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Last time we spoke about the fall of Shanghai. In October 1937 a small battalion led by Colonel Xie Jinyuan transformed the Sihang Warehouse into a fortress against the advancing Japanese army. These men, known as the "800 Heroes," became symbols of hope, rallying local citizens who provided vital support. Despite heavy casualties, they held out against overwhelming odds until a strategic retreat was ordered on November 1. As Japanese forces intensified their assaults, they breached the Chinese defenses and captured strategic positions along Suzhou Creek. The fighting was fierce, marked by desperate counterattacks from the besieged Chinese soldiers, who faced an unyielding enemy. By November 9, the Chinese faced a full retreat, their organized defenses collapsing into chaos as they fled the city. Desperate civilians sought refuge in the International Settlement but were met with hostility, exacerbating the terror of the moment. Amidst the turmoil, remaining forces continued to resist in pockets, holding out as long as possible. By November 11, Japanese troops raised their flag in the last stronghold, marking a grim victory.   #163 Crossing Nanjing's Rubicon Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. As the Japanese were mopping up Shanghai, Chiang Kai-Shek wrote in his diary on November 11th “I fear that they could threaten Nanjing”. Over In Shanghai, General Matsui Iwane was dealing with foreign correspondents, eager to learn what Japan's next move would be and to this he simply stated “For future developments, you had better ask Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek”. The correspondents were surprised by this response and pressed him further. He replied . “Chiang Kai-shek was reported to have predicted a five-year war, well, it might be that long. We don't know whether we will go to Nanjing or not. It all depends on Chiang.” At this point Shanghai was falling under Japanese control and now Matsui and his fellow field commanders were thinking, what's next? Nanjing was certainly the next objective. It was a common understanding amongst the Japanese leadership, that if the four main eastern cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Nanjing were lost, Chiang Kai-Shek's government would collapse. Three of these cities had been taken, Nanjing was dangling like fresh fruit. Matsui's staff believed the Chinese units departing Shanghai would mount a stand immediately west of the city, probably a defensive line running from Jiading to Huangduzhen. On the night of November 11th, Matsui issued a command to all units in the Shanghai area to advance west along the railway towards Nanjing. Their first objective would be a line extending from Taicang to Kunshan. Chiang Kai-Shek was not only reeling from military defeats, but also the gradual loss of his German allies. The Germans were increasingly aligning with the Japanese. Chiang Kai-Shek was looking for new external help, so he turned to the Soviets. It was a marriage of convenience, Chiang Kai-Shek signed a non-aggression pact with the USSR that year and wasted no time pleading for aircraft and pilots. Moscow began sending them before the ink touched the paper. 200 aircraft and pilots in return for some essential minerals, wolfram and tungsten. The Sino-Soviet friendship even drew in an unlikely source of support, Sir Winston Churchill. The Soviet envoy to the UK described how during a meeting with Churchill “he greatly praised our tactics in the Far East: maintenance of neutrality and simultaneous aid to China in weaponry.” Soviet pilots found themselves dispatched to Nanjing where they were briefed by Yakov Vladimirovich Smushkevich, the deputy commander of the Soviet Air Force. “The Japanese armed forces are technically superior to the Chinese. The Chinese Air Force is a particular concern. Soviet pilots who have rushed to China's aid are currently in Nanjing. They are fighting valiantly.” Meanwhile back at Shanghai discipline and order that had characterized previous Chinese withdrawal had collapsed. Simply put, there were hundreds of thousands of men trying to retreat across the lower Yangtze region, it was a shitstorm. Many units had to disengage during combat with the enemy and scramble to pull out. Huang Qixiang, the deputy commander of the Chinese right flank in Shanghai, executed a strategic withdrawal moments before his command post succumbed to the advancing enemy forces. Just fifteen minutes after his departure, the area was overrun by Japanese troops. In a desperate bid to avoid capture, another general had to cross a creek, nearly drowning in the process. Rescued while barely clinging to life and drenched in icy water, he was welcomed by a peasant family who aided in his recovery before he resumed his arduous journey westward. The scale of this withdrawal, occurring both day and night, could hardly escape the enemy's notice, and its complexity made the operation increasingly difficult. The execution of the withdrawal exacerbated the situation significantly. Orders to abandon their positions started to trickle down immediately after the upper command made the decision. However, these orders reached the units in a disorganized manner. Many telephone lines had been sabotaged, and when soldiers were sent to relay the orders in person, they faced severe disruptions in the transportation network. Consequently, many units only became aware of the withdrawal when they witnessed the mass movements of their comrades heading westward. Upon realizing what was happening, many soldiers fled in a state of panic. There were no comprehensive plans outlining the retreat, no designated routes for the various units, nor any established timetables. The outcome was a chaotic scramble for survival. Soldiers who had fought side by side for three months suddenly found themselves competing against one another in a desperate race to escape. At bridges and other chokepoints, weary soldiers exhausted their last reserves of strength, brawling with their fellow troops to be the first to cross. Meanwhile, officers traveling in chauffeur-driven cars attempted to assert their rank to gain priority access to the roads, adding to the growing disorder that ensued. The massive army was hindered by its sheer size, resulting in miles of congested roads filled with men unable to move in any direction. This made them easy targets for Japanese aircraft, leading to a bloody cycle of repeated attacks. Planes adorned with the red Rising Sun insignia would emerge from the horizon, swooping down to strike at these vulnerable formations. As commander Chen Yiding recalled “The lack of organization and the gridlocked roads resulted in far more casualties than could have been avoided,”.  On November 12th, the newspaper Zhaongyang Ribao, published an editorial addressing the citizens of Nanjing, to remind them that tough times lay ahead now that Shanghai had fallen. The article stipulated they needed to prepare the city for the upcoming battle,  “Now, all the citizenry of the capital must fulfill their duty in a way that can serve as a model for the entire nation.” Nanjing in 1937 was a city touched by the war, but not enough to change the social fabric just yet. Cinema's remained open, the shopping arcade was crowded as usual, traffic was heavy along Zhongshan Road, order remained. Telephones remained on, except during air raids. Connections to the outside world functioned as they should, given this was the capital. The region had seen a good harvest in 1937, no one was going hungry. However as the front 200 miles away drew closer, bombing raids more frequent, fear of the enemy increased. Contact with the outside world gradually declined. By mid November the train link from Nanjing to Shanghai was severed.  While the fear amongst the populace increased, so did a newfound sense of common purpose against a common enemy. Poster calling for the Chinese to unite against the Japanese invaders were found throughout Nanjing. Residents were conscripted for various fortification efforts, with some receiving basic military training to help defend the city. Those who refused to cooperate faced severe penalties as “traitors,” while the majority willingly participated. Both military and civilian police were deployed throughout the city, diligently checking identities in an ongoing effort to root out spies and traitors. The authorities enforced a strict prohibition against discussing military matters in restaurants and other public venues. Then all the high ranking military officials and politicians families gradually began departing the city in secrecy. This was followed by said politicians and military officials. Twas not a good look. Nanjing soon saw its population decline from 1 million to half a million. Those who stayed behind were mainly the poor, or those anchored, like shopkeepers. Every day saw a steady stream of Nanjing citizens leaving the city over her main roads, fleeing into the countryside with carts full of belongings. On November 12th at 10am orders were issued for the Japanese to advance west. What had been a war of attrition, where inches of land were claimed with blood, suddenly it was a war of movement. As one Japanese soldier recalled “In the course of 50 days, I had moved only two miles. Now suddenly we were experiencing rapid advance”. As the Japanese came across small towns, they found large posters plastered on all the walls. These were all anti-japanese with some nationalist propaganda. The Japanese soldiers would tear them down and paint up their own messages “down with Chiang Kai-Shek!”.  Towns and cities west of Shanghai fell rapidly one after another, each succumbing to a grim pattern: swift conquest followed by widespread devastation. Jiading, a county seat with a population of approximately 30,000, succumbed to a prolonged siege. When the 10st division captured Jiading on November 13, after relentless shelling had leveled a third of the city, they began a massacre, indiscriminately killing nearly everyone in their path, men, women, and children alike. The battle and its aftermath resulted in over 8,000 casualties among the city's residents and surrounding countryside. One Japanese soldier referred to Jiading as “A city of death, in a mysteriously silent world in which the only sound was the tap of our own footsteps”.  On November 14, soldiers from the 9th Division reached Taicang, an ancient walled city designed to withstand lengthy sieges. As they crossed the 70-foot moat amid heavy fire, the Japanese troops confronted the formidable 20-foot-high city wall. After breaching the wall, their infantry swiftly entered the city and seized control. The destruction persisted long after the fighting ceased, with half of the city being devastated, including significant cultural institutions like the library, and salt and grain reserves were looted. It was as if the Japanese aimed to obliterate not just the material existence of the people but their spiritual foundation as well.  Casual cruelty marked the nature of warfare along the entire front, with few prisoners being taken. Ishii Seitaro, a soldier in the 13th Division's 26th Brigade, encountered a mass execution while marching alongside the Yangtze River. Several headless corpses floated nearby, yet three Chinese prisoners remained alive. A Japanese officer, personally overseeing the execution, wore a simple uniform, but the two ornate swords at his belt indicated his wealthy background. Approaching one prisoner, the officer dramatically drew one of the swords and brandished it through the air with exaggerated flair. In an almost theatrical display, he held it aloft, the blade trembling as if he were nervous. The prisoner, in stark contrast, exhibited an unnerving calmness as he knelt, awaiting his inevitable fate. The officer swung the sword down but failed to deliver a clean strike. Although he inflicted a deep gash to the prisoner's skull, it was not fatal. The prisoner collapsed, thrashing and emitting a prolonged scream that sent chills through those present. The officer, seemingly exhilarated by the anguish he caused, began wildly slashing at the figure until the screams subsided. Ishii turned away in horror, his mind swirling with confusion. Why were the Chinese being executed? Had they not surrendered?  Three months into the war's expansion to the Yangtze region, air raids had become an all too frequent menace in Nanjing. The first major raid came on August 15th and increased each week. On the night of August 27, approximately 30 bombs were dropped on Purple Mountain, specifically targeting the Memorial Park for Sun Yat-sen, aiming to hurt the morale of Nanjing's residents. As days melted into weeks and weeks stretched into months, the landscape of Nanjing transformed under the weight of war. Residents began constructing dugouts in courtyards, gardens, public squares, and even on streets. Foreigners painted their national flags on top of buildings and vehicles, attempting to avoid the risk of being machine-gunned by strafing aircraft. Each raid followed a predictable routine: sirens wailed loudly 20 to 30 minutes before the attack, signaling pedestrians to seek shelter and drivers to stop their engines. By the time a shorter warning sounded, the streets had to be cleared, leaving nothing to do but await the arrival of Japanese planes. Initially, the part-US-trained Chinese Air Force posed a considerable threat to Japanese bombers. The 4th and 5th Chinese Squadrons, stationed near Nanjing to defend the capital, achieved early success, reportedly downing six bombers during the first air raid on Nanjing. Much of the credit for these aerial victories belonged to Claire Chennault, a retired American Army Air Corps captain who had become an advisor to the Chinese Air Force, overseeing Nanjing's air defense. Chennault taught his pilots tactics he had developed in the US but had never fully implemented. His strategy was straightforward: three fighters would focus on one enemy bomber at a time. One would attack from above, another from below, while a third would hover in reserve to deliver the final blow if necessary. He instructed the Chinese pilots to target the engines rather than the fuselage, reasoning that any missed shots could hit the gas tanks located in the wing roots. This approach proved successful, leading to the loss of 54 Japanese planes within three days. For Chennault, it validated his belief that air superiority required a diverse range of aircraft, not just bombers. Nighttime raids, however, posed a greater challenge. Chennault, along with other commanders, sought solutions. Chinese General C.C. Wong, a German-trained artillery officer overseeing the country's anti-aircraft defenses, ensured that dozens of large Sperry searchlights were positioned throughout Nanjing in a grid pattern. This setup had a dual purpose: it would dazzle the Japanese bomber crews and highlight their planes in silhouette for Chinese fighters above to target. The bravery of the most skilled Chinese pilots occasionally gained media attention, making them local celebrities amidst an otherwise grim war environment. However, this bright moment faded quickly when the Japanese command decided to provide escorts for their bombers. Consequently, the elite of China's air force, its finest pilots and aircraft, were lost within weeks that fall. All air raids were brutal, but the worst assaults occurred at the end of September. As a radio broadcaster reported on September 25th “Gallons of civilian blood flowed today as Nanking endured three ferocious air raids”. In total, 96 Japanese sorties were launched on that day. Witnesses observed around a dozen Chinese aircraft retreating north across the Yangtze, initially believing they were fleeing, but some returned to confront the enemy. When Chinese fighters managed to down a Japanese bomber, the streets erupted in cheers as civilians momentarily forgot their fear. The primary aim of the September 25 attack appeared to be spreading terror among the civilian population. Chiang Kai-Shek wrote in his diary that day  “The repeated Japanese air raids over the past several days have had no impact on our military installations. Instead, civilian property has sustained significant damage.” Around 20 bombs struck the Central Hospital, one of Nanjing's largest medical facilities, causing extensive destruction and prompting the evacuation of its staff. Two 1,000-pound bombs exploded nearby, leaving large craters. Had these bombs landed slightly closer, they could have resulted in mass casualties among the hospital's 100 patients, including a Japanese pilot who had been shot down earlier that month. The air raids at the end of September prompted protests from the Americans, British, and French governments to Japan. In response, Tokyo issued a statement on September 30, asserting that while they were not intentionally targeting non-combatants, it was “unavoidable” for achieving military objectives that military airfields and installations in and around Nanjing be bombed.   