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Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka is able to make the most difficult life experiences seem funny. In her latest stand-up special, Father, she takes a look at her complex childhood growing up undocumented in the U.S. (she was technically kidnapped by her own grandma, though she doesn't see it that way). Last July, Atsuko joined guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about turning those early experiences into comedy, and how she dives into her past with empathy and humour.

watch the video below: listen to the podcast below: It's time to close out yet another year of the Dandy Fun House. While all those “other shows” are slacking off and giving you retrospectives of everything they've already done in the past year, it is instead our tradition here at the Dandy Fun House to leave the past exactly there… in the past and instead look ahead to the brand spankin' new year coming at us like Frehley's Comet and take a glimpse at the coolest stuff we've been able to find that's waiting for us in 2026! We're going to look at theme parks, movies, pinball and of course the TOTY AWARD NOMINATION picks for the upcoming 2026 Toy of the Year Awards! Are you ready to get your kicks in 26? Then LET'S step into the FUN HOUSE! Hello and welcome to the Dandy Fun House 2025 year-end extravaganza where we wear the hats and blow our hooters about the very best in retro pop culture, toys and games and all the fun stuff! I’m your host Neil Dandy and in this episode we're going to look ahead at WHAT’S HOT ON THE HORIZON FOR 2026 in the worlds of theme parks, movies, pinball and my personal picks for the 2026 TOTY AWARDS (Toy of the Year). BUT FIRST! I have to show you these amazing DANDY FUN HOUSE T-Shirts before time runs out! Perfect for swaddling the baby new year, They have a front and a back so you don’t get cold and we even cut 4 holes in them! One to crawl your body into, one to stick your head out of and two to poke your arms through! Find them in the Dandy Fun Shop at the Dandy Fun House website at dandyfunhouse.com before the Dandy Ball Drops! Alrighty, hold on tighty and let’s get right into what's hot on the horizon for 2026 starting with… THEME PARKS! And up first is going to be UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, HOLLYWOOD (which isn't actually in Hollywood, it's in Studio City kind of like the LA Angels baseball team is actually in Anaheim and how they call the Embassy Suites here in Murfreesboro, Tennessee “Nashville South” which we absolutely are not. But anyway that's a rabbit hole rant for another day.) Anyway, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS in the greater Los Angeles, California area is breaking ground on a new roller coaster where each individual car experiences its very own 360 degrees of rotation. The coaster is called FAST AND FURIOUS HOLLYWOOD DRIFT themed after the Fast and Furious movies obviously. This one is expected to peel out in 2026! And Legoland California is busy building the Lego Galaxy space-themed land including an indoor roller coaster. Over at Kings Island in Ohio they're opening what they are calling a new “dark ride” in 2026 called “PHANTOM THEATER: Opening Nightmare.” It's in the location that has most recently held an attraction called Boo Blasters but is apparently the site of a previous attraction also called PHANTOM THEATER and this is apparently the return of that attraction with some various upgrades. I went to the Kings Island website to get more information and there's just a teaser video showing two girls walking into Boo Blasters and ending up in the Phantom Theater which appears to be a very loose sendup on the Phantom of the Opera. The cartoon phantom character they show in the teaser graphic is obviously based on the classic Lon Chaney silent film character, and visitors ride inside cars that resemble opera boxes. So… yeah. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (my neck of the woods kinda sorta) will be undertaking a $50 million expansion and also opening the world's first ever hybrid indoor family coaster and whitewater river raft ride called the “Night Flight Expedition.” Then under at Sea World, Orlando Florida they're diving into a new dark ride called SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep. If you don't know what a dark ride is, it basically means it's indoors and you get moved from scene to scene. It doesn't necessarily mean it's actually dark. Anyway, this new dark ride at Sea World Orlando will be what they are calling a suspended dark ride. The only information about this ride currently is that the rider will “discover dazzling ecosystems, legendary sea life, and breathtaking stories of resilience and wonder.” NEW MOBILITY DEVICE POLICY AT SEA WORLD! And speaking of Sea World, they have a controversial new policy which has been making the news lately that has just rolled out regarding mobility devices for the disabled. It appears that rollator walkers with seats are no longer permitted. The official updated policy from the Sea World website is as follows: “For the safety of our guests and employees, rollator walkers with seats on them are not permitted at SeaWorld Orlando. Alternative personal transportation options, including standard wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs), are available. Walkers without a seat are permitted.” I'm guessing that more than a few guests were using their rollators like wheelchairs and it was causing some sort of safety concern in the parks. As someone who transports disabled people as my profession and handles mobility devices all day long, I can tell you from personal experience that a wheelchair itself is something you need to exercise caution with while pushing someone around. A rollator walker would be very, very easy to tip over if someone were attempting to use it as a wheelchair. So while I am disappointed at the inconvenience some disabled guests are going to face with this new policy, I want to be very careful not to demonize Sea World too quickly on this new policy. Guests can still borrow suitable mobility devices from guest services. Ok, time to work our flippers over to the world of PINBALL! Here are the rumored pinball releases expected in 2026 that caught my eye during the research for this episode. Please keep in mind these are only rumors… AMERICAN PINBALL is rumored to be releasing a CUPHEAD pinball machine in 2026 based on the wildly popular video game featuring some amazing vintage animation styles. I'll admit I'm not familiar with the character or the video game but I do love this vintage cartoon style! SPOOKY PINBALL is said to be working on a MOTORHEAD pinball machine for 2026. NO offense to guitarist Wurzel or drummer Mickey Dee (now playing with the Scorpions) who were crucial to keeping the band going in its later years, but I'm really hoping it honors the original lineup of Lemmy, Philthy Phil and Fast Eddie! BARRELS OF FUN PINBALL appears to be cooking up some GOONIES pinball for the new year! RAMPS PINBALL will be coming out with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS! Oh please let the carnivorous plant eat the ball! And last but not least in our pinball 2026 rumours we have PINBALL ADVENTURES bringing us SUSHI MADNESS! Ni Ohashi Kudasai ! And if you're REALLY a pinball nut as we know you are, you'll want to put March 20th through the 22nd on your calendar because that's when Frisco, Texas braces itself for the annual TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL! Over 440 games. One incredible weekend! The website says tickets go on sale October 4th 2026. I have to imagine that's a typo and they really mean 2025 otherwise only those with the ability for reverse time travel will be able to attend. There will be tournaments and challenges, special guests and panels, exhibitors, parts, memorabilia, new games and there will be a special tech day for those trying to upgrade and/or fix their own machines. That's the TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL 2026! Rope you a ticket today! Yeehaw! Alright, I think we're ready to “steer” away from pinball and “drive” this herd into… MOVIES! First I'll start with letting you know a few of my favorite movies of 2025 before we get into what's ahead for 2026: JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH: Ok, it was pretty much par for the course but it had Scarlett Johansson carrying the entire movie on her shoulders alone and she pulled it off amazingly! MICKEY 17: This is a movie about a guy who signs on to do very dangerous grunt work in space for a corporation and every time he gets killed, the company just prints out a new copy of him with all his same memories. The crux is that the new copy never knows if he's actually the person being reborn every time or if he really dies and the new copy just has his memories and merely thinks he's the same person. Weird stuff. THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS – After many fantastic fails at trying to make this work on the big screen, they finally got the Fantastic Four right! The retro future vibe was spot on and all the actors were perfect! SUPERMAN: I was really upset about losing Henry Cavill as Superman, but James Gunn came back with a fresh new fun feel on this one starring David Corenswet, even bringing in Supe's dog Krypto! This movie was just a great time! More please! THE SMASHING MACHINE: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a dramatic role co-starring Emily Blunt. It's the story of Mixed Martial arts and UFC Champion Mark Kerr and how he conquered his biggest opponent: addiction. And finally in my roundup of my favorite movies of 2025 I bring you… BUGONIA! This movie was a crazy trip with some really wild twists and many moments of pure cringe and I loved it! Starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons who seems to be showing up in everything lately! It's a story about two conspiracy nuts who kidnap a corporate CEO thinking she's a space alien trying to destroy the Earth. This was easily my biggest delightful surprise of 2025. But before we get to 2026, I'd like to give a special nod to TRON: ARES because I always expect anything starring Jared Leto to suck eggs and this did not! And SPINAL TAP II: The End Continues… Rest in peace Marty DiBergi. MOVIES I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026! THE ODYSSEY Expected Jul 17, 2026: After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Circe along the way. starring Matt Damon, Mia Goth, and Anne Hathaway. This could be really good or it could be really stupid. I'm betting this is going to be good and double or nothing that Mia Goth will be a siren or maybe Medusa. I think she'd make a good Medusa! EVIL DEAD BURN Expected Jul 24, 2026 – I'm a sucker for the Evil Dead movies. This one is not likely to have any Bruce Campbell, but they're keeping the details under tight wraps for now so who knows? COYOTE VS. ACME Expected Aug 28, 2026 PG A story set in the ACME warehouse, the manufacturer of anything and everything used by the Looney Tunes characters. And apparently John Cena is voicing one of the characters! Oh please oh please oh please get this right! If 2025's “The Day The Earth Blew Up” starring Daffy Duck and Porky Pig is any indication, I think we can have high hopes here! Ooh, that’s another one of my favorites from 2025 I left off the list! INSPECTOR GADGET – No details are available but I think we're long overdue for some Go Go Gadget action! DUNE Part Three Expected Dec 18, 2026 It follows Muad’dib, heir to unimaginable power, as he brings to fruition the ancient scheme to create a superbeing ruler among men, not in the heavens. And according to imdb it’s starring Starring Rebecca Ferguson, Timothée Chalamet and Anya Taylor-Joy. Did you pick up what I just picked up? Zendaya is not listed as a cast member on IMDB! How can this IMD Be!? You tell me! PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN (untitled) – That's all we know folks. Hopefully they got things squared away with Johnny Depp. That is if they want to sell tickets. I AM LEGEND 2 – Military scientist Robert Neville seems the sole survivor in virus-ravaged New York. He’s waging a fight against “Darkseekers”, mutants resembling vampires trying to capture him as he searches for a cure. Starring Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan Alright! I could go for a sequel to I AM LEGEND! Especially when you add Michael B into the mix! I'd really like a sequel to iRobot but this'll do me for now! BLADE – That's right they are teasing a new Blade movie for 2026 with Mia Goth listed in the cast but of course the burning question is DO THEY HAVE WESLEY SNIPES??? They gave him a cameo as Blade in the Deadpool vs. Wolverine movie last year. But Snipes is NOT listed in the cast on IMDB as of yet! There is also an Untitled Denzel Washington Project Based on the historical figure of Hannibal, considered one of the greatest military commanders of all time. The film covers the crucial battles he led against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. You had me at Denzel, not to mention I love historical action movies. Bring it on! THE BRIDE Expected Mar 6, 2026 In 1930s Chicago, Dr. Frankenstein asks Dr. Euphronius to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as the Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Christian Bale THIS IS THE ONE I'M WAITING FOR! Love Christian Bale and love the concept of setting the story of The Bride of Frankenstein in 1930's Chicago! Let's go! SCANDALOUS! This will be the story behind the Hollywood romance of Sammy Davis Jr. and actress Kim Novak. I love anything related to Sammy Davis Jr. “It's gonna be fantastic baby!” CLAYFACE – Expected Sep 11, 2026 A shape-shifting creature made of magical clay haunts Gotham City, alternating between villain and ally of Batman. Ok, it's a Batman villain and not a super obvious one! Looks interesting! EVEL KNIEVEL ON TOUR – This one is going to be about Legendary motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel and apparently the drama that surrounded the run-up to his 1974 attempt at jumping the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.Starring Leonardo DiCaprio Ok, first of all, Evel was planning to jump the Grand Canyon but couldn't get the ok from the US Government so he made a deal with an Indian tribe to jump the Snake River Canyon seeing how it was located on sovereign tribal land. Anyway, a new movie about Evel Knievel? Heck yeah! THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING – Expected Nov 20, 2026 This new installment of the Hunger Games will explore Panem 24 years before Katniss’ saga, starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, where a young Haymitch Abernathy participates. Ok, this could be alright. I'm not super excited about it but I could be swayed since it won't have Jennifer Lawrence in it. And that's it for THE MOVIES I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026! Now for TOYS! What I like to do this time of year is see what toys from 2025 have been nominated in various categories for a coveted TOY OF THE YEAR award otherwise known as a TOTY and let you know my personal picks, not that anyone in the industry is giving me a vote. Maybe someday. BUT TODAY I bring you MY PERSONAL 2026 TOTY AWARD NOMINEE PICKS! ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR: I like Avatar Interactive Shoulder Banshee by Disney Consumer Products – This thing looks pretty cool. It's basically a small, colorful looking dragon that sits on your shoulder and attaches via a magnetic base you wear under your clothing. A handheld controller allows you to control head and wing movements as well as its voice. This thing is pretty darn awesome! In the COLLECTIBLES category: There are two different nominees that caught my eye. One is Sticki Rolls Series 2 by Sky Castle Toys which is basically charm bracelets marketed to girls with rolls of small stickers on them with different fun graphics. The other nominee I like is Wigglitz by ZB Designs. These are tiny toy figurines of almost every type of fun character you can imagine that have some sort of wiggly aspect to them, or better put: something that moves when you wiggle them. If I had to choose between these two, I'd probably go with Wigglitz because it's something you'll get continual enjoyment from whereas the Sticki Rolls are only fun until you run out of stickers. CONSTRUCTION PLAYSET OF THE YEAR: I have to give it to GeckoBot 2.0 by Thames & Kosmos, This is a kit where you build your very own robotic gecko that actually climbs up your windows. Thames & Kosmos just keeps knocking it out of the park! CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR: Crayola Marker Airbrush has got my vote (that is if I HAD A VOTE which I don't!). If you've ever dreamed of someday making awful-looking t-shirts and hats on the boardwalk, then THIS could be your starter kit! It's an actual working airbrush sprayer courtesy of everyone's favorite crayon company, Crayola! It even comes with various spray color cartridges so you start saying it by spraying it! DOLL OF THE YEAR: Admittedly, I as a 57 year old man should absolutely NOT be voicing my opinion on the Doll of the Year Award (DOTY award?) but if I had to choose from the list of 2026 nominees I would hands-down pick Woof & Co by Sunny Days Entertainment. It's a collection of fashionable dogs of various breeds who all dress FABULOUS! Yeah, this is the one I'd go for. EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR: In this category I am really liking the SNAP CIRCUITS SPY KIT by Elenco Electronics. This has a bunch of components that you just snap together to make all sorts of cool stuff like a vibration sensor, motion detector, trip wire, voice changer and a whole lot more. Oh the trouble I would have gotten myself into if I had something like this when I was a kid! GAME OF THE YEAR: I've gotta tell you, there's not a bad one in the bunch of nominees this year for Game of the Year! They've got an EXPLODING KITTENS BOARD GAME where you actually flip the entire board and all the pieces stay in place! There's a Simon game (you know, the memory game Simon?) where they took it and incorporated it into a dance mat called SIMON JUMP. So you stomp out your moves on the dance mat! Then there's COWS IN SPACE where magnetic flying saucers dangle from your forehead via a sproingy headstrap and the object is to abduct cows from a field with your flying saucer! But the game that caught my attention the most was TETRIS TUMBLE XL! It's sort of like Giant Jenga except there is a base that rocks side to side and you roll a die to see what tetris pieces you have to stack on top of it and of course whoever makes the stack fall to the ground is the LOSER! I like this. It's like a great big fun yard game you could also play in your living room. TETRIS TUMBLE XL for Game of the Year is my choice! INFANT / TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR: Ok, maybe another category I might not be the best judge for but I'm who you've got pal! And in this category I choose Pour ‘N’ Grow Pop-Up Garden by Yookidoo. This appears to be mainly a bath time toy kit but you could play with it really anywhere as long as you have some water onhand. It's pretty simple: you've got three different toys, The fill and water flower, Peek A Bee and Pop Up Worm. You pour water into them or onto them and the water turns some internal mechanisms to make the flower open, the worm come out and wiggle or gets the bee to play peek a bee with you! Very unique and inventive and in my opinion, the absolute best of this year's bunch! KIDULT TOY OF THE YEAR: Kidult? That means it's made for ages 14 and up. And I'm really torn down the middle between two nominees on this one. I like the Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 by MGA Entertainment which is an art kit for making your own food minis that you control the designs and colors of. Have you ever walked past a restaurant that had fake food on display showing examples of their most popular dishes? Well that's what you'll be making with this kit only really, really small. The name is way too long though. Or if you just want something cool to play with that doesn't really take any time and effort, I offer you the ZipString Aracna, which is a newer version of the ZipString string loop toy, but it attaches to your wrist so you can shoot it out like Spiderman! (although they obviously aren't allowed to actually invoke Spiderman but they sure are bending over backwards suggesting it as extremely as they legally can!) The really cool feature of this Kidult toy of the year nominee is the glow feature! Flip a switch on the ZipString wrist launcher, turn off the lights and do all sorts of awesome tricks and shapes in the dark with a glowing string loop. So… Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 or the the ZipString Aracna! The Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 triggers me relentlessly with that obnoxiously long name, so on that basis alone I am giving the nod to the ZipString Aracna! OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR: I think there should really be two sub categories here. One for younger kids and one for older. For the older kids, I was really blown away by the Crazy Cart Shuffle by Razor USA. This thing is like a Big Wheel or a Green Machine on steroids. Not only can you pedal around in this thing but you can spin and also drift. It's really neat. And speaking of neat, for the little ones I absolutely love the Outdoor Kitchen by Hape. It's not a real kitchen of course but it's a really cool miniature toy version of an outdoor kitchen setup! Come on TOTY Awards, let's break this one up by age groups! PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR: Ok, there were some good ones in here and maybe I'm judging on my own male bias from a bygone era but my favorite here was the Little Tikes Creative Construction Power Cuts Set by MGA Entertainment. It's a woodworking shop playset with an actual working , low-powered plastic chop saw which cuts through foam 2x4s and also comes with a play hammer, nails, measuring tape and carpenter pencil which is actually a marker. In the video demonstration I watched, the chop saw did struggle getting through the foam wood, but when you're talking about preschoolers, that's probably about the best you can hope for. We desperately need more encouragement and inspiring of our youth towards the skilled trades in my humble opinion and this is a refreshing step in that direction. Nicely done! SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR: I was truly taken by the Yes & Know Original Invisible Ink Trivia Game Books by Tree Town Toys. These are basically activity books where different things are revealed with the use of a special invisible ink pen. This looks fantastic for keeping the younguns busy on a road trip or maybe in a waiting room or anywhere you want to keep them distracted. That is until you run out of invisible ink and invisible ink activity books! And those are my picks for the 2026 TOTY AWARDS and THAT'S our look ahead at what's hot on the horizon for 2026! What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know! If you’re enjoying this episode on one of the socials, leave a comment. Otherwise you can email me at neil @ dandyfunhouse . com And even though I said I wasn't going to do a retrospective of this past year, I will tell you my favorite Dandy Fun House episode from this past year of 2025: Oh, who am I kidding? It's always the Halloween episode where the Dandy Fun House becomes the Dandy Spook Shack and I get to dress up like a ghoul. But my second favorite might have to be the deep dive into the iconic toy company WHAM-O! I learned so much doing that one! You might think I just come on here and already know all this stuff I talk about but on the contrary, I do a great deal of research in the weeks leading up to producing an episode and I'm constantly learning amazing new things which is why I really love doing this! DANDY FUN HOUSE Plans for 2026? More of the same of course! We're getting really close to monetization on YouTube. Technically we're already supposed to be there but YouTube gives conflicting information on this and is notorious for constantly moving the goalposts. So while we love publishing to YouTube, we certainly don't put all our Dandy Eggs in that basket. We also publish to Instagram, Facebook, X, Tik Tok and Rumble as well as our very own DANDY FUN HOUSE WEBSITE AT dandyfunhouse.com where you can watch the video, listen and subscribe to the podcast or read the entire episode in written form along with pictures! Who does that!? WE DO! THAT'S WHO! And we do it by hand. No AI stuff. Okay, full disclosure, we DO use AI to help transcribe the episodes into written form and also the captions for the short form videos, but it always gets things wrong so we always go over it personally and make the needed corrections. But while you're on our website checking out all the episodes and buying stuff from the Dandy Fun Shop, be sure to visit our PATRONAGE PAGE where you can support future productions with your modest financial gifts! SUPPORTERS gain access exclusive bonus content AND SUPER SUPPORTERS gain that same access plus I’ll personally send you something amazing from right here at the Dandy Fun House Studios if you include your mailing address! Podcast Listeners may often support through a donation link in your listening app of choice of the app offers it, I understand not all do. And your 5 star reviews wherever you can leave them are always highly appreciated! And THAT ladies and gentlemen sticks a fork in 2025. Please don't forget the reason for the season, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and come on back next year for some amazing new frivolities in 2026! You never know what kind of crazy trouble we could get into, right here at the Dandy Fun House where everything is always FUN AND DANDY! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody! Neil Dandy is the creator of The Dandy Fun House and the alter-ego of Neil Smith, the Big Cheese at Neil Smith Entertainment, follower of Jesus, musician, Emcee, Paratransit Driver and Author. Aren't you impressed?

