sure happening all over the world. And I mean that very literally, not just figuratively when it comes to the body of Christ, the local church. So it snowed here overnight. This was, this is the Lord's Day. We're hanging out in the Lord's Day, which is always a beautiful day to talk about God. And overnight it snowed. The snow stopped relatively late in the morning around the time that everybody would be saying, Hey, it's time to go and worship the Lord. So for those in my area, I got up, we did the whole clearing off the Kai thing. I went to church and I was there a little bit early for a practice for music. And when I pulled in, there weren't many there yet, but the whole parking lot unplowed. So there's like three inches of snow, unplowed parking lot. So I guess the denial is like the plow people decided like, not this time I, I don't think so. They understood they were contracted with the church, but my understanding is that when one of the deacons called, they were like, Ooh, yeah, we're like 35 minutes away right now, so that's gonna be a problem. So when I pulled in, here's what I was. Like surprise to find, but in a totally unexpected way, even though I understand what a surprise is. And that is that, uh, that first the elders and the deacons, everybody was just decided we're going to shovel an entire parking lot. And at some point big, I was a little bit early there, but at some point then this massive text change just started with everybody, which was, Hey, when you come to church, bring your shovel. And I, I will tell you like when I got out of the car. I was so like somebody was immediately running to clear a path with me. One of those like snow pushers, you know what I mean? Yeah. Like one, those beastly kind of like blade things.  [00:17:57] Tony Arsenal: Those things are, those things are the best.  [00:17:59] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. You just run. And so you have never met a group of people that was more happy to shovel an entire large asphalt area, which normally shouldn't even be required. And. It just struck me, even in hindsight now thinking about it, it was this lovely confluence of people serving each other and serving God. It was as if they got up that morning and said, do you know what would be the best thing in the world for me to do is to shovel. And so everybody was coming out. Everybody was shoveling it. It was to protect everyone and to allow one into elaborate, one access. It was just incredible. And so I started this because the affirmation is, I know this happens in, in all of our churches, every God fearing God, loving God serving church, something like this is happening, I think on almost every Lord's day or maybe every day of the week in various capacities. And I just think this is God's people coming together because everybody, I think when we sat down for the message was exhausted, but. But there was so much joy in doing this. I think what you normally would find to be a mundane and annoying task, and the fact that it wasn't just, it was redeemed as if like we, we found a greater purpose in it. But that's, everyone saw this as a way to love each other and to love God, and it became unexpected worship in the parking lot. That's really what it was, and it was fantastic. I really almost hope that we just get rid of the plow company and just do it this way from now on. Yeah, so I'm affirming, recognize people, recognize brothers and sisters that your, your church is doing this stuff all the time and, and be a part of it. Jump in with the kinda stuff because I love how it brings forward the gospel.  [00:19:35] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. That's a great story. It's a great, uh, a great example of the body of Christ being, what the body of Christ is and just pulling together to get it done. Um, which, you know, we do on a spiritual level, I think, more often than a physical level these days. Right, right. But, um, that's great. I'm sitting here going three inches of snow. I would've just pulled into the lot and then pulled out of the lot. But New Hampshire, it hits different in New Hampshire. Like we all d have snow tires and four wheel drive.  [00:20:02] Jesse Schwamb: It's, it's enough snow where it was like pretty wet and heavy that it, if, you know, you pack that stuff down, it gets slick. You can't see the people, like you can't have your elderly people just flying in, coming in hot and then trying to get outta the vehicle, like making their way into church.  [00:20:14] Tony Arsenal: Yeah.  [00:20:15] Jesse Schwamb: So there was, there was a lot more of that. But I think again, you would, one of the options would've been like, Hey, why don't we shovel out some sp spaces for the, for those who need it, for, you know, those who need to have access in a way that's a little bit less encumbered. Oh, no, no. These people are like, I see your challenge and I am going to shovel the entire parking lots.  [00:20:35] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. It used to happen once in a while, uh, at the last church, uh, at, um, your dad's church. We would, where the plow would just not come on a Sunday morning or, or more often than not. Um, you know, what happens a lot of times is the plows don't want to come more than once. Right. If they don't have to. Or sometimes they won't come if they think it's gonna melt because they don't want to deal with, uh, with like customers who are mad that you plowed and that it all melts. But either way, once in a while. The plow wouldn't come or it wouldn't come in time. And what we would do is instead of trying to shovel an entire driveway thing, we would just went, the first couple people who would get there, the young guys in the church, there was only a couple of us, but the younger guys in the church would just, we would just be making trips, helping people into the, yeah. Helping people into the building. So, um, it was a pretty, you know, it was a small church, so it was like six trips and we'd have everybody in, but um, we just kind of, that was the way we pulled together. Um, yeah, that's a great, it's a great story. I love, I love stuff like that. Yeah, me too. Whether it's, whether it's, you know, plowing a, a parking lot with shovels instead of a plow, or it's just watching, um, watching the tables and the chairs from the fellowship, you know, all just like disappear because everybody's just, uh, picks up after themselves and cleans and stuff. That's, that's like the most concrete example of the body of Christ doing what the body of Christ does. Um, it's always nice, you know, we always hear jokes about like, who can carry the most, the most chairs,  [00:22:04] Jesse Schwamb: most  [00:22:04] Tony Arsenal: chairs. Uh, I think it's true. Like a lot of times I think like I could do like seven or eight sometimes. [00:22:10] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, you, that's, so, one more thing I wanna say. I, I wanted to tell you this privately, Tony, 'cause it just cracked me up 'cause I, you'll appreciate this. But now I'm realizing I think the brothers and sisters who listened to us talk for any length of time and in the context of this conversation, but the church will appreciate this too. On my way out, I, I happened because I was there early and the snow was crazy. I parked way further out, way on the edge of the lot to just allow for greater access because of all the shoveling that was happening. And by the way, I really hope there were a ton of visitors this morning because they were like, wow, this, this church is wild. They love to shovel their own lot and they're the happiest people doing it. Some sweaty person just ushered me in while they were casting snow. Like,  [00:22:47] Tony Arsenal: is this some new version of snake handling? You shovel your own lot and your impervious to back injuries.  [00:22:53] Jesse Schwamb: Uh. So I was walking out and as I walked past, uh, there was a, uh, two young gentlemen who were congregating by this very large lifted pickup truck, which I don't have much experience with, but it looked super cool and it was started, it was warming up, and they were just like casually, like in the way that only like people with large beards wearing flannel and Carhartt kind of do, like casually leaning against the truck, talking in a way that you're like, wow, these guys are rugged. And they sound, they're super cool, and they're probably like in their twenties. And all I hear as I pass by is one guy going, yeah, well, I mean that's, I was, I said to them too, but I said, listen, I'd rather go to a church with God-fearing women than anywhere else.  [00:23:36] Tony Arsenal: Nice.  [00:23:37] Jesse Schwamb: I was just like, yep. On the prowl and I love it. And they're not wrong. This is the place to be.  [00:23:42] Tony Arsenal: It is.  [00:23:43] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. This is the place to be. Yeah. So all kinds of, all kinds of good things I think going on in that in the house of the Lord and where wherever you're at, I would say be happy and be joyful and look for those things and participate in, like you said, whether it's physical or not, but as soon as you said like the, our young men, our youth somehow have this competition of when we need to like pack up the sanctuary. How many chairs can I take at one time? Yeah. It's like the classic and it just happens. Nobody says like, okay, everybody line up. We're about to embark on the competition now. Like the strong man usher competition. It's just like, it just happens and  [00:24:17] Tony Arsenal: it's  [00:24:17] Jesse Schwamb: incredible.  [00:24:18] Tony Arsenal: I mean, peacocks fan out their tail feathers. Young Christian guys fan out. All of the table chairs, chairs they can carry. It's uh, it's a real phenomena. So I feel like if you watch after a men's gathering, everybody is like carrying one chair at a time because they don't wanna hurt their backs and their arms. Oh, that's  [00:24:36] Jesse Schwamb: true. That's  [00:24:37] Tony Arsenal: what I do. Yeah. But it's when the women are around, that's when you see guys carrying like 19 chairs. Yeah. Putting themselves in the hospital.  [00:24:42] Jesse Schwamb: That's what I, listen, it comes for all of us. Like I, you know, I'm certainly not young anymore by almost any definition, but even when I'm in the mix, I'm like, oh, I see you guys. You wanna play this game? Mm-hmm. Let's do this. And then, you know, I'm stacking chairs until I hurt myself. So it's great. That's, that is what we do for each other. It's  [00:25:01] Tony Arsenal: just, I hurt my neck getting outta bed the other day. So it happens. It's real.  [00:25:05] Jesse Schwamb: The struggle. Yeah, the struggle is real.  [00:25:07] The Parable of the Lost Son [00:25:07] Jesse Schwamb: Speaking of struggle, speaking of family issues, speaking of all kinds of drama, let's get into Luke 15 and let me read just, I would say the first part of this parable, which as we've agreed to talk about, if we can even get this far, it's just the younger son. [00:25:24] Tony Arsenal: Yeah.  [00:25:25] Jesse Schwamb: And again, don't worry, we're gonna get to all of it, but let me read beginning in, uh, verse 11 here. This is Luke chapter 15. Come follow along as you will accept if you're operating heavy machinery. And Jesus said, A man had two sons and the younger of them said to his father, father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me. So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country. And there he squandered his estate living recklessly. Now, when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country and it began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. So he went and as he was desiring to be fed with the pods that the swine were eating because no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to himself, he said, how many of my father's men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger. I'll rise up and go to my father, and I'll say to him, father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired men. So he rose up, came to his father, but while he was still a long way off. His father saw him and felt compassion and ran and embraced him. And the son said to him, father, I've sinned against heaven and before you, I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet and bring the fat in calf and slaughter it and let us celebrate. For the son of mine was dead and has come to life again. He was lost and he has been found and they began to celebrate.  [00:27:09] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. This is such a, um, such a, I don't know, like pivotal seminal parable in the Ministry of Christ. Um, it's one of those parables and we, we mentioned this briefly last week that even most. It, it hasn't passed out of the cultural zeitgeist yet. A lot of biblical teaching has, I mean, a lot, I think a lot of things that used to be common knowledge where, where you could make a reference to something in the Bible and people would just get it. Um, even if they weren't Christian or weren't believers, they would still know what you were talking about. There's a lot of things in the Bible that have passed out of that cultural memory. The, the parable of the prodigal son, lost son, however you wanna phrase it, um, that's not one of them. Right. So I think it's really important for us, um, and especially since it is such a beautiful picture of the gospel and it has so many different theological touch points, it's really incumbent on us to spend time thinking about this because I would be willing to bet that if you weave. Elements of this parable into your conversations with nonbelievers that you are praying for and, and, you know, witnessing to and sharing the gospel with, if you weave this in there, you're gonna help like plant some seeds that when it comes time to try to harvest, are gonna pay dividends. Right. So I think it's a really, it's a really great thing that we're gonna be able to spend, you know, a couple weeks really just digging into this. [00:28:40] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, and to define the beginning, maybe from the end, just slightly here, I like what you said about this cultural acknowledgement of this. I think one of the correctives we can provide, which is clear in the story, is in the general cultural sense. We speak of this prodigal as something that just returns comes back, was lost, but now is found. And often maybe there is this component of, in the familial relationship, it's as if they've been restored. Here we're gonna of course find that this coming to one senses is in fact the work of God. That there is, again, a little bit of denial that has to bring forward the affirmation here that is the return. And so again, from the beginning here, we're just talking about the younger son. We have more than youthful ambition.  [00:29:19] The Essence of Idolatry and Sin [00:29:19] Jesse Schwamb: This heart of, give me the stuff now, like so many have said before, is really to say. Give me the gifts and not you, which is, I think, a common fault of all Christians. We think, for instance of heaven, and we think of all the blessings that come with it, but not necessarily of the joy of just being with our savior, being with Christ. And I think there's something here right from the beginning, there's a little bit of this betrayal in showing idolatry, the ugliness of treating God's gifts as if there's something owed. And then this idea that of course. He receives these things and imme more or less immediately sometime after he goes and takes these things and squanderers them. And sin and idolatry, I think tends to accelerate in this way. The distance from the father becomes distance from wisdom. We are pulled away from that, which is good. The father here being in his presence and being under his care and his wisdom and in his fear of influence and concern, desiring then to say, I don't want you just give me the gifts that you allegedly owe me. And then you see how quickly like sin does everything you, we always say like, sin always costs more than you want to pay. And it always takes you further than you want to go. And that's exactly what we see here. Like encapsulated in an actual story of relationship and distance.  [00:30:33] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And I, you know, I think, um. It's interesting to me.  [00:30:39] The Greek Words for Property [00:30:39] Tony Arsenal: You know, I, I, I'm a big fan of saying you don't need to study Greek to understand your Bible, but I'm also a big fan of saying understanding a little bit of Greek is really helpful. And one of the things that I think is really intriguing, and I haven't quite parsed out exactly what I think this means, but the word property in this parable, it actually is two different Greek words that is translated as property, at least in the ESV. And neither one of them really fit. What our normal understanding of property would be. And there are Greek words that refer to like all of your material possessions, but it says, father, give me the share of property. And he uses the word usia, which those of us who have heard anything about the trinity, which is all of us, um, know that that word means something about existence. It's the core essence of a person. So it says, father, give me the share of usia that is coming to me. And then it says, and he divided his bias, his, his life between them. Then it says, not many days later, the younger son gathered all that he had took a journey into the far country. There he squandered his usia again. So this, this parable, Christ is not using the ordinary words to refer to material, uh, material accumulation and property like. I think probably, you know, Christ isn't like randomly using these words. So there probably is an element that these were somehow figuratively used of one's life possessions. But the fact that he's using them in these particular ways, I think is significant. [00:32:10] The Prodigal Son's Misconception [00:32:10] Tony Arsenal: And so the, the, the younger son here, and I don't even like calling this the prodigal sun parable because the word prodigal doesn't like the equivalent word in Greek doesn't appear in this passage. And prodigal doesn't mean like the lost in returned, like prodigal is a word that means like the one who spends lavishly, right? So we call him the prodigal son because he went and he squandered all of his stuff and he spent all of his money. So it doesn't even really describe the main feature or the main point of why this, this parable is here. It's just sort of like a random adjective that gets attached to it. But all of that aside, um. This parable starts off not just about wasting our property, like wasting our things, but it's a parable that even within the very embedded language of the parable itself is talking about squandering our very life, our very essence, our very existence is squandered and wasted as we depart from the Father. Right? And this is so like, um, it's almost so on the head, on the on the nose that it's almost a little like, really Jesus. Like this is, this is so like, slap you in the face kind of stuff. This is right outta like Romans, uh, Romans one, like they did not give thanks to God. They did not show gratitude to God or acknowledge him as God. This is what's happening in this parable. The son doesn't go to his father and say, father, I love you. I'm so happy to stay with you. I'm so happy to be here. He, he basically says like. Give me your very life essence, and I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go spend it on prostitutes. I'm gonna go waste your life, father, I'm gonna waste your life, your existence, your bias. I'm gonna go take that and I'm gonna squander it on reckless living. And I guess we don't know for sure. He, it doesn't say he spends it on prostitutes. That's something his brother says later and assumes he did. So I, I don't know that we do that. But either way, I'm gonna take what's yours, your very life, your very essence. And also that my life, my essence, the gift you've given me as my father, you've given me my life. In addition now to your life or a portion of your life. And I'm gonna go squander that on reckless living, right? Like, how much of a picture of sin is that, that we, we take what we've been given by God, our very life, our very essence, we owe him everything, and we squander that on sinful, reckless living. That that's just a slap in the face in the best way right out of the gate here.  [00:34:28] Jesse Schwamb: Yes, that, that's a great point because it's, it would be one thing to rebel over disobedience, another thing to use the very life essence that you've been given for destructive, self-destructive purposes. And then to use that very energy, which is not yours to begin with, but has been imbued in yours, external, all of these things. And then to use that very thing as the force of your rebellion. So it's double insult all the way around. I'm with you in the use of Greek there. Thank you. Locus Bio software. Not a sponsor of the podcast, but could be. And I think that's why sometimes in translations you get the word like a state because it's like the closest thing we can have to understanding that it's property earned through someone's life more or less. Yeah. And then is passed down, but as representative, not just of like, here's like 20 bucks of cash, but something that I spent all of me trying to earn and. And to your point, also emphasizing in the same way that this son felt it was owed him. So it's like really bad all around and I think we would really be doing ourselves a disservice if we didn't think that there's like a little bit of Paul washer saying in this, like I'm talking about you though. So like just be like, look at how disrespectful the sun is. Yeah. Haven't we all done this? To God and bringing up the idea of prodigal being, so that, that is like the amazing juxtaposition, isn't it? Like Prodigal is, is spent recklessly, parsimonious would be like to, to save recklessly, so to speak. And then you have the love the father demonstrates coming against all of that in the same way with like a totally different kind of force. So.  [00:36:02] The Famine and Realization [00:36:02] Jesse Schwamb: What I find interesting, and I think this is like set up in exactly what you said, is that when you get to verse 14 and this famine comes, it's showing us, I think that like providence exposes what Sin conceals.  [00:36:16] Tony Arsenal: Yeah.  [00:36:16] Jesse Schwamb: And want arrives. Not just because like the money ran out, but because again, like these idols, what he's replaced the father with, they don't satisfy. And repentance then often begins when God shows the emptiness of light apart life apart from him. That's like the affirmation being born out of the denial. And so I think that this also is evolving for us, this idea that God is going to use hardship, not as mere punishment, but as mercy that wakes us up and that the son here is being woken up, but not, of course, it's not as if he goes into the land, like you said, starts to spend, is like, whoa, hold on a second. This seems like a bad idea. It's not until all of that sin ever, like the worship of false things collapses under its own weight before it, which is like the precursor of the antecedent, I think, to this grand repentance or this waking up.  [00:37:05] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And you know, I also think it's, um.  [00:37:08] The Depths of Desperation [00:37:08] Tony Arsenal: A feature of this that I haven't reflected on too deeply, but is, is worth thinking about is the famine that's described here only occurs in this far country that he's in. [00:37:17] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah.  [00:37:17] Tony Arsenal: Right. So even that's right. And this is like a multitude of foolish decisions. This is compounding foolish decisions that don't, don't make any sense. Like they don't really actually make any sense. Um. There's not a logic to this, this lost son's decision making. He takes the property. Okay. I guess maybe like you could be anxious to get your inheritance, but then like he takes it to a far country. Like there's no reason for him to do that. If at any point through this sort of insane process he had stopped short, he would not have been in the situation he was in. Yes. And that, I love that phrase, that providence, you know, reveals, I don't know exactly how you said it, but like providence reveals what our sin can bring to us. Like he first see sins against his father by sort of like demanding, demanding his inheritance early. Then he takes it and he leaves his country for no reason. He goes to this far country, then he spends everything and then the famine arises. Right? And the famine arises in this other country.  [00:38:13] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:38:13] Tony Arsenal: And that's, I think that is still again, like a picture of sin. Like we. We don't just, we don't just take what the father has and, and like spend it like that would be bad enough if we weren't grateful for what we have and what we've been given, and we just waste it. But on top of that, now we also have taken ourselves to a far country. Like we've gone away from the good, the good land of the Lord, as those who are not regenerate. We've gone away from the, the Lord into this far country. And it's not until we start to have this famine that we recognize what we've done. And again, this is, this is where I think we get a picture. There's so many theological, like points in this parable particular that it almost feels a little bit like a, like a. Parable that's intended to teach some systematic theology about for sure, the oral salus, which I think there's probably a lot of like biblical theology people that are ready to just crawl through the screen and strangle me for saying that. But this is such a glorious picture of, of regeneration too. [00:39:16] The Journey Back to the Father [00:39:16] Tony Arsenal: Like he comes to himself, there's nothing, there's nothing in the story that's like, oh, and the servant that he was, the other servant he was talking to mentioned that the famine, like there's nothing here that should prompt him to want to go back to his home, to think that his father could or would do anything about it, except that he comes to himself. He just comes to the realization that his father is a good man and is wise and has resources, and has takes care of his, of his servants on top of how he takes care of his sons. That is a picture of regeneration. There's no, yeah. Logical, like I'm thinking my way into it, he just one day realizes how much, how many of my father's servants have more than enough bread. Right. But I'm perishing here in this, this foolish other country with nothing. Right. I can't even, and the, the pods that the pigs ate, we can even, we can get into the pods a little bit here, but like. He wants to eat the pods. The pods that he's giving the pigs are not something that's even edible to humans. He's that destitute, that he's willing to eat these pods that are like, this is the leftover stuff that you throw to the pigs because no, no, nobody and nothing else can actually eat it. And that's the state he's in at the very bottom, in the very end of himself where he realizes my father is good and he loves me, and even if I can never be his son again, surely he'll take care of me. I mentioned it last week, like he wasn't going back thinking that this was gonna be a failing proposition. He went back because he knew or he, he was confident that his father was going to be able to take care of him and would accept him back. Right. Otherwise, what would be the point of going back? It wasn't like a, it wasn't like a, um, a mission he expected to fail at. He expected there to be a positive outcome or he wouldn't have done it. Like, it wouldn't make any sense to try that if there wasn't the hope of some sort of realistic option.  [00:41:09] Jesse Schwamb: And I think his confidence in that option, as you were saying, is in this way where he's constructed a transaction. Yeah. That he's gonna go back and say, if you'll just take me out as a slave, I know you have slaves, I will work for you. Right. Therefore, I feel confident that you'll accept me under those terms because I'll humble myself. And why would you not want to remunerate? Me for the work that I put forward. So you're right, like it's, it's strange that he basically comes to this, I think, sense that slavery exists in his life and who would he rather be the slave of,  [00:41:38] Tony Arsenal: right? [00:41:39] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. And so he says, listen, I'm gonna come to the father and give him this offer. And I'm very confident that given that offer and his behavior, what I know about how he treats his other slaves, that he will hire me back because there's work to do. And therefore, as a result of the work I put forward, he will take care of me. How much of like contemporary theology is being preached in that very way right now?  [00:41:58] Tony Arsenal: Yeah.  [00:41:59] Jesse Schwamb: And that's really like why the minimum wages of sin is all of this stuff. It's death. It's the consequences that we're speaking about here. By the way, the idea about famine is really interesting. I hadn't thought about that. It is interesting, again, that sin casts him out into this foreign place where the famine occurs. And that famine is the beginning of his realization of the true destruction, really how far he's devolved and degraded in his person and in his relationships and in his current states. And then of course, the Bible is replete with references and God moving through famine. And whereas in Genesis, we have a local famine, essentially casting Joseph brothers into a foreign land to be freed and to be saved.  [00:42:39] Tony Arsenal: Right.  [00:42:40] Jesse Schwamb: We have the exact opposite, which is really kind of interesting. Yeah. So we probably should talk about, you know, verse 15 and the, and the pig stuff. I mean, I think the obvious statement here is that. It would be scandalous, like a Jewish hero would certainly feel the shame of the pigs. They represent UNC cleanliness and social humiliation. I'm interested again, in, in this idea, like you've started us on that the freedom that this younger brother sought for becomes slavery. It's kind of bondage of the wills style. Yeah. Stuff. There's like an, an attentiveness in the story to the degrading reversal in his condition. And it is interesting that we get there finally, like the bottom of the pit maybe, or the barrel is like you said, the pods, which it's a bit like looking at Tide pods and being like, these are delicious. I wish I could just eat these. So I, I think your point isn't lost. Like it's not just that like he looked at something gross and was so his stomach was grumbling so much that he might find something in there that he would find palatable. It, it's more than that. It's like this is just total nonsense. It, this is Romans one. [00:43:45] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And these pods, like, these aren't, um, you know, I guess I, I don't know exactly what these are. I'm sure somebody has done all of the historical linguistic studies, but the Greek word is related to the, the word for keratin. So like the, the same, the same root word. And we have to be careful not to define a Greek word based on how we use it. That's a reverse etymology fallacy. Like dunamis doesn't mean dynamite, it's the other direction. But the Greek word is used in other places, in Greek literature to describe like the horns of rhinoc, like,  [00:44:21] Jesse Schwamb: right,  [00:44:21] Tony Arsenal: this, these aren't like. These aren't pea pods. I've heard this described like these are like little vegetable pods. No, this is like they're throwing pieces of bone to the pigs.  [00:44:31] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah.  [00:44:31] Tony Arsenal: And the pigs, the pigs can manage it. And this is what this also like, reinforces how destitute and how deep the famine is. Like this isn't as though, like this is the normal food you give to pigs. Like usually you feed pigs, like you feed pigs, like the extra scraps from your table and like other kinds of like agricultural waste. These are, these are like chunks of bony keratin that are being fed to the pigs. So that's how terrible the famine is that not even the pigs are able to get food.  [00:45:00] Jesse Schwamb: Right?  [00:45:00] Tony Arsenal: They're given things that are basically inedible, but the pigs can manage it. And this, this kid is so hungry, he's so destitute that he says, man, I wish I could chew on those bony, those bony pods that I'm feeding them because that's how hungry and starved I am. You get the picture that this, um. This lost son is actually probably not just metaphorically on the brink of death, but he's in real risk of starvation, real risk of death that he, he can't even steal. He can't even steal from the pigs what they're eating, right? Like he can't even, he can't even glean off of what the pigs are eating just to stay alive. He, he's literally in a position where he has no hope of actually rescuing himself. The only thing that he can do, and this is the realization he has, the only thing he can do is throw himself back on the mercy of his father.  [00:45:50] Jesse Schwamb: That's  [00:45:50] Tony Arsenal: right. And, and hope, again, I think hope with confidence, but hope that his father will show mercy on him and his, his conception. I wanna be careful in this parable not to, I, I think there's something to what you're getting at or kinda what you're hinting at, that like his conception of mercy is. Not the full picture of the gospel. Yes. His conception of mercy is that he's going to be able to go and work and be rewarded for his laborers in a way that he can survive. And the gospel is so much broader and so much bigger than that. But at the same time, I think it's, it's actually also a confident hope, a faith-filled hope that his father's mercy is going to rescue him, is going to save him. So it is this picture of what we do. And, and I think, I think sometimes, um, I want to be careful how we say this 'cause I don't wanna, I don't want to get a bunch of angry emails and letters, but I think sometimes we, um, we make salvation too much of a theology test. And there's probably people that are like, Tony, did you really just say that? I think there are people who trust in the Lord Jesus thinking that that means something akin to what. This lost son thinks  [00:47:03] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:47:03] Tony Arsenal: Exactly. They trust. They trust that Jesus is merciful and, and I'm not necessarily thinking of Roman Catholics. I'm not thinking of Roman Catholic theology for sure. I do think there are a fair number of Roman Catholic individuals that fall into this category where they trust Jesus to save them. Right. They just don't fully understand exactly what Jesus means, what that means for them to be saved. They think that Christ is a savior who will provide a way for them to be saved by His grace that requires them to contribute something to it. Arminians fall into that category. Right. I actually think, and I, I think there's gonna be if, if there's, if the one Lutheran who listens to our show hears this is gonna be mad, but I actually think Lutheran theology kind of falls into this in a sort of negative fashion in that you have to not resist grace in order to be saved. So I think. That is something we should grapple with is that there are people who fit into that category, but this is still a faith-filled, hope-filled confidence in the mercy of the father in this parable that he's even willing to make the journey back. Right? This isn't like right, he walks from his house down the street or from the other side of town. He's wandering back from a far country. He, he went into a far country. He has to come back from a far country. And yes, the father greets him from afar and sees him from afar. But we're not talking about like from a far country. Like he sees him coming down the road, it, he has to travel to him, and this is a picture of. The hope and the faith that we have to have to return to God, to throw ourselves on the mercy of Christ, trusting that he has our best interest in mind, that he has died for us, and that it is for us. Right? There's the, the knowledge of what Christ has done, and then there's the ascent to the truth of it. And then the final part of faith is the confidence or the, the faith in trust in the fact that, that is for me as well, right? This, this is a picture of that right here. I, I don't know why we thought we were gonna get through the whole thing in one week, Jesse. We're gonna spend at least two weeks on this lost son, or at least part of the second week here. But he, this is, this is also like a picture of faith. This is why I say this as like a systematic theology lesson on soteriology all packed into here. Because not only do we have, like what is repentance and or what does regeneration look like? It's coming to himself. What does repentance look like? Yes. Turning from your sins and coming back. What is, what is the orde solis? Well, there's a whole, there's a whole thing in here. What is the definition of faith? Well, he knows that his father is good. That he has more than enough food for his servants. He, uh, is willing to acknowledge the truth of that, and he's willing to trust in that, in that he's willing to walk back from a far country in order to lay claim to that or to try to lay claim to it. That's a picture of faith right there, just in all three parts. Right. It's, it's really quite amazing how, how in depth this parable goes on this stuff,  [00:49:54] Jesse Schwamb: right? Yeah. It's wild to note that as he comes to himself, he's still working. Yeah, in that far off country. So this shows again that sin is this cruel master. He hits the bottom, he wants the animal food, but he's still unfed. And this is all the while again, he has some kind of arrangement where he is trying to work his way out of that and he sees the desperation. And so I'm with you, you know, before coming to Christ, A person really, I think must come to themselves and that really is like to say they need to have a sober self-knowledge under God, right? Yeah. Which is, as we said before, like all this talk about, well Jesus is the answer. We better be sure what the question is. And that question is who am I before God? And this is why, of course, you have to have the law and gospel, or you have to have the the bad news before you can have the good news. And really, there's all of this bad news that's delivered here and this repentance, like you've been saying, it's not just mere regret, we know this. It's a turning, it's a reorientation back to the father. He says, I will arise and go to my father. So yeah, also it demonstrates to me. When we do come to ourselves when there's a sober self-knowledge under God, there is a true working out of salvation that necessarily requires and results in some kind of action, right? And that is the mortification of sin that is moving toward God again, under his power and direction of the Holy Spirit. But still there is some kind of movement on our part. And so that I think is what leads then in verse 19, as you're saying, the son and I do love this 'cause I think this goes right back to like the true hope that he has, even though it might be slightly corrupted or slightly wa