The battle for Jiashan was among the fiercest in the southern Yangtze delta campaign in November 1937. Although Jiashan was a moderately sized town straddling a crucial railway connecting Shanghai to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province. For the Japanese, seizing Jiashan was imperative for their westward advance; without it, their military progress would be severely hampered. Jiashan had endured three days of relentless bombing by the Japanese Air Force, driving most residents to flee into the surrounding countryside. Only about 100 remained, those who were too old or too sick to escape, abandoned by family or friends who lacked the means to assist them. The Japanese troops brutally bayoneted nearly all of these individuals and buried them in a mass grave just outside the town's northern gate. Jiashan was captured by the 10th Army, a division fresh from victories and eager to engage in combat, unlike the weary forces of the Shanghai Expeditionary Force further north. With less than a week of combat experience, the 10th Army's soldiers were hungry for a fight. The martial spirit of the 10th Army was exemplified by its commander, Yanagawa Heisuke. Born near Nagasaki in 1879, he was among a group of retired officers called back to active service as the war in China escalated unexpectedly. Having served in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and taught at the Beijing Army College in 1918, Yanagawa had considerable experience in military affairs. However, his past exposure to China did not cultivate any empathy for the enemy. He was determined to push all the way to Nanjing, and once there, he intended to blanket the city in mustard gas and incendiaries until it capitulated. While Japanese commanders debated the value of capturing Nanjing, the Chinese were equally preoccupied with whether it was worth defending. Most military professionals viewed the situation as a lost cause from the start. After the fall of Shanghai, Chiang Kai-shek summoned one of his top commanders, Chen Cheng, to Nanjing for discussions. “How can Nanjing be held?” Chen Cheng shot back “Are you ordering me to hold Nanjing?” Chiang replied “I am not”. Chen Cheng stated frankly, “I believe Nanjing should not be held at all.” By mid-November, Bai Chongxi, one of China's most respected generals, advocated for declaring Nanjing an open city. He argued that defending it was not only unnecessary but also impossible. All available forces had been deployed to Shanghai and were now exhausted. Furthermore, no reinforcements would be forthcoming if they made a stand in Nanjing. Instead of stubbornly clinging to fixed positions, he preferred a more flexible defensive strategy. Zhang Qun, Chiang's secretary, supported Bai's stance, believing that while Nanjing should ultimately be abandoned, political considerations were paramount. If the Chinese simply withdrew and allowed the Japanese to occupy the city, it would undermine China's position in any future negotiations. The Japanese would not be able to present themselves as victors who had triumphed in battle. Similarly, Chiang's chief military advisor, General Alexander von Falkenhausen, was against attempting to hold Nanjing. He deemed it “useless from a military perspective, suggesting it would be madness.” He warned that if Chiang forced his army into a decisive battle with their backs to the Yangtze River, “a disaster would probably be unavoidable.” Chiang's head of the operations bureau Liu Fei argued Nanjing could not be abandoned without a fight as it would crush the NRA's morale. He believed that defending the city could be managed with as few as 12 regiments, although 18 would be feasible. Most at the meeting agreed and Chiang understood Nanjing's international recognition necessitated some form of defense, doomed or not. A second meeting was formed whereupon, Tang Shengzhi, a general staff officer whose loyalties were, lets be honest very flip floppy. During the warlord era, he routinely switched sides, especially against Chiang Kai-Shek. At the meeting Tang stated in regards to Nanjing's international prominence and being the final resting place of Dr Sun Yat-Sen “How can we face the spirit of the former president in heaven? We have no choice but to defend the capital to the death.” Chiang's commanders were all well aware of his intentions. The generalissimo was eager for a dramatic last stand in Nanjing to serve propaganda purposes, aiming to rally the nation and convey to the world that China was resolute in its fight against Japan. His commanders also recognized the rationale behind fighting for Nanjing; however, very few were inclined to embark on what seemed a likely suicide mission. The third meeting occurred the day after the second. Chiang opened by asking, as many anticipated, “Who is willing to shoulder the burden of defending Nanjing?” An awkward silence followed. Then Tang Shengzhi stepped forward. “Chairman, if no one else is willing, I will. I'm prepared to defend Nanjing and to hold it to the death.” Without hesitation, Chiang accepted his offer. “Good, the responsibility is yours.”A little refresher on Tang, he had played a role in Chiang Kai-shek's efforts to unify China by force in the 1920s, when the nation was a patchwork of fiefdoms. However, their relationship had soured on two occasions, forcing Tang into temporary exile, first to Japan and then to Hong Kong. The Japanese invasion of northeastern China in 1931 prompted a loose reconciliation, and since then, Tang had held several important positions, notably organizing war games simulating a Japanese assault on Nanjing. However Tang had often suffered from illness, and crucially, he had not led troops in the field against the Japanese since the onset of full-scale war that summer. Hailing from Hunan province, he was a typical provincial soldier and would likely face challenges commanding respect among elite divisions loyal solely to the central government in Nanjing. He was definitely not the first choice for such a significant task.  Amazingly, while tens of thousands of Chinese and Japanese were killing each other, while Japanese planes relentlessly bombarded Chinese cities including the capital, and while Japanese soldiers committed heinous atrocities against Chinese civilians, the two nations maintained diplomatic relations. China had a fully operational embassy in Tokyo, led by Xu Shiying, a 65-year-old diplomat. This surreal arrangement persisted because neither side was willing to officially declare war. In the fall of 1937, as Japanese armies were heavily engaged on two fronts within mainland China, Xu met with Japanese Foreign Minister Hirota Koki to propose a non-aggression treaty. The proposal was swiftly rejected in Nanjing. By November 1937, Xu was no longer at the forefront of events, and foreign observers shifted their focus from the capitals of the warring nations to Belgium. While large-scale battles raged along the lower Yangtze, representatives from 19 countries convened in Brussels to search for a way to end hostilities. Although China participated in the conference, Japan did not. Japan had received two invitations to join the talks, with its response to the second arriving in Brussels on November 12: a firm rejection. Japan asserted that it preferred direct bilateral negotiations with China, dismissing the Brussels conference held under the auspices of the Nine-Power Treaty, a pact signed in 1922 aimed at ensuring China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Japan argued that intervention by a collective body like the conference “would merely stir national sentiments in both countries and complicate efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution.” The League of Nations had called for a Nine-Power conference a month earlier, which ultimately became a 19-power conference as other nations with interests in East Asia joined. From the outset, Japan opposed the assembly and was absent when the first plenary meeting commenced in Brussels on November 3. Japanese leaders feared that China might attempt to leverage the conference against Western powers, recalling how, in 1895, Japan had been denied its spoils following its first modern war with China due to the intervention of Russia, France, and Germany, who blocked Japan from claiming the strategic Liaodong Peninsula adjacent to Korea. China also exhibited a lukewarm attitude toward the conference. While Japan feared the potential outcomes, China was concerned about the lack of significant results. The proposal to transition discussions from the League of Nations, perceived as ineffective, to the even less authoritative Nine Powers, which lacked formal organization. Nonetheless, the Chinese chose to participate in Brussels, maintaining the pretense that something meaningful could be accomplished. Shortly after Japan's second rejection of the invitation, Wellington Koo made an impassioned plea in Brussels, stating, “Now that the door to conciliation and mediation has been slammed in your face by the latest reply of the Japanese Government, will you not decide to withhold supplies of war materials and credit to Japan and extend aid to China?” In reality, Koo understood that significant Western aid to China was highly unlikely, aside from token gestures. Previous international discussions had momentarily halted Japanese advances in the past; for instance, in 1932, Japanese troops had paused their movements in the Shanghai area just hours before the League of Nations General Assembly commenced. However, that was nearly six years earlier, and circumstances had changed dramatically since then. Rogue states had grown bolder, while democracies seemed increasingly timid. Thus, the Chinese agenda in Brussels was not primarily driven by hopes for substantial Western concessions. Instead, the delegates had been tasked by Nanjing to anticipate the post-conference landscape and to actively seek ways to encourage Europe and America to support Soviet military action against Japan.   China, long reliant on Germany as a diplomatic partner, increasingly felt betrayed, not just by Germany, but also by its fascist ally, Italy. Consequently, it began looking more favorably upon the Soviet Union, Japan's archrival in Northeast Asia, as its main source of international support. The Soviet Union exhibited a firmer stance than the Western democracies at the Brussels conference, joining China in advocating for collective security in Europe and Asia. On November 15th, a small group of officers from the 10th Army gathered for late-night discussions in an abandoned building north of Hangzhou Bay, where they would effectively decide the fate of China. Yanagawa Heisuke, the commander of the 10th Army, presided over the discussions. Fresh from the battlefield since the beginning of the month, he was eager to escalate the fight, a sentiment echoed among the others. It was an unusual meeting, where officers as low in rank as major were making decisions typically reserved for the highest echelons of political power. The agenda included a pivotal question: Should they adhere to Order No. 600 received from Tokyo a week prior, which instructed them to halt their advance along a line from Suzhou to Jiaxing? Or, should they disregard these explicit orders and push forward to seize Nanjing? While the Japanese Army had failed to completely annihilate the Chinese forces around Shanghai, there was a consensus that their adversary was now reeling from recent setbacks, presenting an opportune moment to strike decisively and secure a swift victory. The only remaining question was how aggressively to pursue this goal. Colonel Terada Masao, a senior staff officer within the 10th Army, spoke first. “The Chinese Army is currently retreating toward the capital. We should cross that line and pursue the enemy straight to Nanjing.” Major Iketani Hanjiro, a staff officer recently attached to the fast-moving 6th Division, then offered his input “From a tactical perspective, I completely agree with Terada that we should cross the line, but the decision to attack Nanjing should be considered not just tactically, but also politically. It's not that field commanders can't create a fait accompli to pressure our superiors in Tokyo. However, we must proceed with great caution”. A staff officer raised this question  “What if Tokyo orders us to pull back those smaller units?” Iketani responded “In that case, we will, of course, withdraw them to this side of the line”. Ultimately, Iketani's cautions were set aside, and Terada's aggressive approach prevailed. The majority agreed that the tactical circumstances presented a rare opportunity. Japanese troops in the Shanghai area were poised to advance west, not through small, individual skirmishes but with a substantial deployment of their forces. Officers estimated that if a decisive push was made immediately, Nanjing could fall into Japanese hands within 20 days. However Colonel Kawabe Torashiro, the newly appointed chief of the Army General Staff's Operations Section suddenly arrived at the theater. He was sent on a mission to assess whether the Central China Area Army should be granted greater operational freedom. It was well known in Tokyo that field officers were eager to capitalize on the momentum created by the collapse of Chinese defenses around Shanghai. Kawabe's task was to explore the possibility of allowing forces to cross the line from Suzhou to Jiaxing and move westward in pursuit of the retreating enemy. However, Kawabe was staunchly opposed to further military adventures in China. Kawabe was part of the dwindling faction of "China doves" within the Japanese military. As early as the summer of 1937, he had become alarmed by a letter from a civilian Japanese visitor to the Chinese mainland, warning that Japanese officers were attempting to engineer an “incident” with China to provoke open conflict. This would provide Japan with a pretext to expand its influence in northern China. Kawabe had attempted to alert his superiors, but his warnings fell on deaf ears. They had been lulled into a false sense of security by reports from China that dismissed all talk of war-mongering as baseless and alarmist. When he arrived to the front he stated “I am here to inspect conditions on the ground so that a final decision can be made on where to establish the operational restriction line”. Alongside him came General Akira Muto, recently appointed the commander of the Central China Area Army. He also happened to be one of the architects of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Muto responded promptly: “The line currently stretches from Suzhou to Jiaxing, but we should consider crossing it. This will help us achieve our overall objectives in the theater.” Muto continued, arguing that the 10th Army should be permitted to advance to Huzhou, south of Lake Tai, effectively cutting off communications between Nanjing and the strategic city of Hangzhou. He further claimed that the Shanghai Expeditionary Force should be allowed to capture the vital city of Jiangyin, suggesting, perhaps overly optimistically, that its loss could lead to the fall of Chiang Kai-shek. Ultimately, Muto insisted, Nanjing should also be seized, which he asserted would bring an end to the war. Kawabe listened patiently, a practice he would repeat in the following days as other field officers echoed similar sentiments, eagerly expressing their desire to advance all the way to Nanjing. Yanagawa and his 10th Army exemplified this aggressive mindset. Nevertheless, just as the hawks within the Japanese military and the nation's political leadership appeared to be prevailing in the struggle over China policy, they faced unexpected challenges from a different direction. Germany, a power with ambiguous sympathies in East Asia, was quietly engaged in negotiations aimed at bringing peace. Oskar Trautmann, Germany's ambassador to China, had maintained an objective and neutral stance when he met with Chiang Kai-shek in early November to relay Japan's conditions for initiating peace talks. These conditions included extensive concessions in northern China, such as the withdrawal of all Chinese troops to a line south of Beijing and the establishment of a pro-Japanese regime in Inner Mongolia, bordering the Soviet-controlled Mongolian People's Republic. Chiang dismissed these demands outright, but Trautmann and his superiors in Beijing continued their top-secret efforts. Germany's motivation for seeking an end to the Sino-Japanese War was not rooted in a genuine love for peace, but rather in their embarrassment over witnessing their old Asian ally, China, fighting against their new partner, Japan. Herman Göring, president of the Reichstag and a leading figure in the Nazi party, told a Chinese visitor, “China and Japan are both friends of Germany. The Sino-Japanese War has put Germany between Scylla and Charybdis. That's why Germany is ready to seize the chance to become a mediator.” Germany also feared that a prolonged conflict in China could jeopardize its commercial interests in East Asia and weaken Japan's capacity to confront the Soviet Union, potentially freeing Moscow to allocate more resources to a fight in Europe. In essence, continued hostilities could significantly harm Germany. Japanese field commanders were frustrated by Germany's mediation efforts.  When news of Trautmann's mission leaked, the German diplomat faced severe criticism in the Chinese media, which deemed any negotiation with the "Japanese devils" unacceptable. Additionally, there was the matter of China's ties with the Soviet Union; employing a German mediator raised the possibility of cooperation among China, Japan, and Germany, potentially expanding the anti-Soviet bloc, which would, in turn, pressure Moscow to increase its support for China. By mid-November, however, the complexities of this diplomatic game started unraveling and then Japan took action. At 7:00 am on November 19, Yanagawa issued instructions to his troops in the field. “The enemy's command system is in disarray, and a mood of defeat has descended over their entire army. They have lost the will to fight. The main Chinese forces were retreating west of the line stretching from Suzhou to Jiaxing, and this withdrawal was soon likely to spiral into a full-scale retreat. We must not miss the opportunity to pursue the enemy to Nanjing.” I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Shanghai had fallen, and the Japanese forces pursued their fleeing enemy further west. However they had orders to halt, but would they? Officers from top down deliberating on the issue, with the vast majority pushing for a drive to Nanjing. They thought it represented the end objective of the conflict. They would all be very wrong. 