Belonging nowhere is a reality for millions of people around the world: it's known as statelessness. Described by some as an overlooked human rights issue, this first episode delves into the history of statelessness and who stateless people are.

Technically, we're just a week into the winter season. And the weather here in Middle Tennessee has been strange. Yesterday, our high was in the 70s. Today, we'll be lucky to reach 40 degrees. Last night, right before I went to bed, the temperature dropped 20 degrees in the span of about 15 minutes. The cold front coming through has made me very uncomfortable. Since we haven't had a hard freeze, my allergies and sinus congestion are in full force. I have these sinus issues every year about this time. Sometimes it's a cold, and other times, it's just drainage. And you never know which until it's too late... Click Here To Subscribe Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicGoogle PodcastsTuneIniHeartRadioPandoraDeezerBlubrryBullhornCastBoxCastrofyyd.deGaanaiVooxListen NotesmyTuner RadioOvercastOwlTailPlayer.fmPocketCastsPodbayPodbeanPodcast AddictPodcast IndexPodcast RepublicPodchaserPodfanPodtailRadio PublicRadio.comReason.fmRSSRadioVurblWe.foYandex jQuery(document).ready(function($) { 'use strict'; $('#podcast-subscribe-button-13292 .podcast-subscribe-button.modal-6956ed0e29476').on("click", function() { $("#secondline-psb-subs-modal.modal-6956ed0e29476.modal.secondline-modal-6956ed0e29476").modal({ fadeDuration: 250, closeText: '', }); return false; }); });