Do you know the brain is a woman's main sexual organ? So how do you unlock her mind before you try to turn on her body? Because even when everything seems “right,” she still might not be in the mood.  In this Language of Love Bite, we're talking about why emotional and psychological safety are the real gateways to female arousal. Because if a woman doesn't feel seen, connected, and at ease, her body simply won't follow no matter how much effort you put in physically. I break down how women experience desire differently than men, why stress and emotional disconnection shut down arousal, and how engaging her mind first can completely transform your sexual experience and sex life together. You'll also hear the exact kind of compliments that actually build intimacy (hint: it's not just about her looks), simple ways to check in before initiating touch, and how to create anticipation long before you're in the bedroom. And yes, I share one powerful sentence you can say right before intimacy that helps a woman relax, trust, and truly open to pleasure. This isn't about techniques or performance. It's about presence, attunement, and making her feel safe enough to let go. We explore: Why women are turned on mentally before they're turned on physically The difference between spontaneous and responsive desire How emotional safety unlocks deeper arousal What compliments actually turn women on and why surface praise often misses the mark How to use “mental foreplay” to help her unwind instead of perform Subtle texts and energetic cues that build desire throughout the day One simple line that communicates trust, care, and connection before sex If you're ready to deepen intimacy and experience sex as truly connected and expansive, explore my free Quantum Sex course. It's designed to help you elevate pleasure and create deeper emotional connection. For a deeper dive, my book Sex Magic invites you to reimagine desire, intimacy, and self-worth, transforming sex into something conscious, sacred, and deeply nourishing. Sex should feel like coming home to yourself. You can also take the free quiz on my website to uncover what may be blocking intimacy and explore 7 Days to Better Sex to start actively creating the passion and connection you desire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Text the Wedding Planning HotlineMost planners think marketing is about doing more. Posting more. Explaining more. Showing up everywhere.But what if the clients you're attracting are responding to quiet signals your business is already sending?In this episode of The Planner's Edit, Desirée Adams breaks down the subtle marketing signals that quietly shape who feels aligned with your business long before they ever reach out. From pricing language and inquiry forms to tone, imagery, and what you don't say, this conversation explores how clients interpret your leadership, confidence, and positioning through small but powerful cuesIf you've been attracting interest but not the right inquiries, this episode will help you see what your marketing is really communicating — and where small shifts can create clearer alignment.Join the waitlist for Desirée's mentorship and coaching program at desireeadams.co/education.Links Mentioned in the EpisodeFind the Full Shownotes HereWork with Desiree for business coaching and mentorship

