Podcasts about Thanksgiving

In 1981, a Harvard graduate student vanished after stepping out of Logan Airport the night after Thanksgiving. As investigators searched for answers, they focused on a suspect connected to another murder – a woman who was killed just two years earlier. He was convicted in one case and widely believed responsible for the other. But after reviewing thousands of pages of records, we found gaps that raise difficult questions: Was the wrong man blamed? And is the real killer still out there?    Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit:  https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-joan-webster-and-marie-iannuzzi/ Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclub/ to view the current membership options and policies. Don't miss out on all things Crime Junkie! Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat.  Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF   Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BachelorClues and PaceCase analyze explosive clips from Reality Steve and What's the Reality as Chris's ex releases voicemail recordings, discusses a chaotic Thanksgiving phone call, and reveals eyebrow-raising claims about $380K in consumer debt. Meanwhile, Keya explains how Love Is Blind edited out major political dealbreakers — including her walking out on Trump voters in the pods. We break down producer manipulation, casting red flags, financial flex culture, and what these revelations mean for the evolving game of reality dating. The Dark Lord may loom large, but the edit may be the true villain.Subscribe to Game of Roses: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrFYM8CvKhDvV8OLfnhvP0A/?sub_confirmation=1Patreon: https://patreon.com/gameofrosesMerch: https://gameofroses.orgListen on Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/gameofrosesListen on Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifygameofroses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Timothy 4:8 NIV “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”   *Transcription Below*   Brian Smith, author of The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports, is a staff member with Athletes in Action and a cross-country coach at Lowell High School. A former collegiate runner at Wake Forest University, he earned a BA in Communications and Journalism before completing his MA in Theology and Sports Studies at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary. Brian lives in Lowell, MI with his wife and three children. You can find him on Twitter @BrianSmithAIA.   Ed Uszynski is an author, speaker, and sports minister with over three decades' experience discipling college and professional athletes. With a heart for reconciliation and justice, he also works as a racial literacy consultant and marriage conference speaker, blending Biblical wisdom with practical living in the midst of complex cultural realities. He has two theological degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a PhD in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. He and his wife Amy have four children and live in Xenia, Ohio.   The Christian Athlete Website   Thank You to Our Sponsor:  Sam Leman Eureka   Questions and Topics We Cover: What is one of kids' greatest game day complaints?  Is it true that young athletic success is a predictor of adult athletic success? What are a few tips for instilling a heart of gratitude in our young athlete, rather than entitlement?   Related Savvy Sauce Episode: 230 Intentional Parenting in All The Stages with Dr. Rob Rienow   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:11)   Laura Dugger: (0:12 - 1:51) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today, over 55 years later, at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka.   Owned and operated by the Bertschi family, Sam Leman and Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over Central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at lemangm.com.   Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski are my guests for today.   They are co-authors of this recent amazing book entitled, A Way Game, A Christian Parents Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. And from the very beginning, I was captivated, even with one of the endorsements from Matt Martens, who's the president and CEO of Awana, and he summed it up this way, A Way Game provides a much needed perspective shift on one of the most sacred idols in our culture, youth sports. So, Brian and Ed are all for youth sports, and yet you're going to hear there's a different way to approach it than what we've been trained in culture.   And they're going to share some wonderful and very practical insights. I can't wait to share this with you. Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Ed and Brian.   Ed Uszynski & Brian Smith: (1:51 - 1:54) Thanks for having us, Laura. Yeah, good to be here, Laura.   Laura Dugger: (1:54 - 2:04) So, excited about this chat. And will the two of you just start us off by sharing your family's stage of life and your involvement in sports?   Brian Smith: (2:05 - 3:29) Yeah, there could be a lot on the back end of that question. I'll start with sports, then get into family. I've been involved in sports my entire life, played every sport imaginable growing up, got cut from just about every single sport my freshman year of high school, ended up running track and cross country because it was the only sports that you could not get cut from at my high school.   And I ended up being pretty good at it by the time I was a senior, won some state championships, ended up getting a scholarship to run at Wake Forest University. So, I did that for four years right out of college. I coached a little bit collegiately.   Soon after that, I joined staff with a sports ministry called Athletes in Action that Ed and I have a combined 50 years with Athletes in Action. And really, that's been my life ever since. I've been ministering to college and pro athletes, discipling them, helping them figure out what does that actually look like to integrate faith in sport.   Even today, I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I coach high school cross country while I'm still on staff with Athletes in Action. I have a middle school Bible study that I run on Wednesday mornings.   Been married to my wife, who I actually met in high school. She was a distance runner too, and she ran at Wisconsin. So, we've been married for 20 years.   We have three kids, a high schooler, a middle schooler, and an elementary schooler who are all involved in sport at some level, some way, shape, or form.   Laura Dugger: (3:30 - 3:34) Wow, that's incredible. Thank you, Brian. And Ed, what about you?   Ed Uszynski: (3:34 - 5:04) Well, my story is very parallel to Brian's, just different sports and some different numbers. Just tack on 15 years. Yeah, I was a basketball player.   Grew up on the west side of Cleveland with a high school football coach. My dad was, but I was a basketball player. I played at high levels all the way through my 20s, got to play overseas.   I mean, this was a long time ago, but I got everything I could out of that sport. And as soon as I graduated from college, though, I started to work with that Athletes in Action ministry that Brian mentioned. So, I've been working with college and professional athletes for 34 years now.   And same, coached at different levels, have four kids. Amy and I have been married for 26 years. We have four kids, three are in college, and one's in ninth grade, who has a game this afternoon, actually.   So, we've just been going to games and have been involved in going to sports stuff for the last 20 years with our kids. And really what happened with Brian, and I is that we looked up a decade ago and realized this youth sports thing was a fast train that was moving in directions that we weren't used to ourselves, even though we've been around sports our whole life. It's like, there's something different happening now.   And then thinking about it as Christians, like, how do we do this well as Christ followers? We don't want to separate from it. We don't want to just go for the ride. How do we do this as Christian people? And that's what got us talking about it and eventually led to this book.   Laura Dugger: (5:05 - 5:23) Well, the book was easy to read and incredible. And I'd like to start there where you begin, even where you go back before going forward. So, when you're looking back, what are the factors at play that changed youth sports over time?   Ed Uszynski: (5:26 - 6:17) Well, I'll say this and then Brian, maybe you jump in and throw a couple of them out there. I mean, youth sports is a $40 billion industry today, which is wild to think about. It's four times how much money gets spent on the NFL, which is just staggering.   I can't even hardly believe that that's true, but it is. And it's really just in the last 20 years that that's happened. I mean, 50 years ago, you couldn't have had the youth sport industrial complex, as we refer to it.   You couldn't have had it. There were a bunch of things that had to happen culturally, as is true with any new movement or any paradigm shift that happens in culture. You've got to have certain things be true all at the same time that make it possible.   So, Brian, what were a couple of those? Again, I'll throw it over to you. There's six of them that we talk about in the book. And I think it's really fascinating because I'm a history guy.   Brian Smith: (6:18 - 8:40) Yeah. And we can obviously double click on any of these, Laura, that you want to, but we talk about how the college admissions process became an avenue where youth sports parents saw, man, if we can get our kids involved in some extracurriculars and kind of tag on high level athlete to their resume, it actually helps with the college admissions process. And so even the idea of college scholarships became an opportunity for youth sports parents to get their kids involved.   And then, yeah, maybe sports can actually get them into college. We talk about the economic shifts that happen, the rise of safetyism and helicopter parenting. ESPN was a massive one in 1979.   This thing called ESPN starts, and we get 24-7 coverage of sports, which they started exploring even early on. What does it look like to give coverage to something like Little League World Series and saw that it didn't really matter how young the sport was, it's going to draw a national audience. And so, we've almost been discipled by ESPN really over the last 50 years with this consistent coverage.   We talk about the rise of the sports complex. This one to me is like the most fascinating out of all of them. In 1997, Disney decided to try to get more people to come to their parks.   They built a sports complex, just a massive sports complex. The idea was, are the older kids getting sick of the Buzz Lightyear ride and the Disney princesses? So, let's build a sports complex and maybe it'll be something else that will draw this older crowd too.   And what happened was, I mean, a lot of people started coming to it, but kind of the stake in the ground game changer was when 9-11 hit. In the months and years after that, they saw a lot less people go to their parks, but population actually doubled going to the sports complex, which is wild to think that people were afraid to go to theme parks for a vacation, but they were willing to travel across state lines to play sports at the Disney complex. So other cities and municipalities took notice of that.   Today, there's over 30,000 sports complexes like Disney's, which again, this is all adding to the system of the youth sports industrial complex. Did I miss any, Ed?   Ed Uszynski: (8:41 - 10:47) Well, no, and that's good. And the reason why we even put all that on the table, again, everybody kind of intuitively knows if you're involved, you know, something's not right. But I think it's important to say this is not normal what's happening.   It's a new normal that's been manufactured by a bunch of cultural trends, by a bunch of entrepreneurs that are doing what entrepreneurs do, and they're taking advantage of the moment, and they are generating lots of money around it. So, it should be encouraging. If it's not normal, that means actually there's a counter way of going about this.   There really can be reformation. But when all this money gets involved, the two biggest consequences that come out of that is our kids start getting treated like commodities, which they are, and we could talk the whole time even just about what that means. But maybe even more importantly, or what comes out of that is that beyond their physical development, most coaches and clubs are not paying any attention to their emotional development, their psychological development, their spiritual development, all the different aspects of what it means to be human that, frankly, used to be paid quite a bit more attention to in youth leagues when I was growing up.   I'm 58 now, so I was playing in the 70s and the 80s. And it used to be expected, at least at some level, even among non-Christian people, that you would take those aspects of a kid's life seriously. And now those just aren't prioritized.   And so, what do we do about that? Again, that's kind of our whole point is, well, as Christian people, we're really supposed to be our kid's first discipler anyways. And part of that role and part of taking on that identity is that we would be asking, what is God trying to do in the wholeness of their life, the entirety of their life, even in the context of sports?   So again, I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but that's why we're trying to poke into that to say, oh, we could actually make change. We may not change the whole system. In fact, we won't. Most of us won't be expected to do that, but we can make significant change in our corner of the bleachers and what happens with our kids.   Laura Dugger: (10:48 - 11:05) That's good. And just like you said, to double-click on a few places, first of all, real quick, the 30,000 number, I remember that shocking me in the book, but I'm forgetting now, is that worldwide, the amount of sports complexes or is that just in America?   Brian Smith: (11:05 - 11:06) That's domestically in the US.   Laura Dugger: (11:07 - 11:52) Yeah. That is staggering. And then one other piece, all of this history was new to me as you brought it all together, but it was also fascinated.   This is from page 32. I'll just read your quote. The American youth sports ball began rolling when a British movement fusing spiritual development with physical activity made its way across the Atlantic Ocean at the turn of the last century.   And Ed, that's kind of what you were touching on, that they were mixing, I'm sure, spiritual, psychological discipleship, physical. Can you elaborate more on what was happening and where it originated? Because we've come very far from our origins.   Ed Uszynski: (11:53 - 13:18) Yeah. And there's been a bunch of really great books written about this topic called muscular Christianity. This idea, like you just said, Laura, of wedding physical activity through sports with our spiritual development and expecting and anticipating that somebody that was taking care of their body and that was engaging in sport activity, that was the closest thing to godliness.   That opened up the door for you to also be developing spiritually. And there was an expectation that both of those are going on at the same time. A bunch of criticism about that movement, but it was taken seriously.   The YMCA is actually a huge byproduct of the muscular Christianity movement. The Young Men's Christian Association created space for sports and for athletic activity to take place under the banner of you're also going to grow spiritually as you're doing this. So again, that was a hundred years ago.   And that's not really what AAU stands for today. The different clubs and leagues that we get involved in just don't talk that way anymore. Of course, culture just in general has shifted away from sort of a Judeo-Christian ethic guiding a North Star for us.   Even if we're not Christian people, that used to be more of a North Star. That's gone now. And so, it really is not expected in sports anymore.   Brian Smith: (13:18 - 13:55) And what we're saying is we cannot expect organizations to own that process for our kids. We can't outsource the discipleship of our kids to the youth sports industrial complex or the YMCA or the AAU. It really does start with us as Christian parents to be the primary discipler of our kids.   And there is a way to take what's happening on the field or the court or the pool and turn it into really amazing discipleship opportunities. But it means, and Ed is starting to tease this out, it means we need to change our perspective as parents when we sit in the bleachers or on the sidelines of what we're looking for and even the conversations we have with our kids on the back end.   Laura Dugger: (13:57 - 15:29) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka has been owned and operated by the Bertschi family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago.   If you visit their dealership today though, you'll find that not everything has changed. They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did, with honesty and integrity. Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle.   This is why they do everything they can to make the car buying process as easy and hassle-free as possible. They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple welcome to Sam Leman's. Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different.   I've known Sam and Stephen and their wives my entire life and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today. Your car buying process doesn't have to be something you dread, so come see for yourself at Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you and they appreciate your business.   Learn more at their website, LemanEureka.com or visit them on Facebook by searching for Sam Leman Eureka. You can also call them on 309-467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.   Laura Dugger: (15:30 - 15:31) And I want to continue getting into more of those practicals. Do you want to give us just a taste or an example or story of what that might look like?   Brian Smith: (15:32 - 16:54) We keep saying, we keep talking about the importance of the car ride home that it's tempting for us and not us broadly in the U.S., tempting for us, Ed and I, as people who have done this for 50 plus years and who should know better, it's tempting for us as discipled by an ESPN over analyzing everything culture and want to talk about sports to get in the car ride home with our kids and all we want to talk about is how game went, what they did right, what they did wrong, what they could fix next time.   Maybe instead of passing to Tim, they should take the shot next time because they're wide open. They just hit three in a row. So, and what our kids need from us in those moments is less coaching, less criticizing, less critiquing, and they just need us to connect with them.   The stats on kids quitting youth sports is crazy right now. Its 70 percent are quitting before the age of 13, in large part because it's not fun, and a lot of kids are attaching this idea of it not being fun to the car ride home with their parents who, let's say this too, most of us are well-intentioned parents. We're not trying to screw our kids up.   We want what's best for our kids, but the data and the research and the lived experience continues to tell us what our kids need from us is just to take a deep breath, connect with them, less coaching. Ed keeps saying less coaching, more slurpees.   Laura Dugger: (16:55 - 17:07) I like that. And that ties in. Is it called the peak-end principle that you discovered why kids are resisting that critique on the way home?   Brian Smith: (17:07 - 18:17) Yeah, absolutely. The peak-end rule in psychology is known as this: we, just as humans in general, not just kids, we largely remember things in our lives based on the peak moment of that event, but also how the event ends. And so, the peak moment in sport can be anything from something that goes really well, like they scored a goal or made a basket or something that did not go well, just like a massive event that took place that they're going to remember.   But then it's also married to how that event ends. So, if you think for kids, how does every youth sport experience end? It ends with the car ride home.   So, if they're experiencing the car ride home as I did not live up to mom and dad's standards, or there's fear getting into the car because they don't know what their parents are going to say, how are they remembering the totality of their youth sport experience? It is, I didn't, I didn't measure up. I wasn't enough.   It felt like sports was a place that I needed to perform for my parents or my coach. And I always feel a little bit short. We want to help parents see like there's a different path forward that can be more joyful for you, but hopefully more joyful for your kid as well.   