This week, Hackaday's Elliot Williams and Kristina Panos met up over the tubes to bring you the latest news, mystery sound, and of course, a big bunch of hacks from the previous week. In Hackaday news, get your Supercon 2025 tickets while they're hot! Also, the One Hertz Challenge ticks on, but time is running out. You have until Tuesday, August 19th to show us what you've got, so head over to Hackaday.IO and get started now. Finally, its the end of eternal September as AOL discontinues dial-up service after all these years. On What's That Sound, Kristina got sort of close, but this is neither horseshoes nor hand grenades. Can you get it? If so, you could win a limited edition Hackaday Podcast t-shirt! After that, it's on to the hacks and such, beginning with a talking robot that uses typewriter tech to move its mouth. We take a look at hacking printed circuit boards to create casing and instrument panels for a PDP-1 replica. Then we explore a fluid simulation business card, witness a caliper shootout, and marvel at one file in six formats. Finally, it's a telephone twofer as we discuss the non-hack-ability of the average smart phone, and learn about what was arguably the first podcast. Check out the links over on Hackaday if you want to follow along, and as always, tell us what you think about this episode in the comments!  

In this powerful episode of the Smells Like Money Podcast, host Suzan Chin-Taylor continues the conversation with Mike Hoffmaster, VP of OBIC Products, to expose a critical infrastructure issue hiding in plain sight—our aging and failing stormwater systems.With climate change accelerating extreme weather, storm drains across the U.S. are under immense strain. Mike shares how trenchless solutions like spray-applied polymerics, CIPP, and OBIC's structural liners offer effective, budget-conscious alternatives to dig-and-replace. He also dives into proper pipe prep, environmental protections, and why stormwater is directly tied to the health of our entire water system.

