Podcasts about Teamwork

In this episode we break down Chapter 5 of Nedra Glover Tawwab's Set Boundaries, Find Peace and show you exactly what boundary violations look like in real life. We walk through micro and macro boundary violations, microaggressions, oversharing, guilt trips, enmeshment, codependency, trauma bonding and counter dependency, using real examples of toxic relationships, emotional manipulation, mixed messages, people pleasing and walking on eggshells in dating, marriage, family, friendships and at work. You will hear scripts and phrases to call out gaslighting and guilt tripping, how to say no without over explaining, how to shut down trauma dumping and microaggressions, and how to stop drowning for people who refuse to stand in three inches of water.If you are a people pleaser, recovering codependent, or stuck in a toxic relationship, this conversation will help you recognize red flags, set clear boundaries and reclaim your time, energy and peace. We close with powerful reflection questions on how your life will change with healthy boundaries and challenge you to pick one relationship where you finally stand your ground instead of being the ground they walk on, then share your biggest boundary struggle and what you're doing to work on it in the comments so your story can help someone else. Keywords: boundaries, boundary violations, healthy boundaries, people pleasing, codependency, enmeshment, trauma bonding, counter dependency, microaggressions, guilt trips, toxic relationships, emotional abuse, gaslighting, Nedra Glover Tawwab, Set Boundaries Find Peace, relationship advice, healing journey, personal growth.Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

In this video, Chris breaks down the 6th Hermetic Principle, Cause and Effect, and makes it painfully practical for real life, discipline, and relationships. You'll learn why “nothing happens by accident” isn't about fate, it's about patterns, inputs, and the results you keep getting, even when you don't like admitting your part in them. He ties cause and effect to karma, habit loops, personal responsibility, and why victim mentality is a cause that produces predictable effects like stagnation, resentment, and feeling stuck. If you want better outcomes in your marriage, your mindset, and your day to day life, this is a straight shot to the leverage points. Chris walks through common marriage “chain reactions” like criticism, avoidance, broken agreements, lack of repair, and how those causes turn into distance, distrust, and dead intimacy over time. Then he gives you tools you can actually use, like a cause audit, lag time awareness, and a language upgrade using I statements versus you statements to lower defensiveness and keep connection while telling the truth.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

In this video, you'll learn the Hermetic Principle of Rhythm and how it explains the cycles you keep living through, the highs where you feel unstoppable, and the lows where you question everything. Chris breaks rhythm down as the “breath of life,” expansion and contraction, push and pull, growth and rest, and shows why your mood, motivation, money, creativity, confidence, and even your sense of purpose naturally rise and fall. You can expect practical clarity on why you suffer when you demand permanent momentum, or panic during an “exhale,” and how to stop letting temporary swings make permanent decisions. You'll also get tools you can use immediately, including a one minute breath reset, a two-plan method that builds a high tide plan and a low tide plan, and a no major decision rule for those moments when you're at the top or bottom of the wave. The episode applies rhythm to relationships, discipline, and relapse patterns, and finishes with a hard, direct segment on depression as an ego loop, identity fusion, and self-focused narration, plus how to interrupt that loop with usefulness, service, behavior, and small wins that rebuild confidence. If you've been stuck in cycles of intensity and collapse, this will give you language, structure, and a steady way forward.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

In this episode of the Hermetic Principles series, you'll get a practical breakdown of the Hermetic Principle of Polarity, the idea that “opposites” are usually the same thing on a spectrum, different in degree, not different in kind. You'll learn how polarity explains emotional transmutation, how to move from fear toward courage, anger toward clarity, shame toward humility, and how to stop getting trapped in all or nothing thinking. Expect real, grounded examples, plus an easy “ladder” method you can use to shift your state one notch at a time instead of trying to fake a total transformation. This video also takes polarity straight into relationships, attachment, and conflict, including the hard truth that love and hate can sit side by side because they're both high-intensity attachment, and that the real opposite of love is indifference. You'll hear a raw, useful talk on post-divorce obsession, rumination, and how to convert that energy into boundaries, rebuilding, and clean detachment, without lying to yourself about what you feel. It wraps with polarity in leadership and masculine and feminine dynamics, showing how strength and softness can coexist when you learn to control degree, not perform a persona.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

Teamwork skills are highly valued by employers but most faculty have not been trained to create effective team projects. In this episode, Tim Franz and Lauren Vicker join us to discuss a resource they developed to help faculty create more effective team assignments and projects. Tim is a Professor in the Psychology Department at St. John Fisher University and Lauren is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Media and Communication, also at St. John Fisher University. They are the authors of Making Team Projects Work: A College Instructor's Guide to Successful Student Groupwork which has been recently released by Routledge. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

Listen as Skye Blanks shares his insights about leadership in the cannabis industry.As host of the Set to Lead Podcast, Mary Ann creates a mentoring space to listen to critical conversations with workplace leaders.If you are an emerging or current leader looking to bypass setbacks or learn from the success and mistakes of others, you have a front row seat right here.For more ways to lead yourself and teams better, follow the show and the various leadership resources shared at www.settolead.com.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest wraps up the “Best of” moments of the year for the podcast. These moments feature insightful conversations with leading voices in venture capital and fund management. Topics include the challenges LPs face in today's market, strategies for selecting and supporting emerging fund managers, evolving industry trends in fintech, crypto, and AI, and the critical importance of transparency, humility, and strong client relationships. Key takeaways highlight the necessity for a compelling thesis, expert communication, and adaptability in a hyper-competitive market, providing actionable lessons for both established players and new entrants in the venture ecosystem. Don't miss the top moments from the show this year!  Highlights from this week's conversation include: Season Highlights and the Best Of Countdown (0:34) Reflections on Venture Capital Lessons and Year-End Energy (3:45) Laura Thompson and Her Impact on LP Transparency (7:37) Challenges of Fund Underwriting and the Importance of Reference Work (11:21) Trends in Fintech, AI, Crypto, and Their Effect on Manager Selection (15:12) How to Approach Reserves and Portfolio Construction (18:55) The Difficulties and Opportunities for Emerging Managers Today (22:41) Capital Formation Insights With Guest Megan Reynolds (26:25) Why Client Experience Is as Important as Fund Performance (30:10) Industry Institutionalization, Reporting, and Relationship Trends (33:57) The Evolving Retail LP Market and the Future of Venture Access (37:41) What Makes Great Emerging Managers and Fund Builders Stand Out (41:25) Lessons Learned, Teamwork in Investing, and Season Wrap-Up (45:12) Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies.  The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Mysterious Signals: The New Year Adventure That Saved a Satellite Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2025-12-31-08-38-20-nl Story Transcript:Nl: De ijzige wind floot door de verlaten gebouwen.En: The icy wind whistled through the abandoned buildings.Nl: Joost trok zijn dikke jas dichter om zich heen.En: Joost pulled his thick coat closer around himself.Nl: Hij stond met Femke aan de rand van de vervallen marinebasis bij Den Helder.En: He stood with Femke at the edge of the dilapidated naval base near Den Helder.Nl: Voor hen rees de oude radiotoren op tegen de grijze winterlucht, gehuld in een dunne laag sneeuw.En: Before them, the old radio tower rose against the gray winter sky, shrouded in a thin layer of snow.Nl: De basis was verlaten, mysterieus, en precies wat Joost intrigeerde.En: The base was deserted, mysterious, and exactly what intrigued Joost.Nl: "Waarom luister ik toch altijd naar jou?"En: "Why do I always listen to you?"Nl: mompelde Femke terwijl ze in de verte naar de toren keek.En: Femke muttered as she looked at the tower in the distance.Nl: Ze was niet zeker of ze hier wel mocht zijn, maar Joost had haar enthousiast over de mysterieuze signalen verteld.En: She wasn't sure if they were even allowed to be there, but Joost had excitedly told her about the mysterious signals.Nl: En Nieuwjaarsavond was de perfecte gelegenheid.En: And New Year's Eve was the perfect opportunity.Nl: "Kom op Femke, we hebben afgesproken dat we het gaan onderzoeken.En: "Come on Femke, we agreed to investigate it.Nl: De signalen zijn het sterkst vandaag," zei Joost.En: The signals are the strongest today," said Joost.Nl: Hij wilde meer dan wat dan ook de oorsprong van het signaal ontdekken.En: More than anything, he wanted to discover the origin of the signal.Nl: In gedachten zag hij zichzelf al als de held die een mysterie oploste waar niemand anders aan had gedacht.En: In his mind, he already saw himself as the hero who solved a mystery no one else had thought of.Nl: Ze liepen voorzichtig door de sneeuw, hun schoenen krakend op het bevroren gras.En: They walked carefully through the snow, their shoes crunching on the frozen grass.Nl: Het verlaten terrein gaf een vreemd gevoel van spanning, gecombineerd met een sprankje avontuur.En: The abandoned site gave a strange feeling of tension, combined with a hint of adventure.Nl: De gebouwen rondom hen waren verlaten, de muren vervallen en bedekt met graffiti.En: The buildings around them were deserted, the walls dilapidated and covered in graffiti.Nl: Maar in het midden stond de toren, nog steeds trots, ondanks de jaren van verwaarlozing.En: But in the middle stood the tower, still proud, despite the years of neglect.Nl: "Zeker weten dat je weet wat je doet?"En: "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"Nl: vroeg Femke terwijl ze haar muts over haar oren trok.En: asked Femke as she pulled her hat over her ears.Nl: Ze was hier om hem te helpen, maar dat betekende niet dat ze zich volledig op haar gemak voelde.En: She was there to help him, but that didn't mean she felt completely at ease.Nl: "Absoluut," antwoordde Joost en hij glimlachte.En: "Absolutely," replied Joost, smiling.Nl: "Met jouw telecomkennis gaan we dit signaal ontcijferen.En: "With your telecom knowledge, we're going to decipher this signal.Nl: En als we die satelliet kunnen vinden of helpen, stel je voor hoeveel we betekend kunnen hebben."En: And if we can find or assist the satellite, imagine how much we could matter."Nl: Eenmaal bij de toren haalden ze hun apparatuur tevoorschijn.En: Once at the tower, they took out their equipment.Nl: Joost begon onmiddellijk te zenden en ontvangen, met Femke naast hem die de instellingen bijstelde en zorgde dat alles goed werkte.En: Joost immediately began transmitting and receiving, with Femke next to him adjusting the settings and ensuring everything worked correctly.Nl: Het signaal klonk zwak, bijna alsof het fluisterde in de wind.En: The signal sounded weak, almost as if it were whispering in the wind.Nl: Plotseling, terwijl de klok middernacht naderde, verbeterde het signaal.En: Suddenly, as midnight approached, the signal improved.Nl: Het schalde nu duidelijk door hun koptelefoons.En: It now blared clearly through their headphones.Nl: "Dit lijkt op een SOS, Joost!"En: "This sounds like an SOS, Joost!"Nl: riep Femke schouderophalend.En: shouted Femke, shrugging.Nl: Samen werkten ze koortsachtig om de signalen te interpreteren.En: Together they worked feverishly to interpret the signals.Nl: Toen het hen eindelijk lukte, beseften ze dat het een noodsignaal van een oude satelliet was.En: When they finally succeeded, they realized it was a distress signal from an old satellite.Nl: Het was als een flessenpost uit de ruimte.En: It was like a message in a bottle from space.Nl: Een rapport over een vergeten machine die opnieuw om hulp riep.En: A report from a forgotten machine calling for help once more.Nl: Ze grepen naar hun mobiele telefoon en belden een nabijgelegen satellietcommunicatiecentrum.En: They grabbed their mobile phone and called a nearby satellite communication center.Nl: Na enkele nerveuze momenten hoorde Joost dat iemand hun oproep serieus nam.En: After a few nervous moments, Joost heard someone taking their call seriously.Nl: Het centrum beloofde onmiddellijk actie te ondernemen.En: The center promised immediate action.Nl: De satelliet, ooit verloren, zou gered worden.En: The satellite, once lost, would be saved.Nl: De nacht eindigde niet alleen met het geluid van vuurwerk in de verte maar ook met de voldoening van gedeelde prestatie.En: The night ended not only with the sound of fireworks in the distance but also with the satisfaction of shared achievement.Nl: Joost en Femke knikten naar elkaar.En: Joost and Femke nodded to each other.Nl: Hij realiseerde zich dat deze gezamenlijke overwinning hem meer voldoening gaf dan wanneer hij het alleen had gedaan.En: He realized that this joint victory gave him more satisfaction than if he had done it alone.Nl: Dankzij hun ontdekking werden ze populair in de radiowereld.En: Thanks to their discovery, they became popular in the radio world.Nl: Joost's honger naar avontuur was nog springlevend, maar nu met een nieuwe waardering voor teamwork.En: Joost's hunger for adventure was still alive, but now with a new appreciation for teamwork.Nl: En Femke?En: And Femke?Nl: Ze stapte het nieuwe jaar in met een vernieuwd vertrouwen, niet alleen in techniek, maar ook in zichzelf.En: She stepped into the new year with a renewed confidence, not just in technology, but also in herself. Vocabulary Words:icy: ijzigeabandoned: verlatendilapidated: vervallenwhistled: flootpulled: trokshrouded: gehulddeserted: verlatenintrigued: intrigeerdemuttered: mompeldeorigin: oorsprongcrunching: krakendfrozen: bevrorentension: spanningneglected: verwaarlozingadjusting: bijsteldedecipher: ontcijferendistress: noodnervous: nerveuzesatisfaction: voldoeningachievement: prestatierenewed: vernieuwdconfidence: vertrouwenexcitedly: enthousiastgrazing: schouderophalendfaintly: zwakwhispered: fluisterdeimproved: verbeterdeblared: schaldefeverishly: koortsachtiginterpret: interpreteren

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Herb Sargent, Board Chair, in the Flywheel Studio to look ahead to Sargent's 100th anniversary. Herb shares what it was like to write the company's 100th anniversary book, drawing from decades of family journals and company history, and why it mattered to honor the people and lessons that built Sargent, even when you can't name everyone. Together, they talk about what really endures across a century: a heart in the field, humility, adaptability, and the Core Values that keep the company “on grade” and “on line.” The conversation lands on a simple but powerful theme: the hard work starts today. If you liked this week's episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to:sbennage@sargent.us

Happy New Year's Eve!Our final episode of 2025 continues our look at quotes devoted to the concepts of goals and goal-setting. I have been a huge believer in goal-setting for a long time, and I have talked about it before on the podcast, usually during this week of the year.In today's episode, I focus a bit more on making sure you are setting your goals for the new year. You will hear five quotes today in support of these ideas.As we finish off the year 2025, let me say again that I am grateful to all of you who support the podcast! I do this show because of you. While I enjoy the quotes myself, I do this podcast because many of you who are looking for inspiration and impact from these quotes come back and listen to it on a consistent basis. Thanks to all of you for being a huge part of this journey! In order to help me keep this journey going, please consider becoming a supporter of the show. You can donate to the show by clicking on the link below. Support the showFor more information to help you on your road to becoming your best, check us out at SlamDunkSuccess.com or email me at scott@slamdunksuccess.com.Our new background music, starting with Episode 300, is "Pulse of Time - Corporate Rock" by TunePocket. Our background music for the first 5 years of the podcast was "Dance in the Sun" by Krisztian Vass.

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: From Chaos to Culinary Harmony: A Mercado Central Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2025-12-31-08-38-20-es Story Transcript:Es: En el corazón del Mercado Central, el sol de verano brillaba con fuerza.En: In the heart of the Mercado Central, the summer sun shone brightly.Es: Los puestos mostraban una explosión de colores: frutas frescas, verduras, especias y hierbas aromáticas llenaban el aire con sus fragancias.En: The stalls displayed an explosion of colors: fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and aromatic herbs filled the air with their fragrances.Es: Era un lugar lleno de vida, de vendedores que llamaban la atención de los compradores, en busca de los mejores ingredientes para las celebraciones de Año Nuevo.En: It was a place full of life, with vendors attracting the attention of buyers, in search of the best ingredients for the New Year's celebrations.Es: Marisol y Rafael estaban en el centro de esa explosión de actividad.En: Marisol and Rafael were in the center of this explosion of activity.Es: Se encontraban allí con una misión importante: organizar un evento especial que celebrara la comida local.En: They were there with an important mission: to organize a special event that celebrated local food.Es: Marisol, siempre creativa, tenía una visión clara: quería que la fiesta reflejara la riqueza cultural de la región.En: Marisol, always creative, had a clear vision: she wanted the party to reflect the cultural richness of the region.Es: En cambio, Rafael, con su enfoque metódico, se centraba en los plazos y la logística.En: In contrast, Rafael, with his methodical approach, focused on deadlines and logistics.Es: Ambos sabían que debían trabajar juntos, pero sus métodos eran completamente diferentes.En: They both knew they had to work together, but their methods were completely different.Es: Mientras caminaban entre los puestos, Marisol se detuvo frente a una mesa llena de mazorcas de maíz.En: As they walked among the stalls, Marisol stopped in front of a table full of corn cobs.Es: "Podemos hacer tamales.En: "We can make tamales.Es: Son perfectos para la ocasión," dijo emocionada.En: They are perfect for the occasion," she said excitedly.Es: Rafael tomó nota rápidamente, pero luego consultó su calendario.En: Rafael quickly took notes, but then checked his calendar.Es: "Estamos al límite de tiempo.En: "We're on the edge of time.Es: Hacen falta hojas de maíz y varios ingredientes que siguen pendientes," comentó, señalando la lista.En: We need corn husks and several ingredients that are still pending," he commented, pointing to the list.Es: "La gente tiene que sentir la cultura en cada bocado," insistió Marisol, con un brillo en sus ojos.En: "People have to feel the culture in every bite," insisted Marisol, with a sparkle in her eyes.Es: Rafael ajustó sus gafas, un poco tenso.En: Rafael adjusted his glasses, a bit tense.Es: "Sí, pero recuerda que la organización es clave.En: "Yes, but remember that organization is key.Es: Sin control, no hay evento."En: Without control, there is no event."Es: Los días pasaron y la víspera de Año Nuevo se acercaba velozmente.En: The days passed and New Year's Eve was approaching quickly.Es: Marisol seguía proponiendo ideas llenas de encanto, mientras que Rafael mantenía el orden de las tareas.En: Marisol continued proposing charming ideas, while Rafael maintained order over the tasks.Es: El conflicto entre la creatividad y la eficiencia creció, hasta que un imprevisto cambió todo el panorama.En: The conflict between creativity and efficiency grew, until an unforeseen event changed everything.Es: El proveedor principal de papayas, una fruta esencial para una de las recetas, se quedó sin existencias debido a las altas temperaturas.En: The main supplier of papayas, an essential fruit for one of the recipes, ran out of stock due to high temperatures.Es: "Esto es un desastre," dijo Rafael, con un tono preocupado.En: "This is a disaster," said Rafael, with a worried tone.Es: El tiempo era escaso, y necesitaban una solución inmediata.En: Time was short, and they needed an immediate solution.Es: Entonces, Marisol, con una energía renovada, propuso: "Podemos usar mango en su lugar.En: Then, Marisol, with renewed energy, proposed: "We can use mango instead.Es: Es una fruta local, dulce y jugosa."En: It's a local fruit, sweet and juicy."Es: Rafael dudó por un momento, pero aceptó.En: Rafael hesitated for a moment, but agreed.Es: "Está bien.En: "Alright.Es: Vamos a hacerlo.En: Let's do it.Es: Solo asegúrate de que funcione."En: Just make sure it works."Es: Trabajaron juntos, integrando nuevas ideas en el plan original.En: They worked together, integrating new ideas into the original plan.Es: A medida que colaboraban, comenzó a germinar un respeto mutuo.En: As they collaborated, mutual respect began to grow.Es: Marisol reconoció el valor de la estructura que Rafael proporcionaba, mientras que él comenzó a apreciar las soluciones creativas de Marisol.En: Marisol recognized the value of the structure that Rafael provided, while he began to appreciate Marisol's creative solutions.Es: Llegó la noche de Año Nuevo.En: New Year's Eve arrived.Es: Las luces del Mercado Central titilaban mientras la gente se reunía para la celebración.En: The lights of the Mercado Central twinkled as people gathered for the celebration.Es: El evento fue un éxito rotundo.En: The event was a resounding success.Es: Los invitados disfrutaron de los deliciosos platillos preparados con los ingredientes del mercado, y la atmósfera vibraba con la esencia de la cultura local.En: The guests enjoyed the delicious dishes prepared with ingredients from the market, and the atmosphere vibrated with the essence of the local culture.Es: Marisol y Rafael miraron el escenario con satisfacción.En: Marisol and Rafael looked at the scene with satisfaction.Es: "Lo logramos," dijo Marisol, sonriendo a Rafael.En: "We did it," said Marisol, smiling at Rafael.Es: "Gracias por mantenernos organizados."En: "Thanks for keeping us organized."Es: Rafael asintió, ahora más abierto a las ideas creativas.En: Rafael nodded, now more open to creative ideas.Es: "Y gracias a ti por mostrarme la importancia de adaptarnos."En: "And thank you for showing me the importance of adapting."Es: El evento no solo celebró la comida local y el Año Nuevo, sino también una nueva alianza entre Marisol y Rafael, quienes aprendieron que el equilibrio entre creatividad y orden es la clave para un éxito compartido.En: The event not only celebrated local food and the New Year, but also a new alliance between Marisol and Rafael, who learned that the balance between creativity and order is the key to shared success. Vocabulary Words:heart: el corazónstall: el puestoexplosion: la explosiónfragrance: la fraganciavendor: el vendedoringredient: el ingredientecelebration: la celebraciónmission: la misiónvision: la visiónrichness: la riquezacontrast: el contrasteapproach: el enfoquedeadline: el plazologistics: la logísticaconflict: el conflictoefficiency: la eficienciasupplier: el proveedordisaster: el desastresolution: la soluciónidea: la idearespect: el respetostructure: la estructurasuccess: el éxitoguest: el invitadorecipe: la recetasparkle: el brillocharm: el encantounforeseen event: el imprevistoalliance: la alianzabalance: el equilibrio

Quaranteam - Dave In Dallas: Part 10 Dave & Olivia use skills meant for a last resort.Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Let's review the list of characters: David Belsus – 46, physics & astronomy professor at Eastfield college, a community college in the Dallas area. Prepper, survivalist, has a greenhouse in his backyard and lives in an outer ring suburb. Six foot, fit, short cropped hair. Lupie Ramos – 32, former financial advisor, Dave's neighbor, got caught out of state when the lockdowns started. She spent two frantic weeks trying to get back to her daughter. Lupie has been in love with Dave for over a year. Long, dark brown hair, medium build, and a lovely smile. Esme – 9, daughter of Lupie, prone to the occasional snarky comment. Adores Dave. Becca; 18, Lupie's babysitter, was watching Esme when lockdowns occurred. Her refusal to abandon Esme, as her mother insisted, likely saved Becca's life, since her extended family ignored precautions and died of Duo. Esme, Lupie, and Dave are all Becca has left in the world. Short, medium build, small tits, with short blond hair and a smile that is shy with strangers and beams with family and friends. Janice Wheeler; 33, Dave's first partner to arrive, a librarian at Cedar Valley, another community college member of DCCCD. Slender build and medium height, Janice is 3/4 Korean, her paternal grandfather is Anglo. Medium length black hair often pulled back in a bun for work or ponytail at home. Shawna Cooper; 36, senior meteorologist at WFAA, Master's degree in meteorology from O U, worked at NSSL and spent time as a storm chaser. Whole hog sci-fi nut, beginning with Start Trek TNG. 5' 10", large tits, medium brown skin, dark brown eyes, shoulder length black hair styled like a frizzy weeping willow. Olivia Tyler (Liv); 21, senior studying horticulture at Tarleton State University, near Dallas. Daughter of Carter and Janelle, Dave's best friends since college. Had a well-known crush on Dave throughout her teen years. Since her dad was former SF and a survivalist, Liv is skilled with several firearms as well as bladed weapons. Never failed to take a deer any season she's hunted. 5'10" long, dark brown hair, large tits, lightly tanned, brown eyes, and a wide smile. Melanie Ustanich; 22, graduate student in IT at Tarleton, Liv's roommate, recently found a passion for cooking. Spent most of her life in foster homes, Liv's parents accepted her like family the first time she went with Liv on Thanksgiving Break. 5'8" medium length auburn hair, green eyes, small mouth with a ready, mischievous smile. The ladies came through, leaving one mug beside the detective and swiftly exiting with the pot, several mugs, a milk jug, and a small container that may have just been repurposed as a sugar dish. Verratti pushed her mask up to her nose to take a sip, holding the mug like a sacred talisman, her eyes closed and a look of bliss dawning on her face. It was a short day. She opened her eyes and the distance they contained sent the brief appearance of joy below the horizon once again. Laying her mug back on the table, she pulled her mask back into place. "The man that was with you that day at the range?" "Yes, my friend Carter. He was the one that arranged the time on the range." "And how did he manage that? Didn't you say a few times he was a security guy?" "He runs physical and digital security checks for sites his company guards. He and his guys also get hired out by insurance companies to check out their client's security plans as well." For a moment, Dave allowed himself to forget the pain and use the present tense. "I think you mentioned a few times before class that he was in special forces?" "Yep. He likes to say his civilian job is kinda similar to his work in the army, just with paintball or laser tag gear." "Good." She motioned him to sit close, so she could speak lower. "You've stumbled into something no one seems to be working hard to solve." Dave's eyebrows stitched together. Her tone was more ominous than her words. "Nine weeks ago, a truck carrying seven vaccinated women was attacked. It was on its way to some rich neighborhood to deliver partners to the McMansion set. The attackers covered their tracks reasonably well, so we never caught them. Two weeks ago, a shipment of vaccine got hit between Grand Prairie and the Vax Center. They didn't even try to take the whole shipment, just grabbed a bunch and ran like hell. The chopper that was following them didn't have infrared on it, so they lost track of them in the trees in the dark." Dave stayed silent as she paused to gather her thoughts. "Look, I shouldn't have said any of this, but nobody's doing anything. Your friend has the skills to deal with the problem. And the way you've always presented yourself, if he's your friend, then he'll want to apply his skills to right a great big fucking wrong that's being ignored. There's an Air Force liaison office in the station right now. They're supposed to coordinate a military response to big attacks, but they've been blasé about both attacks." "Wait? Military to take out crooks? I mean, even big deal shit like this? Shouldn't that be done by SWAT or ATF?" She stared at him. If he had to guess, her lips were tightly pressed together under her mask. Her words were tightly spoken as she continued. "The fact your attackers cut their fallen buddies' nuts off suggests they had bonded female partners. That means either the hijacked transport, or the vaccine attack. Maybe both. And that means they may have been coming here to abduct your partners and bind them to themselves." "But that would kill them!" Dave started out as a loud interjection, but at her look, and as his own self-control kicked in, he dropped to a strenuous whisper. "There; is a way. But only if the man is dead. There was an ER nurse on the first transport. She would have known about the procedure, at least in broad terms." She pulled a map from her valise. Unfolding it, she pointed to two locations. The attacks happened here, and here." "Yeah, that stretch of I-20 is a bit empty, even being in the middle of urban sprawl." "Because of that attack, they moved the flights to Love Field." "No rural hideouts along the way." "Exactly. Now look, here's where the chopper last was sure they had an eye on them." Her finger indicated a spot southeast of Athens. "What I'm asking you is to get a hold of your friend. See if he and some of his team are willing to investigate; and maybe rescue some of these women. No one else is doing anything about this. And they are escalating." "Do you think they'll try again here?" "I don't know. Not anytime soon, you gave them plenty of reasons to give this place a wide berth. I can't swear to that, but I'd say they'll at least leave you alone for a while." Which means they may be coming for my family again. Whenever they feel like trying again. No point in telling her about Carter. I'll have to do this myself, but I'm not telling her that. A trained, former special forces operative that still does security testing is a reasonable person to ask to do this. A community college professor that's been trained by his prepper buddy doesn't sound nearly as reassuring. Fuck Carter, why the hell did you have to die? "How sure are you on that last sighting?" She flipped her notebook back several pages. After consulting her notes, she carefully laid her finger again on the map. "Right there." Dave stared at the indicated location, noting nearby major road intersections and the distances from each to the tip of her finger. Mainly, he looked at the roads that formed a boundary around the area. The raiders may not be inside that space, but it was a place to begin. "Be very careful. There's suspicion that some army deserters are with these guys." She took a deep breath. "It's like pulling teeth getting anything out of the Air Force woman about this. Please professor, talk to your friend. I'll contact you in a day or so to see if he's responded." "Why don't I just call you?" "I'd rather have that discussion when I'm not at the station or around other officers." "Okay. You need anything else from me detective?" "No. No, I should be going. I'll call in a few days." "I'll be ready." Hope I've found them by then . Dave walked her to the door and locked up behind her. He slipped over to the parlor to check the window patch for any air leaks. Dave ran his hand around the edges, slowly, but felt no movement, not cold streams. Some of the family had come downstairs, now that the weather was once again outside. Dave sat in a chair, staring off into space while the others red or talked. This may take more than a day, just to find these guys. And once I do, I'll need time to observe, and then time to plan. Food, water, ammunition. I'll need something long-range. My best bet will probably be picking them off one at a time at first. I've got silencers for the MP5's, but no subsonic ammo. It's still going to be obvious when I shoot. Carter has all the subsonic ammo. Imagine the look on the face of whoever finds his armory. Fuck, what if they just bulldoze the place? Yeah, Liv and I need to try and get his weapons and equipment. Wait, I have subsonic.22LR. I could use that for the first few. Fuck, I'm really doing this. That means I'll be gone for a few days. It's already been two days for Rebecca, and she's on such a short fuse. We really ought to ask the vaccine experts why that is. Gee, what a call to make. "Hey, vaccine guys? Yeah, look, I've got this eighteen year old cutie that just insists on having sex every four days. Like, she's climbing the walls by day five. What's up with that?" I'm sure they'll have all kinds of sympathy. Well, I have my first thing I've got to do before I go. Dave found Becca in the room she and Reena shared. The one they'd previously used as a 'hotel room' the night the ladies put together for prom. Reena was not around. "Hey, sexy nerd girl, what're you up to?" Becca rolled on to her back from her book reading. Her face was glowing, though she was also blushing from her scalp to, well, lower than her shirt collar. She very cutely bit her lower lip. Dave chuckled. "You are so damn cute, ya know that?" Her face twisted a little. "Demotion huh? I've gone from sexy to cute in less than a minute." "One does not preclude the other. There is an intersection of the two. In my opinion, you exist within that intersection." "God, you know how weirdly sexy it is that you can talk math about sex?" "You know how great it is that you're one of two partners I can talk to that way? Most of the others either won't get it, or will be turned off by it." The radiant look Becca got from the compliment was exactly what Dave was going for. She wasn't just a teen hottie, or gamer girl, or some other check box. She was his younger nerd partner that he got to introduce to so many things he loved that were new to her. Or, things she'd heard about, but not yet experienced. And she was fun in bed. Becca's hand slipped to the hem of her t-shirt. Dave stepped swiftly up to her bed and grabbed her hands. He pulled her around so her ass hung off the edge of the bed and her head was braced against the wall. She and Dave were still experimenting with different ways to have sex. She'd recently mentioned that quickies sounded kinda hot. Dave figured now would be a good time to try. He grabbed her shorts and panties at the hips and pulled both down to her calves, bringing her legs straight up in the same motion. Dave leaned against her, her ankles on one of his shoulders, as he unbuttoned his pants and shoved pants and boxers to mid-thigh. The aroma of Becca's arousal reached Dave's nostrils, matching the signal that her panting breath and lust-filled eyes were sending. Truth to be told, he was fairly revved as well. The little gasp she gave as he hand-fed his mostly hard cock into her saturated pussy was delicious. Dave leaned in closer, folding her legs back onto her body, her ankles on either side of his head, her shorts against his collarbone. He drilled her fast and hard. This wasn't love making, wasn't a tantric exercise, and was not 'the full Dave'. A quickie was just that; hard, fast, and get 'er done. Becca's cute little huffs and grunts urged him to keep going, her moist, rippling channel gripping his shaft and egging him on. In due time, Dave felt that familiar tingle in his balls rising up through his cock and he began firing his hot seed into her eager passage. Becca shuddered and convulsed the same as if Dave had taken most of an hour lifting her to ecstatic heights. Dave leaned a bit further in to kiss Becca tenderly on the lips. Becca giggled. "That was fun." "Good, we can add that to the repertoire," Dave said, buckling his pants. He leaned in for another kiss, this one with just a moment of lingering, before walking away. Becca's eyes shone brightly as they followed him. Now I wait. Dave spent the rest of the evening sitting with his ladies, sometimes talking, mostly listening. Lupie called everyone to the dinner table. A nice warm casserole that soothed the insides after most of the day with the inside matching the weather outside. Downstairs anyway. Mostly what Dave remembered from the evening was looking around the table at his family as they chatted and moved on from the events of the morning. Mostly. Every once in a while, someone's attention wavered, or they flinched from a sound. That's why I have to do this. Dinner was late enough that some began their night time routine once it was over. It had been a draining day, even for those that had huddled upstairs. The emotional impact, the fear and anxiety they'd gone through took a physical toll. "Hey, Shawna, let's meet in my office in a few minutes, okay? I'll find Liv and Mel and have them join us." "Sure. Night security?" "Yeah. The detective was reasonably sure there wouldn't be a repeat tonight, but let's be safe." "Okay." Shawna hugged him tightly. Dave went off to find the other two, then made his way to his office. Even though they'd just finished dinner, he felt a bit munchie. He pulled a half-eaten pint of blueberries out of his fridge and snacked slowly. Each woman smirked as they entered. Shawna started imitating the guitar intro of a certain song by Black Sabbath. Dave just shook his head with a rueful smile. Then he popped a few more berries in his mouth. "We need to maintain a watch tonight," he informed them once he'd cleared his mouth. "The threat is perceived to be low, but I'd rather not take a chance. I'll take first watch, then wake Shawna to relieve me. She can wake Liv, and when Liv's shift is over, she can wake Mel." The way Olivia stared at Dave made him wonder if she suspected his real plan, but she said nothing. "We'll post guard here in Shawna's morning room with the door open. It's right at the top of the stairs, so anyone would have to come past the guard to get to any of us. I'll drag the chair from that room to the door, far back enough that anyone looking in will see darkness, but near enough the guard can see the head of the stairs and part of the hallway in each direction." "That's it. Get some sleep. When it's time to switch over, get up and get moving. We'll have one pistol out and transfer that over. Don't go to bed until your relief is in place." Shawna came in for a kiss before she left. A long, slow kiss with no tongue. She looked meaningfully into his eyes before she walked out, saying nothing. Dave waited over an hour for all the activity in his house to settle and everyone to fall asleep. He slowly and quietly rose from his seat. He slipped in to the master bedroom to find Shawna on the outer edge of the bed. Of course she'd thought ahead so she wouldn't disturb the others. Dave lightly tapped her foot, and she stirred awake. Dave went back to his post while she dressed. Once she got there, he handed over the pistol. "You're going after them aren't you?" she whispered low and urgent. "Yes. It's the only way to ensure everyone's safety. These guys are a danger to us, and others. The detective was so frustrated with the inaction, she told me other events that have happened, but no response from the police." "Other houses have been attacked?" "No, the other attacks haven't been on houses, but they look related." "How far away are they?" "I don't know for sure. She gave me some information on the last place they were seen." "Then how long will you be gone?!" She kept her voice low to not disturb anyone, but there was a 'shouting' tone to her whisper. "I don't know. I'm taking food and water in addition to the rest of the gear." "David, please be careful. All our lives depend on you." He wrapped his arms around her for a tight hug. "I know. I'm doing this for your safety. No more middle of the night break ins." He paused for a moment. "Carter took me through a few scenarios that apply. We had to use paintball guns for those trainings, but I've spent plenty of time on the range with all of these weapons. I won't be as good as Carter, but I'm good enough to pull this off. I'm coming back to you babe." He pulled back so they could look each other in the eyes. "You are plenty of reason to come back." "Me and eight others," she said with a teasing grin. "Anyone of you alone is enough to go fight this fight and get my ass back here in one piece. I finally understand Carter now. Somethings you have to fight for." He slipped away from her and went to the master bedroom closet. In a box tucked away in a corner, he pulled out a set of lightly used 90's era BDU that Carter'd urged him to get from an Army-Navy store. It was not the only set, but he wasn't going to be gone that long. Hell, his partners would all be screaming for doses by then. After dressing, and donning his combat boots, he walked silently out of the bedroom. That he had to pause and prep his mind for. Carter had shown him how to walk quietly in these boots, it just took practice and care. It had been a long time, so he ran through the lessons and practices in his head for a minute after he had them on. He trod gently down the stairs to the gun closet. He typed in the code and swung open the door. That's when the darkness at the end of the unlit hall moved. "Go to bed Olivia." His voice was flat. "You are not going after these guys alone." Dave flipped on the light in the small space. The illumination spilling into the hallway revealed Olivia in a matching pair of BDU. "How the hell?" "I mailed myself a box to this address before I reported to the vaccine center. Mostly other stuff, but one set of woodlands and my best broken-in boots." "Livy, you need to stay here and watch the others." "I need to watch over your ass and bring you home so you can keep fucking all these women that are addicted to your cum." Dave felt a wave of shame at the comment. That he was risking himself, some, but their safety required he take out this threat. That he was; unfaithful to any of these women, because none of them were the only one. Yes, he could personally enumerate all the reasons why, but that didn't change the visceral reaction of a man that never wanted a lot of women, just one that he could be devoted to, and vice versa. "Liv ;” "I'm not trying to talk you out of this. I'm certainly not condemning you for having multiple partners, David. On behalf of myself, and all your partners, I insist I go with you and provide overwatch. You know I'm a better sniper than you. You're better at CQB. We do this together." A cold hand gripped Dave's chest. "Olivia, I already dragged you into one gunfight. I won't do it again." "You didn't drag me into anything. The world sucks and some people are assholes. The same guy that taught you raised me not to just stand idly by. I'm going with you." She came in close, molding her hand to his jawline. "You didn't cause the attack this morning. You stood in the gap, and I stood with you. What you're about to do is needed. And I'm standing with you again." Without another word, she slipped around him and started gathering her gear. Dave joined her. Within half an hour, they loaded tactical gear, ammo, weapons, water jugs, canteens, and field rations in Liv's pickup and got on the road. They were completely in sync, though neither spoke a word. Chapter 12; A Walk on the Chaotic Good Side. October 29, 2020 12:30am The hum of the heater fan on its lowest setting combined with the warm air coming off the windshield were not helping Dave maintain alertness. Livy drove while he checked their route against what he'd seen on the detective's map. So far, it was just a matter of 'drive towards Athens'. Dave snuck the window down a little, inviting some cool air to help him stay fresh. Not too far, though. Occasionally, they'd run into an isolated cloud still giving up a pittance of drizzle, remnants of what passed over their house yesterday morning. Mostly it was just cold. "I miss the little triangle windows that pivoted open on Dad's old beater pickup." Dave chuckled. "Yeah, those were useful. Guess somebody decided to save money and make them fixed instead of movable." Olivia humphed in response. When she said nothing for a few minutes, he reached into the bag on the seat between them and pulled out an apple. She didn't notice until he took his first crackling bite. "Damn. Again?" she laughed. "Fill up too much and you'll bust out that stab shirt. Sorry, it's just;” "I'm eating way more often than the rest of you, and not gaining any weight. Yeah, I know. They said this serum shit has weird side effects. Seems for me it's kicked my metabolism into the stratosphere." "Oh, big words like 'stratosphere' huh? Hmm, ya know, the higher metabolism would explain why you're outrunning me." Dave turned his head towards her, a mock annoyed expression on his face. "I've been faster than you for years. For a bit there in your teens you gave me a good challenge." Liv giggled. "I got faster so you'd have to look at my ass." "I worked harder to stay ahead of you so I wasn't looking at a sixteen-year-old's ass." Out of the corner of his eye, Dave noted Livy giving him a rueful look. With a quiet voice; and one eye on the road; she asked, "Is this the only way we could have been together?" His heart skipped a beat. His voice was deepened with loss when he replied, "I don't know, Olivia. I just don't know. The two of us together would have been a very unusual pairing in other circumstances. No law would have stopped us being together but a lot of custom and tradition would interfere." He reached his hand out and she took it. "So it was either this, or an asteroid hitting the Earth for me to get you?" Dave laughed. "Maybe not quite that dramatic." Their joined hands lay on the seat between them for a time, enjoying the union of their lives as the cold, damp miles passed. Half an hour later, signs proclaimed a junction ahead as they neared their first waypoint. "Want me to stay on 175 and go east around Athens?" "No, west on 7. When we get to the southside of town, we'll take 19 south." Dave waited before asking, "You need to switch out. We've both had long days." "I'm good. Just hand me another Dr. Pepper." Dave knee-stood in the seat, reaching back to the cooler with water, soda and reusable freezer packs. Ice would have been too loud loading at the house, and going to an automated ice station was more deviation than he was willing to take. The drinks weren't ice-cold this way, but they were at least cool. Between the caffeinated soda, and the No-Doz bottle in the glove box, they could fight off the drowsiness the road hum threatened to induce. Weirdly, the squeeze from the compression shirt for the stab plates helped keep him awake, though it did make it tougher to twist around for things. Maybe if he wore it more often, he'd know how to move better in it. With the late hour, and pandemic rules in effect, they hadn't seen another vehicle since pulling out of their own driveway. They crossed three overpasses for major roads out of town before exiting to southbound 19 / Palestine St. The creepy feeling intensified as they took their exit. The north side of the road held a hospital with what was undoubtedly the only ER for thirty miles around. In some directions, even further than that. And there was no activity at all. The lights were on. But no signs of human movement. A few miles down the road they passed the middle school, completely abandoned since March. Liv's hand slipped back to the middle of the bench seat. Dave added his to hers, holding her gently but firmly. Ten minutes later, with their headlights boring holes into the pitch black, Dave's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, noting the time was now approaching 2am. -There's been another attack, this time on a very rich man's estate. Bodyguards dead, left laying there. -Rich man dead, carried off, along with most of his partners. -Last seen southbound on 45, suspect they are taking that to 287 until Palestine. No intelligence beyond that. Please ask your friend to decide quickly. Dave quietly fumed. Another attack meant more suffering that he hadn't prevented. That was the whole point of this crazy scheme wasn't it? Immediately, he recalled a story Carter had told only once, after they'd been roommates for more than a year. It was a 'Boy's Night In' with two pizzas and a tsunami of beer, and some typical action flicks playing. Dave's friend related a time when they'd been too late to protect a local villager that had cooperated with the Special Forces team. The local government goons had not been kind to the collaborator. Or his family. "We found out too late, got there too late, not a fucking thing we could do. Not one fucking thing. Except," he raised his head so his bloodshot eyes were revealed, "we tracked the fuckers and took them out before they got back to their base. It was beyond our mandate. We were supposed to train only, not engage directly. We did it, and never talked about it." Track the fuckers down and take them out. Little wonder why that particular memory surfaced now. "Something wrong?" "Text from the detective. They hit another house. Successfully this time." "Oh shit. What are we going to do?" "What an old friend once told me was the only real option. Track the fuckers down and kill them." "Dad was such an eloquent man." Dave barked a laugh as he texted back. -We're already enroute. -We'll locate them on the run and track them to their base. -Thank God. -And thank your friend for me. Dave still saw no reason to inform her of his omission. Well, he felt a little guilty, but she'd get over it. Lupie on the other hand, might just tie him to the bed and spoon feed him between each woman's 'dosing' turn. Shawna might or might not help Lupie, but she was not going to help Dave avoid Lupie. Hell, by the time he got back, Lupie might be so worked up she'd chew him out exclusively in Spanish for over an hour. In between kisses and hugs because his dumb ass came home in one piece. Getting his mind back on the present, Dave pulled up a map on his phone. "This may make it easier to find their base. They're coming down 287. Previous attempts tracked them as far as Palestine. We'll intersect with 287 just outside Palestine, so we'll pick a good spot when we get there and wait. I suspect they will be an hour or half hour behind us." "K." Dave zoomed and scrolled on his map for several minutes. "There's a community college north of the intersection. It has a parking lot that will give us a good view, but far enough away we could miss something. There's also a gas station and a convenience store on the south of the intersection, on the west side that would give better views, but higher risk of detection. It's probably closed. If we're the only car there, it's going to be awfully suspicious; especially if we pull out right after they pass." "Don't worry, Dad gave me a few lessons on shaking a tail, and on tailing. Just before I went off to college, he even had me drive back country roads with no lights; on the road or car. If we can avoid getting noticed when we first pull out; by waiting 'til we can just see their tail lights; we should be fine." "Let's go for the convenience store first. If it looks too dicey, we'll move off to the college parking lot." Liv nodded her agreement. The silence that followed persisted until the intersection loomed. The community college parking lot had all of its lights on, as did the Exxon just south of it. The Valero on the west side and south of the intersection had its awning lights on, but no more. No lights were on around the convenience store south of the highway confluence. Even better, there were two vehicles parked in the lot. Liv pulled into a space near one of the other vehicles. But not too close. She killed the lights, lowered the windows halfway, and turned off the ignition. Both occupants of the truck surveyed first the near vehicle, then the more distant one, looking for any sign of occupancy. If these guys were good, they might have a lookout posted to watch for a tail. During the forty-five minute wait, neither their eyes nor ears detected any sign of another person in the parking lot. For that matter, there was no sign of anyone around the college, or in the gas station south of them. The station across the way probably had an attendant inside. A low rumble coming from the northwest initially alerted Dave and Liv to their approaching quarry. Without exchanging words, they each hunched down in their seats. Both were on full alert. Hunter versus hunter was a dangerous game. Of course, if one hunter doesn't know the other is around, so much the better. For the other at least. Five S U V, varying from mid-size to huge, rolled swiftly through the interchange. They slowed from far in excess of highway speeds, down to something reasonable for the possibility of merging; if one had incredibly sparse traffic to handle. Which worked just fine, since there was absolutely zero traffic to merge with. As the engine sounds began to fade, Livy sat up and started the engine. She quickly doused the lights that automatically lit up before backing out from behind the vehicle two parking spaces over. Hopefully, it shielded them from the target's notice. Well, that and the fact the targets were headed away from them, and presumably keeping hostages in check. With swift, smooth motions, Olivia got the pickup on the highway following the distant trail of tail lights. Noting the woodlands on both sides of the highway limiting visibility around the curves, Livy began rapidly closing the distance. Balancing that were the few streetlamps and the need to not show up in the last vehicle's rearview mirror. The train of S U V passed under one, went dark again except for the taillight; which brightened briefly; then were illuminated again for a flash before disappearing. "Shit," she muttered. "It's gotta be the underpass for the loop. That's why they went left and cut off. They went behind the embankment. Just take the loop to the left and keep pressing. We'll catch them. Just be careful of more street lamps. I'm not sure if this loop they're hopping on is limited access. If they hit stoplights, we'll need to be very careful to avoid notice." "Right." There were a few traffic lights to negotiate, but both were solid green the entire time the runners and the pursuers were in view. The greater concern was the street lights near the intersections. Increasing their following distance once a traffic light became visible bought them some grace. They also took the risk of allowing the convoy to get out of view over a small rise while they waited just outside the pool of light before making the left at Park Ave. That was followed by mild panic until they could catch up with their quarry. A sweeping left turn awaited just over the crest. Dave spotted tail lights turning right as they finally hit a straight section. It turned out to be another curve in the road. This road had just enough curves to allow Livy to close the distance and remain unobserved. As the pursuing duo came around one curve, the convoy ahead was disappearing around the next. Just as they cleared a shallow 's' turn, Dave spotted tail lights disappearing to their right. "Ease up, I think we're going off onto a narrower road." By the time they reached the turn, Liv had them at an appropriate speed. No sign of the convoy ahead, and greater darkness with the trees closer in, she had to go slower. Fortunately, the road was winding through a few tight turns which caused the convoy to go even slower. They managed to catch sight of taillights and hear engine noises through the trees before they got close enough to be noticed. The asphalt took a gradual rightward curve, but a faint red glow inside the dust cloud ahead signaled the convoy had plunged ahead onto the dirt road. Hunter and unwitting prey slowed again, but the frequent braking and the scattering effect of the dust kept Dave and Liv well aware of their quarry's position. Liv coasted and maintained distance so she never had to touch the brake. To do so would reveal their pursuit. The convoy slowed further and Liv allowed the truck to coast to a stop. "Let's find a place to park this thing and dismount." Dave pointed off to a small pocket beside the road where the trees curved away from the dirt track. Each opened their door gingerly, sliding quietly to the wet grass. Liv and Dave first checked their own gear, then each other's. Satisfied they wore or carried everything they thought they would need, they eased the doors closed, latching them softly. "One benefit of this weather; the gators will be hibernating, and maybe the snakes too," Dave said in a whisper. "Brumating. And probably yes on both counts. The gators will be in the water, but the snakes will find a burrow or hollow log. So stay away from likely hidey holes." "Yes, professor." Dave's wry grin was both smart ass and respectful. Liv's nature knowledge far exceeded his own. Her reply smile was appreciative. Then both faces went blank as the two focused on their mission. Using every technique Carter had taught him, Dave slipped stealthily through the trees. Crouching, he moved swiftly from bole to bole, taking care to avoid rock piles and downed logs. The red glow in the distance was diminishing. He noticed sets of tail lights lining up side-by-side before extinguishing. They were parking. That was a good thing, because Dave and Liv were already on foot. That also meant the possibility of guards on the perimeter. Dave paused a bit longer in his position, searching for any sign of patrols or stationary sentinels. Seeing none, he dashed forward to a new location and watched again for any sign of an observer. Liv moved from her prior spot to the place Dave had just vacated. Morning twilight was in full swing, so the pair had good lighting. Periodically, Dave observed men moving to each vehicle, removing a woman, and leading her to one of the buildings. A few men guarded the vehicles, but their focus was on the occupants, not someone outside. All the better. Dave and Liv found themselves places within whisper distance a few feet back from the tree line. Unobstructed views with low probability of getting spotted. In better circumstances, they would observe for hours, from multiple positions around the clearing, gathering information and striking in the wee hours, or at first light tomorrow. But; those women being taken inside compelled faster action. Whatever these assholes were doing needed to be stopped. At the same time, they couldn't just rush in, or they'd lose, Dave would be dead, and Liv would be dead or worse. And not long after, the rest of his family would be in very dire straits. So don't fuck up, asshole . This had to be what Carter meant about walking the razor's edge. One thing was clear; these guys had no security posted. The pre-dawn twilight was sufficiently bright that someone looking out the window would spot them if they got stupid. The trees opened up into a large clearing. Within the open space sat the parked S U V, two large buildings, and several smaller ones. The two large buildings were corner adjacent and perpendicular on their long axes. They were somewhat longer than they were wide. The large building stretched wide across their eyeline seemed to be where everyone was gathered. That's the building the women had been taken into. Several others converged on that location not long after. About half an hour after the last man disappeared into the big building, Dave and Liv spotted someone leaving. He had someone over his shoulder. He headed for one of the smaller buildings. About five minutes later, it happened again. Time to communicate. He pulled out his phone, already set to silent, no vibration. Fortunately, he had a few bars. -Compound located. Track my location. Stuffing his phone in his pocket without waiting for a reply, Dave slid closer to his partner. "I'm going in closer. I'll get under the windows and listen in." Liv's face was unconvinced. "Is that wise?" "We need to know more before we do anything. I've got to get close enough to hear them. Get your rifle ready to snipe. Keep me covered. I'll pass on the outside of the first building," he pointed to the one that lay along their line of sight and perpendicular to the target building, "and then cross along the near wall of the one they're in. You'll be able to see me for most of that time, and you can see either end. You'll know if someone's about to come around and spot me." "We need Dad's low watt tactical radios." "If wishes were horses, hun." He gave her a quick kiss, then silently backed further into the trees. This allowed him to move more quickly without detection, though he still remained on alert for any sentries out here in the trees. There were none. Approaching the tree line again, he scanned thoroughly with eyes and ears, for any sign of someone that would spot him emerging. With still no sign, Dave dashed from the trees to the near wall of the likely empty large building. There he waited, listening for any sound suggesting he'd been seen. His heart was pounding. He worked to calm himself so he could hear anything over the roar of the blood in his ears. Of course, that could just be the contrast. This rural fall morning was incredibly quiet thus far. Satisfied he was as yet undetected, Dave moved stealthily to the far corner of the building. He put a hand on the wall, feeling the rough brick exterior. It was distinctly not new, but not decrepit either. A few short steps brought him to the building's corner. Using the 'slicing the pie' tactic Carter taught him so long ago; and re-taught over and over and over; Dave passed around the corner to find no one there. Hugging the wall, he crept by, pausing at each of the two doors, listening for any sign of occupancy. By the time he reached the end of the building near the occupied building, the sun was not yet up, but the sky was well-lit. As was the compound. With more on the line, Dave took more time with his pie-slicing cornering technique. The rest of the compound, then the side wall of the other building, and then the back wall of the target building came slowly into view, all devoid of other humans. He slid carefully along the sidewall of the empty building until he was near the corner closest to his target. With his head only he once more rounded the corner, verifying no one had entered the small area bounded by the two buildings on two sides in the time he'd been behind the first one. Sure that he was clear, he crossed the gap to the second building. He watched his footfalls carefully since the area conjoining the two buildings had been cemented in a rectangular shape. Postholes along the edges suggested this might be some sort of outdoor area with an awning during warmer times. A broom at the corner Dave was heading for suggested someone took the time to keep it clear of debris. At least he didn't have to worry about stepping on a twig. Dave heard a door open, then close. Footsteps in grass reached his ears but receded. He swiftly slid along the wall to the front of the building and took a cautious peek. Once again, a man was walking toward one of the smaller buildings, this time carrying a woman in his arms rather than over his shoulder. Dave eased himself away from that corner and back to the corner proximate to the back wall. He had to step carefully around the broom again as he came around to the semi-enclosed courtyard. Dave eased his way carefully along the back wall. At least now he had the benefit of knowing Liv could watch the area around him and cover him as needed. He crept carefully, listening for sounds through the wall. Primarily though, he knew his best chances were under the three windows, two of which were close together, more than halfway down the building's length. As he approached an exterior vent for a dryer, he paused. For a moment the thought flashed through his mind that this would be the ideal place for a snake to hide. Then his rational brain took over, reminding him that the intermittent nature was likely insufficient to help a snake survive through the winter. They were more likely off in the woods somewhere or hiding in the walls of one of the houses. The first window was just past the vent. Dave paused. He waited for a few minutes, but heard nothing. He edged up, his face upturned, his nose turned away from the building. Edging upward, he allowed his peripheral vision a first glimpse in the window. It was dark. He turned his head slowly, seeking greater detail. A few shadows and a small light on the back wall limned out an empty kitchen space for a community. Efficient, but a little too regimented for Dave's taste. A little too zombie group think. Dave moved forward. This time he skirted around a pile of small diameter metal pipes. Must be for a future irrigation project or outdoor faucet. The next window was only a few feet past the pile. Dave had to be careful how far out he went. He crouched and quickly got back to the wall once past the pipes. He could already hear voices. Someone was angry. "I said sit the fuck back down. You dumbasses cost us three men with your half-assed raid. No, you don't get a shot at any of the women from this raid. You're lucky we let you fucking live. One more fucking word out of your fucking mouth and I will shit-can all your asses. And you, big mouth, you'll go last; after I ass fuck your sister without a new dose! You can watch her melt like somebody poured battery acid in her shithole, then I'll kill you, with the memory of her screams in your fucking ears!" Dave went cold. His mind called up one of the videos about the dangers for a woman exposed to the semen of any man other than her partner. Anger welled up in him, but he tamped it down. A berserker rage banged against the walls of Dave's discipline. He held his focus, knowing he would only accomplish his goal with cold efficiency. All the things Carter said over the years, words that had been whirling in his ears since the moment of the break-in, all settled into cold clarity. Yeah, they were gonna die. In due time. He crept closer. Again taking care to avoid detection, Dave saw a woman select a syringe full of a vibrant green substance. She moved over to; a dead body on the floor? What the hell? Why is she injecting the dead guy? Wait, now it's purple inside? Maybe he just misidentified the earlier color? The woman with the syringe stood. A man dragged a blonde woman over to a table near the lady with the syringe. Dave heard her whimpering once she was close. A second man took the woman's other arm. The two men held her pinned, face down, against the table as her whimpering turned to active cries. Dave's stomach turned over. A third man pulled the woman's pajama pants down. She wore no panties. The woman with the syringe approached. The way she walked, and the look on her face, gave the impression she was walking to the gallows. Dave swore she mouthed the word 'Sorry' to the pinned woman before injecting her with the purple contents of her syringe. Immediately, the woman jerked and thrashed. The man behind her dropped his pants. Dave dropped low, not needing to see anymore. Hell, he'd seen far more than he ever wanted to. The cries and sounds he heard had a certain resonance with the priming and later imprinting orgasms of his partners. But overlaid with a guttural, raw emotionality. Then there was no more sound from the woman. A few low conversations between the men, and then Dave heard the door on the other side of the building open. Dave duck-walked away from the window and around the pipes. Once against the wall again he raised up a bit and paused. He needed to collect his thoughts. What to do was clear. Kill every man here. Given what they were doing, there were no innocents. The only questions revolved around how to do what needed to be done. Ideas formed in his head, but he needed to confer with Olivia. At the very least, she needed to know his intentions. Teamwork would be vital. He also trusted her judgment. Her input could prove useful. It often did. Something more about Olivia was rattling around the back of his head. A thought jumping up and down, demanding attention, but not coming forward. Like a word sitting on the tip of your tongue you just can't say. Something he knew, but wasn't fully acknowledging. It didn't seem related to the immediate task, so Dave moved his attention elsewhere. The number of trips from the large building to the smaller ones was very nearly the number of trips from the cars to the big building earlier. That meant soon the men would no longer be occupied with; what they had been doing. Since some had recently come back from a raid, they were likely to bed down soon. That would be a good time to strike. Time to move and communicate. The door had cycled twice more during Dave's thinking. As he rounded the corner of the empty building, free to move unobserved, he heard the door slam open. He froze in place, a few steps past the corner, where he could listen without being detected. Multiple footsteps approached, and sharp mutterings between two men. The footfalls changed as they crossed from the grass onto the concrete. Their voices became clearer too. "Why drag her all the way out here? It's fucking cold and wet." "'Cuz I don't wanna clean up the fucking mess when the old bitch slags, that's why! Grass will just eat it up and get nice and green next summer. Inside, the carpet and the fucking pad have to be replaced." Dave's blood boiled. He tamped it down for immediate purposes. He also started moving back the way he came. Weapon at the ready, he rounded the corner again. Three figures were just crossing off the concrete pad and back into the grass. Two males in hunter camo and a naked blonde woman sobbing as they dragged her between them. They stopped several steps off the pad. One man was out of view, the empty building blocking Dave's line of sight to him. Liv surely had a good shot on him, but she might not yet know enough to take it. She'd know soon enough though. The man Dave could see was turned away from Dave, with the woman collapsed, on her knees in front of him, looking away from Dave also. By their orientations, the man that was out of sight was probably facing the corner and would see Dave the instant he came around it. Fortune favors the brave . One of Carter's favorite phrases. Dave slipped the MP5 back behind him, on safe, he pulled the.22 pistol from his holster, and the silencer from his cargo pocket, mated them gently, and carefully began screwing the silencer in place. The woman cried out, pleading for mercy. Unseen by Dave, the second man slapped her, the sound unmistakable. Dave was moving as the slap echoed. His face etched in stone. No anger in his visage, no mercy in his eyes. His weapon came up smoothly as his feet accelerated him along the wall towards the man in his vision. Dave was now a fire and maneuver platform for the pistol. Just before he cleared the corner, he fired three rounds, all into the man's upper left back. His shot group was as perfect as the practices with Carter over the years. At least one of the rounds went through the man's heart. The suppressor dulled the sound of firing, and the subsonic ammunition avoided the supersonic crack of the rounds that would surely draw attention. The stricken man fell even as Dave came around the corner, rounding on the next target. That man was just beginning to look towards the corner with a curious expression. Dave fired again. Three rounds, just as Carter had trained him. He also dropped with no further resistance or sound. The first target was on the ground and the second descending, knees buckling beneath a falling torso, when the shuddering blonde woman registered the changes. She began to rise and turn around. Dave reached her at that same moment, grabbing her bicep and hauling her to her feet. To forestall undesirable attention, he shifted his hand from her arm to her mouth, clamping it shut. He got there just in time. The woman stared at him, terror in her wide-open eyes. He held his pistol low and to the side, but her eyes ping-ponged several times from it to his face. As frightened as she was, her eyes settled, then roved over his face. Within seconds her terror was held in check. Not gone but shoved aside. Like she was ready to believe something less evil than that of the other men's plans was now upon her. "Stay quiet, I need to get you out of here." She nodded. Wariness was present, but also a willingness to believe in; something. Grabbing her hand, Dave led her across the concrete pad and around the corner of the empty building. He didn't stop until they'd passed the length of the building, now leaning against the short wall, in full sight of Olivia. In pausing, Dave was reminded consciously of what his subconscious had of course noted; the woman wore not a stitch of clothing. He quickly averted his eyes, but not before registering her phenomenal figure. Granted, the condition of her skin on her face and her body indicated a woman with more than just a few decades of experience on this little ball of rock, but she was none the worse for wear by any means. Fit was an entirely apt description. Her tits had a natural sag, but still bore a certain firmness as well as a modest heft. And her eyes. Her eyes were captivating. Penetrating even. They stared at him from a gently rectangular face. Modestly arched eyebrows topped those gazing deep green orbs, and model perfect cheekbones provided a pedestal for those eyes to rest upon. Shapely, proportionate lips still trembled slightly beneath a nose that was not quite angular, and more than a button. Her face would fit in on a magazine cover or a boardroom. A face that could launch a thousand simps. "Let's get into the trees. My partner, Olivia, is waiting for us. Once we get away from prying eyes, we can give you something to cover up with. What's your name?"" Her face warmed briefly even as her arms instinctively moved to shield her tits. "Natasha." Her voice was unsteady, but not weak. "That way, Natasha." Dave pointed to a small gap between two young trees. Nothing he'd seen suggested she was a plant or any other kind of trap, but with only himself and Liv, he realized there was no room for fuck-ups. He spent much of his time walking sideways, keeping an eye to their rear. They entered the trees easily and without getting spotted. Natasha immediately slowed, picking her places to step more carefully with her bare feet on the woodland surface. They proceeded straight back from the buildings, in reverse of Dave's approach. He caught her arm when they reached the point to turn left towards Liv. Pointing quietly, Dave directed her on the new course. She nodded and kept moving. A few steps later, things started getting exciting. "Oh, holy Shit!" Even before his head turned, he knew the speaker was in the same vicinity as the two bodies he'd left behind. Through the intervening trees, Dave spotted a man standing in the gap between buildings. He safed the pistol and started unscrewing the silencer. There was no angle in stealth anymore. Once separated, the pistol went back in the holster and the silencer in his cargo pocket. He brought his MP5 back around. The man circled the two bodies slowly. Dave quietly moved closer to Liv, until they could see each other. With her attention on him, Dave drew his hand across his neck, then pointed at the man still examining the space where his friends had fallen. He heard the report of the rifle at nearly the same instant the back of the man's head sprouted a jet of blood and tissue. Dave hustled the last several steps to Liv's position. Liv gave him a wry smile as she looked behind him. "Recruiting more ladies, David?" As Dave began to object, her smile dropped. "I saw the whole thing. I didn't hear what was said, but they had it coming, that's for sure." "Yeah well, we need to get her warm and clothed. And still deal with these guys." "I've got spare clothes in the truck. Let her hide inside. At least get her out of the elements." Two men appeared, one on either end of the occupied building. Dave, Liv, and their charge were too deep in the trees for the men to spot. Besides, they were focused on the three bodies they could see. "Okay, I'm going to get her in sight of the truck, and then head down the backside of that building," Dave pointed to the empty building. "Got it. So, do I let these guys go back inside?" Do I tell her to take the shot? We're already all in here . Something in Dave went cold. "Once they turn back, take the shot." Liv merely nodded, her attention, earlier divided between her scope and Dave, was now fully downrange. Dave ushered Natasha along a tiny foot path, giving her some ease in foot placement. He tried to keep his eyes off her naked form, but when she jumped at Liv's first shot, the jostling of her tits was magnetic. He turned his eyes away quickly. Fortunately, he was able to spot the truck at this range. "We're going to have to work quickly to shut these guys down. Can you see that white patch through the trees?" Dave pointed in the direction he wanted her to look. Natasha nodded. "That's our truck. The door is unlocked. Get in there and get out of the wind. That will help you warm up some. Liv says she has a change of clothes behind the seat. Take a quick look to see if you can find a shirt or something. Then stay low, stay out of sight." The woman nodded again. "You are leaving me?" "I have to stop all of them before they hurt anyone else." Another shot rang out. She lunged at Dave, wrapping her arms around his neck. He was alarmed for just a moment, but he felt the shaking of her silent cries. She jolted again with the next shot. He gave her several seconds, then peeled her arms off of him. "I have to go." With that, he turned and hustled to a spot along the tree line proximate to the edge of the empty building. He was still covered by trees when he spotted a man moving toward him along the building. He's trying to flank Liv . Dave took up a firing position braced against a tree. Then he fired three rounds. The man dropped without a sound, though the shots echoed through the compound. Another crack from Liv's rifle announced her continued engagement with their opponents. If Dave didn't get engaged soon, they could overwhelm her. He sprinted across the gap and raced down the building's length. Another shot rang out. Dave reached the corner of the building, breathing hard, heart pounding. He heard feet slapping concrete and then go quiet. Swiftly turning the corner, he saw two men sprinting away, through the gap between buildings, and one more passing the other end of the building in the distance. Then another came around the corner near him, the follow-on to the two with their backs to him. He noticed Dave as Dave's SMG reached chest height. Dave's trigger finger pulled three times, smoothly, in quick succession. Three widely spaced red spots erupted on the man's chest. He fell against the wall and slid down. The man's weapon clattered to the concrete pad. Immediately, Dave shifted to the men headed away. One was beginning to turn. Dave fired on him first, this time with his weapon fully raised, taking aim and grouping his shots. Dave shifted to the second man that hadn't yet keyed on Dave's position behind him. With three rounds in his upper chest while running full tilt, the man tumbled to the ground. While Dave was taking out his targets, he'd registered two shots from Liv's rifle. That meant ten men in total they'd killed. But how many were there? At least ten, since the S U V had two men each. What Dave didn't know was how many were left behind to hold down the fort while the attackers were out. As he mulled over the issue, he dealt with two more immediate concerns. His weapon locked open on his last shot. He triggered the magazine release with his right, catching and removing the spent magazine with his left. Quickly, he stuffed the empty mag in his cargo pocket before pulling a fresh magazine from his tacvest. With a fresh magazine in place, he pressed the bolt release, driving a new round home. To be continued in part 11, Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts, for Literotica.

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: A Naval Officer's Balancing Act: New Year's at Sea Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2025-12-31-08-38-20-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Сунце је полако залазило иза планина, бацајући златне нијансе преко морске површине у Тивту.En: The sun was slowly setting behind the mountains, casting golden hues over the sea surface in Tivat.Sr: Поморска база била је пуна активности.En: The naval base was bustling with activity.Sr: Светлуцаве лампице висиле су дуж зграда, док су морнари и официри ужурбанo украшавали просторе за новогодишњу прославу.En: Twinkling lights hung along the buildings, while sailors and officers busily decorated the spaces for the New Year's celebration.Sr: Милан, марљиви поморски официр, стајао је усред те врвеће гужве са списком у рукама.En: Milan, a diligent naval officer, stood amidst the bustling crowd with a list in his hands.Sr: Његов поглед је непрекидно кружио између задатака које треба обавити и мисли о породици која је чекала далеко.En: His gaze continuously shifted between tasks to be completed and thoughts of the family waiting far away.Sr: Он је био тај који је морао да организује штафету забаве, али срце му се стењало за своје најмилије, за које се надао да ће их изненадити на време за поноћ.En: He was the one who had to organize the festive relay, but his heart ached for his loved ones, whom he hoped to surprise in time for midnight.Sr: „Милан“, позва Јована, његова поуздана колегиница.En: "Milan," called out Jovana, his reliable colleague.Sr: „Треба нам више украса у главној сали и недостаје нам музика.“En: "We need more decorations in the main hall, and we're missing music."Sr: Стеван, други колега, дода: „Можда можемо позвати локални бенд да свира?“En: Stevan, another colleague, added, "Maybe we can invite a local band to play?"Sr: Милан се ухвати за главу обузет бригом.En: Milan held his head, overwhelmed with worry.Sr: Имао је премало времена и премало ресурса.En: He had too little time and too few resources.Sr: Све што је желео, било је да вечерашње вече буде савршено, а да на крају вечери ипак није ускраћено његово породично време.En: All he wanted was for tonight to be perfect, yet not at the expense of his family time.Sr: Како је време пролазило, база је блиставала празничном светлошћу, али Милан је био све више уморан.En: As time passed, the base glimmered with festive lights, but Milan grew more exhausted.Sr: Одједном, застао је.En: Suddenly, he paused.Sr: Размишљао је о томе колико му је породица драга и о томе да не мора све сам да уради.En: He thought about how dear his family was to him and realized he didn't have to do everything alone.Sr: „Јована, Стеван, да ли бисте могли да преузмете неке задатке?“ упита с надом у гласу.En: "Jovana, Stevan, could you take on some of the tasks?" he asked with hope in his voice.Sr: „Треба ми ваша помоћ да завршимо на време.“En: "I need your help to finish on time."Sr: С разумевањем су климнули главом.En: They nodded understandingly.Sr: „Ту смо да помогнемо“, узврати Јована.En: "We're here to help," replied Jovana.Sr: Док су се ствари покренуле, Милан је све са поверењем делио са својим тимом.En: As things started to progress, Milan shared everything with trust in his team.Sr: Најзад је имао мало времена за себе.En: At last, he had a little time for himself.Sr: У један неочекивани тренутак, добио је позив од једног старог пријатеља, којем се није надао.En: In an unexpected moment, he received a call from an old friend, whom he didn't expect.Sr: „Ти си у Тивту? Имам кола, могу те возити до куће“, рече пријатељ.En: "You're in Tivat? I have a car; I can drive you home," said the friend.Sr: Како су се ветрови мењали, тако су и Миланови планови.En: As the winds changed, so did Milan's plans.Sr: Уз осмех и олакшање, прихватио је понуђену помоћ.En: With a smile and relief, he accepted the offered help.Sr: Прије самог поноћног звона, упутилa се мудра мисао - попросити за помоћ није знак слабости; већ снаге и разумевања.En: Just before the stroke of midnight, a wise thought crossed his mind - asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength and understanding.Sr: Милан је стигао кући у последњи час.En: Milan arrived home just in time.Sr: Када је ушао, његова породица га срдачно загрли и заједно су испратили стару и дочекали нову годину.En: When he entered, his family warmly embraced him, and together they bid farewell to the old year and welcomed the new one.Sr: Година је дошла као обећање новог почетка, а Милан је научио да балансира између захтева посла и топлине дома.En: The year came as a promise of a new beginning, and Milan learned to balance between the demands of work and the warmth of home.Sr: Његово срце било је пуно док је звездама одзвањао весели осмех његове породице.En: His heart was full as the joyful laughter of his family echoed to the stars. Vocabulary Words:hues: нијансеbustling: врвећеtwinkling: светлуцавеdiligent: марљивиamidst: усредgaze: погледache: стењалоrelay: штафетаoverwhelmed: обузетexhausted: уморанtrust: поверењемunexpected: неочекиваниembraced: загрлиdemand: захтеваglimmered: блиставалаfestive: празничномresources: ресурсаdecorate: украшавалиmidnight: поноћpromise: обећањеbalance: балансираstrength: снагеunderstanding: разумевањаlaughter: осмехfarewell: испратилиwarmth: топлинеsurface: површинеsailors: морнариcolleague: колегаinvite: позвати

Mark Divine and Bill Murphy share insights on cultivating a warrior mindset and building mental toughness, essential for effective leadership strategies. This episode explores the principles of navy seal leadership and how to embrace resilience training. Discover how to integrate high performance habits into your daily routine for personal and professional growth, aligning with the unbeatable mind philosophy.Bill shares how his worst business year in nearly three decades forced a deeper internal reckoning—and why pursuing extreme physical challenges, including seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, became a catalyst for inner transformation rather than ego-driven achievement.This conversation goes far beyond endurance sports. Together, they explore:-Why most goals fail without a strong emotional “why”-How to build a bag of whys that sustains commitment under pressure-The mental frameworks that eliminate quitting without suppressing emotion-How breath control, mindset, micro-goals, and service to others work together-Why growth requires both individual strength and team connection-The difference between suffering that builds you and suffering that breaks youIf you're a leader, entrepreneur, or high performer navigating uncertainty—and you're looking for a grounded way to stay disciplined, purposeful, and resilient—this episode provides a clear, actionable path forward.Unlock your full potential and lead with courage, clarity, and purpose—join The Unbeatable Tribe and become truly unbeatable in life and leadership.Join for free for 7 days: The Unbeatable Tribe → https://www.skool.com/unbeatable-mastery-tribe/aboutThe Unbeatable Leader Challenge is back starting January 13th, this time we're making it FREE to join on this training. Kick off 2026 with a growth mindset to win the winner war, achieve front-sight focus, and build an unbeatable team in 2026.Join for free: The Unbeatable Leader Challenge → https://www.unbeatableleader.comMark uses BUBS Naturals daily for focus, recovery, and hydration—all built on a mission to honor a fallen Navy SEAL. Use code UNBEATABLE for 20% off any one time purchase or subscription at bubsnaturals.comBill Links:Website: https://thebillmurphy.com/Book: https://a.co/d/aBBiPHXInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/billmurphy_thriveLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/williambmurphy/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivinginthestormMark Links: Website: https://markdivine.comThe Unbeatable Tribe: https://www.skool.com/unbeatable-mastery-tribe/aboutDivine Inspiration Newsletter: https://markdivine.com/newsletterYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@markdivineofficial/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markdivineofficialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdivine/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markdivineofficial/Subscribe to https://www.youtube.com/@markdivineofficial for more inspiring conversations on leadership, growth, and impact.Rate and review the show to help us reach more listeners.Share your thoughts and takeaways in the comments!#MarkDivine #BillMurphy #Resilience #MentalToughness #LeadershipPodcast #HighPerformance #ThrivingInTheStorm #EnduranceMindset #Discipline #PurposeDrivenLife #PersonalGrowth #NeverQuit #UnbeatableMindTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: bubsnaturals.com Code: Unbeatable01:13 Guest Introduction: Bill Murphy01:38 Bill's Athletic Achievements01:50 The Great World Race: 7 Marathons on 7 Continents03:09 Mental and Physical Challenges of the Race08:03 Training and Preparation Insights12:04 Reflections on the Experience18:46 Leadership and Mental Toughness23:37 Understanding the 'Big I' and 'Little i'24:19 The Importance of Knowing Your 'Why'25:57 Heart vs. Ego in Overcoming Challenges27:05 The Power of Teamwork and Character in SEAL Training28:43 Balancing Individualism and Teamwork31:17 Transforming Through Training and Resilience37:40 Setting Goals and the FITS Model46:09 The Importance of Continuous Challenges48:58 Concluding Thoughts on Growth and DisciplineSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Hermetic Principles series, we break down the Third Hermetic Principle, Vibration, and translate “everything vibrates” into something you can actually use in real life. You'll learn how your inner state, your nervous system, your emotions, and your “baseline” shape what you notice, what you interpret, and how you respond, especially under stress. This is a grounded conversation about frequency, vibe, and energy alignment, without turning it into vague woo woo, because the goal is clear, state management that changes outcomes.You can expect practical tools you can apply immediately, including a baseline check before hard conversations, simple breathwork patterns to downshift fast, and a “ten second” reset you can use mid trigger to respond with clarity instead of reacting. We also get into why most relationship fights are about state, not content, how echo chambers and inputs affect your baseline, and how to protect your vibration by changing what you consume and the environment you live in. If you want better communication, better conflict repair, stronger leadership energy, and more control over your reactions, this is the episode.Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

You survived the one-shot. No one died permanently. Only some rules were misunderstood. Now comes the most dangerous phase of any tabletop experience: questions. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew sits down after the Pathfinder 2e one-shot to answer the things every new player asks—what worked, what didn't, what we forgot, and why Pathfinder 2e somehow makes rules discussions feel productive instead of like a rules-lawyer cage match. Pathfinder 2e Re-Releases! Perfect timing for learning, teaching, and holiday one-shots: RPGBOT is re-releasing our Pathfinder 2e Quickstart episodes for the 2025 holiday season! These remastered episodes are ideal for new players, GMs running demos, and groups revisiting PF2e after a long break—just in time to answer all those "wait, how does that work again?" questions. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE dScryb – Mobile Alchemy Shop (affiliate link) Pathfinder 2e Source Materials Pathfinder 2e Beginner Box (affiliate link) Pathfinder 2e Core Rulebook (affiliate link) Archives of Nethys Content from RPGBOT.Net Pathfinder 2e – How to Play Pathfinder 2e – Beginner Box Guide Previous Episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast RPGBOT.Quickstart S3E6 – How to Play Pathfinder 2e – Part 1: Concepts and Themes RPGBOT.Quickstart S3E8 – How to Play Pathfinder 2e – Part 2: Character Creation How to Play Pathfinder 2e – Part 3: Oneshot Example Play – RPGBOT.Quickstart S3E56 Kingmaker for PF2 with Paizo Creative Director James Jacobs – RPGBOT.News S3E1 Paizo's Pathfinder Society Organized Play Coordinator Alex Speidel – RPGBOT.News S2E87 Other Stuff Rise of the Runelords In Part IV of the RPGBOT.Quickstart Pathfinder 2e series, we wrap up the one-shot example play with a post-game Q&A, answering the most common questions new players and GMs have after their first Pathfinder Second Edition session. This episode focuses on reflection, clarification, and practical advice drawn directly from actual gameplay. We revisit moments from the one-shot to explain how actions, reactions, conditions, and skill usage worked in practice, clarifying rules that are often misunderstood during early PF2e play. The discussion highlights how the three-action economy rewards thoughtful decisions, how teamwork improves outcomes, and what players should prioritize learning first versus what can wait. This episode is especially helpful for groups that have just finished a Pathfinder 2e one-shot, as it bridges the gap between reading the rules and truly understanding how the system feels at the table. By addressing common mistakes and "aha" moments, we help listeners gain confidence heading into longer PF2e campaigns. Key Takeaways Pathfinder 2e becomes clearer after seeing the rules in action. Post-game discussion is one of the best ways to learn PF2e. The three-action economy rewards planning and flexibility. New players commonly overlook reactions, conditions, and positioning. Teamwork and coordination matter more than individual optimization. One-shots are an excellent teaching tool for Pathfinder Second Edition. Confidence grows quickly once rules questions are addressed directly. Join the RPGBOT Patreon! Want to ask your Pathfinder 2e questions in real time? Join the RPGBOT Patreon and unlock: Access to RPGBOT.Podcast recording sessions, where patrons can listen and ask questions Ad-free RPGBOT.net articles, guides, and optimization content Ad-free recordings of the RPGBOT.Podcast Early access to remastered Pathfinder 2e episodes and exclusive discussions Support RPGBOT, sharpen your system mastery, and join the conversation behind the screen. Become a patron today! Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

This is a classic episode of With Flying Colors—and a rare one that steps slightly outside the credit union lane for a reason.As teamwork becomes an increasingly critical theme heading into 2026, this conversation felt worth revisiting.In this episode, Mark sits down with Joe Jacoby, an Olympic gold medalist and performance coach, to explore what high-performing teams really look like when conditions are uncertain and pressure is high.While the setting is the Olympic Games, the lessons translate directly to leadership teams, boards, and organizations navigating complexity, change, and accountability.This conversation isn't about motivation—it's about execution:How trust is built before it's neededWhy great teams communicate without noiseHow different strengths actually work together under stressAnd why teamwork isn't soft—it's strategicIf you lead, serve on a board, or work as part of a management team, the insights here are as relevant today as when this episode first aired.In this episode, we discuss:What Olympic-level teamwork looks like in real timeWhy preparation matters more than celebrationHow unspoken communication develops inside high-trust teamsThe role of diversity of thought in performanceLessons leaders can apply long after the competition ends

In this rereleased episode of The Future of Teamwork, Dane Groeneveld is talking with Gina Catalano, Founder and President of Centro Forza Group, about leadership, emotional intelligence, and building positive workplace cultures. Gina shares practical advice around how emotional intelligence impacts leadership style, and how to meet team members' individual needs as a leader. She also explains how she uses the Energy Leadership Assessment, which helps leaders understand how their perceptions influence their reactions under stress.  If you're looking for practical ways to lead more effectively and build a stronger team culture, this episode is worth your time. Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast01:38 Meet Gina Catalano: Leadership and Coaching Expert02:12 Gina's Personal Journey and Leadership Lessons08:34 Building and Changing Team Culture20:34 Navigating Compensation Changes with Emotional Intelligence25:06 Shifting from Sales to Broader Business Environments25:46 Building Culture Across Various Teams26:18 Emotional Intelligence in High-Pressure Environments28:03 Introduction to Energy Leadership28:50 Understanding Catabolic and Anabolic Energy29:45 Applying Energy Leadership in Real Scenarios31:48 Personal Experiences with Energy and Mindset34:40 Coaching Leaders Through Challenging Moments44:22 Empathy and Whole-Person Focus in Leadership44:42 Conclusion and Contact Information

You survived the one-shot. No one died permanently. Only some rules were misunderstood. Now comes the most dangerous phase of any tabletop experience: questions. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew sits down after the Pathfinder 2e one-shot to answer the things every new player asks—what worked, what didn't, what we forgot, and why Pathfinder 2e somehow makes rules discussions feel productive instead of like a rules-lawyer cage match. Pathfinder 2e Re-Releases! Perfect timing for learning, teaching, and holiday one-shots: RPGBOT is re-releasing our Pathfinder 2e Quickstart episodes for the 2025 holiday season! These remastered episodes are ideal for new players, GMs running demos, and groups revisiting PF2e after a long break—just in time to answer all those "wait, how does that work again?" questions. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE dScryb – Mobile Alchemy Shop (affiliate link) Pathfinder 2e Source Materials Pathfinder 2e Beginner Box (affiliate link) Pathfinder 2e Core Rulebook (affiliate link) Archives of Nethys Content from RPGBOT.Net Pathfinder 2e – How to Play Pathfinder 2e – Beginner Box Guide Previous Episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast RPGBOT.Quickstart S3E6 – How to Play Pathfinder 2e – Part 1: Concepts and Themes RPGBOT.Quickstart S3E8 – How to Play Pathfinder 2e – Part 2: Character Creation How to Play Pathfinder 2e – Part 3: Oneshot Example Play – RPGBOT.Quickstart S3E56 Kingmaker for PF2 with Paizo Creative Director James Jacobs – RPGBOT.News S3E1 Paizo's Pathfinder Society Organized Play Coordinator Alex Speidel – RPGBOT.News S2E87 Other Stuff Rise of the Runelords In Part IV of the RPGBOT.Quickstart Pathfinder 2e series, we wrap up the one-shot example play with a post-game Q&A, answering the most common questions new players and GMs have after their first Pathfinder Second Edition session. This episode focuses on reflection, clarification, and practical advice drawn directly from actual gameplay. We revisit moments from the one-shot to explain how actions, reactions, conditions, and skill usage worked in practice, clarifying rules that are often misunderstood during early PF2e play. The discussion highlights how the three-action economy rewards thoughtful decisions, how teamwork improves outcomes, and what players should prioritize learning first versus what can wait. This episode is especially helpful for groups that have just finished a Pathfinder 2e one-shot, as it bridges the gap between reading the rules and truly understanding how the system feels at the table. By addressing common mistakes and "aha" moments, we help listeners gain confidence heading into longer PF2e campaigns. Key Takeaways Pathfinder 2e becomes clearer after seeing the rules in action. Post-game discussion is one of the best ways to learn PF2e. The three-action economy rewards planning and flexibility. New players commonly overlook reactions, conditions, and positioning. Teamwork and coordination matter more than individual optimization. One-shots are an excellent teaching tool for Pathfinder Second Edition. Confidence grows quickly once rules questions are addressed directly. Join the RPGBOT Patreon! Want to ask your Pathfinder 2e questions in real time? Join the RPGBOT Patreon and unlock: Access to RPGBOT.Podcast recording sessions, where patrons can listen and ask questions Ad-free RPGBOT.net articles, guides, and optimization content Ad-free recordings of the RPGBOT.Podcast Early access to remastered Pathfinder 2e episodes and exclusive discussions Support RPGBOT, sharpen your system mastery, and join the conversation behind the screen. Become a patron today! Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Scott Keller: CEO Excellence Scott is a senior partner in McKinsey's Southern California office. He co-leads the firm's global CEO Excellence service line and is the author of six books, including the bestseller Beyond Performance. Scott spent his early consulting years working on business strategy and operational topics until his life was turned upside down when his second child was born with profound special needs. After taking time off to attend to his family, Scott returned to McKinsey with the desire to bring the best of psychology, social science, and the study of human potential into the workplace. He is a cofounder of Digital Divide Data and one of a few hundred people in history known to have traveled to every country in the world. His most recent book written with Carolyn Dewar and Vikram Malhotra is titled CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest. In this conversation, Scott and I examine McKinsey's research on what the top CEOs do (and avoid) when building great teams. We look at a few of the key mindsets that the best CEOs bring to their organizations — and how teamwork plays into this. Plus, we explore some of the key questions top leaders should ask when determining if it's time to exit someone from the team. Key Points Top leaders staff for both aptitude and attitude. The have an eye to both the short and long term. The most successful CEOs have a mindset of “first team” and expect leaders in the organization to prioritize serving the whole team/organization over any functional area. New CEOs are often known for acting quickly on staffing, but the most successful leaders also temper this with fairness. They use the four questions below to act with both fairness and speed. Top leaders stay connected with people throughout the organization, but also keep some distance. There's a key distinction between being friendly and making friends. The best CEO's ensure that have positively addressed all four questions below before removing somebody: Does the team member know exactly what's expected of them: i.e., what the agenda is and what jobs need to be done to drive that agenda? Have they been given the needed tools and resources, and a chance to build the necessary skills and confidence to use them effectively? Are they surrounded by others (including the CEO) who are aligned on a common direction and who display the desired mindsets and behaviors? Is it clear what the consequences are if they don't get on board and deliver? Resources Mentioned CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

In this end of year onesie episode of the 2 Be Better Podcast, Chris and Peaches look back on three years of marriage work, spiritual awakening, and building “The Tribe” from a simple “let's see what happens” show into a movement that is actually changing homes. They read raw gratitude emails from listeners whose relationships, mental health, and families were transformed through better communication, masculine and feminine polarity, and choosing not to quit when life tested them. From saved marriages and healthy divorces to babies, new friendships, and a community that does wellness checks at 3 a.m, this is a long form gratitude episode for anyone serious about healing, love, and growth. You will also hear where they are going next, from psychedelic integration coaching and ayahuasca ceremony work, to plans for land, retreats, a mushroom based spiritual “church,” future birth and midwife support, and a non profit to help Tribe members in real crisis. Chris opens up about softening his anger, finding compassion, and what it really costs to become a better husband, father, and leader, while Peaches talks about peace, feminine energy, and the emotional income that comes from service. If you want honest marriage advice, relationship coaching in real time, and a community that refuses to let you stay a victim, this episode will push you to stop flirting with your dream, put your dues in, and be the person who finishes.Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

Happy Almost New Year!We kick off the final few days of the year with the first of three episodes devoted to the concepts of goals and goal-setting. I have been a huge believer in goal-setting for a long time, and I have talked about it before on the podcast, usually during this week.In today's episode, you'll hear me talk about the power of looking back to move forward and then setting goals for the new year and then going out and working to achieve them. You will hear five quotes today in support of these ideas.As we finish off the year 2025, let me say again that I am grateful to all of you who support the podcast! I do this show because of you. While I enjoy the quotes myself, I do this podcast because many of you who are looking for inspiration and impact from these quotes come back and listen to it on a consistent basis. Thanks to all of you for being a huge part of this journey! In order to help me keep this journey going, please consider becoming a supporter of the show. You can donate to the show by clicking on the link below. Support the showFor more information to help you on your road to becoming your best, check us out at SlamDunkSuccess.com or email me at scott@slamdunksuccess.com.Our new background music, starting with Episode 300, is "Pulse of Time - Corporate Rock" by TunePocket. Our background music for the first 5 years of the podcast was "Dance in the Sun" by Krisztian Vass.

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: From Snowball Fights to Stage Lights: A Winter Project Triumph Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2025-12-28-23-34-02-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Снег је прекрио Калемегдански парк, где су се деца играла и радосно вриштала.En: Snow covered Калемегдан Park, where children were playing and joyously shouting.Sr: Чинило се да је Новогодишња магија испуњавала ваздух.En: It seemed that New Year's magic filled the air.Sr: Анци, Бојану и Милошу, трима вредним ученицима, претио је рок за зимски пројекат.En: Anci, Bojanu, and Milosu, three hard-working students, faced a deadline for their winter project.Sr: Њихова школа је организовала фестивал, и на њему је њихов задатак био да представе најбољи пројекат са зимском тематиком.En: Their school had organized a festival, and their task was to present the best winter-themed project.Sr: Анца је била амбициозна и маштовита.En: Anca was ambitious and imaginative.Sr: Желела је да њихов пројекат буде најбољи, али била је забринута јер се Бојан и Милош нису усредсређивали на рад.En: She wanted their project to be the best, but she was worried because Bojan and Milos were not focused on work.Sr: Бојан је био друштвен и шармантан, али често је остављао све за последњи тренутак.En: Bojan was sociable and charming, but often left everything to the last minute.Sr: Милош, тих и аналитичан, водио је рачуна о свим детаљима, али је страховао да ће изневерити своје пријатеље.En: Milos, quiet and analytical, took care of all the details, but feared he would let his friends down.Sr: Док је Анца гледала како се деца смеју и бацају грудве, одлучила је да преузме ствари у своје руке.En: While Anca watched the children laughing and throwing snowballs, she decided to take matters into her own hands.Sr: Позвала је Бојана и Милоша на хитан састанак у парку.En: She called Bojan and Milos to an urgent meeting in the park.Sr: Хтела је да размотре све идеје и коначно одлуче шта ће радити.En: She wanted to discuss all the ideas and finally decide what they would do.Sr: „Морам да вас питам“, рекла је Анца чврстим гласом, „да ли схватате озбиљност ситуације?En: "I need to ask you," said Anca firmly, "do you realize the seriousness of the situation?Sr: Имамо само неколико дана до фестивала.En: We have only a few days until the festival.Sr: Морамо заједно радити.En: We need to work together."Sr: “Бојан се засмејао и рекао: „Ајде, па свет неће стати ако мало каснимо!En: Bojan laughed and said, "Come on, the world won't stop if we're a little late!Sr: Али хајде да размислимо шта можемо да урадимо.En: But let's think about what we can do."Sr: “Милош је климнуо главом, желео је да помогне и ослободи се притиска.En: Milos nodded, wanting to help and relieve the pressure.Sr: Седећи на клупама прекривеним снегом, почели су да размишљају.En: Sitting on benches covered in snow, they began to brainstorm.Sr: Али убрзо је почела да се развија спонтана грудва.En: But soon, a spontaneous snowball fight began.Sr: Сви су почели да се смеју и трче по снегу, заборављајући бар на тренутак на свој пројекат.En: Everyone started laughing and running through the snow, forgetting their project, at least for the moment.Sr: Изненада су добили инспирацију.En: Suddenly, they got inspired.Sr: Док су се гађали грудвама, Бојан је узвикнуо: „Шта ако направимо представу!En: As they were throwing snowballs, Bojan exclaimed, "What if we create a play!Sr: Представу о зимским чудима, али праву и живу.En: A play about winter wonders, but real and live."Sr: “Сви су стали.En: They all stopped.Sr: Идеја им се допала.En: They liked the idea.Sr: Видели су да та разонода може постати нешто посебно.En: They saw that this pastime could become something special.Sr: Одлучили су да направе представу пуну прича о зимским магионичарима и чудима.En: They decided to create a show full of stories about winter wizards and wonders.Sr: Анца је осмислила сценарио, Бојан је радио на забавању публике, а Милош је бринуо о техничким детаљима.En: Anca developed the script, Bojan worked on entertaining the audience, and Milos took care of the technical details.Sr: Када је дошао дан фестивала, њихова представа је била хит.En: When the day of the festival arrived, their play was a hit.Sr: Анца је осетила понос док су учитељи и ученици аплаудирали.En: Anca felt proud as the teachers and students applauded.Sr: Сви троје су се загрлили, срећни што су успели.En: The three of them hugged, happy with their success.Sr: Анца је научила да је тимски рад кључан, а инспирација може доћи сасвим изненада.En: Anca learned that teamwork is crucial, and inspiration can come quite unexpectedly.Sr: Бојан, Милош и она су се зближили и разумели своје снаге и слабости.En: Bojan, Milos, and she grew closer and understood each other's strengths and weaknesses.Sr: Зимска магија их је поново подстакла да верују једни у друге.En: Winter magic once again prompted them to believe in one another.Sr: Калемегдан је наставио да блиста под снегом, али сада је био место нове приче о пријатељству и успеху.En: Калемегдан continued to shine under the snow, but now it was the place of a new story about friendship and success. Vocabulary Words:shouting: вришталаambitious: амбициознаimaginative: маштовитаsociable: друштвенcharming: шармантанdeadline: рокfestival: фестивалfocused: усредсређивалиanalytical: аналитичанdetails: детаљиurgent: хитанinspiration: инспирацијаspontaneous: спонтанаbrainstorm: размишљајуpastime: разонодаscript: сценариоentertaining: забавањуtechnical: техничкимapplauded: аплаудиралиproud: поносhugged: загрлилиprompted: подстаклаunexpectedly: изненадаstrengths: снагеweaknesses: слабостиbelieve: верујуsuccess: успехуwonder: чудимаwizards: магионичаримаsnowball: грудва

DFS Army Pros Bob, BobbyWow, Burns, and Geek take a look at the NFL Week 17 Sunday DFS Main Slate to attack large field GPPs for DraftKings Daily Fantasy Football. Win your NFL contests this week with these expert tactics! Get ahead of the competition with insightful matchup analysis. Whether you're a seasoned DFS veteran or a beginner looking to make a splash, we've got you covered. Discover value picks and star players that will help you create a powerful lineup to dominate your contests.

DFS Army Pros Bob, BobbyWow, Burns, and Geek take a look at the NFL Week 17 Saturday DFS Slate to attack large field GPPs for DraftKings Daily Fantasy Football. Win your NFL contests this week with these expert tactics! Get ahead of the competition with insightful matchup analysis. Whether you're a seasoned DFS veteran or a beginner looking to make a splash, we've got you covered. Discover value picks and star players that will help you create a powerful lineup to dominate your contests.

In this episode of 'What in the Wedding', Hannah and Ashley discuss the intricacies of wedding planning, sharing personal stories and insights from their experiences. They explore the importance of teamwork, communication, and adaptability in ensuring a successful wedding day, while also reflecting on the evolution of wedding planning and the impact of family dynamics. The conversation highlights the significance of building personal connections with clients and navigating cultural differences in the wedding industry.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Wedding Planning Podcast02:43 Wedding Wins and Personal Stories06:00 The Evolution of Family Dynamics in Weddings10:41 Navigating Wedding Planning Challenges15:28 Vendor Relationships and Communication19:52 Cultural Differences in Wedding Planning24:48 Teamwork and Collaboration on Wedding Day29:45 Conclusion and Future Plans30:33 Navigating Wedding Day Chaos34:26 The Importance of Coordination38:36 Thriving Under Pressure42:05 The Role of a Photographer45:48 Building Client Relationships52:10 Reflections on the Wedding SeasonKeywordswedding planning, wedding wins, family dynamics, teamwork, communication, wedding challenges, cultural differences, personal connections, wedding success, podcastTakeawaysExpect the unexpected in wedding planning.Navigating family dynamics is crucial for a successful wedding.Time heals all wounds, even in family relationships.Teamwork is essential for a smooth wedding day.Communication is key to managing wedding day chaos.Cultural differences can impact wedding planning dynamics.Personal connections with clients enhance the wedding experience.Planning for contingencies is vital in wedding coordination.The importance of being adaptable on the wedding day.Reflecting on past experiences can lead to future successes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.In this 2 Be Better Podcast deep dive, Chris and Peaches break down shadow work in plain English and show you how to use it without burning your life down. You will learn what the “shadow” actually is, why it is not evil, and how it shows up as overreactions, people pleasing, perfectionism, jealousy, shutdown, and that harsh inner critic that never shuts up. They walk you through the three layer model of trigger, meaning, and action urge, how your nervous system sets the ceiling for your insight, and why naming your parts, your stories, and your body sensations gives you your power back. You will also hear how shadow work ties directly into intimacy, why unspoken wounds get blamed on your partner, and how to start telling the truth about your reactions without turning it into self attack or character assassination. From there, they move into ten step by step shadow work exercises you can do alone or as a couple, including “the story I tell myself,” family echoes from your childhood home, trigger maps and care plans, resentment to request, ritual release, values to behaviors, and future memory scenes that help you manifest different outcomes instead of repeating the same fight in new outfits. You will get concrete scripts for naming your parts, asking for space without stonewalling, coming back with one clear request, using check ins, repair rehearsal, and parts dialogue so you can stop living in survival mode and start living as your real self. If you are looking for shadow work for couples, nervous system regulation, marriage communication tools, Jungian shadow work, or practical spiritual growth that you can use in real relationships, this episode gives you a full framework plus a free downloadable PDF of the exercises on the 2BeBetter.com resources tab so you can follow along and actually do the workBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Harmony in Snowflakes: A Festival of Communication & Talent Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-12-26-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 漫天的雪花飘落，校园的操场被白雪覆盖，远处红色的灯笼暗示着即将到来的春节。En: Snowflakes are falling all over, covering the school sports field in white, while the red lanterns in the distance hint at the imminent arrival of Spring Festival.Zh: 这里是学校的年末庆典准备现场，En: This is the preparation site for the school's year-end celebration.Zh: 空气中弥漫着寒冷的气息，但同学们的热情却让这里充满活力。En: The air is filled with a chill, but the enthusiasm of the students makes this place vibrant.Zh: 梁站在操场中央，眼神坚定地指挥着。En: Liang stands at the center of the field, directing with a determined gaze.Zh: 作为一个认真负责的学生，他主动承担起节日组织的任务，他希望这个节日能让每位同学都参与其中。En: As a diligent and responsible student, he voluntarily took on the task of organizing the festival, hoping that this event could involve every student.Zh: 梅是梁最好的朋友，她站在梁的身旁，对他的每一个决定都表示支持。En: Mei is Liang's best friend, standing by his side, supporting his every decision.Zh: 心里，她多么希望也能在台上表演，但怕被拒绝，她一直没敢说出口。En: In her heart, she wishes she could perform on stage, but afraid of rejection, she has never dared to express it.Zh: 贾是舞台上的主角，她自信满满，但对梁的某些计划并不认同，总是提出不同的意见。En: Jia is the star on the stage, full of confidence, yet she disagrees with some of Liang's plans, often offering different opinions.Zh: 一天，梁、梅和贾聚集在一起，商讨节目的细节。En: One day, Liang, Mei, and Jia gathered together to discuss the details of the program.Zh: 贾皱着眉，“梁，我们的节目太普通了，应该要更有新意！”En: "Liang, our program is too ordinary; it should be more innovative!"Zh: 梁思考着贾的话，心里有些迟疑。En: Liang considered Jia's words, feeling a bit hesitant.Zh: 他希望每个人都能开心参与，但也担心太过于激烈的变化会导致失控。En: He wants everyone to happily participate but is concerned that too much change might lead to chaos.Zh: 梅温柔地在旁边建议，“或许，我们可以考虑让更多同学表演不同的才艺。”En: Mei gently suggested from the side, "Perhaps we could consider letting more students showcase different talents."Zh: 然而，争论越来越激烈，梁终于忍不住，认真说道，“贾，再这样下去，我们该怎么办？梅，你有自己的想法吗？”En: However, as the arguments intensified, Liang finally couldn't hold back and seriously said, "Jia, if this continues, what should we do? Mei, do you have any ideas?"Zh: 此时，梅首次鼓起勇气说道，“其实，我一直很想上台表演。”En: It was at this point that Mei summoned the courage to say, "Actually, I've always wanted to perform on stage."Zh: 梁看着梅，意识到问题的根源是大家都没能畅所欲言。En: Liang looked at Mei, realizing that the root of the problem was that no one had been able to speak their minds freely.Zh: 他提议，“我们每个人都说出自己想法，然后找到一个大家都满意的方案。”En: He suggested, "Let's each share our ideas, then find a solution everyone is satisfied with."Zh: 经过一番坦诚的交流，梁提议每一个想要登台表演的同学都能展示他们的才华，同时也采纳了贾的一些创新想法。En: After some heartfelt communication, Liang proposed that any student who wished to perform could showcase their talents, while also incorporating some of Jia's creative ideas.Zh: 这样，节目的安排既有新意，又增加了参与感。En: This way, the program's arrangement would be innovative and increase the sense of participation.Zh: 最后，庆典当天，雪继续静静地落下，操场上的灯笼愈加明亮夺目。En: Finally, on the day of the celebration, the snow continued to fall quietly, and the lanterns on the field shone even more brightly.Zh: 同学们在雪地中尽情表演，欢声笑语在整个校园回荡。En: Students performed freely in the snow, and laughter echoed throughout the campus.Zh: 梁微笑着看着梅在舞台上自信地唱歌，贾则担任总主持，她的笑声融入在空气中。En: Liang smiled as he watched Mei sing confidently on stage, while Jia took on the role of the main host, her laughter blending into the air.Zh: 通过这次活动，梁明白了沟通与合作的重要性。En: Through this event, Liang learned the importance of communication and collaboration.Zh: 他学会了倾听，明白只有大家同心协力，才能办好一场盛大、快乐的庆典。En: He learned to listen, understanding that only by working together can a grand and joyful celebration be held.Zh: 这次的经历，成为他记忆中永恒而美好的冬日回忆。En: This experience became an everlasting and beautiful winter memory for him. Vocabulary Words:snowflakes: 雪花covering: 覆盖lanterns: 灯笼imminent: 即将到来的celebration: 庆典chill: 寒冷enthusiasm: 热情vibrant: 充满活力determined: 坚定diligent: 认真responsible: 负责voluntarily: 主动rejection: 拒绝confident: 自信frowned: 皱眉hesitant: 迟疑chaos: 失控gentle: 温柔arguments: 争论intensified: 激烈summoned: 鼓起communication: 沟通collaboration: 合作incorporating: 采纳showcase: 展示innovative: 新意heartfelt: 坦诚participation: 参与confidence: 自信everlasting: 永恒

We finish off our holiday week with the final of three episodes dealing with the concept of "Giving." This holiday time of year is the time when we focus on giving more than at any other time of year, so it's a perfect week for us to hear some quotes on giving. Today, you will hear 6 more quotes that deal with giving.I am grateful to all of you who support the podcast! I do this show because of you. While I enjoy the quotes myself, I do this podcast because many of you who are looking for inspiration and impact from these quotes come back and listen to it on a consistent basis. Thanks to all of you for being a huge part of this journey! In order to help me keep this journey going, please consider becoming a supporter of the show. You can donate to the show by clicking on the link below. Support the showFor more information to help you on your road to becoming your best, check us out at SlamDunkSuccess.com or email me at scott@slamdunksuccess.com.Our new background music, starting with Episode 300, is "Pulse of Time - Corporate Rock" by TunePocket. Our background music for the first 5 years of the podcast was "Dance in the Sun" by Krisztian Vass.

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Kumbh Chronicles: Feast of Trust in the Heart of Pilgrims Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2025-12-26-08-38-20-hi Story Transcript:Hi: कुम्भ मेले की धूम-धाम चारों ओर फैली हुई थी।En: The hustle and bustle of the Kumbh fair had spread all around.Hi: तंबुओं की कतारों के बीच से होकर तीर्थयात्री आवाजाही कर रहे थे।En: Pilgrims were moving to and fro through the rows of tents.Hi: चारों तरफ मंत्रों की गूंज और धूप की सुगंध वातावरण में समाई हुई थी।En: The echo of prayers and the fragrance of incense filled the atmosphere.Hi: हर कोई इस महोत्सव का हिस्सा बनकर प्रफुल्लित हो रहा था।En: Everyone was delighted to be part of this grand festival.Hi: इसी मेले के केंद्र में, एक विशेष आयोजन की तैयारी चल रही थी - एक सामुदायिक भोज।En: At the center of this fair, preparations for a special event were underway - a community feast.Hi: विरें बहुत ही मेहनती और जिम्मेदार इंसान था।En: Virendra was a very hardworking and responsible person.Hi: वह इस भोज का आयोजन कर रहा था।En: He was organizing this feast.Hi: उसकी एक ही चाहत थी, कि सब कुछ सुचारू रूप से चले और हर तीर्थयात्री को भोजन मिले।En: His only desire was for everything to run smoothly and for every pilgrim to receive food.Hi: उसके बगल में मीरा थी, एक समर्पित स्वयंसेवक।En: Beside him was Meera, a dedicated volunteer.Hi: उसका काम लोगों में सहयोग और समझ को बढ़ाना था।En: Her job was to foster cooperation and understanding among the people.Hi: वहीं तुझ, एक कुशल रसोइया, अपने व्यंजन कौशल को दिखाने के लिए उत्सुक था।En: Nearby was Tush, a skilled cook, eager to showcase his culinary skills.Hi: "हर काम को समय पर करना है," विरें ने कहा।En: "Everything has to be done on time," Virendra said.Hi: उसकी आवाज़ में चिंता साफ झलक रही थी।En: The concern was evident in his voice.Hi: "हमारे पास हजारों लोग होंगे।En: "We will have thousands of people.Hi: सब कुछ ठीक से होना चाहिए।En: Everything must be perfect."Hi: "मेरे मुस्कान के साथ बोली, "हम सभी मिलकर काम करेंगे, तो सब कुछ ठीक होगा।En: Meera replied with a smile, "If we all work together, everything will be fine."Hi: "तुझ ने अपने रसोईघर में झाड़ू लगाते हुए कहा, "मैं हर किसी के लिए लज़ीज़ भोजन तैयार करूंगा।En: Tush, sweeping his kitchen, said, "I will prepare delicious food for everyone."Hi: "लेकिन समस्या यह थी कि तीर्थयात्रियों की संख्या लगातार बढ़ रही थी।En: But the problem was that the number of pilgrims was continuously increasing.Hi: भोजन और समय की व्यवस्था करना कठिन होता जा रहा था।En: Managing the food and schedule was becoming more challenging.Hi: तभी, मेंले में घटनाएँ अचानक से घबराहट में बदल गईं।En: Suddenly, the calm of the fair turned into anxiety.Hi: भीड़ अचानक नौबत पर आने लगी।En: The crowd started overwhelming the situation.Hi: विरें बहुत तनाव में आ गया।En: Virendra became very tense.Hi: उसने सोचा, "अब हमें दूसरों की मदद लेनी होगी।En: He thought, "Now we will need help from others."Hi: " उसने अपनी सोच बदली और आसपास के तत्पर स्वयंसेवकों की मदद स्वीकार कर ली।En: He changed his mindset and accepted help from the ready volunteers around.Hi: जल्द ही, मीरा और तुझ ने तीव्रता से काम करना शुरू कर दिया।En: Soon, Meera and Tush began working with urgency.Hi: मीरा ने समूहों को व्यवस्थित किया और सभी को दिशा-निर्देश दिए।En: Meera organized groups and gave directions to everyone.Hi: तुझ ने अपनी रसोई के पेशेवर तरीके से भोजन तैयार करने के लिए अतिरिक्त हाथों की मदद ली।En: Tush took the help of extra hands to prepare the meals professionally.Hi: तमाम चुनौतियों के बावजूद, प्रत्येक व्यक्ति ने एकजुट होकर स्थिति को संभाल लिया।En: Despite all challenges, everyone came together to handle the situation.Hi: तीर्थयात्रियों का दिल से स्वागत हुआ, और सभी को प्रेमपूर्वक भोजन परोसा गया।En: The pilgrims were welcomed wholeheartedly, and everyone was served food with love.Hi: अंततः, सफलता का श्रेय सभी को मिलता है।En: Ultimately, the credit for the success went to everyone.Hi: विरें ने सीखा कि दूसरों पर विश्वास करना और टीमवर्क क्या मायने रखता है।En: Virendra learned what it means to trust others and the importance of teamwork.Hi: यह सामुदायिक भोज वास्तव में हर एक के लिए अद्वितीय अनुभव रहा।En: This community feast was truly a unique experience for everyone.Hi: सबके चेहरे मुस्कुराहट में थे, जब विरें ने संतोष की सांस ली।En: Everyone's faces were lit with smiles as Virendra sighed with relief.Hi: कुम्भ के इस नज़ारे में, आयोजन की सफलता ने सबके दिलों को खुशी से भर दिया था।En: Amidst the scenic view of the Kumbh, the success of the event filled everyone's hearts with joy.Hi: और यहीं, उनके दिलों में एक नई शुरुआत और विश्वास का दीपक जल उठा।En: And there, in their hearts, a new beginning and a lamp of trust was lit. Vocabulary Words:hustle and bustle: धूम-धामpilgrims: तीर्थयात्रीtents: तंबुओंfragrance: सुगंधunderway: चल रही थीdedicated: समर्पितvolunteer: स्वयंसेवकfoster: बढ़ानाcooperation: सहयोगculinary: व्यंजनconcern: चिंताevident: स्पष्टurgency: तीव्रताoverwhelming: नौबत पर आने लगीtense: तनावmindset: सोचaccept: स्वीकार करनाdirections: दिशा-निर्देशprofessionally: पेशेवर तरीके सेwholeheartedly: दिल सेultimately: अंततःtrust: विश्वासcommunity: सामुदायिकfeast: भोजunique: अद्वितीयsatisfaction: संतोषscenic: नज़ारेjoy: खुशीlamp: दीपकbeginning: शुरुआत

In this episode, we break down the second Hermetic Principle, Correspondence, and translate “as above, so below, as within, so without” into real life, practical language. You'll learn how your inner standards, beliefs, and nervous system show up in your habits, your communication, your boundaries, and your results, and why the same “fractal” patterns repeat across marriage, masculinity, parenting, discipline, finances, and self respect. This isn't mysticism for the sake of sounding deep, it's a clear lens for spotting the hidden structure beneath your daily choices, then making small corrections that compound.You can expect direct examples that hit home, like how “the straw that broke the camel's back” is never about the straw, it's about the load you ignored for too long, and why conflict is usually about trust, safety, respect, appreciation, power, and fear of abandonment, not the trash, tone, sex, budget, or in laws. The episode also gives you a simple framework to “upgrade the pattern” by naming the cycle without blame, identifying the belief driving it, and repeating the correction until it becomes your new default, plus a real talk segment on why change is hard, how familiar pain protects identity, and how self respect becomes the fuel for transformation.Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

Join DFS Army's Kevin "Geek" Alan as he looks at the best 2026 NFL Playoff Best Ball Strategies on DraftKings. Get ahead of the competition with insightful matchup analysis. Whether you're a seasoned DFS veteran or a beginner looking to make a splash, we've got you covered. Discover value picks and star players that will help you create a powerful lineup to dominate your contests. Save 20% off any DFS Army Membership with code SANTA25 through Friday 12/26/25!  → https://www.dfsarmy.com/pricing

I recorded this for our Patreon. I have received a lot of positive feed back on this. So I am sharing it publicly. I hope you enjoy it. In this podcast, you'll learn the first Hermetic Principle, Mentalism, and how your mind shapes your lived reality through the meanings you assign, the attention you rehearse, and the actions you take. Chris breaks down how “raw data becomes a story, the story creates emotion, emotion pressures action, and action creates consequences,” then ties it directly to Adlerian psychology, mindset training, and practical personal responsibility. If you're into Hermetic Principles, manifestation with backbone, mental discipline, and self mastery that actually changes behavior, this episode gives you a clear framework to stop confusing interpretation with reality and start steering outcomes on purpose.You can expect concrete tools you can use immediately in relationships, work, and daily life, including widening the gap between stimulus and response, generating three plausible meanings before you react, and running an “attention audit” so you stop feeding resentment loops, doomscrolling, and negative self talk. Chris also shares a relationship repair line that turns accusation into curiosity, plus a simple morning and night practice to train your mental filter and build evidence based confidence. This is for anyone who wants stronger emotional regulation, cleaner communication, better relationships, and a spiritual lens that stays grounded in standards, values, and real world results.Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

In this Voice of the Broken episode, Chris reads and responds to three raw listener emails that hit the real pressure points men carry, marriage separation and reconciliation, stepfamily tension, co-parenting boundaries, and the mental load of trying to lead your home while life keeps swinging. You'll hear a Patreon member share how writing his story, prioritizing quality time with his wife, and stepping up at work helped turn a failing marriage around, plus Chris's blunt coaching on staying present, dropping the future panic, and handling an ex with clear, firm boundaries. The episode also dives into a 39-year-old man's relationship history, porn addiction recovery, trust issues, and the desire to start a family later in life, with practical advice on values alignment, dating with intention, and why journaling is a non-negotiable tool for self-leadership. Finally, a 21-year-old Army reservist and mechanic shares a heavy upbringing marked by addiction, instability, and betrayal, and Chris breaks down how to protect your mental health, build real community, set boundaries with a toxic parent, and create friendships that match your standards, especially when you feel lonely and misunderstood.Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

Send us a textThank you, Sabina Nawaz, for helping me find today's guest to finish up Season 6 on the Quarterback DadCast!So, what if the best leadership training happens at your dinner table? We sit down with Dane Groeneveld—dad of four, CEO of LEAD3R, and host of The Future of Teamwork—to explore how raising kids, facing anxiety head‑on, and choosing curiosity over control can transform both families and companies. From eight schools across Australian mining towns to a newborn and teens under one roof, Dane shares the practices that keep his home grounded and his teams energized.We dig into the messy middle: choosing therapy when a high‑achieving teen hits an anxious wall, stepping away from rugby to protect mental health, and having brave conversations about consent and sex without panic or shame. You'll hear why the “car ride home” is the most dangerous coaching moment, how IFS “parts” language reduces shame and opens learning, and why stoic patience beats heat‑of‑the‑moment reactions. Expect tangible tools: the “I love watching you play” reset, TED questions that unlock specifics, and permission‑based coaching that turns advice into collaboration.On the work front, Dane goes on offense against the myth of high performance at all costs. He lays out a model for healthy teams that still deliver results but no longer leave human wreckage behind. The three values guiding both his home and company—be human‑centered, be pioneering, and share in success—show up in simple, repeatable moves: assume positive intent, learn by building, and spread the win. We also trade stories about body language meltdowns on the golf course, 2 a.m. puppy chaos, and the quiet power of leaders who remove fear and instill confidence.If you're a parent, coach, or manager who wants stronger relationships and better outcomes without the burnout, this conversation is your playbook. Listen, share with a friend who needs a reframe on performance and parenting, and leave a quick review so more dads and leaders can find the show.Support the showPlease don't forget to leave us a review wherever you consume your podcasts! Please help us get more dads to listen weekly and become the ultimate leader of their homes!

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Scott Sypniewskie, co-owner of SSLC Plumbing, to discuss leadership, redemption, and the journey from adversity to success. Scott shares his deeply personal story of overcoming challenges, building a thriving business with his wife, and the importance of leading by example. Listeners will gain insights into the philosophies and practices that have shaped Scott’s life and company, emphasizing the ethos of actions over words. Episode Highlights: The 80/80 Rule and Company Culture (4:30)Scott explains the evolution of SSLC’s mission, focusing on building relationships and making decisions that prioritize both customers and employees. Personal Redemption and Family Support (10:50)Scott recounts his struggles with addiction, the turning point in his life, and the unwavering support of his wife, Kathleen, which became the foundation for his transformation. Extreme Ownership and Leadership Development (13:50)The impact of attending leadership events, embracing the principles of extreme ownership, and fostering a culture of continuous growth within SSLC. The Power of Reframing and Giving Space (48:30)Scott and Marcus discuss the importance of reframing adversity, creating space for others to grow, and the ripple effect of authentic leadership on teams and families. Scott Sypniewskie is the co-owner of SSLC Plumbing in Colorado. After overcoming personal struggles, he has dedicated himself to building a business rooted in strong relationships, leadership, and the success of others. Scott is known for his humility, commitment to personal growth, and his ability to inspire those around him to lead by example. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DFS Army Pros Bob, BobbyWow, Burns, and Geek take a look at the NFL Week 17 Christmas Day DFS Slate to attack large field GPPs for DraftKings Daily Fantasy Football. Win your NFL contests this week with these expert tactics! Get ahead of the competition with insightful matchup analysis. Whether you're a seasoned DFS veteran or a beginner looking to make a splash, we've got you covered. Discover value picks and star players that will help you create a powerful lineup to dominate your contests. Save 20% off any DFS Army Membership with code SANTA25 through Friday 12/26/25!  → https://www.dfsarmy.com/pricing

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Tasha Gardner, VP-Finance & CFO, in the Flywheel Studio to wrap up the year with a simple message: Merry Christmas! They reflect on a strong finish to 2025, including board support for the ESOP, welcoming the former E.L. Vining team as Sargent's Western Maine region, and continued growth in people and work, then look ahead to 2026 with the largest backlog in company history and big momentum heading into Sargent's 100th anniversary year. The episode closes with a safety reminder, a couple of shout-outs from the field, and a genuine thank-you to employee-owners for the work that made the year possible. 12/OC – 100th Anniversary Party Band:https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BeyU5SW5d9NiTlzsG2LrUIf you liked this week's episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to:sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode, Farkaliya Fool Ma Dhaqdo highlights the power of unity and cooperation. Through real-life situations and relatable characters, the story shows that no one succeeds alone. Just as one finger cannot wash a face, progress, healing, and success come when people support one another, put aside ego, and work together for a common goal. The episode delivers a strong lesson on community, teamwork, and mutual responsibility.

Happy Holidays!We continue our holiday episodes with the second of three episodes this week, dealing with the concept of "Giving." This holiday time of year is the time when we focus on giving more than at any other time of year, so it's a perfect week for us to hear some quotes on giving. Today, you will hear 6 quotes that deal with giving.I am grateful to all of you who support the podcast! I do this show because of you. While I enjoy the quotes myself, I do this podcast because many of you who are looking for inspiration and impact from these quotes come back and listen to it on a consistent basis. Thanks to all of you for being a huge part of this journey! In order to help me keep this journey going, please consider becoming a supporter of the show. You can donate to the show by clicking on the link below. Support the showFor more information to help you on your road to becoming your best, check us out at SlamDunkSuccess.com or email me at scott@slamdunksuccess.com.Our new background music, starting with Episode 300, is "Pulse of Time - Corporate Rock" by TunePocket. Our background music for the first 5 years of the podcast was "Dance in the Sun" by Krisztian Vass.

In this Voice of the Broken episode on the 2 Be Better Podcast, Chris Burkett reads a powerful listener update about healing the father wound, surviving childhood abuse, and breaking generational cycles. You'll hear a raw story of parental alienation, self worth collapsing under lies, then a decade later, reconnection, forgiveness, grief, and the moment every boy craves, “I'm proud of you.” Chris weaves in his own experience, why psychological warfare hits different than bruises, and why civil co parenting matters if you don't want to quietly sabotage your child's identity, confidence, and future relationships. Expect real talk on how men rebuild themselves when they've been trained to believe they aren't enough, plus practical tools that actually move the needle, journaling, community, honest accountability, and learning to give grief a place to go instead of letting it rot into anger. The episode also touches on the role of plant medicine experiences for perspective shifts, why being a stepdad can be deeply meaningful, and how to stop begging for love by becoming a man who can carry it, receive it, and aim it with intention. If you're dealing with toxic parents, estranged family, divorce fallout, depression, shame, or you're trying to become the one who ends the cycle for your kids, this one will land. Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

What if your next tech breakthrough isn't about the tools—but the humans using them? In this episode, visionary entrepreneur Graham Skidmore joins Teamwork: A Better Way to share why investing in people—not just platforms—is the key to high-performing teams. Drawing on his Purpose & Outcome framework and deep experience in systems redesign, Graham reveals how communication, alignment, and knowledge transfer are the real drivers of success in today's complex workplace. Whether you're leading change or building capacity, this conversation will shift how you think about performance, productivity, and purpose.Transcript: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f07a66cf/transcript.txthttps://getengen.com/

As we close out another year, The Water Table looks back on the conversations that shaped 2025. In this special "2025 Wrapped" episode, we've curated highlights from our most impactful discussions—from Ducks Unlimited to the high-tech future of drainage modeling.Host Jamie Duininck and guest host Trey Allis revisit stories of multi-generational family businesses, the critical role of recycled plastics in pipe manufacturing, and the evolving mindset around water as a resource to be managed rather than a problem to be solved. Whether discussing the effects of tariffs on agriculture or the rigorous licensing of contractors in Ontario, this year has been a testament to the growth and professionalism of our industry.Join us for this retrospective as we celebrate another year in Ag water management.Chapters:00:00 - Welcome to 2025 Wrapped00:14 - John Schwartz: Vision and Teamwork in the Swine Industry01:19 - Samantha Ewald: Wetlands as the Kidneys of the Earth03:03 - Jamie Duininck: The Minnesota State Fair Experience03:50 - Lauren Lewandowski Hamer: Recycling and Local Manufacturing in Minnesota04:32 - Jamie Duininck: The Backbone of the Drainage Industry04:50 - Tim & Pattie Krengel: Multi-Generational Legacies06:01 - Toban Dyck: Agriculture Across the Great Plains07:41 - Chad Klotzbach: Managing Water Quality and Quantity08:43 - Jamie Duininck: The First Ever Water Table Live10:59 - Mel Luymes: Legislation and Licensing in Ontario12:24 - Karl Guetter: Insights on the 2024 and 2025 Seasons13:14 - Chuck Brandel: LiDAR Drones and Cost-Effective ModelingEpisodes Featured in 2025 Wrapped:118: Accidental Advocate for the Drainage Industry119: Revolutionizing Drainage: Improving Infrastructure with Technology121: Navigating the Challenges & Opportunities of Being a Farmer122: Drainage in Ontario: Balancing Agriculture & the Environment.123: Drainage Contractors' Questions Answered - Live!124: Who Pays? The Impact of Tariffs on U.S. and Canadian Ag126: From the Ground Up: A Legacy of Breaking Barriers & Land Stewardship131: Schwartz Farms: A Business Built On Shared Purpose & Embracing Change132: Ducks Unlimited: Balancing Wetland Conservation & Agricultural Production135: A Fair Deal: Recycling & Giving Plastics New LifeFind us on social media!Facebook Twitter InstagramListen on these podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube MusicYouTubeVisit our website to explore more episodes & water management education.

How often do you genuinely listen—picking up not just on what's said, but on what's left unsaid? For many teams, listening is overlooked, even though it shapes how people connect, lead, and adapt to change.In this episode of The Future of Teamwork, Dane Groeneveld speaks with Oscar Trimboli, author of How to Listen and Head of Coaching Faculty at the Marketing Academy. Together, they explore the five levels of listening and how they influence leadership, communication, and organizational alignment—especially in moments of transition.Whether you're guiding a team through change or looking to improve the quality of everyday conversations, this episode offers a practical lens on what it means to really listen.

Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.In this episode we read a raw, vulnerable email from a long-time community member whose 14 year marriage has been rocked by emotional cheating, digital infidelity and self-sabotage on both sides. We break down her story of online flirting, texting clients, TikTok DMs, sending “innocent” selfies to other men, performance issues in the bedroom, hormone struggles, deep insecurity, mom burnout, and a husband who now considers them separated. You'll hear us call out rationalizations like “it was just a selfie,” “nothing sexual,” “we were separated in my head,” and “I don't know why I did it,” and dig into the truth about attention-seeking online, fantasy relationships, and how selfies, DMs, and secret conversations become emotional affairs that destroy trust, respect, and intimacy.We walk you through what accountability actually looks like after betrayal, how to stop blame shifting to “internal demons” and past trauma, how to apologize without justifying, and how to rebuild or walk away when digital cheating and emotional affairs have already crossed the line. We talk monogamy, open-phone policies, boundaries with the opposite sex, no-private-DM rules, parasocial relationships, stay-at-home mom resentment, the self-imposed prison of housework, and why your marriage will always mirror the effort you give it. If you're dealing with emotional cheating, online flirting, TikTok and Instagram DMs, low self-worth, or a partner who says you're “separated,” this marriage advice conversation will give you brutal honesty, practical language, and a clear standard for what real change and healing in a relationship actually require.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

In this episode, we spotlight a conservation partnership between the Cincinnati Zoo and the Ohio Division of Wildlife to rescue and rehome native box turtles found in a demolition site. Learn how these turtles are being cared for—and why protecting local species matters.

Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast! In this special episode, Dr. Sarah Smith joins forces with Dr. Priyanka Venugopal from the Unstoppable Mom Brain Podcast for a deeply insightful conversation all about reclaiming time and creating more sustainable clinical practices. Together, they dive into the real-life struggles physicians face when it comes to finishing work at work—and not letting charting and paperwork spill into precious family time. Dr. Smith shares her own journey of burnout, the “aha” moments that changed her approach forever, and the practical strategies that helped her—and now hundreds of other clinicians—conquer endless documentation and interruptions. This episode is packed with actionable gems, from simple mindset shifts to rethinking workflow, delegation, and team dynamics. Whether you're a physician, a professional working mom, or anyone craving more balance between career and home, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what's possible. Tune in for tangible tips, relatable stories, and a whole lot of encouragement to create those “bucket loads of time” you've been searching for. Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode: Redesign Your Workflow—One Small Step at a Time: Challenging your status quo doesn't require a massive overhaul overnight. Dr. Smith emphasizes starting with one thing you wish were different, then getting curious about how to make that change—whether it's charting as you go or setting clearer boundaries for finishing tasks before heading home. Choose the 'Goat Track' over the 'Superhighway': Our brains crave familiar (often inefficient) routines. Breaking those habits will feel awkward and slower at first, but staying consistent creates more “bucket loads of time”—those open evenings and weekends we all crave. Teamwork and Delegation Create Freedom: Whether you have a team or work solo, look for ways to delegate, systematize, and create assets that make recurring tasks easier. Training others (or even your future self!) means you spend your best energy on what truly requires your expertise. Episode 102: Burn Stress. Lose Weight. Podcast (Formerly the Unstoppable Mom Brain Podcast) https://www.burnstressloseweight.com/blog/getting-work-done-at-work-with-dr-sarah-smith In this episode of the Unstoppable Mom Brain Podcast, I have Dr. Sarah Smith sharing her journey from being a rural family physician to becoming an expert in optimizing work-life balance for physicians, particularly focusing on completing tasks efficiently during clinical hours. Dr. Smith's transformation from struggling with work-life balance to finding simplicity and joy in her professional and personal life is inspiring. Through her coaching, she helps physicians reclaim their time, reduce stress, and prioritize their well-being while excelling in their careers. Tune in to this episode to unlock valuable insights and actionable strategies that will empower you to achieve greater balance, joy, and success in your professional and personal life. Sarah Smith is the Charting Coach for Physicians and clinicians and a practicing Rural Family Physician in Alberta. Sarah is the founder of the Charting Champions Program helping more than 150 Physicians in the specific area of getting home with their charting done. She has a passion for reducing burnout and overwhelm resulting from the administrative burden of clinical medicine. Using evidence-based coaching to help Physicians find their most simple solutions within the clinical environments that they work in. Sarah is married to her husband of 21 years and has two sons and lives on her small farm. Evenings and weekends are for enjoying pursuits such as farming, exploring, reading and coaching. -------------- Would you like to view a transcript of this episode? Click here **** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine. Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca **** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don't forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released. **** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life. **** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at admin@reachcareercoaching.ca. I would love to hear from you.

ABOUT THE EPISODEMike Schall, Head Women's Volleyball Coach at the University of North Carolina, joins Luke Gromer to discuss how coaches can coach and lead well while maintaining their own well-being and personal boundaries.—RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPSThe Cutting Edge Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.If you're interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors, fill out the form below.Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—FREE PODCAST NOTES & COACHES COMMUNITYClick the link below to download the show notes from every episode of the podcast!

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Max discuss the evolving landscape of modern combat injuries, focusing on neck and upper chest injuries. They delve into the anatomy of the neck, the importance of understanding different zones for surgical intervention, and effective hemorrhage control techniques. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of teamwork in trauma care and the necessity of airway management in emergency situations. A case study of a traumatic incident illustrates the practical application of these concepts in real-world scenarios.Link to Video Kentucky Ballistics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1449kJKxlMQ&t=983sTakeawaysModern combat injuries have evolved, necessitating updated medical responses.Neck and upper chest injuries present unique challenges in trauma care.Understanding the anatomy of the neck is crucial for effective treatment.Zone classification helps determine surgical approaches to neck injuries.Upper extremity junctional injuries are particularly difficult to manage.Effective hemorrhage control requires teamwork and quick decision-making.Airway management is critical in trauma situations, especially with neck injuries.Hands-on techniques, such as packing and suturing, are essential skills for medics.Training and preparation are key to successful trauma interventions.Real-world case studies highlight the importance of timely medical responses.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Modern Combat Injuries02:43 Understanding Neck and Upper Chest Injuries05:38 Anatomy of the Neck: Zones and Surgical Considerations09:50 Upper Extremity Junctional Injuries15:36 Management of Hemorrhage in Neck Injuries21:37 Airway Management in Trauma26:24 Effective Hemorrhage Control Techniques30:35 The Importance of Teamwork in Trauma Care36:22 Surgical Interventions and Techniques42:25 Case Study: Kentucky Ballistics Incident48:27 Conclusion and Key TakeawaysFor more content, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prolongedfieldcare.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Consider supporting us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care

Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.In this 2 Be Better Podcast deep dive, Chris and Peaches break down what the Divine Feminine and Sacred Masculine actually are, and why they are about energy and polarity, not just gender or body parts. They walk through a full framework of feminine energy as intuition, nurture, receptivity, beauty, empathy, and creative flow, and contrast it with the shadow side of chaotic emotions, manipulation, people pleasing, lack of boundaries, and losing yourself in others' needs. You will hear them connect Divine Feminine energy to Mother Earth, discernment, nervous system regulation, and learning to see emotions as sacred messengers instead of weakness, while also calling out toxic feminine traits and how they show up in gossip, drama, and constant validation seeking. From there they unpack Sacred Masculine energy as presence, integrity, direction, discipline, protection, courage, and stability, and then expose its shadow side of rigidity, control, domination, emotional distance, and achievement over presence. They show how Divine Feminine and Sacred Masculine work together in real relationships and marriages, including lesbian and gay couples, and explain why polarity, safety, trust, and leadership matter more than trendy “gender role” arguments. You will get practical ideas for getting into your feminine energy with creativity, dance, art, self care, boundaries, journaling, and breathwork, and stepping into sacred masculine with physical health, stretching, mental discipline, purpose, and actually using the knowledge you have. If you are searching for divine feminine healing, masculine energy in relationships, polarity in marriage, conscious partnership, shadow work, or spiritual growth in love, this episode gives you a complete blueprint, not just vague internet quotes.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.