Ed Uszynski: (18:17 - 21:37) Well, and, and I'll just, let me keep going with that, Brian. I thought you really articulated all that so well. I can just imagine a parent maybe thinking, was there never a time to correct?   Is there never a time to give input? And we would say, well, of course there, there is, they need far less of it from us than we think they need when it comes to their sport. And again, we can talk about that.   They need far less of that from us. They need us to be their parents, not to be their coaches. Even if we are their coach, they need us to be more their parents.   But there is a time to do it. We're just saying the car ride home is the worst time to do it. And that's usually the time that most of us, you know, we've got two hours of stuff to download with them.   And that's just, it's not a good time. But the other thing that Brian and I keep talking about is how about, what if we had some different metrics that we were even trying to measure? So, most of the time our metrics have to do with their performance.   Like what, what are we grading them on? Again, depending on what the sport is, there's these different things that we're looking for to say, how you did today is based on whether you did this or you didn't do that and whatnot. And we're saying as parents, and again, starting with us, we needed some other metrics that were actually more concerned about what was going on in their soul.   So again, I'm sure we'll talk more about this, but the virtues, how did love show up in the way they competed today? Where that usually is tied to them noticing somebody else. Do I, am I even asking them any questions about that?   Are they experiencing peace in the midst of all this chaos and anxiety that shows up at every game? How do we teach them to experience peace? How do they become other-centered instead of just self-centered all the time in a culture, a sport culture that's teaching them to always be the center of attention and try to be?   So, we just have needed to exchange some of what we had on that performance list, like tamper that down a little bit and maybe expand the list of categories that we're looking for that actually will matter when they're 25. And we keep saying this, our goal is that they'd come home for Thanksgiving when they're 25. And so, we need to stay relationally connected to them and how we act on the car ride home day after day after day after day, year after year is doing something to our relationship.   But we also are recognizing that it's really not going to matter whether Trey finishes with his left hand at the game today when he's 25, it's not going to matter. It's not going to matter probably a year from now, but how he goes through the handshake line after the game and the way he addresses other people, and whether or not he's learning to submit to authority, whether or not he's learning to embrace other people's humanity. Yes, even in the context of sports, that's really going to matter when he's 25.   It's going to matter when he's married. Those are the things that will matter. And we say that as people who are older and have been involved in ministry and have worked with college athletes and see what happens in their lives even after they're finished, and they have no idea who they are anymore.   And this thing that's dominated their life has not actually prepared them well to do life. And that's a problem that we say, let's start changing that when they're six and not hope they're figuring it out when they're 22.   Laura Dugger: (21:38 - 22:11) I love that because that's such a theme throughout those virtues that you talked about, but discipleship and sports are a tool or a way that we can disciple our kids. I also love that you give various questions throughout the book and even quick phrases. So to close that conversation on the car ride home, if we say, okay, that's what I've been coaching the whole way home, what is a question we could ask our child afterwards and a statement we could say and leave it at that and do it a better way?   Brian Smith: (22:12 - 23:56) The question I have consistently asked my kids after learning that I've been doing this the wrong way for a long time, I tweet my question to they get in the car and I say, is there anything that happened today from the game that you want to talk about? And it's frustrating to me because 99% of the time they say, no, can we listen to the radio? And we listen to the radio, or they play a on my phone, but I'm respecting their desire that they're done with what just happened and they're ready to move on to the next thing, even though I really want to talk about what just happened.   And then the statement that I want to make sure that I'm consistently saying that they're hearing is I love you and I'm proud of you. So, game didn't go well. Yeah, you did play well today.   That's okay. Hey, I love you and I'm proud of you. Game went well today.   Awesome. Great job. Hey, I love you and I'm proud of you.   So I want that to be the consistent theme that they're hearing for me, which is hopefully going to help them better understand the gospel later in life, that as they get older and older, hopefully they'll begin to realize it seemed like the way that my mom and dad interacted with me when I was performing in sport, but their love was not attached to my performance. That seems really similar to what I'm learning more and more that Jesus does for me, that I'm trying to do all these things that are good. But from what I'm understanding about the gospel, it seems like Jesus loves me in spite of what I do.   He loves me just because He's connected to me, that God loves me because I'm a son or daughter, not because I'm performing as a son or a daughter. So, in a very real way, I really am hoping that I'm giving a good teaser for my kids now for when they fully experience the gospel as they go through the life.   Ed Uszynski: (23:56 - 24:47) Another really good connecting question. I love how you said all that, Brian, is if they don't want to talk about the game, is it okay, did you have fun today? And they can only go in one of two directions.   No. Well, tell me about that. Why not?   And it opens up the door to talk about, well, because I didn't get to play or because something bad happened. And again, tell me more about that. Tell me more about that.   Or they say, yes, great. What happened that was fun? And it creates a very different conversation in the car.   And it opens up, again, relational possibilities that go way beyond, why do you keep passing it when you should be shooting it? Wow. And just all the different ways that that comes out of us, depending on sport, depending on their age.   But those are great questions. Go ahead, Brian.   Brian Smith: (24:47 - 25:41) I just asked my son this morning. He's a freshman. His wrestling season is almost done.   And I just asked, like, what has been most fun for you in wrestling this year? And his first thing was, I feel like I'm learning a lot. And that's really fun for me, which he's on a really good team.   He's had a lot of success. He's made a lot of good friends. But even that gave me a window into his characters.   My son enjoys and I knew this is true about him. But my son enjoys learning, which means he enjoys the process of getting better and better and better, which can happen in school, it can happen doing stuff in the yard, it can it can also happen in sport. But for me to remember moving forward, yeah, he he's probably going to have a different metric for what's fun in sport than I often do for him.   Yeah, like I wanted to learn. I want him to win though, too. He's happy with learning right now.   So, I need to be happy with that for him.   Ed Uszynski: (25:41 - 26:34) If I can say this, too, again, I don't want to be vulnerable on your behalf. But then knowing this, he's lost a lot this year to really good kids. Yeah.   And so much of the learning has been in the context of losing. So, you as a dad, actually, you could be crushing him because of those losses and what he needs to do to fix that and what he needs to do so that that doesn't happen again. And it's like he's already committed to learning.   How do you just how do you celebrate the loss? Like he took the risk to try something new in this movie. He tried to survive an extra period.   That's a process when and it's we just need to get better at that. Like you genuinely can celebrate that. That's not just a that's not like a participation trophy.   It's acknowledging now, do you're taking you're taking the right steps that are actually making you a winner, even if you don't have more points at the end of the game right now.   Laura Dugger: (26:34 - 26:54) Yeah. Yeah. And that long term win that you're talking about, even with character and you've talked about fun and asking them about fun.   Is it true that that's the main reason kids are dropping out of sports at such a rapid rate before age 13 is that it's just not fun anymore?   Ed Uszynski: (26:55 - 28:58) Yeah. Yeah. And why is it not fun?   And again, this is where Brian and I are always getting in each other's business. And we know that this conversation gets in all of our business as adults. But why is it not fun?   It's not fun because of the coaches and it's not fun because of the parents. We are creating stress. We are creating again collectively because we're all in different places on the on the spectrum on this in terms of what we're actually doing when we show up at games.   But if you even just go to any soccer game and you be quiet and just listen to what's happening and everybody's shouting and screaming things and there's contradictory messages being sent and there's angst at every turn and there's an incredible celebration because this eight year old was able to get the ball to go across the line for another goal. And what that's doing inside the kids is it is creating a not fun atmosphere. Let's just say it like that.   That's a not fun atmosphere when you're eight, when you're 10, when you're trying to figure out how to make your body work. You're trying to learn the game that you're unfamiliar with and you're trying to do what this coach is telling you to do. And you're also trying to do what all the parents are telling you what to do.   And if it's a team sport, you're trying to interact and play with other kids who are all in that same state of disarray, which is very stressful and frustrating. And we're just adding to it. So instead of removing it, instead of playing a role that says, we're going to keep diffusing that stress.   And again, I'll speak for myself. Too often, I have been the one that's actually adding to it. And so, kids are just like, why would I do this?   Why would I want to get in that car again with you? It's not fun. This is a game.   And so, there's a million other things that I can do with my time where I don't have everybody yelling at me and I don't have to listen to you correct me for two hours.   Laura Dugger: (29:00 - 29:21) Well, and one other thing that surprised me, maybe why kids are dropping out, you share on page 47, a quote that research reveals a strange correlation. The more we spend, the less our kids actually enjoy their sport. So, did you have any more insight into that?   Brian Smith: (29:21 - 30:50) Yeah, this was a real study that was done at Utah State. Researchers found that the more money parents are spending, again, let's say well-intentioned parents, the more we're spending in sports, the less our kids are enjoying. And the more they have dug into it, they're finding, and intuitively it makes sense.   If you buy your kid a $600 baseball bat, what's the expectation that they're supposed to do with this really expensive bat? When they swing, they better hit the ball, and they better get on base. If we're going to buy you this expensive of a bat, you can't just have process goals with it.   You better swing and hit it. And that's causing stress for kids. If you travel across state lines and you go to Disney to play at their sports complex, you're not there for vacation.   You're there to perform. So even if parents are saying we're trying to have fun, kids know when you're traveling and you're getting all this good equipment and you're on the elite team and you're receiving the best of the best stuff, they know it comes with some sort of an expectation. College athletes can barely handle that type of pressure and expectations, but we've placed this professional on youth sports from fifth five-year-olds to 15-year-olds, and it's just crushing them.   It's crushing them. Again, college athletes and professional athletes can barely handle it. They need mental health coaches for sports, but we're expecting that our five-year-olds can handle it, and they can't.   Ed Uszynski: (30:51 - 31:19) And they may not even be able to articulate it. So that's the other thing. They may not be able to identify what's actually going on inside and put it into words.   So again, that's why we're trying to sound the alarm for ourselves and for others who are listening, because we can do it different. Again, just to even keep spinning it back in an encouraging direction, we can do this different. We can change this this week in our corner of the bleachers.   We can start over again.   Laura Dugger: (31:21 - 31:48) Absolutely and make a difference. And before we talk about even more of the pros with sports, I think it's also necessary to reflect and maybe even grieve a few things. So, what would you say are some things families are missing out on when they choose youth sports to overfill their calendar, that that's all that they make time for?   What do you think they're missing out on?   Brian Smith: (31:51 - 33:16) Yeah, I think a couple that come to mind are family dinners are a big one. That's big for us in the Smith house, is just having the ability after a long day to sit at the dinner table together, to eat food together, and to process the day and be with one another. But when my kids' practice goes late, it means we're either eating almost towards bedtime or we're eating in different shifts.   And so that's something that we grieve. I think for me, when my schedule is full, I'm tempted to adopt the mindset that what's happening on the wrestling mat or on the track matters more than it actually does. And it robs me of the ability to just take a deep breath and smile and enjoy watching my kids play sports.   That without an intervention or a pregame devotional in the car for myself, I risk sitting in the stands or being on the sidelines, being stressed out and putting pressure on myself and pressure on my kids and gossiping about why the coach didn't put this kid into the people next to me, instead of just enjoying the gift that is sports and watching my kid try and succeed and try and fail. That is a gift available to me as a dad to watch my kid do that. But the busyness often robs me of that perspective.   Ed Uszynski: (33:17 - 36:06) Well, and the busyness robs, again, if you're married, that busyness eventually wears away at your relationship. And it's not just sports. I mean, busyness, we can fill our schedule, overfill our schedules with any number of things.   We can overfill our schedules with church stuff to a point where it becomes detrimental to our relationship. If we don't set boundaries so that we're making sure we're doing what we need to do to be face-to-face and to be going to areas beneath the surface with each other in our relationship and being able to do that with our kids as well, eventually there's negative consequences to that. It may not happen right away, but I've definitely experienced that.   We've experienced that in our home where it's easy to maybe chase one kid around for a while, but what happens when you add three into the mix and you haven't really done a time budget or paid attention to the fact that when we sign up for all these things, you get a month into it and you realize, oh, we have to be in different places at the same time. So, we're not even watching stuff together anymore. We're just running.   I can endure anything for a season, but what youth sports wants now in every sport from the youngest ages is that it becomes a year-round commitment. So, you're not even signing up to play a season anymore. You're signing up for a year in most cases because after the games, then they're going to have training.   They're going to have this other thing going on. And so again, can we say, well, we'll play the actual season, but then we're not going to do the additional training over these next three months. Again, we want to give parents' permission that you can say no to that.   Well, we paid for it. Well, it's okay. If you want your kid to be on that team and you like this club or whatever, then you pay the money and you just say, we're going to sit those three months out and we're going to use those three months actually to have people over our house for dinner.   Again, whatever's on the list, Laura, that you said about being more holistic and not letting sport operate like an idol in our life where it's taken on, it's washed out everything else in our life. We can get back in control of that by just saying no a little bit. You can go to church on Sunday.   Even if there's tournament games going on on Sunday, you can go to the coach early and say, hey, we just, in our family, we just don't want to be available before 12. Are you okay with that? And most of the time coaches will be.   The kid might have to sit extra maybe for not being, whatever. Okay. That's not going to be the end of the world that they had to sit out an extra game or had to sit out a half because they weren't available on Sunday morning.   It might actually make a huge difference that they weren't at church for two and a half years in the most formative time of their life.   Laura Dugger: (36:07 - 37:36) And a lot of times the way of wisdom includes reflection, getting alone with the Lord and asking, have we overstuffed our schedule this conversation today? Let's talk specifically with youth sports. Is that trumping everything else?   Because what if we're putting it in a place it was never intended to be as an idol where we sacrifice hospitality or discipleship or community or even just a more biblical way of life? I think we have to bring wisdom into the conversation for what you've mentioned. Whether it's worth it, if they're even enjoying it, how much we're spending on it, and do we have the budget to allocate our finances that way and evaluating the time just to see and make sure that it's rightly ordered.   Did you know you could receive a free email with monthly encouragement, practical tips, and plenty of questions to ask to take your conversation a level deeper, whether that's in parenting or on date nights? Make sure you access all of this at thesavvysauce.com by clicking the button that says join our email list so that you can follow the prompts and begin receiving these emails at the beginning of each month. Enjoy!   But if we flip that to if youth sports are rightly ordered, then what are some things that we can celebrate or reasons that you would want families to give this a try?   Brian Smith: (37:37 - 40:09) The massive positive that we keep coming back to is we have a front row seat to see our kids go through every possible emotion in sport, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. And then if we have the right perspective, we are armed with awesome opportunities and awesome information that we're seeing. We get to see what our kids are really good at.   We get to see their character gaps. And then we get to be the ones who, again, who are their primary response, primary disciplers. It really goes back to like, are we trusting youth sports for too little in our kids' lives?   Like many of us are trusting that our investment is going to get them a spot on a team, or maybe they get an opportunity in high school, maybe in college. And what we're saying is, yeah, that maybe. And that's not a bad end goal.   But if that's everything that you're investing into youth sports, it's not enough. Like what you have available to you every single day is to ask your kid if they showed somebody else's dignity on the field. You don't know if your kid's going to hit a home run today.   That may not be available to them their entire life. What's available to them every single day is to ask a question to their teammate, to see somebody and show dignity to them. And that's really, it's like, it's almost the opportunity of a lifetime for us as parents who, when our kids get home from school, we really don't know what happened most of the day.   We asked them how it went and we get the one-word answer. In sports, we don't have to guess. We get to see everything that happens.   And again, if we are actually trusting youth sports for discipleship investment, that's a good ROI. That's a good return on our investment. But we need a consistent intervention almost daily to say, no, this is why they're in sports.   