Quaranteam - Dave In Dallas: Part 6 Planning a Future. Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. October 17, 2020. All of Dave's partners were at the park, setting up the folding table and portable gazebo. None of his partners were wilting flowers, so he couldn't exactly muscle his way in to doing the set up. But, they had taken off with the intent that three would return to clean the dishes while the rest hung out in the park for Shawna to get off in barely an hour. Roscoe and Esme, of course, were among those getting to run around in the grass and fresh air. So, Dave was at the sink, scrubbing dishes with some of his favorite songs playing out of his Echo Show in the kitchen. The volume was cranked, and so was Dave's voice as he sang along, rather skillfully, but a bit out of practice. Currently, he was belting through a Kenny Loggins song. One that got him energized and moving. Isabella's eyes, Oh, shine your light and make your momma smile "Who, yeah, shake it baby!" Dave spun around, caught in the act. Doing dishes, and singing. And dancing. Sort of. Mel and Becca stood at the entrance to the kitchen, clapping and whistling. Lupie was beside them, with a smile and a raised eyebrow. "I claim dibs on naming my first daughter Isabella!" Rebecca called out. Melanie pursed her lips and looked defeated. "I'd fight you for that privilege, but with a daughter named Esmeralda, that'd be too close. Besides," Lupie added with a wry smile, "some would say it's the same name, so I guess I got there first." Then, she playfully stuck out her tongue. Now, Lupie is often fun loving, but this was a level of silly unheard of for her. Everyone was too busy laughing with her to show much in the way of shock though. Dave moved in to hug her and delivered a soft kiss. Lupie hummed into the kiss and smiled before pulling back with a playful scowl. "Don't think I forgot you were doing basic chores, David." "They needed doing, and I didn't have much on my plate at the moment, corazon ." Lupie just narrowed her eyes at Dave's reply, but the smile below gave away her jest. For added measure, Dave slapped her ass and then squeezed. That and Lupie's 'Eep!' got Mel and Becca laughing again. Then they took up position behind Dave's shoulders, so he was surrounded by his partners. Their hands slid along his sides in ways that were chaste, for now, but hinted at an interest in something more. "No, horny girls, remember this is Shawna's celebration. Picnic party in the park, the gift from Becca and Reena, and then she gets Dave all to herself until after breakfast." The younger women groaned, but acquiesced. "Shawna's heading straight there from work, and she texted me a few minutes ago she was on her way out the door. We need to wrap up here in short order and get to the park." Lupie sent Dave to wash up and change for the party while the ladies finished the remaining dishes and picked up the last needed items for the party. They got to the park about ten minutes before Shawna, or just enough time for Roscoe to finish saying hello to each of them. The other ladies greeted Shawna warmly, then she advanced on Dave, who had been waiting his turn. "Congratulations, babe. I'm proud of you and happy for you." Shawna wrapped him in a tight hug and a long, lingering kiss that was smoky rather than fiery. "I've been looking forward to that all day." Dave smiled and dropped a quick peck on her lips. "So, just the two of us until tomorrow morning huh?" Shawna grinned. "Umm-hmm. Very accommodating crew you've drawn to you, darling." "And pretty good cooks too. You should get something to eat. I made that cucumber tomato salad you like." "Ooo, with the fresh veggies you just harvested?" Dave nodded. Shawna skipped happily to the table, Dave beside her, holding her hand. Dave ate a double helping of everything. Each dish was tasty, and he was hungry. He sidled up to Shawna. "So how's Skippy the Wonder Boy doing?" Shawna's department now consisted of her, a young and fresh out of college guy with his master's in meteorology, and a young lady that was on her internship last spring when lockdowns hit. Each had different levels of skills, and each had shortages that Shawna, as the boss, had to train them up from. At least 'Skippy' had finished all the classes. He seemed like a pleasant guy on air. Unfortunately, he looked perpetually 14, wearing one of daddy's suits. The scruffy attempt at a beard was not helping. Shawna's scowled. Hard. "Mitchell is coming along just fine. Especially for a young man thrust into a position with far more responsibility than he should have to carry this soon out of school." "I'm sorry, hun. He always comes off as very pleasant, but he also looks way too young." "He is too young. He's handling his professional duties quite well, though. It's his personal life I worry about occasionally." "How so?" "Well, his first partner was a former Cowboys cheerleader, and looks it. She's been off the squad for two years, so she didn't get snapped up by some rich guy wanting a trophy." Shawna paused to a rough exhale. "But yeah, this earnest, and rather naïve, nerd boy has the devastatingly hot, bubbly woman three years older than him dumped in his lap. His first day back after she'd joined him, I thought the top of his head was going to fall off, he was smiling so big." Dave snorted at the image. He could understand the boy's predicament. That made him think. "That was just the start. His second partner was his sister's best friend; she was homecoming queen and prom queen. The sad side is, his sister didn't make it." Shawna's voice caught. "So sometimes he's having sex with this beauty that he never thought would come near him, and sometimes they're crying together over his dead sister and her dead friend." "Damn this fucking virus," Dave said huskily. He blew out a breath. "He really is one of us isn't he?" Shawna nodded. "How many partners does he have?" "Mindy, his fourth partner joined him last week. He's probably getting a fifth soon." She thought for a moment. "Guess that means you'll be getting another lady soon as well." Dave shrugged. "Yeah, maybe. I'm at seven now, so maybe that's it. That would be fine by me. Any one of you alone are incredible." He paused for the appreciative kiss. "I was thinking, if both families are plused up enough to be safe, then maybe we should invite him and his partners over. For games, or just talk and some background music." Shawna brightened. "Now that's the man I fell for." She kissed him firmly on the cheek. "I don't know if he has any friends or family left, and his girls are nice ladies, but not nerds. Well, Ginger, his third partner is an anime fan, but I think that's the extent of her nerd creds. Mindy's an athlete. Now, all of them love him to death, and they may share some of his other interests, but not the nerdy stuff." Dave frowned. "Sounds like Oracle isn't working out for him." "Oh, no. He has interests that aren't strictly speaking nerdy. And I know there's some sharing going on there. Kelly, the former cheerleader, shares his love of gardening." "And that's something Liv and I can share with the both of them." "Yup." "Okay, let's talk it over with the others and plan something." Dave looked chagrined. "So, uh, what's his real name?" Shawna gave him a pursed-lip grin with narrow eyes. "Mitch. Mitchell Westfield" "I'll work on that." Shawna gave him some side-eye, but with a grin, as they walked back to the others. Becca and Reena were waving them over excitedly and everyone had gathered around the box with the cake Lupie'd made. Shawna opened the package Reena held up for her. In the small box was a black t-shirt with the station logo over the heart on the front and "Weather Boss" across the back. The girls had carefully made sure it was just the right fit, not too snug or too loose for Shawna to wear to work. She laughed and hugged each teen. "You two are pretty awesome you know?" Both young ladies beamed. Shawna draped the t-shirt over her shoulder as Lupie opened the box to reveal the cake. It was three layers, with milk chocolate icing. On the top was the station logo, with the words 'Chief Meteorologist'. Around the sides, as one walked around, there was a sun breaking through clouds, a cloud with rain falling from it, and the third tableau depicted a tornado, with a bit of dust obscuring the bottom. "Oh, it's perfect Lupie! Thank you so much!" The ladies embraced before Lupie set about slicing the well-crafted dessert. Naturally, Shawna got the first slice. Between the layers was a thin puree of strawberries; Shawna's favorite. That was good for a small happy dance, which in turn, made Lupie happy. With everyone chatting happily, Dave slipped away from the others. He just had a small side trip he needed to make. About fifteen minutes later, Shawna came around the bend in the sidewalk as it exited the trees near the base of the bridge. She moved, unhurried, to Dave's side as he stood at the peak of the bridge, looking down at the stream passing below. In flood stage, it took a wider path, and might legitimately be called a river. Most of the time, it remained within the narrow channel with broad margins that were pleasant to walk along if you wore the right footwear. "You know, we all saw you leave. We just thought you needed some space. Or some time." She looked into his face, seeing the evidence of tears, but not a full-on bawling episode. "This is Eddie's bridge isn't it?" Eyes watering again, Dave didn't trust himself to speak and merely nodded. Shawna stepped closer and hugged him. They stood like that for a few minutes before she slowly released him. "Thanks. I needed that. I just; I'm such a damn wimp. I know I need to be stronger for all of you, but I; I can't move past this." "You keep focusing on the times you fall down. I see the man that gets back up, shoulders the burden, and keeps going." "I don't want to though, I only do it because I have to." "That's what makes you the man I've fallen in love with. No one wants to take the burden, and some people refuse to do it. You do it, knowing how much pain you'll go through again." "This world sucks ya know." "It always has, we just papered over it and let ourselves forget. Now is one of the times the ugliness rips through the paper walls and makes us look it in the face." Shawna paused to stroke the side of Dave's face soothingly. "Do you remember the Kurlan Naiskos, in TNG?" "Yeah." "One of your voices is an ox. Carry any burden, push through any problem, get the job done no matter the cost to yourself. A low-key hero. Maybe not the only hero within you. All I'm saying is, I am very glad to have you in my life, and to be a part of your life." They stood there at the railing, looking at the water for a minute or so. Then Shawna spoke again. "Honestly David, we're talking about your son's death here. I'd be worried if you weren't having bouts of sorrow. Hell, that would scare the shit out of me. I'd much rather come home to find you curled into a fetal position bawling your eyes out, than you just blithely going about your life as if nothing happened." Dave looked up at her and smiled weakly. "Okay. Sorry, I just feel like such a pussy when I get like this." "Don't make me tell Becca on you," Shawna said with a grin. With a sly smile, Dave rejoined, "So, how may I convince you to keep my dirty secret?" "Hmm, kitty's hungry, Davey." Shawna said in a low tone. Then she nibbled her finger and switched to a higher pitched schoolgirl pleading tone. "Kitty needs cream. Please Davey, pump your cream into my hungry, wet kitty." "Kitty hell, I'm looking at a strong, capable panther that could eat me alive and make me smile the whole time." Shawna grinned, excited. The skirt she wore that day was long and loose, without being flowy. Dave knelt briefly to reach his hands up and pull off her thong panties. He stuffed them in his pocket as she gathered the lower part of her skirt in her hands and leaned back against the railing. Fortunately, Dave was wearing jeans instead of cargo shorts today. Cargos would have dropped to his ankles the moment he unbuckled, leaving his bare ass out for anyone to walk by and see. Though no one seemed to be on the trail today. Instead, he unbuckled and unzipped, lowering his jeans and boxers just enough to bring his already half-erect cock out. When he stepped closer to Shawna, she wrapped her left leg around his waist and draped the skirt to cover the both of them. A few minutes of hungry kisses and energetic groping had Dave at full mast. He slipped himself inside Shawna's drenched pussy while she groaned. They fucked hard. Shawna focused mostly on staying upright and close, but put some effort into fucking back at him. Dave drove himself into her, his hunger matching hers, one hand behind her torso, the other fondling her tit through her shirt and bra roughly, the way she liked when they were going fast. His thumb and forefinger grasped at her nipple, and Shawna hit her first orgasm. She shook in Dave's arms, her rippling inner muscles running riot on his intruding organ. As she calmed, he approached his peak. She could see it in his eyes and urged him onward with soft, lusty whispers. As Dave erupted, she clutched him tight, her body overcome with spasms as the serum renewed her attachment to him, giving her pleasure when he attained climax. When her shuddering subsided, she kissed him warmly. Dave slipped himself out of her and quickly fixed his boxers and jeans. He handed her panties back, so she had something to stem the fluids flowing out of her. There were knowing smiles when they rejoined the others, but no commentary. In the mid-evening, with dusk sufficiently fallen outside, Dave and Shawna lay cozily tangled in the bath. With darkness outside and only the smallest, dimmest light on the vanity, the lighting gave a warm, inviting ambience. Peach bubble bath scented the air more than the water. It was just a little late in the year for a fresh peach; Dave checked that early in his planning. Shawna took another deep breath, a big, lazy grin on her face. "My favorite scent ever." "So can I call you my Georgia peach, even if you're not from Georgia?" "Well, I sort of am. My mother's from Georgia. Mom and Dad met at UGA. He was majoring in Civil Engineering and she was majoring in Music Education. When they graduated, they moved to St Louis to start their new life together. Dad grew up in Creve Coeur, a town near St Louis." "That's a sweet story." "Umm hmm. I'm hoping to have the same happily ever after here. They're both alive and quarantining hard. Hopefully, the vaccine will get there soon. I haven't said anything to them directly, but they are being careful." Dave gave a slight extra squeeze to the hug. They sat there in silence again for a while. Then Dave's hands slipped downward a bit, cupping her tits lightly as he hummed '; really love your peaches wanna shake your tree ;” Shawna recognized the tune and chuckled. It was a long, slow, comfortable night, with more cuddling and light touching than sex. Ditto for the wake up. Chapter 8; Planning a Future. October 19, 2020. Shawna's early shift meant she was home for dinner with enough time to change and sit with the family talking while Lupie and Reena prepared the meal. "Mom was a pretty good painter. She actually sold a few at small auctions. The one she was proudest of, she gave to Dave though. He's a fan of seascapes, so she made this beautiful painting with a cliff in the upper left and a roiling, storm-tossed ocean filling most the canvas. Lots of white caps and ocean spray, dark stormy waters, the whole works. You could almost feel like you were on the deck of a ship struggling to stay afloat in the storm." Liv looked wistful as she spoke of her mom's talents. "Oh! I've seen that one!" Jan exclaimed. The others looked between Livy, Dave, and Jan. With a neutral face that they had become accustomed to at certain times Dave said, "I put it away in a closet to keep it safe. I; went through a dark time there for a while. I didn't want to damage it." "And I found it when I was looking for the book boxes you mentioned. I'm sorry I brought it up, Dave." Olivia nodded her agreement with Jan. "Don't be ladies. Janelle's gift is a bright point. Honestly, I'm at a place now that I would feel safe bringing it back out. And the photos." A small relief settle over the gathering. There were a few spots that obviously held a picture or painting for some years, but had been bare when the ladies arrived. The general state of the world, and the events of Olivia and Melanie's arrival made each reluctant to broach the subject. "It would be good to see pictures of Eddie, Janelle, and; Carter?" Shawna said softly. "I don't think I ever saw Livy's parents, but I met Eddie a few times." Becca chimed in. "He was a nice guy. Kinda handsome too. But, I know where he got that from." She blew an air kiss to Dave. The others grinned or chuckled, with a few nods. "Well, she made the painting in Eddie's senior year, and he was between girlfriends when Mom finished. She had me bring it over on a weekend she knew Eddie was staying with Dave. Dave hadn't moved to this house yet." Dave chuckled, in memory, as he realized where Olivia was going with this story. "Keep in mind, Eddie is almost three years older than me. At the time, I was a few months past fifteen, and Eddie was shy of his eighteenth birthday by a few months. Mom drives me, but hangs back a bit, having me talk to Dave and Eddie. I get to Dave's front door, all flustered, 'cuz here's my crush, that I fantasize about spending my life with," Olivia is beaming a big smile at this point, with Dave replying with a shame-faced smile, "being all happy for this gift I'm giving him and showing me all this affection, but like I'm a well-loved daughter, not a woman he'd go out with. And all these little-girl-in-love feelings are just going haywire." The older ladies all showed some level of sympathy for Olivia. For her part, Becca slipped off her spot, nestled in beside Dave and said, "I don't know what you're talking about." The play-act was good for a chuckle. "That's when Eddie pipes up and offers to take me out that evening. He looked uncertain, but somewhat interested. We were friends, but there'd been no romance, no attraction. I was torn, because Eddie is a; " Olivia swallowed "--was a great guy, but he wasn't the guy I was after. I agreed, though. A week later he admitted that Dave put him up to it, and Mom was almost certainly involved. The three of them made multiple attempts at throwing us together. Hell, Eddie was the only boy Daddy didn't try to scare off." "Wait, so you dated Eddie?" "Not really. It was just two friends hanging out. It happened a few times as Mom, Dad, and Dave kept trying to get us together, but it never stuck. We both thought the other was an incredible person," she paused for a second again, "but there was no; no spark of desire. I mean, yeah, he thought I was pretty, I thought he was handsome, but it just wasn't there." "OK, 'cuz that would have been really weird. Especially if you two had; " "Nope." Olivia said it awfully quick, with a bit of extra color rising in her face. That caused everyone else to lean in. "Girl," was all Shawna said. Olivia rolled her eyes and exhaled hard. "They were trying so hard, and we really liked each other, and we thought maybe if we just tried; but we couldn't kiss without giggling. Like we couldn't bring our lips together we'd bust out laughing first. On the cheek was fine, but lips touching was just too goofy." Olivia stared off into space for a moment. "Okay, there was one time we tried to go all the way. I was over eighteen by then. We each undressed ourselves, but by the time we were both naked, we both had the nervous giggles. On paper, we should have been a great match, but something big was missing." "Oh, I've felt it," Becca said, waving her hand in the air, "I know what the big missing thing was." The whole house cracked up laughing. "Hey, we are talking about my friend here. And he's Dave son, so he was no slouch there. It just wasn't hard. That was a little demoralizing. I'm standing there, naked, tits out, not trying to hide anything, and I was already keeping it trimmed, so it's all out there where he can see it, and he's limp. Full length, but limp. That was a blow to my ego." "Coulda been worse. If you had slept with Eddie ;” A collective shiver ran through the room. "Yeah, yeah that would be weird. I may or may not have gone out the next weekend and found a guy to assuage my hurt ego, though." A few sympathy nods occurred in response. "About two months later, I found another boyfriend, but by then, I knew in my heart I was just biding time 'til I was old enough to pursue Dave. I was over eighteen, of course, but I knew I needed to be a bit older to really get his attention. That relationship eventually petered out, and every guy since has been a month or two fling about twice a year so I don't go crazy." "And now you have your dream guy." Jan supplied. Just then, Reena came out to the arch separating the dining room and living room. "We're starting to bring dishes out to the table. You can start taking seats." Looking at Becca, she added, somewhat resignedly, "Did you tell him yet?" Becca squealed. "I almost forgot! Thank you for reminding me! We were watching MTV earlier, and they're going through a leadership change. Like all the bigwigs got fired, and now they have a new CEO." Dave looked askance. "I haven't been interested in MTV for a few decades, back before they should have stopped using the 'M' if they were being honest." "That's just it though! The new guy has announced they will refocus on music." "But I liked The Real World!" Kareena grumped. Becca stuck her tongue out at Reena, before turning back to Dave. "And you'll never guess who the new head of MTV is!" "I don't follow music industry executives, so no, I really have no idea, who it could be." "But you know this guy," she said with a wide grin. "He's a little white, a little nerdy. He likes polka; " "No. Way." Dave said with a grin on his face. "Weird Al?" Shawna started chuckling. "Seriously?" "Yep! Weird Al Yankovich is the new head of MTV! They're having a grand re-opening Wednesday, noon, Pacific Time. They said there will be themed hours, so certain times will be 80's music, or 90's, or girl-pop, or hard rock, etc." "Wonder if they'll borrow VH1 'Pop-up Video' with the little factoids. That could be a good hour-block too." That's when Lupie appeared to summon them all to the table for dinner. Firmly this time. As dinner wound down, Lupie turned to Becca. "Have you asked him yet?" The little blonde shrunk into herself. "No," she said softly. "Ask me what?" Dave inquired. Reena looked at Becca like she was waiting for her to take the lead, but wouldn't for much longer. Rebecca swallowed hard, inhaled like she was steeling herself, and looked at Dave. "We didn't get a prom. Reena pointed that out last week. And, back then, it wasn't an issue for me. I mean, even without; everything that's going on. But now, it'd be kinda cool. So, um, the others are putting a prom on for us; me and Reena, I mean; so, uh, Dave, would you take me to prom?" Dave was surprised, and a little stunned. "I, uh," he sputtered, until Lupie, Jan, and Shawna fixed him with very determined looks. "Of course. Yes, Rebecca Sampson, I will escort you to prom." The cheers around the table settled after a moment, and attention turned to Reena. She beamed. "Dave, would you take me to prom also?" With a big grin, Dave replied, "Well, I dunno, I already have one prom date ;” his tone was playfully enough to keep most of the panic flutters out of Reena's stomach. "I would happily share a prom date with Reena." Becca interjected. "Then yes, Kareena Agrawal, I will escort you to prom along with Becca." Another round of cheers as both girls laughed. "So, you get a second prom Dave, this time with two hot dates!" Jan teased. Dave looked at her side eyed. "First actually. I wasn't in any kind of social demand in high school." "Wait, you didn't go to prom?" half the ladies exclaimed. Dave scoffed. "It was a social thing. I was a nerd. Okay, I'm still a nerd, don't give me that look. Anyway, I didn't belong at social events. Dances, football games, I didn't go and nobody missed me." "I'm a nerd, and I went to prom, David." Shawna replied. "You're a pretty girl. Boys like to go to dances with pretty girls. Girl nerds still get asked out, especially when they're attractive." No one wanted to ruin the mood by pursuing that line of discussion further, but they all noted an undertone in Dave's comments. October 21, 2020. Dave planted soft kisses on Lupie's shoulder as he drove himself in and out of her hot, wet tunnel. He held her hip with one hand and traced lazy patterns on her abdomen with the other. Lupie's hands rested on the wall as she bent over, pushing her ass out so Dave could pump himself into her sex. They were ten minutes into what was supposed to be a quickie, but both enjoyed the union so much they were subtly stretching out the encounter. Of course, the fact that Esme's room was right next to Dave's office added some need for quiet. And quiet fucks were generally slower. Still, they couldn't take forever. With this many people in the house, no matter how quiet they were, if they kept going, someone would walk in on them. Dave slipped his hand from Lupie's belly up to her tit. He took a firm, possessive grip and rubbed her nipple with his palm and massaging the bulk of her tit with his fingers. Lupie's right hand left the wall and flew to her mouth. Her shoulder braced against the wall, Lupie's eyes rolled back as her torso convulsed. Her low moan of ecstasy was largely stifled by her hand. The undulation of her inner muscles set Dave off, and he fired several ropes of hot cum into her waiting passage. Both stood there for a minute, steadying themselves and luxuriating in the primal satisfaction of the completed act. As Dave softened and slipped out of her, Lupie reached to the side table and grabbed some tissues to catch any leakage. She turned, resting her back against the wall and staring into her lover's eyes. "You know David, tomorrow is the day. Hopefully." Dave looked at her quizzically. "I ovulate tomorrow. I've been tracking it. This time could be the one that gets me pregnant." Dave leaned into Lupie and took her in his arms. A shudder passed through him as he realized he might soon be a father again. A dark, demented voice rose up to remind him just how well that worked out the last time. "Still," Lupie purred with a grin, "I wouldn't mind a second dose tomorrow, just to increase our chances." Dave kissed her slowly on the lips, with no tongue. "Purely for reproductive purposes of course." He added a wink. Lupie hugged him tightly after barking out a short laugh. Then they dressed and she headed back downstairs. Dave opened the new microfridge and pulled out a bottle of water and a pouch of tuna in sunflower oil. Livy and Mel picked up the fridge last week, during the grocery run. The same trip they'd gotten the palmprint secured gunsafe for Livy's headboard. Mel and Reena put it in place while Dave and Liv installed the safe. He guzzled about half the water bottle before setting it down. Then he took his time with the tuna and the other half the bottle. Time enough to mull over his problem. His game might be dead in the water, for good this time. As with so many others, he hadn't heard back from the artists that made the images for him in too damn long. The background artist, Harrison Black, had been incommunicado for months. That may not be an insurmountable problem. There was only one background missing from the scenes he had planned out. Those scenes might be movable to one of the existing settings. Or maybe he could find an artist to make that last image and match Harri's style; but that would be a dicey prospect. As long as he didn't add any new locations, he was good there. But; his character artist was also not responding. His last email two months ago mentioned he was sick. He had finished all of the characters through the last update, but the game had three more characters to complete the cast, and one played a pivotal role in the last two scenes of the pending update. He needed to find a new artist. And negotiate a new contract. For a game whose market may have shrunk drastically. Who the hell would pay money for a game about a guy surviving an apocalypse and fucking hot babes when they're in the middle of an actual apocalypse and every surviving guy had several women addicted to his cum? It was still worth a shot though. After mulling over the wording, Dave opened Discord and navigated to UnVale, the site he'd used before. He found an appropriate thread and started typing. budget: $800 plus 10% of revenue work: headshot and 3d poly-rigged female character, character description (rough physical and detailed personality) provided in further communications. three characters needed. possibly three artists, one per character. Upfront and percentage applied per character. timeline: 6-8weeks Commercial use, erotic game respond by DM please With that done, Dave left the server. There were other things to do. He logged into the email server for Eastfield and checked for messages. His dean emailed with a list of classes for spring semester. Technically, she was offering the list for his approval. Yeah right. She's the dean. Yeah, He'd made full professor rank five years ago, but getting in a pissing match with the dean over class assignments was never a good idea. And she'd never given him reason to anyway. The 'check these to make sure they are right' note always elicited that rebel reaction in him. Interesting. Math department must be shorthanded. Dave had one section of college algebra in addition to two sections of physics. One of those was calc-based, the other algebra & trig based. And then a section of gen ed physical science. That had been awhile, but something he'd done before. He emailed back the list looked fine, but he'd need a copy of the texts for the math and physical science classes, and quickly, so he could start planning. Hard copies if possible. At least a looseleaf version. He tagged in a suggestion they offer an astronomy class or earth science or oceans class. Something more focused that could get the kids attention. Student interest tends to improve student scores, after all. He pointed out with a little review time, he could teach the astronomy or earth science class. If they went with an oceans class, he'd need one of the biology folks to cover the portions of the class on sea life. Ugh. College algebra had some interesting and useful tools but teaching it to a class of mostly 'why do I have to take this'? whiners could make for a demoralizing semester. Well, maybe that would be the plus side of an apocalypse. The survivors might be all that much more desirous to grow and achieve. Okay, plan with positive thoughts. Expect hungry, eager young minds. Or even hungry, eager older minds. And a little bit scared. Some more than others. Lastly, he suggested that whichever of the three they offered should have a field trip component. Now more than ever, it was important to break students out of their doldrums and really see the stuff they talked about in class. "Dave! Dave! Dave!" Becca burst through his office door. "It's on! It's coming on next! Come down!" She gave him a quick kiss on the lips and raced back out. Dave was chuckling by the time she turned around, and rising as she passed the doorframe. He joined her in the living room in short order, without running. Lupie, Liv and Mel were waiting as well. Jan and Esme came out of the library just as Dave hit the bottom of the stairs. "All of you are music video fans?" Dave asked. "Or Weird Al?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'm a you fan, David," Lupie replied, "and a Becca fan. You two are so excited by this, I had to be here to watch." "You exposed me to Weird Al when I was young and impressionable. My interest in him is all your fault." Olivia observed with a smirk. "Hey, I'm just band wagoning here," Melanie chortled. Then Jan chimed in. "This is a cultural event. It would be educational for Esme," she said with a sly grin. The commercial cut away and an aural cascade of celebration sounds issued from the TV. "Hello, all you beautiful people, I'm Martha Quinn, your Video Jockey for this inaugural segment of the renewed Music Television channel. Yes, we are concentrating on music again, and, in honor of the impending Halloween holiday, we have an oldie but a goldie; Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'." The screen cut to the iconic video by the king of pop. The full version. When it ended, Quinn was back. "I get chills from that every time." Martha shook her head, smiling. "Now, with the Thanksgiving holiday not far away, our new CEO has whipped up something to make the meal; just a little extra special." Guitar chords from Eric Clapton's 'Cocaine' start playing. When you eat leftovers, And you're feeling averse, ptomaine Half the room cracked up laughing. Dave didn't hear most the rest of the lyrics, but hell, his family was laughing. And surely the song would play again. It was good to laugh. By the time they settled down, the video was over and Martha Quinn's face stared back at them. "I hope you all enjoined that as much as I did. I'll be back to host 'The '80's Hump Day Show' this evening, but until then my younger colleagues will host shows featuring current, or at least more recent, styles. Our new formatting is geared to exemplify and introduce the unique and wonderful flavors of different eras and genres. We here at MTV would like to foster greater understanding and appreciation between peoples of different generations, so please, at some point during the week, take the time to sit in with us as we cover an era or style you are unfamiliar with and get to know some of the things that make other people in your life tick." Dave couldn't shake the sense that Quinn knew about the Quaranteam serum and was trying to foster connections between partners of well separated age groups, without talking about the serum in even the slightest. Then again, the sentiment had its own value, without the serum issues. October 22, 2020. The doorbell was still an unusual sound to hear these days, even though the house no longer felt like his own pyramid. It definitely wasn't quiet at the moment. House Belsus was in the midst of a round robin Mario Cart championship. Although, this one was a warmup. Shawna wasn't here, so they'd have another contest when the whole house was present. At the moment, Mel and Olivia were frustrated with each other and Esme's otherworldly ability both in the game and playing the two off each other. As the two of them attacked the other, Esme got ahead of them both. Becca was laughing, and well ahead of all three, sailing free and clear of any competitor or trap. Until Esme got a blue shell. Just as it detonated, the doorbell sounded. "I got it!" Reena shouted, leaping to her feet and rushing for the door. Dave rose to follow, but was tackled by Becca, Liv, and Mel. Lupie began to object, since Esme was in the room, but the girls were mostly just hugging, with some kissing. Lips only, no tongue. "Hey, come on! I need to go answer the door," he protested. "Nope," Becca retorted. "Reena hasn't gotten to welcome a new lady to the house yet. And you need to make a proper first impression when she walks in; smothered in adoring women!" Dave rolled his eyes but stopped trying to wiggle free. Lupie and Jan chuckled off to the side. "I heard that from outside." said a voice carrying a tinkle of amusement. All three young ladies scrambled up so Dave could stand and face their newest sister. She stepped forward, offering her hand. "Hi, I'm Vanessa Worton. You must be Dave. You have quite the entourage here." Dave reached his hand out to accept her greeting. Champagne blonde hair; with dark roots; fell from a middle part down the sides of her face to drape a few inches down her shoulders. Round, olive green eyes stared back at Dave from a face balanced between oval and rectangular. The wide smile, with plenty of teeth showing, appeared a mix of forced and natural while her cheeks gathered into pleasant apples above and beside her mouth. Vanessa wore a tight-knit thin teal sweater under a medium beige cardigan. Light tan slacks and slip-on comfortable walking shoes in dappled white and dark grey finished her business casual look. At 5'5" she wasn't exactly short for a woman, but neither was she tall by any stretch. She appeared to be a well-kept late thirties. The skin of her face was supple, but showed signs of experience in life; not all of it positive. Vanessa chuckled. "Well, it's always ego boosting for a man to be speechless upon seeing me. Especially one surrounded by such lovely ladies already." Dave collected himself. "Would you like a seat?" When he saw her noticing the paused game, he added, "We were having a playoff. Although this is really just practice, since Shawna's at work. She'll be home in another hour and a half. That's her usual time, though depending on her shift some days could be earlier or later." "So all of you are into video games?" Vanessa said as she stepped around her large pink rolling suitcase to find a seat. "No, some of us are into video games, and some of us join in for family unity." Lupie rejoined. "I can appreciate that." Vanessa smiled back. "Family sticks together." Her smile looked slightly artificial for a moment. "I like that you all refer to each other as family, rather than a team. It sounds; cozier, comforting. And the whole dogpile thing? Very Norman Rockwell. If Rockwell painted polygamous families," she added with a wide grin. "You must be Lupie," she said approaching the Latina. "I think your letter was the most convincing, and intimidating. I almost passed over Dave so I wasn't getting in the way of, or being overshadowed by, two long term loves." Everyone but Jan, Lupie, and Becca bore puzzled looks. That's when Jan cleared her throat and spoke up. "I was contacted the end of last week to type up a short mention of my time here, my thoughts, and such. I sent that in Sunday night." "I got mine in yesterday." Lupie said. "Me too," said Becca. "It was interesting getting three uniquely different people saying slightly different things that all painted the same picture." Vanessa walked back to Dave. "You're an interesting guy David Belsus." Dave looked slightly uncomfortable by instinct, but quickly applied some of the confidence he'd been gaining or faking. "You seem to have me at a disadvantage, Ms. Worton." "Vanessa. Or preferably, Nessa. Given how; close we are going to be." She flashed him a playfully wicked smile. Dave was getting enough practice now to see beneath the surface. Under the playfully strong woman exterior was a deep current of uncertainty, even nervousness. "I have professional reasons to be here as well. I'm a realtor, so I'm involved in the re-housing project going on. If I hadn't matched to you, I would have been by to visit sometime next week, but as it is, I'd like to start that conversation now, lay out the parameters for all of you and after I wake up from imprinting we can talk about what you; well, what we want," she ended with a grin. "Sounds good," Dave replied. "Re-housing, huh? Are we really supposed to wind up with many more ladies in the house?" "I don't know any more than you've been told, really, but I've seen some families much bigger. Most seem to be heading that direction though. The metroplex - all of North Texas - got hit hard, David." She paused. "Harder than some other areas because of all the deniers. I don't know the numbers, since I'm not involved in that work, but we have a lot fewer men here. We also had a higher loss of women, but not nearly to the same degree as the increased loss of men. Only a few of the women are interested in re-locating, so families here will likely be bigger than families in California or New England; on average anyway." "That's how it's been before all this though too." "Well, yeah," she said with a chuckle. Then she cleared her throat and seemed to settle into a 'professional' facial set. "To ease the logistical load for utilities and other services, the government is encouraging folks to gather into consolidated neighborhoods or downtown living areas. They mostly want people to live in multi-use towers. Basically, skyscrapers with stores and service shops on the bottom floor or two, and residential spaces above. Each family would have one entire floor. A large family might get two floors." "I would rather not live in a high-rise." Dave kept his tone neutral and even, in a way that suggested much more passion behind the sentiment than that actually expressed. "Well that brings us to the communities being formed. Some are on cul-de-sacs with enlarged houses. And the cul-de-sacs are clustered. There are some that have semi-circle roads with houses on the outer edge and a park or shops in the middle. The smaller ones of those are also clustered." "Of course, the Las Colinas and South Lake folks already have their gated communities. They may bring a few others in to occupy a house that was already empty, or vacated by a; casualty, but mostly, they are 'keeping to their own'. I wouldn't expect you; us; to get in there." "Not sure I'd want to." That earned a few nods. "There are a variety of sizes in the midrange communities. Those also vary by amenities in the house. Some houses in the same community have different amenities, inside or outside. In fact some of the nicer communities in the midrange are; choosy, so, again, they could be hard to get into." Dave, Lupie and Liv just shrugged. "Now, generally speaking, the communities will be mixed so there is, as best as possible, a cross section of races, political views, and interests in each community. The intent is to hopefully negate the polarization we've all seen increasing over the past twenty years." All of the older members of the family nodded. Everyone old enough to watch the news knew exactly what she was talking about. "But, there will be some; themed communities. In the Mesquite area, there will be a community of multiple cul-de-sacs near a stables." "And a country bar?" asked Reena, teasingly. "Please," Dave rejoined, "Mesquite is for ropers. They wear bright colored boots and never rode a horse. They drive lift kit pickups without a single scratch in the bed. A whole community of truck balls, rattails and mullets." He paused for a second. "Actually, that's not a bad idea. I could do with never seeing another mullet or rattail." "Or a lift kit." "Or truck balls." "I'll scratch Mesquite off the list of possible destinations for this team. Um, family," Vanessa corrected. "What about Park Cities area?" Dave looked at her balefully. He started ticking off on his fingers, "I make less than six figures, I do not own a tux; and only one suit; and I have no idea what to do with my pinkie finger when drinking tea or coffee." All of the ladies giggled. "Worse," he made quote fingers in the air, "Lupie is Hispanic, Jan is Korean, and Shawna, who's at work at the moment, is black. Not exactly a picture of Park Cities demographics." Vanessa looked like she was about to object, but held off. He wasn't wrong. Changing the topic, she said, "So, all we really need right now is to think about what spaces you will want, and what spaces you will need. Do you need an office? Do any of the women need one as well? Can those be combined?" "That could wind up as an excuse to visit with you more often during the day," Mel asserted. Reena and Becca giggled. Esme hadn't left the room, so she slightly veiled her meaning. "I will need a separate office. Sometimes I just need to focus. Besides, having my own office hasn't stopped y'all from making 'visits' during the day." Lupie blushed at the implication. She wasn't the only one though, just the most recent. "But Dave, I might need some math help," Becca pleaded. Vanessa looked slightly amused while the others laughed. The tale had been shared around. "I should never have told you that story," Dave said with narrow eyes and pursed lips. Though there was a twinkle in his eye and his lips curled up at the corners. "So, something for you ladies to share with me later, I take it?" Dave threw his hands in the air theatrically. "I'm surrounded." "Well, Dave, that's how; " Liv cut herself off as she remembered Esme was still in the room. Esme rolled her eyes. "Do I need to leave?" "No, you do not." Dave replied. "We will watch ourselves. This conversation is one you should have some input on. You might not get what you ask for, but at least I'd like to hear your preferences as much as anyone else's." Vanessa nodded, looking at Lupie. "Yup, just like you said." Lupie blushed. At Dave's reaction, Nessa looked to him and added, "All good things, all good things." "Olaf!" Esme cried. "You should be Olaf for Halloween. That's next week right?! We're doing something for it, right Da- uh, Dave?" Dave did not miss what Esme almost said. If she finished the original word, he might have lost it altogether. As it was, he managed to maintain his composure. He wasn't the only one. Lupie looked ready to bust with joy. Nessa bore a knowing grin that matched the others around the room. The shaky breath he took to steady himself was all they needed to confirm the impact the verbal slip had on him. In their eyes, he could see that for some, it was the reaction they needed him to have. Well, one more proof they all matched well. His natural reactions were what they wanted. Sometimes, anyway. "I think I just ovulated." Livy muttered. "What was that?" Dave asked. "Nothing darling, nothing at all," the busty brunette replied with a mild blush. The cackling of half the room did not help deter attention. "Maybe we should just get back to the discussion topic," Dave said with a wry grin. "Esme, any thoughts?" "Adults are crazy." Vanessa and a few others laughed. Dave just stared at Esme, a slight grin on his face and one raised eyebrow. Esme giggled. "Okay, I'd like a big backyard, a pool and an indoor play space that can also be an art room." Then, with an impish smile she added, "And a pony." "Ponies do not come with a house." Dave observed wryly. "The pool idea is a good one. If there's no community pool close by, that is. I mean, having one in the backyard would be great, but so long as it's easy to get to, a shared pool will do nicely. Is that doable, Nessa?" "Absolutely. Most of the communities either have a pool space already built, or have one planned. Some of the houses have backyard pools." She cleared her throat. "Though, none of the houses have enough yard space for a horse." She winked at Esme. "But two communities are reasonably close to riding stables with lots of pastureland." Dave chuckled and shook his head. "And let's list the art, craft and play space as a want, not a need, but a really want. An indoor space like that could be very handy when the weather sucks. It could also work as a classroom. After all, you can do a lot of science with craft supplies." Esme groaned and slapped her forehead. " That's my signal to leave. Besides, I still have a geography assignment to work on. Let me know when you're ready to finish the game." She slipped out to the library. Vanessa looked at Lupie. "She's adorable." "Thank you. She's also a handful." "I can see that." Vanessa replied. "Doesn't stop me from wanting one. Not right away, I mean, but, sometime in this coming year, I want to start trying." She turned to Dave as she said this. "Is that a problem?" "No. Not at all. We haven't talked about timing or anything, but I'd like to have kids with each of you. At least, I think you all want kids. If I'm wrong, let me know." All the ladies nodded, some adding a few words to express their interest. "Timing is the issue, though. We don't want the whole house pregnant at once. And some have college to complete and careers to establish." "Anyone trying now? If it's not too personal." Lupie raised her hand. "You're family now, or soon will be. It's not too personal. We hadn't said anything yet, but we are trying." The others squealed happily and rushed to hug her. "I think the conversation just came to an end," Dave observed. "That's ok, the main need for tonight was to get you all thinking about what you want. By early next week we should get together and nail down a specific list of needs and wants." She shifted in her seat. "Speaking of which, I'd like to wait until after dinner, maybe an hour after. I'd prefer to have dinner first and give it time to settle." "That's perfectly understandable. We can talk again just before. I'll; " "I am sure of my decision. But that's ok, feel free to ask again later for your peace of mind." At Dave's puzzled look, she explained, "Lupie and Jan mentioned you would be concerned about my comfort level with this decision." Her eyes twinkled. "Your ladies know you, David. I'm looking forward to being here." Dinner was a simple, quick affair of burgers, mac n' cheese from scratch and steamed green beans. Lupie and Mel offered to make something a bit more exciting, but Vanessa insisted quicker was preferred. They smiled and got busy in the kitchen. Nessa recognized Shawna as soon as she entered the living room. She didn't fawn over the local celebrity, exactly, but it took her a minute to adjust. After dinner was a slow time of conversations in pairs and triples. Nessa spent a lot of time listening but shared a few things about herself with the family. Eventually, she gave Dave a look that he was becoming accustomed to. He rose, approached her, and offered his hand. She took his hand and rose to stand beside him. The two ascended the stairs together. Everyone watched but said nothing. There were a few grins exchanged. When they entered the bedroom and shut the door, Vanessa turned to him, pulling herself close and burying her face in his chest. Then she looked up, meeting his questioning eyes. "I want this David. I want to be a part of the family you have here. I want to be with you. I talked with the others downstairs. I know you like to take your time. This isn't your first imprinting though, so you know I won't; get there except at the priming and imprinting; surges. I'll enjoy the efforts, but don't spend too much time on it, it will just be frustrating for me. So, show me your kind, attentive side, but don't overexert yourself on it, ok? Save it for one of the others this evening." Dave stroked her back gently and kissed her forehead. Nessa raised up on her toes and kissed him full on the lips. She hummed when he responded. They took their time, reveling in the closeness. She could feel in his body the desire to give her an emotional bond before the physical one, but the serum did not permit that. Still, that he wanted to do that for her bode well for a future together. The kiss grew more intense. Hands roamed from the 'safe' areas towards the more stimulating parts of the partner's body. Dave and Nessa's breathing increased in unison. That was the best part. That the person getting you all excited was just as excited as you. The hunger in their eyes rebounded, building in power like a laser. The frantic energy powered their hands as they tore at each other's clothes. They were stripped bare in short order, at nearly the same moment. Dave put an arm around her back and began kissing her again, turning himself one quarter away and walking toward the bed. As they arrived, she crawled quickly up the bed, turning on to her back and laying her head on a pillow as she reached the headboard. Dave gazed at her as he drew himself up on the bed with Nessa. Her body was smooth and lovely, well maintained, but not young anymore. Quite alluring. Neither washboard abs nor a paunch. Smooth, medium sized tits with a natural sag, medium brown areolas a bit larger than a half-dollar coin, and nipples slightly smaller than a pencil eraser that were fully erect. Below, her bush was neatly trimmed away from her vulva, which was clearly engorged with arousal as her inner petals flowered themselves outward, her outer lips parted slightly, just barely exposing the tip of her clitoris. Her face had dropped any sense of demur acceptance. She needed him. It was time, she was his and he was hers, for this moment. Dave crawled between her legs and positioned himself over her. He lowered himself enough to make contact over much of their bodies, without resting his weight fully on her. His erection sandwiched between them. He lay soft, gentle, languorous kisses on her forehead, cheeks and lips. She hummed her approval. As his kisses proceeded down her neck to her clavicle, her breathing picked up again. Her pelvis rubbed against him, seeking what only he could give her, seeking the fullness she needed to feel. Dave kept kissing and progressing down to her tits, kissing the yielding flesh there as she began to whimper. The yearning radiated from her in palpable waves. Dave repositioned his face to Nessa's, with his hips arched over her core. She steadied her tumultuous hunger, recognizing his preparation. Dave moved slowly until the tip of his organ rested against her wet, open entrance. He thrust forward, smoothly, firmly, penetrating her depths with half of his length over the course of several seconds. Vanessa responded with a cross between a groan and a cry, clutching him tightly with her hands on his shoulder blades. He pulled back out, eliciting a brief whimper until he thrust full length into her, which earned him a moan of pleasure. Her enthusiasm brought Dave quickly to the point of leaking precum, which had the expected effect the moment the fluid made contact with her velvety interior. Dave held her through her serum induced ecstasy. As she settled, she wrapped her arms around his back and looked into his eyes. He kissed her again as he began thrusting once more. Then he lowered his lips to her ear. "You're mine now Nessa. No other man may touch you." She gasped, excited. "Mine to take care of." He felt her shuddered beneath him. "Mine to enjoy." He felt her inner muscles flex and grasp his thrusting cock. "All mine. Your heart." "Yes." "Your mind." "Yes." "Your body." "Yes." "and your will." He thrust deep, holding himself there and working his hips to strike all of her inner surfaces. "Yes! Please David, please more!" Dave began thrusting with more vigor, pounding her sex with his own. Pummeling her interior as she writhed in her enjoyment of his actions. Her hips rolled and bucked. Her hands clutched and groped on his back; and her eyes. Her eyes implored him to take her like a beast. His breathing ragged, he savaged her lower body, stoking his own fires as surely as hers. So lost he was in the primal act, he never noticed his own building arousal until he'd fired off a few spurts into her, arresting her cries of pleasure and replacing them with a primal scream and orgasmic spasms which ended with her flopping to the bed in a naked heap. "Imprinting; imprinting; imprinting ;” October 23, 2020. With the exception of Shawna, who was gone for work, the entire house devoted all of Friday to prom preparation. Lupie went to the store and picked up a few items she'd held off getting until day-of. On her return, she immediately lay into her prep work, getting the cold appetizers ready. Melanie came in to help in the early afternoon, once she had finished curating the song lists. She was the designated DJ for the evening. Becca and Reena both spent time with her a few days prior, nailing down what they wanted to listen to during dinner and dance to after. Liv and Janice were the decorating committee. They left the living room re-arrangement for last, starting that after Dave and the girls went to upstairs to dress. During the day, they set up the unused bedroom as a hotel room. It was close enough to the upstairs bathroom not to break the illusion. And it was well away from Esme's room. Esme was instructed to use the master bathroom from bedtime until after breakfast. By early afternoon, Becca and Reena retreated to the master bathroom to do their hair and nails. Reena did Becca's nails, and then her own. Once that cycle was done, she did Becca's hair and guided Becca through the steps for doing Reena's. Each girl did her own makeup, though Reena added a few touches to Becca's. Vanessa awoke by lunch time. She was tickled when Dave asked her to help out. He wanted a bit more dance practice. Dave was not a dancer. Mel and Olivia gave him some practice, about an hour or so each, on separate days earlier in the week. Those sessions went about how'd you'd expect. Started off with some innocuous club dancing, progressed into something steamy, and wound up in the horizontal mambo. On the plus side, each coed got her dose before prom night. By mutual acclamation, prom night was exclusively for Reena and Becca, and Dave reserved himself during the day as well. With Vanessa, he practiced a few more sedate dance styles, and a couple of the club moves, without the steamy stuff. She was still a bit sore from the vigor of last night. Although, she said so with a smile. Shawna took an early shift that day and arrived home shortly after Dave and Vanessa wrapped up their dance practice. Shawna first changed into an orange halter dress before taking possession of Dave, hauling him off to their tv room where his clothes were laid out. Nessa went downstairs to help Liv and Janice move the living room furniture to the borders of the room, leaving a respectable dance space in the middle. Once Dave and Shawna were both convinced his suit was laying perfectly, with no lint, and all the colors just right, they descended to the living room to wait with the others. Dave initially proposed he come to the master bedroom door and escort each girl downstairs, but they decided they would rather make their entrance on the stairwell, letting everyone, including Dave, see them as they came down. They drew straws to decide order, only to find out that Reena was drawing to go last and Becca was drawing to go first. A bit more communication would have saved them the whole drawing process and the debate on whether to draw straws or flip a coin, or rock-paper-scissors. The other ladies were dressed nice, but not prom nice. Lupie was looking lovely in her dark blue sundress with 2" (~5cm) diameter white polka dots. Mel & Liv wore 'club wear'. For Mel that meant 'liquid look' black pants and a tight white crop top showing a modest amount of midriff. For Liv it was tight jeans and a frilly blue blouse showing modest cleavage. Janice wore a red cocktail dress with her left shoulder exposed, a skirt that hugged her hips gently and fell past her knees. Nessa borro