Joy speaks with Monique Dam - CEO of Lucy's Project about domestic and family violence, sexual violence and the connection with pets. How can we advocate for ourselves, our loved ones and lead change? Lucy's Project is a national charity that aims to improve the safety of people and animals experiencing domestic and family violence through collaboration, advocacy, research and education.  We delve deep into real stories of women, children and young people experiencing violence, how to engage support services and how you might approach helping a loved one. We explore the data and practical steps you can take towards making change for safety. The wellbeing of people and their animals is interconnected. This is a conversation that will impact all listeners, require you to think more deeply and provide new insights into the prevalence of violence in Australia. A must listen for people of all backgrounds, ages and cultures. RESOURCES:   1800RESPECT Phone: 1800 737 732 Website: 1800respect.org.au 24/7 National counselling helpline, information and support    Full Stop Australia ‍Phone: 1800 385 578 Website: fullstop.org.au ‍24/7 National counselling helpline   13 Yarn Phone: 13 92 76 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A confidential, culturally safe space to yarn about your needs, worries or concerns.    Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline Phone: 1800 497 212 24/7 support‍ for anyone from the LGBTIQ+ community whose life has been impacted by sexual, domestic and/or family violence.    KIDS HELPLINE ‍Phone: 1800 55 1800 Website: kidshelpline.com.au ‍24/7 Telephone counselling service for children and young people aged 5-25 years Lucy's Project Help  Lucy's Project About Lucy's Project Linkedin Lucy's Project Instagram Joy's Instagram Buy Me A Coffee Joy's Website Joy's Linkedin Music by Joy Pereira + Twinmusicom If you are experiencing Domestic and Family Violence, please reach out to your local services in your country for supports.   

In this episode, Specialist Financial Advisor, Richard Ollive, and Donna Hall, Regional Support Manager for Practice Plan, talk about how they work together to support dental practices. From financial advice to hands-on plan support, they share how their partnership helps dentists and practices to feel more confident, supported and ready for whatever comes next.   This podcast is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Practice Plan Limited is an introducer appointed representative of Wesleyan Financial Services Limited. Practice Plan Limited (Registered in England and Wales No. 03089948) is a part of the Wesleyan Group. Registered office: Cambrian Works, Gobowen Road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1HS Telephone number: 01691 684120. Website: www.practiceplan.co.uk. Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd (Registered in England and Wales No. 1651212) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AR. Telephone: 0345 351 2352. Calls may be recorded to help us provide, monitor and improve our services to you.

In this insightful episode, we explore the foundations of cross-border financial planning, designed specifically for Americans. Whether you're considering living overseas, investing internationally, or planning to retire abroad, understanding how to navigate complex financial landscapes across borders is essential. We dive into what cross-border financial planning really means—managing income, assets, and obligations that span multiple countries—and why it's crucial for maintaining compliance, minimizing tax liabilities, and protecting your wealth.We're joined by special guest John McNertney, founder and owner of Green Ocean Global Advisors, who brings deep expertise in helping Americans manage their finances across borders. John shares real-world insights on avoiding common pitfalls, understanding regulatory requirements, and building a solid, globally integrated financial strategy tailored to individual goals.You'll learn who needs cross-border financial planning, from U.S. citizens living abroad, international entrepreneurs, and Americans married to foreign nationals. We also highlight common and costly mistakes such as failing to report foreign accounts under FBAR and FATCA, investing in non-compliant foreign funds like PFICs, and overlooking estate planning conflicts between legal systems. For those investing offshore, we discuss how to achieve global diversification while staying aligned with U.S. regulations. If you're considering retiring outside the U.S., we cover key factors like local healthcare access, currency management, and how to handle U.S.-based retirement accounts from abroad. Finally, we walk through the first steps toward building a cross-border financial plan—setting clear goals, taking stock of international assets and obligations, and working with professionals who understand both U.S. and foreign financial systems.00:00 Intro00:30 Switzerland's Interest Rate Decision 03:27 Introduction To John McNertney & Green Ocean Global Advisors 06:36 Cross-Border Financial Planning vs. U.S. Financial Planning 08:26 What Is A Cross-Border Financial Plan11:02 Mistakes To Avoid 18:37 Make Sure You Have The Right Partners25:46 Opening An American Mind to International Investing33:33 Initial Steps Of A Financial Plan To Retire Overseas39:54 Final Thought40:52 Outro Webinar with John McNertney, Ryan Ahrens, and Jess Roberson: https://youtu.be/tHl9ZvvczHU?si=GmYFSVEb0tScxTGmLearn more about Green Ocean Global Advisors: https://www.greenoceanglobal.net/Find Green Ocean Global Advisors on YouTube: @greenoceanglobaladvisorsConnect with John McNertney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mcnertney-cfp%C2%AE-4b14a71/About WHVP: WHVP is an independent asset manager, specializing in managing the funds of private clients. We are registered with the SEC in the U.S. and are located in Zurich, Switzerland. We are associated with several first-class private banks in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria, which act as custodian banks for our clients' accounts. Our asset management principles are guided by conservative, long-term-oriented capital preservation strategies. Our focus is personalized service. We structure a portfolio that will be insulated against U.S. Dollar depreciation yet capitalize on overseas investment opportunities. Contact WHVP: Website: https://whvp.ch/ Email: info@whvp.ch Telephone: +41 44 315 77 77 Disclaimer: All posts and publications are for your information only and are not intended as an offer, promotion, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument or perform any other financial transactions. All information and opinions expressed in posts and publications reflect our current views as of the date of the publication and may be liable to change without notice.