Sam never believed he was living in a haunted place—until the house behind his own started feeling occupied in a way he couldn't explain. He rented a small unit behind an older couple's home, where children with medical needs were sometimes cared for during short stays. The sounds, the late nights, the unfamiliar rhythms all made sense… until one winter, when those visits stopped.That's when the house began to feel different. Not louder. Not scarier. Just aware.Sam started waking up at the same time every night. Objects shifted. Subtle sounds moved where no footsteps should be. And then came the laughter—soft, unmistakably young, and impossible to explain away. What followed wasn't fear, but something harder to name: the sense that whatever remained wasn't trying to frighten anyone… just to be noticed.#QuietHaunting #SubtleParanormal #UnseenPresence #GhostlyLaughter #WhenAHouseFeelsAware #LingeringSpirits #UnexplainedEncounters #GentleHaunting #ParanormalStories #SomethingStillThere Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

The Subtle Details in Sales Everyone is Missing

Expect to learn practical and simple actions that will Unf*ck Your Life.My IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamesbrackiniv/Want to work with me? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScx1-ILH2euEUchlEmSSj3ccMc0qR464ZpLlN4W74f5_gq_iw/viewformLearn about your health: https://bit.ly/45L3fmyGet the best flavored toothpicks: bit.ly/4sBCKtO

Self-abandonment doesn't always look dramatic.Most of the time, it's quiet. Subtle. Almost invisible.In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, Kim Gross is joined by certified life coach Karen Garcia for a deeply honest conversation about micro yeses — the small moments where we override ourselves to avoid discomfort, conflict, or rejection.Karen shares her personal journey of reclaiming self-worth while navigating separation, co-parenting, and dating — all while unlearning people-pleasing patterns that once felt necessary for survival.Together, Kim and Karen explore:How micro yeses lead to burnout, resentment, and disconnectionWhy saying no can feel unsafe — even as an adultThe role of self-trust in boundary settingWhat it really means to choose yourself consistentlyWhy asking for help is a powerful act of self-respectThis episode is for anyone who's tired of over-giving, tired of explaining themselves, and ready to stop abandoning their own needs.