In this instalment, our "skeptic" grapples with the fact that non-Christian authors mentioned Jesus, and the implications that has for Jesus' miracles.Cards:We Can Trust The Bible...Because of All The Errors and Contradictions!:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqLcUqfFNKwBad Things Aren't Bad Without GOD!!!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvdWf5gDMREOriginal Video: https://tinyurl.com/289f6lcsSources:The Apocalyptic Context for Jesus' View of the Messiah: https://tinyurl.com/2chowv5aChristianity in Talmud and midrash: https://tinyurl.com/26kbqr9xThe Annals (Tacitus): https://tinyurl.com/l8erq4bJosephus and Jesus: The Testimonium Flavianum Question: https://tinyurl.com/26ygvzn4Passing of Peregrinus: https://tinyurl.com/y38cxae2Josephus on Jesus: https://tinyurl.com/y8fy2zobCelsus: https://tinyurl.com/25oxrjccAll my various links can be found here:http://links.vicedrhino.comThis content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/viced-rhino-the-podcast--4623273/support.

Hi gang! Is that three episodes in a row with a guest?Technically, no.Kev is so much more than that.This weeks sees the return of old pal Kev. Kevsy. The UnitedCityFM. TheGrandKebeb if you're nasty.What's he been up to since he stepped away from pod 18 onths ago? Why did he leave? Is it all Rich's fault? Has he forgiveb Brighton for being p***yheads?This week is a celebration of all things Kev. Worra treat for the eyes and ears.VIVA LA FMT!Our links:https://linktr.ee/fmtpodhttps://twitch.tv/richowensfmhttps://twitch.tv/jebaroohttps://twitch.tv/deeboiplayshttps://twitch.tv/the_steak_bakeCupburger: ⁠https://www.cupburger.org⁠#FMT #FootballManager #Football #Soccer #FM26 #FM

Today we will try the re-release of Banana Caramel Cheerios. Will this limited run score the same as last time? Then we will go ham on some Piggly Wiggly Rainbow Circles, and quite the disappointment from Brad. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lesley shares a heart-tugging story from the Padres that proves integrity doesn't need an audience to make an impact. She also spotlights eLevate member Laura Fielding's huge teaching win — a reminder that preparation, courage, and trusting your own voice can open unexpected doors. And in her own win of the week, Lesley shares a personal win from the Habits Series and reflects on the ripple effect her workshop continues to create.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:How the Padres quietly supported Matt LaChappa through decades of care.Why unseen kindness can inspire what's possible in your own world.Laura applying Lesley's tools to earn a perfect class review.How Lesley's workshop sparked daily transformations for attendees.Episode References/Links:Submit your wins or questions - https://beitpod.com/questionsMatt LaChappa - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIqCBxku60Z If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Lesley Logan 0:00  It's Fuck Yeah Friday. Lesley Logan 0:01  Fuck yeah.Lesley Logan 0:02  Get ready for some wins. Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started. Lesley Logan 0:48  Hey, Be It babe. How are you? Oh, my God, the year is coming to an end. Are you enjoying the habit series? Have you started listening? This whole month we're just talking about habits, and it's really my goal, and you'll hear my win later on. This episode is to just help you understand that, like the life you want is like, literally, a series of habits that stack onto each other and allow you to have boundaries, but also the energy you need to do the things you care about. But before we get into that, we have to celebrate your wins. Something that inspired me on the internet and a little affirmation. So this is something I came up and it's really cool. So 1983 there was, you know, there's the Padres, if you follow sports at all, it's just the baseball, if you don't. In 1983 there was a 21-year-old who signed to the Padres. Amazing baseball player. Like, people were like, he's gonna have a 30 year career. I don't even know if it's possible, but maybe in 1983 it was, at any rate, he was just gonna have this amazing, amazing life, and as he was practicing and warming up, right, so after he just signed the contract, he had a, like a [cardiomyopathy] like some sort of heart attack type of a thing, something undiagnosed. No one knew he had it. He didn't know he had it. And even though he was rushed to the hospital, he ended up in a coma for six months, and when he came out of it, he was mentally and physically disabled. Never gonna play again. Whole life has changed. His family was super worried because, like, where are they gonna get the money for his medical bills he can't work now, you know all this stuff, so get this. First of all, no one knew that this is gonna happen, but this is what the Padres did. They just kept signing him for 30 years. They just kept signing him. He was, like, one of the longest signed baseball players, even though he's never played for the Padres because he had this heart attack, right? And the director of minor league relations, Priscilla Oppenheimer, she personally made sure that he was taken care of, and they kept him with health insurance. How freaking amazing is this? I mean, like, yes, look, it's a pro baseball team. Technically, they have all the money in the world to do this, but they didn't have to do this. And even in doing the first part, of just making sure he has money, keeping him signed. They got the health insurance. I mean, like, all these things that people just went out above, out of their way, above and beyond. And I think it's really important, because the reality is is, like, even though they are a professional baseball team, it's not like their professional teams don't have profit margins, right? They don't have things they have to think about. And this person didn't even make them any money, so they just did this. And I was just thinking, wow. Like, while that's not something I can do, it does maybe go, wow. There are some things that I can do, right? There are some ways we can just do things. And no one even knew that they were doing this. This is not like something like the Padres are, like, just out proclaiming every single year we signed Matt Lachappa again. They just did it, just for the just because it's the right thing to do. And so that just really inspired me, because in a world where there's a lot of shit going on and people are taking people's healthcare away and making them more expensive and just being all around assholes, there are people out there who are trying to do the right thing with where we're at. And so, you know, it just made me smile, and I think we needed that. And I hope, what I hope you do is check the link in the show notes and watch the video, because it's actually, like, just quite inspiring, and makes me want to know more about how that was made and, like, who this person was and what kind of career they could have. I just I love I love documentaries, I love stories. I love hearing these things, because it inspires me as a small business owner. Like, what could I do? How could I build things in I'm sure you know that, like, OPC donates to Nevada, SPCA because they're a no kill shelter. And I want to adopt all the dogs, and I cannot adopt all the dogs. I can't, not an option for me, but it lets me, you know, continue to donate and go, okay, at least that dog's application fee is taken care of, so someone else can have that amazing dog. But you know, what are the things that you can do? And then also just being kind that you're probably doing a lot already, and try not to overextend yourself. So celebrate what you are doing and acknowledge that. Yeah, can we agree to that? Okay, great. All right, so you can actually send that, send that in as a win, right? Like you can send in the things that you, that you have done, the donations you have made, as a win, because that allows you to celebrate the thing you're doing and inspire others as well. Lesley Logan 4:37  Okay, so, Laura Fielding from our eLevate program, and she's been to our retreat in Cambodia as well, I, on Tuesday morning, I woke up to a message from my lead instructor informing that me that she was reviewing my class that Tuesday morning. I was so cranky, dealing with a severe jet lag and a sinus infection, that the text almost had me in tears. Fast forward to the class. I had Lesley in my head and I applied all the knowledge she has given me, I got a perfect review, and the lead instructor actually asked if I would train her. She said it was the best CP class she has ever taken. She said she loved how the class flowed, and was surprised how much rotation, side bending, extension I was able to fit in. Most instructors hardly do this. She purchased three private sessions and said that she can't wait to work with me. Woohoo. Laura, Fielding, Fuck Yeah Friday. I mean, Oh my freaking goodness, you're just the coolest person. Do you just feel so good? I hope that rehearing that makes you like, go because, like, it makes me so excited to reread that. And I think no matter what you do, whether you're a teacher or like in Pilates, or you teach people, or you work in an office, or you have your own thing. Like, sometimes when there's, we can all think of a time when, like, somebody who is like, oh, this person's opinion of me matters, even if I don't want it to. And then you kind of have to psych yourself up, and you go through all the emotions of fear and worry and like, am I worthy? And then you freaking show up, and you just trust yourself, and you just do it and then, and then you get, like, something even better than you thought you would get. That is a thing. That's why it's like, we have to be really intentional about the work that we do and the work we put in, and how we talk to ourselves, and then we have to just allow it to show up for us so that we can, I mean, like, basically, of course, you probably knew you'd get a good review, right? But this got you hadn't, was it on your wild card that she'd buy privates with you, no. And that is because you showed up and you were your whole self, and you took all the work you've been doing and you laid it all out there, and you had and like, I'm just so freaking happy for you. So thank you for sharing that with us, Laura. Y'all can send your wins in to beitpod.com/questions we want to hear them. I want to share them. I want to read them. I want to get excited with you that would just like mean the world to me.Lesley Logan 6:49  Okay, my win. So, the other day, I was doing a reflection call with my partner of the one of the partners of the Mullet Tour, and she was telling me, you know about how, since I've been at her studio, like, every single day, someone has mentioned something they learned from my workshops. And I was like, Yeah, I know, even though I'm not there to hear it, I was also getting, I've been getting so many people tagging me in setting up their habits and working on them, and, like, each day trying to, like, get that habit to be something that is attainable for them, that they can celebrate, and especially this month as it is, the habits month here at Be It Pod with our habit series going on, I, like, found myself just normally when I open my Instagram, there's like, so much crap on there, and I'm like, wish I didn't have to do this in my job, but my DMs have been filled with people showing up for themselves and tagging me in that. And my freaking win is that I want, received every single one of those. I was like, yeah, celebrated with them like I didn't go well they did like I didn't discount my effect of my workshop in that life. I was like, yeah, I'm so proud of the workshop I taught. It made so much sense. I helped them see what's possible with some tough but tender love. And I get to every single day, wake up to a DM of somebody working on a habit that's making their life better, their life better, and because they're doing that for themselves, the people that they love are going to have a more energetic, more energized human being around them, and they're going to have more time to do the things that that they're designed and destined to do on this life. And then there's a bigger impact there. And I freaking am so excited. So my win is I taught an epic workshop a couple months ago, and it keeps on giving to those who attended and to me, because I get to celebrate that, and I just love it. Yeah, wins can be like that. This can they can be something that you're just like, oh my God, I did do that. That's a win, right? I hope that this week's that these weekly episodes just help you see just how many different ways you can celebrate yourself and the things you're doing. Because I just think we're just think we're just so hard we, like, think about all the different things we didn't do. You guys, I never finished a to-do list. I'm always behind at work. You know, like I am. I work so hard to get ahead that even in trying to get ahead, I'm behind, but when I get caught up, I'm still on time. Like, I have to set those things up for myself, those parameters. But the reality is is like no one ever no not a single person you admire is finishing their tasks every single day. So it's not happening, you know, like, that's not how the world works. But I can tell you that the people you admire who are doing epic things that you wish you were doing have self-care routines that put them as a priority, and for that, you need habits. So check out the habit series, if you haven't already. Lesley Logan 9:41  All right, let's get you an affirmation and get you on your weekend. So my loves, here we are. Your affirmation is, today is an opportunity to grow and learn. Today is an opportunity to grow and learn. Yeah, today is an opportunity to grow and learn. What are you gonna do to grow on today? What are you gonna learn? What are you gonna water? Right? Think of yourself as a plant. What are you gonna water? I want to know. Share it with the Be It Pod. So beitpod.com/questions. And until next time, Be It Till You See It. Lesley Logan 10:14  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 10:54  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 10:58  It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 11:03  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 11:10  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 11:13  Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“You can't be funny if you're happy all the time…”   1996 marked the time that The Super Bowl went Triple X, when Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics, the United States national debt was a measly $5 Trillion, and the world of heavy metal continued its march forward, trudging past the brief grunge fad into darker, sludgier, and heavier waters.    “Is this KISS?”   The thrash period of the early 90's had already faded away as the grunge period came and went, and the overall vibe of metal was shifting to something even angrier and darker, with a veritable orgy of new metal subgenres popping up and coming online faster than OnlyFans accounts during the lockdowns of 2020, back when we were all just trying to “flatten the herd”.   “Now it's just me and Wristina…she's been by my side forever…she knows all the moves…”   Discover why having a “fistful of Jergens” is essential and why shampoo bottles should really come with a warning label. Get your holiday prime rib dinner properly roasted, get your state of consciousness properly toasted, and JOIN US as we look forward to 2026, a mere 30 years since THE YEAR IN METAL – 1996. Visit www.metalnerdery.com/podcast for more on this episode Help Support Metal Nerdery https://www.patreon.com/metalnerderypodcast Leave us a Voicemail to be played on a future episode: 980-666-8182 Metal Nerdery Tees and Hoodies – metalnerdery.com/merch and kindly leave us a review and/or rating on your favorite Podcast app Follow us on the Socials: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok Email: metalnerdery@gmail.com Can't be LOUD Enough Playlist on Spotify Metal Nerdery Munchies on YouTube @metalnerderypodcast   Show Notes:   (00:01): “Hey…nice shot.” / Richard Patrick…Dick Pat…/ “It's the holiday season…”/ “Squeege?” / “Dennis Leary…the comedian formerly known as Bill Hicks?” / “It's the basis of what ended their friendship…”/ “You can't be funny if you're happy all the time…” / “Other R-worded (you can say it, Trump's president)…” / “All the words that are offensive, we'll just pick a letter…to be 100% politically correct…”/ #politicallycorrect / “You don't have to say ‘W-word'…” / ***WARNING: #listenerdiscretionisadvised *** / “It'd be like a trans-metal song…” / ***WELCOME BACK TO THE METAL NERDERY PODCAST!!!*** / “We're all W words down here, man…”/ “But now it's just me and Wristina…she's been by my side forever…she knows all the moves…”/ “This hand…looks like it could use a fistful of Jergens…” / #shampoowarning   (07:57): ***SOCIAL MEDIA US at #metalnerderypodcast on #TikTok #YouTube #Instagram and #Facebook & EMAIL US at metalnerdery@gmail.com (including your #Shittah!) & PATREON US at patreon.com/metalnerderypodcast *** / Patreon shoutout…/ “Thank you Trip6 for joining us…he's the inspiration for the Angry Matt podcast…”/ YOU CAN GIVE US A CALL AND LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL US AT 980-666-8182!!! / #RussellsWeddingReflections / “Is he a big #MAGMA person?”/ #ChateauElan / “Open bar is scary, dude…”/ #fivecoursemeal / “Fuck the food, dude…we're getting' hammered!”/ “How do you get your filet, sir?” / #primerib / “WTF is prime rib? I could never tell if it's a roast, a steak, a steak-roast, or a roast-steak?” / “It's generally not smoked, it's roasted…”   (19:34): #TheDocket METAL NERDERY PODCAST PRESENTS:  1996 – YEAR IN METAL /  “The Year of Tool, Pantera…the Loads…”/ “Everytime I wanna hear a deep cut, Russell wants to go with the hit, and now, it's the exact opposite…”/ #onmicburp / “I don't know if you do that when you stroke…not like that…”/ #Overkill COLD HARD FACT / BATTLE (The Killing Kind) / “We've gotta do a dive on this at some point…”/ #Annihilator REFRESH THE DEMON (Refresh The Demon)    (29:43): “That's like their #GarageDays …”/ #Slayer GEMINI (Undisputed Attitude) /  “Just don't do that again…”/ “Have we ever played #IcedEarth on this podcast?”/ #IcedEarth I'D DIE FOR YOU (The Dark Saga) / “Is this KISS?”/ “That felt like a gloves of shame moment right there…”/ #Pantera DRAG THE WATERS (The Great Southern Trendkill) / “It's just noise…that's my least favorite…”/ “I don't think we've ever played The Exploited on this show…”/ #TheExploited BEAT THE BASTARDS (Beat The Bastards)   (40:30): “I already pulled it up…how about…this one?”/ #Tool HOOKER WITH A PENIS (Ænima) / “Remember the two different album dives we did of this?”/ #Sepultura ROOTS BLOODY ROOTS (Roots) / “Is this like their Lick It Up?” / “How about some Life Is Peachy?”/ “We need to do a noise episode…” / #KoRn MR. ROGERS (Life Is Peachy) / “If it comes on sounding like #Queensryche I'm gonna laugh…”/ #Neurosis LOCUST STAR (Through Silver In Blood) / “Definitely atmospheric…” / #Assmopheric / #buttexhaust /  “Technically if we eat cows, we're also vegan, right?    (50:55): “In terms of the album cover, relative to the first one…FAIL!”/ #RATM YEAR OF THA BOOMERANG (Evil Empire) / “Let's play Burzum…I'm kidding…remember what that is?”/  “Saffonic noise…” / “I do sling my flagen dugen…”/ #Burzum (Filosofem) / “You gotta work a little harder to kill somebody with a hammer…”/ “He's so shitty that R.E.M. must write all his songs for him…”/ A moment of #STP during Russell's brief absence…/ #StoneTemplePilots AND SO I KNOW (Tiny Music…Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop) / #STPASMR / #markthetime / “How about some Acid Bath, actually?” / “And then…”/ #AcidBath PAEGAN LOVE SONG (Paegan Terrorism Tactics)    (1:03:40): “How about a little Cannibal Corpse?” The first album featuring George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher on vocals… / “How about the #killeropener?” / #CannibalCorpse DEVOURED BY VERMIN (Vile) / “That's good stuff…”/ “I feel like children smell like sadness…”/ “How about a little EyeHateGod?”/ #AI / “What an album cover that is?” / #EyeHateGod  DIXIE WHISKEY (Dopesick) / “That's album number 3 for them, btw…”/  “What was the number 1 #Billboard hit song in 1996?”/ “You know…NOPE!”/ “Let's end the show this way…”/ “You know what they're doing? Reinventing the Metal…”/ THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!!! / #untilthenext #outroreel #likesharesubscribe #happyholidays