Yes, I want to see them get better. I want to see them have fun, but Holy Spirit, would you help me see things today that I normally don't see? Holy Spirit, would you put them in circumstances and relationships today and in the season that's going to help them look more and more like Jesus by the time the season's done?   Holy Spirit, would you convict me in the moment when I am being a little too mouthy and saying things that I shouldn't? Would you help me to repent? And God, in those moments where I'm actually doing wrong on behalf of my kid, would you help me to humble myself and apologize to them?   And God, would you repair our relationship that way? So again, all of these options are available just because our kid's shooting a ball or they're on the field with somebody else tackling other people. We're trusting youth sports for too little.   Ed Uszynski: (40:10 - 41:10) That's all big boy and big girl stuff. It just is. I don't normally naturally do any of that.   I have to be coached into that. I have to be discipled myself. I have to work through my own issues, my own baggage, my own fears about the future, my own idolatrous holding onto this imagined future that I have for my kid, irrespective of what God may or may not want.   I've got my own resentment. I've got my own regrets from the past. I wish things had gone differently for me, so I'm going to make sure they go different for you when it comes to sports.   And it's hard to look in the mirror and admit that I have anger issues. I mean, youth sports create a great opportunity for me to get up all my pent-up frustration from the day. We've given ourselves permission to do that, in most cases, to just yell and yell at refs and gripe about coaches and yell at kids.   Brian Smith: (41:10 - 41:31) Because that's what we do at the TV, right? When our favorite team is playing, we've conditioned ourselves to say, awful call, that was terrible. Then we get on social media and we complain about it.   We are discipling ourselves to this is how it's normative to respond within the context of sports. Then we carry all that baggage to our six-year-old soccer game.   Laura Dugger: (41:33 - 42:02) Well, I love how you keep pointing it back toward character and discipleship. You clearly state throughout the book, sports don't develop character, people do. But could you maybe elaborate on that a little bit more and share more now that we've listed pros and cons, you still list a completely different way that we can meaningfully participate while also pushing back?   Brian Smith: (42:04 - 43:49) I'll start with the first part, and then you can answer the second. We use the handshake line as a great example of why character needs to be taught to our kids. If you just watch a normal handshake line left without coaching, the kids are going through it, especially the ones who lose with their head down, they have limp hands, there's no eye contact, and they're mumbling good game, good game.   Sometimes they don't even say it, they'll say GG stands for good game. They don't just learn character by going through the handshake line. If anything, that's going through it like that without any sort of intervention or coaching, that's malforming their character.   That's teaching them when things don't go well, that it's okay for them not to be a big boy or a big girl and look somebody in the eye and congratulate them. What needs to happen? An adult needs to step in and say, hey, as we go through the handshake line, whether you win or lose, here's how we do it with class.   We shake somebody's hand, we look them in the eye, and we say good game. Even if in those moments we don't actually mean it, we still show them dignity and honor. And then when we're done going through the handshake line, guess what we're going to do?   We're going to run down the refs who are trying to get in their car and get out of here, and we're going to give them a high five and say, thank you so much for reffing today. That stuff needs to be taught. Our kids don't just come out of the womb knowing how to do that.   We have to teach them how to do it. Sometimes good coaches will do that, but the more and more we get sucked up into the sports industrial complex, we're getting well-intentioned coaches, but we're getting coaches who care more about the big W, the win, than the character formation stuff that happens.   Ed Uszynski: (43:49 - 45:27) They need to keep hearing it over and over again. I have a ninth grade Bible study in my house the other day with athletes and a whole bunch of my son's basketball team. Exactly what Brian just said, I actually was like, wow, I've got them here.   There was a big blow up at a game the other day, and we wound up talking about it. I said, I'm going to take this opportunity actually to say what Brian just said. When you go through a handshake line, this is how you go through it.   I watched what happened in the game a couple days later. Basically, they did the exact opposite of what I told them to do, and they lost. It was just what Brian said.   They went through limp handed. They didn't look anybody in the face, and they weren't even saying anything. I just chuckled to myself, and you know how this is as a parent.   They may or may not do it. Of course, those aren't my kids. I have more stewardship over my child, who actually, he is doing what I've asked him to do because I've re-emphasized it across time now.   It's not a failure because they didn't do what I said. Again, the pouty side of me wants to be like, forget it. I'm just not even going to try anymore.   It's like, no, they're kids. That was the first time they've heard that. They're going to do what their patterns have, the muscle memory that's been created by their patterns, just like we do as adults.   The next time I have a chance to bring that up again, I'm not going to shame them. I'm just going to go over it again with them. Here's how we do it.   It's super hard to do this, guys, when you just want to be violent with people or you want to cry. You got to pull yourself together. That's what big men do.   That's what big women do in life. They pull themselves together in those moments and do the right thing.   Brian Smith: (45:28 - 46:01) You don't know whether the fifth time you say it is going to stick or the 50th time. Your responsibility as the Christ-following parent is to do it the sixth time and the seventh time and the seventh time and trust that God is going to take those moments and do what he does. We're ultimately not responsible for our kids' behavior.   We're responsible for pointing them in the right direction, and then hopefully, yeah, the Holy Spirit steps in and transforms and changes and convicts in those moments, but it might take some time.   Ed Uszynski: (46:02 - 47:47) Tom Bilyeu So that's how you push back, Laura. You were asking that. How do we push back without being just completely involved in it or going for the same ride that everybody else is going for?   There's just little moments like that scattered throughout. Literally, every day that my kids are involved in youth sports, the car ride over, what happens on the way home, how we talk about it, what happens during the game and what we wind up talking about out of that, the side conversations that happen that just get brought up apart from games of how we interact with people and so-and-so looks like they're struggling. What do you know about that?   That's how we push back, that in our corner of the bleachers, oh, how we interact with other parents. We haven't even talked about that yet, that I can take an interest in more than just my own kid in the bleachers and spend way more energy actually in cheering for other kids and just trying to give them confidence and spend way less time trying to direct that at my own child who knows that I'm there. In fact, my side kid has said he doesn't want to hear my voice during the game.   It distracts him. He's like, I'd much rather that you cheer for other people. It's like, okay.   Having questions ready for other parents during timeouts and as you sit there for hours together, what do you talk about? Well, I could be the one that actually initiates substantive conversations over time with them and asks them about what's going on in different parts of their life. And in having done that, people want to talk.   They want a safe place actually to share what's going on in their So let me be the sports minister. Let me take on that identity and actually care about other people.   Laura Dugger: (47:49 - 49:47) I love that. Even that practical idea of just coming to each game, maybe with a different question, ready to open up those conversations. And I'll share a quick story as well.   Our two oldest daughters recently just gave cheerleading a try at a local Christian school that allows homeschool kids to participate. And this is an overt way that somebody chooses the different way. So, it's the coach of the basketball team.   His name is Cole. And at the end of every game, we saw him consistently throughout this season when it was a home game, whether their team won or lost, he would ask them, okay, shut off the scoreboard. It's all blank.   He gathers both teams. As soon as the game is over teams, cheerleaders, the stands stay filled with all the parents. And he says, this is not our identity.   The world and Satan, our enemy, who's very real. He wants us to put our identity here, but it's not here. You made us better tonight by the way that you played and you were able to shine Jesus.   And we're going to go a step further and we're going to do what we call attaways. So, he's like, all right, boys, you open it up. And his team is trained.   They say to the other team, Hey, number 23, what's your name? I loved how you pushed me so much harder tonight and says, my name's Ben. And so, their Attaway is, Hey, Ben.   And everybody goes, Hey, Ben. Yeah, Ben. Yeah, Ben Attaway.   And everybody just erupts in clapping. And the other team is always blown away and they are just grinning, whether they just lost. So, the boys go through that for a while and then they open it up to the other team and they start sharing Attaways.   And then they open it up to the crowd and the parents are able to say, I see the way you modeled Jesus by being selfless with the ball or whatever it is. So, Cole said that his college coach did that many years ago and he's passed that on. And I love that's one way to redeem the game.   Ed Uszynski: (49:47 - 51:39) Wow. Beautiful. Beautiful.   Yeah. That's amazing. And, you know, I, so Brian and I talk about this too.   And I coached at a Christian school. So, we, we think that it's really important if you're going to play sports and you're going to be a Christian coach that you actually take the game seriously. And that we actually are here to compete and we are here to try to win.   There's nothing wrong with that. And we're going to pursue excellence when we show up with our bodies, and we train for this sport and we're going to try to win. Cause I think sometimes we end up kind of going all or nothing, especially within our Christian circles.   We're uncomfortable with that. And it's like, yes, do that. And on the backside of that to do what that coach did is amazing.   It's that, that is, that is exactly what we're saying. We're also going to try to form our souls in the midst of this. We're going to try to win on the scoreboard.   Okay. The game's over, we lost, we won, whatever. There's more going on here than just that. And can we access that together? And again, that's so rare. Probably everybody listening has never even heard of anything like what you just said.   It would be amazing if a bunch of people did, but that's what we're saying. Let's do more of that. Let's find ways to have more of those conversations in our sphere of influence.   Maybe we're not the coach, but we can do that in our car. We can do that when we're at dinners with the other, with other players and other team, you know, we, we can do that. We can take that kind of initiative.   If we have those categories in our mind, instead of just being frustrated that my kid didn't get to play as much tonight. And I'm that bugs me. It's like, okay, it can bug you.   And now I gotta, I gotta be a big boy and get more out of this than just being frustrated that he or she didn't get to play as much. It's hard.   Laura Dugger: (51:40 - 52:11) Absolutely. Well, and like you guys are doing having Bible studies outside of the, the team that you can instill values in that way and share scripture that they're memorizing to go out there with excellence for the Lord. So, I love all of that.   And I've got just a few quick questions, just kind of for perspective. I want to draw out something from the book. Is it true that young athletic success predicts adult athletic success?   Brian Smith: (52:13 - 53:51) It is not true. This is, this is not a hot take. This is researched back more and more research they're doing on this.   And they're finding that there's not a direct correlation between a young elite athlete and them continuing that up into the right trajectory and being an elite athlete later in life in large part, because when puberty hits, like everything is a game changer. So, this is, I found this fascinating and this is probably going to be new to you too. This just came out today.   At the time we're doing this podcast, the winter Olympics is going on in Norway. It's just like, they're killing it. Nor Norway's youth sports system.   This is wild. They give participation trophies for all the kids. They don't keep score until 13 years old.   They don't do any national travel competitions, no posting youth sports results online. So, there's no online presence of youth sport results. And their country motto is joy of sport for all.   And they're, they're killing it right now in the Olympics. So, like, that's not to say, like you got to follow their model and then you're going to win all these gold medals, but it is, there is something to just let the kids have fun. And the longer they play sport, because it's fun, the better opportunity you're actually going to have to see them blossom and develop some of these God-given gifts that they might have.   Don't expect it to come out before they're 13. Even if it does, there's no guarantee that it's going to continue on until they're 23. Just let them have fun.   Ed Uszynski: (53:52 - 55:55) Brian, we, Brian and I got to speak at a church the other day about this topic. And there was a couple that came up afterwards and they asked the question of what, so when do you think we should let our kids play organized sports or structured sports? And so again, Brian and I are careful.   Like I, there's no, there's no one size fits all answer to that. We would suggest as late as possible, wait as long as possible. Because once you start doing structured sport where there's a coach and you have to be at practices and the games are structured and there's reps, it just cuts away all the possibility they have to just play and just to go up to the YMCA and just play for three hours at whatever it is that they like to do.   And they said, well, it's encouraging to hear that they said, because we, we actually are way more into just developing their bodies physically. And so, we do dance with them, and we do rock climbing and they were kind of outdoorsy people, and they just started listing off all these things they do because we want them to become strong in their bodies, and learn to love activity like that. And I just thought, again, that's, that probably would cause a lot of people to freak out to hear that, that they have eight, nine-year-olds that aren't on teams yet.   They're just, they're training their bodies to appreciate physicality and to become coordinated and to, you know, to get better at movement. And it's like, what sport is that not going to be super helpful in five years from now, even when they're 12, 13 years old. And now they really do want to play one sport, and they do want to be on a team.   They're going to be way ahead of the kids actually that just sat on benches or stood in the outfield, you know, day after day after day at practices. Again, that's maybe hard to hear, but maybe there's some adjustments that need to be made again; to give ourselves permission to say, we don't have to get on that train right now. You don't have to, your kid's not going to be behind.   They actually could be ahead. If you do the kinds of things we just talked about.   Laura Dugger: (55:56 - 56:11) I love that. And even that example with what it looks like played out with Norway and also, do you have any other quick tips just for instilling and cultivating a heart of gratitude and youth sports rather than entitlement?   Brian Smith: (56:13 - 57:33) I'm a high school cross country and track coach, and I have kids on my team who want to get faster at running, but instead of running, they want to lift weights and they want to do plier metrics. So, there's, yes, there's a spot for that. But the way you get better at running is to run.   You got to run more miles and more miles. And I think gratitude is similar. That gratitude, part of it is a, it's a feeling, but it's also a muscle that we can flex even if we don't feel it.   And so, I would encourage parents who are trying to instill gratitude into their kids to give them practical things like, hey, after practice, just go shake your coach's hand or give them a fist bump and tell them, thanks for practice today, coach. That that's a disciplined way to practice gratitude that will hopefully build the muscle where they're, they're using it later in life. After a game, I taught my kids this when they were young and they still do it today.   Go shake a ref's hand. I mentioned this earlier, just a really, really practical way to show thankfulness and gratitude to somebody who really doesn't get a whole lot of gratitude pointed at them during a game or after a game. If anything, they have people chasing them through the parking lot for other reasons.   I want my kids to be chasing them down to give them a fist bump or a high five. And so, gratitude is something that we can just practice practically. And hopefully the discipline practice will lead to a delight and actually doing it.   Ed Uszynski: (57:34 - 59:39) And how do we cultivate an inner posture? Cause I tend to be a cup half empty type person. I'm a, I'm a whiner by nature and a continuous improvement.   There's always something wrong. And I'm, it's easy for me to find those things just as a person. I'm not even saying that as a dad or a coach or anything.   And it's been super helpful to me in the last decade, even to just like, I can choose to shift that. There, there is, there's a list of things that are broke, but there is always a list of things that are good. There's always something good here to be found.   And even as I've tried to like, again, tip the scales more in that direction, I can keep pushing that out of my kids. So, so this, you know, my ninth-grade son tends to just like, he doesn't like a whole bunch of what's going on in basketball right now. So, I keep asking him if he's having fun.   He says, no, like, why not? Or like, who did, why did you not have fun today? So, it's just the same thing every day.   I'm like, okay, who did you enjoy even being with today? Nobody. And I'm like, dude, I don't believe that actually.   I just, I don't believe that. There was somebody that you had some moment with today that you enjoyed, or you wouldn't want to keep going back up there because, and he does. So, give me a name.   Okay. Lenny. What happened with Lenny that was fun? And I make him name it. Like I'm, I'm, I'm trying to coach him through it. And sure enough, he does have some sentences of what was fun today.   And it's like, good, let's, let's at least hold onto that in the midst of all the other stuff that's not right. Let's choose to see the thing that was good and that you enjoyed and that we could be thankful for. Not everybody got to have that today.   Again, I have to have my, I have to be the parent. I have to be the discipler. I have to be in, you know, in charge of my own soul that wants to be negative all the time and say, nope, we're going to, we're going to choose gratitude today because the Bible tells us to do that.   There's something about that posture that opens the door for the gospel to be expressed through us. So, let's practice.   Laura Dugger: (59:40 - 59:50) Well said, and there's so much we could continue learning from both of you. Where can we go after this chat to learn more from each one of you?   Brian Smith: (59:52 - 1:00:14) Yeah, we do a lot of our writing online at thechristianathlete.com. And so, if you go there, you can see articles that are specifically written for parents, for coaches, for athletes, all around this idea of what does it look like to integrate faith and sport together? So, the