This is an inception moment. Neptune's full cycle through the zodiac spans roughly 165 years, and with this ingress, it begins again at the very first degree of the zodiac: the birthplace of astrology itself. That makes this moment both personal and historical. Subtle and seismic. Mystical and destabilizing. If we imagine the zodiac as a living body, this degree is the moment of birth — the first breath, the first spark, the crossing from spirit into form. Birth is beautiful. Birth is painful. Birth is chaotic. Birth changes everything. And like a newborn resting in its mother's arms, this moment is not yet about knowing what is being born — but being present for its arrival. Find the full post on my blog: www.everythingisenergyapothecary.com/podcast/neptune-enters-aries-the-spiritual-shockwave-of-a-new-zodiacal-era

Welcome to another episode of the Building Your Money Machine Show! Today, I'm pulling back the curtain on a topic that goes far beyond just dollars in the bank. We're talking about 9 subtle behaviors that quietly signal you're upper class — and I promise, this isn't about how much money you have or what you drive. It's about how you show up in life, how you move with calm, confidence, and control, even when the world feels rushed, chaotic, or loud.After 30+ years as a CPA and money mentor, I've seen firsthand that wealth isn't always what you see on the surface. True “upper class” is about having systems that take the pressure off, behaviors that exude quiet authority, and habits that build not just wealth, but a sense of richness in your everyday life.I'll share the actionable steps you can take to claim these subtle habits for yourself—no matter your net worth or income—so you can start living more freely, intentionally, and on your own terms.IN TODAY'S EPISODE, I DISCUSS:Why being “upper class” is more about mindset and behaviorHow building a “money machine” delivers freedom and calmTwo essential internal habitsWhy protecting your time and energy is true wealthThe principle of “boring money” and how disciplined, repetitive financial decisions compound into extraordinary livesThe value of privacy, listening over performing, and treating everyone the same—signals of real confidence and inner securityAction steps to implement these nine behaviors in your own life right now, regardless of financial situationRECOMMENDED EPISODES FOR YOUIf you liked this episode, click here to enjoy these and more:https://melabraham.com/show/The Psychology of People Who Have $1M Net WorthThe Silent Rules of the Financial System That Keep You Poor7 Assets Rich People Never Buy And The Poor Always DoHow Much Money Do You Actually Need to Be Rich in 2026Psychology of People Who Act Poor When They're RichRECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU If you liked this video, you'll love these ones:The Psychology of People Who Have $1M Net Worth: https://youtu.be/-65r-OsaHMEThe Silent Rules of the Financial System That Keep You Poor: https://youtu.be/akr5474dwps7 Assets Rich People Never Buy And The Poor Always Do: https://youtu.be/A9f-IgNKU8wHow Much Money Do You Actually Need to Be Rich in 2026: https://youtu.be/85I0KQmX9PMORDER MY NEW USA TODAY BESTSELLING BOOK:Building Your Money Machine: How to Get Your Money to Work Harder For You Than You Did For It!The key to building the life you desire and deserve is to build your Money Machine—a powerful system designed to generate income that's no longer tied to your work or efforts. This step-by-step guide goes beyond the general idea of personal finance and wealth creation and reveals the holistic approach to transforming your relationship with money to allow you to enjoy financial freedom and peace of mind.Part money philosophy, part money mindset, part strategy, and part tactical action, these powerful frameworks will show you how to build your money machine.When you do you'll also get over $1100 in wealth resources & bonuses for FREE! TAKE THE FINANCIAL FREEDOM QUIZ:Take this free quiz to see where you are on the path to financial freedom and what your next steps are to move you to a new financial destiny at http://www.YourFinancialFreedomQuiz.com

In this episode, we delve into three crucial ways you may be unknowingly sabotaging your manifestations: clinging to comfort instead of pursuing alignment, tolerating emotional clutter disguised as loyalty, and allowing scarcity by accepting less than what you desire. The episode offers insights into how changes, although inherently uncomfortable, are essential for alignment, how emotional attachments can slow your progress, and how tolerating less than what you truly want impacts your frequency and overall manifestations.  By examining these subtle, subconscious behaviors and adopting disciplined self-love, you can align with your highest potential, build robust relationships, and create a successful business that feels as good as it looks. This episode provides actionable advice on maintaining high-frequency environments and making disciplined choices that honor your true desires, ultimately steering you closer to your dream life. 00:43 Identifying Self-Sabotage: Comfort vs. Alignment 01:57 Emotional Clutter: The Hidden Obstacle 04:40 Tolerating Lack: The Silent Dream Killer 05:38 Self-Sabotage Disguised as Self-Care 08:15 Conclusion: Reflect and Manifest IG: @marciacolosi | TikTok: @marciacolosi LI: @marciacolosi | FB: @marciamiatke  Ready to take your life and relationships to the next level? Follow The EQ Academy Official where you'll learn to optimise your emotions, leverage your feminine and masculine energies and show up your most confident and radiant self!

It's 2026. As we desgin new episodes on the horizon, we offer you one from the archives. Our interview with healer and chinese medicine practicioner, Scott Suvow.  So many things in the this conversation you will be able to apply to your health and life.  Special Guest: Scott Suvow, is National Board Certified in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology. In this episode, Ilyana and James chat with Scott about: The basics of the Eastern Medicine philosophy, what it really means to listen to your body, what happens during an acupuncture session, the power of flowers and his research on the ancient wisdom of IChing. Music Segment: Your hosts, James Harrell and Ilyana Kadushin perform "Carry Us", written by Harrell and Kadushin.  First aired in 2017.

Dr. Ria Roy, a scholar of modern Korea and East Asian history, joins the podcast to discuss the differences in language between the two Koreas, including contrasts in linguistic and ideological correctness. She examines the Soviet Union's influence on the Korean language in the DPRK and the importance of conveying information with the right tone. She also explores the use of profanity on North Korean state TV and why announcers often refer to specific groups of people in bespoke ways — whether using a motherly tone when discussing children or pausing before the name of leaders. Roy is a Kleinheinz Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and the author of the article “The Sacred Text and the Language of the Leader: ‘Cultured Language' and the Rhetorical Turn in North Korea.” About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insights from our very own journalists.

Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!Resentment doesn't show up overnight—and it doesn't mean your marriage is broken.In this episode, I break down why resentment builds quietly in marriages, especially after kids.I share:Why resentment builds gradually instead of in one big momentHow unspoken expectations turn into emotional shutdown and loss of intimacyThe connection between resentment, self-abandonment, and feeling like roommatesWhy saving your partner from conflict doesn't protect your marriageHow early, honest conversations soften resentment and rebuild partnershipIf you've been feeling disconnected, less playful, less flirtatious, or emotionally closed off—this episode will help you understand what's really happening beneath the surface and how to start shifting it.Resource Mentioned:Download the Conflict To Connection Guide here!Ready to actively rebuild connection in your marriage? Book a clarity call to learn how getting support through marriage coaching can help you!Thanks for listening!Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoachingIf you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!Additional Resources:Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)Support the show

In this episode we dive into 10 rapid-fire questions that you submitted, answering completely off the cuff with no prep. Expect real-talk insights on digital nomad life, remote work realities, company culture red/green flags, packing regrets, and the skills that actually make your lifestyle sustainable.

HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY! We will return LIVE tomorrow morning!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://x.com/Jnichols11Join US Website: www.coachsedge.coachEmail: contact@cramerbasketball.comCamps: www.Cramerbasketball.comOnline Training: https://cramerbasketball.mypthub.net/3/p/133059Twitter.com/coachsedge1Twitter.com/cramerbballFacebook.com/cramerbasketballYoutube.com/cramerbasketballInstagram.com/cramer_basketballBasketball coach basketball podcast basketball strategyPlayer development zone offense zone defense pressing pressure defense programbuilding team defense pack line defense baseline defense zone defense 1-3-1defense basketball united slapping glass coaching tips teach hoops how to coachbasketball basketball podcast youth basketball basketball camps basketballimmersion training basketball shooting tips basketball conditioning shootingdrills ball handling drills passing drills basketball drills basketballworkouts basketball drills youth basketball basketball drills open gymsshootouts scrimmages man to man defense basketball officials and deep dive refssports psychology shot selection dribble drive offense shooting coach freethrows athletic development no middle defense

NEW: Send us Your Comments!This Week's Topics:* DOJ Moves to Charge Walz & Frey! 2:00* VIDEO: What are the Charges? 8:30* Trump Threatens Insurrection Act! Do It ! 12:30* This is the REAL Insurrection 16:30* Cut off the Money & they will Deport! 21:30* Subtle but Big Change in CBS Reporting 26:30* Who is Training the Insurrectionist? 31:30* Riots are Distraction from Somali Fraud 38:30* Banks Forced to Loan to Illegals 46:00* Somali Theft is International! 49:00* State Dept Halts Visas for 75 Nations 54:00* Illegals Cost Texas Hospitals $1 Billion 55:30* Medicaid Paid $400 Mill to Dead People 57:00* Court Clears CA House Maps 1:10:30* VIDEO: Big SCOTUS Election Win 1:12:00* Judge Block Review of CA Voter Rolls 1:14:00* Was Trump Right Not to Hit Iran? 1:20:00* Americans Not Sold on Greenland Plan 1:23:00* Muslim Brotherhood Named Terrorists 1:26:00* US & Taiwan Cut Huge Tariff Deal! 1:27:30* Climate Lies Nearly Dead! 1:29:00* 3,500 ICE Agents Personal Data Leaked! 1:34:00* War Department Leaker Arrested! 1:35:30* NCAA Basketball Gambling Scandal 1:38:00* Ohio Congressional Scandal 1:40:30* VIDEO: Machado Gives Trump Nobel! 1:46:00* Musk's Amazing New Lithium Refinery 1:48:00* Trump to Make Big Tech Pay for Energy! 1:51:30* VIDEO: New Graphite Mine in US! 1:55:00* Trump Testosterone Level off Charts! 1:58:30* Updater on Victor Davis Hanson 2:00:00* VIDEO: What AI Will Do in 2026! 2:02:00Support the showView our Podcast and our other videos and news stories at:www.WethePeopleConvention.orgSend Comments and Suggestions to:info@WethePeopleConvention.org

Sam never believed he was living in a haunted place—until the house behind his own started feeling occupied in a way he couldn't explain. He rented a small unit behind an older couple's home, where children with medical needs were sometimes cared for during short stays. The sounds, the late nights, the unfamiliar rhythms all made sense… until one winter, when those visits stopped.That's when the house began to feel different. Not louder. Not scarier. Just aware.Sam started waking up at the same time every night. Objects shifted. Subtle sounds moved where no footsteps should be. And then came the laughter—soft, unmistakably young, and impossible to explain away. What followed wasn't fear, but something harder to name: the sense that whatever remained wasn't trying to frighten anyone… just to be noticed.#QuietHaunting #SubtleParanormal #UnseenPresence #GhostlyLaughter #WhenAHouseFeelsAware #LingeringSpirits #UnexplainedEncounters #GentleHaunting #ParanormalStories #SomethingStillThere Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