In this episode, brought to you by Wesleyan Financial Services, Monica Pacult and Oonagh Morrison, Regional Manager for our education segment, talk about why the summer break is a great time for teachers to take some time to think about their finances. This podcast is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. For more information about Wesleyan and to book an appointment with a specialist financial adviser go to www.wesleyan.co.uk Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in future. Bear in mind that the value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd (Registered in England and Wales No. 1651212) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AR. Telephone: 0345 351 2352. Calls may be recorded to help us provide, monitor and improve our services to you. Charges may apply. Learn more about our charges at wesleyan.co.uk/charges.

In this episode of the Smells Like Money Podcast, host Suzan Chin-Taylor sits down with Mike Hoffmaster, VP of OBIC Products, to uncover how OBIC's unique business model is transforming the trenchless infrastructure industry. From structural liners and industrial coatings to a real 10-year warranty and rigorous installer training, OBIC isn't just meeting expectations—they're raising the bar.

The cracks are showing in some of these dynamic duos. Who leaves a mess when they cook? We cover all this and more in this week's episode.Please support us at maximumfun.org/join, follow us on Instagram @tvcheffantasyleague, and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, we dive into the chemistry and strategy behind single vs. dual component polyurethane grouts with Charlie Lerman, Western Regional Manager at NCFI Geotechnical. From cost and equipment considerations to environmental impact and field application tips, Charlie breaks down how to choose the right grout—and why sometimes the smartest move is to use both. If you're in the wastewater or infrastructure industry, this is a must-hear masterclass in smart grouting!

Jeremy is joined by author and podcaster Jason Kruppa to solve the riddle that is the 1988 comedy-drama The Telephone, which stars Whoopi Goldberg and is directed by Rip Torn from a script by Harry Nilsson and Terry Southern. Their attempts to unravel the film take in such subjects as substance abuse, pet care, filmed plays and how New Yorkers all go about in their angry little boxes.Jason's book, "All Things Must Pass: Harrison, Clapton and Other Assorted Love Songs" is available here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/all-things-must-pass-away/kenneth-womack/jason-kruppa/9781641608169His podcast, Producing the Beatles, can be found here: https://www.producingthebeatles.com/Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5TY4uzreeQ&pp=ygUSdGhlIHRlbGVwaG9uZSBmaWxtFull length film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxD09rKYFFw&pp=ygUSdGhlIHRlbGVwaG9uZSBmaWxtJohn Hurt in Samuel Beckett's "Krapp's Last Tape": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IH2QUJCXVc&pp=ygURa3JhcHAncyBsYXN0IHRhcGU%3D

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Matt Lloyd, CEO and Co-Founder of Magic Apple Technology, who highlights the cityCURRENT Nashville partner company focused on providing internet telephone services with an emphasis on phone systems and customer service for businesses. Matt explains their commitment to excellent service and strong company culture through their core values, while also detailing their national geographic reach and technical capabilities.Matt discusses the importance of phone systems for businesses, emphasizing that phone communication remains crucial, especially for small to medium-sized enterprises. He highlights the benefits of cloud-based phone systems, including redundancy, enhanced integration with AI and other technologies, and improved accessibility. Matt notes that businesses are sometimes hesitant to transition their phone systems to the cloud due to a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, but he emphasizes the advantages of cloud systems, such as reliability during power outages or natural disasters.Matt discusses Magic Apple Technology's commitment to providing excellent service and maintaining strong company culture. He outlines five core values that guide the company, including John Wayne integrity, love for what they do, awesomeness, and not pointing fingers. Matt emphasizes that these values are ingrained in the company's DNA and are taken seriously, with new employees required to sign a core value oath.Matt explains that his company provides comprehensive IT support, handling both hardware and telecommunications issues. He describes their geographic reach, noting that while 75% of their business is centered in Middle Tennessee, they can serve customers nationwide through remote support and pre-tested equipment. Matt highlights two key industry trends: the use of AI to automate routine tasks and improve backend operations, and the deployment of AI agents for customer service interactions.Matt shares his experience as a CEO, highlighting the importance of implementing a structured business process using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and ensuring cultural alignment when onboarding new team members. He emphasizes the value of running a 100% remote operation to promote work-life balance and talks about being selective when adopting new trends, especially in the phone industry. Matt also recommends conducting annual business reviews with customers to explore underutilized phone system features and regularly reviewing phone contracts every 2-3 years to optimize costs and benefits.Matt wraps up discussing the importance of community engagement for Magic Apple Technology, highlighting their partnerships with nonprofits and their partnership in cityCURRENT to facilitate community involvement. Matt explains that Magic Apple Technology, a small team of 12, focuses on providing low-cost solutions and maintains a strong commitment to community service. He encourages viewers to visit their website, magicapple.com, for more information about their products, services, and team.Visit https://magicapple.com to learn more about Magic Apple Technology.https://www.facebook.com/magicappletech/https://www.linkedin.com/company/magic-apple-technology/

Seleccionamos discos favoritos editados -o presentados aquí abajo- en la primera mitad de 2025.Playlist;(sintonía ) BUDOS BAND “Overlander” (VII)THE LOVED ONES “Vagabond”THE NINE TON PEANUT SMUGGLERS “Rule the roost” (Pieces of eight)KEITH and TEX “Country living” (Gun life)HOWLIN RAMBLERS “Shake it around” (Shake it around)WEIRD OMEN “Middle class” (Blood)THE DUSTAPHONICS “Voodoo love jinx” (Gasolina)RAMBALAYA “Telephone” (Play for the brokenhearted)RAMIREZ EXPOSURE “For love of things invisible” (For love of things invisible)TY SEGALL “Skirts of heaven” (Possession)DEATH VALLEY GIRLS “Fire and bistone”CABALLERO REYNALDO “Ojos de serrín” (Una vida es demasiado poco… Homenaje a Doctor Divago)DUM DUM PACHECOS “Desde mi ventana” (I)GARBAYO “Invadiremos Europa” (Días de euforia)DE KEEFMEN “Puttin’ my foot down” (Different worlds)THE MELLOWS “Tonight is for the young”JAMIE PERRETT “Glory days” (Nepo baby EP)Escuchar audio

In this episode, Suzan Chin-Taylor sits down with Charlie Lerman a.k.a. The Grout Geek, to demystify the real differences between hydrophilic and hydrophobic polyurethane grouts. It's more than just water-loving vs. water-repelling—this episode dives into flexibility vs. rigidity, reaction times, environmental conditions, and why real-world field performance often differs from lab tests.Whether you're dealing with crack sealing, I&I control, or freeze-thaw environments, this episode will help you choose the right product for the job—and avoid costly rework.

But, aren't they beautifully intertwined forever and a day? Thinkin Music Youtube And F is For Family, the fantastic cartoon from Bill Burr. Link to the answer Wikipedia Support the podcasts you enjoy - check out Lenny.fm More about the show - www.nearly.com.au/somehow-related-podcast-with-glenn-robbins-and-dave-oneil/ Somehow Related is produced by Nearly Media. Original theme music by Kit Warhurst. Artwork created by Stacy Gougoulis. Looking for another podcast? The Debrief with Dave O'Neil - Dave's other podcasts with comedians after gigs. The Junkees with Dave O'Neil & Kitty Flanagan - The sweet and salty roundabout! Junk food abounds!Support on Lenny.fm: https://www.lenny.fm/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast. → Bonus episodes and early access on Patreon (http://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) → Subscribe to our monthly gaming newsletter (https://goblinsandgrowlers.beehiiv.com/subscribe) → Join the Goblins and Growlers Discord (http://bit.ly/goblindiscord) Jess Lanzillo got a new opportunity with White Wolf and Todd Kenreck got the boot. Both are gone from D&D for very different reasons, but it raises the question of what's going on over there? Why's the old guard looking to get out (Lanzillo) and why are they eliminating one of the main faces of their 2024* relaunch (Kenreck)? Couple that with Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford heading to Darrington Press and it paints the picture of rebooted or more corporatized internals for D&D going forward, especially with their move toward a franchise model. Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for bonus Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast. LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE! If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below: https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers https://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlers https://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher) https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)

