Podcasts about swiping

On this episode, host Sima Vasa talks to Ian Ash, Co-Founder of Dig Insights, about the intersection of AI and market research, the evolution of Restech, and the importance of balancing technology with human expertise. With over a decade's experience leading Dig Insights, Ian shares his perspective on how AI reshapes research processes and why human oversight remains critical. He reflects on the parallels between storytelling in comedy and storytelling in research, emphasizing that whether it's data or humor, connection and clarity are the keys. Key Takeaways: (02:09) Dig Insights' journey from startup to private equity-backed growth. (05:35) The importance of maintaining research rigor despite industry pressures. (08:10) Large scales don't guarantee better insights, just higher correlations. (12:22) Swiping-based surveys introduced choice and engagement. (15:46) Research needs exist along a flexible service continuum. (18:40) Effective AI requires context and customization. (20:22) Synthetic data performs better in sentiment analysis than research. (25:22) AI accelerates research by automating data interpretation. (28:08) Ian's passion for stand-up comedy and life beyond market research. Resources Mentioned: Upsiide by Dig Insights Scott Galloway's Website Thanks for listening to the Data Gurus podcast, brought to you by Infinity Squared. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. #Analytics #MA #Data #Strategy #Innovation #Acquisitions #MRX #Restech

In this episode of Fresh Off The Set, we're diving into the wild world of online dating. The good, the bad, and the downright confusing. From endless swiping to ghosting and everything in between, it's not always easy to know who to trust or how to make a real connection. Joining us is Tammi Pickle with Elite Connections, a professional matchmaker with years of experience helping people find meaningful relationships. She's sharing expert tips on how to date smarter, avoid common pitfalls, and increase your chances of meeting the right person. Kari, Brooke, David, Kaime, and Elora host Fresh Living on KUTV, which airs on CBS Channel 2 every weekday at 1 pm in Utah. You can follow Fresh Living on all social media platforms @kutvfreshliving and watch our show on YouTube.

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In conversation with @addictedtorags on the historic evolution of the plain t-shirt to the graphic tee. The transition of tees from underwear to outerwear. T-shirt activism and contextualising the history behind the clenched fist graphic. Getting into your own niche. What deems a Tee to be rare. The recent resurgence of the ironic slogan tee and the contemporary T-shirt makers ripping off the vintage ones. The ford 'freak' tee and 70s souvenir tees. Arturo Vega designs for the Ramones tees. Selling band merch back in the day. Bootleg tees. Single stitch. How hard it is to replicate old printing techniques. Gatekeeping. The dying art of old printing techniques. Swiping your card to look the part, and so much more

Forget swiping in your hometown—what happens when you take your dating life global? Let's talk about it.In this episode, host Kim Anderson sits down with the International Tinderella herself, Hillary Dowdle, to dive into the highs, lows, and laugh-out-loud moments of dating abroad while living the digital nomad life.From spontaneous swipes in Lisbon to cultural surprises and unexpected connections, you'll get the inside scoop on how dating abroad can change your perspective—no pressure, no expectations, just fun. You'll also find out which dating apps actually work overseas, how to handle those inevitable language barriers, and why setting clear boundaries is a total game-changer.If you've ever dreamed about meeting someone while traveling—or just want a peek into the world of international dating—this episode is packed with stories, insights, and plenty of laughs.In This Episode, You'll Learn:Why dating abroad can be way more fun (and less stressful) than dating at homeWhy you should skip the small talk and go straight to the dateSafety measures to protect yourselfRESOURCES:Connect with Hillary - International Tinderella & @queenoftheexitrow ⚡ ROUND: The Nightingale by Kristin HannahEPISODE DETAILS:18:04 - Take the pressure off of dating 21:48 - You can find someone anywhere19:36 - The key to safely date23:13 - Not all dates are meant to be the be all and end all25:19 - It's okay to date28:58 - Never let your age or your thoughtsJoin the WAITLIST for our upcoming group trip! Sign up & be the first to know when the doors open. Support the showMore Travel, Less Money—Download Your FREE GUIDE & Start Exploring! Let's connect on Instagram! @DesignHerTravel Get $20 when you Sign-Up for Buzzsprout Please Note: I may earn a small commission when purchasing through these links. It doesn't cost you anything extra but does help support the show.

Are you exhausted by dating apps? Tired of first dates with people who aren't right for you? What if someone hand-picked incredible women for you to meet—women who are just your type? Dating coach Connell Barrett welcomes elite matchmaker Amy Andersen, founder of Linx Dating, to break down the world of high-end matchmaking. Amy shares the key advantages of working with what she calls “your own personal cheerleader” and offers expert first-date tips to help you make a great impression.Connell and Amy Discuss:04:45: Why Dating Apps Take So Much Time—and How Matchmaking Saves You Countless Hours08:22: Why a Personalized Approach to Finding Love Can Work Better than DIY Dating17:45: “They Got Married on their Second Date!” Amy's Jaw-Dropping Success Story28:57: Essential Do's and Don'ts of Hiring a Matchmaker33:11: How to Be Interesting and Attractive on the First Date44:01: The Power of Authenticity and Vulnerability in Sparking Real Romantic ConnectionsIf you want an easier way to meet incredible women, this episode is a must-listen.LEARN MORE ABOUT MATCHMAKING AND LINX DATING:http://www.Linxdating.comFOLLOW AMY ANDERSEN ON INSTAGRAM:@‌ms.linxdatingBOOK A FREE CALL WITH CONNELL TO LEARN HOW 1-1 DATING COACHING CAN HELP YOU FIND A GREAT GIRLFRIEND:http://www.DatingTransformation.com

THIS EPISODE BROUGHT TO YOU BY: You'll notice that there's no sponsor in this episode.  We'd love it if you'd consider supporting on Patreon.   PATREON - patreon.com/nodumbquestions  STUFF IN THIS EPISODE: An Early Edison Wax Cylinder Home Recording Over There Irish Eyes Swiper No Swiping - Dora the Explorer B.F. Skinner Pavlov's Dog Freedom app Definition of Virile HGModernism - You're Not Addicted to tiktoks… Algorithms are breaking how we think When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert Percy Jackson (Lotus Casino Scene) The dark side of AI voice cloning - Jeff Geerling CONNECT WITH NO DUMB QUESTIONS: Support No Dumb Questions on Patreon if that sounds good to you Discuss this episode here NDQ Subreddit Our podcast YouTube channel Our website is nodumbquestions.fm No Dumb Questions Twitter Matt's Twitter Destin's Twitter SUBSCRIBE LINKS: Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Android OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS ARE ALSO FUN: Matt's YouTube Channel (The Ten Minute Bible Hour) Destin's YouTube Channel (Smarter Every Day)

“We are the centre of our world, and that whatever we do, our world is going to reflect. So therefore, it my world, we need to look at our world and see how it is.” Jill Robin Payne Top Five Tips For Swiping Right On Connection In The Digital Age1.      Find fun and have a win-win mindset.2.      Timing and position are important in conversations.3.      Be aware of speed and language differences.4.      Recognize that you are always busy and prioritize self-care.5.      Practice self-reflection using the "map of reflection" to understand how your inner state reflects in your relationships. TIME STAMP SUMMARY02:19 Day to day fun is importance06:41 Taking a step back to gain a better perspective on the situation.10:09 The importance of being authentic and genuine in interactions.12:42 Understanding how your inner state reflects in your relationships. Where to find Jill?Website                             https://jillrobinpayne.com/ LinkedIn                            https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-robin-payne/  Jill Robin Payne BioJill Robin Payne, MA, LPC-S, LCDC, holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy and a master's degree in clinical/counselling psychology. She is a seasoned social psychotherapist and a former adjunct professor of behaviour modification, holding dual licenses as a Licensed Professional Counsellor Supervisor and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counsellor, and is certified in EAGALA equine therapy. As a communication expert, Jill developed Bempathy®, a unique reciprocal communication approach that blends banter and empathy to foster authentic connections. A sought-after speaker and author, she shares insights on mental health and communication across national and local media platforms and is renowned for her transformative strategies that enhance relationship dynamics both personally and professionally.

Love, dating, and AI — what could go wrong? Or right? In this Valentine's Day special, Rana el Kaliouby and a series of expert guests explore how AI is reshaping romance. First, Will Wu, Chief Technology Officer at Match Group, gives us a peek at how AI is already at work in apps like Tinder and Hinge, helping users choose their best profile pictures and refining match recommendations. Next, the team at Gottman Inc. shares how AI is being used to improve relationships. Their AI-powered tools analyze conversations and help therapists guide couples. The goal? Better communication, healthier relationships, and maybe even fewer breakups. Finally, we meet Violeta and her AI husband. Her story challenges how we think about love, connection, and what it means to feel truly understood. Swiping, coupled up, or AI-curious? This episode is for you.  About Pioneers of AI Pioneers of AI is your guide to the latest technological frontier. Each week, host Rana el Kaliouby (AI scientist, investor, author, co-founder of Affectiva) is joined by the leading creators, critics, and thinkers behind mind-blowing technology and asks the important questions about how artificial intelligence is changing the way we live. As we venture together into the unknown, Pioneers is your tool to understanding and anticipating what comes next. Subscribe to Pioneers of AI on YouTube: youtube.com/@pioneersofai

In a world where swiping left and right has become second nature, are dating apps still the best way to find love or have singles outgrown them? With AI-powered matchmaking, evolving dating trends, and an abundance of dating platforms promising more meaningful connections, technology continues to shape modern romance. But with digital fatigue on the rise and a growing desire for organic, real-world relationships, some argue that love in 2025 is best found offline. On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Willynn Ng, Chief Tribe at TanTan Tribe / Regional Head at TanTan International and Terry Chia, Interior Designer at Lemonfridge Studio, to find out if dating apps are still relevant in 2025. Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg), Hongbin Jeong, and Naz Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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“There's no time like the present,” is an adage President Donald Trump appears to have taken to heart. Trump has been in office for less than a month and has successfully managed to keep every political journalist in America working overtime to keep up with the slew of actions.    Open Google Maps on your phone and zoom out. The Gulf of Mexico is now The Gulf of America. Biden administration DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is long gone, replaced by Secretary Kristi Noem, who this week “clawed back” $59 million FEMA allocated to house illegal aliens in luxury hotels in New York City. Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency is exposing waste in D.C. and actively shrinking a federal government that did nothing but balloon for the past four years. So far, all of Trump's cabinet picks, including Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have been confirmed, and all have pledged to restore common sense to the American government.    This Valentine's Day, “Problematic Women” is breaking down the biggest stories we are “swiping right” on. For all our readers who never had to use a dating app, you are blessed, and “swiping right” refers to letting someone know you are interested in starting a conversation.    While Democrats might not feel the love in Washington, Americans largely appear pleased with the barrage of action coming out of the Trump administration.    According to a recent CBS News/YouGov poll, Trump has a 53% approval rating and 70% of Americans say Trump is doing what he promised he would do.    Catch this week's edition of Problematic Women as we break down what Trump actions we are “swiping right” for. Plus, we share our favorite breakup and love songs, and offer some (hopefully helpful) dating tips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You, dear flute player, are irresistible to your desired sex(es), and I'm here to tell you exactly why. Analysing Meatloaf and Phallic imagery, we wind up with the top tunes to play on a date; after hearing from some of the flute world's submitted love stories. This one has a fair few dirty references; you've been warned. grma xInline G Merch

In this episode ofUp Past Bedtime, Bella dives into the wild world of dating after a decade-long relationship. She shares the highs, the lows, and the downright bizarre moments of re-entering the dating scene as a single mom—covering everything from navigating co-parenting while dating to the strange (and sometimes cringeworthy) realities of men's dating profiles. Bella gets candid about her dating preferences, the agony of small talk, and one particularly awkward first date that was riddled with red flags.Beyond the dating disasters, Bella opens up about self-love, learning to enjoy her own company, and embracing the journey rather than rushing to find "the one." With her signature humour and honesty, she reminds us that patience, confidence, and a little bit of chaos are all part of the dating game.Up Past Bedtime with Bella Messina is your go-to for late-night, unfiltered chats—the kind of conversations you'd have with your closest girlfriends. From relationships to motherhood, no topic is off-limits as Bella, a 20-something mum of two, invites you into candid conversations with inspiring women and shares her own raw stories. This podcast is where you'll feel seen, heard, and completely understood. So get comfortable, because the best conversations happen when you're up past bedtimeUPB's Socials:Instagram:⁠⁠⁠@uppastbedtimepodcast⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok:⁠⁠⁠@uppastbedtimepodcast⁠⁠⁠Or Email Us: upbpod@messinaco.comBella's Socials: Instagram:⁠⁠⁠@bellsmessina⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok:⁠⁠⁠@bellsmessina

Host Kayla Hayempour talks with UCLA alum Rachel Sumekh, founder of Swipe Out Hunger, about turning a small campus initiative into a national movement against college food insecurity. Rachel shares her journey, the impact of student activism and how legislation she helped craft has secured over $100 million for campus hunger programs. Plus, UCLA's Carl Maier joins to discuss Swipe Out Hunger's work today. A transcript is available at dailybruin.com/category/podcasts.

①China's Chang'e-7 mission to land on lunar south pole for water ice search: report②Chinese scientists develop new AI model for cyclone forecast③China unveils first guidelines on NEV insurance④This Spring Festival, travelers are swiping right — on each other's homes⑤A Thousand Whys: The charm and magic behind Chinese calligraphy

In this episode of the Warner Brothers podcast, Keenan, Kyle, and Timmy dive deep into the recent NBA trade deadline, discussing the shocking trade of Luka Doncic, the implications for the Dallas Mavericks, and the bright future of the San Antonio Spurs with De'Aaron Fox. They also analyze the Jimmy Butler trade to the Warriors and its potential impact on both teams. They then transition to analyzing the upcoming Super Bowl matchup between the Chiefs and Eagles, expressing mixed feelings about the rematch and the teams' current forms. The discussion culminates in a heated debate about Eli Manning's Hall of Fame candidacy, with differing opinions on whether he deserves first ballot recognition. In this episode, the hosts discuss their predictions for the upcoming Super Bowl, including player performances, potential commercials, and the highly anticipated halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar. They delve into the significance of the halftime show, the expected setlist, and the impact of Kendrick's performance on the audience. The conversation wraps up with final predictions for the game, MVP considerations, and a light-hearted discussion about Gatorade colors and Super Bowl snacks.   0:00 Intro & NBA Trade Deadline Madness 2:54 Luka Doncic's Trade Controversy 17:20 The Spurs' Bright Future with De'Aaron Fox 24:00 Jimmy Butler's Trade to the Warriors 39:14 Super Bowl Matchup Preview 43:20 Eli Manning's Hall of Fame Debate 54:15 Super Bowl Analysis 1:01:09 Super Weekend Prediction Questionaire 01:04:00 Halftime Show Expectations and Kendrick Lamar 01:11:55 Super Bowl MVP and Final Predictions   Kyle was dealing with some slight technical difficulties from the 1:08:00 mark on. We apologize for that.   FOLLOW THE BROTHAS ON Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/warnerbrothaspodcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thewarnerbrothaspodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/warnerbrothaspodcast X - https://x.com/warnerbrospod

In the 9th episode of the 9th season, Holly J bends over backwards to avoid being swooned by Declan - and ultimately loses. Leia loses her man when she follows horrendous advice from Chantay the Snake. Tune in for tidbits & trivia

Forget dating apps or meet cutes... marriage matchmaking is back. Young people in South Korea have been signing up to professional agencies to find love, and sales are booming. Birth and marriage rates in South Korea remain at record lows and now even the government is playing Cupid by organising speed-dating events. Our reporter Rachel Lee has been speaking to young people in Seoul to find out more. We also run around our global office and ask: would you use a matchmaking service? (The reaction was surprisingly mixed…)Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producer: Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

Ready to finally get great matches on Tinder? Who better to guide you than the man who invented swiping and changed dating forever: Tinder's visionary co-founder, Jonathan Badeen. Back in the day, Jonathan was struggling to meet women and get dates. (Sound familiar?) He launched Tinder in part to help his own love life, and the world has never been the same. In this exclusive interview with dating coach Connell Barrett, Badeen shares the lightbulb moment when he came up with the swiping idea, reveals the biggest mistakes men make on the apps, and explains why he would absolutely swipe right on Minnie Mouse.In this episode, Jonathan and Connell talk about:2:37: Why Tinder is for More than Just Hookups14:01: The Aha Moment when Jonathan Came Up with Swiping17:26: Why Authenticity is What Women Want—on Tinder and in Real Life26:33: The Real Reason You're Not Getting Good Matches30:15: The Myth that “Dating Apps Just Don't Work”34:04: How to Inject Fun into Your profile to Get Women Messaging You First35:47: How Shy Guys and “Nerds” Can Win on the Apps47:01: Why Jonathan Would Swipe Right on Minnie Mouse and Swipe Left on “The Godfather 3”Listen now for wisdom from the man who changed dating—and start landing great Tinder dates today.FOR A FREE STRATEGY CALL WITH CONNELL TO LEARN HOW TO HAVE GREAT FIRST DATES:http://www.datingtransformation.com/contactTO GET FREE ACCESS TO “THE FLIRTY 30,” CHARMING QUESTIONS TO ASK WOMEN ON DATES, ON THE APPS, AND WHEN YOU APPROACH:http://www.datingtransformation.com/FLIRTY30WANT A FREE COPY OF CONNELL'S NO. 1 AMAZON BESTSELLING BOOK, “DATING SUCKS BUT YOU DON'T”? EMAIL CONNELL AND WRITE “FREE BOOK” IN THE SUBJECT LINE AND YOU'LL GET IT INSTANTLY:Connell@datingtransformation.com

Dating today can feel like a minefield—commitment seems elusive, and swiping through endless options can leave you drained. In this episode of Where Is the Line, we dive deep into the modern dating landscape with Emily Becker, who shares her personal experiences, crazy dating stories, and insights on navigating this complex world. We explore: What hookup culture looks like today and why it's so prevalent. The impact of societal shifts, like financial independence, technology, and globalization, on relationships. How to remain hopeful and put yourself out there, even when dating feels overwhelming. The role of dating apps and the emotional toll of ghosting, endless swiping, and casual encounters Practical tips for staying grounded while searching for something meaningful Predictions for the future of dating Whether you're looking for "the one," trying to navigate dating fatigue, or simply curious about where dating is headed, this episode offers honest, insightful, and hopeful perspectives. Plus, Emily, Sabrina, and Jane share their own stories, lessons learned, and what they'd tell their younger selves about love and relationships.   Email us at: whereisthelinepod@gmail.com      Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@WhereistheLine-wj2zk?si=8YGnU_RN7UJBqH8K      Please rate and subscribe to the podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-is-the-line/id1672067930      Follow the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lpVQPnxea9oRNhyQQGo3v    As we continue to create more content, we'd love to hear from you! How do these topics resonate? What topics would you like us to cover next? TikTok: @where_is_the_line_ 

The challenge of finding a meaningful connection in the age of swiping right.

Jillian Turecki is a certified relationship coach, teacher and writer who for 20 years has taught others how to transform their relationships with themselves. She is also the host of the popular podcast, “Jillian on Love.” Why being on dating apps can actually keep you single, what women actually find attractive in men, how to define what you are looking for in a relationship, common relationship myths that you need to stop believing, how to handle conflict and prevent resentment from ruining a healthy relationship, how to keep the connection going, when is it time to break upend much more. Thanks to this episode's sponsor: MitoLux Head to www.mitolux.com and enter promo code DOUG at checkout for 10% off your first order. Grab Jillian's new book here ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you've consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The #1 in the whole App Store is Watch Duty… a hero saving lives in LA's wildfires.Rolls-Royce now sells 100% top-to-bottom custom cars… it's commissioned art, like Picasso.17% of Christmas gifts get returned… so we invented a solution: “Reverse Logistics”This Sunday is the biggest day of the year for dating apps… Swiping is about to surge 70%.$BMWKY $AAPL $LULUWant more? Check out the latest episode of our weekly deep dive show, The Best One Yet. This week's episode is on The Oregon Trail: “Tricking Kids Into Liking School Since 1971”

Two college lovers continue exploring. By Baztrachian. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Memorial Day was just around the corner and Sindy was excited! She and Ryan had consummated their relationship over New Year's Eve and the following few days and now the two of them were living together in her apartment. The relationship was still a bit of a secret from Sindy's parents. They knew she had a boyfriend but they had no idea how serious the relationship was. They also had no idea that he was living in the apartment they paid for every month. One of the things that Sindy insisted on after New Year's Eve was that Ryan had to use a condom whenever they had sex. Unlike Ryan who was about to graduate with a bachelor's degree Sindy was still a freshman and had three more years to go in school. Having a baby would have impossibly complicated her plan to get a degree and start a career.Sindy knew Ryan was a little disappointed when she insisted on the condoms but he went along with it and the two lovers ended up having quite a vigorous sex life. It was the rare day that went by without Ryan's latex-covered cock plunging into Sindy's pussy. It rather surprised her that she liked sex as much as she did. Ryan was an attentive lover and for his part he was pleased that by having been patient with Sindy she was now a very receptive lover. Ryan realized that Sindy was the one. For her part Sindy wanted a future with Ryan but she wanted to get her degree and her career first. Marriage would have to wait. Ryan understood this. It was Saturday, the first day of the Memorial Day weekend and both Sindy and Ryan skipped the various parties opting instead to stay home and study for their finals. As was typical of Chicago at this time of year it was hot, humid, and thunderstorms were expected in the afternoon. Things went fine with their studies until the afternoon when the sky turned dark. Distant thunder hinted at what was to come and in a short time there was lightning flashing in the neighborhood. Predictably the power went out due to the storm and the lack of light in the apartment ended their studies. "Looks like it's break time." said Ryan. Sindy concurred and decided to cook an early dinner. It was fortunate that their old school gas oven didn't need electricity so soon enough Sindy had a decent pasta dinner going. When she served it up Ryan surprised her by opening a large bottle of Cointreau that he'd been saving for graduation. "Really?" she asked as he poured her a glass. Not that she was complaining because she loved the sweet orange liqueur. She was simply and pleasantly surprised. "Why not celebrate? We're here, we're having a nice time, and besides, what else are we supposed to do?" he replied. She smiled and agreed. "You're right." The two of them sipped at their respective glasses and enjoyed a dinner that would have cost them fifty bucks at any nearby restaurant. The power came on not long after six. They'd briefly considered getting back to their studies but quickly abandoned the idea in favor of getting ready for bed and watching a movie on TV. Sindy had a romantic movie she'd wanted to see for a long time and Ryan agreed to it. There'd been a new action flick he wanted to see but it could wait. Sindy excused herself to change into her silk sleepshirt while Ryan converted the futon to its evening configuration. Ryan's night time outfit was simple and he just stripped down to his boxer shorts before sitting down on what was now a bed. Sindy joined him and sat next to him. As he started the movie they clinked their glasses to toast the day and settled in. The movie wasn't going to win any awards but it was well done and full of sexual tension. Sindy and Ryan exchanged some knowing glances at some of the more subtle moments of the story. They understood the things that were implied and the impact of the story was greater because the romantic parts were implied instead of spelled out. Sindy's hand drifted to Ryan's lap at one point. Ryan understood she was getting aroused and in turn he felt his own stirrings. His own hand slipped along her side and then down to her hip. Not feeling any panties he knew it was that sticky time of the month for Sindy. And after five months of getting to know Sindy and her body he knew she was ovulating and far more interested in sex than usual. He glanced over his shoulder at the little table where he kept his condoms and wondered when would be the right time to go get one. He didn't mind when Sindy poured herself her third glass of Cointreau for the evening. The movie started the third act and not even fifteen minutes into it Sindy poured herself yet another glass of the orange liqueur. The action on the screen heated up. The couple in the story had an illicit relationship and while it was romantic it was also filled with forbidden tension. The couple on the screen finally ended up in bed together and Sindy found herself wanting the same thing. The lithe blond moved herself into Ryan's lap to watch the rest of the movie. "Hold me." she told him and he obliged. For Ryan this was a little bit of torture. His cock was rock hard and it was separated from Sindy's bare pussy by only the flimsy fabric of his boxer shorts. He did his best to hold still but it wasn't long before his hips moved. His hands went to Sindy's sleep shirt and started unbuttoning it. It was a lover's code between Sindy and Ryan that if she let him take off her sleep shirt and feel her tits that they'd have sex. If she swatted his hands away and buttoned herself up then they both went along with the unspoken refusal. But not tonight. With the last button undone Ryan pulled open Sindy's sleep shirt and his hands went to her cute little tits. She sighed as he gently touched her all while keeping her eyes focused on the movie. She was now satisfied that she was going to get fucked. Ryan was getting increasingly aroused as he explored her body. When he went to ease the sleep shirt off of her shoulders she leaned forward to let him take it off. In doing so she put pressure on his eager cock and he audibly moaned. Now she was naked in his arms and she leaned back against him. For her part Sindy was ready for sex. Watching all the action in the movie had gotten her hot and she needed Ryan's cock inside her. Spreading her legs she reached down and pulled his cock loose from his boxers and then started slowly humping herself on it. Ryan stole another quick glance at the table where he kept the condoms. He was just about ready to interrupt his moment with Sindy to do the sensible thing when he felt her wetness sliding on the underside of his cock. Her pussy lips parted and coated his prong with her luxurious lubrication. It was too much for him. Still, he held back. "Sindy, what do you want to do, baby?" he whispered in her ear. He knew whatever she decided it would have to be her decision. She said nothing and instead pushed herself against his body arching her back to catch the tip of his cock in her pussy. In that moment Sindy knew Ryan had wanted to stop and go get a condom. The sensible part of her told her this was the right thing to do. But for the past twenty minutes she'd been feeling Ryan's hands on her body and then she'd been watching the couple on the screen fuck without a stupid rubber. And that's what she wanted, too. His cock was in just the right spot. She knew once she started he wouldn't stop. She knew it was the wrong time of the month to be playing games like this. But all she really knew was that Ryan's bare cock was poised to be pleasingly deep inside her. With her hands holding herself above Ryan's hips she relaxed. The two of them sighed and moaned together as her horny and slickened pussy enveloped his cock, welcoming it into her body. "Fuck." whispered Ryan as he felt bare pussy around his cock again. Sindy ground herself on Ryan's lap and moved to get him as deep as she could. It felt so fucking good! His hands cupped her tits as they started to fuck. He was being gentle and slow but that wasn't what she wanted tonight. "Ryan, fuck me like you want to own me!" she asked of him. He responded by taking two pillows and piling them next to where the two lovers were entwined. Then she was slightly mystified when he had her lift off of him. Guiding her to the pillows he had her lay face down with her pelvis astride the pillows. Her bare ass was now aimed up into the air. They'd never done this before. Ryan knelt behind her and briefly admired her upturned ass. A delicate fuzz of blond hair followed from her head down her spine and ended just above her ass. He thought it was sexy. Pulling her legs apart he scooted up close to her and then pressed his cock into her lewdly displayed pussy. Sindy caught her breath as Ryan pushed all the way inside of her in one stroke. She hadn't had him this deep in some time and it was slightly uncomfortable as his cock poked into her cervix. She tried to get up on her elbows to adjust herself but Ryan quickly put a hand on her back to hold her in place. His other hand tightly gripped her right hip. "...fuck me like you want to own me!" echoed in Ryan's head as his cock rammed deep into Sindy's pussy. He did want to own her. And she had just told him she wanted to be owned. He grimaced and bit his lower lip as he pulled out and then slammed deep again. He loved her with all his heart but she'd triggered something in him and right now he wanted to treat her like a whore. He wanted to own her and not just tonight but every night. He took another look at the table that held his condoms as he started fucking her. Then he looked down at Sindy who was whimpering as he battered her womb from inside. Suddenly it was more than just sex, it was a conquest. Sindy held on to the sheets as Ryan pounded her from behind. Tears came from her eyes in a mix of pleasure, pain, and satisfaction that she could evoke such animal lust from her tender and sensitive Ryan. "Gahhhh!" grunted Ryan as he fucked her. He was fucking harder than he'd ever imagined he could. He loved hearing her cry out as he'd slam into her most tender place. Usually he'd hold off cumming until Sindy was pleased but not tonight. When he felt his balls start to churn he just kept fucking. And when he felt his cum race down his cock he slammed himself into her and held her tight as he filled her pussy with his seed. Sindy was crying at this point. It was all so emotional and she was simply overwhelmed. She'd coaxed him into fucking her bare and then was shocked when he fucked her hard like she'd asked him to do. She'd had no idea what he was capable of and she wondered if it had been such a good idea. When Ryan's cock was done spurting the last of his seed into her belly he fell back. He was sweaty, panting, and somewhat surprised at his animal side. He ran a hand over Sindy's upturned ass and admired her sodden pussy as it started to close up again. A puddle of his cum soaked the top pillow. With Sindy's pelvis propped up on the pillows there was another puddle of cum deep inside her pussy. The sticky fluid of her ovulation welcomed the sperm as they raced to find her ovum. The two lovers were uncharacteristically quiet after their mutual exertions. Ryan wondered what was on Sindy's mind and she in turn wondered about Ryan. She allowed herself to snooze a bit after the physical and emotional workout. Not bothering to move she gave no thought to the fact that her pussy was still on display for Ryan. The movie was now over and given the late hour on a weekend Ryan wasn't surprised when a softcore porn movie started up. He fondled Sindy's feet as he watched the flick unfold. It had the barest hint of a plot but soon devolved into an excuse to show some unemotional but physically impressive fucking. It was just over an hour and at the end the movie he felt his balls churning. Moving his eyes from the end credits to Sindy's naked pussy he felt his cock get hard. Her ankles had crossed but it was a simple matter to undo them. Gently spreading her legs he scooted up behind her and started massaging her back. When she stirred and moaned with pleasure from the back rub he prodded her pussy with his cock and then easily mounted her again. The fervor he'd had earlier in the evening had been sated so now he fucked her at a more leisurely pace. She purred as he fucked her and kept rubbing her back. At this point Sindy didn't care that he was in her bare again. The deed was done and all that mattered now was feeling her man enjoying her body. When he eventually seeded her again she rolled over and slept a very satisfied sleep. Sunday morning greeted Sindy with cool fresh air coming in off the lake. Ryan had covered her up in the blankets and she could smell the fresh coffee in the kitchen. She also heard the shower going. Starting a cup of coffee she sipped on it allowing the aroma to mask the heady scent of sex that was all over her body. Sindy traded places with Ryan when he exited the shower. They exchanged bashful pleasantries as if nothing unusual had transpired. When she came out of the shower she toweled off her hair and was about to go get dressed for the day when Ryan grabbed her sleep shirt and held it out to her. "We're not going anywhere today so why not wear this?" She looked at Ryan and realized that his wardrobe for the day was just a fresh pair of boxers. "Okay." she agreed. A light breakfast followed and then the two of them got back into their respective studies. Three hours flew by and then Sindy got up to make a light lunch. They chatted a bit more than earlier but still avoided the topic of the previous evening. With the lunch finished Sindy washed the few dishes involved and was on her tip toes putting them away when Ryan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. His cock slipped under her sleep shirt and his hands were already on her boobs. He leaned in and kissed her neck and she leaned into him to encourage him. He adjusted his body and then moved against her again. This time his bare cock slid up against her pussy. Sindy spread her legs just enough to open her pussy for him. His cock poked into her and then in just a few strokes the two of them were making love. Her hands eased down to the counter while Ryan held her by her hips as he fucked her. Her toes only barely touching the kitchen tiles. There was no alcohol involved this time and Sindy had no illusions about what the two of them were doing. She was fucking a man she wasn't married to. Bare. She knew what it could mean but it didn't seem to matter. All that mattered was this warm wonderful man and his cock fucking her pussy. She was about to have some other thoughts when her pussy suddenly exploded in glorious spasms. Ryan felt this and fucked her hard before filling her up with another dose of his seed. When he let go of her body his cock slipped from her pussy and wetly slapped against his leg. He turned to go to the bathroom to clean up. Sindy felt his seed running down her leg and was mesmerized by it for a moment. Then she grabbed the kitchen towel and wiped it up. Thinking about it she got some warm water on that same towel and cleaned herself before straightening her sleep shirt. After that it was back to their studies. Later on when dinner was concluded Ryan led her to the futon bed. He looked at her and caressed her face and then she doffed the sleep shirt, pulling it over her head and tossing it to the floor. As she got onto the bed and lay on her back Ryan dropped his boxers. Climbing onto the bed she welcomed him into her embrace and they started yet another night of natural sex, but more gentle than the night before. It was just before the Fourth of July when Ryan was at work in Atlanta and his phone rang. Looking at the screen he saw it was Sindy. Swiping right he accepted the call. "Hi, sweetheart!" he said. "Hello, daddy!" replied a very happy Sindy. By Baztrachian for Literotica

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‘Tis the season for giving. By TheSleepingKing. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. 7:16 am The door from the bathroom swung open, spilling steam into the dim blue rays of light sneaking in through the blinds. Wrapped in a towel, Shauna strode into her dorm room, feet sinking into the carpet as she padded across the floor. Pausing at the window she pulled the cord to raise the blinds, bathing the room in the soft glow of an overcast Michigan dawn. A dusting of snow covered the glazing. About an inch drifted on the ledge outside. Beyond and several stories down a lone figure rounded onto the back straight of the athletic track. Shauna leaned in, her breath fogging the glass. She poked two dots and underlined them with a curve. Smiled at the new face smiling back at her. It was a beautiful Christmas Eve morning.She unhooked the towel and tossed it over the back of the chair parked under the desk. The cool air plucked at her nipples and sapped the heat from her skin. She skimmed her hands around the bulge of her breasts, across her taut tummy and the arc of her ass. Appraising her profile in the mirror she nodded. Spin class and yoga really paid off this year. From the top drawer of the dresser, she picked out white lace panties and drew them up over toned, creamy thighs. She paired them with red and white argyle knee socks and a soft strapless bra. Sifting through the hangers in the closet she settled on a flirty red A-line dress with wide shoulder straps and a length about mid-thigh. Not practical for the weather. But perfect for the mission. 7:32 am She capped the outfit with a fuzzy Santa hat and white-soled black Keds before returning to the mirror. She turned side to side and took a twirl, the dress flaring out before settling over her legs. Certainly the sexiest elf she'd ever seen. She glanced over at the clock on the nightstand. She would need to get going soon to make her deliveries. The schedule was tight. On any other Christmas Eve she'd still be asleep; tucked in tight and dead to the world in a quiet corner of her parents' six-bedroom McMansion in Traverse City. She'd get up around 10:00, meet her brother for lunch, then spend the afternoon serving food at a shelter across town before heading home for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner with her family. This year, dinner had been moved up to lunch – something about grandma and grandpa's flights. So volunteering was out. She was fine with it at first. But as the season ramped up and the holiday spirit infected her, she felt the need to replace it with something. Some way to give back. To spread a little cheer to those less fortunate this time of year. As 3rd floor RA for the co-ed dorm, she was privy to certain information. The administration realized not every student could make it home for the holidays. So the school remained open in a limited capacity, depending on the holiday and how many students remained behind. This year on her floor there were three. And since they were stuck there maybe she could celebrate with them before she left. She snatched a small white drawstring bag off her bed and slung it over her shoulder, the contents momentarily rustling about inside. Taking her key card from the dresser she slipped it into her bra and reached for the door. She paused, re-thinking, the lever rocking under her palm. Quickly, she picked it out and tucked it neatly into the back of a sock instead, before ducking out into the hall. 7:40 am Shauna stopped at Room 303. She gave her usual rata-tat-tat RA knock and shrugged the bag off her shoulder, holding the strap in the crook of her elbow. The corridor was weirdly quiet. No music or raucous conversation bleeding through the walls. She couldn't imagine having to spend the next week here under these conditions. A latch clicked in front of her, and the door creaked open. “Hey Ty,” she chirped, “Merry Christmas!” Ty seemed surprised by the greeting, then confused by her presence. He smiled. “Um…thanks. Merry Christmas to you too.” His eyes dipped – first to her cleavage, then to her legs – before rebounding to hers. He now seemed nervous too. “Can I come in for a minute?” “Uh…yeah, sure.” Shoving his hands into the pockets of his sweats he stepped aside. She glided past, her blonde curls swishing about her shoulders. Ty gently shut the door behind her. Shauna glanced around the suite. Open textbooks were strewn across the couch. Graph paper filled with notes littered the desk. The three computer monitors that typically flickered video games, now hosted row upon row of complex equations she didn't understand. Ambient techno pulsed softly through a pair of small speakers, and the room smelled faintly of Axe body spray. “I'm sorry,” he offered, “I wasn't expecting anyone today.” He was a freshman, so she'd only known him one semester. But he seemed like a good kid. Sure, he was disheveled, nerdy, and a little immature. But he was charming and considerate, and very bright – dedicated to keeping his name on the Dean's List. Didn't hurt that he was cute either. “That's okay,” she replied. “Santa knows it sucks having to be here over the holidays, so he got you a present.” She lowered the bag and reached inside, pulling out a deep green envelope with a silver star sticker sealing it shut. “Nothing big, just something to give you a break from…” she waved her arm toward the paper and monitors, “…this.” Cautiously he took the envelope, turning it over to find his name written neatly on the front. “Oh,” he said, “…thanks. That's…really nice.” A moment of awkward silence followed. “Go ahead,” Shauna prompted, “open it.” Ty shrugged. He peeled up the star and lifted the flap, extricating a Christmas card with a red-nosed Rudolph gracing the cover. He smiled as he opened it, eyes tracking back and forth across the page. Wedged in the crease was a white 3 by 5 note card. Flipping it right-side-up he discovered a sketch in black marker in the center. He froze, the smile fading, jaw dropped. He looked up at Shauna. Then back at the card. “Wait…,” he stammered, “is this…. Are you…. Is this for real?” Shauna raised her eyebrows and shrugged. “Santa likes to make sure no one on the nice list gets left out.” Her gaze fell to his groin, dialing in on the growing bulge. There was the response she was hoping for. She hung the bag over the doorknob. Closing the distance between them she reached out and pinched the card in her fingers. “Why don't you get comfortable.” She set it on a textbook and slouched against the desk, waiting. Ty looked left, then right, unsure of what to do. Finally, he stepped back and eased himself down to the edge of his bed. Shauna placed her hands on his thighs, pushing them apart before kneeling between them. The tented fleece covering his crotch pointed directly at her. She smiled. Looked up. “You've done this before, right?” He paused a moment, then nodded vigorously. She wasn't convinced. But it didn't really matter. It might even help keep her on schedule. She gave him a shove, forcing him to recline and brace with his arms. Grabbing his sweats by the pockets she jerked at them until they pooled around his ankles. His cock sprang out, slapping his abdomen before swaying back to vertical. She wrapped it in her fingers, the whole head protruding from her fist. He puffed and shivered under her touch. Leaning forward she lowered her head. His body tensed. She raised her eyes to find his narrowed, his mouth rounded and dry. “Relax,” she cooed, “just enjoy it,” and slipped his dick between her lips. A breath rattled his chest. She felt the blanket cinch beneath them as his fingers gripped and pulled. First she teased the glans, undulating her tongue beneath, then around and over the top. His hips shot up to meet her mouth. She lightened her hold, welcoming him in deeper. She bobbed her head to the rhythm of the music – down on one and three, up on two and four. His cock was rock hard, curving into the roof of her mouth with each descent. He sighed, and groaned, and grunted; the tone and timbre of each growing more urgent with each passing minute. Shauna's free hand dove under her dress and between her legs, fingers plucking aside the damp lace and strumming the slick, smooth lips of her pussy. Her partners were usually more experienced. More restrained. It had been some time since one had responded with such virginal enthusiasm. And she found it to be quite the turn-on. She held her neck as steady as she could, relinquishing control of tempo and depth. Ty trembled, huffing air through gritted teeth. Shauna peeked to find his eyes closed, neck strained, deep blue veins pulsing through. Sensing the moment, her fingers left the base of his dick and curled around his balls. She tightened her lips to a gentle squeeze. Ty stalled. A guttural growl forced its way into the air. His eyes popped open wide and fixed on Shauna's. With a batting of lashes, she pushed down on his throbbing cock until the tip of her nose bumped his abdomen. A heartbeat later, torrents of warm, viscid cum spewed into her mouth. The jets struck the back of her palate, sloshing over her tonsils and sliding down her throat. She swallowed hard but couldn't keep up. Each burst seemed richer than the last, filling her cheeks and leaking from the corners of her mouth. Her own juices deluged her fingers in response; the squelching filling the gaps between Ty's staggered gasps. A dozen spurts later his orgasm subsided. Shauna held his cock a little longer, savoring its texture on her lips and the mild, distinct flavor of his seed. She moved with him as his hips sagged back to the mattress, sinking him deeper to the root of his erection. After one final gulp she sucked in her cheeks and lifted her head, teasing the remaining fluids from the head of his dick. He gawked at her, speechless. She pulled her fingers from her pussy and held them up in front of her. They gleamed in the light, strands of grool clinging to her knuckles as she separated them. Fixing on him she sucked each finger into her mouth, swabbing them clean before licking her lips. Ty's eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed flat on the bed. Shauna giggled. Pushing off she rocked to her feet. She looked at him spread over the rumpled blanket, his penis twitching on his tummy. She nodded, pleased with herself. Sweeping her hair out of her face she took the gift sack from the doorknob and the note card from the desk, slipping the latter into the former. “Did you enjoy your present?” she asked, slinging the bag over her shoulder. Ty groaned a sigh, his satisfaction evident. A smile lit Shauna's lips. “Good,” she said, “that's great.” She made her way back to the door. “You know, Santa can't offer gifts like this to everyone, so…let's keep this between us, okay?” An arm raised and a hand approximated a wave before tumbling limp to the mattress. She took it as a yes. Catching her reflection in the window she adjusted her hat. “Merry Christmas Ty,” she said softly, before disappearing into the corridor. 8:05 am Snowflakes drifted past the tall narrow windows of the student lounge separating the north and south wings of the third floor. Curled up at the far end of the couch opposite the ping pong table, Shauna twisted the cap off a bottle of diet soda and took a sip. Pulling her phone from the bag she checked the time. Javon would arrive in fifteen minutes. Plenty of time to finish her drink. She stretched out across the cushions and downed another swig. This one excited her more than the others. She and Javon were casually acquainted. Though both juniors they rarely shared classes. But they saw each other often around campus; playing pool in the lounge, grabbing coffee at Starks, or stocking up on dollar tacos Tuesday nights at Frankie's. And always, always flirting. Nothing ever came of it, unfortunately. He was putting himself through school and the scholarships just weren't enough. So he needed to work a lot. Every chance he got he'd bank some overtime or pick up an extra shift. That didn't leave much time for anything else. But today was Christmas Eve. The print shop would be closed tomorrow, so he couldn't go in tonight. Which she hoped would free up just enough time for what she had in store. A door closed in the distance, followed by footsteps in the hallway behind her. She checked her phone. He was early. She chugged another mouthful of soda, then quietly stuffed everything into the bag. The footsteps halted. A latch turned and a door opened, then closed. She counted to thirty, then slid off the couch and left the lounge, rounding the corner toward 317. 8:08 am Shauna waited, impatiently, shifting her weight from foot to foot. Still no response. She knocked again, harder this time. Shuffling noises, then heavy footfalls. The door swung open on a scowling Javon, his uniform shirt crumpled in his fist, muscles chiseled and taut. She smiled up at him, head cocked to the side. He looked her over, his mood softening as he recognized who she was. “Hey,” he said, eyebrows furrowed. “What are you still doing here?” She shrugged, ignoring the twinge in her pussy. “Waiting to see you. Can I come in?” Javon retreated inside, tossing his shirt on the bed and perching on the edge of his dresser. Shauna followed, taking quick stock of the room. Clean and sparse. Suitable for someone who spent very little time there. She turned her attention to him. Tall and dark, with bold, crisp features. His hands splotched with cyan and yellow ink from the press. “Is um…is this a bad time?” “Nah,” he said, shaking his head. “I was just going to take a shower, then go down for a nap.” He waved a hand in her direction. “Soooo, who are you supposed to be?” “I'm a Christmas elf,” she replied. “Santa's Helper.” Javon's eyes widened. “Oh. You're a lot taller than I would have expected of an elf.” “Well, we're not all size challenged artisans baking cookies in the off-season you know. Some of us are taller, and educated, and…really cute.” He laughed, his pecs jumping. “That's fair. Please forgive my ignorance of the elf community. I don't know any – aside from you.” She shrugged the bag off her shoulder and reached inside, crossing the carpet between them. “Listen, she began, “Santa knows how hard you work to be here, and how much that keeps you from having a life. So, he got you a little gift. It won't make up for having to be here over the holidays, but it might help take the edge off?” She pulled out a red envelope and handed it to him. He stared at it, his face cycling through several emotions, settling on confused. “Thanks,” he said, “that's…really sweet. I'm sorry I didn't get you anything.” Shauna smiled to herself, setting the bag on the floor. “Open it.” She wandered past him to the window. Raising the blinds she took a quick peek outside before turning and sliding up onto his desk, swinging her feet freely beneath. Javon zipped a finger under the flap and extracted the card; a red-nosed Rudolph printed on the cover. As he shook it open a white note card fluttered out. He snatched it out of the air and held it up. A sketch in black marker graced the white space. Shauna watched over his shoulder as he stared at the figures suggested by the swooping lines. He fanned the card, then turned and eased off his seat. He walked over to her, holding it up, the image upside down. His mouth curled in one corner. “This is uhhh…you and me?” She squinted at the picture. “Well…right-side up and all, but…sure.” She took it from him and snapped it on the desk. Her arms extended, fingers wedging themselves between the waist of his jeans and the warm, smooth skin of his abdomen. She reeled him in between her legs, squeezing them in hers. “Come on,” she said, thumbs separating the button and peeling the zipper. “Take a break.” Javon reached out, tracing the curl of her ear with his finger. Tilting his head, he leaned in for a kiss. Shauna planted a hand in the center of his chest, stopping his lips a hair's breadth from hers. His heartbeat pulsed through her arm and gut, thumping through her clit like a kick drum. She tapped a finger on the card beside her. He glanced down. Then back at her. She smiled. Pushed him away. She hopped off the desk, lowering her eyes to the height of his fly. Waiting. Javon nodded. In a single swoop he shoved his jeans to the floor and stepped out. The outline of his cock bulged the breathable fabric of his boxer briefs, curving down his right leg. A squeak left Shauna's throat. She reached inside and fished it out, needing both hands to hoist the shaft. It hardened in her grip, rising, reaching for its target. She pulled a few long strokes, its heat warming her hands. She had imagined what he might be hiding. But none of those dreams fell short of reality. Reluctantly she let go. Eyes fixed on her prize she slowly turned round, bending over the desk. She shuffled her feet a shoulder's width apart and casually wiggled her ass. Javon stepped up, his demeanor all business. Stroking his meat with one hand he grabbed the hem of her dress in the other and flipped it up over her butt. Her firm white cheeks glowed in the morning light. He took the waistband of her panties and rolled them down her hips and thighs, abandoning them around her calves and exposing her labia to the chill of the room. She was sopping wet. He swiped his penis along her slit, greasing it with her cream. Current bolted up her spine, raising the hairs on the back of her neck. She threw her ass toward him, anxious to be filled. But he took his time, lubing every inch to a slippery shine. Finally satisfied, he set a palm in the small of her back and wedged the tip of his cock between her folds. Slow and steady, he sank into her vagina. Shauna gasped, eyes round. Her knees buckled, fingertips clawing at the laminate as her canal expanded to accommodate the intruder. It was thicker than any dick or dildo she remembered. And she was suddenly grateful he'd been so careful to slicken up. He took shallow, steady thrusts, loosening her vice a touch each time. Short, silent breaths gave way to grunts and groans. She tried to restrain herself in case anyone still left was walking the halls. But it was a losing battle. The pressure coiling inside would soon be too much to contain. Javon curled over her. Reaching into her dress he freed her breasts from their padded sling and cupped one in each hand. He pinched her nipples between strong fingers, yoking her tits to her clit with little bolts of lightning. The heat of the moment telegraphed through her skin, flushing her ears, cheeks, and chest a robust, rosy pink. He pushed on, diving deeper into her velvet pouch. Her arms burning, Shauna lowered her elbows and forehead to the desk. Her hair shrouded her periphery, leaving the only clear view that of her lover's balls swaying back and forth between her thighs. A delightful fog rolled over her brain, occluding everything outside the aura of their bodies. “Do you want it all,” Javon whispered, his voice piercing the veil. Shauna turned her head, mouth agape. “That's not all of it?” A baritone chuckle rumbled from his chest. He straightened up, releasing her boobs for a firm hold of her waist. He eased down the throttle, slowing his rhythm. Measuring the distance. She caught his eyes for a moment, glimpsing the same lechery she felt coursing through her veins. He smiled at her. Then hilted his cock in her pussy. “Uhhh gawd.” A wave of pleasure rippled out from her core, breaking over her entire body. She couldn't gauge how big he was, but he was now twice as deep as he had been seconds ago. He gave her a moment and a few shallow dips before ramping up the pace; drawing his dick out to the barb each time before plunging back in. Shauna's ass rippled, limbs shuddering under each impact. She stretched her arms to brace herself. But her hands squeaked against the desk each time he crashed into her, jolting her forward. She began to lose control. Her pelvic muscles clenched; labia stretching around his shaft. He growled his approval. A stern smack stung her left buttock, forcing a squeal from her larynx and a shock to her sex. Another followed, echoing off the walls into her ears. Her strength failed, drooping her back and turning her legs to jelly. Javon grabbed hold of one and lifted it, bending the knee and setting it securely on the desktop. He continued to hammer away. The cords binding her orgasm began to fray. She imagined his view from behind; her sodden pink snatch vulgarly splayed for the massive dark rod plowing her gut. Words escaped her, leaving only screams and moans to communicate her desire. 8:42 am Shauna's head was swimming, her brain just mush. But she held on, wanting this ecstasy to last forever. Her hat flew off her head, landing silently on the windowsill. Long fingers raked through her hair. They gathered her curls into his fist and pulled. Her head snapped back, jaw dropped, eyelids fluttering. The cords snapped and the coil exploded. She bore down on his dick, silent and stiff, her body racked with orgasm. Her toes dug into the carpet, her raised foot flopping about over the edge of the desk. She slapped the top with her hands, translating her contractions into a frantic rhythm beat out for Javon to hear. Her juices flowed freely, seeping out past his cock and dribbling down her thighs. And through all this, he continued to fuck her. Shauna's orgasm continued in suspended animation, tweaking her muscles and prickling her skin. As snug as he fit there was now no friction. He glided in and out like a piston in a well-oiled machine. He pumped harder, faster, working to create resistance. But her pussy was a flooded mess and that wasn't going to change. He whispered something toward her ear. A question? She couldn't decipher the words. But it didn't matter. As long as he kept filling her, perpetuating this feeling, he could do whatever he wanted. She nodded as best she could. The pounding slowed and the hand holding her waist released. The slapping of skin ceased, and his penis slipped out of her vagina. The emptiness was deflating, like the air had been sucked from her lungs. She turned to look but he stopped her, pushing her head back down to the desk. She opened her mouth to demand he continue and that's when she felt it. The pressure on the dip of her anus. Her insides knotted up. Everything clenched, then released. Her rosebud relaxed, and Javon's cock surged up her ass. She held her breath, expecting pain. But there was none. Only an indescribable fullness she had never experienced before. Each time he retracted her stomach dropped. Each plunge threatened to split her at the seams. Orgasm ripped through her again, rattling her bones and sweating from every pore. The room closed in, swaddling her in a thick black heat. She screamed but heard nothing. Felt only his cock. His fingers curled over her shoulders and around her neck. He pushed and pulled her with new urgency, opposing the swing of his hips. He'd found the resistance he was seeking, and it drove him on toward ferocious climax. In her stupor, Shauna somehow regained control of her limbs. She twisted an arm behind her back and flailed at his. When he looked down, wanton lust blazing in his eyes, she willed words from her lips. “Cum in me,” she cried, breathless, desperate for his load. “Cum in my ass.” He glared at her, neck craned, jaw set. He shifted his weight, pinning her tits to the desk and raising her butt. He tried to hold out a bit longer. But she was too tight and he was too far gone. Nodding his head Javon closed his eyes and buried his throbbing cock balls deep, erupting hot semen deep in her bowels. He roared in release, his balls smashed against her pussy, rocking into the curve of her ass. The pressure lifted her foot from the floor, grinding her hip into the edge of the desktop. But she didn't care. His cum splattered inside her, capping her climax with a warm, gooey buzz. Her buttocks quaked with each spasm. She had his cock. All of it. In the moment, that was everything. 9:04 am Gradually the pumping slowed. The pressure on her back eased and the room drifted back into focus. She glimpsed herself in a mirror near the window; hair disheveled, bare breasts smushed beneath the cockled red fabric; a trembling leg coiled on the desk, panties dangling casually from her ankle. “You are so fuckin' hot,” said the voice in her ear. She cooed, not yet able to formulate words. He rested in her a moment longer, sharing her warmth. When they'd finally caught their breath Javon stood tall. Kneading his hands into the meat of her cheeks he pushed himself back, emerging from her ass with an obscene wet slurp. Empty, Shauna sighed, the void disappointing. Her rosebud gaped, then winked several times before shrinking back into place. Javon slumped against the wall near the window. Fumbling with the latch he cracked it open. December rushed in, swirling round their bodies and raising goosebumps on their skin. Shauna shivered, invigorated, the cold soothing her scalded sex. Watching her lover she smeared her cream over her pussy and along the crack of her ass. His organ flexed toward her, but Javon shook his head. Smiling, she wriggled off the desk. On wobbly legs she gathered the note card and the bag and set them on the edge of the bed. Rummaging around in the neck of her dress she tucked her tits back into her bra and plumped them into position. Javon sauntered over, her hat in one hand, soggy panties in the other. She took the cap and fit it over her head. “Can't put those back on,” she said of her underwear. “You keep them.” He nodded, draping them over the corner of the television. She shouldered the bag and looked up at him. “Did Santa get you what you wanted?” He laughed. She followed his eyes down to his semi-hard, polished rod. “I think he fucking crushed it,” he replied. Closing the gap between them he lowered his voice. “Tell me something though. Is this strictly a Christmas situation, or…are…special occasions not required.” Shauna shrugged, the corners of her mouth curling up. “Why don't you come by sometime and find out,” she offered. “You know where I live.” She gave his penis a playful nip and tug and backed out into the hallway. 9:13 am Shauna stood quietly outside Room 334, gently swaying to a tune in her head. Her fingertips tingled and her pussy hummed along to the beat, still riding the high of the last half-hour. A trickle of semen stained her inner thigh, the remainder of Javon's deposit still trapped inside. She smoothed the front of her dress and flipped the pom of the hat to the side. She was a few minutes behind schedule. But that shouldn't be critical here. Ready for more, she knocked on the door. There was a rustling inside. A few moments later the door opened on a beautiful raven-haired Japanese girl in a tight anime tee shirt and bright blue boyshorts. Seemingly surprised, the girl dropped the pencil she held in her left hand. “Hey Sachiko,” Shauna chirped. Sachiko ripped off her headphones and flashed a nervous smile. Shauna nodded inside. “Can I come in for a minute?” Sachiko glanced over at something Shauna couldn't see, then backed her slender frame away from the door. Shauna strode inside, the latch clicking shut behind her. Unlike her first two stops, this was a bit of a gamble. Their contact had been minimal, generally restricted to her RA duties. And her scouting report was incomplete. She knew Sachiko was a sophomore, and a graphic design major. She spent summers at home in Osaka. But she couldn't afford to fly back and forth for breaks, so she usually spent them on campus. Rumor was she was into women. Of this Shauna had no confirmation. But from their interactions in the dorm and Sachiko's shyness and fluster around particular friends she did have a feeling. It was risky. But that heightened the thrill. The room was warm and cozy, lit by a floor lamp and a cube on the nightstand. Fuzzy orange pillows adorned the loveseat below the window. Incense burned in a jade tray on the corner of the dresser and a thick down comforter covered the bed. Several sketchpads scattered across the desk, a collection of porcelain cats lining the shelf above. It was clearly the space of someone needing a touch of home. “Am I like…in trouble…or something?” Sachiko wondered. “No,” Shauna laughed, amused as much by her apparent discomfort as the absurdity of the question. “I mean, have you ever been in trouble? I just wanted to wish you Happy Holidays.” Sachiko blushed. Her face made several contortions before settling on a half nod and awkward smile. “Th…thank you,” she stammered. Shauna pinched her lips between her teeth. So far so good. “I like your kitties,” Shauna continued, drifting toward the shelf. She scanned for messages, photos, anything that might give her a clue. “My sister sends me a new one for my birthday every year,” Sachiko offered. “They're beautiful.” She spotted a sheet of paper with dark smudges sticking out of the pad on top of the pile. “What's this?” she asked, reaching for it. “What? Oh!” Sachiko leapt toward her, mortified. “It's nothing, I just – ” Before she could swipe the pad Shauna had the page, staring at a gorgeous unfinished graphite sketch of a sleeping woman. She lay on her side, head on a pillow, hands underneath. Bikini panties cloaked her nethers, an arm crossed her bare breasts. And her face. Well…. Her face was very familiar. Shauna smiled to herself. This might work after all. Sachiko slunk back as Shauna turned around. She studied the drawing a moment longer, impressed by the resemblance. Finally, she looked up at Sachiko. The rosy hue of her cheeks crept into her face and neck. Shauna noticed for the first time she wasn't wearing a bra. “Did you draw this?” Sachiko sighed, looking everywhere forward. “I um…. It…it's for a class.” “You did it from memory.” She rubbed her arms with her hands. “Yeah. It just…works that way.” “It's amazing.” Shauna returned the drawing to the desk. Sluffing off the bag she retrieved the final card. “I know you don't really celebrate Christmas,” she said, “but it can't be easy being here by yourself while everyone else is. So, I got you a gift.” The silver envelope rested in her palm while Sachiko hesitated, her name glittering in gold marker. She looked up, embarrassment clouding her eyes. Shauna smiled, extending her hand. Finally, Sachiko accepted. She zipped open the flap and removed the card. A red-nosed Rudolph blinked at her from the cover. Shauna dropped the bag on the loveseat. She clasped her hands behind her back and crossed her legs at the ankles, a flirty little swivel seizing her hips. Sachiko picked the note card from the fold and looked closely. Her fingers began to tremble. Shauna sidled up closer, tucking a lock of Sachiko's hair behind her ear. Sachiko jumped at the light touch. But her gaze remained fixed on the card. Her lips parted. No sound escaped. “If you want me to stop,” Shauna murmured, “just let me know.” She kissed Sachiko's ear lobe, rolling it between her lips before drifting to her cheek and the nape of her neck. Sachiko's tremor spread to her chest. The cards fell from her grasp. Shauna continued down, over her shoulders to the swell of her breasts. She caressed one in each palm, grazing the nipples with the soft cotton of the shirt. Sachiko tangled her fingers in Shauna's hair. They curled and flexed as Shauna descended, raising her shirt and kissing her navel. She lingered there, circling, lips skimming Sachiko's butter-smooth, unblemished skin. She smelled of cherry blossom and jasmine. Shauna filled her head with the scent, priming her for the peach she was about to unwrap. Sachiko's hushed whisper floated down from above. “Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.” Sinking to her haunches Shauna eyed Sachiko's sex. A small wet spot darkened the fabric between her legs. Shauna peeled the underwear down over Sachiko's ass and thighs, pooling them around her feet. Exposed to the low light was a plump, tidy pussy, closely cropped dark pubic hair gracing her mound. Shauna's lips quivered. She bowed, pressing her face between Sachiko's thighs, sopping up the heat. Sachiko moaned, easing her legs apart, welcoming Shauna's tongue between her folds. Her entire body shook, chopping her breaths between chattering teeth. Shauna probed a little deeper. Sachiko doubled over, humping Shauna's mouth. Shauna yipped with delight. She shook her head side to side, slathering Sachiko's light sweet syrup over her cheeks and chin. She dug her nails into the brunette's ass, spreading her cheeks and kneading the meat. Sachiko mauled her own breasts, stretching and twisting the characters on her shirt into impossible shapes. Buffeted by Sachiko's gyrations Shauna wobbled on the balls of her feet. It was all she could do to hold on for the ride and she found herself failing at that. Toppling to her butt she roped an arm around Sachiko's neck and pulled her ear to her dripping lips. “Sit on my face,” she hissed. Sachiko fell to her knees, straddling Shauna's chest and pinning her to the floor. On all fours she scooched forward over the blonde's shoulders until her succulent snatch hovered over her RA's gaping mouth. Shauna's tongue darted out, flicking Sachiko's swollen clit. Stifling a scream Sachiko collapsed on Shauna's kisser, squeezing her ears between her thighs and swirling her pussy over her lips. Shauna lost herself in Sachiko. Inhaling her essence. Drinking her qi. She thrilled at her lover's responses – involuntary, honest and pure. There was no pretention. Only the passion of an inexperienced girl wholly submitting to her desires. She reveled in it, lapping at Sachiko's sex from the hood of her clit to the crease of her ass. Sachiko's back arched, thrusting out her chest. Her head lolled back, eyes strafing the ceiling. She squirmed on Shauna's face, blissfully ignorant of her weight, Shauna's nose, or her need to breathe. She reached back between the Shauna's splayed legs, probing under her dress until her fingers found the blonde's honeypot and slithered inside. Strangling Sachiko's wrist in her thighs Shauna groaned into her pussy. The vibrations spurred Sachiko's building orgasm, winding her body tighter and tighter, pushing her fingers faster, deeper. The circuit closed, the feedback loop complete. Every flip of the tongue, every curl of a digit, amplified the next. Sachiko bucked and thrashed. Shauna swirled and writhed. Again and again they traded blows until suddenly Sachiko fell silent, her body rigid, muscles strained. Clutching fistfuls of Shauna's hair Sachiko spread her knees and bore down, smashing her quaking pussy into Shauna's lips and gushing slippery, viscous cum all over her face. Racked with spasms she hunched over Shauna's head, wave after crashing wave of orgasm pummeling her sex. 9:38 am When the contractions finally slowed, Shauna worked her hands up to Sachiko's buttocks and nudged her. Spent, Sachiko rolled away, settling on her back against the foot of the bed. Shauna's chest heaved, gulping the cool dry air. Her eyes re-adjusted to the light. Reaching up she brushed the hat off her head and raked her fingers through moist matted hair. Arms flopping to the floor she sighed. That went well. She rolled her head and looked at Sachiko. The junior lay knees up, feet flat on the floor, her arms draped between her legs – the odd twitch in her muscles interrupting her stillness. Shauna willed herself up and crawled over. Finding her eyes shut she pressed in close and planted a tender kiss on her forehead. Sachiko smiled. “Merry Christmas,” Shauna whispered. Sachiko nodded, radiant from her orgasm. Shauna stroked her ear. “If you want me to model for you sometime,” she added, “give me a call.” She gathered her things and prepared to leave. As she passed the mirror on the closet door she stopped to look. Her face and neck glistened, glazed with Sachiko's juices. She tossed the hat in her hand, raising it to wipe herself clean. But she didn't. She decided instead she liked the way it looked. And she'd wear it a little longer. Pursing her lips, she slipped out of Sachiko's room. Light as a feather she skipped down the hall toward her room. She slowed passing Javon's door, wondering if he was already asleep. Her phone chimed in the bag, interrupting her curiosity. Retrieving it she scanned the screen and frowned. Two texts and a missed call. All from her brother. “Hey Josh,” she answered. “Yo, where the hell have you been?” There was an urgency in his tone. “I've been calling you. I'm out front, let's go!” She frowned. “Wait, what time is it?” “Quarter to ten. I told you I'd be here at 9:30, remember?” She thought for a minute, then rolled her eyes, realizing what went wrong. “Fuck,” she spat. “I thought you meant 9:30 your time.” “So you're not ready?” “No, I packed last night. I'll be right down.” Hanging up she shook her head. How did she make that mistake? She thought she'd have an hour to shower and clean up, but now they were running late. No time for any of that. Swiping the key card from her sock she popped into her room and tossed the gift bag on the bed. Snagging her backpack and navy peacoat from the closet she dashed back out headed for the lobby. 9:52 am Shauna flung open the passenger door of the coupe and tumbled inside, stuffing the backpack between her feet as she settled in the seat. Her teeth chattered from their brief exposure to the cold. Rubbing her hands together near the warm air vent she looked over at her brother behind the wheel. He stared at her, forehead crinkled, a mix of confusion and amusement scrawled across his lips. “What,” she said, staring back. He glanced down at her bare thighs – the coat just covering her lap – then back at her scowl. “Nice touch,” he replied, pointing to the bright red pileus cap. “Thanks,” she quipped, flashing a smile. “But you know it's snowing, right?” She flipped him the bird. He shrugged. “You're going to get Uncle Leo in trouble today.” Shauna tried to stifle her laugh. “Just drive Josh.” He put the car in gear and pulled away from the curb. “Unlike you,” he said, “I got an early start. So I'm going to get some coffee. Did you eat already?” “Yup,” she nodded. “Several times.” Josh's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. At the next light he made a left and turned into the coffee shop drive-thru. Waiting in line behind a pick-up he turned to his sister. “Are you okay?” he asked. “You look a little…weird.” Shauna checked herself in the side mirror. She could taste Ty's spunk on her tongue; feel Javon's cum in her ass and Sachiko's pussy all over her face. A shiver buzzed her clit. She reclined the seat several notches and sighed, beaming at the ceiling. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I'm just…filled with Christmas spirit.” Quietly she shoved her hands beneath her legs to keep from touching herself for the remainder of the trip. By TheSleepingKing for Literotica

In this heartfelt and humorous episode Brooke Eby, social media advocate and ALS warrior, shares her journey of living with and raising awareness about ALS. From her initial symptoms to her diagnosis years later, Brooke talks candidly about the misconceptions surrounding ALS, her work with Salesforce to support the ALS community, and her viral social media content that combines advocacy with humor. With anecdotes ranging from her dating life, as she swipes right and left, to running a nonprofit, Brooke shares how she navigates challenges while inspiring others to get involved in the fight against ALS. Takeaways: Misconceptions About ALS: Many people, including Brooke herself, associate ALS with older men, but 90% of cases are not genetic, and the disease affects diverse populations. The Power of Humor: Brooke uses humor on social media to engage audiences and raise awareness, proving that tough conversations don't always have to be heavy. Community Matters: From starting a Slack-based support group to building connections with others diagnosed with ALS, Brooke emphasizes the importance of community in fighting the disease. Advocacy Through Storytelling: Sharing personal experiences helps humanize ALS and creates a relatable entry point for people to learn about and support the cause. Innovative Solutions for ALS Support: Brooke's nonprofit leverages technology, like Slack, to centralize resources and make navigating life with ALS easier for patients and caregivers. — Want to Learn more about Brooke Eby? Everywhere: @limpbroozkit — Don't be shy come say hi: andrea@human-content.com and podcasterandrea.com Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — A Human Content Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Driving Into the Driving Snow! By FenellaAshworth. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. The snow was falling so heavily that it had become almost hypnotic. Coupled with the rapid, monotonous beat of the windscreen wipers which were fighting a losing battle to maintain visibility, Emily was impressed she was managing to make any progress at all. Several miles previously, she'd been forced to leave the busy A road she normally traveled along when visiting her parents, due to a multi-car accident. From the number of blue flashing lights reflecting across the snowy surfaces at the scene, it had looked pretty serious, suggesting there was little chance of the route being cleared for several hours. Emily had therefore taken the bold yet questionable decision of driving along the little-used, untreated back roads, in an attempt to keep moving. Being relatively near to her final destination in the heart of West Sussex, and having grown up in the vicinity, it was a route she knew well. This was a blessing given that the thick, swirling snow was now settling with a vengeance. Under the white blanket, the exact positioning of the road surface became increasingly blurred, forcing a confused Emily to rely heavily upon local landmarks. Hedgerows and tunnels of trees, now devoid of their thick summer foliage, became invaluable to assist her slow progress, under such difficult circumstances as these. Crawling forwards, occasionally sliding on the slick surfaces, she passed a series of abandoned vehicles and felt her stomach roll with nervous apprehension. One of them looked suspiciously like a Ferrari and she felt a flash of pride that her own bog-standard car was managing to outperform the expensive hot hatch. Yet, with another seven miles still left to travel and the snow falling more heavily with every passing minute, much like the weather surrounding her, her chances of success were looking increasingly bleak. Gulping down fast, shallow breaths, she continued resolutely onwards, her cold, clammy hands providing a stark contrast to the hot, red flush radiating from her face and neck. It was physiological evidence, if any were seriously required, that driving in such poor weather conditions could be incredibly stressful. Edging her way onwards, Emily found her mind starting to wander towards her family and the festive celebrations they had planned over the next few days. Somehow, Christmas always made her feel lonelier than at any other time of year, despite having her nearest and dearest present. Her favorite Christmas song proclaimed it was hard to be alone at this time of year, and never had that sentiment been truer. The knowledge that everybody would be coupled up in their happy pairings; her parents, her brother John with his wife, her sister Jane and husband Dan. Even the dog and cat were known to annually suspend hostilities and naturally migrate together beside the open fire, although theirs was always destined to be a rocky partnership. Emily stood out as the only singleton in a mass of happy couples. And it was so not cool for a woman in her mid-thirties to be jealous of the cat. Her melancholy wasn't helped by memories of what had taken place exactly three years ago, to the day. Her long-term boyfriend, in his great wisdom, had chosen Christmas Eve as the most appropriate time to make his big announcement. He no longer loved her and hadn't done for some time, apparently. And that, as they say, was that. For the days and nights that had followed, Emily had played the song, ‘A Winter's Tale', almost obsessively on repeat. It seemed to so completely describe the wretched situation she found herself in. His thoughtless actions had even managed to tinge her favorite Christmas song with a dash of unbearable sadness, and that was unforgiveable. A heartbroken Emily subsequently discovered that, with indecent haste, he had become engaged to an ex-girlfriend. Before anyone could say “shotgun wedding”, they were married and excitedly preparing to welcome their first child into the world. Although each new snippet of information hurt slightly less than the last, the news had still subjected her to actual physical pain, further hampering the recovery of her injured heart. Despite it being a cliché though, time really was proving to be a great healer. Indeed, deep down, Emily could now accept that they would never have been compatible in the long term. Even while they were still together, she'd always experienced a nagging doubt, even though her brain worked strenuously to suppress it at the time. Looking back, she remembered wondering whether it was really her that he wanted, or did he just want someone. Certainly, the speed at which he could drop one girlfriend and obtain a replacement, suggested the latter scenario, and only added weight to her theory. These days, she no longer wanted him back. Indeed, with distance, she'd come to recognise that he had been insensitive and emotionally weak. But although his spell over her was broken, the curse he'd cast over Christmas remained firmly in place. Making her way carefully around another abandoned car, Emily fought off the melancholy she always felt when her unwelcome ex appeared in her thoughts. In the past year, she had put a limited amount of effort into meeting someone new, in the hope of finding love again. But was she really cut out for a life of dating apps? Swiping left or right and being asked a barrage of personal, often intimate questions, whilst trying to fend off dick pics and unsolicited instant messages, were so not her idea of a good time. Wasn't there just somebody kind, sexy and decent out there? Negotiating around a sharp corner, her skin crawled in memory of a recent date she'd had with a guy, following a brief conversation online. It had quickly become apparent from the outset that theirs would never be a harmonious coupling. Emily was searching for romance, connection, belonging and, dare she even admit it these days, love. It swiftly became blatantly clear that he was looking for a one off, no strings attached, fuck fest. Needless to say, that night he'd gone home disappointed. Despite being fed up with her single status, Emily struggled to believe that advertising yourself on the internet like some second-hand car was the way forward. She'd recently shared her thoughts with her sister who, in her infinite wisdom, had tried to console her. 'You'll know when you find the one,' her sister had advised, gushing with positivity. 'And it will happen, I promise.' Easy for her to spew out such platitudes, Emily had noted at the time. With a glorious husband, two apparently perfect children and a Labrador in tow, she was the epitome of contentment. Besides, Emily wasn't willing to just settle into another relationship now. Next time, she wanted something extraordinary, or nothing at all. She'd reached a time in her life where she wasn't willing to mess about any longer. 'Oh fuck!' she cried out, as her car suddenly started to slide out of control. Emily quickly discovered that cruising sideways down a steep incline provided a very effective distraction from chronic wistfulness. Never able to remember whether you should turn your wheels into a skid, or out of it, she tried both options with minimal consequence, whilst her foot pressed down hard on the brake pedal. Trapped in a metal box, skidding towards a very solid-looking, highly inconveniently placed line of trees, Emily squealed. Her eyes automatically snapped shut, preparing for the inevitable impact and subsequent pain. She'd heard of people's lives flashing before their eyes, upon finding themselves in a near-death experience. Of course she had. What she hadn't banked on was for her mind to take it upon itself to come up with such a random, eclectic and downright weird selection of memories. The images started off sensibly enough; her parents with their arms wrapped around each other, laughing. The epitome of the loving relationship which Emily herself secretly strived to achieve. The movie reel quickly cut to a goldfish which she had won as an eight-year old at the local fair, repetitively circling in its plastic bag. Next, a disco she'd attended, where her older sister had kissed a boy she'd had a secret crush on as a teen. Finally, she was doing her university finals, watching the dust float languidly in the hot, sunlit air above her small, wooden desk. Silently, she observed the names of students, stretching back over previous decades, deeply carved into the grainy surface. And then, nothing but darkness. 'That's it?' thought Emily, feeling ridiculously short-changed, just before her car came to an ultimate and untimely stop. That bizarre and outrageously uninspiring set of memories was the best her brain could come up with, when faced with the threat of potential death? Seconds later, accompanied by an explosive bang that ricocheted painfully through her skull, her car became intimately acquainted with an Oak tree as the engine cut out. For a few silent seconds, she remained hunched over, gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles, both unable and unwilling to open her eyes. Every muscle in her body was tightly constricted, while her pulse beat off the charts. As she clenched and relaxed each of her limbs individually in turn, Emily was relieved not to feel any immediate injury. Perhaps, she considered, the memories your brain selects are dependent upon the severity of the situation in which you find yourself? One thing was for sure, though. She needed to get out more and give her brain some higher quality fodder, should the worst ever happen again. Life was short; she seriously needed to start living it. With that thought at the forefront of her mind, Emily found the necessary courage to open her eyes. 'Shit,' she groaned, taking in the alarming sight before her. A brief glance down confirmed no obvious injuries to her own body, but her car hadn't been so lucky. Rough, snow-covered bark belonging to the aforementioned Oak tree, loomed large in the driver's side window, just inches from her face. Meanwhile, the crumpled car bonnet and cracked windscreen bore evidence of the brunt of the impact. Emily gazed forwards into the middle distance, observing the isolation and complete lack of nearby houses. She couldn't help but wonder what on earth she should do next. Unexpectedly, a movement in the side mirror attracted her attention. Before she knew what was happening, the passenger-side door was wrenched open and a large, masked man leapt into the seat beside her, accompanied by a frigid blast of arctic air and an eruption of snowflakes. 'Don't move!' he demanded, closing the door behind himself. Emily tried to scream, but an absence of sound escaped from her throat. Instead, just a weak 'ree' glided pathetically through the air, at a pitch not dissimilar to that of a whistling kettle. With an effort that abysmal, realised Emily, the only creatures whose attention she was likely to attract were bats, or perhaps a Blue Whale, under very different environmental circumstances. In terror, she slowly turned to face him. He was dressed entirely in black, with the exception of a thin layer of snow which had collected across his broad shoulders. A hood was secured tightly around his head whilst a scarf covered most of his face. As a result, only the darkest pair of eyes that Emily had ever seen, remained on display. 'My money's in the glove compartment,' she squeaked, nodding almost imperceptibly towards his knees. 'That's good to know, I guess,' he replied, and despite her distress, Emily identified a hint of amusement in his tone. Oh God, was she dealing with a complete psychopath? 'But right now,' he continued. 'I'm concerned you might have whiplash, so don't move.' 'You're, you're here to help me?' she stumbled. 'Not to steal from me?' 'Steal from you?' he chuckled. 'Who do you think I am? Dick Turpin? The most infamous of all the highwaymen, ' Emily felt very foolish. 'Well, I'm pretty confident I don't have whiplash, thank you,' she replied, her good manners and upbringing forcing her to be polite to this stranger, who had appeared uninvited in her car, scared her half to death and now seemed to be laughing at her. 'I might be at risk of an early onset heart attack though,' she added pointedly. 'I'm sorry,' he murmured. 'But you ought to be congratulated. That was one hell of an impressive slide!' 'Yeah, right up to the moment of impact,' she agreed dryly. 'I didn't see you.' 'Well, when you passed me, you did have your eyes closed,' he said teasingly. 'Plus, I took cover when I saw what was happening. You can let go of the steering wheel now, by the way.' Emily looked down to find her hands were still clamped tightly around it. Concentrating hard, she carefully released each of her fingers from their fraught grip before stretching her quivering hands out flat and placing them purposefully into her lap. 'My poor car,' she sighed, gently shaking her head. 'Ultimately, it's only a car,' the man pointed out. 'You're okay. That's what matters.' 'I guess,' she agreed, breathing out a long, shaky sigh. 'Do you need to telephone anyone?' he asked kindly, recognising her clearly delicate emotional state. 'Maybe I should,' Emily agreed, grappling in her coat pocket for her mobile phone. After hitting a few buttons, she dropped the device onto the dashboard. 'No signal?' he asked. 'No battery,' she replied slightly sheepishly. 'I'm not the world's most prepared traveller, even when extreme weather warnings have been issued for days in advance.' 'Here,' he said softly. Unzipping one of his coat pockets, he pulled out an iPhone, unlocked it and handed it across. 'Feel free to use mine.' Emily gazed down at the phone, surprised to be confronted with the screensaver image of a pirate, the man who was sitting next to her, she imagined, but it was impossible to tell. He wore the requisite eye patch, bandana, huge fake bushy beard and a lopsided toy parrot perched on his shoulder. Climbing all over him, while grinning inanely, were two young children. 'You?' she smiled. 'For my sins,' he nodded. 'Thanks, but I won't,' Emily grimaced, handing the device back to its owner. 'Not until I'm safe. I wouldn't want my family to worry, or worse still, try and drive out in this crazy weather to rescue me.' 'You're safe right now,' he said meaningfully. Something in his tone made Emily look up at him properly for the first time and in that brief moment, their eyes locked. With her stomach suddenly shifting into free-fall, she inhaled sharply, immediately retracting her gaze as though she'd been electrocuted. 'You could call for a rescue service but I've already tried that for my car,' he explained. 'Unsurprisingly, they're inundated and prioritising emergencies, which thankfully we are not.' 'Your car broke down too?' queried Emily. 'Yeah,' he admitted with a nod, and this time Emily was confident of hearing amusement in his deep voice. 'Though in a far less spectacular fashion than yourself. In comparison to you, I would describe myself as an amateur, at best.' 'Where were you heading?' she smiled. 'Barlavington estate. Family Christmas, you know?' Emily sighed inwardly with pleasure. He had such a lovely strong voice, full of expression and tone; like a comforting tune that she'd once known, but long forgotten. He sounded reassuringly familiar. It was a shame she could make out so little of the rest of him, dressed up for blizzard conditions as he was. The only thing she knew for sure was that he was certainly tall. His build was much more difficult to decipher, given all the layers of clothing he was wearing. And unless he started unwrapping the various scarves from around his face, she had no idea what he looked like either. 'You?' he prompted, breaking her daydream. 'Me? Oh, um, I'm heading to Sutton for the same reason,' she replied. 'So just the next village along from you. I normally stick to the main road, but there was an accident.' 'Yeah, me too,' he explained. 'I thought I'd take my chances with the back roads.' 'And how's that working out for you?' grinned Emily, starting to see the humour in their situation. 'Surprisingly well,' he admitted. Unsure exactly what he meant by that, Emily found herself temporarily silenced. 'Well,' he continued. 'As much as I'm enjoying myself, we can't stay here chatting much longer. It'll be dark shortly and my aunt's house is still a couple of miles away on foot. But at least it's somewhere warm to spend the night, before trying to finish the journey tomorrow.' 'Sounds like you're all sorted,' said Emily, feeling deflated. She had no idea what her next step should be. 'Thank you very much for checking I was okay. It was nice to meet you.' 'So you don't want to join me then?' he asked in a teasing tone. 'You're not up for a short hike?' 'Join you? Wouldn't your aunt mind?' she replied, her pulse ramping up a notch, accompanied by more than a frisson of excitement. 'No, the more the merrier, as far as she's always concerned,' he explained. 'Have you got any outdoor gear?' 'Yes, in the back of the car.' He clearly didn't consider her current clothing was appropriate for bleak midwinter and, begrudgingly, she knew he was right. Unfastening her seatbelt with still shaking fingers, she gasped as he placed one of his gloved hands on hers. 'No, you stay there,' he instructed. 'I'm already dressed for this crazy weather.' A freezing blast of air entered the car as he darted back outside. As the door closed once more, all that remained of his presence was a faint whiff of delicious smelling aftershave and a melted puddle of snow on the floor. Emily chanced a quick glance at herself in the rear view mirror and instantly regretted doing so; she wasn't looking her best. Although her bright blue eyes sparkled, they were surrounded by an unsurprisingly flushed and blotchy face. Briefly, Emily ran her fingers through her long blonde hair before giving it up as a bad job; she was clearly fighting a losing battle. Moments later, her white knight re-appeared, accompanied by walking boots and an assortment of thick, waterproof coats, hats, scarves and gloves. 'Hey! What are you talking about?' he exclaimed, dumping the collection unceremoniously on his vacant seat. 'You're a highly prepared traveller. You've got clothing for every possible seasonal eventuality back there!' 'It's very kind of you to assume I'm organised,' explained Emily, feeling a little foolish. 'But it's actually just extreme laziness; I basically use my car to store all of my outdoor clothes.' 'Right,' he chuckled. 'Well, I'll leave you to get changed. Oh, do you have an overnight bag, by the way? I couldn't see one.' Emily nodded towards a small rucksack on the back seat. Having kicked off her flat shoes, she was struggling to pull a walking boot on; not an easy task in the presence of a steering wheel. 'Seriously?' he exclaimed. 'That's it?' 'Yeah, that's it,' she confirmed. 'I dropped all my family's gifts off the other week, so I just needed a couple of changes of clothes and some toiletries.' 'Wow, well, I'll stick your bag into my rucksack to save you carrying it, if you like?' 'Thank you, that's really kind.' 'No problem,' he replied, grabbing her bag before doffing an imaginary cap. 'Oh, and don't forget your purse is in the glove compartment, seeing as I never claimed it for my own,' he laughed, closing the door once more. Emily spent the next couple of minutes fighting her way into her outdoor clothing, whilst occasionally glancing through the window to keep track of her masked companion. Unable to open the driver's door, due to the up close and personal presence of an Oak tree, she struggled across the centre console and exited via the passenger side. Immediately, a blast of biting wind cut around her exposed face, thanks to the snow being blown almost diagonally across the white landscape. A shudder of goosebumps passed across her shoulders and she hoped they wouldn't have to be out in such unforgiving conditions for too long. Stowing his phone in a side pocket, the man moved swiftly across to Emily and closed the door behind her. He then held out his hand in an unexpectedly formal way. 'Sam Whitehall,' he announced through the layers of scarf which still covered his face. 'Emily Jones,' she replied, grasping his gloved hand with a grin whilst trying to prevent her teeth from chattering. Now she could see why he was so well wrapped up and quickly pulled her own scarf tightly around her head. It was beyond cold. 'Lovely to meet you, Emily,' he replied. 'Sorry not to have encountered you in more salubrious circumstances. Shall we get going?' 'Are you sure about this? You don't even know me.' 'I know enough,' he confirmed. 'More to the point, you don't know me. I could be a mad axe murderer.' 'Where are your axes then,' laughed Emily, turning to lock the door of her car, surprised when the central locking system still worked, despite the damage. 'Damn,' he chuckled, lifting his rucksack onto his back in preparation. 'I must have left them at home.' 'If axe murdering is your profession, then you're clearly not very good at it,' she concluded. 'So I'll take my chances.' 'It doesn't pay to be too confident,' he teased and Emily could see laughter lines crinkling at the edges of his eyes. 'After you,' he added, holding out his arm in the direction they needed to travel. 'Uh oh. That's exactly what an axe murderer would say,' observed Emily dryly. She was rewarded by hearing his deep, infectious laugh. They started to trudge forward through the treacherous weather. A satisfying crunch accompanied each step underfoot as the snow continued to swirl around them making visibility increasingly difficult. To make matters worse, Emily found it was also difficult to hear very well. Her ears were encompassed under numerous woollen layers, from her attempts to block out the cold and the constant wind didn't help much either. 'Are you absolutely sure your aunt won't mind me turning up too?' she asked in a raised voice. 'Positive,' he bellowed back. 'I texted ahead. It's all fine. She's preparing the sleeping arrangements as we speak.' 'I'm impressed,' she replied. 'Your aunt must be pretty technologically savvy compared to my mum!' That was an understatement. Although her parents shared a Smartphone, the bulk of its functionality remained a mystery to them. Suggesting they log onto the Facebook app would receive an identical response to asking them to reprogramme the Hubble Space Telescope. As a result, the chances of them being aware of an incoming text, let alone replying to it, were exceptionally slim indeed. And that assumed that their phone was switched on in the first place, which it very rarely was. An inability to charge electrical devices was obviously a family failing, inherited through the generations. 'My aunt has always been a very social being,' Sam explained, over the wind and weather. 'And as the modern world enhances her potential to be even more social, she made a conscious decision to embrace technology.' 'And will there be enough room in her house for me?' queried Emily. 'Definitely,' he replied, apparently amused. 'Does she live alone?' 'She's no longer married,' he explained. 'But she's got a housekeeper so fortunately she's rarely alone. She's a real people person. Seems to spend half of her time throwing parties and the other half planning them. Christmas Eve is always the biggest though, so you've chosen exceptionally well. Good job!' 'She's having a party? Tonight? Oh, I couldn't possibly impose on her then. It wouldn't be fair.' 'Nonsense,' chuckled Sam. 'She's already told me in no uncertain terms that she can't wait to meet you. She'll be delighted. And I was attending anyway, although my family won't be able to make it now because of this weather. Perhaps you can be my plus one?' he suggested, swinging around to face her, whilst continuing to walk backwards. 'Okay,' agreed Emily as the look in his eyes caused her stomach to unexpectedly jolt. After that, they progressed for some time in silence, heads bowed down against the driving wind, with gloved hands thrust deep inside their pockets. As they entered a neighbouring village, Sam led them towards the cricket pavilion. In the summer, this was a quintessential English village, with a shop, pub, duck pond, children's play area and cricket pitch. Right now though, it was a barren, white wasteland; any objects daring to rise out of the ground had been blasted with a vertical plastering of sticky snow. Emily observed how the snow was always driven up the same exterior-facing surface, allowing her to identify the predominant wind direction, northerly, she assumed, given the glacial temperatures. Under the protection of the cricket pavilion porch, Sam shrugged off his rucksack, pulled out a bottle of water and handed it across to Emily. She accepted it gratefully, gulping down the liquid, surprised at how thirsty she'd become. 'How are you doing?' he asked kindly. 'Cold but otherwise surprisingly well,' she replied brightly, returning the bottle with thanks. Sam pulled the scarf slightly away from his mouth, revealing a tantalising glimpse of what lay beneath. As he drained the remainder of Emily's bottle of water, she caught sight of his straight, white teeth, dark stubbled face and full, soft lips. Despite the plummeting temperatures, she felt a streak of extreme warmth pass straight through her body. Averting her eyes, to prevent her expression being read, a blushing Emily concentrated hard on her walking boots whilst scrunching up her numb toes within. 'Here,' he said, forcing Emily to look back up again, as he snapped a chocolate bar in two and passed half across to her. As they were both wearing thick, bulky gloves, the transfer of such a small item proved awkward to achieve but, with some chuckling at their incredible incompetence, they eventually succeeded. 'I promise that we'll soon have you somewhere safe and warm. There's nothing at all for you to worry about.' Nodding with gratitude, Emily placed a square of the chocolate covered caramel into her mouth. As the ice cold morsel began to melt luxuriously across her tongue, she couldn't remember ever tasting anything so sublime. 'Um,' she murmured, eyes closed in bliss. 'Thank you. That is so good.' 'You're more than welcome,' he replied, his mouth twitching into a brief smile. 'Are you happy to take a short-cut through the forest? It should reduce our journey time by about twenty minutes.' 'Of course,' grinned Emily, stamping her feet to maintain circulation. 'I trust you.' 'And therein lies your first mistake,' he jokingly replied. To be continued in Part 2 By FenellaAshworth for Literotica.

Send us a textAre You Ready to Rethink How You Date?Tired of endlessly swiping on dating apps and feeling like you're spinning your wheels? In this episode, I sit down with Rozie Erlewine, a compassionate matchmaker and polyamorous community organizer who's been helping people connect in the Seattle polyamory scene since 2017. Rozie, the founder of Seattle Inclusive Matchmaking and host of polyamorous speed dating events, brings fresh ideas to creating real, intentional connections outside the apps.  Here's What We Talk About:✨ How Seattle's polyamory scene has evolved over the years  ✨ Why polyamorous speed dating is changing the game for non-monogamous folks  ✨ The power of slowing down and dating with purpose  ✨ Honest tips for navigating jealousy and insecurity in non-monogamous relationships  ✨ How to build a solid support network within the polyamorous community  Why Rozie's Approach Stands Out:

Whether you're navigating cuffing season, gearing up to meet someone's family for the holidays, or figuring out how to take your dating game to the next level— Damona dedicates this week's episode to YOU! She's answering your toughest Dear Damona questions, like: I struggle to find matches in my area and while I am willing to travel, many men aren't. So what now? My matches keep removing their profiles once we exchange numbers. What's going on here? When should daters consider sleeping together? Are gender roles changing or do men still have to be the initiator? Find Damona and submit your questions on any of the socials @DamonaHoffman or by visiting her website DamonaHoffman.com/contact Bad news…we filled our last spot for the year.  Good news!! We opened ONE BONUS for VIP coaching this fall. Last chance to get one on one coaching with Damona and her team. Want to snag our lucky last spot? Register for an intro call at DamonaHoffman.com/introcall asap! TIMESTAMPS Intro (00:00:00) Does This Mean He Likes Me? (00:00:01) Am I Ever Gonna Meet Someone? (00:00:04) I'm Tired of Swiping (00:00:06) Cuffing Season and Relationship Dynamics (00:00:08) Adrian's Dating App Dilemma (00:01:43) Changing Location Filters in Dating (00:04:25) The Importance of Compatibility (00:05:39) Long-Distance Relationship Insights (00:06:53) Dating Apps and Long-Distance Features (00:09:24) Caution Against Exchanging Phone Numbers (00:11:28) Identifying Catfish and Scammers (00:12:38) Maintaining Momentum in Communication (00:13:38) Sue's Experience with Catfish (00:14:41) Navigating Online Dating Safely (00:15:54) Introduction to Possible Soulmates (00:17:59) Guidelines for Intimacy (00:19:01) Understanding Sexual Health (00:20:22) Pacing Your Relationship (00:24:23) Women Initiating Dates (00:25:28) Mutual Interest in Dating (00:26:46) Being True to Yourself (00:29:04) Closing Remarks and Engagement (00:30:19) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew overheard an eye-opening conversation over the weekend... when a group of friends caught one of them swiping through the apps AT the table... is this a thing?! Also - the HOT TICKET in Vancouver Sammi regrettably spent almost 12 hours in a digital queue for, what is DOOMSPENDING and are you doing it?! Plus 1 in 12 employees have NEVER done this at work... and more on today's Nat & Drew Show! 

Will Bain hears from a dating app developer that is looking to break the mould.Elsewhere, hospitality rallies against the Government's budget; and we look into the trajectory for mortgage rates as global inflationary pressures are reassessed.

Why Are Modern Dating Apps Failing to Create Real Connections? Discover how Tegan Broomfield's new app is shaking up the dating scene! Ready to transform your dating life? Join us on this exciting episode of The Love Machine Podcast as host James Preece sits down with Tegan Broomfield, the innovative founder of "Evntful" Dive into the world of meaningful connections, where shared interests spark real-life meetings and safety always comes first. Discover how Tegan's personal journey and savvy insights have shaped a revolutionary app designed to turn online matches into memorable experiences. Whether you're tired of endless swiping or looking for creative date ideas, this fun and insightful chat is your ticket to dating success. Tune in now and bring back the joy in dating! About Evntful Instagram Website

Send us a textIn this episode, I have the honor of bringing on Teal Elisabeth, the powerhouse behind Relax Into Love Coaching. Teal is a true guide for ambitious, high-achieving women seeking authentic, joy-filled relationships. In this episode, she dives into how women can embrace feminine energy, master subconscious reprogramming, and approach love in a way that's deeply fulfilling and grounded.  We talk about the red & green flags in relationships, how we need to redefine what "love" really is, and ways that we can work on ourselves to truly call in (and design) the kind of love that is relaxed, safe, and enriching.In this episode we cover things like: *Navigating Relationship Challenges*Male & Female Dynamic *Becoming the Woman He Wants *Setting Boundaries with Love *Navigating the Dating World  Her wisdom is rooted in her own journey, blending feminine energy, NLP, and deep subconscious reprogramming, making this episode an absolute must-listen if you're ready to uplevel your relationships and step into your most authentic, empowered self.  Get connected with Teal:FREE Dating Guide:  https://www.tealelisabeth.com/freebie-pageWebsite: https://www.tealelisabeth.com/FREE Meditations: https://www.tealelisabeth.com/meditationsPodcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/856132Connect with Valerie: Website:https://admin.stan.store/stores/?tab=details Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey_valerie_lynn/LinkedIn - Valerie Lynn https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-lynn-5aa73b1b/

Today on One Life Radio, we are getting to the bottom of dating apps. What do we really want from our dating apps? A relationship, a hook-up or both?DeWone Bennett is a Licensed Professional Counselor with two Masters degrees and over 14 years of counseling experience. He currently has his own practice, DeWone Bennett Counseling in Dallas, TX. He believes the key to mental and behavioral success is mastering self-awareness and emotional control.You can find and learn more about DeWone Bennett on dbennettcounseling.com.

Hey my jelly bellies! It's a dating

Today we're diving into a topic that touches nearly everyone's lives: the time we spend on social media and our smartphones. In this episode, we explore how the hours we spend scrolling, liking, and tweeting are not just fleeting moments but can be significant in shaping our daily lives and overall well-being.We'll start by breaking down the problem—why social media and smartphone usage have become such dominant forces in our lives and the subtle ways they might be undermining our productivity, mental health, and personal relationships. But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom! We also discuss practical strategies and actionable steps to reclaim your time and find a healthier balance. Whether you're looking to cut down on screen time or just curious about how to better manage your digital habits, this episode is packed with tips and insights that you can start using today.So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let's get started on taking back control from our screens.Show notes: How Much Time Does The Average Person Spend on Social Media? www.medium.com.Time Spent on Social Media Graphics: https://twicsy.com/blog/time-spent-on-social-media.Helpful tips:To limit screen time on an iPhone, you can use the Screen Time feature to set limits and restrictions for your device or for a child's device:Open SettingsTap Screen TimeSelect a category to set limits and restrictions  Here are some of the categories you can use:App Limits: Set time limits for appsDowntime: Schedule time away from the screenCommunication Limits: Set limits based on your contactsAlways Allowed: Choose apps you want at all timesContent & Privacy Restrictions: Block inappropriate content You can also limit your time on individual websites by:Swiping down to the bottom of the categories list and tapping WebsitesChoosing Add WebsiteEntering the URL for any websites you want to limitSetting the amount of time you are allowed to use the selected websites You can also set a screen timeout by:Opening the Settings appScrolling down and selecting the Display & Brightness optionScrolling down again and choosing Auto Lock 

Today in the tank, we have a product aiming to make everyone a hater. Nothing says long term commitment like mutual hatred, right? Well, that was the premise of this now defunct dating app. Was it competition that drove them out of business, or did the Sharks simply think it wasn't a good match? Hosts Jorie Munroe and Ariel Boswell jump into the tank with their business insights on Shark Tank products. Listen for: Wide vs. narrow marketing Having a differentiator  Freemium business model breakdown Know a segment or company we should feature from Shark Tank? Let us know at podcasts@hubspot.com Another Bite is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by The HubSpot Podcast Network // Production by Arie Desormeaux. Editing by Robert Hartwig and support from Alfred Schulz.

Would you be a different version of you if you'd surrounded yourself with different people? This is something the plot of The Husbands, the Happy Place Book Club pick for August, explores. In this chat with Fearne, live at the Happy Place Festival, author Holly Gramazio explains why she wanted to examine the idea that different relationships could significantly impact your lifestyle and personality. She reckons there's more than one way for you to be happy and for you to be yourself; there's not necessarily a clear, correct choice about who you should date, what job you should have, or where you should live. Fearne and Holly also give advice about how to start writing a novel if you feel you have one in you, including finding a friend who's rubbish at lying to read your drafts...Thank you to Penguin Audio for the use of The Husbands audiobook, read by Miranda Raison. Listen to Book Club Meets: Sofie Hagen Listen to Book Club Meets: Fearne Cotton Listen to Book Club Meets: Jo Cheetham Listen to Book Club Meets: Jennie Godfrey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

www.TheMasonAndFriendsShow.com https://thejuunit.bandcamp.com/releases https://www.glass-flo.com Great Pipes for Sure Missing Mike's Sources, Water n Floride, House Party and Wisdom, Swiping. w/ Kids? Agism, Amanda's Mom... Ju Boo of The!!! Limited Promotions, SEO?? simmered down, She's invited Too, assuming the worst, still at the house? friends over, double downed? see ya then!! doubled down, "if he wanted too he would" standards, text then, Car analogy, in the air getting wiggled, communication, fun n games until, shorts season, bad ground, AC DC, Truck got life, getting an OJ, no more weight limit, carry a scale, fucked up seat, the music of this episode@ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7He1iWl7K5kJvVzIsbr7oT?si=630e1a20eff845c8 support the show@ www.patreon.com/MperfectEntertainment

Have you ever scrolled through a TikTok without finishing it? Switched between YouTube videos halfway through one or the other? Pressed "fast forward" on a Netflix episode that just wasn't holding your interest? That habit is called "digital switching" — and it might be causing the exact thing you're trying to avoid: boredom. Emily and Regina break that and more of the week's news down with the help of All Things Considered's Ailsa Chang.Read this study on digital switching and boredom in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.Interested in hearing more psychology news? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Turns out swiping through a ton of videos make us bored! Join Intern John, Shelby Sos, and Rose as we find out why according to a new study and more!Make sure to also keep up to date with ALL of our podcasts we do below that have new episodes every week:The Thought ShowerLet's Get WeirdCrisis on Infinite Podcasts

0:00 Intro 0:07 Swimmers 2:19 Top comment 2:30 Birth control 5:26 Estate money 7:22 House 10:31 Vehicle sale 12:51 Intervention Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Justin Somaini, partner, YL Ventures. In this episode: The startup balancing act Giving back is its own reward When to pen test Getting ahead with generative AI policy Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Vanta! Whether you're starting or scaling your security program, Vanta helps you automate compliance across SOC 2, ISO 27001, and more. Streamline security reviews by automating questionnaires and demonstrating your security posture with a customer-facing Trust Center. Over 7,000 global companies use Vanta to manage risk and prove security.

Todd is looking for love, but he's unsure about disclosing something in dating profiles: his multiple sclerosis. With symptoms that are increasingly visible, Todd feels compelled to be upfront about his disability with potential dates—but he doesn't know when or how to discuss it. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp, authors of Dateable: Swiping Right, Hooking Up, and Settling Down While Chronically Ill and Disabled. They give Todd guidance on having that talk, navigating ableism, and managing his own internal expectations.   If you liked this episode check out: How To Flirt With Confidence Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. How To's executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Sara McCrae. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This #TinderTakedown came with a TWIST! We theorized that someone must have been impersonating her man on the apps...but today? We're confirming our suspicion! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Her friend claims she saw her boyfriend swiping on Tinder! So, why does he have an engagement ring hiding in his closet?! It's #TinderTakedown! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Kaitlyn Bristowe in this week's candid conversation with TikTok sensations and real-life couple, Alex and Jon Bouffard. Listen in as they share their journey from meeting on Tinder to becoming a dynamic duo in the world of content creation. Discover the highs and lows of their relationship, their creative process behind the scenes, and their humbling experience of making their short film, "#Cringe." Get an insider's perspective on the realities of being full-time content creators, navigating online criticism, and the importance of setting boundaries in both work and personal life. Plus, learn their secrets to maintaining a strong relationship while juggling the demands of social media fame. So grab a glass of wine and join Kaitlyn and the Bouffards for an entertaining and enlightening conversation you won't want to miss! Today's Highlights: 14:00 - Alex and Jon discuss how they almost got divorced creating their short film, "#Cringe” 15:40 - Kaitlyn asks the couple about their gradual rise on TikTok and the challenges they face. 23:00 - Discussing the importance of saying no to certain brand deals to maintain integrity and trust with their audience. 26:40 - Alex shares how she stays inspired and motivated for creating content and that Jon is her muse. 34:20 - Kaitlyn asks how they compromise in their relationship. 48:45 - Jon shares an embarrassing story that happened on their honeymoon. Thank you to our Sponsors: BOMBAS: Head over to Bombas.com/vine and use code vine for...