How to speak with quiet authority, stop being interrupted, and make people lean in, without raising your voice or losing your femininity. Support the show by shopping The Upper Echelon here. Connect with me:  Instagram: @dimitrovelena  Twitter: @dimitrovelenaa  YouTube: @twenty.something For women in their twenties becoming the most elegant, intentional, and magnetic version of themselves—without losing their values. Twenty Something is a weekly audio journal of quiet confidence, femininity, and self-respect, recorded as lessons to my future daughter. P.S. If you're reading this, say hi in the reviews. Keywords: feminine communication, feminine authority, elegant persuasion, how to speak with confidence, how to be taken seriously, women communication skills, powerful feminine energy, speaking softly with authority, how to stop being interrupted, status signals in communication, voice tone confidence, persuasive communication skills, graceful disagreement, high status speech patterns, concise communication tips, how women gain respect, executive presence for women, feminine leadership style, communication psychology, influence without aggression, calm confident speaking, how to command a room quietly, social intelligence for women, modern femininity, soft power psychology, boundaries in communication, saying less with impact, persuasive wording tips, how to speak so people listen, Twenty Something podcast

In Subtle Webs: How Local Organizations Shape US Education (Oxford UP, 2025), Jose Eos Trinidad reveals how organizations outside schools have created an invisible infrastructure not only to affect local school districts but also to shape US education. He illustrates this by providing a behind-the-scenes look at how local organizations in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City have transformed data and worked with high schools to address the problem of students dropping out. The book argues that changes in a decentralized system happen less through top-down policy mandates or bottom-up social movements, and more through “outside-in” initiatives of networked organizations spread across various local systems. By detailing change across multiple levels and across multiple locations, Trinidad uncovers new ways to think about educational transformation, policy reform, and organizational change. João Souto-Maior (website: here) is a postdoc at Stanford University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

In Subtle Webs: How Local Organizations Shape US Education (Oxford UP, 2025), Jose Eos Trinidad reveals how organizations outside schools have created an invisible infrastructure not only to affect local school districts but also to shape US education. He illustrates this by providing a behind-the-scenes look at how local organizations in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City have transformed data and worked with high schools to address the problem of students dropping out. The book argues that changes in a decentralized system happen less through top-down policy mandates or bottom-up social movements, and more through “outside-in” initiatives of networked organizations spread across various local systems. By detailing change across multiple levels and across multiple locations, Trinidad uncovers new ways to think about educational transformation, policy reform, and organizational change. João Souto-Maior (website: here) is a postdoc at Stanford University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

January 2026 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on Subtle Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart. (ed. by Roko Sherry Chayat). Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Maurine Stuart: “Subtle Sound” #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Tune in to our weekly LIVE Mastermind Q+A Podcast for expert advice, peer collaboration, and actionable insights on success in the Probate, Divorce, Late Mortgage/Pre-Foreclosure, and Aged Expired niches!  On this episode, the Mastermind crew discusses how AI is reshaping real estate outreach and coaching. Real-world participants share experiences with AI clones for handling repetitive questions, generating virtual tours, and collecting client information, while stressing that human conversations remain essential for nuance, trust, and closing deals. They explore the Go High Level CRM and other tools, the importance of vetting what's rolled out, and how to test new AI features before deploying them widely. The group compares the ‘last mile' problem in telecom to today's AI-driven outreach, emphasizing that AI can empower agents to stay in front of every lead without sacrificing personal connections. They cover probate, divorce, and pre-foreclosure niches, along with late mortgage-related opportunities, and offer practical tips for building a strong follow-up routine that converts over time. Attendees highlight successful coaching calls, cross-team collaboration, and the value of cross-referrals with lenders and investors. The discussion also touches on market dynamics heading into 2026, price movement, and how to position services so clients see AI as a trusted tool rather than a threat.   Key Takeaways: - AI improves lead follow-up and efficiency without replacing human judgment. Automation handles speed and consistency, while people handle nuance, trust, and closing. - Human conversations are still critical for empathy and complex decisions. Subtle cues, emotional timing, and relationship-building remain uniquely human strengths. - Probate, divorce, late mortgage, and pre-foreclosure leads are high-intent. These leads are driven by real life events, not casual interest, making them more actionable. - Our lead types are designed for long-term conversion, not quick wins. Success comes from working niche distress leads over time, not expecting instant results. - Consistent, disciplined follow-up converts long-cycle opportunities. Most deals close months after first contact, rewarding agents who stay engaged. - Collaboration between lenders, agents, and investors multiplies results. Strategic partnerships create more referrals and smoother outcomes for clients. - Ethical use of AI and strong QA protect credibility and trust. Transparency and accuracy ensure technology enhances, rather than harms, relationships.  To learn more, visit https://www.AllTheLeads.com or call (844) 532-3369 to check how many leads are available in your market.   #RealEstateAutomation #RealEstateInvesting #RealEstateLeads #LeadGenerationPrevious episodes: AllTheLeads.com/probate-mastermindInterested in Leads? AllTheLeads.comJoin Future Episodes Live in the All The Leads Facebook Mastermind Group:  https://facebook.com/groups/alltheleadsmastermindBe sure to check out our full Mastermind Q&A Playlist  Support the show

January 2026 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on Subtle Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart (ed. by Roko Sherry Chayat). Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Maurine Stuart: “Subtle Sound” #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

In this episode, Dr. Jockers breaks down how common nutrient deficiencies quietly contribute to brain fog, memory loss, and cognitive decline. You will learn why symptoms often blamed on aging may actually be signs of missing key nutrients. The episode sets the foundation for understanding how nutrition directly shapes brain health.   You will learn how deficiencies in magnesium and vitamin D disrupt neurotransmitter balance, increase brain inflammation, and impair mental clarity. Dr. Jockers explains how these imbalances affect mood, focus, and long term cognitive resilience. Subtle warning signs are highlighted that many people overlook.   You will also learn why B12, folate, and vitamin B6 are critical for protecting the brain and nervous system. The episode explores how these nutrients influence oxygen delivery, detoxification, and gene expression. Dr. Jockers shares insights that help connect lab markers with real world cognitive symptoms.   In This Episode:  00:00 Understanding B12 Deficiency in Aging 00:26 Introduction to Nutrient Deficiencies and Brain Health 06:20 The Importance of Magnesium for Brain Function 13:18 Optimizing Vitamin D Levels for Cognitive Health 17:59 The Critical Role of B12 in Brain Health 21:46 B12 Deficiency: A Widespread Issue 24:54 Causes and Risk Factors of B12 Deficiency 28:10 Optimal B12 Levels and Supplementation 32:25 Understanding Folate and Its Importance 38:15 Vitamin B6: Functions and Deficiency Signs 42:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   If you want practical, natural strategies to balance your hormones, heal your gut, boost your energy, and slow aging, don't miss The Dr. Josh Axe Show. Dr. Axe blends ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science and brings on world-class experts for unfiltered conversations you won't hear anywhere else. Transform your health from the inside out and subscribe to The Dr. Josh Axe Show, with new episodes every Monday and Thursday.   Support glowing skin, stronger joints, better digestion, and deeper sleep with Paleovalley's 100% Grass-Fed Bone Broth Protein. Unlike most brands that use hides and skins, Paleovalley slow-simmers real beef bones to extract collagen, glycine, and key amino acids that boost metabolism and reduce inflammation. Each scoop delivers 15 grams of collagen and the clinical dose of glycine for better sleep. Get 15% off at paleovalley.com/jockers.   Most tap water contains hidden contaminants that can contribute to fatigue, hormone disruption, and cognitive decline. AquaTru is a countertop water purifier that uses a four stage reverse osmosis system to remove 84 contaminants, including chlorine, lead, PFAS, and microplastics. Unlike standard pitcher filters or bottled water, AquaTru delivers truly purified water with no installation required. It has been featured in Business Insider, Popular Science, and named Best Countertop Water Filter by Good Housekeeping. Save 20% on your AquaTru purifier at aquatru.com using the promo code NUTRITION and try it risk free with a 30 day best tasting water guarantee.     "Magnesium regulates calcium metabolism in neurons. Dysregulated calcium metabolism can lead to neurotoxicity and cause cognitive decline."      Subscribe to the podcast on: Apple Podcast Stitcher Spotify PodBean TuneIn Radio   Resources: Paleovalley Bone Broth Protein: Save 15% on grass-fed bone broth protein at paleovalley.com/jockers. Visit aquatru.com and use promo code NUTRITION to save 20% on your AquaTru water purifier.   Connect with Dr. Jockers: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drjockers/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DrDavidJockers YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/djockers Website – https://drjockers.com/ If you are interested in being a guest on the show, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us here! - https://drjockers.com/join-us-dr-jockers-functional-nutrition-podcast/ 

Send us a textRHOBH-Crystals, Consistency, and Side-EyeRHOBH S15 E4 — “A Housewives Heatwave”Episode 4 sets the stage for Sutton's spiritual Sedona getaway, starting with intimate pre-trip glimpses into each Housewife's life. We see Lael learning to drive a Porsche with Boz, Rachel Zoe in full mom mode reflecting on raising sons, Erika doing mundane chores, and Sutton presenting a calmer, tea-drinking version of herself — signaling personal change.Sutton reveals plans to charter a private jet to Sedona for “healing,” hoping to reset friendships, especially with Dorit. Meanwhile, Dorit opens up to Kyle about her painful separation from PK, stalled mediation, and fears of a public court battle. The emotional weight of Dorit's divorce looms over the group.At Kathy Hilton's lavish summer dinner, newcomer Amanda Frances makes a strong impression — and not all of it lands well. Her nonstop talking, luxury crystal purchases, and opinions on Dorit and Erika raise eyebrows. Subtle shade flies, Jennifer Tilly gently stirs the pot, and Kathy quietly checks out when conversations drag on.The group flies privately to Sedona, where Dorit arrives over an hour late without apologizing. Fashion choices, LV logos, and cowboy hats dominate the plane. Upon arrival, Sutton assigns rooms to avoid drama, but Rachel Zoe's missing luggage and the desert heat immediately create stress.The episode climaxes with a sweltering outdoor dinner in 91-degree heat, crystals on the table, and Sutton's emotional rebrand as “Sutton Brown.” She opens up about long-held insecurities and her desire to be a better friend. Erika encourages consistency, Boz toasts Sutton's transformation, and Amanda once again dominates the conversation — leaving viewers questioning whether she'll fit into the group or fuel future conflict.Support the showhttps://www.wewinewhenever.com/

Send us a textIn this New Year episode of Nourish the Nervous System, we explore winter not as a time for pushing forward or reinventing ourselves, but as a season of subtlety, listening, and inward refinement.Rather than loud resolutions or high-energy goals, winter invites a quieter kind of awareness — one that whispers instead of shouts. Through the Ayurvedic lens of Vata dosha and the Sanskrit quality sukshma (the subtle), we explore how this season affects the nervous system, our emotions, and our inner rhythms.This episode is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and honor sensitivity as a form of strength — not fragility.In this episode, we explore:Why New Year's energy can feel misaligned in the deep of winterThe contrast between summer's outward buzz and winter's inward stillnessVata dosha in winter, with a focus on sukshma (the subtle quality)How winter heightens nervous system sensitivity and perceptionSubtle signs many people notice this time of year, including:quiet or lingering fatiguelow-grade anxietyemotional waves without a clear storyincreased sensitivity to sound, light, and conversationTranslating Ayurveda into modern language:sensory processingnervous system loadWhy “subtle” does not mean weak — it means attunedHow winter can surface emotional material without anything being “wrong”The cultural pressure to feel “up” and productive — even in winterHonoring rest without slipping into stagnation or disconnectionPractical ways to support sukshma energy in winter:Softening the edges of your day and reducing transitionsCreating sensory nourishment with dim lighting, quiet, and warmthUsing warm oil (especially on the feet) to ground the nervous systemStaying connected to intuition through journaling, somatic awareness, or creative expressionBalancing subtlety with sthula (the gross, tangible quality) through grounding movement:strength-based exercisewalking outdoorsusing larger muscle groupsgetting fresh air and natural lightReflection questions for the week:What feels louder now that life is quieter?What is asking for attention?What no longer fits?You're invited to sit with these questions gently — through journaling, meditation, or simply noticing what arises.Mentioned in this episode:Gentle Ayurvedic Guide to Perimenopause Rhythm & Ritual — a small-group seasonal cohort for perimenopause, Ayurveda, and somatic supportSpring and Fall cohortsFocused on rhythm, nervous system regulation, and seasonal wisdomJoin the waitlist to learn moreWinter doesn't ask us to fix ourselves. It Resources:Ayurvedic Dosha Quick Reference Guide Abhyanga Self Massage Guide Weekend Nervous System Reset Nourished For Resilience Workbook Find me at www.nourishednervoussystem.comand @nourishednervoussytem on Instagram