NB: Oops, I meant 18th century. Also, Michael Haneke is Austrian after all.SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. My book Midlife now exists. Buy it here, or leave it a rating here or hereFor more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW, join the group chat, and send me a poem for Listener Crit!Leave the show a rating here (actually, just do it on your phone, it's easier). Thanks!Wear SLEERICKETS t-shirts and hoodies. They look good!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 25 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] com Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Toni Morrison's 1993 Nobel Prize lecure– Leopards in the Temple" by Franz Kafka (couldn't find any good links, so here's the text Mark copy-pasted to me: “Leopards break into the temple and drink to the dregs what is in the sacrificial pitchers; this is repeated over and over again; finally it can be calculated in advance, and it becomes a part of the ceremony.“)– Returning the Sword to the Stone by Mark Leidner– Mark's Substack: Opaque Hourglass– Recitatif by Tony Morrison– Funny Games (1997 & 2007)– Hamlet– Julius Caesar– Jack Handey– Andy Kaufman– Plato– The Gettysburg Address– Amleth– The Tower of Babel– The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil– Harold Pinter's 2005 Nobel Prize lecture– Chelsey Minnis– Juvenilia by Hera Lindsay Bird– A Field of Telephones by Zach Savich– Dogs of War by Mark LeidnerFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna PearsonOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah BlumovRatbag Poetics By David Jalal MotamedAlice: In Future PostsBrian: @BPlatzerCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith

In this episode, Suzan continues her fascinating conversation with Hye Jin Lee to explore how the City of Chino is reimagining wastewater as a sustainable community asset. Discover how Chino built a 34-mile recycled water system over the past 30 years, now used to keep Ayala Park's 144 acres green, support local agriculture, and earn potable water credits—all while reducing stress on regional water supplies.Learn how the city's partnership with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IUA) enables tertiary water treatment and long-term resilience against drought conditions. Hye Jin also shares insights into the environmental impact, cost/resource savings, and how other communities can adopt similar water reuse strategies.

On this episode of "The Federalist Radio Hour," Tevi Troy, author, historian, and senior fellow at the Ronald Reagan Institute, joins Federalist Senior Elections Correspondent Matt Kittle to discuss how communication technology and changes in popular culture have influenced the political landscape and presidents throughout American history.You can find Troy's book What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Tweeted: 200 Years of Popular Culture in the White House here.If you care about combating the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.

Welcome to Season 11! In this episode, we're diving into the truth behind Atlantis—no glowing crystals or ancient aliens here. Just mythology, philosophy, pseudoscience, and a wild detour into Nazi occultism (yep, really). Discover how Plato's fictional allegory became one of the most misunderstood stories in history, how it fueled racist pseudoscience, and why people *still* believe in the Lost City today. Plus: real sunken cities, academic beef, and why archaeologists would LOVE to find Atlantis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into how the City of Chino is transforming its aging sewer infrastructure through proactive planning and smart investments. Hye Jin Lee joins us to share how Chino is leading the way in I&I reduction by partnering with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), utilizing trenchless CIPP lining, addressing lateral repairs, and conducting CCTV inspections to guide their capital projects.You'll learn how mutual aid, resident education, and real-time system data are helping Chino build a more resilient and efficient wastewater system. Perfect for civil engineers, municipal leaders, and wastewater pros looking for real-world solutions.

DrivethruRPG removed 9th Level Games' "Rebel Scum" game because it's loud about proud about not being a game that supports bigotry, fascism, anti-vax, and generally things that are good to dislike. It turned into kind of a weasel-wordy exchange over standards of the publishing platform and was, generally, frustrating to read about and talk about. Beware of ranting in this video. Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for bonus Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast. Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast. → Bonus episodes and early access on Patreon (http://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) → Subscribe to our monthly gaming newsletter (https://goblinsandgrowlers.beehiiv.com/subscribe) → Join the Goblins and Growlers Discord (http://bit.ly/goblindiscord) LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE! If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below: https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers https://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlers https://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher) https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)

In this thought-provoking episode, Suzan Chin-Taylor sits down with Daniel Dominguez from the WHY Institute to discuss how discovering your WHY can revolutionize how you hire, retain, and promote talent—regardless of the industry you're in.

Today's poem is Telephone of the Wind by Eddie Kim.The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We'll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we're going back into the archive to revisit Tracy K. Smith's time as host. Today's episode was originally released on August 12, 2020.In this episode, Tracy writes… “Today's poem takes me back to the time when telephones and the distances they allowed us to cross were monumental.”Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp

Hope everyone is staying cool. Here's a look at our top local stories for Tuesday, June 24. Find these complete articles and much more in today's print edition and online at https://www.iolaregister.com/.

Race and Everyday Friction – Ending Well in Counselling Training In Episode 343 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in ‘Ethical, Sustainable Practice', they explore the importance of having an online and telephone informed supervisor when you work in this way. Then in ‘Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sarah Henry about her concept of race and everyday friction - how these subtle, often hidden experiences shape identity and create barriers in life and therapy. And finally in ‘Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss the significance of ending well in counselling training - how to navigate goodbyes with your peers and why these endings matter in your development. Why Have an Online and Telephone Informed Supervisor? [starts at 03:12 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken unpack the ethical importance of having an online and telephone informed supervisor when you practice in these ways. Key points discussed include: Supervision is an ethical requirement to ensure your practice is safe, effective, and supportive of clients. When working online or by phone, you need a supervisor who understands the specific challenges of these settings—like missing visual cues, managing silences, and the different technical considerations. Formal training in online and telephone working is essential, as supervisors who lack this training might not be able to guide or support you fully. Ethical frameworks (like the BACP's) and supervision competencies in the UK highlight the need for supervisors to hold formal training in any special areas of practice. Supervisors with this training will understand nuances like the disinhibition effect (when clients behave differently online) and data protection considerations. Race and Everyday Friction [starts at 18:53 mins] In this week's ‘Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sarah Henry, a counsellor and trainer who explores the concept of everyday friction. Those small, often overlooked experiences of race that shape a person's daily life. Key points from this conversation include: Everyday friction can be things like plasters (band-aids) that don't match darker skin tones, or seeing few Black people on greeting cards - small examples of how whiteness is often the default in society. These small frictions are constantly present and shape identity in powerful ways. White people may not recognise these frictions because they are not impacted by them directly. Conversations about race often start by talking about these everyday frictions - it's how we build bridges and develop understanding. Recognising and exploring these micro-moments of exclusion can help therapists be more attuned to the lived experiences of their clients. Ending Well in Counselling Training [starts at 40:41 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken share insights on ending well in your counselling course—whether you're finishing a term, a module, or the whole course. Key points include: Good endings help to close the chapter, mark growth, and ensure no regrets are left behind. Reflect on what you've shared and learned with your peers - acknowledge the support, challenges, and personal development. If there have been tensions with others, consider repairing or at least acknowledging them to avoid unfinished business. Remember that even if you see some peers in future courses, each group dynamic is unique. It's important to close this chapter properly. Taking time to end well helps you carry the experience forward as a positive part of your development. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Training and CPD

In this powerful episode of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast, host Suzan Chin-Taylor sits down with Allison DePaoli, founder of Altiqe Consulting, to uncover innovative and cost-effective healthcare strategies for small and mid-sized businesses.Think you're too small to negotiate better healthcare? Think again. Allison breaks down how even companies with just 2 employees can take control of their healthcare costs, using tools like level-funded plans, direct primary care (DPC), and workers' comp integration.

It started with a story about Mage Hand Press' Gunslinger class being available basically ala carte on D&D Beyond. That turned into supercharged debate about whether guns fit or belong in the classic fantasy setting typically associated with D&D. Inver did her best to moderate. The debate starts somewhere around the 30-minute mark. Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for bonus Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast. For this episode, we've got deep dives on White Wolf becoming an independent studio again, and a dive into the magic system of Mage: The Ascension. Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast. → Bonus episodes and early access on Patreon (http://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) → Subscribe to our monthly gaming newsletter (https://goblinsandgrowlers.beehiiv.com/subscribe) → Join the Goblins and Growlers Discord (http://bit.ly/goblindiscord) LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE! If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below: https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers https://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlers https://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher) https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)

After months of prevaricating, the Government has announced a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal. The reversal comes off the back of a review by Dame Louisa Casey.They have claimed it isn't a U-turn, but until now Labour figures – including Keir Starmer – had repeatedly dismissed calls for an inquiry, suggesting they were driven by the far-Right.Maggie Oliver, the detective-turned-whistleblower who raised the alarm about child rape gangs in Rochdale, joins Camilla to react to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's announcement.Listen back to our interview with grooming gang survivor Gaia Cooper.If you or someone you know are affected by any of the issues raised in today's Daily T, please see below a number of organisations that can help:Victim SupportTelephone: 0808 16 89 111Live chat: victimsupport.org.uk/live-chatMy Support Space: mysupportspace.org.uk/MoJMore information can be found at www.victimsupport.org.ukRape Crisis helpline and live chatThe Rape Crisis National Helpline offers confidential emotional support, information and referral details.Telephone: 0808 802 9999 / www.rapecrisis.org.uk.The Survivors TrustTelephone: 08088 010818Email: info@thesurvivorstrust.orgProducer: Georgia Coan and Lilian FawcettPlanning Editor: Venetia RaineyExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsSocial Media Producer: Ji-Min LeeVideo Editor: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleOriginal music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elizabeth Ravn (b.1994, Brooklyn, NY) received a Bachelors in Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL in 2016. She lives and works in Berlin. Recent solo and group exhibitions include David Peter Francis, New York (2025); die raum, Berlin (2024); Deborah Schamoni, Munich (2023); SOX, Berlin (2023); KINDL Centre for Contemporary Art, Berlin (2022); ChertLüdde Bungalow, Berlin (2022); Kinderhook & Caracas, Berlin (2021); Kjøpmannsgata Ung Kunst, Trondheim, (2021); and Pina, Vienna (2019). Elizabeth Ravn, Bild, 2024, oil on canvas, 39 3/8 x 31 1/2 inches (100 x 80 cm). Courtesy of the artist and David Peter Francis, NY. Elizabeth Ravn, Cubbyhole, 2025, oil on canvas, 43 1/4 x 35 3/8 inches (110 x 90 cm). Courtesy of the artist and David Peter Francis, NY. Elizabeth Ravn, November, 2024, oil on canvas, 43 1/4 x 35 3/8 inches (110 x 90 cm). Courtesy of the artist and David Peter Francis, NY Elizabeth Ravn, Telephone, 2024, oil on canvas, 27 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches (70 x 50 cm). Courtesy of the artist and David Peter Francis, NY.

In this segment, Mark takes calls from listeners who share their thoughts on random political subjects as a part of Telephone Tuesday.

JJ tells the story of two phone jacks... For more episodes of JJ Meets World, or to find out how you can support this podcast, visit http://www.jjmeetsworld.com/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/jjmeetsworld Merch Shop - https://shop.spreadshirt.com/jj-meets-world Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jj-meets-world/id1367045742 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0L9IGvJuUjFK0UOR9AIF5u YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh1WZrpC-XE57mRzi1bzPow Google Play - https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iwnpufw6f5qromxbbw6pq32rsya Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jjmeetsworldpodcast/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/jjmeetsworld?lang=en Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jjmeetsworldpodcast/

In this episode, Abby and Vanessa are recapping the Valley.  They discuss… -Jared vs. Zach -Janet/Jason vs. Jasmine -Jax and Brittany -Kristen Doute When you're done listening, please leave a 5 star rating or written review, and don't forget to check out one of our ad sponsors. Join Firstleaf today and enjoy the fresh vibes of spring with wines you'll love. Go to TryFirstleaf.com/REALMOMS to sign up and you'll get your first SIX handpicked bottles for just $44.95. Boll and Branch: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bollandbranch.com/realmoms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 15% off Skylight: Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SkylightCal.com/BRAVO ⁠⁠f⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or $30 off your 15 inch Calendar. Quince: Go to ⁠Quince.com/realmoms⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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In these segments, Mark hosts, "Telephone Tuesday" where he takes calls from listeners who share their thoughts on the big beautiful bill and social security.

This one might be a little inside baseball. Brandon, Art, and Josh vended at Animazement over Memorial Day weekend and it was our first time at that con. Apparently, it's the largest anime convention in North Carolina. We're also pretty sure it was our first time just working a con as vendors -- no special guest privileges or anything. It was fun, and it gave us a little more insight on hobby economics in the current climate.  Animazement is our fourth North Carolina anime convention. We realized when driving down there that we go to more conventions in NC than in VA. Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for bonus Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast.  Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast. → Bonus episodes and early access on Patreon (http://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) → Subscribe to our monthly gaming newsletter (https://goblinsandgrowlers.beehiiv.com/subscribe) → Join the Goblins and Growlers Discord (http://bit.ly/goblindiscord) LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE! If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below: https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers https://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlers https://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher) https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)

Why are cell phones called cell phones? When were mobile phones invented? Who made the first phone call? Have you started your FREE TRIAL of Who Smarted?+ for AD FREE listening, an EXTRA episode every week & bonus content? Sign up right in the Apple app, or directly at WhoSmarted.com and find out why more than 1,000 families are LOVING their subscription! Get official Who Smarted? Merch: tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more, at Who Smarted?

On the 109th episode of Business English Power, ALsensei shares important ideas on this topic:3 Keys for Business Telephone SuccessTelephones and communications have changed quite a bit in the last 10-15 years in business world. However, one thing that hasn't changed much in this area is the English language. Because of that, we can anticipate how a business phone call will proceed and find quick success!On this episode of Business English Power, learn 3 keys that will set you up for success in Business English world on the telephone!Please subscribe to Business English Power in Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.If you have any questions and/or suggestions for the show please e-mail me directly at:AL at BUSINESSENGLISHPOWER dot COMOn Business English Power, I help you express yourself more naturally and smoothly. We talk about how to make your Business English sound more natural, attain a Global Mindset, and apply powerful Success Principles.Level up your LearningLevel up your LifeSend us a text

Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast. → Bonus episodes and early access on Patreon (http://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) → Subscribe to our monthly gaming newsletter (https://goblinsandgrowlers.beehiiv.com/subscribe) → Join the Goblins and Growlers Discord (http://bit.ly/goblindiscord) Josh tapped out this week, so it's up to Brandon and Inver after what feels like forever since the last recording. Inver's fresh (and tired) from PAX East in Boston and Brandon just finished putting together some prototypes for a new game accessory idea we're trying out. Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for bonus Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast.  LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE! If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below: https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers https://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlers https://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher) https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)

Welcome to episode 151 of Growers Daily! We cover: germination struggles with soil blocks, some farm updates, and that pesky lower and lean term We are a Non-Profit! 

Today I'm joined by Pink Bella Aloha — an intuitive guide tapped into the Galactic Akashic Records. We'll be talking time travel timelines, the strange vanishing of the moon, power outages across Europe, and the concept of a “dead man's switch.” She's sharing her latest energetic insights and galactic downloads. Buckle up, we're heading off-world.DISCLAIMER:The views expressed by the guest are for educational and entertainment purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Typical Skeptic Podcast. This content is not intended as medical or legal advice. Please use discernment and do your own research.TAGS:Pink Bella Aloha, Akashic Records, Time Travel, Galactic Downloads, Moon Disappearance, Europe Blackout, Starseeds, Ascension, Dead Man's Switch, TSP 1959HASHTAGS:#PinkBellaAloha #AkashicRecords #TimeTravel #GalacticDownloads #MoonVanishing #DeadMansSwitch #StarseedMission #Ascension #TimelineShifts #TypicalSkepticPodcastPinkBellaAlohaTherapyTue, May 6, 9:39 PM (14 hours ago)to meBook a GALACTIC Quantum Akashic Records Session, Packageor Mentorship with PInk Bella:WEBSITE - https://alohapinkbella.weebly.com/EMAIL - alohapinkbella@gmail.comPink Bella Aloha - specializes in:* Deep Dives into Akashic & Galactic Akashic Records for CLARITY / SOUL MISSION & Guidance - Clearing Personal & Ancestral Contracts, Patterns & Karmic Loops* Ascension Wayshower to Prepare Starseeds, Lightworkers & the 144000for 5D New Earth* Higher Self Liaison* Quantum MultiDimensional Healer incl 12-22 Chakras & Meridian Systems* Starseed Origins & Galactic Councils of Light Transmissions* DRAGON Activations & Training* DIVINE GODDESS Codes Activations

Morgan Stanley Research analyst Mark Schmidt and Investment Management's Craig Brandon discuss the heightened uncertainty in the U.S. municipal bonds market.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.For a full list of episode disclosures click here.----- Transcript -----Mark Schmidt: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Mark Schmidt, Morgan Stanley's Head of Municipal Strategy.Craig Brandon: I'm Craig Brandon, Co-Director of Municipal Investments at Morgan Stanley Investment Management.Mark Schmidt: Today, let's talk about the biggest market you hardly ever hear about – municipal bonds, a $4 trillion asset class.It's Monday, May 5th at 10am in Boston.Mark Schmidt: If you've driven, flown, gone to school or turned on a tap, chances are munis made it happen. Although munis are late cycle haven, they were not immune to the latest bout of market volatility. Craig, why was April so tough?Craig Brandon: So, what we say in April, it was sort of the trifecta of things that happened that were a little different than other asset classes. The first thing that happened is we saw a significant increase in treasury rates – and munis are generally correlated to treasuries. We're a very high-quality asset class, that's viewed as a duration asset class. So, one thing we saw were rates going up. When we see rates going up, you generally see money coming out of the market, right? So, I think investors were a little bit impacted by the higher rates, the correlation to treasuries, the duration, and saw some flows out of the market.Secondly, what we saw is conversation about the tax exemption in Washington D.C. What that did is it caused muni issuers to pull their issuance forward. So, if you're an infrastructure issuer, you are issuing bonds in the next year to year and a half; you're going to pull that forward because if there's any risk of loss of the tax exemption, you want to get these bonds issued today. So that's basically what drives technicals. It's supply and demand. So, what we saw was a decrease in demand because of higher rates; an increase in supply because of issuance being pulled forward.And the third part of the trifecta we refer to is the conversations about the economy. So, I would put that, it's sort of a distant third, but there's still conversations about maybe credit weakness driven by a slowing economy.Mark Schmidt: Craig, your team has been through a lot of tough market cycles. Given your experience, how did the most recent selloff compare? And why was it not like 2008?Craig Brandon: I started my career back in 1998 during the long-term capital management crisis. I lived through 2008. I lived through the COVID crisis, and you know, really when I look at the crisis in 2008 – no banks went out of business three weeks ago, right? In 2008 we were really sitting on a trading desk wondering where this was going to end.You know, we had a number of meetings with our staff, over the last couple weeks explaining to them why it was different and how. Yes, there was some volatility here, but you could see that there was going to be an end to this, and this was not going to be a permanent restructuring of the market. So, I think we felt comfortable. It was very different than 2008 and it really felt different than COVID.Mark Schmidt: That's reassuring. But with economic growth set to slow sharply, how does your credit team think the fiscal health of America's state and local governments will hold up?Craig Brandon: Well, remember state and local governments, and when we're talking about munis, we're also talking about other infrastructure asset classes like water and sewer bonds. Like, you know, transportation, bonds, airports. We're talking about toll roads.They went into this with a very strong balance sheet, right? Remember, there was a lot of infrastructure money spent by the federal government during COVID to give issuers money to make it through COVID. There's still a lot of money on balance sheets. So, what we do is we're going into this crisis with a lot of cash on balance sheets, allowing issuers to be able to withstand some weakness in the economy and get through to the other side of this.Mark Schmidt: Not only do state and local governments have a lot of cash, but they're just not that impacted by tariffs, right? So why did muni yields perform worse than U.S. treasuries over the past couple of weeks?Craig Brandon: Right. It really… We're technically driven, right? The U.S. muni market is more retail driven than some other asset classes. Remember – investment grade corporates, treasury bonds, there's a lot of institutional buyers in those markets. In the municipal market, it's primarily retail driven.So, when you know, individual retail investors get nervous, they tend to pull money out of the market. So, what we saw was money coming out of the market. At the same time, we saw an individual increase in more bonds, which just led to very weak technicals, which when we see that it eventually reverses itself.Mark Schmidt: Now I almost buried the lede, right? Why invest in munis? Well, they're great credit quality, but they're also tax free. In fact, muni bonds have been exempt from federal taxes for over a century. You have a lot of experience putting together tax bills, and right now people are worried about tax reform. Do you think investors should be concerned?Craig Brandon: Listen. I'm not really losing a lot of sleep at night over the tax exemption. And I think there's other, you know, issues to worry about. Why do I say that?As you mentioned Mark, I spent the early years of my career working for the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee. I spent seven years negotiating budgets and what that did is it gave me a window – into how, you know, not only state budgets, but the federal budget gets put together.So, what it also showed me was the relationship between state and local elected officials and your representatives in Congress and your representatives in the Senate. So, I know firsthand that members of Congress and members of the Senate in Washington have very close relationships with members of the state legislatures, with governors, with mayors, with city council members, with school board members – who are all delivering the message that significantly higher financing costs that could potentially happen from the loss of the exemption, could be meaningful to them.And I think members of Congress and members of the Senate and Washington get it. They understand it because they were all there when it happened. The last time the muni exemption came under fire was back in 2012; and in 2012, a lot of members of Congress were in the state legislature back then, so they understand it.Mark Schmidt: That's reassuring because right now, tax equivalent yields in the muni market are 7 to 8 per cent. That's equal to or greater than the long run rate of return on the stock market. So, whether to invest in the muni market seems pretty straightforward. How to invest in the muni market? Well, with 50,000 issuers, that's a little complicated. How do you recommend investors get exposure to tax-free munis right now?Craig Brandon: Well, and that is a very common question. The muni market can be very confusing because there are just so many bonds out there. You know, over 50,000 issuers, there's over a million individual CUSIPs in the muni market.So as an individual investor, where do you start? There's different coupon structures, different call structures, different maturity structures, ratings. There's so many different variables that go into a decision in investing in muni bonds.I can make an argument that you could probably mimic the S&P 500 with 500 different stocks. But most muni indices are over 50,000 constituents. It's very difficult to replicate the muni market by yourself, which is why a lot of people, you know, they let professional money managers, do the investing for them. Whether you're looking at mutual funds, whether you're looking at separately managed accounts, whether you're looking at exchange traded fund ETFs, there's a lot of different ways to get exposure to the muni market. But with the huge amount of choices you have to make, I think a lot of individual investors would just let a professional with the experience do it.Mark Schmidt: And active managers let you customize portfolios to your unique tax situation and risk tolerance. So, Craig, a final question for you. How do munis fit into a diversified portfolio?Craig Brandon: Munis are generally the stable part of most people's portfolios. Remember, you don't have a choice of whether you're going to pay your taxes or not. You have to pay your taxes, you have to pay your water bill, you have to pay your power bill. You have to pay tolls on highways. You have to pay airport fees when you buy an airline ticket, right?It's not an option. So, because the revenue streams are so stable, you see most muni bonds rated AA or AAA. The default rate for rated munis is significantly below 1 per cent. It's something in the ballpark of about 0.2 per cent*. So, with such a low default rate – listen, we're technically driven, as I said. You see ups and downs in the market. But over a longer period of time, munis can give you generally stable returns, tax exempt income over the long term, and they're one of the more stable asset classes that you see in your overall portfolio.Mark Schmidt: That sounds boring, and I mean that in the best possible way. Craig, thanks so much for your time today.Craig Brandon: Thanks, Mark, happy to be hereMark Schmidt: And thank you for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share the podcast with a friend or colleague today.*“US Municipal Bond Defaults and Recoveries, 1970-2021” – Moody's Investor ServicesDisclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The returns referred to in the commentary are those of representative indices and are not meant to depict the performance of a specific investment.Risk ConsiderationsDiversification does not eliminate the risk of loss.There is no assurance that a portfolio will achieve its investment objective. Portfolios are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the portfolio will decline and that the value of portfolio shares may therefore be less than what you paid for them. 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An imbalance in supply and demand in the municipal market may result in valuation uncertainties and greater volatility, less liquidity, widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency in the market. There generally is limited public information about municipal issuers. Income from tax-exempt municipal obligations could be declared taxable because of changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the relevant taxing authority or the non-compliant conduct of the issuer of an obligation and may subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions, and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest for the long-term, especially during periods of downturn in the market.A separately managed account may not be appropriate for all investors. Separate accounts managed according to the particular strategy may include securities that may not necessarily track the performance of a particular index. Please consider the investment objectives, risks and fees of the Strategy carefully before investing. A minimum asset level is required. For important information about the investment managers, please refer to Form ADV Part 2.The views and opinions and/or analysis expressed are those of the author or the investment team as of the date of preparation of this material and are subject to change at any time without notice due to market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass.This material has been prepared on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. 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Lynn Monet is a world-renowned author, paranormal consultant, and lecturer specializing in hauntings, dying, death, and the afterlife. An empath with the ability to perceive interdimensional frequencies, she has been a nurse for over 20 years, focusing on end-of-life care, management, and geriatrics. Lynn holds a degree in biological science and has authored several books, including Omnipresent, Omnipresent: What Happened Next, and Colors of Heaven: Beginnings Never End. Her work offers profound insights into the spiritual dimensions of our existence. ​

On today's episode of the Typical Skeptic Podcast, I'm joined by Karen Holton, author of Transdimensional: The New Neighbours. We're diving deep into neurodiversity, autism, and how these unique traits may enhance or even unlock transdimensional perception.Karen will also share a powerful new contact experience she had on April 2nd, and how it redefined her understanding of our “new neighbours” — the multidimensional beings guiding humanity's awakening.This is a deep, personal, and cosmic transmission — one that blends lived experience with higher wisdom.

March 10, 1876. Inventor Alexander Graham Bell makes the first successful telephone call in history, revolutionizing human communication.You can listen ad-free in the Wondery or Amazon Music app. Or for all that and more, go to IntoHistory.comHistory Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.