Send us a textEver been pummeled by life and tempted to ask, “What did I do wrong?” We walk through Job's raw questions, Bildad's sharp-edged counsel, and the unsettling truth that God can feel distant even while he remains utterly sovereign. The conversation gets honest fast: how do you hold firm when the warmth of God's favor seems gone and the blows keep coming? We turn to Job's appeal to the “Preserver of men,” the silence that follows, and the hard grace of trusting a God who rules even when Satan swings the hammer.We also unpack the friend problem. Bildad quotes true ideas with bad timing, using conditional promises like a club and calling Job's rich past “small.” Technically correct, spiritually harmful. We dig into what wise counsel looks like—truth as a scalpel, not a sledgehammer—and how even clumsy comments can drive us back to Scripture for real comfort. Along the way, we trace a deeper pattern from Job to Jesus: humble beginnings, mockery, loss, then increase beyond measure. Christ's path reframes our own, anchoring hope in a sovereign God who wastes no suffering.This isn't a lecture; it's a shared ministry. Voices from the community bring cross-references, lived stories, and practical wisdom: be slow to speak, quick to hear, present without performance. Sit with the grieving. Pray. Let Scripture search you. If there is sin, God will reveal it; if not, he will sustain you. And when you counsel, refuse to be a “Bildad”—choose compassion that edifies and truth that heals.Listen for a faith that can stand in cold seasons, a better way to care for hurting friends, and a deeper confidence in the God who keeps his people. If this encourages you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find the conversation.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

We are counting down the Top 10 Alternative Christmas Movies the ones that sneak Christmas into the frame and still make December feel special. Joining Pat was Lisa Cannon Head of Studio at DMG Media.

This week Beth and Francis talk about a Netflix holiday movie called Operation Christmas Drop, which highlights a real humanitarian mission the US has carried out in Micronesia since 1951. Technically not a Hallmark movie, but it follows a lot of the same beats. We talk about the differences in decorations, shooting locations, and how a movie can become unsalvagable when your leads don't have any chemistry. This is a preview of a bonus episode. To get full access either sign up for the Patreon or purchace individually here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/hallmark-drop-145984671 

Joshua and Amelie dive into the newly introduced 50-year mortgage option (as of 2025), exploring its potential benefits and drawbacks. They highlight the importance of understanding how any mortgage fits into an individual or family's financial plan, and why consulting with a trusted financial advisor could help consumers evaluate whether this loan structure may make sense for them. Topics Discussed: A brief history of mortgages and how they've evolved alongside the rising cost of building homes. The debate: Why discussions about the 50-year mortgage often exaggerate pros or cons depending on personal bias. Interest rate considerations: A 50-year mortgage is more appealing when rates are low. The interest rate difference compared to a 30-year mortgage is relatively small Monthly payments are lower than a 30-year mortgage. However, the reduction isn't as significant as the jump from a 15-year to a 30-year loan. Refinancing potential: Moving to a 50-year mortgage could ease financial strain by freeing up cash flow Affordability myth: A 50-year mortgage doesn't necessarily encourage buyers to purchase “too much house” any more than a 30-year loan would. Actual mortgage duration: Most homeowners don't keep a mortgage for the full term—on average, loans last about 8 years before being refinanced or paid off. Fixed payments: Regardless of length, mortgages lock in principal + interest payments, even as inflation and income levels change. Total interest: Technically you'll pay more total interest with a 50-year loan. However, the time value of money matters too—$10,000 in year 40 doesn't feel the same as $10,000 in year 10 due to inflation and income growth. Cash flow impact: The interest rate has more of an impact on your current and future cash flow than the length of the mortgage. Housing market effects: In the short term, 50-year mortgages may affect home prices, but long-term supply -and-demand will likely play a bigger role.

Holiday in the Wild (2019) gives you the unique opportunity to watch rich people fawn over elephants. It already sounds better than last week's film, and it is! Thank God! There was a very real danger there that we weren't going to feel the Christmas spirit through Netflix. Thank you for joining us this year, dear listener. Join us in 2026!

Winter Solstice has returned. Technically it's in a few days but with the longer nights, it's certainly being felt. This year I have been out tracking, indoor climbing and baking up a storm at home. It's been a lovely, snowy descent into the dark.Again, like last year, I have been reading, writing, listening to a lot of film soundtracks and watching silly movies. But I also try to make space for the reverence. Of course, this comes through the tracking, learning and sharing naturalist knowledge, and spending quality time outside, but I also celebrate through stories and songs, both new and ancient, and kept warm beside friends, old and new, nibbling on delicious baked goods. Every day is magical, but the spiraling year allows for seasons and celebrations to be longed for, and appreciated deeply when the those same seasons and celebrations return once again. And, once again, I get to rebroadcast the 1985 radio play by Alison McLeay “Solstice” for the 8th year in a row. I am so grateful to get to air it again and celebrate the season of darkness with a deep dive into the origins of some of the celebrations and stories my ancestors may have participated in and shared this time of year. Get yourself a nice warm drink, a cozy blanket, light a candle and enjoy.

For stars that are similar to the Sun, the end comes in stages. And each stage is triggered by changes in the star’s core. One star that’s going through those changes is Diphda, the brightest star of Cetus, the sea monster. The star is several hundred million years old – billions of years younger than the Sun. For most of its life, it “fused” hydrogen atoms in its core to make helium. When the hydrogen was gone, it began fusing hydrogen in a shell around the core. That made the star puff up, so it was classified as a red giant. Now, it’s finished off the shell, so it’s fusing the helium in the core to make carbon and oxygen. This phase is generally lumped into the red-giant category. Technically, though, it has its own name: the red clump. In a hundred million years or so, Diphda will have used up all the helium. The star isn’t massive enough to fuse the carbon and oxygen to make heavier elements. Without that energy, the core will collapse to about the size of Earth. It’ll be extremely hot, though, so it’ll blow away Diphda’s outer layers. For a while, the star will enter one more phase: a planetary nebula – a colorful cloud of gas and dust. When the cloud disperses, only the dead core will remain: a white dwarf – the hot but tiny remnant of a star. Cetus spreads across the southeastern quadrant of the sky at nightfall. Diphda is near its lower right corner, roughly a third of the way up the sky. Script by Damond Benningfield

Priorities determine what comes first when things compete. I don't know about all of you, but I've noticed there are a lot of competing philosophies. There are a lot of competing activities, different kinds of attitudes. So, when there's a confluence of all these things, we can feel overwhelmed. But if you have decided ahead of time what's most important in your life, and you have it ordered—that's what priority means—what comes first. Technically, it means one thing that's most important, the prime thing in your life. It has come over time that we make several priorities, and maybe there's a hierarchy, and that's how I recommend writing it. Write down the things that are most important to you and try to order them: what comes first, what comes second, what comes third. And then values—just giving definitions here—govern how I act, regardless of the outcome of whatever activity I'm engaged in. One of the cardinal principles of enlightened living is how we react to what happens to us. It's not what happens; it's what we do after it happens to us that defines our values. As we were just defining satisfaction, we may engage, and then something comes along that seems like an obstacle, how do we react to it? How do we remain satisfied? So, one of our values might be to be tolerant or to be in a state of equanimity. Dealing with situations governs how I react, regardless of what the outcome is. So, if I say I'm going to be satisfied, then if something desirable or undesirable comes, I am accepting. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #successsadhana #spiritualgoals #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

Technically, the Netflix / Warner Bros. news is almost a week old, but what a week it has been! And so, after some follow-up on smart shades and CES, Nilay and David talk through all that's at stake in the fight between Paramount and Netflix — and whether it's even possible for someone to win this deal. After that, Charlie Harding, co-host of Switched on Pop and honorary Vergecast intern, explains how AI is taking over the country music scene in Nashville. He also makes us a song, and it's a jam. Lastly, the hosts talk about font news (with a special guest), Brendan Carr, smart rings, garage wars, and more. Further reading: The Verge subscription turns one  Netflix is buying Warner Bros. for $83 billion  Paramount launches a hostile $108 billion bid to snatch Warner from Netflix  David Ellison pitches Paramount's $108 billion hostile bid for WBD as “pro consumer.”  Behind Paramount's Relentless Campaign to Woo Warner Discovery and President Trump New Paramount Speaks: Theatrical Films, Streaming Investment and Tech Upgrades Are Top Priorities Netflix CEO made a visit to the White House before buying Warner Bros.  Trump isn't sold on the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal Netflix's leadership thinks the Warner Bros. deal won't be like other big media mergers. Welcome to the big leagues, Netflix  There are no good outcomes for the Warner Bros. sale OpenAI's billion-dollar Disney deal puts Mickey Mouse and Marvel in Sora Get ready for an AI country music explosion Brendan Carr is a Dummy Chamberlain's new technology blocks aftermarket controllers from working with its garage door openers The Pebble Index 01 is a smart ring with a built-in microphone Calibri is too woke for the State Department | The Verge Gruber got a copy of the thing Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Step into one of the most volatile places on earth: the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Despite its name, the DMZ is the most militarised border in the world, a tense strip of land dividing North and South Korea since the 1953 armistice. Technically still at war, the two nations face each other across a boundary where even the smallest incident can ignite global attention.In Panmunjom's Joint Security Area, North and South Korean soldiers stand just metres apart. It was here, on 13 November 2017, that the world witnessed a dramatic escape as North Korean soldier Oh Chong-song fled across the border under a barrage of gunfire before collapsing on the southern side and being airlifted to safety. Oh's desperate dash is just one of thousands. Since the end of the Korean War, countless North Koreans have risked everything for a chance at freedom. Join Gary Kent at the DMZ as he uncovers the stories behind this high-stakes border, the human cost of division, and the universal longing for freedom shared by people in every place and every time.

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If God is so Powerful, Why Didn't He Just Stop Their Enemies? by Autumn Dickson I want to share something from the Official Declaration 1, the declaration that ended the practice of polygamy in the latter-days. This post isn't specifically about polygamy, but the principle I want to teach is being taught through the polygamy example. The Lord has told me to ask the Latter-day Saints a question, and He also told me that if they would listen to what I said to them and answer the question put to them, by the Spirit and power of God, they would all answer alike, and they would all believe alike with regard to this matter. He then proceeds to ask the people what would be better: to comply with the law of the land and cease the practice of polygamy or continue to practice polygamy and lose the priesthood organization and temples and be forced to stop polygamy anyway? I've heard people express the idea that the church supposedly believes in revelation but fold the second they receive outside pressure. I've heard it conveyed that it was so convenient for the Lord to stop the practice of polygamy when things got too difficult for the people to live it. Even as a teenager, I believed in the church but remember thinking, “Isn't there a third option? Can't the Lord enable them to continue practicing polygamy without losing all of the men and the temples?” Though polygamy is unique in many ways, there is not really any new argument against God. These specific questions boil down to a question that is as old as religion, “If your God is truly so powerful, why doesn't He enable you?” The answer to that specific question varies because the circumstances of mankind vary, but I'll do my best to teach the overarching principles by referring to this specific example of polygamy. According to President Woodruff, the Saints were facing some pretty dire circumstances. He had a vision of everything that the Saints would lose if they continued the practice of polygamy. To put it shortly, they would lose everything that mattered. I don't think Satan was worried about stopping polygamy as he was about utilizing polygamy to stop the work in general. If the Saints continued on, this would surely stop the work. They would lose temples and the men; if they lost these, apostasy would reign and Satan would have won (especially since the Lord has promised that we will not fall into a Great Apostasy again). When we face dire circumstances, the Lord can react in a number of ways and He makes wise decisions based on what will bring about His purposes. The Lord's potential reaction #1: Sometimes He asks us to continue on through difficulty and lose everything. I think of Abinadi. Abinadi was asked to continue preaching despite the fact that it put his life in danger. Abinadi died. Sometimes the Lord asks for the ultimate sacrifice. He could have asked the Saints to make the ultimate sacrifice, but He didn't. The Lord's potential reaction #2: The Lord can tell His people to keep going and then remove the difficulty. There are a million examples of this, the most obvious being Moses parting the Red Sea. When it came to polygamy, the Lord could have responded in this way. He could have “parted the sea” and removed the difficulty. The Lord could have enabled His Saints to continue practicing polygamy. He could have wiped out the entire earth other than the Saints if that's what it took, but He didn't. The Lord's potential reaction #3: Sometimes the Lord tells us to stop. I think of Alma and his people. They were threatened with death if they prayed, and so they only prayed in their hearts. The Lord could have commanded them to keep praying, but it wasn't their time and so He didn't. Technically they kept praying, but there are other instances. For example, there was Zion's camp. An “army” of members left Kirtland to go win back Missouri for the Saints, but the Lord told them to turn around after they got there. I did a whole video on why the Lord might have chosen after this manner. There was also the time when the Lord excused His people from building the temple in Zion for a time. Sometimes the Lord does tell us we can stop. People love to act like this is because our God isn't real or that He isn't powerful. The answer is neither. Sometimes the Lord tells us to stop because He is wise. Despite the fact that the Lord could ask His Saints to sacrifice everything and despite the fact that the Lord could have removed the obstacles they were facing, He chose not to. I emphasize the point that we do not always know why the Lord makes specific choices unless He tells us directly, but let's think for a bit about why the Lord would have made this decision. Despite the fact that the Lord reigns over all and despite the fact that He is tremendously powerful, sometimes He chooses to act in a certain way with mankind because of His purposes. The “limitations” are not true limitations; they are self-imposed limitations that enable Him to push His purposes along. His purpose is to bring about the immortality and eternal life of man and because of His chosen purpose, He often works within the constraints of mankind so He doesn't ruin His own plan. Let's look at this principle in the context of polygamy. The Lord's potential reaction #1: The Lord could have asked them to continue on in difficulty and sacrifice. They would have lost the temples and priesthood organization that kept His restored church on the earth. That doesn't really fit His purposes so He's not going to choose this option. The Lord's potential reaction #2: The Lord could have asked them to continue on and then removed the difficulty for them. This answers the question that I've heard posed more than once in my life. Believe it or not, this would have also frustrated His purposes. He COULD have destroyed everyone except the Saints, but that doesn't contribute to His purposes. He COULD have sent down miracles to stop the rest of America from being able to infiltrate Utah and take the temples and arrest the men, but it would have taken some large-scale miracles in order to keep the work moving forward. In the history of the world, the Lord has performed some incredible large-scale miracles. We read about these miracles, and we rejoice in them. However, the Lord does not often choose to work after this manner. He just doesn't. Why? Because faith is an essential ingredient in His plan. I have studied the purpose of faith over and over and over. You can't bring about the Plan of Redemption if you wipe out the principle of faith, and large-scale miracles run the risk of doing just that. The Lord could perform large-scale miracle after large-scale miracle and fix everything, but He doesn't. Why? Because removing faith from the mortal experience has far dire consequences than anything we could potentially face on earth. So the Lord COULD have chosen potential reaction #1 or #2, but He didn't because they don't contribute to His purposes. The Lord's potential reaction #3: He stops it. And honestly, this makes sense. Temple work and the priesthood organization were more important. Faith was more important. I believe that polygamy was a policy laid down by God. I do. I also believe that polygamy doesn't make logistical sense on a grand scale so it was the wisest choice the Lord could have made. There are a million arguments made against the church. One of them is the idea of, “If your God is so powerful, why doesn't He enable you to xyz?” I testify that God is real and powerful, and I testify that He is in this work. I also testify that God is wise and because He is wise, He has self-imposed limitations in order to bring about His purposes. He could easily interfere with evil on a daily basis, but He knows the cost would be too high. I testify that the Lord is wise enough to make the decisions necessary to bring about our eternal life. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

Welcome back to Warehouse and Operations as a Career, I'm Marty, and today I thought we'd have another Ask Me Anything episode. I always like these because the questions don't come from textbooks, supervisors, or managers, they come directly from real associates and warehouse workers with real concerns. Our industry welcomes so many first time job seekers, and those wanting to change career paths. Some of its rules and regulations just aren't found in other industries and I hope talking about them helps us slow down a bit, and put in the time. Alright, we received three really good questions for today, and honestly, if these three people asked them, I'm confident a hundred others are thinking the same thing, so let's jump in. First up, my boss wants me to work overtime several times a week, even on Saturdays getting ready for the holidays. I want work-life balance, but it feels like all we do is work. First, I want to say, yes, work-life balance is extremely important, and I encourage everyone in this industry to protect that balance. Our mental health, physical health, and family lives matter. But at the same time, we also need to understand the industry we chose to work in. Light industrial, warehousing, distribution, logistics, these sectors live and breathe on production and shipping. That's not just a management saying. It's literally the foundation of how the supply chain operates. Most companies don't schedule overtime because they like spending more money on labor. Technically, overtime costs them more. Time-and-a-half adds up quick. So why do they do it? Because freight keeps moving. Product keeps arriving. Orders keep coming in. Your customers keep shopping. Especially around peak seasons. Here's something I've shared with new associates many times. The supply chain doesn't care what day of the week it is. Transportation doesn't stop. Warehouses don't stop. Retail stores don't stop. People don't stop buying things. Now we absolutely deserve balance, but balance doesn't always mean every week looks the same. Sometimes balance looks like working a few heavier months out of the year, and lighter months later. Some of the best operators, selectors, receivers, I mean the real professionals, use peak season as an opportunity. I had one guy tell me how he plans for his peak season. More hours. more pay. more learning, and more exposure. And remember If you're wanting advancement, leadership looks for who's stepping up. Overtime shouldn't be looked at as punishment, it's opportunity. No, we shouldn't work seven days a week every week of the year. But during heavy shipping periods, stepping up is part of being in this field. And honestly, it's part of being valuable. Nobody likes mandatory overtime, but everybody likes having a job, and that job depends on productivity and meeting the needs of our customers. You're not working more hours because someone likes it, you're working more hours because our industry requires it from time to time. Use overtime as a career tool, not as a pain point. If you want promotions, forklift certification, lead roles, better assignments, full-time status or long-term job stability. Then be the person your boss can count on when the workload is highest. We all get worn out from time to time, keeping our eye on the long-term goal will help us stay focused, we'll get through it. Question #2, why are corrective actions taken so seriously? It feels like you get 1 verbal, 1 written, and then you're terminated. Why so strict? This is another great question. I hear this complaint a lot, especially from new associates. Here's the truth. Yes, many companies use a progressive corrective action system. Verbal, written, and a final or termination. Some use a point system, some use write-ups, but the purpose is the same, behavior correction, not punishment. You've heard me talk about coaching. I prefer that word instead of correcting or warning. Sometimes those coaching's are in regards to Safety. Warehouses are dangerous. Not maybe dangerous. They are dangerous. As we discussed last week, every rule you've ever been told exists because, someone got hurt or something went seriously wrong. Corrective Action can mean Prevention. Corrective action isn't about protecting the company, it's about protecting people. If you get coached on attendance, PPE, equipment rules, dock safety, stacking pallets etc, …it's not because management is strict. It's because it's the right thing to do. OSHA standards are there to protect us. The insurance company has rules. Liability is real and Injuries are expensive for our company and us as individuals. We all know warehouse environment can go from safe to serious in seconds. And Productivity matters too. We are in a productivity-driven industry. Pieces per hour, pallets per hour, inbound receiving time, dock turnaround. Every minute counts. Every delay costs money. So rules are there for productivity and safety.  And please keep in mind, no matter what else you hear, safety is your priority one in any task. Period Ok, Let's be honest. Many corrective actions start because our attendance is inconsistent, or we repeatedly ignore safety instructions. Most write-ups aren't about big dramatic incidents, they're about repeated small behaviors that impact safety or production. If you were running a business with forklift traffic, heavy freight, metrics and deadlines, you would expect consistency too. The good news? Stay safe, follow direction, communicate, and show up on time…and you'll never get close to corrective action. Corrective actions exist to protect careers, not end them. Alright, and I picked this next question because it comes up at least once a month out in the field. Why don't companies offer more training on forklifts and EPJs? I want to learn, but it seems like nobody wants to take the time to train me. This is one of my favorite questions because I've trained a lot of equipment operators and trainers, and I've been on both sides of that frustration. Here's the big picture. There are no quick training courses. Forklifts and rider pallet jacks cause the majority of damages and injuries in warehouses. When a new operator climbs on equipment too early, bad things can happen fast. Certification is not a reward, it's a responsibility. Experience matters. You're not just learning how to drive. You're learning, balance, center of gravity, safety, spotting, loading, rack structure, pallet weight, equipment limitations, battery versus propane rules and about a hundred other dangers. You're learning how to see things before they happen. And that takes time, and experiences. And yes, the sad truth is that companies want trained equipment operators. They need more operators, they want productivity. And they have to have safety. They need people who show up consistently, are safe on the floor, have good work habits, follow rules, can communicate well and take direction. If you want to be trained on equipment, be that person. You earn it by being dependable. Think about it from management's point of view. Who are they going to invest in and spend time training on a forklift? Someone who is absent twice a week, or someone who is early every day? Someone who argues, or someone who listens? Someone who complains or someone who volunteers? PIT or powered industrial trucks are not like video games. Forklifts don't forgive mistakes. Electric rider pallet jacks can be very unforgiving. One accident or incident can change a life. So yes, training takes time. Yes, it's slow. But slow means safe. My advice. And it's a time proven opinion. Be patient. Be present. And be consistent. Ask for learning opportunities, but also show that you're ready for them. If you want to be a forklift operator, start by being a great warehouse employee first. That is what opens doors. Everyone catch how all three of these questions have something in common? The warehouse environment is demanding, it's productivity driven, safety is paramount, expectations are real and experience matters. And I think most of us know that deep down, even when we don't like the answers. But here's the good news! If you, show up, listen, learn, work safely, and treat others professionally. Our industry will reward you. Every single time. You'll grow. The opportunities and pay will come. Because the supply chain doesn't stop, distribution doesn't stop, and operations never stop. So wrapping it up I guess the question is, are you going to be the employee that helps keep it moving? I hope these answers helped someone today. And please keep the questions coming, I love doing these Ask Me Anything episodes, and every time you ask a question, someone else learns as well. Until next time, stay safe, work smart, keep learning, and remember, you are building careers out there.

Is the Word Cop an Insult or Offensive? In Defense of a Title Earned. Few words tied to law enforcement spark online arguments as quickly, or as emotionally, as the word cop. For some, it's an instant trigger. For others, it's harmless shorthand. But for many who have worn the badge, worked the streets, and answered the calls, cop is neither an insult nor a slur. It's a title of respect, earned through action, accountability, sacrifice, and service. This special episode is streaming for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and most every major Podcast platform That's why this conversation matters, and why a special episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast was dedicated to defending the word “Cop.” Look for The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on social media like their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. Why One Word Creates Such Big Reactions. Ask ten people what comes to mind when they hear “cop,” and you'll likely get ten different answers. Online, the word ignites debate at lightning speed, often led by people with little to no firsthand connection to the profession itself. The disconnect is striking. Opinions about the word rarely come from the street, the squad car, or the midnight shift. They come from the outside looking in. Is the Word Cop an Insult or Offensive? In Defense of a Title Earned. Supporting articles about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . As a retired Baltimore Police Sergeant, I use the word intentionally and unapologetically. Growing up in the job, cop was always a compliment. It was what fellow cops called you when they knew you were reliable, when they trusted you to show up, back them up, and do the work. It was never whispered as an insult or tossed around in a derogatory way. It was a term of respect shared among people who understood exactly what the job demanded. A Word Big Enough for the Whole Profession One of the greatest misconceptions about law enforcement is the idea that it's a single job with a single title. In reality, it's a massive profession made up of countless roles: Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, State Troopers, Highway Patrol, Game Wardens, Wildlife Officers, Park Rangers, Corrections Officers, Probation and Parole Officers, Federal Agents, and many more. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and other podcast platforms. Each agency has its own mission, culture, and rank structure: Officer, Agent, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Chief. Titles and ranks matter in this profession because they're earned. Technically, the most accurate way to address someone is by their full title. That's exactly where the word cop fits. It's universal. It cuts across agencies, uniforms, patches, and ranks without erasing them. Whether someone works urban streets, rural highways, a jail tier, or a federal task force, “cop” recognizes the shared commitment to a job most people wouldn't last a week doing. It acknowledges the brotherhood and sisterhood beneath the badges. Is the Word Cop an Insult or Offensive? What “Cop” Really Means on the Inside Among those who lived the job, being called a cop meant something very specific: you actually did the work. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. The uncomfortable truth is that not everyone who wears a badge lives up to that standard. Every agency has individuals who technically show up but avoid the real work whenever possible. They dodge hot calls, arrive late to dangerous scenes by choice, and stay “clean” by doing the bare minimum. Ironically, those are often the people who climb the promotional ladder the fastest, because staying invisible protects them from scrutiny. In the Baltimore Police Department, there was a word for officers like that: humps. They mastered the art of stretching simple calls into hour-long events, lingering in the station, and letting other officers absorb the risk. That behavior didn't just burden coworkers, it hurt the community by reducing real response and proactive policing. A cop, what our old-timers called “real police”, was different. A cop showed up. A cop backed their partners without hesitation. A cop stepped into chaos, took responsibility, and handled business when it mattered. The job wasn't about comfort, popularity, or fast promotions. It was about service and accountability. That's the standard behind the word. Is the Word Cop an Insult or Offensive? In Defense of a Title Earned. Check out The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and across most podcast platforms where listeners will find authentic law enforcement stories. The Fake Outrage Over Language Every so often, usually on social media, someone erupts in outrage when I use the word cop. What's telling isn't just the anger, but where it's aimed. It's not about the crime. Not about the victim. Not about the officer injured or killed. It's about the word. That says everything. When a headline reads A COP WAS SHOT and someone ignores the violence to lecture about terminology, priorities are clearly misplaced. Fixating on language while glossing over criminal violence raises serious questions about motive and intent. Outrage over vocabulary is easy. Standing up for truth, accountability, and human life is much harder. Is the Word Cop an Insult or Offensive? A Special Episode of the podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. So let me be clear: when I call someone a cop, it is a compliment. If someone chooses to be offended, that's their issue, not mine. Proud of the Title I don't casually refer to myself as a cop, out of respect for what the word represents. If others call me that, I accept it with gratitude. I'm honored to have served. Honored to have stood alongside men and women who ran toward danger while others ran away. Honored to be part of a profession that demands courage, resilience, sacrifice, and integrity. And I'm proud to defend a word that represents the best of that profession. So yes, I'll keep using the word cop. Because it's not just a name. It's a standard. It's a legacy. It's a badge of honor. To those who lived the job and did it the right way, “cop” is a quiet salute, one that carries respect, not disrespect. Is the Word Cop an Insult or Offensive? In Defense of a Title Earned. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. So I'll leave you with this question: When you hear the word cop, what do you hear? If you believe it's an insult, that belief belongs to you alone. It does not reflect the mindset of those who earned the title, lived the work, and still stand proudly behind the word. ️ This discussion is featured in a special episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, available on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, LinkedIn, X, and major news and podcast platforms. Is the Word Cop an Insult or Offensive? Be sure to follow us on X , Instagram , Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Listeners can tune in on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and most every major Podcast platform and follow updates on Facebook, Instagram, and other major News outlets. You can find the show on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn, as well as read companion articles and updates on Medium, Blogspot, YouTube, and even IMDB. You can help contribute money to make the Gunrunner Movie . The film that Hollywood won't touch. It is about a now Retired Police Officer that was shot 6 times while investigating Gunrunning. He died 3 times during Medical treatment and was resuscitated. You can join the fight by giving a monetary “gift” to help ensure the making of his film at agunrunnerfilm.com . Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. You can contact John J. “Jay” Wiley by email at Jay@letradio.com , or learn more about him on their website . Stay connected with updates and future episodes by following the show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, their website and other Social Media Platforms. Find a wide variety of great podcasts online at The Podcast Zone Facebook Page , look for the one with the bright green logo. Be sure to check out our website . Is the Word Cop an Insult or Offensive? In Defense of a Title Earned. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Department of Justice has consistently argued that the controversial 2007–2008 Epstein non-prosecution agreement did not violate the Crime Victims' Rights Act because, in its view, the CVRA's protections did not attach until formal federal charges were filed. DOJ lawyers maintained that during the pre-charge negotiation phase, federal prosecutors were operating within their lawful discretion to decline prosecution and enter into a resolution without notifying potential victims. According to this position, because Epstein was never federally charged at the time the agreement was reached, the government contended there were no legally recognized “crime victims” under the CVRA to notify, consult, or confer with during the negotiations.The government further argued that the plea deal itself was a lawful exercise of prosecutorial authority designed to secure accountability through a state-level conviction while conserving federal resources and avoiding litigation risks. DOJ filings emphasized that the CVRA was not intended to regulate prosecutorial decision-making before charges are brought, nor to force prosecutors to disclose or negotiate plea discussions with potential victims in advance. In short, the DOJ's defense rests on a narrow interpretation of when victims' rights legally begin, asserting that while the outcome may have been deeply troubling, it did not constitute a statutory violation under the government's reading of federal law.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Title

The Department of Justice has consistently argued that the controversial 2007–2008 Epstein non-prosecution agreement did not violate the Crime Victims' Rights Act because, in its view, the CVRA's protections did not attach until formal federal charges were filed. DOJ lawyers maintained that during the pre-charge negotiation phase, federal prosecutors were operating within their lawful discretion to decline prosecution and enter into a resolution without notifying potential victims. According to this position, because Epstein was never federally charged at the time the agreement was reached, the government contended there were no legally recognized “crime victims” under the CVRA to notify, consult, or confer with during the negotiations.The government further argued that the plea deal itself was a lawful exercise of prosecutorial authority designed to secure accountability through a state-level conviction while conserving federal resources and avoiding litigation risks. DOJ filings emphasized that the CVRA was not intended to regulate prosecutorial decision-making before charges are brought, nor to force prosecutors to disclose or negotiate plea discussions with potential victims in advance. In short, the DOJ's defense rests on a narrow interpretation of when victims' rights legally begin, asserting that while the outcome may have been deeply troubling, it did not constitute a statutory violation under the government's reading of federal law.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Title

The Department of Justice has consistently argued that the controversial 2007–2008 Epstein non-prosecution agreement did not violate the Crime Victims' Rights Act because, in its view, the CVRA's protections did not attach until formal federal charges were filed. DOJ lawyers maintained that during the pre-charge negotiation phase, federal prosecutors were operating within their lawful discretion to decline prosecution and enter into a resolution without notifying potential victims. According to this position, because Epstein was never federally charged at the time the agreement was reached, the government contended there were no legally recognized “crime victims” under the CVRA to notify, consult, or confer with during the negotiations.The government further argued that the plea deal itself was a lawful exercise of prosecutorial authority designed to secure accountability through a state-level conviction while conserving federal resources and avoiding litigation risks. DOJ filings emphasized that the CVRA was not intended to regulate prosecutorial decision-making before charges are brought, nor to force prosecutors to disclose or negotiate plea discussions with potential victims in advance. In short, the DOJ's defense rests on a narrow interpretation of when victims' rights legally begin, asserting that while the outcome may have been deeply troubling, it did not constitute a statutory violation under the government's reading of federal law.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Title

Technically, Massy came before Ickus, but Ickus went before Massy, so I titled this the way they left. We will forever miss you babies. We look forward to seeing you again when it's our time. Thank you Lord for the gifts you gave in these two cats. We are so very grateful. So glad they are out of pain. Mrs. Massy Face (AKA: Mass-tastic, Burnt Marshmallow, Baby Iorek Byrnison, Massy Girl with a Twirl, Sweet Angel Kitty): June 2005 - November 24th 2025 Ickus (AKA: Ickaman, Man): May 2008 - September 30th 2025   ****If you liked The Apprenticeship Diaries (T.A.D.), please follow us, rate, and review us! Also, get our webpage to climb on the search engine by visiting it HERE. If you would like to donate to the show, we greatly appreciate the support. Click here to throw us a little love.

The Department of Justice has consistently argued that the controversial 2007–2008 Epstein non-prosecution agreement did not violate the Crime Victims' Rights Act because, in its view, the CVRA's protections did not attach until formal federal charges were filed. DOJ lawyers maintained that during the pre-charge negotiation phase, federal prosecutors were operating within their lawful discretion to decline prosecution and enter into a resolution without notifying potential victims. According to this position, because Epstein was never federally charged at the time the agreement was reached, the government contended there were no legally recognized “crime victims” under the CVRA to notify, consult, or confer with during the negotiations.The government further argued that the plea deal itself was a lawful exercise of prosecutorial authority designed to secure accountability through a state-level conviction while conserving federal resources and avoiding litigation risks. DOJ filings emphasized that the CVRA was not intended to regulate prosecutorial decision-making before charges are brought, nor to force prosecutors to disclose or negotiate plea discussions with potential victims in advance. In short, the DOJ's defense rests on a narrow interpretation of when victims' rights legally begin, asserting that while the outcome may have been deeply troubling, it did not constitute a statutory violation under the government's reading of federal law.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:TitleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Department of Justice has consistently argued that the controversial 2007–2008 Epstein non-prosecution agreement did not violate the Crime Victims' Rights Act because, in its view, the CVRA's protections did not attach until formal federal charges were filed. DOJ lawyers maintained that during the pre-charge negotiation phase, federal prosecutors were operating within their lawful discretion to decline prosecution and enter into a resolution without notifying potential victims. According to this position, because Epstein was never federally charged at the time the agreement was reached, the government contended there were no legally recognized “crime victims” under the CVRA to notify, consult, or confer with during the negotiations.The government further argued that the plea deal itself was a lawful exercise of prosecutorial authority designed to secure accountability through a state-level conviction while conserving federal resources and avoiding litigation risks. DOJ filings emphasized that the CVRA was not intended to regulate prosecutorial decision-making before charges are brought, nor to force prosecutors to disclose or negotiate plea discussions with potential victims in advance. In short, the DOJ's defense rests on a narrow interpretation of when victims' rights legally begin, asserting that while the outcome may have been deeply troubling, it did not constitute a statutory violation under the government's reading of federal law.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:TitleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Department of Justice has consistently argued that the controversial 2007–2008 Epstein non-prosecution agreement did not violate the Crime Victims' Rights Act because, in its view, the CVRA's protections did not attach until formal federal charges were filed. DOJ lawyers maintained that during the pre-charge negotiation phase, federal prosecutors were operating within their lawful discretion to decline prosecution and enter into a resolution without notifying potential victims. According to this position, because Epstein was never federally charged at the time the agreement was reached, the government contended there were no legally recognized “crime victims” under the CVRA to notify, consult, or confer with during the negotiations.The government further argued that the plea deal itself was a lawful exercise of prosecutorial authority designed to secure accountability through a state-level conviction while conserving federal resources and avoiding litigation risks. DOJ filings emphasized that the CVRA was not intended to regulate prosecutorial decision-making before charges are brought, nor to force prosecutors to disclose or negotiate plea discussions with potential victims in advance. In short, the DOJ's defense rests on a narrow interpretation of when victims' rights legally begin, asserting that while the outcome may have been deeply troubling, it did not constitute a statutory violation under the government's reading of federal law.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:TitleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Department of Justice has consistently argued that the controversial 2007–2008 Epstein non-prosecution agreement did not violate the Crime Victims' Rights Act because, in its view, the CVRA's protections did not attach until formal federal charges were filed. DOJ lawyers maintained that during the pre-charge negotiation phase, federal prosecutors were operating within their lawful discretion to decline prosecution and enter into a resolution without notifying potential victims. According to this position, because Epstein was never federally charged at the time the agreement was reached, the government contended there were no legally recognized “crime victims” under the CVRA to notify, consult, or confer with during the negotiations.The government further argued that the plea deal itself was a lawful exercise of prosecutorial authority designed to secure accountability through a state-level conviction while conserving federal resources and avoiding litigation risks. DOJ filings emphasized that the CVRA was not intended to regulate prosecutorial decision-making before charges are brought, nor to force prosecutors to disclose or negotiate plea discussions with potential victims in advance. In short, the DOJ's defense rests on a narrow interpretation of when victims' rights legally begin, asserting that while the outcome may have been deeply troubling, it did not constitute a statutory violation under the government's reading of federal law.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:TitleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The Department of Justice has consistently argued that the controversial 2007–2008 Epstein non-prosecution agreement did not violate the Crime Victims' Rights Act because, in its view, the CVRA's protections did not attach until formal federal charges were filed. DOJ lawyers maintained that during the pre-charge negotiation phase, federal prosecutors were operating within their lawful discretion to decline prosecution and enter into a resolution without notifying potential victims. According to this position, because Epstein was never federally charged at the time the agreement was reached, the government contended there were no legally recognized “crime victims” under the CVRA to notify, consult, or confer with during the negotiations.The government further argued that the plea deal itself was a lawful exercise of prosecutorial authority designed to secure accountability through a state-level conviction while conserving federal resources and avoiding litigation risks. DOJ filings emphasized that the CVRA was not intended to regulate prosecutorial decision-making before charges are brought, nor to force prosecutors to disclose or negotiate plea discussions with potential victims in advance. In short, the DOJ's defense rests on a narrow interpretation of when victims' rights legally begin, asserting that while the outcome may have been deeply troubling, it did not constitute a statutory violation under the government's reading of federal law.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:TitleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The Department of Justice has consistently argued that the controversial 2007–2008 Epstein non-prosecution agreement did not violate the Crime Victims' Rights Act because, in its view, the CVRA's protections did not attach until formal federal charges were filed. DOJ lawyers maintained that during the pre-charge negotiation phase, federal prosecutors were operating within their lawful discretion to decline prosecution and enter into a resolution without notifying potential victims. According to this position, because Epstein was never federally charged at the time the agreement was reached, the government contended there were no legally recognized “crime victims” under the CVRA to notify, consult, or confer with during the negotiations.The government further argued that the plea deal itself was a lawful exercise of prosecutorial authority designed to secure accountability through a state-level conviction while conserving federal resources and avoiding litigation risks. DOJ filings emphasized that the CVRA was not intended to regulate prosecutorial decision-making before charges are brought, nor to force prosecutors to disclose or negotiate plea discussions with potential victims in advance. In short, the DOJ's defense rests on a narrow interpretation of when victims' rights legally begin, asserting that while the outcome may have been deeply troubling, it did not constitute a statutory violation under the government's reading of federal law.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:TitleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Technically known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1, these drugs have been around for years for treating diabetes. Now it seems most people think of GLP-1 drugs as medications to lose weight, and these medications are so popular that for a time, supply could not meet demand, leaving many to seek compounded GLP-1 medications, which were more accessible and affordable. However, compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and there are questions regarding their safety and efficacy. What do doctors and patients need to know when considering using compounded obesity medications? To help answer this, host Aaron Lohr talks with Michael Weintraub, MD, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Division of Endocrinology. Dr. Weintraub serves on the exam writing committee for the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Support for this episode was provided by Lilly. Show notes are available at https://www.endocrine.org/podcast/enp107 — for helpful links or to hear more podcast episodes, visit https://www.endocrine.org/podcast

⚠️ Why DIY Divorce Fails in California | Los Angeles Divorce

I’m launching new cohorts for The Forge Lightning and The Forge Genesis. Go to https://learning.fusechamber.com to find out more and register today. What’s The Latest in Badass Leadership? Something is definitely up. People are angrier, meaner, less fulfilled, less patient and more intolerant. Manners and decorum are taking a back seat to ego and impulse. I won’t get into where I think this is all coming from, but I do know one thing. If you want to make things better, the fastest way is to set an example with Badass Leadership. For a leader to set a powerful example, they have to be in control of their emotions. You have to let situations bounce off of you – including criticism, failure, unfairness, difficulty and conflict. Technically, it doesn’t have to “bounce off of you”, but the badass leader must be in charge of their response to situations like these. That means you’re aware of how situations affect you. You understand your default reactions, and learn how to subvert them. It means you know what is important to you as a leader, and never allow your ego (or your emotions) to take precedence over your vision. It’s never been more important to let your badass leadership shine. What Is Badass Leadership? Thinking back to some very early episodes, Badass Leadership refers to the qualities that a highly seasoned and powerful leader possesses. You are not influenced by currents and tides, nor the opinions of others. You can see clearly where you want to go, and are willing to experiment in an effort to get there. You don’t value being right. You don’t need credit, acclaim, wealth or fame in exchange for what you do. Your leadership is about serving. That means bringing clear value to those who need it the most. At its core, Badass Leadership is about strength. Steadiness, especially in the face of adversity, is a sign of great wisdom and power. Having the humility to realize you’re not perfect, but on a path to mastery, is key. When you’ve begun to master emotional control in yourself, you’ll notice something very cool happening. You can notice it in others. If you’ve been working on emotional control in yourself, you can then use your wisdom and experience to help others. That’s what Badass Leadership is all about. Here’s some episodes touching on Badass Leadership I thought you might also enjoy: The Forge – Badass Agile Immersion Experience Career Freedom with Forge Genesis Episode 168 – The 13 Qualities Of A Badass Leader (Revisited) **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025! Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

MapleStory Universe get $50M ecosystem fund, Legend of Ymir custom servers expanded, Stan extends Series A and we talk Hyptopia and Moku's Grand Arena.[0:40] Nexpace has announced a $50 million ecosystem fund for MapleStory Universe.[3:48] As a reminder Nexon funded Nexpace two years ago with $100 million of funding. [4:17] Technically the fund is "up to $50 million" - likely mainly NXPC tokens and work-in-kind etc.[6:56] MapleStory N is the core, but the fund is to encourage third party games and app around it.[8:55] This is a trend for many fully onchain games such as Soccerverse and EVE Frontier.[12:10] There's also a deeper trend with stablecoins becoming payment rails for Tradfi.[14:03] Our Mavens discussed the balance of financials and fun for blockchain games.[17:22] Wemade has expanded the custom server business for its Legend of Ymir MMORPG.[18:00] It originally auctioned 10 servers for +$20,000 each. You can earn 15% of in-game [21:37] Indian social gaming app Stan extended its Series A funding to $10.5 million.[23:08] One likely reason is India banned real money games so apps like Stan are now an alternative.[26:29] Jon had Maxwell from Hytopia on the podcast this week. [29:12] The platform is now live with its HYBUX token also live on Base.[30:16] Maxwell says "Crypto is cool but fun is #1".[33:13] Moku has launched the 4 week preseason for its Grand Arena game.

"I think that all of the people that I know that are working on Bitcoin Core and other Bitcoin projects are onlyinterested in the monetary use case. But I think that many of them take a more long term view in how that might be happening if we're trying to get towards this being not just the money for anyone, but the money for everyone."~ Murch In this episode, I sit down with Murch, long-time Bitcoin Core developer and co-founder of Localhost Research, for a deep and candid dive into how Bitcoin really works — not just technically, but socially and ideologically. We explore how Core contributors organize, fund, and ship software, the recent OP_RETURN debate, and the cultural divides that have surfaced around Bitcoin development. Can the protocol stay pure and neutral while the community grows more opinionated? What does it mean when social dynamics shape technical direction? And how can open-source developers and commentators bridge the gap to keep Bitcoin strong and united? From software releases and mempool policy to the human side of collaboration and conflict — this chat goes right to the heart of what it means to build Bitcoin. Check out our awesome sponsors! Ledn: Need fiat but don't want to sell your Bitcoin? Ledn offers secure, Bitcoin-backed loans with no credit checks, flexible repayment, and fast turnaround—often within 24 hours. With $10B+ in loans across 100+ countries and transparent Proof of Reserves, Ledn is a trusted option for unlocking liquidity without giving up your Bitcoin. (Link: https://learn.ledn.io/audible) HRF: The Human Rights Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. Subscribe to HRF's Financial Freedom Newsletter today. (Link: https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter) OFF: The Oslo Freedom Forum is a global human rights event by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), uniting voices from activism, journalism, tech, and beyond. Through powerful stories and collaboration, OFF advances freedom and human potential worldwide. Join us next June. (Link: https://oslofreedomforum.com/) Pubky: Pubky is building the next web, a decentralized system designed to put control back in your hands. Escape censorship, algorithmic manipulation, and walled gardens by owning your identity and data. Explore the Pubky web and become the algorithm today. Don't forget to find me on my Pubky ID here: pk:5d7thwzkxx5mz6gk1f19wfyykr6nrwzaxri3io7ahejg1z74qngo. (Link: https://pubky.org) Chroma: Chroma is dedicated to advancing human performance and well-being through cutting-edge light therapy devices and performance eyewear. Their mission is to enhance physical and mental health, unlocking peak human health, cognitive function, and physical performance. Get 10% off your order with the code BITCOINAUDIBLE. (Link: https://getchroma.co/?ref=BitcoinAudible) Guest Links Murch Website (Link: https://murch.one/) Murch on X (Link: https://x.com/cguida6) Murch on Github (Link: https://github.com/Murchandamus) Localhost Research (Link: https://lclhost.org/) Host Links ⁠Guy on Nostr ⁠(Link: http://tinyurl.com/2xc96ney)

Today we're reading Genesis 2:8-17. Did you know that Adam was NOT made in the garden of Eden? Technically, he was made from the dust outside of Eden. And, there's a deeper reason why. You might not agree with this interpretation, but give me a chance to prove this viewpoint from the Scriptures. See, this small revelation blew my mind once I realized what was happening here. This is just one of the cool details we'll explore in this video on Genesis 2.Be sure to check out our ministry resources below!Free Online Bible CoursesOrder My Book "Fruitful"Support This MinistryOur WebsiteOur Youtube ChannelOur Second Youtube Channel

Running through a ranking of AFC teams that could make a real run at the AFC Wild Card spots.

Technically

BUY GOLD HERE: https://firstnationalbullion.com/schedule-consult/ Avoid CBDCs and work with Mark Gonzales! HELP SUPPORT US AS WE DOCUMENT HISTORY HERE: https://gogetfunding.com/help-keep-wam-alive/# Josh Sigurdson talks with Mark Gonzales about the stark warnings from experts across the board who say we are already seeing a recession in 23 US States. Mark Zandi of Moody's Analytics, a major indicator says it's clear that around half of all US states are in a recession with major corporations slashing 150,000 jobs last month, sticky inflation, dwindling home construction, factory layoffs, flat lining wages and far more problems piling up. Banks are seeing bankruptcies with cash to deposit ratios below 1%, derivative exposures sky high, bail-in regime policies in place at 63 central banks and the FDIC unable to cover more than 1% of actual depositor money. The 2008 recession never ended. It's only been papered over. Technically speaking, the entire United States is still in a recession and the 2020 downturn was just a hint of what we will see in the future as entities like the Plunge Protection Team have no capability to keep the system flowing. There is simply not enough liquidity. Families are deciding on 3 generation homes to offset costs and all of this is happening as the final penny was just minted due to the metal being worth 5 times the value of the penny. This is a major indicator of inflation and where we are headed. It is also an indicator of value as experts say some of the final pennies could see a value of as much as $5 million in the future. This is due to scarcity which there hasn't been in a long time. This is why we see so much inflation. They print and print and never sustain any semblance of scarcity. This is another reason why so many people are flooding to gold and silver that we are seeing historic all time highs while also witnessing mass shortages. Scarcity. In this video, Mark explains what this all means for you. Stay tuned for more from WAM! Get Your SUPER-SUPPLIMENTS HERE: https://vni.life/wam Use Code WAM15 & Save 15%! Life changing formulas you can't find anywhere else! GET HEIRLOOM SEEDS & NON GMO SURVIVAL FOOD HERE: https://heavensharvest.com/ USE Code WAM to save 5% plus free shipping! Get local, healthy, pasture raised meat delivered to your door here: https://wildpastures.com/promos/save-20-for-life/bonus15?oid=6&affid=321 USE THE LINK & get 20% off for life and $15 off your first box! DITCH YOUR DOCTOR! https://www.livelongerformula.com/wam Get a natural health practitioner and work with Christian Yordanov! Mention WAM and get a FREE masterclass! You will ALSO get a FREE metabolic function assessment! GET YOUR APRICOT SEEDS at the life-saving Richardson Nutritional Center HERE: https://rncstore.com/r?id=bg8qc1 Use code JOSH to save money! SIGN UP FOR HOMESTEADING COURSES NOW: https://freedomfarmers.com/link/17150/ Get Prepared & Start The Move Towards Real Independence With Curtis Stone's Courses! GET YOUR WAV WATCH HERE: https://buy.wavwatch.com/WAM Use Code WAM to save $100 and purchase amazing healing frequency technology! GET ORGANIC CHAGA MUSHROOMS HERE: https://alaskachaga.com/wam Use code WAM to save money! See shop for a wide range of products! GET AMAZING MEAT STICKS HERE: https://4db671-1e.myshopify.com/discount/WAM?rfsn=8425577.918561&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8425577.918561 USE CODE WAM TO SAVE MONEY! GET YOUR FREEDOM KELLY KETTLE KIT HERE: https://patriotprepared.com/shop/freedom-kettle/ Use Code WAM and enjoy many solutions for the outdoors in the face of the impending reset! PayPal: ancientwonderstelevision@gmail.com FIND OUR CoinTree page here: https://cointr.ee/joshsigurdson PURCHASE MERECHANDISE HERE: https://world-alternative-media.creator-spring.com/ JOIN US on SubscribeStar here: https://www.subscribestar.com/world-alternative-media For subscriber only content! Pledge here! Just a dollar a month can help us alive! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2652072&ty=h&u=2652072 BITCOIN ADDRESS: 18d1WEnYYhBRgZVbeyLr6UfiJhrQygcgNU World Alternative Media 2025

Démar and Adriel discuss Rosalía's fourth studio album "LUX", its technical excellence and whether an album that's so orchestral can be considered pop.Follow us: TikTok:Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepodAdriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcomDémar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemiInstagram:Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/Twitter:Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepodAdriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant===================================Démar's rating: 5 / 10Adriel's rating: 6 / 10The Love List: Reliquia, Divinize, Berghain, Memória 

Right now, TSMC Arizona's completed Fab 21 Phase 1 consumes about 18,000 cubic meters of water every day. That's about 4.75 million gallons of water, each day. And there are two more phases coming up. Semiconductor manufacturing is water intensive and that has made some people anxious about TSMC's arrival to the Arizona desert. More than a few people have asked, "Don't these fabs use a ton of water? Why are we building them in the desert?" The answer of course is that Phoenix offers TSMC certain things that are not easily found elsewhere. Water is scarce there, sure. But it is not impossible to find, the amounts are manageable, and it can be recycled. Some claim the facility is stealing water from farmers. Saying, “You can't eat chips!” (Technically you can) The implication being we can only have one or the other. I don't think that's true. Farms use way more water than TSMC. In today's video, I want to revisit the fab in the desert and take a dip into the water situation.

Do you look? Who is at fault? Worst kind of dream? Technically a submarine? Books? Rocky's obituary?

Office autopsy time! Kiera and Dana review a "practice" that went from broke to success in a handful of months, and how tracking their numbers saved them. Every single office will go through a cash flow crunch at least once, so it's important to understand the right flotation devices to utilize. This could mean pulling overhead apart, identifying production and collections percentages, analyzing fixed costs, and more. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: Kiera Dent (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera and today is a special day. I have the one and only Dana Morsell on the podcast today. And prior to this, asked her, she's gone through a few nicknames and Dana, believe it or not, I was actually thinking about this last night. No joke. I was thinking like, there's Spiffy Tiffy and there's no BS Britt. And I was like, Dana, you've been with me for a long time. Like, why have I not gotten like a good nickname for you? And like, Britty Gritty. And I was like, okay, I just like throw wise on the end of these names like Tiffy, that is their TT DM does not sound quite right. Like that's like DMing on Instagram. And so I thought like, it's just Dainey. And now you told me I to do it with a Southern draw. So it's going to be like Dainey on the far. So well. Dana (00:44) Yep, it has to have it. I feel like it reminds me so much of my dad and like it just has to have that. Kiera Dent (00:51) Well, it's my dad. grew up on a dairy farm for all the listeners. Don't worry. We have like a really good podcast today. It's an office autopsy that Dana has taken these three incredible practices, like one owner, like they went from just stress and chaos and burnout to complete an absolute just like freedom, which and Dana has done it so quickly. So we're going to get there. I'm just going to tell you about this dairy farm real fast. ⁓ my dad grew up on a dairy farm and he used to say his mom would always like, Ricky, like that's how he would call him. imagine myself on this like beautiful estate and like sweeping my porch and having this like big white porch out there. And I'm like, Dainey! So that's how I envisioned this so, you know, that's that's the vision over here So whether you like it or not, otherwise we can go back to donuts with Dana. What do you prefer? Dana (01:38) ⁓ I actually love you standing on your white porch shouting that, so we'll take it. Kiera Dent (01:41) I think it just fits and if you haven't heard other podcasts, if you haven't been with us as long, Dana has the most random stories like running her bicycle into a deer. She has so many animals. She's got kids like Dana will always come to the table with the most random stories and she whoops everybody on trivia. We play games in our company and it's always like team trivia. Dana will whoop them. So, you know, here we go Dana. Welcome to the podcast. How are you over there Dana? Special Dana? Dana (02:09) doing pretty good. Yeah, doing pretty good. think all of my wild stories and my trivia comes from like, I don't know, I just have this like weird memory thing where I can like memorize things very quickly. Even like applying for a car loan, they're always shocked that I know all of my account numbers, all of my balances down to the penny, like just off the top of my head. And so I think that that's kind of where some of that comes from. Kiera Dent (02:28) No. I didn't even know that about you. So that's also a really interesting thing to note. All right, so Dana will remember, mean, is this okay? Is it something where you can remember numbers like past past? Or is it like your banking out is just current right now, but you couldn't remember like a month ago. Dana (02:47) No, so it is past-past, but it's because I don't know, my brain does this weird, like I make a riddle out of everything and I'm constantly like, okay, well, if I run and remember something, like if it's, you know, two, three, six, I'm like, well, two times three is six. And like, I just, I don't know, create like weird connections, especially with numbers in my brain and like riddle it so that I remember it. Kiera Dent (03:07) Fascinating. Fascinating. Okay. Well, there's another random fact about Dana. So Dana is one of my absolute fave humans in the entire world. Dana, truly, I say that on the podcast and I genuinely mean it. And we have talked about it on show, off show. Dana is just a super incredible human and offices who get to work with her are so lucky. So we thought it'd be fun. Office autopsy time. If you're new to the podcast, this is where we kind of go behind the scenes. ⁓ We mash up a few practices. just so you know, you'll never really fully know exactly who it is just to keep a client patient confidentiality. But we want to highlight of things that we do in real life, because I think consulting can be kind of hard. Like what do you actually do and what are the results you actually get? And so Dana just had some really solid wins with some practices. And I thought, Dana, let's get on the podcast and do our office autopsy, where we lift up the hood and we look behind the scenes. And what were some of the things you as a consultant did for this practice? What are some of the wins and gains that they've had? ⁓ that I think will just be fun. So Dana, let's take it away. ⁓ kind of like, where did this practice start? What have we implemented and where are they now? Maybe even tell them like where they started, where they got to. And then we'll talk about the how, because that's really fun. I don't like to wait for the like end result. I want to know quickly like, okay, they were like dying, drowning, broke, and then they got like hundreds of dollars and they got it in like a month. How did they do it? So take us away. Where were they? Where did they get to? And then let's go into the house. Dana (04:30) Yeah, and I think that this practice is just a really cool example of like the importance of knowing your numbers, especially when you have multiple practices and knowing what each practice is bringing to the table and having really clear separated numbers for those things. And so it was just really fun and I think a cool way to highlight how when you know those things, then you can fix systems that are broken or aren't working to see massive progress. So when this office came, they were at a negative profit. ⁓ each month and Kiera Dent (05:03) We're talking like they're losing money, losing sleep, stressed out of their minds. Dana (05:04) Yeah, yes. So stressed, they're pulling personal, you know, they're pulling boatloads of personal cash every month to cover expenses to keep these practices open. ⁓ You know, doctor is going from office to office. And it's truly, truly really stressful time and they don't really know where the leaks are coming from. And they can't put their finger on what's going on that's causing it. And yeah, stressed out to the max and just really, really wanting help and wanting to kind of pinpoint and give them a clear picture of why they are so stressed and why these practices that feel as if they're booming or are starting to get busy aren't profitable at that point. Kiera Dent (05:35) This And I think this is so common for so many practices, which is why we were talking morning huddle. We share all of our client wins every single day. You guys, we have a morning huddle. It's very fun. We talk about team wins, client wins. And when Dana talked about this, I'm like, Dana, we're podcasting. Like, can you get on the podcast with me? I think this is such a big win because it, yes, it's, it's quote unquote one practice that we've kind of mashed a few of them, but this is like every single office. And so many of them don't realize what's going on with my profit numbers. They feel like it's booming. but they have no money left over and then they're stressed to the max and they're countless hours. And this isn't just a brand new practice. Like this is a business owner who'd been in business for a long time. Like it's almost that I should with air quotes know what I'm doing, but I just don't know where it is. And Dana, I'm so proud of you for saying like they need to know their numbers. We harp on this like crazy because when you actually can dig in, which I'm excited for you to kind of do like the grand reveal and then the how, but I mean, how many practices, Dana, this is, I hope people realize one, practices all go through this. So this is not just a siloed to one or two practices. This is every office at some point is going to go through cashflow crunches, stressed out, working all hours and not being able to pinpoint. And just because you're profitable today does not mean you're forever going to be profitable. It is something you have to constantly work at, constantly be vigilant on. And it's not just like, set it, forget it, we're on our way. And so I think for that, but also I think so many people because they don't know what to do. they spin their wills that creates this cycle of death in my opinion. Like you truly are spinning, you're burning the candle at all ends. I remember when I met, cause I'm, I talked to this office when they were joining our company and I'm like, my gosh, like I can't want this more than they want it. Like they have to make the decision to join us, but my gosh, I see your problem. see your pain and we have got to fix that like an ASAP and get CPR because the owner was just running frantic and it was impacting family life and financials. And to me, you worked so hard that you should not be living that life this far into business ownership, whatever stage you're in. So I'm ready for the grand reveal. I hope people just realize this is not siloed and it's not something that's permanent. And it's also once you become profitable, that's also not permanent too. No season is permanent, but we want profitability to be more permanent because you're vigilant on it. Dana (08:07) Yeah, yeah. And you know, after looking at things, developing systems really honing in on their numbers and kind of what they were telling us, we were able to get them to be on track to hit 16 % profit in August. So going from negative profit to actually having a decent amount of profit sitting there, and they're producing in one less office now too. So. Kiera Dent (08:30) Okay. So breaking this down, how many months are we talking? Is this like five months, 10 months, 12 months? How long of a timeline did we go for? Five months. Okay. Again, why I wanted Dana to come on because consulting is not an overnight diet pill. It's not something that we can just inject and say, here you go. Like you're on your way. It is something. And also I want you to realize that any person listening, getting to negative profit also did not usually happen overnight. Now buying a practice, you might be a little bit negative. So there is a space where that can be negative. but this was someone who was running multiple offices and Dana kudos in five months, you got them from negative cash. We're talking like broke. There's no money to a 16 % profit. So there is, and we're talking, we're in the multimillions. So you can just do some math that even on 1,000,000 10 % profit is a hundred grand. Okay. You add 16 % that's 160,000 of profit. Now you can do the math for your own practice of a 16 % profit. and that was done in five months. So can you just imagine this practice going from like, my gosh, I'm broke to having this much slush on the other hand, and you got one less practice. There was multiple practices. You got rid of a practice, which there's strategy behind. Do we keep it not? What do we do there? And this doctor I guarantee you is having way more time, less stress as well. So the numbers, the money is always what people want to hear. Every time I talk to people on like... sales calls, wondering about working with us. Like what's your ROI, Kiera? How are we going to like make sure we pay for this? And I'm like, well, the numbers will be there. But what I actually care more about is the life you're living. Yes, I'm going to always cover numbers. Like that's the result. People need to have that. But I think the piece that people don't realize and why you're usually reaching out is you're looking for life of no stress. You're looking for your problems to actually get resolved. And Dana, that gift in five months, like, and that's fast. That's a fast turn. Not all practices are this quick. so I'm really curious, what did you guys do? How did you get that turn? I'm really proud of you. That's why I wanted you on the podcast to highlight dynamite Dana. mean, this one feels a little bit more like Dainey on the white porch. get, but dynamite Dana, being able to get those results in five months. That's impressive. Like that is dynamite to be able to do. So walk us through what were some of the pieces of how did we do this? What did we do? Five months is not, it might feel long to people, but when in the grand scheme of things, that's not even half a year to go from net negative. to positive 16%. Dana (10:48) Yeah. And I think sometimes too, it just helps to translate. Like what that looks like is we really cut expenses, right? Some of the expenses and they on average are collecting about 35,000 more per month too. Kiera Dent (11:01) Nice. Dana (11:02) ⁓ So it really came down to first step was getting them to understand which of the offices were profitable if any of them and you know what each individual office looked like. So we basically did an office autopsy. We pulled apart overhead. We pulled apart fixed costs for every office. We pulled apart their percentages of production and collections over the last year and really created a very clear picture of how each practice was doing as well as then moving forward what numbers do we need to hit in each practice to hit various profit points. Kiera Dent (11:40) Awesome. So breaking this down, I think when people have multi-practices, this is a huge problem that offices do is they bundle it all together and they have no idea where the true cashflow week is. And what I found is in multi-practice ownership, usually it's one practice that is the bleeding child and all the rest of them are doing well, but you don't know that. And so I did this, I had multiple businesses, I had all lumped into one and I didn't know, you have no idea where to fix things, where to move levers. what needs to happen. And so what we do is we do this like buckshot approach where we try to do everything for all of them, but don't actually know when we can pinpoint. So we're working hard or not smarter on that. So I love that you broke it apart. So basically you got to have separate tax IDs for each practice. I know that seems annoying. It's also annoying to break it down for your insurance companies, but choose your heart. Would you rather know where you are profitable or where you're not? The answer is hard pass. Yes. Like we absolutely want that. And so from there, then you looked at how much it's costing each practice. And this is so fascinating to me and people are like, but Kiera, Dana, like people travel with me to all the offices and I'm like, fantastic. You have to actually put that salary, that amount for that practice. So we know, and what's wild is that team member technically is working for three different companies. Technically they are, when you break it down this way. So technically they could work 40 hours at each location. That's technically okay. Talk with your, like, we are not CPAs. We're not financial advisors, but you have to look at this. They're separate tax IDs. used to do this at multi practices. So pending upon how it structured. not to say to work your employees 120 hours a week. That's not what I'm saying. What I am saying though is if you've got a regional, you've got dental assistants that are going with you, they need to be clocking in at one location, clocking out, clocking in the next location, clocking out. And if you're paying them like gas or whatever in between, they need to actually be allocated to each practice individually so you can see actual costs per practice per business. This is how you run multi-businesses. You like think about it. If I have a dental practice and I have a coaching business and I have my real estate, they're like, all the money technically comes to you as a person, but you have to have those separated to see which business is doing well. And when you can look at all three of your practices as separate businesses under one roof of your own, this then helps you. Like you said, Dana, you laser focus and you pinpointed. So I'm very curious when you did this and you broke it apart, what did you find on expenses? Like how, like was one like just so expensive? I imagine it probably was just like cashflow negative. Like it was just gobbling all the money and the other ones were probably doing fine. Dana (14:05) Mm-hmm. Yeah, that's it. Pretty much exactly what we found ⁓ and in breaking down all of those things then secondary to that just like you were saying with with team members We had team members doing various roles depending on which practice they were in and so there was just a lot to really clean up clarify and streamline per practice ⁓ outside of even just expenses and knowing financially where the practice stood. So that was our second journey kind of after we figured out the finances and you know once they had a reality of each practice then it was really easy I think to hone in on what systems we had to work on and make some tough decisions too. Kiera Dent (14:48) And when you said that, I was just thinking it also creates clarity for team members too. I know you've also been helping like with the regional manager and like what system should be in place. So mind you, yes, we're working on profit, but then we're also putting all these systems into play looking at all of them. But I will tell you when I had team members traveling to multi offices, that's hard on teams too. They have no clue. They don't have clarity. So they're just kind of like running with you. So everybody's running at full steam, but actually not making progress. I want you just to imagine like you are literally spinning your wheels. So it sounds like you're making progress. but the distance you're going is so minimal versus we want less sound, AKA less chaos and way more forward momentum. And so really love that you were able to do that and dial it in, figure it out. Now, how did the conversation go to sell a practice? Cause I mean, five months and selling a practice, like what did that even look like? How do you even have that conversation? How did this practice execute that quickly? Cause I'm actually really proud of them on that too. Dana (15:42) Yeah. So honestly and truly when we review the numbers, I think the conversation just naturally happened because you could clearly see, you know, that they're ultimately either we need to pump in a fair amount in team expenses, marketing and things like that to get the practice to where it needed to be or ultimately make the other decision. so I think just reviewing the numbers, the conversation naturally came up because it was a glaring, you know, kind of red light. ⁓ and honestly and truly it just was kind of a luck of knew someone in the area that was looking for a multi-practice venture and like just having a network and connections that it worked out so quickly and honestly it finalized within 60 days so it was a very very quick but it just you know happened to be that it was a very strong network ⁓ and made a local connection Kiera Dent (16:13) Mm-hmm. incredible. Yeah, which is also incredible to like have good connections and people often say, think it's, think kudos to this office that you worked with of they were willing to execute and take action quickly and not sit here and give excuses and say, my gosh, there's no one that will ever be there. It was great. see the bleed. And what I love when you talk about numbers, and this is why I think we're so passionate in Dental A Team like numbers, numbers, numbers. Like I harp on this day to know that I am like, ladies, what are the numbers telling us? Look at the numbers that's going to tell you. where you need to go and what you need to get. And like it's literally the treasure map to what needs to happen. But sometimes we're so in the weeds. I do it too. This is why I have coaches for Dental A Team. I'm so in the weeds and I need to get somebody outside of that. But looking at this, there are decisions now to be made. And I think numbers create clarity. So this practice could have like another scenario if we want to choose our own adventure, there are offices that see this practice is bleeding money. So then what do we do? How can we stop the bleed? Let's look at our costs. Let's look to see where we're producing. And sometimes it's a slow grow. So we're only gonna open up one day, but we're gonna open up on Monday, be closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. The next week we're gonna be open Tuesday. The next week we're gonna be open Wednesday, next week Thursday, next week Friday. So we can say we're open five days a week, but we're not putting the cost in five days a week. So we're strategic on doing this. We can also have it to where we don't have to staff it as high. So if we know we've got doctors in there that can produce. bring them in for hygiene, if there's dentistry to be done, do the dentistry, move hygiene over to a Friday where a lot of hygienists are off. You can get a part-time hygienist that can come in as that Friday hygienist. You can stack a whole hygiene schedule so we're not paying a hygienist to be on staff every day. ⁓ There are ways that they can do it. They could bring on an associate. They could look at, like you said, the marketing costs, but when you look at the numbers, numbers give so much clarity and then you can make decisions. And then the decision's pretty simple of, Do we need money right now? This practice was needing money. They needed to have the bleed stop. They needed to become profitable. And for them time and profit was more important, it sounds like, than growing and expanding. For other people, like, no, we need to grow and expand. So we're to pump money over here. We're going to grow this, but we now know a more strategic path. So I just want you to know, like, you don't have to sell. But I think being realistic, I remember listening in ⁓ early on in my career and it said, like, sometimes knowing when to close a business. is actually one of the smartest things that a CEO can do. And I remember I listened to that. were doing Dental A Team, tip or no, a Spiffy Tiffy back to dental placement pros days when we used to do recruiting. I should have stayed in that business Dana, like man recruit. I was starting at, I think I charged, I think a thousand, maybe 3000 max to hire and place an associate doctors. should have like hired me. Like I was a hot cake. Like I was so, I mean, now it's like 15 to 50,000 bucks. Like man, but Dana (19:19) Yeah. Kiera Dent (19:26) I remember listening to that podcast and dental place and pros was taking so much time and was so unprofitable. like we had higher and then people would wait the like 90 days and on day 89 they'd like we're terminating them. I was like, my gosh, I gotta go higher again. That business was consuming so much time, energy and effort when it wasn't the one that was going to, it wasn't my passion. It just was out of necessity. Dental A team was my passion by far. And I remember like it, as a business owner is actually really hard to admit that a business is failing. I'm not going to lie. Like I remember driving. I remember exactly where it was. It was like a snowy day. It was very overcast. And I just like had to have that hard, honest conversation with myself of you need to close dental placement pros and you need to put all your focus on Dental A Team. That's actually the, like the practice, if you will, the business that makes me excited. Um, and I think swallowing ego, I think looking and learning what I did wrong in that business. Today, I do that way differently. I'd run it so much differently. It'd be completely separate. I wouldn't be pulling my employees. There were just so many things I did wrong. But I think having the humility and knowing when it's time to close something down versus open something up, I think sometimes it can feel really sexy and exciting to grow. But if we're just growing for the sake of growth, but we're not getting the time and profit that's truly our driver, I think those are great questions to ponder when we're looking at this. So those are kind of my thoughts. Any other thoughts you have? It's such an amazing. Dana (20:45) And then. Kiera Dent (20:48) like transformation story. Dana (20:49) Yeah, and it's been really fun. you know, you're absolutely right. And we spent a lot of time on our calls kind of choosing our own adventure. What would it look like if you know, what's been our average marketing budget? And and and if we spent more and we had this book, what would that timeline look like to get it to what is the active number of patients we need to make it profitable? We did say, okay, if we pull and we add days, what does that pull from the profitable practice if we move the doctor, you know, to the other practice, we talked about expenses for an associate and what we felt like they could produce as we added a certain amount of new patients each month. And so it's been also fun for me as a consultant to kind of do that choose your own adventure with them and honestly and truly just give them the numbers and give them the timelines that then they can really, really make a decision that I feel like they were super confident in because they had all of that information and kind of made the decision I feel like eyes wide open. Kiera Dent (21:48) Yeah, and I think as consultants, this is what drives us. This is our passion to help practices and owners be empowered to make decisions that they want, not ones that they have to make. And so it's a, you're not forced into a decision. You made it with eyes wide open. You had all the numbers. You had all the facts you knew. You knew the pros and cons. And like you said, it is a choose your own adventure. And I think when we can take the, I don't know, it's almost like the stress, the heaviness of business. and turn it into a light, fun game. like, yeah, pretend we're reading a book and your book is your business. And it's like, I could do this way and end up at this chapter. I could go this way and end up at this chapter. Both endings are great. Both endings are your story. Both are filled with highs and lows and all the way around. But I agree with you, Dana. I think it's a beautiful thing to be able to empower our clients, to help them see, to get them out of the death spike, like, sirel downward and help them actually come to like a space of I don't know. It's almost like what you, took this. I feel like the way this office probably felt is they were walking in a heavy, dark cloud, like head down, hunkered down, staring at the ground and just trying to figure out how to get there. And you took them into this like beautiful new neighborhood. It's bright. It's cheery. The birds are singing. They're skipping along there with their family. Like they are living their best life. And that was done in five months. And so just really an incredible thing for us to look at. And so I think for you listening, like, where are you at? Maybe you're on cashflow row. Maybe you're on growth row. Maybe you are on trying to figure out your next adventure. But I don't think this practice even knew that this is their choose your own adventure. think Dana, you are able to be that guiding light shining for them, helping them see, peel apart under all the pieces. And I think really giving them the guidance that they need. So any last thoughts you've got on the choose your own adventure, going from negative to 16 % profit in five months, dang, that's a title and something you should be proud of. Dana (23:41) Yeah, this is definitely an office that I'm super proud of. ⁓ And you're right. These are the things that I think we live for. We love, we hope we see, you know, and we want to see for every client that comes our way. ⁓ And I think it just shows possibilities. And when you really hone in and you are able to make decisions with ease and clarity, it just massively, massively changes your stress level and just your entire life. Kiera Dent (24:11) Yeah, we say is life and business on purpose. so Dana, just love, love, I mean, Dynamite Dana, might stick girl. That is a dynamite story and really freaking proud of you and proud of the client too. Proud of them showing up. It takes grit, it takes humility, it takes courage. And I think just if you're sitting in that boat, if you're wondering, reach out. ⁓ This office five months ago did not know how to see forward. And now they're able to live a much different life very quickly. And I think if that's you. if you can relate to this office autopsy. That's why we do office autopsy sharing it. So hopefully you can see yourself painted in the fabric of someone else's story, knowing what's possible, what's real for you. You don't have to have multi-practices. You don't have to have any of that, but it might be you're on cashflow row. You're negative. You don't know how to see out. You're at a spin or you want to optimize you like this. came to us literally. They came in wanting to have help with systems and training a regional manager and look at what was uncovered. So what you might think is your pain point might actually not be the true pain point. there might be something deeper below. So Dana, real proud of you, real proud of this client. For all of you questioning, wondering, reach out. Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. This is what we live for. Truly seeing you succeed is what makes us so lit up. Like it's, it is the highlight of our year, our week, our month. So for all of you, take the call, let's, let's chat and let's get you these same success stories. So Dana, proud of you. Love having you on the podcast. Thanks for being here. And for all of you, of course. And for all of you listening, thanks for listening. And I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast. Dana (25:34) Thanks for having me.

Technically, Spookies, Sydneypalooza goes all the way to the end of October, and while Clowntober TwosWeeks may have come to a close, another themed event is just beginning. You may have noticed our gorgeous new episode art for Season 6(66), and you may have noticed that Sydney is all gussied up as a very iconic figure in it — which is why we figured that our Halloween episode would be exactly the right time to cover Bride of Chucky (1998). Although we've barely dipped our toes into the Child's Play franchise, we've got a lot of love for both Charles Lee Ray and Tiffany Valentine here at Spooky Tuesday, and we're ready to pay homage to one of horror's hottest (and most toxic) couples as we kick off Jennifer Tilly TwosWeeks with our latest episode. References:https://screenrant.com/bride-of-chucky-behind-scenes-facts-trivia/

"Technically, the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court does not have to be a lawyer." This week, Trey explains how it's possible for a judge to not need a law degree. He answers questions on whether state and local leaders can interfere with federal law enforcement, and weighs in on how college sports are changing under the new NIL era. Plus, Trey shares a hopeful update on last episode's conversation about living with balance issues - and the importance of finding help when an illness feels invisible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the Middle Ages, theologians said there are different forms of gluttony—that you can eat and drink excessively, sumptuously, daintily, or impulsively. Technically, gluttony means to eat and drink immoderately. But gluttony also tells us something about each of us. Gluttony is taking something good and then cramming it in until we're sick of it. Our desires are disordered so that good and necessary things become cravings. Sin, in other words, makes us all addicted to something. We all crave something, and we do it in such a way that it is very, very bad for us. Let's look at three things this Scripture teaches us about craving: 1) the depth of our craving, 2) the structure of our craving, and 3) the healing. This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on March 5, 1995. Series: The Seven Deadly Sins. Scripture: Joshua 7:19-26, Hosea 2:13-15. Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.