She never believed in ghosts. Her childhood was practical, structured, and free of superstition. When strange things happened, she dismissed them easily—until the moments began to form a pattern she couldn't ignore.Over the years, she noticed things others didn't. A crying little girl standing alone in an empty field who vanished within seconds. The smell of toast and cinnamon drifting through a dark kitchen when no one was awake. A sudden cold moving across her bed with intention. Voices calling her name. Subtle flashes of blue light. Shadow figures that passed through old houses as if they belonged there.None of it followed her. None of it escalated. Each experience stood alone—brief, quiet, and easy to doubt afterward.What tied them together wasn't fear, but location. Old homes. Certain rooms. Specific stretches of land.She began to understand that she wasn't being haunted. She was noticing what remained—impressions left behind where lives once unfolded intensely.Some people rush past those places. She listened. And in learning not to fear what she noticed, she finally found peace.#TrueParanormal #NotHaunted #GhostStories #UnexplainedExperiences #HauntedPlaces #ParanormalAwareness #TrueGhostStory #SubtleHaunting #RealParanormal #LingeringEchoes Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

She never believed in ghosts. Her childhood was practical, structured, and free of superstition. When strange things happened, she dismissed them easily—until the moments began to form a pattern she couldn't ignore.Over the years, she noticed things others didn't. A crying little girl standing alone in an empty field who vanished within seconds. The smell of toast and cinnamon drifting through a dark kitchen when no one was awake. A sudden cold moving across her bed with intention. Voices calling her name. Subtle flashes of blue light. Shadow figures that passed through old houses as if they belonged there.None of it followed her. None of it escalated. Each experience stood alone—brief, quiet, and easy to doubt afterward.What tied them together wasn't fear, but location. Old homes. Certain rooms. Specific stretches of land.She began to understand that she wasn't being haunted. She was noticing what remained—impressions left behind where lives once unfolded intensely.Some people rush past those places. She listened. And in learning not to fear what she noticed, she finally found peace.#TrueParanormal #NotHaunted #GhostStories #UnexplainedExperiences #HauntedPlaces #ParanormalAwareness #TrueGhostStory #SubtleHaunting #RealParanormal #LingeringEchoes Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

Out of Collective Podcast – E29 – Not so Subtle w/ Delilah Cupp Delilah Cupp aka @dcuppers  seemingly blasted onto the scene just a few short years ago and has been on an absolute tear ever since. From her mountain biking videos to her signature, poppy ski style through the [...] The post Out of Collective Podcast – E29 – Not so Subtle w/ Delilah Cupp appeared first on Out Of Collective.

Dang, my abilities impress even myself!

What is the weapon Christian abusers most commonly use?In this sixth installment of the Emotional Abuse 101 series, Natalie Hoffman talks about a subtle weapon many Christian men wield in emotionally abusive relationships: criticism. But not the obvious, name-calling type. This is the more insidious, underhanded kind that's drenched in misogyny and spiritual distortion.If you've ever wondered why your husband criticizes you, even while appearing like a “good Christian man,” this episode will show you the truth behind the curtain. And it will help you take your power back.

Send us a textHolidays shouldn't feel like a gauntlet of barking, lunging, and white-knuckle car rides. We dig into the real reasons dogs struggle when routines change and show how a clear plan, games-based training, and smart logistics turn stressful trips into confident adventures. From the first few minutes at a new training centre to that important “second time in” when food finally starts to matter, we break down simple steps that lower arousal and build focus where it counts.We walk through transport challenges with options for every situation—train routes and easy taxi hops, supportive pick-ups, and the comfort of dog-friendly cottages right on site. If your dog hates the car, you'll get a practical progression: feed near the vehicle, reinforce calm in the parked car, introduce engine noise, and layer in tiny drives. We add body-confidence games like wobble boards and skateboards to help motion-sensitive dogs learn that movement can be predictable and safe. Safety gets its own spotlight: crates, fitted bedding, secure harnessing, and daily short trips that make travel normal instead of a big event.Hands-on coaching can reveal what video misses. Subtle tells—shoulders dropping, weight shifts, scanning—guide the choice of games that change behaviour fast. We share real cases, including a reactive collie whose “big show” was really uncertainty, and how giving her a clear job flipped the script. Food logistics are solvable too: arrange raw deliveries from local suppliers, stock high-value rewards, and use your cottage as a training lab to rehearse visitor protocols and calm settles that transfer home.Whether you're travelling with a reactive Frenchie or flying in to sharpen your skills with a demo dog, the theme is possibility. Age isn't a barrier, and neither is past struggle. Want to make your next trip easier? Start small, stack the wins, and build momentum. If you're ready for support, grab the £1 Games Club trial for full course access or book the £20 Watch One consult to map your plan. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and tell us where you're headed next—what's the one change you'll try this week?Support the showIf you're loving the podcast, you'll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club! https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub And while you're here, please leave a review for us and don't forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

LTHM Podcast Episode 834 Mixed by Diego ValleA deep, textured session focused on minimal tech, underground house, and late-night grooves. Subtle tension, hypnotic arrangements, and rolling rhythms keep the energy controlled but persistent — perfect for after hours or long drives.Track List: Daniel Stefanik – Lure of the Space Goddess Javier Labarca – I'm a Light BRYZ – La Elsa Dennis Cruz – Wacamama Mella Dee – London Flavour Teskera – Something Wrong Jay Tripwire – Banger 1 Alexey Mogutin – G2V-019 Komey, Etzu – Basic Things Serhan Sabanlar – Viciosa (Ozgur Uzar Mix) Silvie Loto – Cabana Movedeck – Euphoria Neverdogs – Saturn Hector Couto, DIMMISH – ObsessionMore from LTHM: https://www.lthmmusic.com/

1/5/26. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: 2 Corinthians 11:3. Subtle Deceptions by the Deceiver. Resources: biblehub.com; logos.com; ChatGPT; and Life Application Study Bible. Listen daily at 10:00 am CST on https://kingdompraiseradio.com. November 2021 Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover!" LISTEN, LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE! #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailybiblestudy #dailydevotional #Christian_podcaster https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9zaXqv64YaCjh88XIJckA/videos https://m.youtube.com/@hhwscott

We trace the sharp contrast between Jehoshaphat's praise-fueled victory and Jehoram's tragic drift, drawing a straight line from small compromises to generational fallout. A simple prayer of willingness becomes the pathway to real faithfulness and practical change.• Gratitude for community support and vision for the new year• Jehoshaphat's response to crisis through fasting, prayer and worship• The battle belongs to God as a lived strategy• Victory through praise and the abundance of blessing• Subtle compromise in alliances and unfinished high places• Jehoram's violent rule and the cost of drift• Why grit fails and willingness to rely on God matters• Simple practices to prioritize God's word and guard against driftLet's prioritize the Word of God this year—hear it, love it, live itSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Have you ever noticed how on the days you don't feel great in what you're wearing… you're just a little quieter?   You still show up. You still do the thing. But you're not quite as sharp, as bold, or as expressive as you know you can be. You don't raise your hand as fast. You don't hit "post" as confidently. You don't walk into the room like, "Yep. I belong here."   And what's wild is — we almost never connect that back to our clothes. We tell ourselves we're just tired… distracted… not in the mood… "off" today. But what if your style is playing a much bigger role than you think?   That's what we're talking about today — not fashion trends or shopping lists — but the subtle ways your style might be quietly holding you back… and exactly what to do about it.   FREE 5-MIN PERSONAL STYLE QUIZ: https://herstylellc.com/quiz HER STYLE ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/heatherriggsstyle/ JOIN HER STYLE COLLECTIVE: https://herstylellc.com/collective   Related Episodes: 298 – Style as Your Personal Brand: How to Lead With Authority Without Saying a Word 246 – 10 Ways to Boost Your Self-Esteem so You Can Show Up More Confidently at Work and in Life 45 – Growing Your Confidence Is a SELFLESS Choice —Here's Why

January 6–10 brings strong momentum and a push to commit. This week highlights motivation, action, and clear decision-making, especially around goals, priorities, and how your energy is being used.Venus aligning with the Sun helps clarify what matters most. Venus meeting Mars boosts drive and initiative. By January 9–10, confidence and ambition rise as big opportunities — and big choices — come into focus.This is a week for focused action, not overdoing it. What you choose now sets the tone for the rest of the month.In this video, I break down how this energy affects each sign and how to work with it in a practical, grounded way.

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! Since his teenage years, David has been searching for answers—answers that began in a house forever marked by tragedy. As a child, he encountered the spirit of a young girl who perished in a fire on the property, an experience that quietly set the course for the rest of his life. While others moved on, David couldn't. The questions followed him into adulthood. Alongside his wife, David began visiting some of America's most haunted locations, including historic inns and private residences steeped in mystery. What he encountered wasn't always dramatic—but it was deeply unsettling. Subtle movements. Lingering presences. And one chilling discovery inside a private home that left him questioning everything he thought he understood about spirits and time. From haunted inns to childhood trauma that never truly faded, this is a journey into a life lived alongside the dead—and the mysteries that refuse to stay buried. #TheGraveTalks #TrueGhostStories #HauntedInns #ParanormalEncounters #LifeAfterDeath #GhostSightings #HauntedPlaces #ParanormalPodcast #RealGhostStories #SpiritActivity  Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

Welcome to 2026, brothers.This episode is a return to the foundations. A reset. A reorientation to what this work has always been about.As we move into a new year, it's easy to get pulled toward advanced concepts, elevated language, and high-level spiritual ideas. But real mastery doesn't begin at the top. It begins at the beginning. And in this episode, we go back to the core principles of cognitive mastery, awakening, and the Alpha State.At the heart of this conversation is a simple but profound framework: the three worlds. The outer world, the inner world, and the energetic world.The outer world is the physical world. It's the world we all share. Bodies, money, relationships, environments, circumstances, results. It is neutral. It is dense. It is obvious. Science understands this world well because it is observable and measurable.The inner world is the mental world. Your thoughts. Your feelings. Your narratives. Your conditioning. This world is private. No one has access to it but you. And yet, this inner world is the cause of how you experience the outer world. Your thoughts generate feelings. Feelings drive actions. Actions create results. And those results reinforce the thoughts. This is the universal truth. This is the Model of Alignment.The energetic world is the most subtle of all. It's your aura. Your spiritual blueprint. The field you move through and leave behind as you interact with people, places, money, opportunity, and life itself. Most men have very little conscious access to this layer, not because it isn't real, but because it is quiet. Subtle. Working behind the scenes.In this episode, I explain how all three of these worlds are happening simultaneously. They are not separate. They are integrated into one unified human experience. And above all three is the Alpha State. The watcher. Consciousness itself. The unified awareness that sees all three worlds clearly without being trapped inside any of them.This is where awakening begins.Not by becoming something new. Not by self-improvement or self-judgment. But by remembering what you've always been.The first step in this process is kindergarten-level simple and lifelong profound: separating thoughts from facts. Over and over again. Until it becomes second nature. Until you can clearly see the difference between the neutral outer world and the stories you're running about it.This is why the Brotherhood exists. It is the entry point. The foundation. The place where men begin the awakening process by mastering the basics: buffering, relationships, money mindset, and the Model of Alignment. This is where you learn to see the program you've been running and consciously choose a new one.In this episode, I also introduce what's coming in 2026, including deeper work inside the Academy and my own Impossible Goal for the year, which I'll be updating throughout the podcast as it unfolds.This episode is an invitation.An invitation to remember who you are.An invitation to step into the Alpha State.An invitation to begin again—properly, deliberately, and consciously.Welcome to 2026, brothers.Elevate your Alpha.