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The story of the healing of a man lame from birth at the temple gates (Acts 3:1-10) reveals 6 keys of wisdom showing us how to receive blessing and healing from God, which He freely gives to us through the Name of Jesus. This video offers insights and key principles on how to receive from God, emphasising the importance of faith, expectancy, and the power of action. Through this biblical example, learn how to focus on God, expect His blessings, and activate His power in your life.

The 8am hour of Thursday's Mac & Cube continued with the guys laying out why Chandler Morris is trying to get (yet) another year of eligibility and how it'll affect CFB moving forward; then, Chris Vannini, from The Athletic, tells us about the latest lawsuits plaguing College Football, whether or not Army-Navy will move to Thanksgiving weekend, and what he thought of the recent coaching carousel; later, Cole wonders if JUCO should count toward eligibility moving forward; and finally, we just have to laugh at all the lawsuits going around CFB. "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Jordan, Commish, Pitt Girl, a late arriving Beth, and our VP of Podcast Production Arthur. Along with SPECIAL GUEST DAVID from FOIABALL.com! We learn all about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and how we can FOIA things, what kind of things we can FOIA, what we can't FOIA, what schools are a pain in the butt to FOIA, what was the weirdest thing David has uncovered, discovering people really love balloons and how much they paid for balloons, weird Nebraska research on their potential ticket buyers, how he discovered potential NIL tax fraud for a Big Ten school, his white whale of FOIA requests, biggest grocery bills, Commish and David brainstorm some new FOIA ideas, then we get into the Sac State projections based on a Malaysian LinkedIn post, Army/Navy potentially moving to Thanksgiving weekend?, The Mountain West scheduled dropped, North Dakota State to Hawaii! They are sending Nevada away to all the new schools, the Houston Astros Brisket Donuts and we challenge our Corn Correspondent, UFL new rules, 4 Point FGs, banning the tush push and limiting punts, BYU's virtual tryouts for punters and long snappers and oh so much, much more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Dumb And Humble Podcast we let our bellies relax after Thanksgiving while jammin and chuggin.Featured Whisky Business - High WestTwitter & Instagram - @dumbhumblepodEmail - Dumbhumblepod@gmail.com

On this episode of The Group of Five Guys Podcast, The GOFG break down a potential shakeup to one of college football's most sacred traditions as Army head coach Jeff Monken proposes moving the Army–Navy game to Thanksgiving week. Is it smart for exposure—or does it ruin what makes the game special? We also dive into the newly released 2026 Mountain West football schedule and what it means for conference contenders and the expanded playoff race. Plus, USA Hockey brings home gold on the international stage, and we react to a Kansas basketball player taking himself out of a game in a moment that's reigniting the “load management” debate in college sports. Tradition vs. modernization. Exposure vs. purity. And are players gaining too much autonomy—or just using the power they've finally earned? Do not miss out on another jam packed episode of The Group of Five Guys Podcast! SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@GroupofFiveGuys WEBSITE: http://www.groupoffiveguys.com/ MERCH: https://groupof5guys.onechaptr.com/group_of_5_guys_2-24/shop/products/all?page=1 Subscribe and follow the Group of Five Guys! @groupoffiveguys @Sprouse_68 @Tyler_J_Tipton @JMurphyLee SPONSOR THE SHOW OR BUSINESS INQUIRES: Email: groupoffiveguys@gmail.com Direct Message on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GroupOfFiveGuys #G5 #groupoffiveguys #G5Live Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your mission is simple, should you choose to accept it: By awarding or subtracting 24 points from a handful of old college football games, how much can you alter about the entire trajectory of the sport? Richard and Alex see how much damage they can do with three possessions' worth of points: * 0:23: RIP to college football's Wes Rucker, Joey Knight, and Rondale Moore* 3:37: Richard's additional reporting on Sacramento State's MAC move and the ridiculous math used to justify it * 13:22: The Split Zone Duo Hockey Hour responds to the Olympics * 19:46: News of the week: Joey Aguilar loses his eligibility case, and Jeff Monken suggests moving Army-Navy to Thanksgiving weekend * 24:32: Reshaping college football history with 24 pointsGet more SZD by becoming a paid subscriberThe offseason is a busy time at SZD, where we focus a lot on creative projects and CFB history while also keeping tabs on the news of the moment. Many of our favorite episodes go out in these months for subscribers — including the next one on Friday, featuring host emeritus Steven Godfrey. Thanks to our sponsorsnokiantyres.com/hockeyhomefieldapparel.comProducer: Anthony Vito This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.splitzoneduo.com/subscribe

Okay, try to picture it. Maybe you don't have to picture it. Maybe you've been there. It's the Friday morning after Thanksgiving, just before doors open at, let's say, Walmart. It's still dark, but a lot of people are lined up, anxiously waiting to enter. It's the day of those fabulous sales that stores like this have to encourage your early Christmas shopping. And for a short time after the doors open, there are some absolutely amazing prices on many popular items. But you have to move quickly and scoop them up. One year recently, I remember the crush of people was so great, at one store a lady was nearly trampled to death when the doors opened. And at another store, another year, a man actually was trampled to death. Once you're in the store, you know what to do. No browsing. No chatting. You're on a mission! Just look for those sales opportunities and grab them while you can! I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Grabbing Opportunities to Save a Life." Aggressively seizing opportunities because time is short - that's not just a picture of a sale day shopper. That's supposed to be the picture of every follower of Jesus Christ. Not just browsing and cruising through our days, but really making them count...really making a difference with your life. If you read our word for today from the Word of God in the original language of the New Testament, you can see just that kind of urgency and intensity. It's Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise, but as wise" - now what follows is God's definition of what it means to "live smart." "...making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil." The original Greek conveys the idea of aggressively buying up every opportunity you have to do something about the darkness around you. Near the end of this letter that Paul wrote from a prison cell, probably chained to a Roman guard, he gives us a living example of this "make a difference" mindset in action. He says, "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel...pray that I will declare it fearlessly, as I should." In another letter, we learn that there were believers ultimately in Caesar's household; likely some of those soldiers Paul spent so much time with. He saw his imprisonment, not so much as an ordeal, but as an opportunity to tell people there about his Jesus and to rescue them from evil. Life is full of life-saving opportunities for those with eyes to see them; for those who understand that we're supposed to be looking for them wherever we are. I know when one member of our family was in the hospital, the reason seemed clear. There was a patient who left a trail of Jesus all through that hospital. There just to get well? No. They were there positioned by God to help spiritually rescue some of the people in that hospital. If you want to make the greatest possible difference with the rest of your life, and I hope you do. If you want to help some people be in heaven with you, and I hope you do. Then each morning pray for natural opportunities to bring up your Jesus. "Lord, open a door." Then look for those opportunities to open up. Buy them up like an alert shopper. When someone shares a burden or a concern with you, don't just promise to pray for them. Ask if you can pray with them right then. Chances are they have never heard their name in a prayer all their life! I've never had anyone turn down that offer by the way. And if God opens the door, tell them after you pray that you weren't always able to talk to God like that because there used to be a wall between you and Him that Jesus took down. Look for opportunities to share your personal hope story, which is the story of the difference Jesus has made for you in certain life situations, particular needs, and certainly your eternal situation. Look for those opportunities. Pray for those opportunities. Grab those opportunities. Why? Because God is putting people in your life so they can have a chance at Jesus...and a chance at heaven. That's an opportunity you just must not miss.

“You are the most God-gifted writer I've ever had,” Tom's college professor told him. However, Tom quit college; his love of farming drew him back to the farm. Thirty years later, Tom picked up the pen again, drawing readers into farming adventures with him. In these exciting and uplifting true stories, he shares his love of farming, family, and God. His unique writing style brings the reader right alongside him and his family as they work on their northern Wisconsin dairy farm. Tom's stories have spread like wildfire from his hometown newspaper to papers across America. Readers tell him, “Please don't quit writing.” Others ask him, “When are you going to make it a book?” Due to popular demand here it is. From quotes like “Dad, I really enjoyed fixing that with you” to “She's a dead cow don't call me anymore,” these engaging stories will keep you turning the pages to read one story, then another. As you do, you will be blessed as so many others have been. Come, read, and enjoy our farm life with us.

Today, I have two witnesses that I have heard about from friends over the last week. The first one is from my friend, who has been struggling with hearing loss. I did a witness about her last year also. She had a ringing in her ears, and she said it had gotten pretty bad. I reminded her that we were at Encounter School of Ministry, where they teach us and encourage us to pray over people for healing, and where we see a lot of healing. I prayed over her for healing that night, and then later in the night, two other people prayed over her, and there was no change. However, when she woke up the next morning, the ringing was 90% gone. Praise God! She said it was the quietest her mind had been in a long time. My friend also found out that she has a tumor in her ear. They said they are going to need to operate. The operation will leave her with permanent hearing loss. The last time she had her hearing tested, the intelligibility in that one ear was 39% when someone was yelling. That means that even when someone was yelling or speaking loudly into her ear, she could only understand 39% of what they were saying. We have been praying over her ear for over a year now. Besides the ringing that stopped, she had not seen much change. When she was on the way home from an Encounter School of Ministries event the other day, she felt something weird going on with her ear. It felt strange, and I don't remember if she said she heard a noise in it or what. I do remember she said she felt like her hearing was suddenly improving. When she got home, she decided to test it out. We have learned in Encounter School of Ministry that often, the healing doesn't come when the person is praying, but it comes when the person takes that leap of faith and tests it out to see if a healing has occurred. In order to test it, you would try to do something you couldn't do before, or you would stop and evaluate the pain and see if it's less than it was before the prayer started. For my friend, she decided to put YouTube on her phone to a song that she didn't know the words to. She turned her volume all the way down until it was just one bar away from being on silent. She put the phone up to her ear and hit play. She could understand all of the words. Even the words in the commercial at the beginning. When she called me to tell me,  she had the phone up to that ear that previously wasn't able to hear very much at all. In the past, when talking on the phone, she would have to have the phone to the other ear in order to hear the person on the other line. Praise God! He is so good! My friend's hearing is not perfect. It's not back to normal. And that's OK, she's happy with the healing that God has done so far, and she knows and has faith that God's not done yet! Thank you, Jesus! The next one I heard was at the prayer group last week. Recently, there was a Men's March for Life in Boston. It was peaceful; they were just walking the streets with signs in support of saving babies from abortion. Here is what the woman said. Well, a dear friend of mine went on the walk and took her 11-year-old son. He was wearing a black suit and carrying a sign the whole way saying, Why should we kill our babies? They encountered resistance. There were hate-filled faces all around them. There were knives. There were guns. There were people being thrown to the ground. There were people throwing urine-filled balloons. It was awful. There were police around, but the police couldn't keep up with the number of people who were against the march. The people who were marching were scared for their safety. My friend's son got hit with one of these urine-filled balloons. So my friend turned to her little son, who is, like her, very anointed, and said, What do we do? He said, We call on Michael. He was, of course, talking about Saint Michael the Archangel. He started yelling, Michael! And people all around started chanting, Michael! And they were already doing the rosary. Some people kept on saying, Mother Mary, you're going to help us. As many were calling out to Michael, there was a flash overhead. There was a flash. And then there were sparks of light; people were getting out their cameras to document the flash of light and the sparks. They knew St. Michael had heard their calls and came to answer them. The next thing they knew, they were completely surrounded by a blockade of military-looking police. The police were standing shoulder to shoulder, and there were enough of them to surround everyone marching in the parade. The march was able to continue because everyone now felt safe, and there were suddenly enough people to protect them. Thank you, St.Michael. I'm not saying these were angel warriors because the report online said that the police did call for reinforcements. But it was a miracle that they were immediately after the flash in the sky and the sparks. Thank you to both of my friends for sharing their miracles with me so I could share them with you! I am so grateful, especially with this being Thanksgiving week, for all the healing that God is doing in our world. I am grateful for all the miraculous ways He provides and protects His children. Thank you, Lord! I am also grateful for each and every one of you who gives your time to listen to this podcast. It truly means the world to me that I get to spend each morning with you. I pray for those of you in America that you have an amazing Thanksgiving weekend. For those of you not in America, I pray you have an amazing weekend, too! I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

About Rehoboth & Josh & Jessica:This was a really fun tour. The farm has an interesting backstory. It was initially just a backyard chicken hobbyist farm, and then after feeding themselves and friends, they saw the health impact and the localized food impact - then began trading meat for land access. Josh spent years during 2015-18 waiting for the right property top open up, with multiple failed attempts, before securing the current farm in 2018. They launched full-time in 2019, saw rapid growth during 2020 with that demand spike, and then developed the farm into what it is today, a regenerative grazing operation and direct-to-consumer product platform. Neither Joss or Jessica grew up farming, but health concerns, lack of localized food option and expense of quality food triggered their shift to farming. They have a faith-driven vision for the farm, and “Rehoboth” means “God made room”. Jessica leads customer engagement, and Josh leads the systems and operations on the farm. You can connect to Josh and Jessica via the links below:WebsiteInstagramKey topics & Timestamps:00:00:00 Tractor use and cutting pasture for regrowth 00:01:00 Turkey shipping losses and hatchery challenges 00:03:00 Why turkey poults are fragile in the brooder 00:04:00 Thanksgiving turkey pickup on farm 00:05:00 Broiler setup and water system improvements 00:08:30 Compost piles and feeding pumpkins to livestock 00:10:30 Rotating pigs and natural mineral foraging 00:14:00 Outdoor pig genetics vs confinement genetics 00:22:00 Moving broilers to build soil nitrogen 00:24:00 Multi-species grazing and parasite management

Sean Combs continues to navigate significant legal challenges from his prison cell at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey, where he is serving a 50-month sentence following his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. According to reporting from TMZ and entertainment outlets, Combs and his son Christian King Combs recently settled a lawsuit with their law firm Summa LLP over unpaid legal fees totaling $53,688.35. The debt had accumulated from over 100 attorney hours and 90 paralegal hours, with some fees tied to legal guidance the pair received regarding a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Grace O'Marcaigh in 2024.The disgraced music mogul's legal team is actively pursuing multiple strategies to address his conviction. According to multiple entertainment sources, Combs' lawyers have initiated an appeal of his sentencing, arguing that Judge Arun Subramanian improperly used his own findings to determine whether women were coerced or exploited during their encounters with Combs. The legal team contends that Combs' alleged participation in voyeurism should make him immune to charges under the Mann Act. However, prosecutors have filed paperwork opposing the appeal and defending Subramanian's original ruling. A significant legal victory came when a judge ruled that Combs' appeal could be expedited, and oral arguments were scheduled for a court hearing in February.Beyond his criminal conviction, Combs faces over 50 civil lawsuits from accusers claiming sexual assault, sex trafficking, and physical abuse dating back decades. These cases represent an ongoing legal storm for the former Bad Boy Records founder, whose empire once dominated hip-hop and expanded into fashion, spirits, and hospitality ventures.In a notable development, Combs has clashed with Netflix over a four-part documentary series titled "Sean Combs: The Reckoning" produced by his longtime rival Curtis Jackson, known as 50 Cent. According to entertainment news outlets, Combs issued a scathing statement accusing Netflix and CEO Ted Sarandos of creating a hit piece and using stolen footage from his personal archives without authorization. Despite his incarceration, Combs continues to assert his voice in these matters, recently serving as chaplain's assistant at FCI Fort Dix and hosting a Thanksgiving feast for fellow inmates.Thank you for tuning in to this update on one of entertainment's most significant ongoing legal sagas. We hope you'll come back next week for more breaking news and entertainment insights. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Today, in our ongoing You're in Good Company series, Molly Flinkman tells us about the time she invited nine strangers into her home for Thanksgiving. She fully owns what an insane situation it was while also making a compelling case for why it mattered so much. In this episode, you'll hear how Molly came to value this kind of hospitality—why she keeps her eyes open for strangers in need—and she'll also give some smaller scale suggestions about how this can play out in our real lives. In all the stories she tells, Molly invites us to consider the question she continually asks herself: What kind of stranger will you be? This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous Substack community. If you'd like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join us (and get bonus episodes!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast. We love hearing Molly tell stories; listen to this bonus episode to hear more stories from the C+C team, Story Slam. For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.  Show notes:  Pre-order You're In Good Company Molly's monthly newsletter Molly on Substack Molly on Instagram Molly's Coffee + Crumbs essays Coffee + Crumbs on Substack  

The Tennessee Volunteers will have a new quarterback for the 2026 season. Joey Aguilar lost his case for another year of eligibility, so now the focus shifts to the highly touted recruits. The battle will be between redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and incoming freshman Faizon Brandon. Andy Staples, Ross Dellenger and Steven Godfrey discuss what the quarterback position may look like for the Vols in 2026. They also dive into the evolution of quarterback development in college football. What was once a recruit and develop process has seemingly shifted into just grabbing a quarterback from the transfer portal, but how long can that trend be successful? Are teams starting to shift back to focusing on recruiting young talent? Then, the guys dive into some news that has the potential to cause a big shift in the college football calendar. Army head coach Jeff Monken has said they could be open to moving the Army-Navy game to Thanksgiving weekend. This is a big piece of the puzzle that people have tried to navigate when looking at how the college football calendar could be rearranged. Andy, Ross and Godfrey discuss the impact of this suggestion, how it could work and what it would do for college football. Later, the crew discusses how a recent college football awards banquet turned into a comedy club. Mario Cristobal and Kirby Smart took the stage at the Steve Spurrier Awards dinner the other night. A dinner that honors various coaches and players turned into something more like a roast when Kirby Smart and Mario Cristobal started poking fun at each other while on stage. This led to a debate among Andy, Ross and Godfrey about who the funniest coaches are in college football.  All of this and more on College Football Enquirer. 0:00:00 - Who will be Tennessee's new QB? 11:46 - The evolution of development for college quarterbacks 23:59 - NCAA tampering 28:01 - Army-Navy game open to moving date 45:57 - Mario Cristobal vs. Kirby Smart roast 55:50 - Who are the funniest coaches in college football? Subscribe to the College Football Enquirer on your favorite podcast app:

We would love to hear from you! Please send us your comments here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

"Crystal Ball Marketing," a strategy centered on the "Precursor Effect." This concept involves identifying specific indicators or life events that predict exactly when a marketplace is most likely to need and buy a specific service. By targeting customers at these pivotal moments, businesses can significantly increase conversion rates with less sales effort. Key Takeaways The Precursor Effect Defined: Identifying a life event, calendar event, or business shift that occurs immediately before a customer requires your services. The Marathon Analogy: If you sell cold water at the finish line of a marathon, you don't need a clever sales pitch because the "precursor" (running a marathon) has already created an intense, immediate need. Transference: A precursor strategy that works in one industry (like targeting new movers) can often be successfully applied to another unrelated industry. Case Study: The "Moving" Strategy Frank shares a success story from an inner circle member in the professional services industry who helps people in physical pain: The Precursor: Moving into a new home is a physically demanding experience that often leads to physical pain. The Strategy: The client obtained a list of 540 people who had recently moved and sent them a 1.5-page letter offering a free initial service. The Investment: Approximately $1,000 for the list and mailing. The Results: 8 new customers acquired immediately. $2,500 in immediate cash collected. Over $14,000 in projected lifetime customer value (LTV) within the first year. Industry Examples of Precursors Legal Industry: The implementation of GDPR served as a massive precursor for lawyers to sell updated privacy policies. Home Services: Moving into or out of a home is a primary indicator that a homeowner will need maintenance or repair services. Dentistry: Halloween acts as a precursor for cavity checks due to high sugar consumption. Weight Loss: Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are precursors for weight loss services as people tend to gain weight and seek a "reset" afterward. Action Steps Brainstorm: Spend a few minutes writing down every possible situation or event in a person's life that would make them want your service. Identify: Determine how you can find or "broker" a list of people who have just experienced those specific precursors. Execute: Create a targeted offer for those individuals while the need is at its peak.

Suspending the licenses of unsafe restaurant operators, hunting down the origins of foodborne illness outbreaks, and eliciting truthful answers from anxious managers with Justin Dwyer, a health inspector in Peoria, Illinois. What happens when a restaurant locks the door on an inspector? And why should you never wash your Thanksgiving turkey?LINKS & REFERENCESUpstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath. You can find the audiobook at Audible, Spotify, and Apple Books.The Poison Squad by Deborah BlumThe Jungle by Upton SinclairUSDA: To Wash Or Not to Wash Your TurkeyWANT MORE EPISODE SUGGESTIONS? Grab our What It's Like To Be... "starter pack". It's a curated Spotify playlist with some essential episodes from our back catalogue. GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at jobs@whatitslike.com FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Email us at partnerships@whatitslike.com WANT TO BE ON THE SHOW? Leave us a voicemail at (919) 213-0456. We'll ask you to answer two questions: 1. What's a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean? 2. What's a specific story you tell your friends that happened on the job? It could be funny, sad, anxiety-making, pride-inducing or otherwise. We can't respond to every message, but we do listen to all of them! We'll follow up if it's a good fit.

A Knee Recovery Nightmare! Right Total Knee Replacement My Physical and Emotional Fight Against Pain Hypersensitivity and Protective Muscle Guarding – written by Cathy Banovac – interview by Lisa Pelley and Mary Elliott – Cathy was coached by Erin Rempher, PTA My name is Cathy and I reside in Arizona. I am 57 years old, a homemaker, and have had a genetic history of chronic osteoarthritis.  From a very young age, I have always had a very low pain threshold.  Prior to the commencement of pain in my knee, I considered myself a fairly fit and active person…loved gardening, entertaining family and friends, cooking, crafting, playing golf, traveling with my husband, walking our dogs, and playing with our grandchildren. Life was good! Early Summer In addition to the normal aches and pains that come with aging, I began to experience more than usual pain in my right knee.  I was experiencing daily occurrences of popping/clicking, giving out when walking at times, difficulty negotiating steps or stairs, and nightly interrupted sleep due to pain.  Over the counter medications, icing, heat, etc. was no longer managing my symptoms.  Upon visiting an orthopedic surgeon for examination and subsequent imaging, I learned I was over 70% bone on bone in my right knee joint.  I was told I was looking at a total knee replacement.  I was preparing to head to Michigan for a family vacation on the lake with my kiddos in August, so was not happy to hear this news.  I convinced my doctor to give me a steroid injection just to buy me the time I needed to take my vacation.  He was reluctant and told me that he predicted it would do nothing to help my condition at the very least or, at the very most, last for a brief time.  I made it through the trip, yet 3 weeks post-injection the symptoms had returned. No More Injections My surgeon declined my request for another injection, instead reiterating my need for the TKR.  Over previous years, I had witnessed my mother, father, husband and a few friends have knee replacement surgeries.  All came through their surgeries with what appeared to me to be a fairly pain controlled, timely recovery and successful return to their regular daily activities.  I was told I was on the younger side for this type of procedure, nevertheless, would greatly benefit from extended quality of life and return to desired activity, given my current quality of life and daily activity was becoming more diminished by the day. My Knee Replacement I underwent RTKR on September 25.  All went well and as expected with the surgery.  I was up and walking, began some light physical therapy exercises, and maintained post-op range and motion through use of a CPM while in hospital.  I was discharged to home on the third day post-op, with a couple of narcotic pain medications (initially Percocet/Oxycodone and Morphine) and directions to commence in-home physical therapy the following day.  My follow-up visit with the surgeon was scheduled for 6 weeks post-op.  Day one at home began my challenging journey of recovery, both physically and emotionally.  I experienced difficulty managing my pain even with narcotics and over the counter medications.  My swelling was as expected and able to be kept in check with anti-inflammatory meds and icing.  I experienced annoying side effects from the narcotics, i.e., headaches, nausea, constipation, and thus was bounced from one medication and dosage to another, none of which seemed to be the right combination or solution to my pain.  Out of complete desperation and in uncontrollable pain, I went to the emergency room after being home for four days post-op, hoping to get some relief. A Problem with the Surgery? I thought surely there must be something wrong.  A few hours later, together with a lecture from the hospital PT and some morphine, I was discharged back to home.  Back on more medication, I failed to again find relief from pain.  I was averaging about 2-3 hours of sleep per night and little sleep during the day.  My home physical therapist had her work cut out for her.  Over the next 4 weeks (twelve 45 min. sessions of in-home PT), I had yet to reach better than 85 degrees flexion and 10 degrees extension.  My in-home therapist said she spent most of those 4 weeks strengthening my calves, hamstrings, and quad muscles, all which were extremely weak.  Therefore, already I was approximately 4 weeks behind in range and motion advancement.  My pain was still very much out of control, all while I feared becoming more and more dependent on the narcotics prescribed. At the first follow-up appointment (six weeks post-op), my flexion was below 90 degrees and extension still not at the zero degree mark.  I was informed by my surgeon that I needed a Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA).  My knee felt very stiff, pain was still unmanageable, and I was stuck without advancement in physical therapy. Manipulation Under Anesthesia He took x-rays and made sure the appliance was not loose or slipping out of placement.  All was found to be in proper order and an examination found no infection that could be causing pain or other symptoms.  My surgeon had done his job.  I was told however, that he believed I was stuck due to scar tissue build-up and thus was in need of the MUA to break up the scar tissue.  This would also permit the ability to continue physical therapy, working towards achievement of the desirable degree of range and motion outcomes.  I underwent the MUA six weeks and one day post-op and immediately resumed PT the following day.  I was told not to worry about a reduction in my flexion and extension after having the MUA.  An MUA tends to put patients back about 3-4 weeks, so it is almost like starting all over again.  However, the idea is that advancement in range and motion should become easier now that the scar tissue has been broken up by the procedure.  I went to PT for 5 days in a row the first week following the MUA, did my home exercises faithfully on my own twice a day, then returned to PT three times a week for the next several weeks. After the MUA At the two week follow-up appointment post the MUA, I was still in unmanageable pain, still getting only 2-3 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night, and running every gamut of emotion and temperament.  My poor husband was beside himself and wondering whatever became of the woman he married 27 years ago.  My flexion was still only reaching in the low 90's and my extension was no better either.  I was still experiencing great sensitivity to the touch anywhere on or around my surgical knee.  I couldn't stand wearing pants or having any sheet or blanket covering my knee.  My pain was the worst at night, just when I was settling in for some restful moments on the couch watching TV with my husband.  I would suddenly be lifted off my seat with either pain that mimicked touching a lit match to my knee, or the stabbing of a knife, or the shock of a taser. Dealing with the Pain This pain varied and sometimes was relentless for several minutes.  I was in tears most evenings and headed to bed to ice or apply heat, which calmed the nerve pain somewhat.  I would take meds (Hydrocodone/Norco, Extra-Strength Tylenol, Ibuprofen,  Zofran (for nausea) Vitamins, a stool softener (due to Hydrocodone) and Gabapentin aka Neurontin.  I was soooo sick of taking medications.  I think my surgeon was beside himself as to how to control my pain and sensitivity, therefore, he recommended I seek help at a Pain Management Clinic for possible sympathetic blocks, as well as my medicinal pain management.  Both he and my physical therapist told me I was forecasting pain neurologically before any exerted physical effort on their part was made to cause any pain.  My intolerance for any amount of pain was prohibiting any measurable progress in my range and motion, thus scar tissue was building at a rapid pace.  Physical therapy continued to be a challenge as I protective muscle guarded any force applied by my therapist to get better R&M.  I cried through most of my sessions. Pain Management At my first appointment with the Pain Management Clinic, I met with the doctor.  Most people have sympathetic blocks in their back to relieve nerve pain, but the doctor I was referred to chose to recommend a Genicular Neurotomy, accomplished through a procedure called Coolief Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation.  I first underwent a test which involved Lidocaine injections in four areas surrounding my new knee.  The patient then logs their pain and activities over the following 72 hours.  A follow-up appointment with a Nurse Practitioner then reviews the log and determines eligibility for the ablation procedure.  At this appointment she chose to cut my medication cold-turkey for a couple of days as she deemed I was dependent on them, even though I was getting little pain control.  I experienced severe withdrawal symptoms for two days. A Change in Medication I thought I was going to go out of my mind.  A change in my medication increased the Gabapentin I was taking, and I was found to be eligible for the ablation.  I underwent that procedure approximately 6 weeks post my first MUA, just before the Thanksgiving holiday.  I was told that I would still be experiencing pain for approximately 4-6 weeks, due to the fact that the ablation was going to make my nerves “angry” as they fought their temporary death.  I was also informed that this procedure is temporary as nerve endings most often regenerate themselves over a 6 month to 2 year period.  Some patients must undergo two or three of these procedures to get lasting relief. Unhappy News This was not happy news to my ears, yet I was still desperate for relief and reaching out for anything, and I mean anything, that would control my pain.  I returned to the pain clinic for a follow-up to the ablation procedure only to report pain still very bad and that I was still taking a boatload of medication, icing, heat to quad muscles to relieve cramping, and poor results in physical therapy sessions.  I was told to give it more time and come back in a few more weeks.   At my next follow-up approximately 3 weeks later, I discharged myself from the Pain Management Clinic.  I felt that their treatment plan was not successful for me and they had no other plan to offer other than continued reliance on prescription medication and time. When recovery goes wrong – Read More A Desparate Time After barely getting through the Christmas holidays, persisting in physical therapy and weaning myself down on prescription medications (since they didn't seem to be having any great effect on my pain), I began to explore the possibility of medical marijuana as a solution to my pain control.  I have never tried marijuana and had little desire to smoke or vape it, but was interested in edibles they have out now.  I was desperate and finding myself sinking into anxiety, panic attacks and, at times, depression.  My family and my husband were becoming very concerned as I was changing into a person they did not know and they were at a loss as how to help me through my circumstances. Medical Marijuana Since medical marijuana is legal in the State of Arizona, I sought out a doctor with whom I met and applied for a patient card.  This process took approximately 3 weeks, including approval of my application through the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services.  Upon receiving my card, I met with a licensed nurse at a dispensary to become educated about the various products and my specific needs.  She was recommended by the doctor who signed off on my patient eligibility and works with a number of cancer patients to help control their symptoms.  We met for over an hour.  She was extremely patient with me, educating me about cannabis (which I knew little of) and gave me recommendations to try.  I purchased three of her recommendations.  I also decided to try getting a light massage once per week.  The massages lasted for approximately three weeks before I decided to suspend them, as I found them not helpful enough to warrant the expense. Little if Any Improvement Having done everything I was asked to do in my recovery and still making little if any gains, I found myself in a very dark place emotionally, desperate to end my pain, and I was done!!  One day, I was occupying my time, in between home therapy and out-patient therapy sessions, searching the Internet for anything that might literally save me.  When in answer to my prayer, I came across several website postings about a therapy called X10.  I shared some of it with my husband, my parents and my kids.  They encouraged me to explore it more.  After reading some of the patient blogs and watching a few of the videos that I could access, I made my first contact with PJ Ewing by emailing him.  PJ responded very quickly telling me that the X10 Therapy and machine was not yet available in the State of Arizona, but he provided me with some other resources.  I was initially devastated by this news, but I almost immediately decided that I was not going to accept that response.  I instantly thought to myself, “Well, if it is not available in AZ, then maybe I can travel to wherever it is available. Not Taking ‘No’ for an Answer This time, I placed a phone call to PJ and we talked for over an hour.  As it so happened, in our conversation I discovered that the X10 headquarters is in Franklin, MI, and I had family who lived in Rochester, MI.  PJ was more than gracious in discussing all the parameters and specifics of the possibility of travel to Michigan to undergo the X10 program.  To say the least, after completion of my discussion with PJ, I heard God say “Not yet, Cathy, I still have a plan for you on this earth.”  I discussed the possibilities with my husband and shared them also with my son and daughter-in-law, exploring their permission to have me as a houseguest for 2-3 weeks.  Of course, they couldn't have been more gracious and welcoming. Pain Still a Big Problem My pain was still out of control, I continued out patient PT three times a week with slow or little advancement in my R&M, had my six week MUA follow-up with my surgeon only to be told I was facing a second MUA.  I told my surgeon and my physical therapist about the X10 Therapy website I had discovered, and PJ sent me the clinical data to share with them.  Each of them, I am grateful to say, told me they had looked at the data and were “intrigued” by the therapy plan.  Both encouraged me to pursue it as an option for me, yet both also strongly indicated that enough time had passed between my first MUA and the ablation, therefore, still recommended I have the second MUA before commencing X10 Therapy. Turning to X10 Therapy after a Second MUA Once my husband and I had made the decision to pursue this plan, the wheels began to roll quickly.  Initially, I scheduled the 2nd MUA and a flight out from Phoenix to Detroit by myself the next day following the MUA.  I notified PJ of my  plans and he began to put things in motion by placing me in contact with Mary Elliott, Melissa, Mike, a therapy Coach, Erin a Physical Therapist, and Marty, a technician for machine home delivery and set-up.  The X10 Therapy approach is really a “team” approach to wellness, in addition to the machine itself and the technological programs it delivers to the patient. The Second MUA Was Coming Up As the days approached the 2nd MUA, I became extremely anxious and experienced a couple of panic attacks.  I began to stress about the MUA pain, having gone through one already.  The thought of flying alone, even though my son would be there to meet me at the other end of my flight, and having to get through a 4 hour flight plus 1 hour car ride to his home in pain, had me scared beyond belief.  I was consumed with thinking about how I would manage my pain.  Should I just knock myself out to sleep on the plane?  What if that didn't work?  What meds could I then take if in pain?  What about my leg position – straightening and bending?  How would I get help from curb, through security, to gate, onto plane and the same again when arriving including a stop at baggage claim?  How am I going to sleep at night?  Is this therapy going to put me back in unmanageable pain again, even though the X10 Therapy information says I am in control?  What if it doesn't work?  Can this end my knee recovery nightmare? And on and on and on…! Making Plans After talking it over with my husband and doctor, it was decided that I would delay my trip to Michigan for one week following the 2nd MUA.  I would continue outpatient PT immediately following the MUA, but have some time to consult with a psychologist concerning my sleep depravation, fears, anxiety/depression and develop a plan to manage my pain, as well as talk to the airline for special assistance to help solve my transportation needs.  My husband decided to make the trip with me for a couple of days, just to get me settled and started with X10 Therapy.  Armed with a revised medication and travel plan, I notified the X10 Team of my change in start date and all were extremely understanding and accommodating.  I had the 2nd MUA  on January 18.  I continued outpatient PT for three more sessions, in addition to my own home exercises twice per day.  My daily sleep and pain control was managed better and I was counting the days until our departure date.  It simply could not arrive fast enough! Friday, January 19 This will remain a very important and pivotable day in my life.  My journey towards healing, life anew and well-being would begin that very day.  Having endured a comfortable flight and having managed all the transportation arrangements with ease (kudos to Delta Airlines), we arrived at my son's home ready to commence what I can now claim as my own personal miracle.  Within an hour, Marty arrived with a smile, this technological marvel known as the X10 machine, and a thorough first orientation/training session filled with words of encouragement and confidence.  I was on my way, although until I began to see results (which were really displayed within that first session), I Had Hope I was still cautiously optimistic about where I was headed.  Could I really achieve the flexion and extension goals I was unable to achieve thus far with any of my existing recovery methods?  Would this therapy really enable me to manage my pain comfortably with mild medications?  Could I trust my X10 therapist and her plan for me?  Would the X10 team really be there for me when I needed them?  Was the X10 therapy the answer to my prayers?  Would I really be returning home in as little as  just over 2 weeks time to see my surgeon's and physical therapist's jaws drop as they witnessed my flexion and extension reach what we all thought would be skeptical results, but instead blow them away with incredible success?  It would not be long before I could actually acknowledge to myself that the answers to each of those questions would be a resounding YES! 110º Flexion Once I was able to reach the 110 degree mark for flexion, it was decided that I would add 5 min a day on the stationery bike. As I felt comfortable, I was able to increase that time in small increments and add another bike session in the evening.  While my progress was measurable daily, I did experience some cramping in my right thigh and calf, dealt with some bursitis in my right hip for about two weeks, and waking with some right leg pain some nights. Taking Care of Myself I found icing and elevating regularly after each exercise session, icing my hip, heat on my upper thigh at night, Tramadol 50 mg. only twice a day with Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen alternated during the day, and Theraworx Relief foam massaged in the cramping areas once or twice a day helped keep my discomfort manageable.  In addition, I spent some resting time researching dietary recommendations for inflammation and pain.  I incorporated tumeric, magnesium, Osteo Bi-flex, 100% Cherry or Pineapple Juice, Vitamin B6 & B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Zinc, fresh berries and decaffeinated tea with ginger, lemon and honey in my daily diet.  I also decided to limit carbohydrates and sugar intake in an effort to keep my inflammatory response in check. One Week In After one week on the X10 and with constant reassurance and communication from all of my X10 team, I could actually begin to call this journey and the X10 Therapy my miracle.  I had breached the 100's for flexion after starting at 55 degrees, and reached 0 degrees at the end of the first session on my extension, previously at 8 degrees.  My fears, anxiety and uncertainty soon gave way to renewed love for life, joy at gaining confidence in doing daily activities again, sharing my daily success by telephone with family and friends, and hope for the future.  The almost daily contact from one or more of my X10 team members answered any questions that arose, provided authentic cheerleading for my cause, and motivated me to press on for better and better results. Working with My Coach Mary called often to check in with me and was my calm and steady encourager.  My conversations with her were uplifting and kind of like talking to an old friend, casual and comforting.  My PT, Erin, made a home visit to discuss my history and offered varied strategies for increasing my flexion degrees, as well as made adjustments in my therapy plan due to some bursitis that I had recently developed in my right hip.  She was careful to make the appropriate adjustments to my therapy plan.  She and Mike (my strengthening coach and with whom I also met in person to go over exercises), together modified my plan by delaying some of the exercises, while still permitting three sessions a day for range and motion growth. Conclusions As I approach my last day of sessions on the X10 Therapy machine and a return home to Arizona tomorrow, I write my story to encourage anyone who has experienced one or more of the circumstances that I experienced subsequent to a total knee replacement.  I am happy to report that I was successful in breaking through some of my scar tissue, reaching 0 degrees for my extension and 117 degrees flexion.  My gait is much improved and, as I have returned to walking without a limp or dragging my surgical leg, the pain in my hip and lower back has also improved greatly. My knee recovery nightmare has finally come to an end. Some Rehab Insurance I will continue outpatient therapy immediately upon my return home in order to solidify my current range and motion, and even further improve my flexion as I am able.  I write this also as a means of paying it forward to future patients of the X10 and in grateful appreciation to my X10 Team, my family and my friends who affirmed, guided, encouraged, and yes, celebrated, my X10 Therapy journey of success.  The proof, as they say, is in the pudding, which is said to mean that you can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it.  I absolutely cannot wait to share my experience and demonstrate my range and motion achievement in person to my surgeon and PT Team back home in Arizona. Thanks be to my God, to all of my support team and to X10 Therapy… life is good once again! To read about total knee replacement for a younger population, click here. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog” because we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health, surgery and recovery. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, writers related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. Whether you have a surgery upcoming, in the rear-view mirror, or just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery, you should find some value here. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name

Thanksgiving aligns our heart with God! Thanksgiving makes an acknowledgment that God's God and we're not! Thanksgiving shows that we have an awareness of who God is and what He's doing in our lives! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1170/29?v=20251111

A sudden death in a small town has a way of touching everyone, even those who weren't especially close to the person who died. When a high school teacher was killed in a violent car accident over Thanksgiving break, the loss settled heavily over the community. Vigils were held, counselors were brought in, and life eventually moved on — at least on the surface.Days later, one student decided to visit the teacher's grave, hoping for a quiet sense of closure. The cemetery was older than expected, uneven and difficult to navigate, and they left just as daylight faded, convinced nothing unusual had happened.It wasn't until later that night, alone in her bedroom, that the atmosphere shifted. The room went strangely quiet. Her music stopped without explanation. And something moved that shouldn't have.#RealGhostStoriesOnline #ParanormalPodcast #CemeteryStories #TrueGhostStory #Unexplained #Hauntings #Ghosts #ParanormalExperience #GhostStoriesLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this episode, Stephanie and Shelly share real-life updates from a hectic season at work to a sweet ice cream outing with Shelly's dad. Shelly talks about shifting their relationship from caregiver to simply being his daughter. The conversation turns to end-of-life planning and why those uncomfortable talks still matter. Shelly also opens up about feeling overwhelmed by clutter, especially clothes and sentimental items from loved ones who have passed.Shelly shares her goal of finishing holiday shopping before Thanksgiving and how decluttering her home and garage ties into lowering stress. Stephanie talks about balancing a full-time job with her many hobbies, including her all-inclusive zoo pass around San Diego. Health also comes up, from Stephanie managing allergies to Shelly working to get health insurance again. Together, they stress the importance of routine lab work and knowing your health baseline, even during busy seasons.Past Episodes You May Love:Episode 59: CodependencyEpisode 87: Control and/or WorthinessEpisode 88: Internal DialogueEpisode 100: Life Coaching Want to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

B Daht walks through the receipts people love to ignore—with just enough humor tokeep it from turning into an argument at Thanksgiving.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We figured out what happened to Nancy Guthrie and it was either a botched wellness check, going through an MRI after swallowing 5 pounds of ball bearings, drowning in the lake after drinking flat soda, or someone kidnapped her to spend Thanksgiving with so they could go viral.   https://www.patreon.com/posts/151358764

Send a textGambling is having a moment. Not only have a majority of states legalized sports betting since the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in 2018, but prediction markets have also enjoyed explosive growth in the last few years. With huge amounts of money being wagered on everything from which turkey President Trump would pardon on Thanksgiving to whether all twelve singles from Taylor Swift's new album would make the charts, it sure seems as if we're betting on EVERYTHING. Mark and Joe discuss the betting public's changing demographics, what all that wagering is doing to all those bettors, and why gambling's newfound ubiquity is not a winning bet for America. (Recorded February 20, 2026.)

chaos, and at least three simultaneous hot takes per minute. The crew kicks things off with reactions to the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, unpacking what it means for executive power, trade policy, and whether this was a legal gut punch or just a strategic detour. From there, it's off to the races: trade war theatrics, media spin cycles, economic ripple effects, and the eternal question of who actually holds the levers of power. The conversation swerves into election integrity debates, voter ID battles, and institutional trust — with each host bringing their own flavor of skepticism, sarcasm, and semi-therapeutic venting. It's part constitutional analysis, part group chat meltdown, and part “are we living in a simulation?” Ep. 45 delivers the signature OnlyLands formula: serious topics, unserious delivery, and a roundtable that feels like Thanksgiving dinner — if everyone read the Federalist Papers before dessert.  

The episode opens with sponsor Meter and a conversation about Saturday morning cartoons before shifting to recent breakthroughs in AI video generation from ByteDance's "SeaDance" (with "SeeDream" as its image generator).  Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt The hosts describe SeaDance's cinematic quality, accurate physics, and realistic recreations of actors and IP (including examples like Tom Cruise vs. Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves as Neo/John Wick), and discuss the implications for film production, commercials, and local film economies such as Toronto and Vancouver. They cover backlash and gatekeeping, including an AI-made Thanksgiving-themed animated short that won a contest tied to AMC theaters' pre-show but reportedly wasn't shown, and compare resistance to historical Luddite reactions. The discussion broadens to productivity and labor impacts, arguing that AI adoption may mirror the 1980s computer productivity dip before process re-engineering in the 1990s, while also raising concerns that AI leaders are forecasting major white-collar job losses. The hosts highlight the rise of agentic benchmarks (TerminalBench, Apex Agents, BrowseComp) and how AI search helps find information faster than traditional search, but emphasize that trust, reliability, and infrastructure are not keeping pace. They raise major concerns about platform terms and data ownership, focusing on Perplexity's updated terms (non-commercial use only even for paid tiers, mandatory attribution, broad licensing rights over user content, and liability limits). They also discuss reliability failures: a widespread Google Gemini issue where users' chat histories disappeared (only visible as activity records with limited usability), and missing document links in ChatGPT chats. The hosts argue users must back up their own data and criticize unclear policies and weak support. Security risks are illustrated through a story about the AI-enabled robot vacuum "Romo," where a developer used Claude to reverse engineer its app and reportedly gained access to control thousands of devices across multiple countries before responsibly disclosing the issues. They also reference broader concerns like connected home devices, Ring neighborhood features, and Microsoft's Recall concept. In rapid-fire news, they mention Anthropic releasing Sonnet 4.6 as a strong, cheaper option near Opus-level performance, a new Grok release branded "4.20," and a clip from an AI summit in India where Sam Altman and Dario Amodei appeared to refuse to hold hands on stage, which the hosts cite as a sign of immaturity among AI industry leaders. The episode closes with sponsor Meter. 00:00 Sponsor + Welcome to Project Synapse 00:21 Saturday Morning Cartoons… Reimagined by AI 01:16 What is 'SeaDance'? Cinematic AI Video Goes Viral 03:17 Keanu Reeves, Neo vs. John Wick & the End of VFX as We Know It 06:43 From Movies to Ads: How AI Video Hits Commercial Production 07:41 The Hidden Economy of Commercials (and Why Cities Like Toronto/Vancouver Care) 09:56 AMC Won't Screen an AI-Made Short: Early Luddite Backlash 12:54 Artists, AI, and the 'Starving Creator' Reality 16:17 AI Adoption Parallels: The 1980s Computer Wave & the Productivity Dip 24:09 Agentic AI Benchmarks: TerminalBench, Apex Agents & BrowseComp 26:04 AI Search That Actually Saves Time (and Your Memory) 30:36 Perplexity's New Terms of Service: Non-Commercial Use & Ownership Shock 35:40 Liability Caps, More Corporate Gripes… and a Coke Zero 'Sponsor' Bit 37:36 Gemini 3.1's big leap—and why it still doesn't feel trustworthy 38:08 Gemini chat history vanishes: what happened and why users are furious 40:19 OpenAI document links disappearing too: what "saved" really means 42:04 Cloud AI's shaky foundation: security, reliability, and confusing settings 47:45 When reliance turns emotional: losing models, losing "someone" 49:22 Real-world stakes: the Social Security database whistleblower story 53:15 Owning your data (and why Google support won't save you) 54:53 Trust whiplash: Anthropic cuts off OpenClaw and the power to shut you down 57:29 Robot vacuum hacked with Claude: 7,000 cameras in strangers' homes 01:03:17 Smart home surveillance creep: Ring neighbors, TV cameras, and Microsoft Recall 01:07:14 Rapid-fire AI news: Sonnet 4.6, Gemini gains, and Grok 4.20 01:11:00 AI leaders' petty feud—and the show wrap & sponsor thanks

The Cheating That Lies Beneath Thanksgiving RainBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-cheating-wives-and-girlfriends-stories-2026-true-cheating-stories-podcast--5689182/support.

This week on The Bible Study Hour with Dr. James Boice, the people of Israel have prayed for their king, and God has answered their prayers favorably. The Israelites are now praising God for his deliverance, blessings and provision. Join us as we study Psalm 21, a psalm of national thanksgiving, together. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

This life can get a little rough at times. In this episode we'll look at ways to keep an attitude that honors God and propels you upward, even in trials and tribulations. Send a textSupport the show

In this episode, host Ashley sits down with Nikki Weiss- digital thanatologist, project manager, and founder of Endevo, for a candid, eye-opening conversation about the intersection of caregiving, death planning, and our increasingly digital lives. Nikki brings not just professional expertise, but hard-won personal experience: she lost her father at 11, became her mother's primary caregiver at 21, later cared for her grandmother through dementia, and is now supporting her daughter as she navigates a caregiving role for her fiancé, diagnosed with stage four brain cancer.Together, they tackle the questions most families avoid and make the case for why starting the conversation early isn't morbid; it's one of the most loving things you can do.In This EpisodeWhat thanatology is and why the "digital" specialization matters more than everNikki's personal caregiving journey: losing both parents young and what that shaped in herThe "panini generation" why today's sandwich generation feels more squeezed than everWhy most caregivers wait until crisis to plan and the real cost of that delayThe project management approach to end-of-life planning: de-emotionalizing the process so families can actually do itHow to build a caregiving community instead of letting one person absorb everythingThe "silver wave" of late-life divorce and what it means for adult childrenDigital legacy: what happens to your phone, social media, subscriptions, and photos after you're goneGrief bots, digital avatars, and QR codes on headstones the emerging world of digital memorializationWhy you need a Digital Legacy Advance Directive alongside your will and medical POAThe Final Playbook: Nikki's framework for building a comprehensive end-of-life planKey Quotes"Live fully, die ready. Carrying an end-of-life plan is like carrying an umbrella on a rainy day — if you carry it, you won't need it. If you need it, you know where it is."— Nikki Weiss"Death is indiscriminate. It doesn't care how old you are. We'll all die one of three ways: sudden and unexpected, a terminal diagnosis, or a long decline. You better have a plan for all three."— Nikki Weiss"The most humanistic experience we will all go through is death, dying, and incapacitation. What keeps me focused is this concept of human equity."— Niki WeissAction Steps for ListenersHave the conversation before a diagnosis forces it. Pick a low-stakes moment (Nikki suggests the day after Thanksgiving).Know the three core legal documents: will/estate plan, power of attorney, and medical advance directive.Add a Digital Legacy Advance Directive — designate someone to manage your digital accounts and assets.Take inventory of your digital life: phone passcodes, social media accounts, recurring subscriptions, online financial accounts, and stored photos.Build a caregiving team — no single person should carry the full load. Identify who handles what before it becomes urgent.Visit finalplaybook.com to start building your own end-of-life plan.Connect with Nikihttps://official.endevo.lifehttps://www.youtube.com/@DigitalLegacyPodcasthttps://www.endevo.life/

Episode 2307 - Kid A.G. and Silverback kick it off with "Rampage" Jackson losing his goddamn mind over AI deepfakes: Diddy baby oil slathered all over him, Hitler mustache "Niggler" edits, Donkey Kong in a Princess Peach dress. The man bans people left and right—hilarious as hell, and we can't stop watching. We slide into the vault with the 2014 Fappening leaks. "Probably illegal to have," but proceed to scroll anyway. Classic GDS. Politics hits hard: Trump cult brainwashing, Epstein files dropping. Sobriety reflections, family losses (friend suicide, mentor Alzheimer's, aunt regrets), grandkids future worries, pronoun fatigue, pride nights in sports killing the vibe, feminism over-pushing, bullies building mental toughness. T-ball trophies, no failure prep for real life, Trump as that embarrassing uncle at Thanksgiving. Baseball celebrations creeping from softball girls? Barry Sanders humility vs. Ricky Henderson showboat. Old man phase activated: Get off the lawn, pick battles, focus on solutions. We end on urgency—loss resets your brain, make time count, bottle emotions like the old days but open up more. Drunk and ridiculous was fun; sober and serious hits different. Zero filter. Classic Goin' Deep—grab tissues (for laughing or crying, your call) Listen in. Go Deep.

The Cheating That Lies Beneath Thanksgiving RainBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-cheating-wives-and-girlfriends-stories-2026-true-cheating-stories-podcast--5689182/support.

In this week’s episode we talk with Charlie Cook about ShotShow 2026 This episode is also brought to you by the Range Tech Shot Timer. A shot timer is a critical tool to measure performance, and no credible firearm instructor hosts a class without one. The Range Tech timer is the BOTH the most affordable AND most feature-rich shot timer on the market. Connect it via Bluetooth to a tablet on the firing line to simplify recording times and sharing them with your students. RangeTech also features Bluetooth integration with Practiscore and built-in autoscoring based on USPSA, IDPA, Multigun, or Steel Challenge scoring schemas. Learn more at RangeTechTimer.Com. What is your one unknown talent? He makes 2 apple pies a year.  Thanksgiving and Christmas Where can instructors find out more information ridingshotgunwithcharlie.com Armed Life Style Magazine News2A.Com WTAG – iHeart Radio Check out all of our episodes at: https://podcasts.concealedcarry.com/the-firearm-trainers-podcast/ Email comments, topic suggestions, or questions to us at FTP@ConcealedCarry.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firearmtrainerspodcast/ Remember we bring you this podcast to support the industry, the second amendment, and most importantly every firearm instructor in America that dedicates time and energy into making gun owners more knowledgeable. #FirearmTrainerPodcast #FirearmTrainerAssociation #FTAProtect #RangeTech The post ShotShow 2026 Update first appeared on The Firearm Trainer Podcast.

Send Us Your Prayer Requests --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

When Oprah Winfrey released her podcast episode “When Families Cut Ties” on Thanksgiving, it ignited intense reactions across estranged parents, estranged adult children, therapists, and social media communities. Some felt validated. Others felt blamed, minimized, or misunderstood.In this episode of The Estranged Heart Podcast, estrangement coach and relational mediator Kreed Revere takes a thoughtful, trauma-informed, middle-ground approach - neither defending nor attacking the episode, but asking the deeper questions that largely went unasked.Rather than choosing sides, Kreed examines:why estrangement conversations collapse into defensiveness and moral certaintyhow culture, trauma, nervous systems, and power dynamics shape family cut-offswhy behavior is often misinterpreted as fixed personality or intentand how the absence of curiosity keeps families stuck in cycles of painThis episode is for estranged parents, estranged adult children, therapists, and anyone seeking healing over echo chambers.Estrangement is not a trend. It's a relational signalValidation without resourcing keeps people stuckTrauma-informed work requires curiosity, not certaintyHealing demands accountability without shameKreed Revere is a relational midwife who specializes in parent and adult child estrangement, reconciliation and mediation support. She is also the host of The Estranged Heart Podcast. Having lived estrangement as both an adult child and a parent - and facilitated over 65 reconciliations - Kreed's work centers on capacity-building, trauma literacy, and moving families beyond blame toward meaningful repair.Resources & SupportFacebook Support Group (facilitated by Kreed) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/estrangedmotherssupportgroupOne-on-One ServicesPrivate coachingConsultingMediation servicesConnect with Kreed:Website: theestrangedheart.comEmail: hello@theestrangedheart.comSupport the work: Buy Me a Coffee (donation platform)Disclaimer: Kreed Revere is not a licensed therapist. Nothing in this podcast should be considered or taken as therapy. If you need therapeutic support, please seek out a therapist near you.

Raj Prakash Paul || The Lord's Church India

On Thanksgiving weekend in 1981, Natalie Wood boarded a yacht with her husband and friends.  What happened from there has more drama and twists than ANY Hollywood screenplay.Thank you USA Today, San Antonio Express News, The New York Post, The Vincennes Sun-Commercial, Radar Online, 48 Hours, IMDB.com, The Grand Island Independent, TheVintageNews.com and Wikipedia for information contributing to today's story.Written by Frederick Crook - check out our other collaboration WRAITHWORKS - Wraithworks at Amazon https://www.amzn.com/dp/B07HXNCW4L (audiobook narrated by John Lordan) Also avaible on iTunes: https://apple.co/2OFXb8LDo you have any comments, or a case you'd like to suggest? You'll find a comment form and case submission link at LordanArts.com.This is not intended to act as a means of proving or disproving anything related to the investigation.  It is a conversation about the current known facts and theories being discussed.  Everyone directly or indirectly referred to is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.LordanArts 2026

There was a time when Hollywood could trip over its own ego and still land on a pile of cash.Now, despite the Botox and the bravado, it resembles a once-grand casino where the chandeliers still sparkle but the slot machines are unplugged. The velvet rope remains, though no one is waiting behind it. And while the industry keeps insisting it's merely “evolving,” the rest of us can hear the hospice nurse adjusting the morphine drip.Hollywood did not die suddenly. It was struck years ago by a Mack truck named Reality. Instead of admitting it needed trauma care, it opted for cosmetic surgery. Endless remakes. Sequels of sequels. Cinematic universes bloated like a Thanksgiving parade balloon that nobody remembered to anchor. Meanwhile, audiences wandered off, muttering something about originality and refunds.The creative stagnation would have been survivable if paired with fiscal sanity.We are talking Hollywood and the death walk it's currently on.I'm proud to say that God willing, we will make a serious dent in this area of pop culture, reclaiming some of it.How this correction hasn't already occurred is beyond me. For decades, Hollywood has run like a crackhead trust-fund recipient.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff welcomes Antonis Politis and Panos Kokmotos, two young Greek entrepreneurs who co-founded Givelink, a donation platform transforming how people give to nonprofits. GiveLink connects donors directly to nonprofits' real needs through in-kind giving, creating transparency, measurable impact, and genuine engagement every step of the way. KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED The Origin Story: How a Controversial Article Sparked an Idea Antonis shares how a Greek nonprofit's Christmas message telling people to "stop giving items" prompted him to reimagine philanthropy. Rather than dismissing the request, he saw a logistics problem waiting to be solved—what if nonprofits listed their actual needs and donors could order products online? From University to Startup: Building Givelink in Greece Starting as a university student with no business experience, Antonis entered a social entrepreneurship competition and realized he could combine profit with purpose. Despite initial struggles, the concept resonated with people who preferred in-kind giving over monetary donations due to trust concerns. The Café Meeting That Changed Everything Panos Kokmotos overheard Antonis's passionate conversation about Givelink's vision in a café and was immediately drawn to the mission. A few days later, they met for coffee, and Panos recognized how his skills and experience could fill critical gaps in the team. He joined the founding team, bringing operational expertise and entrepreneurial background. Building Trust in a Low-Trust Giving Culture Greece presented both a challenge and an opportunity. With only 10% of the population donating money to nonprofits, Givelink had to rebuild trust in philanthropy. This difficult market became a proving ground that made the team stronger and forced them to deeply understand donor psychology and nonprofit needs. The Data-Driven Insight: 60% More Giving One of Givelink's most significant findings: donors using the platform give 60% more throughout the year compared to before. Even in economically struggling Greece, transparency and tangible impact motivate people to give more frequently and more generously. The Problem with Seasonal Giving Antonis and Panos explain why giving peaks at Christmas and Thanksgiving—people lack confidence that their money is used wisely. Givelink solves this by making giving year-round, transparent, and emotionally rewarding through visible impact. How the Platform Works: Four Simple Steps Nonprofits set up real-time product wish lists of items essential to their operations. Donors browse the lists or use Smart Pick, which converts a dollar amount into the products needed most. At checkout, donors see the exact impact story—how many people they're helping and how their lives will change. After delivery, donors receive photo proof and ongoing impact updates. The "Smart Pick" Feature and Personalized Impact Panos demonstrates how donors can either manually select products or use Smart Pick to automate the process. When buying hygiene kits for a nonprofit helping children in Oakland, donors can see exactly how many children they'll impact and what difference those products will make—creating an emotional connection and retention. A Real Crisis: The Wildfire Response When wildfires devastated their Greek city in August, Givelink mobilized immediately. Two nonprofits supporting firefighters and victims added urgent needs to the platform. The response was staggering: over $30,000 in donations and 40,000 products in a single day. The team stopped all other work, gathered supplies in supermarkets, and personally delivered items to firefighters—experiencing firsthand the power of their mission. Scaling from Greece to the United States After proving the model in Greece, Givelink launched a pilot in the Bay Area (Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Palo Alto) and is now expanding across California with plans to cover Los Angeles, smaller cities, and rural areas that often lack philanthropic funding. Legal considerations around tax deductibility vary by state, but the model is ready to scale nationally. Nonprofit Needs: From Food to Furniture In Greece, food dominates nonprofit wishlists, along with cleaning and hygiene products. In the U.S., a standout example is BOSS, a nonprofit helping people transition from homelessness and incarceration back into society. They needed bedsheets, pillows, and furniture—small items that are expensive and transformative when someone is rebuilding their life. Supplier Partnerships: Wholesale to Retail Givelink partners with wholesale suppliers like Group Sales and Dollar Days (30+ years in the nonprofit space), as well as Amazon for retail options. This tiered approach ensures nonprofits get the best prices and donors have flexibility in what they can give. The Role of AI in Storytelling Givelink is launching AI-generated impact stories based on nonprofit data, descriptions, websites, blogs, images, and videos. This allows donors to see personalized stories at checkout—how their specific donation will change lives. The long-term vision is to integrate real stories directly from nonprofit beneficiaries. RESOURCES & LINKS Givelink Website: givelink.app Small & Gutsy Podcast: SmallandGutsy.org Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff's Podcast: Small & Gutsy (ranked #8 on Feedspot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts and #9 by Million Podcast for youth empowerment episodes)

Send Ken a Text Message about the PodcastChecking In After a Break: Grief, Support, and Shanna's Ongoing Alzheimer's JourneyHost Ken Cardita returns to the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast after several months away to explain his absence and share personal updates from his 13-year caregiving journey with his wife, Shanna. He describes ongoing grief and sadness over the past few months, beginning with Shanna's roommate passing away shortly before Thanksgiving and continuing through the holidays and into New Year's after the death of a longtime friend's wife who had dementia. Ken shares that Shanna's condition shows increasing neurological symptoms,greater fatigue, and a slower recognition of him. Ken also updates listeners on his ongoing Surviving Alzheimer's support group (third Monday nights at 7:00 PM Mountain Standard Time in Arizona) and his one-on-one coaching with people early in their caregiving journey, emphasizing lessons about thoughts, mood, and what can and can't be controlled. He reflects that even coaches need support, recommits to self-care and finding joy, and shares plans to shape the podcast in 2026 by incorporating more coaching training and posting more frequently, while encouraging caregivers to take care of themselves, be patient, and share the podcast with others.00:00 Welcome to the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast (Ken & Shanna's journey)00:43 It's Been a Few Months: Why I've Been Away01:20 Holiday Grief Begins: Shanna's Roommate Passes03:17 New Year Heaviness: Losing a Friend & Remembering the Early Days04:33 Bright Spots: Support Group + 1-on-1 Coaching Updates06:32 Taking Stock in 2026: Shanna's Decline & New Neurological Symptoms08:29 Medication Changes, New Room, and a Sweet New Routine Together10:51 Speaking From the Heart: Self-Care, Finding Joy, and Podcast Plans for 2026 Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions Visit the NEW Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com) to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit the Podcast Facebook page

As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, it’s fitting to reflect on the biblical perspective of leadership. Daniel 2:21 reminds us that God “changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Every president, past and present, serves under God’s sovereign hand. Recognizing their achievements, especially those guided by faith, is a way to honor God’s provision for our nation. Intersecting Faith & Life How can we honor God by recognizing the positive impact of leaders He places in office? In what ways can you personally pray for national leaders and their decisions? Reflect on moments in American history where prayer and faith intersected with leadership—how can this inspire your own spiritual practice? Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Honoring Our Nation's Presidents By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” - Daniel 2:21 What does it take to be President of the United States of America? As our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, we probably have a wide variety of thoughts and answers to this question. Still, throughout history, many men of various backgrounds, political leanings, religious beliefs, and stature have served as the President of the United States. Although we hold elections in the United States, we don’t want to ignore what Daniel explains: that God has a hand in who comes into leadership in our nation and that we really are not the ones in control. As we commemorate yet another President’s Day, it’s biblical to set time aside to honor the many men who have held the office, regardless of our political leanings. Being the President of the United States of America takes bravery and fortitude, as it comes with serious caution and risks to both the sitting president’s life and career. In Prayers and Presidents, author and historian William J. Federer presents statistics on the danger that being President holds: “Not every United States President left the White House on his own accord, with some dying in office and others murdered while serving. Four Presidents left office due to assassination, with the most famous and well-known account being that of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, and the 35th President, John F. Kennedy. Along with them, lesser-recognized presidents were murdered while in office, including 20th President, James A. Garfield, and 25th President, William McKinley. As well, 40th President Ronald Reagan and soon-to-be re-elected Donald J. Trump survived assassination attempts on their lives. Reagan, while in office, and Trum,p while on the presidential campaign trail before taking office in his second nonconsecutive term as our 47th President at 78 years old.” Regardless of the risks, from the very beginning of our nation’s birth, prayer has been recognized and encouraged by many of our Presidents, including our very first President, George Washington, who carried a well-worn pocket-sized edition of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. Providence Forum executive director Dr. Jerry Newcombe describes how General Washington, during the Revolutionary War, felt the odds of winning were too great against us, so on July 4th, 1775—a year before independence—he sent the following order to his troops: “He requires and expects of all officers and soldiers, not engaged in actual duty, a punctual attendance on Divine service, to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense.’" Some doubt God’s hand in America’s history and on America’s leaders. But Proverbs 21:1 reveals that, “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please Him.” As well, Proverbs 8:15 reassures us that God has a hand in who reigns and rules on earth: “By Me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just.” God receives glory for directing ways presidents have honored Him, such as the 33rd President, Harry S. Truman, who initiated the National Day of Prayer as an annual observance in 1952, stating: “In times of national crisis when we are striving to strengthen the foundations of peace… we stand in special need of Divine support.” In April 1970, President Richard M. Nixon urged Americans to pray for the Apollo 13 astronauts who were in crisis. As well, after their safe return, he set aside Sunday, April 19, 1970, as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. President Ronald Reagan established the National Day of Prayer on May 5, 1988, to be commemorated each year on the first Thursday in May, saying: “Americans in every generation have turned to their Maker in prayer… We have acknowledged… our dependence on Almighty God.”Following the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina, our 43rd President, George W. Bush, declared Days of Prayer. Intersecting Faith & Life: We are honoring God when we honor His accomplishments achieved through the leaders He places into office as our presidents. By recognizing their godly accomplishments, we are expressing gratitude and glorifying God for His just decrees. Further Reading: Seeing God’s Hand in America’s Freedom Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Adar Why do we increase in joy during this month? What unique opportunity does this month offer us? Can you begin your program about Adar with a piece of humor? Is this entire month filled with joy? What is the difference between the good mazal of Shevat and that of Adar? Is this a month when Iran will be held accountable just as it was with Persia of old? How do we reconcile the fact that ancient Persia allowed us to rebuild the second Temple and Rome destroyed it, with the tables being turned today with Iran being our enemy and the Western empires being our allies? Should we be praying for the innocent people of Iran? Which events during the 1991 Persian Gulf War did the Rebbe cite as signs that the world is ready for Moshiach — and that all we need to do is open our eyes? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week's Torah parsha? How do we create a sanctuary for G-d today?  What is the significance of the holy ark?Can we compare G-d to energy?  If physical existence is really Divine energy, what are we actually accomplishing when we perform mitzvos with material objects and make blessings on actual foods? What is the difference between chapters 11 and 12 at the end of the Rambam? What positive lesson do we learn about breaking down walls to spread Chassidus? What are we to make of the uprisings in Iran? Terumah Understanding G-d Siyum HaRambam What do we learn from the President announcing a "National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving" on May 17th, which is Rosh Chodesh Sivan?  Ramming into 770 – Follow-up 

Get your podjam tickets April 9-12 in Vegas Subscribe and Watch Interviews LIVE : On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. This show is Ad free and fully supported by listeners like you! Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 750 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Mayor Hanlon Bio I was practically raised at my family's restaurant, The Boston Garden, on 11th Avenue and Mainstreet. Here, in Hopkins, my parents instilled in me and my sisters the value of hard work; washing dishes, and waiting tables. At the same time, they taught me the importance of giving back to community through sponsoring Little League Teams or feeding the homeless at our restaurant on Thanksgiving. They taught me the value of remaining civically engaged in order to help strengthen the community you love.   I've now lived in Hopkins for 15 years and still on 11th Ave. The apple certainly didn't fall far from the tree. My wife Kathryn and I both love this city and its people. We also love raising our daughter in such a connected, caring community. I joined a group of residents in the Hopkins Coalition as a way to be civically engaged with the people of this town and work to have their issues heard and their talents activated.   I want to see Hopkins continue to grow strong financially and demonstrate true small-town leadership. As Mayor of Hopkins and the Deputy Commissioner at the City of Minneapolis, I bring to the table 15 years of deep community engagement in our state's most diverse communities while leading teams that deliver nationally recognized programs. I bring solutions that are win-wins for communities, businesses and individuals and have the experience as Mayor to ensure that our City stays vibrant, balanced and strong.   I firmly believe we can continue to increase the growth and impact of this community while improving affordability, economic opportunity, and maintaining our path to becoming a national leader in climate change while still retaining our small town charm. And this past year has shown that together, we are capable of just that. Your City. Your Voice. On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete   Listen rate and review on Apple Podcasts Listen rate and review on Spotify Pete On Instagram Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on Twitter Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page  

1937 - Mexico, Missouri On the eve of Thanksgiving in 1937, 46-year-old Margaret Mortimer, who went by Peggy, was just steps from her front door when she was attacked and killed by an unknown assailant. Investigators found few clues and no obvious suspects, despite a city-wide manhunt. And as early leads faded, local police turned to Ira Cooper, the St. Louis Police Department's first Black lieutenant, hoping his sterling reputation could bring answers to a case already slipping away. The murder shocked the industrial town of Mexico, Missouri. Peggy was well known and widely liked, with no clear enemies. But on that cold November night, someone was waiting—and the question remains: who? Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/margaret-peggy-mortimer Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode - John talks about the Stonewall Monument pride flag in New York being taken down by the Trump Administration and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appearing before Congress offering a chance to revise his past statements on Jeffrey Epstein following newly revealed personal and business connections. Then, John interviews author and Professor of History at George Washington University - David J. Silverman. He is the author of the award-winning This Land is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and Troubled History of Thanksgiving. They talk about his new book "The Chosen and the Damned". The epochal story of race in America is typically understood as a Black and White issue. The Chosen and the Damned restores the defining role Native people have played, and continue Americans United. He's an author and an attorney who's defended the First Amendment for more than a decade. He has two books: The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American (2019) and American Crusade: How the Supreme Court is Weaponizing Religious Freedom (2022). John also talks with Brian Silva who is Vice President of Outreach at Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Brian brings to AU almost three decades of organizing experience rooted in creating change through education and advocacy that is intersectional, collaborative and grassroots. After working as a high school history teacher and mentor, Brian became a leader in the LGBTQ+ movement as the Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA where he helped pave the way to legalize marriage for same-sex couples. Most recently, he worked to advance equality, equity, and justice as the Executive Director of the National Equality Action Team (NEAT), which he also founded.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.