John and Priit discuss how sincere faith slowly shifted into a pressurized, high-control environment shaped by elitist teachings, strict submission, and the pursuit of “deeper revelation.” Preet shares how performance-driven expectations, prophetic claims, and honor culture replaced the love, peace, and joy that had originally drawn him to church life. Together, they explore how subtle philosophical shifts created emotional strain, isolation, and the sense that one’s future was tied to a leader rather than to God. They also describe the breaking point—how political messaging, fear-based prophecies, and reactions to world events accelerated confusion within the congregation. As Priit regained stability outside the system, he discovered confidence, clarity, and the freedom to relate to God without pressure. This conversation highlights how people can recognize unhealthy dynamics, rebuild their faith, and find hope on the other side. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K______________________Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branhamVisit the website: https://william-branham.org

Happy New Year!!! This episode marks the beginning of our new Persons of Interest series. A spotlight on thinkers, practitioners, scientists, wellness leaders, and creators from around the world whose voices help us grow. We focus on Mark Manson, the bestselling author whose blunt, honest approach to self development has challenged millions of people to rethink what truly matters. Manson reminds us that happiness isn't found in constant positivity, but in choosing meaningful struggles, aligning with our values, and letting go of the trivial.Reference:The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* Mark MansonEverything is Fcked: A Book About Hope* Mark MansonWill Will Smith & Mark MansonThe Denial of Death Ernest BeckerMan's Search for Meaning Viktor FranklMeditations Marcus Aurelius Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Todd Hiles and Stewart Fillmore step into the uneasy space where fear, patriotism, and tradition collided. During the height of the Red Scare, even the most beloved symbols of American life were not immune to suspicion.In 1947, an FBI report quietly raised concerns about a holiday film cherished by generations—alleging that beneath its warmth and optimism lay something far more unsettling. Subtle messages. Questionable themes. A suggestion that the story Americans welcomed into their homes each Christmas might not be as innocent as it seemed.The claim was never proven. But the shadow it cast lingered—revealing how paranoia could seep into even the safest corners of culture, and how fear had the power to rewrite intent.With careful perspective and restrained analysis, Back in Crime examines a moment when celebration met suspicion—and when Christmas itself became part of the Cold War.Follow Texas Crime Travelers:TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@texascrimetra...⁠Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/texascrimetrave...⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/texascrimetr...⁠Substack: https://substack.com/@texascrimetravelershttps://texascrimetravelers.com/Have a specific case in mind that you'd like us to explore or just want to get in touch? Case Request/Contact Form: ⁠https://forms.gle/hynpjFrKEVvG6FWw9⁠For business inquiries or opportunities to sponsor our next podcast episode, please reach out to us at ⁠hello@texascrimetravelers.comMusic used :  "JINGLE BELLS ." composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"Music link :  • [ No Copyright ] Jingle Bells ( Horror Ver...  SUBSCRIBE to him on YOUTUBE:    / vivekhsihba  Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtPFollow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JV#TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #ChristmasCrime #HolidayCrime #Crimemas #DarkChristmas #ChristmasMystery #HolidayMystery #BackInCrime #CrimePodcast #TrueCrimeCommunity #UnsolvedMysteries #HiddenHistory #ColdCases #DisturbingHistory #FBI #FBIFiles #SecretService #FederalInvestigations #GMan #LawEnforcementHistory #TrueCrimeYouTube #YouTubePodcast #PodcastShorts #TrueCrimeShorts #YTShorts #DailyPodcast #LimitedSeries

Parashat VaYigash - Yosef's Subtle Lesson by Rabbi Avi Harari

What if the reason you hesitate, second-guess yourself, or hold back from the life you want has nothing to do with your capability and everything to do with an old version of you still calling the shots?In this episode, I explore a truth that changes everything once you see it. We are not born doubting ourselves. We are born confident, expressive, curious, and unafraid. But over time, the world teaches us to quiet down, to not be too much, to stay safe. And without questioning it, we listen. That dimmed version of ourselves slowly becomes the voice we default to. Not because we are broken, but because we learned how to survive.I share how this shows up in real life for so many women. Feeling called to lead but waiting until you feel ready. Wanting more but editing yourself before you even try. Knowing you are meant for something bigger while staying loyal to an old story that tells you to stay small.This episode is about recognizing when your inner girl is running the show and learning how to let the woman you are today take the lead. It is about self trust, leadership, and remembering who you were before the world told you to be less.In this episode, I talk about:Why we are born confident and how self doubt is learnedHow childhood conditioning shows up in adult decision makingThe difference between intuition and old fear patternsWhy so many women wait for permission instead of trusting themselvesHow healing your inner girl directly impacts how you lead and liveWhat it really means to lead from withinIf you have ever felt called to more but found yourself hesitating, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.And if something in this episode resonates, I want to personally invite you to join me for my free two day masterclass, Lead from Within, happening live January 26th and 27th. This experience is designed to help you break through self doubt, reconnect with your inner voice, and step into your life with more clarity, courage, and confidence. You do not need to be perfect or ready. You just need to show up with an open heart.You can save your free seat at melodypourmoradi.com/leadfromwithinKey takeaways from this episode:You were not born doubting yourself. You were taught to.The inner girl is protective, not broken.The version of you that learned how to survive does not need to run your life.Confidence is not something you earn. It is something you remember.When a woman learns to trust herself, she becomes a powerful example for every girl watching.When you rise back into who you truly are, you do not just change your own life. You change what is possible for the next generation.Closing affirmation:I trust myself. I lead from within. I no longer dim my light.Let's Stay Connected!As an empowerment coach, author, twin girl mom, and the creator of the GiRLiFE Academy, my mission is to help every woman and girl discover her voice and live a life that lights her up from the inside out.I'd love to connect with you and continue this beautiful journey together!

In this episode of ‘The Art of Living Big,’ Betsy helps us focus on the present moments in our lives. She reminds us to emphasize the cozy, reflective moments amidst holiday preparations, to fully “wear our lives” by making conscious choices for ourselves. Betsy clues us into the powerful messages in our dreams; metaphors produced by our unconscious mind that we can learn from. She concludes with a message of hope for the new year and an invitation to embrace our true potential. Transcript:  Welcome to The Art of Living Big, where we explore how to live intentionally and with more joy. I’m Betsy Pake, your host, master, coach, and creator of the Navigate Method. Here to help you listen in to your true desires, elevate your standards, and live life to the fullest. Now, let’s go live big. Hi, everybody. Welcome. Welcome to the show today. It’s our last show before the holiday, so I hope everybody’s ready. I hope you’re getting some time to decompress. I know the last couple weeks it’s been cold here in Atlanta, like super cold, and I have had. Twinkly lights. I feel like I’ve got my decorations just right. , I haven’t turned on an overhead light in weeks. It feels so nice and cozy. I actually have really been enjoying it, being really chilly out. I don’t know, just I’m in the top floor of my apartment, which I like to call the penthouse and. I can really hear the wind because I’m right , on the corner, but I really love it. The other day , it was like a, it was Saturday, I think. Saturday or Sunday. It was so windy here, so, so, so windy. You could just hear the wind whipping outside. And I was like, this is a perfect conditions for a nap. And yeah, so I just took a nap and I could hear the wind and it was just kind of magical. I grew up in Vermont, you know, I live in Atlanta, but I grew up in Vermont. So anyway, I attribute my love of the cozy to that experience, I guess. . So I’m excited to be here with you today. , Just a reminder, next month we have a fireside chat. It’s January 11th. I’m really gonna try and do these every month, and it’s just a free time for everybody to come together on Zoom, you can sign up by going to my Instagram. The link is gonna be in my bio, but you can also just message me, fire and it will automatically send you the link to get signed up. , We did this in November and it was really so nice to have everybody come together and it was nice to see some of my old clients and favorite people. And we just talked about midlife and some of the challenges. I’ve got some thoughts for this time. Last time was very unscripted, which this time will be two. I mean, I wanna just go with the flow of what everybody needs, but. Wanted to invite you to join us. I know last week, I don’t know, every week probably, I’m talking about that quilted house coat from Cozy Earth and Cozy Earth’s one of our sponsors here on the podcast, but I’m obsessed with my quilted house coat and they’ve sold out. , I’m so sorry if anybody didn’t get theirs, still get it in January. The code live big Betsy. That’ll still get you 20% off like any time of the year. But those are just so great. I’m not surprised it sold out. One of my very best friends was waiting to get one and she was gonna have that be her Christmas gift. And when she went to go buy it, they were completely sold out. I actually looked last night, the night before and they just had extra, extra large. , And if you look at the size and guide, I think they’re pretty. Pretty true to size. So , I was like, get the extra, extra large and then just return it so you get the super discount. But it’s, so good. But I wanna remind you also that they have those cozy lounge socks. Those are great stocking stuffers, so don’t sleep on those. ’cause , I think when I looked at the other night, it was like 30% off on the website and then the live Big Betsy code gets you an additional 20%. So it’s a huge difference. And those stocks are lovely. So. Just wanted to shout out Cozy Earth and remind you guys, I know I’m gonna wear , my bathrobe , to the fireside chat. I have no shame. I love that thing, so I will show up in that. , But I’m really excited to see everybody, so hopefully you’ll be able to make it. All right. So today, okay, so this is kind of a vulnerable thing, but , I, I wanted to share something because I. I talk a lot on the show about unconscious change and how we show up in the world and , a little bit of magic. I think. I love a little bit of magic in the universe and , one of the things that I have done for years is I use a journal on my iPad called Day One. You’ve probably heard me talk about this before, but it is a online journal. It’s an app on my phone and on my iPad. I use it on my iPad. I’ve used it for, I don’t know, probably 12 years, maybe more. And I love this thing because it’s easy. I like, , we continue to do things that are simple, right, and easy. And it gives me a chance in the morning to just sort of like. Data dump, like everything that’s on my mind and whenever I have a dream that was really vivid, I like to write it out with all the detail that I can remember. And I find this really helpful because it helps me remember the dream and I can think about it later and figure out what this means. But also one of the cool things about this journal is it’ll tell me like, this is what you said last year, this is what you said three years ago, 10 years ago. And , sometimes we forget. How much we’ve grown or how much we’ve changed unless it’s right in front of us, , unless it’s like something that we can actually see to compare. And I think we all have this habit, I’m gonna say like a really bad habit where we’re looking forward, right? These are the things I wanna experience. This is what I wanna have in my life. These are the things not working. And so when we’re comparing it to the future, it appears as. Lack, it appears as absence because we’re not where we wanna be, but when we have a chance to reflect and to say, look at where I was and now look where I am. It might be where you are physically, it might be where you live. It might be goals you’ve reached. It might just be, I am shifting and changing and I’m moving forward. And there were years where I would look back at a year ago, two years ago, and I would say to myself, oh my God, , I’m talking about the same exact things. Like I feel like I haven’t changed or grown at all. Like when am I gonna get. Unstuck. But the truth now that I can see when there’s been a little bit more space, and I can look back, I can see that this is actually like turtle, right? Like a turtle. Like little tiny shifts moving me in the direction that I want. And that’s really, really important. So what I wanna do is I wanna talk about a dream that I had last year. So it was right around this time last year and I was on that day that I was taking that little nap. It was so windy, windy out, and I opened my journal and I wrote it in my journal, and then I was like, I’m gonna take a little nap. But in my journal, I looked back and then sometimes I’ll look back at the year before or two years before, but then I’ll look at days surrounding it, you know? I’m like, what was going on? Just so I can remember. And. I had a dream last year and I wanna tell you about this dream. And it’s not because I think dreams are, , mystical or predictive in some like woo woo way, but it’s because I have learned both personally and professionally that when something inside you knows the truth before you are ready to face it. It often speaks to us through our unconscious, and our unconscious speaks to us in metaphor. And so this dream actually happened in one of the final months that I was still living in the same house as my now former husband. And the timing of that really matters because emotionally, , the relationship was over. We were trying to sell the house. It took quite a while, and so we were living in close proximity, but. The relationship was over. My nervous system knew it , just that my body was still there. And when you live like that for too long, right? When your inner world and your outer life are out of sync, something starts trying to get your attention. And so in this dream, I was at the airport. Now I wanna share this dream because, and I’m gonna relate it back , to you and why this. Could be helpful. Okay, so I’m at the airport. It’s not a normal airport though. It’s , packed, like wall to wall to wall people. So as far as you could see, like a sea of people. And , you’re in a crowd, so there’s just, you’re not really walking regular. You’re like shuffling. You know that feeling. So I get this feeling that everyone’s moving really fast. Like everybody is going someplace. They know where they’re going and they’re all. Moving and bumping into me. So I’m like, goochie, goochie, goochie. And they’re bumping into me and I feel like I am not able to actually take a step forward. And , airports are in between places, right? You’re not where you were and you’re not yet where you’re going. You’re in this like in-between place. And that is exactly where I was in my life at that time. So. In this dream. I was traveling with him, but I wasn’t walking beside him. I was following him. So he was like way ahead of me, completely unaware that I was even there just doing his thing, right? He just kept moving forward and I was getting pushed around, like losing my footing, trying to keep up, and in my dream he never turned around and that’s the image that I remember. I remember feeling like I was. Almost a kid getting lost in the shuffle, ? And I, think that experience of my life at that time is reflected in that dream, because that’s where their relationship was , at that time. I, felt like. I was orienting around him, like tracking him or adjusting to him. And when you live that way long enough, , you lose your own internal compass. And at some point in the dream, I realized that I had a backpack that was gone. So I wasn’t carrying the backpack on my shoulders. I had been holding it like by the top straps. You know how sometimes backpacks have that little handle? So I was holding it by that, so it was like an accessory. So at the moment that I realized I was missing the backpack is the same moment that I realized I actually had been carrying a backpack, if that makes sense. And then I looked down and realized it was just gone. It was like I noticed my hand first. I don’t remember setting it down. I don’t remember like choosing to let it go. I just looked down and it was missing, and I think that’s how this actually happens. Like we don’t wake up one day and decide to abandon ourselves. We adapt and we accommodate and we make it work. Until one day we look around and we think, like, where did I go? And I tried to backtrack through the crowd in my dream, and eventually I found a backpack that I thought looked like mine. It was like the same pattern, like the same kind of backpack, but it was empty and it wasn’t quite the right size. And I remember thinking in the dream, and I wrote this in my journal that I don’t even know if this is mine anymore. I think this is like such an important moment because from the outside my life looked the same. Like the same house I was, looked like the same woman. It looked like the same marriage. Right. But inside it was empty. It was empty backpack. And , I don’t think, when I look back I’m like, that wasn’t unhappiness. That was dissociation. Right. Dissociated from what was happening and in my dream, I went to the gate attendant and I told them that the only picture that I had of my mother who died when I was 16, was in that bag. It wasn’t true. I even wrote that in my journal. Like I told her a lie that the only picture I had of my mom was in that backpack because I needed her to understand how serious this felt and that I needed help and I needed somebody to see me. And so they tried and they were confused. And then eventually , the,. Gate attendant, just admitted that she couldn’t do anything. And so I just turned around and just walked away. I just decided to move on, and that is when I realized that my phone was gone too. My voice, like my connection, my ability to call for help, everything was gone. And here’s what I want you to hear in this. This dream wasn’t about my marriage. It, and I wanna say that again. He’s had a, he has his own experience of that. Like it is not about him. It’s not about my marriage. It was about my identity erosion. It was about what happens when you stay in a life that no longer fits for way too long. And I think when we talk about metaphor and , our unconscious minds speaking to us through our dreams. , That backpack was my identity. It was my needs, , my internal resources, and I wasn’t wearing it. I was carrying it by that little handle so lightly so that I could maneuver around other people. And that is what I think self abandonment actually looks like. It’s not like some big dramatic event. It’s not obvious. It’s reasonable. Subtle, and I see this all the time in my work, women who tell me that they can’t quite put their finger on it, like they feel kind of numb or lost or disconnected. And so they think , , that they’re broken, but they’re not. They’re just, I would say like disembodied. Right? And so. I wanted to share that dream because I think it’s was such a good metaphor for where so many of us are and where so many of us are, whether we’re feeling lost or dissociated from a relationship or a job, or after your kids leave to , go off to college and you’re alone for the first time. Like so many things. And so I think that when we think about. A big life, and I’m using air quotes, right? ’cause I talk about a big life. A big life isn’t some fancy living on a yacht. , That’s not what I mean by a big life. I mean, choosing yourself, right? It’s not about blowing everything up. It’s not about dramatic things. It’s , it’s not about certainty even. It’s about embodiment. Embodiment, right? It’s about. Wearing your life, that backpack, instead of carrying it so loosely that anybody could knock it out of your hand. Wearing your life means , that your values live inside your body, not just inside your head. Right? It means that when you speak and something feels off, instead of talking yourself out of it. It means you listen to it, right? It means you, you know what your yes and your no are, and that those come from inside your body, not from managing someone else’s comfort. Most people, and , I’m including myself in this, we don’t lose ourselves because of one big thing. It’s not one big event that happened. We lose ourselves because we are so great at adapting. At, making ourselves smaller to keep things calm or low maintenance or understanding. And then one day you wake up and you realize that you’ve been holding yourselves by the little tiny strap. And so. , If you’ve been struggling in your relationship or in your job or anything where you’re like, should I stay or should I go? Here’s the question that I wanna leave you with, is instead of that, I want you to ask yourself like, where am I managing my life? Instead of inhabiting it, , where am I carrying myself instead of standing in myself? , I think we can abandon ourselves in a million different ways. And, , I’ll say it again, it, had less to do with my ex-husband. It had to do with me. I was the one doing that. I was the one choosing that. And yes, there’s were circumstances around it, but in the end it was when I decided to. Fully embody myself when I decided that I was gonna put myself first, when I decided that being kind wasn’t the end all, be all that what if being kind and people saw me as being so kind. It’s not that I don’t wanna be kind to people. That’s not what I’m saying, but perhaps that was an indicator that. Yeah, I was putting everyone else first and that I didn’t always need to do that. There are times where I put my daughter first and that feels right. That is the right thing to do, and I want to do that, and there are times when I don’t. So having the discernment of that, I think is really important so that we don’t lose ourselves. Because when you can start wearing your life again, that’s when clarity comes back to you. And , this year for me, I don’t know if you saw on Instagram, but every year I give myself an award. So I order these crystal awards from Crown Awards. And this year my award was, , the Chrysalis Award This year has been. So transformative for me, not because I did some big thing or not because I, , had some big, huge success. Like it wasn’t that. It was that I started feeling really solid, that I started really leaning into my body as an oracle, that I started really trusting myself in a totally different way and hearing myself. And I stopped getting lost in that big crowd getting bumped around. So it’s not, , the art of living big isn’t about becoming louder. It is about becoming solid, right? It’s about putting your backpack back on your shoulders, fully, like strapped in with the little strap around the front. You know that clicks in that. That is how you live a big life. I hope you all have a really, really happy holiday. However you celebrate. I hope you have a hopeful New Year, and that 2026 becomes everything that you want it to be, and you get to decide. You get to decide how that goes. All right. I love you so much. I’ll see you after the new year. Thanks for joining me on The Art of Living Big. I hope today’s episode sparked something within you, maybe pushed you to dream a little bit bigger and live a little larger. Don’t forget to subscribe. Leave us a review and share this podcast with someone you know who might need a little inspiration today. You can find me over on Instagram at Betsy Pake and on my YouTube channel. Remember, the world is vast. Your potential is endless, and your life, it’s yours to shape. Until next time, keep reaching, keep exploring, and keep living big.

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! For Nicole Strickland, a lifelong fascination with the supernatural took on a deeply personal meaning through two unforgettable companions—Max and Kayli. These weren't just beloved pets. They were family. And when their lives ended, something extraordinary began. After Max and Kayli crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Nicole experienced moments that challenged everything we assume about life, death, and the limits of love. Subtle signs. Powerful encounters. A sense of presence that refused to fade. The connection was so profound that it inspired her to write a book honoring their bond—Max and Kayli, Two Remarkable Felines Forever Imprinted on My Heart. But Nicole's story is part of something much larger. Across the world, people report visits, signs, and unmistakable moments from pets they've lost—moments that feel purposeful, comforting, and impossible to dismiss. In this episode of The Grave Talks, we explore a question many quietly ask but rarely say out loud: when our pets leave this world, do they really leave us… or do some bonds continue far beyond life itself? This is Part Two of our conversation. For more information about Nicole, visit her website at authornicolestrickland.com. #PetAfterlife #RainbowBridge #ParanormalExperiences #SpiritualConnections #PetVisitations #LifeAfterDeath #TrueParanormal #AnimalSpirits #TheGraveTalks Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! For Nicole Strickland, a lifelong fascination with the supernatural took on a deeply personal meaning through two unforgettable companions—Max and Kayli. These weren't just beloved pets. They were family. And when their lives ended, something extraordinary began. After Max and Kayli crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Nicole experienced moments that challenged everything we assume about life, death, and the limits of love. Subtle signs. Powerful encounters. A sense of presence that refused to fade. The connection was so profound that it inspired her to write a book honoring their bond—Max and Kayli, Two Remarkable Felines Forever Imprinted on My Heart. But Nicole's story is part of something much larger. Across the world, people report visits, signs, and unmistakable moments from pets they've lost—moments that feel purposeful, comforting, and impossible to dismiss. In this episode of The Grave Talks, we explore a question many quietly ask but rarely say out loud: when our pets leave this world, do they really leave us… or do some bonds continue far beyond life itself? For more information about Nicole, visit her website at authornicolestrickland.com. #PetAfterlife #RainbowBridge #ParanormalExperiences #SpiritualConnections #PetVisitations #LifeAfterDeath #TrueParanormal #AnimalSpirits #TheGraveTalks Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story: