Podcasts about Swedish

Could the secret to a calmer mind and a healthier gut be hiding in your morning bowl of porridge?In this episode, I sit down with Swedish herbalist and nutritionist Karoline Karttunen to discuss one of my favorite breakfasts — the humble oats (Avena sativa).Grains have gotten a bad rap in recent years — and it's true that highly processed or sugar-laden versions don't do us any favors. But as Karoline reminds us, whole-grain oats are a true nutritional powerhouse that also carry the same medicinal gifts as oat straw and milky oats — beloved herbal allies for nourishing the nervous system and restoring resilience. She shares how oats support everything from balanced blood sugar to a calmer mind (and even a healthier microbiome).Karoline is so devoted to her oats that she eats them for breakfast five days a week! She keeps her daily porridge endlessly interesting by rotating the nuts, seeds, fruits, and herbs that she adds to the mix. You can even try her Herbal and Protein-Rich Oatmeal yourself — download the beautifully illustrated recipe card here.By the end of this episode, you'll know:► How a bowl of oats can calm frazzled nerves and lift your mood naturally► What butyric acid is—and why your intestinal cells can't get enough of it► The truth about so-called “anti-nutrients” like phytic acid (and why you might not need to worry about them)► How your brain and heart thrive on the right kind of carbs—and why oats are the perfect fuel► How discoveries in archaeology and anthropology challenge the myth that eating grains is “unnatural” for humans► and plenty more oat-inspired insights to nourish body and mind….For those of you who don't know her, Karoline Karttunen is a Swedish herbalist and nutritionist who brings herbs and food together in her herbal courses, blog and in personal consultations. She has in-person courses year round on the west coast of Sweden, as well as offering online courses in herbalism. Karoline's courses always have a focus on how herbs can strengthen health and be used as a natural part of our everyday life, just as we do with vegetables.I was already a huge fan of oats, but after talking with Karoline, I couldn't wait to make them an even bigger part of my herbal routine. I'm so happy to share this conversation with you—and I hope you leave feeling inspired to make yourself a big bowl of porridge, too!----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find Karoline at Way-of-Life.se.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them by taking my free herbal jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal...

In 1897, a Swedish engineer set out to reach the North Pole ... by balloon. With two companions, a crate of champagne, and the faith of a nation, he rose into the Arctic fog — and vanished. Decades later, their frozen journals and undeveloped film emerged from the ice, revealing the haunting truth behind one of exploration’s great mysteries. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Marisa Brown and Mac MontandonSenior Producer is Josh FisherStory Editor is Marisa BrownEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsAdditional Editing by Mary DooeMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact-Checking by Marisa Brown and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaSocial Clips by Yarberry MediaSpecial thanks to our voice actors Tom Antonellis, Chris Childs, and Josh FisherExecutive Producer is Jason English You can email the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alexey Morozov of Horns Up Games shifted the tone completely. His project, Lord of Metal, is a festival-management sim built with the Swedish band Sabaton, combining the logistics of live events with the chaos of rock culture. It's equal parts management game and love letter to heavy music.

Often presumptuous, sometimes impertinent, but rarely both: The Man of the West continues his look at the beef between Tolkien and the Swedish translator of The Lord of the Rings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Triumph at the Market: Liselotte's Ultimate Winter Preparation Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-11-03-08-38-19-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Den kyliga vinden blåste genom den medeltida byn.En: The chilly wind blew through the medieval village.Sv: Löven föll som guldmynt över marknadstorget, där människor samlades i sina bästa yllekappor.En: Leaves fell like gold coins over marknadstorget, where people gathered in their best wool coats.Sv: Höstdagen skred fram, nära Allhelgonadagen, när Liselotte blickade över marknadens färgstarka dukar.En: The autumn day progressed, near Allhelgonadagen, as Liselotte gazed over the market's colorful stalls.Sv: Hon behövde säkra tillräckligt med mat och ved för vinterns kyla.En: She needed to secure enough food and wood for the winter's cold.Sv: I folkmassan på marknadsplatsen jublade och skrattade människor, trots att skördens utbud i år var sorgligt.En: In the crowd at the marketplace, people cheered and laughed, despite this year's sorrowful harvest supply.Sv: Här var Magnus, slaktaren, och där borta, bagarna med sina nybakade bröd.En: Here was Magnus, the butcher, and over there, the bakers with their freshly baked breads.Sv: Men det var inte bara bristen på varor som oroade Liselotte, utan också hennes sjuka bror, Sven, som inte kunde hjälpa denna gång.En: But it wasn't just the lack of goods that worried Liselotte, but also her sick brother, Sven, who couldn't help this time.Sv: Liselotte torkade bort de tunna svettdropparna från pannan och rannsakade sina möjligheter.En: Liselotte wiped away the thin sweat droplets from her forehead and scrutinized her options.Sv: Hon hade med sig sin familjs örtknep, eftertraktade av lokala läkare, som var hennes enda valuta denna dag.En: She carried her family's herbal remedies, sought after by local doctors, which were her only currency this day.Sv: Men örterna var sällsynta och behövde sparas.En: But the herbs were rare and needed to be conserved.Sv: Varje drag var noggrant övervägt.En: Every move was carefully considered.Sv: "Vad har du där?"En: "What do you have there?"Sv: frågade Magnus, medan han bearbetade sitt kött.En: asked Magnus, as he worked on his meat.Sv: "Mina örter", svarade Liselotte och visade de torkade bladen med varsam hand.En: "My herbs," answered Liselotte, showing the dried leaves with a gentle hand.Sv: "De botar feber och stärker de svaga."En: "They cure fevers and strengthen the weak."Sv: Magnus nickade, uppskattade dem.En: Magnus nodded, appreciating them.Sv: "Jag kan ge dig ett kilo kött för dina örter."En: "I can give you a kilo of meat for your herbs."Sv: Liselotte tänkte snabbt och tackade ja.En: Liselotte thought quickly and accepted.Sv: Vid nästa stall behövde hon mjöl och såg sig om.En: At the next stall, she needed flour and looked around.Sv: Det var få säckar kvar, men Liselottes inre styrka ledde henne till en lösning.En: There were few sacks left, but Liselotte's inner strength led her to a solution.Sv: "Jag kan baka åt dig i en vecka", sa Liselotte till bagaren, "om du ger mig mjöl för vintern."En: "I can bake for you for a week," Liselotte said to the baker, "if you give me flour for the winter."Sv: Bagaren log, nöjd med erbjudandet.En: The baker smiled, pleased with the offer.Sv: När hon kämpade sig vidare genom folkmassan, närmade sig marknadens slut men hennes påsar fylldes.En: As she struggled further through the crowd, the market's end approached, but her bags filled up.Sv: Den sista stationen var odlaren, och där såg hon potatisen, den sista grödan.En: The final stop was the grower, and there she saw the potatoes, the last crop.Sv: Men potatisodlaren var tvekande.En: But the potato grower was hesitant.Sv: "Jag har inte mycket kvar", sa han, "men om du kan lära mig dina örtkunskaper, kan vi hjälpa varandra."En: "I don't have much left," he said, "but if you can teach me your herbal knowledge, we can help each other."Sv: Ett ja pirrade genom kroppen och deras avtal gick igenom, utan att hon behövt överväga att ge bort sin mammas halsband, en framtida kostbarhet och familjeklenod.En: A yes tingled through her body and their agreement went through, without her needing to consider giving away her mother's necklace, a future valuable and family heirloom.Sv: När skymningen föll, hade Liselotte gjort det omöjliga.En: As dusk fell, Liselotte had accomplished the impossible.Sv: Hon hade säkrat tillräckligt med mat utan att offra sitt arv.En: She had secured enough food without sacrificing her inheritance.Sv: Hennes familj välkomnade henne hemma med öppna armar och med ny respekt.En: Her family welcomed her home with open arms and newfound respect.Sv: De erkände hennes list och skicklighet.En: They acknowledged her cunning and skill.Sv: Liselotte insåg den sanna styrkan i gemenskapen och sin egen förmåga, förbättrad av den kalla, men hoppfulla brisen som nu svepte över deras hus.En: Liselotte realized the true strength in community and her own capability, enhanced by the cold yet hopeful breeze now sweeping over their house.Sv: Vintern var nära, men nu var hon redo.En: Winter was near, but now she was ready. Vocabulary Words:chilly: kyligamedieval: medeltidavillage: byngazed: blickadesecure: säkraprogressed: skred framsorrowful: sorgligtbutcher: slaktarenwiped: torkadesweat droplets: svettdropparnascrutinized: rannsakadeherbal remedies: örtknepcurrency: valutaconserved: sparascarefully: noggrantconsidered: övervägtappreciating: uppskattadeflour: mjölhesitant: tvekandeaccomplished: gjort det omöjligainheritance: arvcunning: listenhanced: förbättradacknowledged: erkänderemedies: behandlingarbreeze: brisendusk: skymningensacks: säckarcheered: jubladedespite: trots

My guest for this episode is Swedish multi-instrumentalist and composer Jonas Lindberg. His band/solo project, Jonas Lindberg & The Other Side is set to release its third album, Time Frames, on Nov. 7. Jonas was kind enough to tell me about the new album, his approach to songwriting, why the band hasn't played live in more than 10 years, his musical influences and background, and more. The music can best be described as a mixture of Spock's Beard, The Flower Kings, Kaipa, and Genesis, but there are other flavors as well. Learn more about Jonas' work on the band's Facebook page or his website: https://www.lindbergmusic.com/. Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, Bluesky, and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: The Market's Hidden Gem: Axel's Quest for the Lost Relic Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-11-03-23-34-02-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Det var en klar, kylig höstdag på medeltidsmarknaden.En: It was a clear, chilly autumn day at the medieval market.Sv: Löven prasslade försiktigt under fötterna på de många besökarna.En: The leaves rustled gently under the feet of the many visitors.Sv: Färgglada stånd klädda i höstlövens nyanser kantade marknaden.En: Colorful stalls dressed in the shades of autumn leaves lined the market.Sv: Ljuvlig doft av rostade kastanjer fyllde luften.En: The delightful scent of roasted chestnuts filled the air.Sv: Axel var en ung köpman.En: Axel was a young merchant.Sv: Han hade en speciell talang för att lösa gåtor.En: He had a special talent for solving riddles.Sv: Men egentligen längtade han efter äventyr.En: But really, he longed for adventure.Sv: Just denna dag, Allhelgonadagen, försvann en värdefull relik från ett av stånden.En: On this particular day, Allhelgonadagen, a valuable relic disappeared from one of the stalls.Sv: Nyheten om den försvunna reliken spreds som en löpeld.En: The news of the missing relic spread like wildfire.Sv: Erik, en annan köpman, sa till Axel, "Reliken är borta!En: Erik, another merchant, said to Axel, "The relic is gone!Sv: Vi måste göra något."En: We have to do something."Sv: Lina, som sålde ljus och tvålar, la till, "Marknaden behöver dig, Axel."En: Lina, who sold candles and soaps, added, "The market needs you, Axel."Sv: Axel kände hur äventyrslustan vaknade.En: Axel felt the spirit of adventure awaken.Sv: Han ville hitta reliken.En: He wanted to find the relic.Sv: Han såg sig omkring.En: He looked around.Sv: Marknaden var full av ljud.En: The market was full of sounds.Sv: Köpmän ropade ut sina varor, och folk skrattade och pratade.En: Merchants were calling out their goods, and people laughed and talked.Sv: Det skulle inte bli lätt att hitta reliken här.En: It would not be easy to find the relic here.Sv: Axel bestämde sig för att börja sin undersökning.En: Axel decided to start his investigation.Sv: Han gick till den sista platsen där reliken sågs.En: He went to the last place where the relic was seen.Sv: Han frågade köpman efter köpman.En: He asked merchant after merchant.Sv: Många skakade bara på huvudet.En: Many just shook their heads.Sv: Någon viskade att en girig köpman kanske hade haft ett intresse.En: Someone whispered that a greedy merchant might have had an interest.Sv: Timmar gick.En: Hours passed.Sv: Axel var ihärdig.En: Axel was persistent.Sv: Hans fötter värkte, men hans vilja var stark.En: His feet ached, but his will was strong.Sv: Slutligen, nära marknadens centrum, såg han något misstänkt.En: Finally, near the center of the market, he saw something suspicious.Sv: En renommerad men girig köpman viskade och pekade mot sin kärra.En: A renowned but greedy merchant was whispering and pointing towards his cart.Sv: Axel närmade sig vagnen försiktigt.En: Axel approached the wagon cautiously.Sv: Det skramlade när han rörde vid täcken.En: It rattled when he touched the covers.Sv: Och där, bekvämt inbäddad, låg den eftertraktade reliken.En: And there, comfortably nestled, lay the sought-after relic.Sv: En känsla av triumf fyllde Axel.En: A feeling of triumph filled Axel.Sv: Han hade hittat den!En: He had found it!Sv: Med reliken i handen stod Axel mitt i marknadens hjärta.En: With the relic in hand, Axel stood in the heart of the market.Sv: Folk samlades runt honom och jublade.En: People gathered around him and cheered.Sv: Erik och Lina sken av stolthet.En: Erik and Lina beamed with pride.Sv: Axel återlämnade reliken till dess rättmätige ägare.En: Axel returned the relic to its rightful owner.Sv: Marknaden stannade upp för ett ögonblick.En: The market paused for a moment.Sv: Applåderna ekade över platsen och Axel kände sig inte bara värdefull, utan också som en del av gemenskapen.En: Applause echoed across the area, and Axel felt not only valuable but also like a part of the community.Sv: Med sitt nyfunna självförtroende vinkade han åt folkmassan.En: With his newfound confidence, he waved at the crowd.Sv: Han trivdes med tanken att kanske hans framtid skulle innehålla fler äventyr än han förväntat sig.En: He liked the idea that perhaps his future would hold more adventures than he had expected.Sv: Så slutade dagen på marknaden.En: So ended the day at the market.Sv: Axel gick hem, en lite mer erfaren och självsäker ung man.En: Axel went home, a little more experienced and confident young man.Sv: Han hade sökt äventyret och funnit både reliken och sitt sanna jag i processen.En: He had sought adventure and found both the relic and his true self in the process.Sv: Och bland marknadens brus hade han blivit en slags hjälte, en ny stjärna i gemenskapens blickfång.En: And among the market's hustle and bustle, he had become a sort of hero, a new star in the community's gaze.Sv: I skymningens ljus lovade han sig själv fler utforskningar, fler gåtor att lösa.En: In the twilight light, he promised himself more explorations, more riddles to solve. Vocabulary Words:medieval: medeltidachilly: kyligrustled: prassladedelightful: ljuvligroasted: rostademerchant: köpmanriddles: gåtorlonged: längtaderelic: relikspread: spredswhispered: viskadegreedy: girigpersistent: ihärdigached: vårktesuspicious: misstänktrenowned: renommeradcautiously: försiktigtrattled: skramladenestled: inbäddadtriumph: triumfrightful: rättmätigapplause: applåderconfidence: självförtroendegaze: blickfångtwilight: skymningexplorations: utforskningarhustle: bruscheered: jubladecommunity: gemenskapenexperienced: erfaren

Send me a text!The end of Swedish dominance and the rise of a new RussiaDifferent quotes New Season, new outroSupport the show war102podcast@gmail.comhttps://war102.buzzsprout.com

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Hidden Galaxies: Discovering Passion Beyond the Stars Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-11-02-23-34-02-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Det var en krispig höstdag när vi kom fram till Tekniska Museet i Stockholm.En: It was a crisp autumn day when we arrived at the Tekniska Museet in Stockholm.Sv: Luften var klar, och trädens löv prasslade under våra fötter.En: The air was clear, and the leaves on the trees rustled under our feet.Sv: Skolan hade ordnat en utflykt hit, vilket alltid var höjdpunkten på terminen.En: The school had organized a trip here, which was always the highlight of the term.Sv: Jag älskade de här stunderna.En: I loved these moments.Sv: Men jag kände också pressen av att hitta ett ämne till mitt nästa skolprojekt.En: But I also felt the pressure to find a topic for my next school project.Sv: Något som skulle göra mig speciell i lärarens ögon.En: Something that would make me stand out in the teacher's eyes.Sv: Inne i museet var det livligt.En: Inside the museum, it was lively.Sv: Svarta taveltavlor fulla av vetenskapliga formler sträckte sig högt över våra huvuden, medan vi rörde oss genom de olika utställningarna.En: Blackboards full of scientific formulas stretched high above our heads as we moved through the various exhibits.Sv: Jag stod där, funderade, försökte att inte känna mig så osäker i denna enorma värld av vetenskap och teknik.En: I stood there, pondering, trying not to feel so insecure in this enormous world of science and technology.Sv: "Elsa, vad letar du efter?"En: "Elsa, what are you looking for?"Sv: hörde jag plötsligt min klasskamrat Johan fråga.En: I suddenly heard my classmate Johan ask.Sv: Han kom upp bredvid mig, hans vanliga leende på plats.En: He came up beside me, his usual smile in place.Sv: Johan var smart.En: Johan was smart.Sv: Alla visste det.En: Everyone knew it.Sv: Men vad många inte visste var hans passion för astronomi.En: But what many didn't know was his passion for astronomy.Sv: Det hade jag sett när han hade pratat om stjärnorna, fast alltid i tysthet.En: I had noticed it when he talked about the stars, though always quietly.Sv: "Jag vet inte", svarade jag något försiktigt.En: "I don't know," I answered somewhat cautiously.Sv: "Jag behöver inspiration för mitt projekt."En: "I need inspiration for my project."Sv: Jag bestämde mig för att lämna det stora, bullriga rummet och hitta en lugnare plats.En: I decided to leave the large, noisy room and find a quieter place.Sv: Det fanns en del av museet som inte var så överfullt.En: There was a part of the museum that wasn't so crowded.Sv: Med ett leende följde Johan efter mig.En: Smiling, Johan followed me.Sv: Plötsligt hittade vi ett hörn av museet som nästan var gömt.En: Suddenly, we found a corner of the museum that was almost hidden.Sv: Det var ett rum tillägnat obskyra rymdprojekt.En: It was a room dedicated to obscure space projects.Sv: Displayerna var dammiga och åsidosatta, men de glittrade av historia och upptäckter.En: The displays were dusty and overlooked, but they sparkled with history and discoveries.Sv: Jag såg hur Johans ögon lyste upp.En: I saw how Johan's eyes lit up.Sv: "Har du någonsin sett något sådant här?"En: "Have you ever seen anything like this?"Sv: frågade han entusiastiskt.En: he asked enthusiastically.Sv: Han började förklara projekten, hans röst fylld med äkta passion och glädje.En: He began explaining the projects, his voice filled with genuine passion and joy.Sv: I det ögonblicket såg jag en annan sida av Johan, och jag blev inspirerad.En: In that moment, I saw another side of Johan, and I was inspired.Sv: Vi stannade där länge, glömde tid och rum.En: We stayed there a long time, losing track of time and space.Sv: Johans berättelser om rymdforskning och de anonyma hjältar som hade bidragit till dessa projekt fick mig att inse att här kanske, fanns det något nytt.En: Johan's stories about space research and the anonymous heroes who contributed to these projects made me realize that perhaps here, there was something new.Sv: Tillbaka i skolan fylldes jag av en ny typ av självförtroende.En: Back at school, I was filled with a new kind of confidence.Sv: Jag visste att jag hade hittat mitt projekt.En: I knew I had found my project.Sv: Det skulle handla om de dolda hjältarna i rymdforskning.En: It would be about the unsung heroes of space research.Sv: Johan hade visat mig att det är okej att ha dolda passioner, och att ibland kan de leda oss till oväntade och fantastiska platser.En: Johan had shown me that it's okay to have hidden passions, and that sometimes they can lead us to unexpected and fantastic places.Sv: Med denna nya insikt kände jag mig mer självsäker.En: With this new insight, I felt more confident.Sv: Och i den processen hade vi båda funnit något: jag min röst och Johan modet att visa sin sanna.En: And in the process, we had both found something: I found my voice and Johan the courage to show his true self.Sv: Utanför museet svepte den kalla vinden återigen runt oss, ett tecken på att den kalla säsongen höll på att börja.En: Outside the museum, the cold wind swept around us again, a sign that the cold season was about to begin.Sv: Men i våra hjärtan var vi varma, fyllda av hopp och nyfikenhet.En: But in our hearts, we were warm, filled with hope and curiosity.Sv: En skolsal fylld av möjligheter väntade, och vi var redo att ta oss an den.En: A classroom full of possibilities awaited, and we were ready to take it on. Vocabulary Words:crisp: krispigrustled: prassladehighlight: höjdpunktpondering: funderadeenormous: enormaformulas: formlerinsecure: osäkergenuinely: äktaenthusiastically: entusiastisktobscure: obskyraclattered: prassladeinsight: insiktinspiration: inspirationcautiously: försiktigtanonymous: anonymaheroes: hjältarunexpected: oväntadeconfidence: självförtroendequieted: tysthetexhibits: utställningardedicated: tillägnatsparkled: glittradecuriosity: nyfikenhetoverlooked: åsidosattapassions: passionerdusty: dammigacourage: modpossibilities: möjlighetersensation: känslalively: livligt

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Spontaneous Christmas Visit to Stockholm's Vasamuseet Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-11-02-08-38-20-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Vasamuséet i Stockholm var fyllt av skuggor och ljus.En: The Vasamuseet in Stockholm was filled with shadows and light.Sv: Det gamla krigsskeppet Vasa reste sig mäktigt i mitten av rummet.En: The ancient warship Vasa rose majestically in the middle of the room.Sv: Dim belysning badade skeppet i ett mystiskt sken, samtidigt som juldekorationer började dyka upp i hörnen.En: Dim lighting bathed the ship in a mysterious glow, as Christmas decorations began to appear in the corners.Sv: Lina, Jonas och Maja hade bestämt sig för att kombinera sitt julshopping-äventyr med ett besök på museet.En: Lina, Jonas, and Maja had decided to combine their Christmas shopping adventure with a visit to the museum.Sv: Lina hade en noggrant planerande lista i sin väska.En: Lina had a carefully planned list in her bag.Sv: Hon kände sig stressad av allt som skulle göras inför julen.En: She felt stressed about everything that needed to be done before Christmas.Sv: "Vi måste hålla oss till schemat," sa Lina bestämt när de gick in.En: "We have to stick to the schedule," said Lina firmly as they entered.Sv: Jonas log och ryckte på axlarna.En: Jonas smiled and shrugged.Sv: "Ta det lugnt, Lina.En: "Relax, Lina.Sv: Vi har gott om tid," sa han.En: We have plenty of time," he said.Sv: Maja, som just anlänt från landsbygden, var fascinerad av allt hon såg.En: Maja, who had just arrived from the countryside, was fascinated by everything she saw.Sv: "Åh, titta på alla dessa skulpturer!"En: "Oh, look at all these sculptures!"Sv: utbrast hon med ett brett leende.En: she exclaimed with a wide smile.Sv: Linas blick flackade mellan klockan och de olika utställningarna.En: Lina's gaze flickered between the clock and the various exhibitions.Sv: Hon visste att de hade ett tight schema: börja med museet, sedan shoppa på Gamla Stan.En: She knew they had a tight schedule: start with the museum, then shop in Gamla Stan.Sv: Allt för att bli klara i tid innan folkmassorna.En: All to be done in time before the crowds.Sv: Hon kände sig kluven när hon såg Maja och Jonas ivrigt läsa skyltarna och beundra artefakterna.En: She felt torn as she saw Maja and Jonas eagerly reading the signs and admiring the artifacts.Sv: När de nådde det storslagna skeppet stod gruppen tyst.En: When they reached the grand ship, the group stood silently.Sv: Maja pekade på de intrikat snidade figurerna på skrovet.En: Maja pointed at the intricately carved figures on the hull.Sv: "Det är fantastiskt!"En: "It's amazing!"Sv: sa hon med stora ögon.En: she said with wide eyes.Sv: Jonas tog upp sin telefon för att ta bilder.En: Jonas took out his phone to take pictures.Sv: "Kom hit, Lina!En: "Come here, Lina!Sv: Fånga ögonblicket," ropade han.En: Capture the moment," he called.Sv: Lina stod ett ögonblick stilla.En: Lina stood still for a moment.Sv: Hon tittade på sina vänner och insåg plötsligt hur mycket hon älskade dessa spontana stunder.En: She looked at her friends and suddenly realized how much she loved these spontaneous moments.Sv: Julen handlade ju om att vara tillsammans, att uppleva och att dela glädje.En: Christmas was about being together, experiencing, and sharing joy.Sv: Hon stoppade ner listan i väskan och log för sig själv.En: She tucked the list back into her bag and smiled to herself.Sv: "Jag överlämnar mig till dagen," sa Lina och anslöt sig till dem.En: "I surrender to the day," Lina said, joining them.Sv: Tillsammans vandrade de runt, förundrade av de berättelser som museet delade.En: Together, they wandered around, awed by the stories the museum shared.Sv: Det fanns mycket att se, och tiden flöt bort utan att de märkte det.En: There was much to see, and time slipped away without them noticing.Sv: När de lämnade museet var det mörkt ute, och luften var krispig.En: As they left the museum, it was dark outside, and the air was crisp.Sv: Fyllda med intryck och skratt gick de längs vattnet mot tunnelbanan.En: Filled with impressions and laughter, they walked along the water toward the subway.Sv: "Imorgon gör vi shoppingen," föreslog Maja glatt.En: "Tomorrow, we'll do the shopping," suggested Maja cheerfully.Sv: Jonas nickade medhållande.En: Jonas nodded in agreement.Sv: Lina, som nu kände sig lättad, tänkte att det här skulle bli en ny tradition.En: Lina, now feeling relieved, thought this would become a new tradition.Sv: "Vi gör det," sa hon med en nyfunnen känsla av frihet.En: "We'll do it," she said with a newfound sense of freedom.Sv: "Men låt oss inte rusa.En: "But let's not rush.Sv: Det viktigaste är att vi gör det tillsammans."En: The most important thing is that we do it together."Sv: Och med de orden promenerade de vidare, hand i hand, under Stockholms glittrande julljus.En: And with those words, they continued to stroll, hand in hand, under Stockholm's shimmering Christmas lights. Vocabulary Words:shadows: skuggormajestically: mäktigtmysterious: mystisktdecorations: dekorationerschedule: schemafascinated: fascineradgaze: blicktorn: kluvenexclaimed: utbrastadmiring: beundraintricately: intrikatcarved: snidadehull: skrovcapture: fångasurrender: överlämnarawed: förundradeimpressions: intryckcrisp: krispigtradition: traditionfreedom: frihetchimera: chimeraspontaneous: spontanasubway: tunnelbanashimmering: glittrandeastonishment: förvåningslipped: flötcrowds: folkmassorcountryside: landsbygdgesture: gestsilent: tyst

To be continued in part 23, By FinalStand for Literotica. Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 23 Zane Spars with the minds of the Faculty In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels. "You are quite the James T. Kirk in this Undiscovered Country of Freedom Fellowship University," Doctor Scarlett eventually spoke up. I didn't know who that was but I had a feeling it wasn't a modern Christian author. "Who?" I asked. Doctor Scarlett blinked. "James T. Kirk, Captain of the Starship Enterprise, from Star Trek," she seemed confused that I didn't know who this guy was. "Wait, you mean that bald guy? I thought he was named something else," I wondered. "That's Jean Luc Picard, who was the captain in the second series called Star Trek: The Next Generation," she corrected me. It was somewhat amazing to me that the Vice Chancellor was a science fiction buff. Who knew? "Oh, wait, you mean that guy that Chris Pine plays?" I thought I figured it out. "Thank you; he is kind of hot." "No," she corrected, "that is the new series of movies, but it is the same character." I nodded as the pieces slowly came together. "Ah, the Green Orion Slave Girl," I finally clued in, "and that black babe who later showed up on Heroes." Sensing Doctor Scarlett's exasperation I added, "I remember ladies better than I do men." "Obviously," she noted. "I did not call you to my office to discuss trivia, Mr. Braxton, " "Please, call me Zane," I interrupted then, "and I apologize for interrupting. May I call you Victoria?" "Doctor Scarlett will do," she shook her head. "As I was saying, I asked you here to discuss your integration into this school so that we can avoid some of the problems experienced in the past." I looked at her; she looked back, expecting me to say something, but I didn't. "As the sole eligible male on campus, what do you see as your role here?" she pressed on. "Uhmm, Doctor Scarlett, I am a student here, that is my role. Are you implying that I'm looking for something special because I am a guy?" I questioned. "Mr. Braxton, Zane, you are a guy, you have remodeled your personal quarters into a bordello, and there is evidence of you having sexual relations with multiple female students," she responded. "How is that not 'something special'?" "The administration stuck me in the attic, then told me I could set up my room any way I saw fit," I clarified. "The vast majority of my room is set aside for my fellow freshmen to have a place to unwind and relax." "I've never violated any girl's Purity Pledge, though a few have reconsidered it after meeting me," I admitted. "I've been in a few fights, I'm not proud of that. I did as much as I could do to resist Chancellor Bazz, I am proud of that. What she was doing was ten shades of wrong and I don't run away from a righteous fight." "Zane, I am not condemning you for defending the women in your life, nor for having a healthy libido," Doctor Scarlett stunned me with a lack of blame being tossed my way. I worked that over in my mind until I figured out what was going on. "So, do you have any recommendations on what I could do differently to fit in?" I inquired. The problem was, this wasn't about me fitting in. She wasn't lauding my sexuality and she was trying to throw me off-center by the little annoying phone call game, followed by this sympathetic interpretation of my school life to date. I knew she wanted to manipulate me but I didn't know why. I had to get her to tip me her hand so I could figure out what the game was. "Are you familiar with the concept of Christian Female Tribalism?" Scarlett opened. "I get the feeling it has something to do with the six framed articles from non-Christian magazines hanging on your wall," I noted. "Also, you are clearly the darling of the Christian media," I added, as I tallied up the dozen other articles attesting to her fame. "I haven't dedicated my life's work for the sake of popularity," Doctor Scarlett smiled (sure, right). "I am looking into the relationship between Jesus Christ's teachings, men and women. My research has led me to believe that women exist in a more spiritually pure form when solely in the company of other women." "Where do men fit into this picture?" I questioned. "Men provide the ultimate guidance, of course, as well as their roles in procreation and raising male children past the age of eleven," Doctor Scarlett related. "Women are happiest and most effective when they form their own networks and hierarchies." "You don't date much, do you?" I had to ask. "Mr. Braxton, I have lived a chaste life in pursuit of my studies," she answered. "Outside of your father, Victoria, have you ever lived under a man's guidance?" I wondered. It was a calculated move to use her Christian name. "It is Ms. Scarlett, Zane, and I have relied on a variety of pastors for spiritual guidance over the years," she stated. "Okay," I stood up, "we have nothing to discuss then." She didn't yell at me as I headed for the door. "You've never been in love and I can tell you have a poor estimation of romance." "You would be incorrect, Zane; I have been in love but I chose purity over sinfulness," she countered. "My faith is based on God being love, without reservation, restriction, or guilt. I know exactly where you are coming from," I said with my hand on the doorknob as I looked over my shoulder. "You are seeking validation for the mistakes you've made over your lifespan and you are willing to sacrifice the young ladies at the school." I was getting angry. "I was hoping for something better but it seems like a different conductor but the same old music, Doc." "That is not so," Doctor Scarlett stayed calm. "I am not attempting to drive you or any other student off campus. I am not your enemy." "That is simple enough to resolve," I nodded. "What is your perfect women's society view and response to promiscuity?" "Lust is a sin; women should resist sin as vigorously as men," she countered. "The seven deadly sins are Catholic, not the words of Jesus," I grinned. "In fact, the first list wasn't even created until the 4th century after Christ." "That does not make them any less valid," Doctor Scarlett offered. "What is the cut-off date for Bible legitimacy?" I turned and faced her. "1000 Ace? Today, here, and now? Who is to say I can't create new scripture, then?" "I apologize, Zane," she mused, "but you hardly seem to be someone touched by the hand of God with a gift of prophecy." "Do I have to lay on hands to prove it?" I beamed. I had finally been able to interject sexual innuendo into the conversation. She didn't respond like a damn normal person, no. Doctor Scarlett stood up, walked around her desk and came to a stop barely a foot from me. I am not so easily deterred. I leaned into the doctor until my nose was at the crux of her neck and shoulder. I used my cheek to push her hair aside and sniff my way up to her ear. She was really ironclad in her control of her passions. I trailed my nose up to her eyebrow ridge, circled over the forehead, down past the other eye, and over to her lips. We didn't kiss but I did get what I wanted. "How about I call you Victoria when we are alone?" I tested her. "No; call me Ms./Dr./Vice-Chancellor Scarlett," she corrected. "You are my student." "Cool," I shrugged. "Is there anything more for us to discuss?" "I would like to discuss my plans for this school and the role I think you can take on," Scarlett persisted. "We've had that discussion, I chose a messy democracy over any sweet-smelling dictatorial existence," I declared. "Your belief system stands for the denial of self-determination." "It does not, Zane. If anything, it gives women more power over their lives," she explained. "But the basis for your system retains men in charge, with the added 'benefit' of women being more removed from the critical decision-making processes," I replied patiently. "Don't you enjoy being in charge of so many women here at FFU, Zane? You have certainly convinced dozens of women to do what you want, even to their own detriment," Doctor Scarlett drove her point home. I laughed; I couldn't help myself. "I might enjoy being in charge if any of the women would give me the opportunity, Victoria. Honestly, I allow the women here to safely experiment with their sexually," I explained. "Thing is, I really don't mind because I help these ladies become more comfortable in their skins, with their desires, and allow them to share things they have discovered about themselves. If I was with only one woman, what peer could she talk to? You've put your blinders on to the fact that women want to examine those urges they all have," I proposed. "They don't surrender to lust; they acknowledge it, explore those frontiers, and then decide how to use that knowledge," I continued. "Most of the women in my life here don't lose their virginity. I think by challenging their Purity Pledge, they become stronger in their convictions. I'm not taking any choice from them; they are exercising their own will concerning their bodies." "If you deny the male role in the Christian relationship, doesn't that emasculate you?" Victoria asked, and I noticed she didn't chastise me for using her first name this time. "I'm not going to fall into the trap of mistaking sexual activity for true masculine activity," I headed her off. "I would like to think I mediate disputes, help with our studies, and protect them physically if needed. I don't like to fight, but I will fight to defend my ladies. So no, I don't feel less of a man because I listen to, occasionally obey, and always try to respect women." "I see your point, Zane, and I will give it some consideration," Doctor Scarlett lied to me. "Oh, wow, that condescension was unwarranted, Doc," I shook my head. "You would never accept that I could be the man who would alter your lifelong path. You have an unrealistic expectation of what that man would be like but it allows you to pursue your goal without male guidance and still be a good Christian woman." "So now you think I am a hypocrite?" She gave a patient smile. "Nope. I think you believe the theory you are selling, Vic. You are clever, attractive, but somewhat annoyed that your looks give your ideas less credence though you still use your looks when needed. You are manipulative because you are sincere and you want to keep the argument based on rational discourse, not passion." "That would make you my opposite," she observed. "You embrace your gut instincts and allow your emotions to override what you think is the safe course of action. It is a pity you perceive me to be your enemy; I thought we could do great things together." "You are the enemy, but you are not the bad guy; I respect those who have faith, even if it is faith in something I don't agree with," I pointed out. "You believe women are better off without male interference in their lives. I believe there is nothing better in Creation than a man and woman in harmony with one another," I stated. "Don't you believe in safeguarding these young ladies' souls?" Victoria pressed on. "If the ladies were children I could understand your interference," I countered, "but they are adults, capable of making adult decisions, and you do them a disservice by stealing their destinies from them." "You see yourself as a better alternative?" she remained serenely calm, that's so hot. "Lady, my life is a mess," I grinned. "I have a hard time figuring out what I'm going to do much less what I should tell someone else to do." "But you are making the decision that my solution is the wrong one. How do you justify that?" she countered my grin with a smile of her own. "Just because I don't have the right answer doesn't mean I don't recognize the wrong one when I see it," I reposted. "As I said earlier, we have nothing to discuss." "Very well," she allowed, "but please tell me what the whole sniffing thing was about." "It was more than sniffing, Doctor Scarlett. I was looking for your pulse reaction, sweat, what kind of perfume and body soap you use, as well as facial tics and eye dilation." "That is certainly odd," she pointed out. "Well, it tells me you are a mid-thirties virgin who likes feminine things. Your skirt is finely woven wool, your shirt is silk, and your cross is 24 K, as is the necklace, with a real ruby inset. Your bra is a black half-cup, which is very nice if you are wearing a white shirt. Lastly, you are wearing stockings, not pantyhose." "Since neither you nor Ms. Reveal is a lesbian, you are wearing these clothes for your own enjoyment because you are not interested in any man right now," I told her. "You are still holding out for your Mystery Man which is oddly romantic for someone who denies romance." "Ms. Buchanan was right," Scarlett laughed softly. "You would be interesting to deal with." Right as I made ready to ask her what exactly Christina said, my stomach began rumbling. "I'm off to lunch unless you need me for anything right now," I sighed. Victoria turned me around and directed me out the door. Rio, Mercy and Vivian were waiting for me. It rapidly became clear that Rio was Doctor Scarlett's next appointment. "Ms. Reveal," I inquired of Doctor Scarlett's assistant who glared in response. "I'm heading off to the dining hall, and since I doubt you've been able to grab a bite to eat, do you want me to pick up something for you and the doctor?" I doubted that was what she expected. She typed away at her keyboard for a few second, checking out today's menu. "Mr. Braxton, could you get me the Caesar Salad and Doctor Scarlett the trout?" she said. "Zane," Rio snickered softly, "how far did you get? I'd hate to have to sex her up all over again when I can go straight for the main dish." "Smooth, Bro," I groaned while Marisol looked like she was going to staple Rio's ear to the desk. "The Doctor and I talked and that is all," I cautioned Rio. "I suggest you do the same and keep it simple." Rio snorted and followed Doctor Scarlett into her office. Before she dropped out of sight, Rio half-turned, pointed at Victoria's ass, and mouthed 'Wow' and made out the hourglass curves. She was really subtle; only Mercy, Vivian, Marisol and I saw it, which meant all of us. "Mercy, are you going to be okay?" I inquired once the door shut and Mercy had sat down on the bench outside the office. "I need to stay for Rio," Mercy sighed. "Vivian, can you wait for Rio while Mercy and I take a walk?" I asked my guardian. "Absolutely, Zane," Vivian nodded. She took a seat while Mercy followed me wordlessly out the door. "You don't have to do this, Zane," Mercy spoke up after a while. "Own up to all you do, Mercy," I replied, "and by that, I mean I brought you and Rio into a collision course so I am as responsible for your happiness as I am for Rio's." "I, umm, thank you," Mercy worked out the words. "Rio can be too much to handle at times." "Yes," I wrapped a very inappropriate arm around her shoulder, "she can be, but I feel she's worth putting up with the bull crap. Don't be discouraged by her fooling around with other women, or men; Rio is far more loyal than people give her credit for. She may do things to piss you off, that's a given, but she wants to be with you. In fact, who do you believe she was thinking of when she bought that ass plug?" "You?" she meekly mocked me. "Ha, ha, ha," I chuckled. "That is the reason I don't sleep on my stomach these days, Mercy. She plays rough. She loves rough too, so I feel it is an adequate trade-off. If you want to snuggle with someone else from time to time, you are welcome on my pillow any night." "Zane, do you think I'm a lesbian? What I am trying to say is, I think I may be a lesbian but I'm not sure," Mercy confided in me. "It doesn't matter what I think but in my experience, you are bi-sexual, not a dedicated lesbian. That could mean that you like relationships with girls but the occasional fling with a guy," I said. "You have had sex with me and I know you enjoyed it. You are not in an environment that allows many men so now that you are coming into your sexuality, you are confronted by women. Sexual orientation is one thing; sexual preference is another," I went on to say, "At Spring Break we should put your ideas to the test. Until then, don't worry too much about it." "Not being a virgin would be horrible enough," Mercy related. "If my parents thought I was homosexual, they would die, or kill me." "Mercy, do you think what you are doing is sinful?" I questioned. Mercy had to think about that for a while. We gathered up three trays and made our way back to the Vice Chancellor's office. "Yes, yes, I do, Zane," Mercy muttered. "I am afraid I'm going to Hell." "Mercy, you are not going to hell, at least not for what you've been doing the past few weeks," I comforted her. "Think about the good you've done for Rio." "I am still steeped in perversions," she moped. "Trust me on this; the battle between Heaven and Hell will not be decided by the playful use of a dildo, ass plug, or vibrator," I whispered into her ear. Mercy rewarded me with a wicked little smile. "What matters is the happiness you bring, the trust you earn, and the powerless you protect. Don't knock yourself out because you too are feeling pleasure." Mercy stopped walking which brought me up short. She worried her lower lip as she worked some things out in her head. "Do you think I'm really Rio's best hope at salvation?" she asked softly. "You more than anyone else," I responded. I could see a weight lifting off her shoulders. "Thank you, Zane," she smiled at me. We entered the Administration building and headed for the Vice-Chancellor's office. "I'm going to have to tell Rio about his conversation," I told her. Mercy looked uncertain. "Someone deserves a spanking, don't you think?" That wonderful little lusty smile crept onto her lips once more. More Monday Mornings   Doing the correct thing is good; doing right and confounding your enemies at the same time is golden. Blow & Arrow "You are getting better, Zane," Molly Travers told me after my rotation to the shooting line. "If you say so," I shrugged. "I've yet to hit the rings twice in a row." "But you are hitting the target every time," she pointed out. "Great," I chuckled, "if I ever get attacked by a rhino or a barn door, I'll do fine." "If it is a big barn door, a really big barn door," she snickered in sympathy. "So, uhmm, what do you think your chances against Hope are?" "Huh," I looked to her, "are you betting on me and Hope's sparring match?" "It's not really a bet, more like a wager," Molly grinned. "Betting and wagering is the same thing, Molly," I pointed out. "Okay, fine, we are betting on the outcome," Molly admitted. "So what do you think the odds of you winning are?" "Barring the intervention of large fighting robots, I'd bet on the cute Asian chick to win," I joked. "Arrows," Chastity called out. It was my job to retrieve all the expended arrows from the field, being the junior member of the team. After that we did one more round, then we cleaned up and made our way to either study period or our next club. Chastity held me back so that we could go to Karate class together. "Don't be too hard on Hope," Chastity abruptly told me. "I'm not all that sure I can beat her, Chastity," I confided. "Oh, there is no chance of that," Chastity assured me. "She's going to destroy you. I only want to make sure you are a good sport about it because she really likes you and she's worried you might take this beating the wrong way." I stopped and stared at her somewhat incredulously. "Oh, come on," I grumbled. "I have some sort of chance. She's not that good." "If thinking that makes you feel better," she patted me on the back. "Well, if you believe I can't win, you will be willing to make a wager on the outcome then," I challenged Chastity. "What would it be?" Chastity mused. "You in a little, itty-bitty French Maid's outfit for twelve hours of my choosing," I said. "What do I get if Hope wins?" Chastity countered. "What would you want?" I grinned. "Any one favor to be decided on later," was what she came back with. "Oh, please, my favor is relatively precise while you want the world," I pointed out. "Okay, I want one 'forgiveness' in advance," Chastity offered. I groaned. "You just have to keep busting my chops, don't you?" I sighed. "Fine, I'll make the bet." For a private sparring match, Hope and I drew a great deal of attention. Christina, Heaven, Chastity, and Faith were expected, as was Coach Gorman. I had kind of hoped Cappadocia would hang around so we could hook up when the fight was over. Everyone else was rather distracting. Both Hope and I went shirtless, me bare-chested and she with a black sports bra, as well as barefoot. We set up four meters apart with Hope doing something that mimicked warm-up exercises. It took a second of eye contact for the fight to begin. I kicked out viciously; she collapsed beneath the blow and swept my legs. My back slapped the mats and before I could move or mount much of a defense, Hope was all over me. It was arm bar and she had my head in a scissor lock and that was that. I tapped out before she could render me unconscious. No one said anything as I regained my feet. I was careful not to make eye contact until I'd backed up a bit. I had no clue to what kind of Monkey Kung-fu she had just worked on me but I knew that what little Thai Kickboxing I had wasn't cutting it, but I knew even less Karate and even less of what Gorman and Black had shown me. It boiled down to making use of what I did know to the best effect. This time I danced to the left using a little trick Gabrielle Black had taught me (with some pain added). At first Hope mirrored my movements so when I lashed out with my first kick it caught her off-guard since I'd also been slowly closing the distance between us. She tried to snake within my reach but I kept shifting and kicking to hold her at bay. When she finally did get inside, I hit her with every fist/arm/elbow strike I knew. I knocked her back, pursued her, and for a moment it looked like I had a chance. Hope kept maneuvering with the grace of a gymnast so I couldn't pin her to the mat. Once she got to her feet I sensed I was rapidly running out of options. I certainly didn't expect a chop to my temple and that was pretty much all she wrote. She jumped up, put her knee into my diaphragm and rode me to the ground. I managed to block twice against her strikes as she straddled my stomach. I almost knocked her aside, we wrestled, and that was the totally wrong thing to do. I knew crap about wrestling. My tapping out was a foregone conclusion once she got me on my stomach. For a second I lay there marveling how quickly I'd gone down, twice. I noticed that Hope was still standing astride my body so I rolled over in place and looked up. For a second she had this look that reminded me of staring into the pitiless depths of the ocean. "My head hurts," I emphasized with a deep breath. That set off a flash of light in her eyes. "The important one or the one on top of your neck?" she smiled from above. Hope crossed her arms and helped me stand. "Are we okay?" she suddenly seemed worried. "Oh, hell, no," I gasped. "I've got to learn me some of those moves. You were freaking awesome." That outburst gained me a snort of amusement on her part. "I am not a master so I would have to consult my master before taking on a student," Hope informed me. "Your Father?" I was curious. "No; my Father had to get permission to teach my sisters and me. My Master is back in Korea," she answered. Hope and I parted ways and various friends now felt free to join the party. "Damn, Bro, she kicked your ass. I'm ashamed to call you family," Rio mocked me. "Rio, now you know how he feels about you every day," Valarie shot back. "I think he did pretty good, all things considered," Coach Dana Gorman stated. "I don't believe Zane's ever fought against a 'soft' or passive style." "Fifteen or twenty more years and I would have had her," I chuckled. "You are right, Coach; I've never seen her precise style. I've tried some of the exercises monks use but those were primitive compared to what Hope showed me today. Now I think I'm going to take a shower." "Everyone will clear out now," Coach ordered as I made my way to the showers. ZETAS "Honestly, Zane," Sahara lectured me deliciously, "did you have to flush my phone down the toilet?" "Technically, I only dropped it in," I corrected. "I didn't hit the handle. Besides, you know your husband would only annoy us with his incessant phone calls." "I still feel a little guilty," Sahara sighed. "He knew when I would be over and where we would be going if he wasn't going to be kind enough to be there," I pointed out. "The only reason to call you would be to ruin the moment he could have pre-empted by showing a little consideration for your feelings." "That is not fair," Sahara countered. "My husband is a community leader with many responsibilities." "So would you be if people would wake up and see you as I do," I answered. "Zane, I don't want any misconceptions about me," Sahara stared at me intently. "I am loyal to my marital vows." "I don't doubt that for a second," I agreed. "Betrayal leaves its own scars and I don't see any on you." Sahara didn't immediately react to that, instead taking a long sip of her tea. "Certainly you have heard the rumors by now?" she said softly. "Yes, and I believe them," I responded gravely. I let that hang there for thirty seconds. "Aliens did land in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947, and they interred the bodies at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base before finally moving them to Area 51." Sahara didn't know what to make of that for a second but slowly began to smirk. "What? Was there another rumor that I should be giving a damn about?" I concluded. "Some people compromise for the easy way out, some people remain mostly steadfast and take the hard road, but you are the only man I know who gladly skips through a minefield because even the hard road is too much of a compromise for you," she commented. "I can only be me," I replied. "I couldn't be you; I doubt the clothes would fit." "Oh, you are such a strange individual," she tilted her head. Before she could explain our food arrived and she felt it prudent to wait until there were fewer prying ears. "Do you think it is appropriate for me to, ask about Ms. Vickers?" "No," I responded patiently. "If you ever feel like it is your business, she's in church every Sunday and she's nice, if a bit nervous considering the current circumstances." "It is only that I hear things about you when my husband talks to other people and, much of it doesn't make sense," she added. "For instance, I believe I'm the only one who sees it but I'm sure you are having an affair with Rochelle Wellington." "I'm neither confirming nor denying anything but how does that make you feel?" I countered. "Infidelity is a crime," she answered after a few seconds, "but Mayor Wellington is a horrible, horrible man." And this was coming from the woman married to that bastard, Pastor Bill. "I confess that I find the whole thing very amusing, to the point where I pray to Christ for forgiveness virtually every night. That includes using me as a distraction for Kendra's nosey little self." "That was not my intent if that's any consolation," I sighed. "I simply thought we had a lot in common." "Such as?" she smiled. "Well, before we moved here, we had no idea where Lancaster, Virginia was," I started. "We both know that waving a Bible around doesn't make someone holy; a custom may be fine for you but it isn't for everyone and we know what it is to be judged by people who have never gotten to know us," I completed. "I also wanted you to know that I know about Bill and we are not alone." "Know? What do 'we' know?" she asked confidently enough. "We know why he let them think you were the one who was unfaithful," I clarified somewhat. Sahara stared at me, her face torn by a plethora of warring emotions; loyalty, anger over being betrayed, and relief that she didn't bear this terrible burden alone anymore were all there. "Men handle such things differently than women," Sahara told me in a distant voice. "My father wanted boys." "I imagine your Father-in-Law wishes he had raised his boy to be a man too," I joked. "That's unfair," I corrected myself. "I have nothing against men of a different persuasion. It is bastards I have a problem with." "Please, Zane, he is still my husband," Sahara admonished me. "Well, he had better start treating you better or I may re-familiarize him with Deuteronomy 23:1 (ty-jw)," I responded. "Your loyalty to him should be met with respect. That is the deal we make when we get married." "What makes you think you know so much about marriage?" Sahara inquired after a bite, some savory chewing and a gulp. "I'm smarter than I look. Okay, that's not too difficult, but I'm usually smarter than people give me credit for." "Smart things like inviting Ms. Kennan to services yesterday?" she taunted me. "I actually didn't invite her but don't tell anyone; I revel in people's opinion that I'm irreverent," I grinned. Sahara tried and failed to fight down her own smile in response. "I've actually invited Belle, Ms. Kennan, to live with me and Jill as well as giving her a job." "I, I don't know what to make of that," Sahara worried. "She's very pretty, I imagine." "Sahara, you need to become a better judge of people," I said. "I wouldn't trust Belle with my car keys or my favorite cuff links, but I'd trust her with Jill's life or my own." "Sometimes it helps to remember we are still listening to the words of a poor carpenter's son who suffered through exile," I pointed out, "who wouldn't do what the authorities told him to do, died because he was betrayed by a close friend, and went to the grave abandoned by all those who said they understood him; not most people's first choice for founder of the world's largest religion." "When you put it that way, it sounds depressing," Sahara agreed. "It also sounds exactly as it played out. It often does not occur to most believers that the flame of Christianity almost fluttered out before it ever really came to life." She looked for me to say something but all I did was grin. A few seconds later I saw that flicker of understanding come alive in her eyes. "Here you are, the star of multiple on-line sexual misadventures, sitting with the preacher's disreputable wife in the most romantic restaurant in town and we are discussing morality and religion," she chuckled. "No one will believe us despite this being the truth. I find your perverse and bizarre sense of humor very enchanting, Zane." "The important thing is that you are having a good time, Sahara," I explained. She laughed out loud, drawing attention to our little candlelit alcove of the eatery. I doubted she cared and I certainly didn't. We finished our meal, I paid, and we headed straight back to her place. The game was, we left zero time for any possible hanky-panky to take place. We wanted the people who were going to accuse us of impropriety to make real asses of themselves when we revealed our timeline established by my filling up of gas right before picking her up, our valet ticket at the restaurant, and finally, our credit card receipt for the restaurant itself. I had outlined my plan to Sahara and she heartily approved. Unlike the time her husband had screwed her over, she could fight this scandal. I pulled into the Penny's driveway and I rushed around to get her door for her (thank you, Heaven, for that bit of etiquette). We walked through the front door only to see Pastor Bill a few steps away from the door. "Where have you been?" he growled. Sahara dutifully lowered her head. "We were at Zetas," I stated calmly, "right where I told you we would be." Bill ground his teeth and glared at Sahara. "What have you been doing?" he snapped. "Nothing," I now grinned. "I accidentally left the lube and the box of condoms on your kitchen counter." Pastor Bill was rendered speechless. "I was the one who dropped her phone into the toilet; don't blame Sahara," I told him. "Sahara, this was fun. I don't often get to have an adult conversation about the basis of Christianity. I do appreciate your insights. I gotta go now. You two have a good evening and I guess I'll see you on Wednesday night, Sahara. Bill, I'll see you on Sunday." "I doubt you will be seeing my wife again," Bill finally ground out. "Sahara, please give me and your husband a moment alone?" I asked her. "Of course, Zane, and thank you again for an intellectually stimulating night," was her own way at rebelling. I could tell ol' Bill didn't appreciate her pleasant tone to me one bit. When she had moved out of sight I leaned into my so-called religious leader. "Bill," I whispered to him, "between you, me and God, if something happens to Sahara, I'm giving you one year and a day, then they'll never find your body. You know the kind of low-lifes I hang out with. I'm not bluffing. The only other injustice will be that you won't suffer nearly enough. Am I absolutely fucking clear?" "I'm not afraid of you, you sleazy scumbag punk," he hissed. "Whatever, Bill, but you might want to know that the circuit board for your home security system is manufactured by a company I own," I lied. I had no idea if there was a circuit board for his system or who the hell manufactured it, but I was pretty sure he didn't know either. Bill and I were at an impasse. He was a bully and a liar who was used to manipulating people using both other people's faith and sins to get what he wanted. My advantage was that I was well known to be willing to inflict pain to get what I wanted (I just wanted to protect my ladies) and he was averse to actual physical confrontation. Belle brought a whole new definition to the conflict at First Anointed Free-willed Fellowship of Christ Church. There were a growing number of people willing to resist the order Bill had crafted for his own power. Now people defied him and the normal techniques of censor had little effect. His best hope was that Zane Braxton would get hung in another bizarre encounter and remove himself from the equation without Bill's interference. That was his hope, anyway. ON The CRUX OF CHANGE "Hey, Briana," I told my buddy from Colorado State. I was standing outside the door that led to my floor once more. "Hey, Future Slave to my Desires," she giggled back. She was a whole lot more playful than the last time we'd talked. "Gak!" I played with her. "I'm pleased to find you in higher spirits tonight. I hope that means you are doing better?" "Actually, I had a freaky weekend," she sighed. "I met my boyfriend's other girlfriend, it was a totally psycho-girlfriend moment too. She came at me when I was training with some sisters for a 5K run. She appeared in the parking lot and started screaming at me. It was scary. I had three sisters and she brought two wacked-out friends. A pair of off-duty firemen broke it up; sadly, one is married and the other is gay." "Briana, I have a confession: I'm a gay man in denial and I'm tired of hiding the real me," I stated sincerely. Briana's laughter rocketed through the connection, followed by some off-screen conversation, then the phone being handed around. "If you want that lie to be believable, tell us you are secretly a lesbian," Jarunee snickered at me in her native Thai tongue. "Give me a second and I'll come up with something more believable," I chuckled back in the same lingo. "How have you been?" "Pretty good; better than you since that little Korean girl wiped your ass all over the mats," she responded in English. "Okay, she's not so little, and I have it on good authority she was a champion on the Tijuana Midget Fighting Circuit while still in preschool," I covered my ass, then a fear began clawing its way inside me. "Is there any suggestion that she and I may have gone to bed together?" "Of course; this morning's upload," Jarunee informed me. "Oh, in that case, please tell the rest of the Kappa Sigmas that I won't be doing Spring Break after all," I groaned. "What, why?" Jarunee gulped, wondering what she'd done wrong. "Her dad is going to kill me," I related jokingly. "I won't make it to the end of this semester, much less to March. It was a nice dream, though." "Are you serious?" Jarunee worried. "Apparently Hope's, that's Hope Song who kicked my ass, father is some sort of a South Korean superman who eats two-bit punks like me for breakfast," I shrugged. "It can't be, and the phone was taken away. "Oh, my God! Was that one of Yeong Song's daughters you banged that can now be seen all over the internet?" a different girl babbled. "You really are a dead man." "Ooo-kayyy, who are you, by the way? I'm Zane," I started off. "Sorry. I'm Chrissy and my father is in the Navy and he does, stuff. I don't know how bad that man is but I've seen SEALs scramble to get out of that man's way faster than they would for any admiral." "What? That's absurd," I joked. "No one is that much of a bad-ass." Except for Gabrielle Black, I am so going to die at this man's hands, aren't I? "All I know is that the Navy decided it was safer to put him up at our house as opposed to a motel. Mom got upset because apparently the North Korean government put a huge bounty on his head since he killed so many of their Special Forces guys, no lie." I said nothing for the longest time. "Maybe he'll think I'm good son-in-law material," I tried to sound upbeat. "Yes," Chrissy tried to sound positive as well. I, of course, was desperately trying to remember how many times I had made Hope suck my cock, and our discussion of anal sex wasn't worth mentioning. Curling up into a fetal ball wouldn't do anyone any good either. "Very well, Chrissy. Can I talk to Briana one more time?" I asked. "Of course, Zane, and don't worry; the whole Kappa Sigma Sorority will start working on this problem. We will figure out something," she assured me. "Hey, guy," Briana sounded apprehensive, "are you going to be okay?" "Babe, it is just another day ending in 'y'. I've got this," I said confidently. "Good night, now." Briana said her good-byes and I took a moment to get my thoughts together before heading upstairs. It turned out I had over seventy ladies in my place, none more surprising than Coach Dana Gorman. She was paired with Valarie against Millicent and Raven in what looked like a close match up on the pool table. Another totally bizarre image was Vivian and Rio laying stomach first on the floor near one of the TV's, calves kicking in the air with Vivian helping Rio with something oddly akin to schoolwork. Mercy, Opal, Brandi, and Brigit were gathered around the closest table having formed some sort of study group as well. Magically enough, in the twilight of my life (no, I am not over-reacting!) it is good to see one of my plans actually work in almost the way I had intended. No one had noticed me arrive so I turned to go to the drink bar, and walked right into Paige. "Hi!" she squealed in excited delight. Her tight little albino body vibrated with orgasmic energy. "Hey, Babe," I kissed her on the lips lightly. She kept her hands tightly clasped behind her back. "You don't smell like sex," she grinned. "I went out to eat with the preacher's wife, Paige," I groaned. "Not every date is an inevitable sexual hook-up. We had a nice meal and talked about our church, morality, and religion, honest to God." "I believe you," Paige wouldn't stop grinning. "Cordelia is in your room, waiting for you, and thank you, thank you, thank you." Paige was undoubtedly ecstatic over the red marker on Cordelia's face that read 'Paige is smarter'. To see that was one of Paige's deepest desires. Cordelia was working away on her tablet as I slipped into my room. She was fully on my sleeping stage, lying on her back and tablet held up over her head as she worked on it. "Hello, Zane," Cordelia said. "I like your place; it is very you." "Cordelia," I managed to say back in a civil tongue. "Did you know who Yeong Song is?" "Of course I do," Cordelia answered without looking away from her work. I didn't say too much because I had little polite to say to the girl at the moment. After a minute she finished up working on her computer, put it down, propped herself up on her elbows, and smiled my way. Her pigtails swayed as she looked me over. "You are upset," she noted. "Why are you here?" I inquired curtly. "Oh, now we are in the 'you are angry with me but doing an admirable job controlling your violent impulses and going to reduce your interactions with me yet not going to let me alter your lifestyle in any way' phase," Cordelia sighed. "I am not fighting the fact that you are the smartest person on campus, maybe the smartest person I've ever met, but I think we are done playing around. When I drive out of these gates for the last time four years from now, I'm going to forget you and go on with my life," I told her. Cordelia smirked, then laughed. "Zane, I made you, you are my creation," she giggled. I was about to get pissed, then I got another boot to the head. "I was drawn to your family's tragic death years ago, saw your return to the United States as an excellent opportunity for us both, created several identities, talked to your aunt on-line about FFU, altered the admissions software so your application would be accepted, and made sure your medical records weren't examined until you were on campus." "You put me and Rio together," I pieced together; Cordelia nodded. "Iona?" "Ah, she's loyal to you, but it was easy enough to put her in your class. She is the type of girl who runs across traffic to save a turtle crossing the road," Cordelia smiled. "I knew she'd rally to your side, just like I knew that would be enough to keep you here until other events unfolded," she seemed terribly pleased. "Now the sorority and Christina are all you as well as the run-ins with the law, but you are my weapon to use on this campus, Zane. I could never beat Chancellor Bazz without creating a scandal that would break the school apart," she informed me. "Your rebellion was a possibility I explored but your ability to enlist Christina and the freshmen wasn't something I could facilitate; again, that was all your doing." "I have respected you and Heaven," Cordelia pointed out. "Because Christina and I would kill you," I countered. "No; I kept her secret because I am not needlessly cruel," she said. I almost believed it. "Wrong, Cordelia; you didn't betray Heaven because Christina and I would leave FFU," I stated. "Your game would fall apart; not because either one of us is special but because you don't like playing with dumb people, there is no challenge to it." Cordelia's smile only got wider. "You don't disappoint," she remarked, without a hint of shame or guilt. "Am I forgiven?" It occurred to me that no matter how absurd on the surface, Cordelia wanted someone to know and, in a way, understand her genius. "I think we may be past that," I murmured. "How about this; the Time Lord Mafia needs, I need your help," she confessed, but I was wary. "When Ms. Black came here I was suspicious that her record was too clean," Cordelia related, "so when you gave me that warning, I began digging very carefully. Well, this morning something happened." "Oh, crap," I muttered. "How bad and how likely is it that you will be tracked back to here?" "I set up a blind station in Lima, Peru," she said matter-of-factly, "all paid for in cash by people who don't know the real me. I had surveillance on the place as standard practice. Late last night, Lima time, three armed men broke into the small room and tore the place up." "Who were they?" I was now more intrigued. "They spoke perfect Spanish so I had no clue until one of them screwed up and a cheap shelf fell on him. He cursed in Hebrew." Cordelia exhibited real shock. "They were Mossad. I check up on some other stuff and I really think they are Israeli intelligence." What in the hell was Mossad doing hunting Gabrielle? What the hell was the only guy in an all-girls university doing getting involved with all this? Fuck it all, I'm a horny eighteen-year-old boy with more girlfriends than any two sane men would want. Wasn't talking to yourself one of the signs of mental instability? I was saved by the phone, sort of. "Zane, this is Doctor Scarlett," the Vice Chancellor said, "I am at your door and I need to come up and talk to you for a bit." "Of course, Doctor Scarlett," I responded as I caught Cordelia's eye. I hung up and the two of us headed into the main area. As soon as we exited the screens, Cordelia went toward the closest group of students to warn them and I travelled down the stairs. "Hey, Doctor," I greeted my latest guest. I screened the keypad from her view, asked the system for a new password, and read it off to her as it popped up. Doctor Scarlett reentered the code and had it scan her thumbprint without comment. "Thank you, Zane," Victoria greeted me politely. "I would like to see your domicile as well, if that is convenient." "Sure thing," I told her. "We have about forty-five minutes before curfew so it's pretty occupied." "It is your room," she nodded. "I have every reason to believe you are responsible with its use." I wouldn't say that, but then in the past five minutes my life had gone to hell anyway, and I had to put up a good face until bedtime. "Ah, the pictures I've seen do not do the view justice, Mr. Braxton," Doctor Scarlett exhaled. "Relax, take a walk around, and/or help yourself to some food, Doc," I offered. "After nine o'clock you may call me Victoria, Zane," she allowed in return. I was a little stunned. No one seemed overjoyed that Victoria was here but they weren't stampeding toward the door either. "You provide a great deal of stability," she told me softly. "Your presence provides your guests with a sense of peace and safety." "Perhaps you missed Coach Gorman giving two of your students pool lessons right over there?" I suggested. "Dana is your guest too, though I doubt her mood is swayed one way or another by your sense of calm," she grinned, then was brought up short. "Zane, there are two women in, bikinis in your, " "It is a hot tub," I provided the identification, "and I also provide the swim suits for those who need them." Victoria stared at me for a few seconds and I could sense her ready to finally explode on me with some righteous rage toward my overtly sexual ways. "Why would you have women's swimsuits?" she asked patiently. "I have one-pieces as well," I responded. "What would be the point of installing a hot tub, showers, and a sauna if I don't also supply the girls with swimsuits and towels?" Those words put her back on an even keel. Still -- "Doc, I have women coming in my second-story bedroom window back home in the middle of the night for the purposes of sexual intercourse," I sighed. "I hardly need to give students here revealing clothing to feed any vicarious thrill. Do you want a suit to take a dip?" "Let me think about that," she replied quickly. "How long does it take you to obtain a girl a suit?" "I have a suit for you already; you are virtually Vivian's size. And I even have one in red if that is your preference," I said. "Do you really want me to be in a red bikini?" she wondered. It was a trick question. "It is a one-piece, and all I want is for you to be as happy as you can be without trampling on the aspirations of others," I answered. "So you feel responsible for all the girls at this school," she stated. It took me a moment to realize this was a statement, not a question. "Good night, Zane," Victoria smiled. "Good night, ladies," she called out to the room. A chorus of 'good night's' were returned. She disappeared down the stairs and I felt a deep desire to be alone. Peace and quiet sounded good, yeah, I know. "Bro?" Rio snuck up on me. She gave me a quick once-over, then tenderly wove her arms around my waist and hugged me tightly. "I'm okay, Rio," I muttered. "Don't lie to me," she squeezed me tighter. "Trust me; I know that desperate, hopeless look well and I can see it creeping up behind your eyes. Zane, I don't know what's wrong and I'm not going to ask, but I want you to know that I'm here for you." I tilted my upper body back and met her gaze. "Who are you and what have you done to my Rio?" I grinned weakly. "Hey," she remained scarily compassionate, "you've soaked up my pain often enough. It is about time you let me carry some of yours." "What can I do?" Iona wiggled up to my side. A further miracle was delivered when Paige appeared within my field of vision at over five feet away. "Guys, do you think I can have the night to myself? I need to work out things in my head," I begged. "Consider it done," Rio and Iona stated together. Iona departed to spread the word. Rio departed as well, but doubled back to give me another hug. "Zane, don't leave me," she whispered into my chest. "Three seconds ago I was going to knock you out, roll you up in a blanket, and take you with me when I scaled the walls and ran home," I sighed. "To the bitter end," I gave Rio's and my own little motto. "To the bitter end," she mumbled back. After that, going to bed was surprisingly easy. "Zane," Gabrielle greeted me with a ghostly voice. I had called her and said we needed to talk. "Someone did some poking around on you," I told her, "and as a result, three Mossad agents broke into a false station they had in Peru. Is there anything we need to know about why Israeli Intelligence sent three armed men looking for you?" "Three," she mused. "The back-up squad was outside. Since you made no mention of a grenade, I assume they wanted me alive. What are the odds of them tracing the search back to Freedom Fellowship?" As she talked, she sat down on the bed next to me, next to my hip. "Since I have no clue as to what resources they can bring to bear, I would feel safe enough remaining here if they were after me," I answered. "What's your next move?" For a reason that went way beyond insane, I suddenly didn't want her to leave. "I wait. I do not have infinite exit plans or resources," she told me. "You are taking this awful well," I noted. "As opposed to wasting energy becoming pointlessly annoyed? You will keep me apprised of further developments," she commanded then rose to leave. "Gabrielle, do you know a guy named Yeong Song?" I blurted out. "I know of him but I've never met him," she stop

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: From Tricksters to True Helpers: Axel and Lina's Election Day Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-11-01-22-34-02-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Det var en krispig höstmorgon i Stockholm.En: It was a crisp autumn morning in Stockholm.Sv: Lönnlöven låg i stora drivor på trottoarerna och rösterna från människor som pratade blandades med ljudet från bussar och bilar.En: Maple leaves lay in large piles on the sidewalks, and the voices of people talking mingled with the sound of buses and cars.Sv: På röstlokalen var det mycket folk.En: At the polling station, there were many people.Sv: Axel och Lina, två oskiljaktiga vänner, stod bredvid varandra i kön.En: Axel and Lina, two inseparable friends, stood next to each other in the queue.Sv: "Jag har en idé," sa Axel med en nöjd glimt i ögonen.En: "I have an idea," said Axel with a satisfied glint in his eyes.Sv: "Låt oss uppleva något nytt idag."En: "Let's experience something new today."Sv: "Som vad?"En: "Like what?"Sv: frågade Lina försiktigt.En: Lina asked cautiously.Sv: Hon kände till Axels benägenhet för att hoppa in i det okända.En: She knew Axel's tendency to jump into the unknown.Sv: "Vi kan lura folk att vi är valvolontärer!"En: "We can trick people into thinking we're election volunteers!"Sv: skrattade Axel.En: laughed Axel.Sv: Lina tittade runt.En: Lina looked around.Sv: Hon såg hur engagerade volontärerna var, klädda i ljusa jackor och med klistermärken på bröstet.En: She saw how dedicated the volunteers were, dressed in bright jackets and with stickers on their chests.Sv: "Det låter lite galet, men okej... varför inte?"En: "That sounds a bit crazy, but okay... why not?"Sv: Hon kunde aldrig motstå Axels äventyr.En: She could never resist Axel's adventures.Sv: När de steg närmare ingången, stannade en äldre dam framför dem.En: As they moved closer to the entrance, an elderly lady stopped in front of them.Sv: "Ursäkta, var kan jag rösta?"En: "Excuse me, where can I vote?"Sv: frågade hon artigt.En: she asked politely.Sv: Axel log brett.En: Axel grinned widely.Sv: "Åh, där borta.En: "Oh, over there.Sv: Vid... eh... bordet med... alla papper!"En: At... uh... the table with... all the papers!"Sv: Han pekade vagt.En: He pointed vaguely.Sv: Lina log ursäktande och viskade, "Vi har ingen aning.En: Lina smiled apologetically and whispered, "We have no idea.Sv: Försök där borta?"En: Try over there?"Sv: Damen nickade misstänksamt men gick vidare.En: The lady nodded suspiciously but went on.Sv: Lina kände hur pulsen slog snabbare.En: Lina felt her pulse quicken.Sv: De kanske skulle råka i trubbel snart.En: They might get into trouble soon.Sv: "Vi borde verkligen lära oss hur man gör det här," viskade hon till Axel.En: "We should really learn how to do this," she whispered to Axel.Sv: Axel ryckte på axlarna.En: Axel shrugged.Sv: "Var är ditt äventyr, Lina?En: "Where's your sense of adventure, Lina?Sv: Vi klarar oss."En: We'll be fine."Sv: Efter några minuter kom en riktig valofficer fram till dem.En: After a few minutes, a real election officer approached them.Sv: Han såg konfunderad ut.En: He looked puzzled.Sv: "Har ni tappat bort era namnskyltar, eller?"En: "Have you lost your name tags, or what?"Sv: Axel skrattade besvärligt.En: Axel laughed awkwardly.Sv: "Vi... eh... hjälper till... på vårt eget sätt."En: "We're... uh... helping out... in our own way."Sv: Lina rodnade.En: Lina blushed.Sv: "Vi är bara förvirrade, faktiskt."En: "We're just confused, actually."Sv: Valofficeren skrattade och klappade dem på axeln.En: The election officer laughed and patted them on the shoulder.Sv: "Ni vet, ni kunde hjälpa på riktigt.En: "You know, you could really help out.Sv: Vi behöver alltid fler händer."En: We always need more hands."Sv: Lina och Axel såg på varandra och skrattade.En: Lina and Axel looked at each other and laughed.Sv: "Visst," sa de i kör.En: "Sure," they said in unison.Sv: "Vi kan hjälpa till."En: "We can help."Sv: De riktiga volontärerna visade dem hur man sorterade papper och hur man pekade folk rätt.En: The real volunteers showed them how to sort papers and how to direct people properly.Sv: Axel blev överraskad av hur mycket han faktiskt tyckte om att hjälpa till på riktigt.En: Axel was surprised by how much he actually enjoyed helping out for real.Sv: Lina slappnade av och njöt av dagen, glad över att ha lärt sig något nytt.En: Lina relaxed and enjoyed the day, happy to have learned something new.Sv: När dagen slutade och röstlokalen stängde sina dörrar, kände Axel sig lite mer respektfull mot formella processer.En: When the day ended and the polling station closed its doors, Axel felt a little more respectful towards formal processes.Sv: Lina tänkte att ibland är det bäst att njuta av det som kommer, även om det inte alltid är vad man hade planerat.En: Lina thought that sometimes it's best to enjoy what comes, even if it's not always what you had planned.Sv: Tillsammans vandrade de hem under gatlyktornas varma sken och skrattade åt dagens äventyr.En: Together, they walked home under the warm glow of the street lamps, laughing at the day's adventure. Vocabulary Words:crisp: krispigautumn: höstpiles: drivormingled: blandadesqueue: könsatisfied: nöjdglint: glimtcautiously: försiktigttendency: benägenhetunknown: okändatrick: luraincessant: oskiljaktigaelderly: äldrepolitely: artigtvaguely: vagtapologetically: ursäktandesuspiciously: misstänksamtpulse: pulsentrouble: trubbelofficer: valofficerpuzzled: konfunderadshrugged: ryckte på axlarnarespectful: respektfullprocesses: processerdedicated: engageradevolunteers: volontärerstickers: klistermärkenblushed: rodnadeadventure: äventyrdirect: pekade

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Elsa's Triumph: Finding Her Voice at the Debating Table Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-11-01-07-38-20-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Det var en kylig höstdag vid röstningscentret.En: It was a chilly autumn day at the röstningscentret.Sv: Träden hade klätt sig i höstens allra bästa färger.En: The trees had dressed in autumn's very best colors.Sv: Människor samlades i klungor.En: People gathered in clusters.Sv: Löv prasslade under deras fötter, och luften var fylld av en känsla av allvar och eftertanke.En: Leaves rustled under their feet, and the air was filled with a sense of seriousness and reflection.Sv: Det var Alla helgons dag, och det var också dags för skolornas debattävling om medborgerliga skyldigheter.En: It was Alla helgons dag (All Saints' Day), and it was also time for the schools' debate competition on civic duties.Sv: Elsa stod nära scenen.En: Elsa was standing near the stage.Sv: Hon kände fjärilarna i magen leka fritt.En: She felt butterflies fluttering freely in her stomach.Sv: Henrik, hennes lagkamrat, var lugn och självsäker.En: Henrik, her teammate, was calm and confident.Sv: Han log och klappade henne på axeln.En: He smiled and patted her on the shoulder.Sv: "Vi klarar det här, Elsa," sa han.En: "We can do this, Elsa," he said.Sv: "Lita på dig själv."En: "Believe in yourself."Sv: På andra sidan rummet såg hon Linnea, rivalen från den andra skolan.En: On the other side of the room, she saw Linnea, the rival from the other school.Sv: Linneas tidigare argument hade varit skarpa och välformulerade.En: Linneas previous arguments had been sharp and well-formulated.Sv: Elsa suckade djupt och försökte hålla sin rädsla i schack.En: Elsa sighed deeply and tried to keep her fear in check.Sv: Henrik gick först upp på scenen.En: Henrik was the first to go up on stage.Sv: Han pratade med klar röst om vikten av att rösta och engagera sig i samhället.En: He spoke with a clear voice about the importance of voting and engaging in society.Sv: Publiken nickade instämmande.En: The audience nodded approvingly.Sv: Han avslutade med ett övertygande leende.En: He concluded with a convincing smile.Sv: Elsa kände pressen öka.En: Elsa felt the pressure build.Sv: Nu var det Elsas tur.En: Now it was Elsas's turn.Sv: Hon gick upp på scenen och tog ett djupt andetag.En: She went up on stage and took a deep breath.Sv: Hon började trevande men fann snart sitt tempo.En: She started hesitantly but soon found her rhythm.Sv: Hon delade en personlig berättelse om sin första gång hon röstade.En: She shared a personal story about her first time voting.Sv: Hon berättade om hur hennes farmor alltid talade om vikten av att vara en del av samhället.En: She talked about how her grandmother always talked about the importance of being part of the community.Sv: Elsa kopplade det till aktuella samhällsfrågor, till rörelsen mot mer miljövänliga politiker och till hur varje röst räknas.En: Elsa connected it to current societal issues, to the movement towards more eco-friendly politicians, and to how every vote counts.Sv: Hennes hjärta bultade, men orden flödade.En: Her heart was pounding, but the words flowed.Sv: Publiken lutade sig framåt, och domarna antecknade intensivt.En: The audience leaned forward, and the judges took notes intensely.Sv: När Elsa avslutade sin del, tystnade rummet för en kort stund.En: When Elsa finished her part, the room fell silent for a brief moment.Sv: Sedan bröt applåder ut.En: Then applause erupted.Sv: Henrik log stort och viskade, "Bra jobbat!"En: Henrik smiled broadly and whispered, "Well done!"Sv: När det var dags för resultaten, stod Elsa och Henrik sida vid sida.En: When it was time for the results, Elsa and Henrik stood side by side.Sv: Domarna tackade alla deltagare och förklarade hur viktigt ämnet var.En: The judges thanked all participants and explained how important the topic was.Sv: Sedan kungjorde de att Elsas lag vunnit!En: Then they announced that Elsas team had won!Sv: Elsa kände ett varmt glädjerus.En: Elsa felt a warm rush of joy.Sv: Domarna berömde hennes uppriktighet och hur hon gett debatten en personlig touch.En: The judges praised her sincerity and how she gave the debate a personal touch.Sv: Hon såg på Linnea, som gratulerade henne med ett sportmansleende.En: She looked at Linnea, who congratulated her with a sportsmanlike smile.Sv: Elsa hade övervunnit sin rädsla och visat alla, särskilt sig själv, att hon verkligen klarade det.En: Elsa had overcome her fear and shown everyone, especially herself, that she truly could do it.Sv: När de lämnade röstningscentret, märkte Elsa hur mycket hon vuxit.En: As they left the röstningscentret, Elsa noticed how much she had grown.Sv: Hennes självförtroende var starkare.En: Her confidence was stronger.Sv: Hon förstod nu att hennes egen röst hade makt - både på scenen och i livet.En: She now understood that her own voice had power—both on stage and in life.Sv: Hon skulle aldrig tvivla på sig själv igen.En: She would never doubt herself again.Sv: Med Henrik vid hennes sida kändes framtiden ljusare än någonsin.En: With Henrik by her side, the future felt brighter than ever. Vocabulary Words:chilly: kyligreflection: eftertankefluttering: lekaconfident: självsäkersharp: skarpahesitantly: trevandecurrent: aktuellaeco-friendly: miljövänligapounding: bultadeintensely: intensivtapplause: applådersincerity: uppriktighetcongratulated: gratuleradesportsmanlike: sportmansleendeovercome: övervunnitgrown: vuxitconfidence: självförtroendepower: maktdoubt: tvivladebate: debattcompetitions: debattävlingparticipant: deltagarepersonal: personligclusters: klungorgathered: samladesissues: samhällsfrågorleaned: lutadejudges: domarnaannounced: kungjordenodded: nickade

Michelle Wong, Dani Siller and Bill Sunderland face questions about mobile materials, Swedish signage and anonymous athletes. LATERAL is a comedy panel game podcast about weird questions with wonderful answers, hosted by Tom Scott. For business enquiries, contestant appearances or question submissions, visit https://lateralcast.com. HOST: Tom Scott. QUESTION PRODUCER: David Bodycombe. EDITED BY: Julie Hassett at The Podcast Studios, Dublin. MUSIC: Karl-Ola Kjellholm ('Private Detective'/'Agrumes', courtesy of epidemicsound.com). ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: Rhett Buzon, Peter Gould, CherimoyaZest, Chris Clarke, Adrian Martin, Dylan K., Alan Reep. FORMAT: Pad 26 Limited/Labyrinth Games Ltd. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: David Bodycombe and Tom Scott. © Pad 26 Limited (https://www.pad26.com) / Labyrinth Games Ltd. 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Childcare policy affects all of us at some point in our lives. And depending on where you live, your country's parental leave and early-education policies can determine everything from what you do for a living to how you divide household labor to how you plan for your future. Reporters Maja Stepančič and Uršula Zaletelj took a whirlwind trip across Europe to find out which country does childcare policy best. And even if you don't have kids of your own, we're pretty sure you'll enjoy taking the journey with them. Maja and Uršula are the hosts of the Slovenian-language parenting podcast Šala za starše, or ‘A Joke for Parents'. You can find their show here. This series was fully funded by you, our listeners. Our generous crowdfunders hit our goal within two months, making it possible for us to do extensive reporting fully independently. We couldn't be more grateful. If you're feeling inspired to support The Europeans' ongoing work, please go to patreon.com/europeanspodcast.  Want to support us in another way? Please share this episode with one or two friends who you think might find it interesting. It's the most effective way for us to reach people! Additional resources for this episode:  The Day Iceland Stood Still  UNICEF report on parental leave and family-friendly policies Zoe Williams' Guardian piece “‘These are not numbers – they are people': what ex-communist Slovenia can teach the world about child poverty” 00:00:43 Introducing Uršula Zaletelj and Maja Stepančič 00:05:52 How childcare made this episode about childcare possible 00:13:55 How Icelandic women went on strike and brought the entire country to a halt 00:17:25 A Swedish toddler trouble 00:21:52 Is it best to raise your child in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower? 00:28:26 The longest parental leave in Europe 00:34:54 Italy: La Famiglia Mulino Bianco 00:42:39 No place like home! Written, reported and produced by: Uršula Zaletelj and Maja Stepančič Additional production: Katz Laszlo Editors: Jasmin Baoumy, Katz Laszlo Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Katy Lee, Morgan Childs Sound design: Jesse Lou Lawson Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music and SFX: Jim Barne, Epidemic, FreeSound.org Artwork: RTiiiKA With thanks to everyone that talked to us for this episode: Mathieu Lefèvre, Ana Marija Sikirić Simčic, Martina Pezer, Petra Klasić, Ivona Ivić Lovrenović, Mojca Dominikovič, Katarina Hovfing, Katy Lee, Stephanie Scherer, Dana Thompson, Richard Thompson, Madalina Ion, Corina Parvu, Alenka Švab, Katarina Bogataj, Carlotta Giordano, Giulia Milan, Letizia Mencarini, Maria Rosaria Gualano and Anne Wiebke Peters. And a final, heartfelt thanks to the wonderful professionals who looked after Uršula and Maja's children so they could work on this episode ❤️ YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

In this episode, Amber Borucki, MD from Stanford Medicine, joins Host Sudheer Potru, DO, FASA, FASAM, and Co-Host Zafeer Baber, MD, to discuss acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood. They focus on a significant Swedish study that dispels myths about acetaminophen's links to autism, reinforcing its safety and effectiveness. Dr. Borucki highlights its role in pain management for expectant mothers and children, while the hosts discuss alternatives to opioids, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, and stress the importance of consulting healthcare providers for proper dosing and guidance.About the GuestDr. Amber Borucki is an anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist focused on chronic pain management in children and young adults, particularly after surgery or due to chronic conditions. She earned her medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed her residency at the University of Chicago. Dr. Borucki also underwent fellowships in pediatric anesthesiology and adult/pediatric pain medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham Women's Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. After a year of private practice in Reno, Nevada, she spent five years at UCSF as a pediatric anesthesiologist and the Director of the Pediatric Anesthesia Service at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital.   

A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on October 31st 2025. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio. Presenter/Producer: Kris Boswell.

This Halloween, Forgotten Horror 7 sinks its teeth into one of the most hauntingly beautiful vampire films ever made, "Let the Right One In" (2008).Both Mike Butler and Mike Field are huge fans of this Swedish horror masterpiece. With stunning direction, striking cinematography, and incredible performances, the film redefines what a vampire story can be; blending the supernatural with young love.The Mikes explore how "Let the Right One" In approaches vampire lore in fresh, unexpected ways while telling a much deeper story. They also touch on the inevitable American remake; understanding why it exists, but still questioning why anyone felt the need to remake something already so perfect.Whether you're revisiting it or discovering it for the first time, "Let the Right One" In is the perfect film to close out spooky season: chilling, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. All on a snowy backdrop that's perfect to usher in the winter season.What's your go-to Halloween watch?

This month we are honored to be joined by Georgia de Leeuw who is a post-doctoral researcher in Human Rights Studies at Lund University. Georgia's research has focused on Swedish mining and steel transition, in which steel is produced with hydrogen instead of coal. We start the conversation talking about Swedish exceptionalism and what this means in relation to mining. This opens into a more general discussion of the colonial project and how it has played out in the Nordic context. Within the Nordic context, while colonialism did not often include crossing an ocean, there has still been intense colonial activity in the north and continuing violations of Indigenous rights. We then continue into discussing the role of techno optimism and how extractivism is framed by industry as a positive project, something that is required for development and survival. Georgia looks at advocates and resistance to mining and green steel through the lens of psychoanalysis. Join us for this amazing conversation!Would you like to learn more about Georgia's work? https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/georgia-de-leeuwArtists and other resources mentioned in the show:Reindeer herder and co-author of forthcoming article: Rickard Länta, leading figure in the Sami resistance against mining in Jåhkågasska reindeer herding communityAuthors:Elin Anna Labba, Ann-Helén LaestadiusMovies:Stolen (2024) accessible on Neflix, based on the book by Ann-Helen LaestadiusLet the River Flow (2023)Artists: Anders Sunna, Timimie Märak and Maxida Märak, Sofia Jannok

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Bluff and Revelation: High-Stakes Tale in Stockholm's Underworld Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-10-31-07-38-20-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Lars satt vid pokerbordet, hans ansikte var orubbligt som en stenskulptur.En: Lars sat at the poker table, his face unyielding like a stone sculpture.Sv: Det var en kall höstkväll i Stockholm, och underground-klubben var fylld av tävlingsnerver och cigarettrök.En: It was a cold autumn evening in Stockholm, and the underground club was filled with competition nerves and cigarette smoke.Sv: I luften kändes en surrande spänning, förstärkt av den dämpade belysningen och Halloween-kostymerna som distraherade betraktarna.En: A buzzing tension filled the air, enhanced by the dim lighting and the Halloween costumes that distracted the spectators.Sv: Astrid satt mitt emot Lars.En: Astrid sat across from Lars.Sv: Hon såg ut som en del av spelet, lugn och fokuserad.En: She looked like part of the game, calm and focused.Sv: För henne var detta mer än bara ett pokerspel.En: For her, this was more than just a poker game.Sv: Detta var chansen att visa sin talang och bevisa något för sin far.En: This was a chance to showcase her talent and prove something to her father.Sv: Han var en legendarisk spelare och det hade alltid kastat en lång skugga över hennes ambitioner.En: He was a legendary player, and it had always cast a long shadow over her ambitions.Sv: Kort delades ut och chipsen klirrade tyst mot bordet.En: Cards were dealt, and the chips clinked quietly against the table.Sv: Lars kastade en snabb blick på sina kort.En: Lars cast a quick glance at his cards.Sv: Han hade en plan.En: He had a plan.Sv: Men trycket från hans skuld gnagde på hans tankar.En: But the pressure from his debt gnawed at his thoughts.Sv: Han behövde vinna.En: He needed to win.Sv: Det fanns ingen plan B för honom.En: There was no plan B for him.Sv: Astrid, å andra sidan, fokuserade sina instinkter på varje detalj.En: Astrid, on the other hand, focused her instincts on every detail.Sv: Hon såg hur Lars blev stel och hörde hur hans andetag blev något kortare.En: She saw how Lars became stiff and heard how his breathing became slightly shorter.Sv: Något var där, en brist i hans annars obrutna pokeransikte.En: Something was there, a flaw in his otherwise unbroken poker face.Sv: Spelet fortskred, och de två utmärkte sig bland de andra skickliga spelarna.En: The game progressed, and the two distinguished themselves among the other skilled players.Sv: Det var en duell, en dans mellan tolkningar och beslut som verkligen skulle pröva deras nerver.En: It was a duel, a dance between interpretations and decisions that would truly test their nerves.Sv: I ett kritiskt ögonblick, kände Lars en chans att bluffa.En: In a critical moment, Lars sensed a chance to bluff.Sv: Han satsade stort, trots att hans hand var långt ifrån stark.En: He bet big, despite his hand being far from strong.Sv: Astrid tvekade.En: Astrid hesitated.Sv: Hon hade en svag hand men kände att Lars agerade impulsivt, inte strategiskt.En: She had a weak hand but felt that Lars was acting impulsively, not strategically.Sv: Hon följde sin magkänsla och synade hans satsning.En: She followed her gut feeling and called his bet.Sv: Med en knappt märkbar triumf i hennes ögon, lade hon sina kort på bordet.En: With a barely noticeable triumph in her eyes, she laid her cards on the table.Sv: Lars suckade tungt.En: Lars sighed heavily.Sv: Hans bluff blev avslöjad, hans svaga hand synad för världen att se.En: His bluff was exposed, his weak hand laid bare for the world to see.Sv: Med den sista handlingen, avslutades spelet.En: With that final move, the game concluded.Sv: Astrid hade vunnit.En: Astrid had won.Sv: Applåder och gratulationer fyllde rummet.En: Applause and congratulations filled the room.Sv: För Lars, även om han förlorat, kom en oväntad lättnad.En: For Lars, even though he had lost, an unexpected relief came.Sv: Hans hemlighet var ute, men han insåg samtidigt att han nu hade en chans till nystart utan lögner.En: His secret was out, but he realized at the same time that he now had a chance for a fresh start without lies.Sv: Astrid kände ett nytt självförtroende växa.En: Astrid felt a new confidence growing.Sv: Hon hade bevisat något för sig själv och för alla närvarande.En: She had proven something to herself and to all present.Sv: Hon visste att hennes fars skugga inte längre dämpade hennes egen lysande talang.En: She knew that her father's shadow no longer dimmed her own brilliant talent.Sv: Med en efterklang av viss tillfredsställelse, insåg Lars vikten av ärlighet.En: With an echo of some satisfaction, Lars realized the importance of honesty.Sv: Astrid log mot honom, och i hennes blick såg han respekten för den nya generationens skicklighet.En: Astrid smiled at him, and in her gaze, he saw respect for the new generation's skill.Sv: Drömmar kan förändra livet, men det är hur vi spelar spelet som verkligen räknas.En: Dreams can change life, but it is how we play the game that truly counts. Vocabulary Words:unyielding: orubbligtsculpture: stenskulpturbuzzing: surrandetension: spänningdim: dämpadeshowcase: visalegendary: legendariskambitions: ambitionerdealt: deladesclinked: klirradepressure: trycketgnawed: gnagdeinstincts: instinkterstiff: stelflaw: bristprogressed: fortskreddistinguished: utmärkteduel: duellinterpretations: tolkningardecisions: beslutnerves: nervercritical: kritisktbluff: bluffaimpulsively: impulsivtstrategically: strategiskthesitated: tvekadetriumph: triumfexposed: avslöjadrelief: lättnadhonesty: ärlighet

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Whispers of the Past: Unveiling Halloween's Hidden Truth Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-10-31-22-34-02-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Skogen viskade mystiska ord när höstvinden lekte med grenarna ovanför den mysiga stugan.En: The forest whispered mysterious words as the autumn wind played with the branches above the cozy cabin.Sv: Varje år, under Halloween-helgen, samlades Lars, Ingrid och Oskar här.En: Every year, during the Halloween-weekend, Lars, Ingrid, and Oskar gathered here.Sv: För dem var det en tid för skratt, berättelser och vänskap.En: For them, it was a time for laughter, stories, and friendship.Sv: Men detta år skulle bli annorlunda.En: But this year would be different.Sv: Lars såg ut genom fönstret.En: Lars looked out the window.Sv: "Det verkar lugnt," mumlade han.En: "It seems calm," he murmured.Sv: Men det fanns något i luften denna natt, något han inte kunde förklara.En: But there was something in the air that night, something he couldn't explain.Sv: Ingrid stod vid spisen och rörde i en gryta.En: Ingrid stood by the stove, stirring a pot.Sv: "Oskar, berätta mer om denna plats," sa hon och log.En: "Oskar, tell us more about this place," she said with a smile.Sv: "Är det inte så att den här stugan har gamla hemligheter?"En: "Isn't it true that this cabin has old secrets?"Sv: Oskar höjde ögonbrynen.En: Oskar raised an eyebrow.Sv: "Så klart, denna stuga är full av historia.En: "Of course, this cabin is full of history.Sv: Folk säger att ett gammalt spöke beskyddar den," svarade han med ett litet leende.En: People say that an old ghost protects it," he replied with a small smile.Sv: Lars suckade.En: Lars sighed.Sv: "Det är bara gamla rykten.En: "Those are just old rumors.Sv: Det finns alltid en logisk förklaring."En: There's always a logical explanation."Sv: Men just då slocknade ljusen.En: But just then, the lights went out.Sv: Mörkret var kompakt och skrämmande.En: The darkness was dense and frightening.Sv: Ett svagt ljus från kaminen var det enda som satte sin prägel på rummen i stugan.En: A faint light from the fireplace was the only thing that marked the rooms in the cabin.Sv: "Det där var konstigt," sa Ingrid medan hon försökte hitta en ficklampa.En: "That was strange," Ingrid said as she tried to find a flashlight.Sv: "Det har aldrig hänt förut."En: "This has never happened before."Sv: Lars kramade sin penna hårdare.En: Lars gripped his pen tighter.Sv: Plötsligt hördes ett svagt ljud från golvbrädorna, något som verkade komma underifrån.En: Suddenly, a faint sound was heard from the floorboards, something that seemed to come from underneath.Sv: "Vi måste undersöka," beslöt han.En: "We have to investigate," he decided.Sv: Med beslutsamhet i blicken, och med Oskar och Ingrid tätt bakom sig, började Lars söka genom stugan.En: With determination in his eyes, and with Oskar and Ingrid closely behind him, Lars began to search through the cabin.Sv: De sökte efter ledtrådar, viskningar från det förflutna.En: They searched for clues, whispers from the past.Sv: Till slut, bakom en gammal bokhylla, fann de en liten dörr.En: Finally, behind an old bookshelf, they found a small door.Sv: Inom dörrens gömda rum låg gamla dagböcker och artefakter i glömskans damm.En: Within the door's hidden room lay old diaries and artifacts in the dust of oblivion.Sv: De öppnade en dammig dagbok, dess sidor fyllda med berättelser om mystiska händelser.En: They opened a dusty diary, its pages filled with stories of mysterious events.Sv: "Det verkar som att den tidigare ägaren också upplevde märkliga saker här under Halloween," konstaterade Lars, med nyfikenheten väckt.En: "It seems like the previous owner also experienced strange things here during Halloween," Lars noted, his curiosity piqued.Sv: När nattens förtrollning till sist bleknade och solen åter steg, insåg Lars att det inte alltid fanns en enkel förklaring.En: As the night's enchantment finally faded and the sun rose again, Lars realized that there wasn't always a simple explanation.Sv: Ibland, tänkte han, var det magiska lika verkligt som det påtagliga.En: Sometimes, he thought, the magical was as real as the tangible.Sv: Han såg på Ingrid och Oskar och log.En: He looked at Ingrid and Oskar and smiled.Sv: De hade gemensamt knutit ihop historia med nuet, logik med mystik.En: They had collectively tied history with the present, logic with mysticism.Sv: Så, under den nya gryningen, lämnade de stugan med en ny förståelse för varandras perspektiv.En: So, under the new dawn, they left the cabin with a new understanding of each other's perspectives.Sv: Kanske hade Oskar rätt, tänkte Lars med ett nytt ljus i sina ögon.En: Maybe Oskar was right, Lars thought with a new light in his eyes.Sv: Ibland är det fantastiska bara ett annat sätt att se på världen, att uppskatta dess mysterier.En: Sometimes the fantastic is just another way to look at the world, to appreciate its mysteries.Sv: Och från den dagen såg han alltid fram emot nästa Halloween-samling med lite mer öppenhet i sitt hjärta.En: And from that day on, he always looked forward to the next Halloween gathering with a little more openness in his heart. Vocabulary Words:whispered: viskademysterious: mystiskaautumn: höstgathered: samladeslaughter: skrattmurmured: mumladestove: spisstirring: rördesecrets: hemlighetereyebrow: ögonbrynghost: spökerumors: ryktenfrightening: skrämmandefireplace: kaminflashlight: ficklampagripped: kramadeunderneath: underifråndetermination: beslutsamhetsearch: sökaclues: ledtrådarartifacts: artefakteroblivion: glömskadiary: dagbokevents: händelserenchantment: förtrollningtangible: påtagligtperspective: perspektivappreciate: uppskattamysteries: mysterieropenness: öppenhet

The EU Council insists that the EU must leave next month's COP30 climate summit in Brazil with a clear path forward to keeping a lid on 1.5°C of warming. But is that target already out of reach? Our guest says that the world is actually on course for 2.9°C of warming, and that the international community is failing to live up to the promise of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement. Isabella Lövin is a prominent Green MEP, a former minister for the environment and climate in the Swedish government, a former minister for international development cooperation, and a former deputy prime minister of Sweden.

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This month we are so excited to have the extremely talented Casting Director, Shakyra Dowling, join our Modern Class of Casting Visionaries segment!Shakyra Dowling is a London based casting director renowned for her commitment to championing emerging and diverse talent. With a career spanning over a decade, she has significantly contributed to both independent British cinema and international co-productions. Her casting expertise has been integral to projects that have garnered nominations and accolades at prestigious platforms such as the BAFTAs, BIFAs, Berlinale, Sundance, and TIFF. She has also been recognised with multiple nominations and wins from the Casting Society of America's Artios Awards.Notable work includes Hammarskjöld: Fight for Peace (2023), a Swedish biopic directed by Per Fly and featuring Mikael Persbrandt. She also cast Wolf (2021), directed by Nathalie Biancheri, with George MacKay, Lily-Rose Depp and Paddy Considine and soon to be released Desperate Journey, directed by Annabel Jankel (Tell it to the Bees), featuring Til Schweiger, Clara Rugaard and Sienna Guillory.Shakyra recently collaborated with Peter Greenaway on his latest feature Lucca Mortis, casting Dustin Hoffman and Helen Hunt. In TIFF 2025 is Gandhi Before India, a major TV series filming across the UK and India, with a huge cast including Tom Felton and James Murray.Make sure to subscribe, rate and review! Follow us @tipsycastingResources: Shakyra's IMDBShakyra Dowling Casting WebsiteShakyra's Instagram────────────────────────────⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay Tuned with Tipsy Casting on IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tipsy Casting YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Jessica ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Jenn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More About ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠& ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenn's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Casting Journeys ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Casting Life Away Merch here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twisted Sister at a young age can turn you into a metal singer! This week's guest on Discover New Music is Joakim Brodén of Sabaton. The band's 11th studio album "Legends" is full of...you guess it...legends! From Joan of Arc to Vlad the Impaler, Brodén talks about matching music to history and telling epics through metal...which isn't an easy task. Plus, Brodén talks history the band tries to stay away from and one historical figure he wished would've made the album. We also find out if competitive pinball is in his future. And make sure you don't miss a Swedish themed Rapid Fire...with a Stolkholm vs. Gottenburge rivalry!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Autumn's Revelation: When Teamwork Triumphs Over Ambition Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-10-30-07-38-20-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Det var en livlig höstdag på det stora företagskontoret.En: It was a lively autumn day at the large corporate office.Sv: Löv låg spridda utanför fönstren och Halloween-dekorationerna skimrade i svart och orange över skrivborden.En: Leaves lay scattered outside the windows, and Halloween decorations shimmered in black and orange over the desks.Sv: Elin, en engagerad projektledare, kände stressen krypa i sig.En: Elin, a dedicated project manager, felt the stress creeping in.Sv: Det var dagen för hennes stora presentation, en chans att få den efterlängtade befordran hon behövde för att säkra sin familjs framtid.En: It was the day of her big presentation, a chance to secure the long-awaited promotion she needed to ensure her family's future.Sv: Ludvig, hennes kollega, satt mittemot.En: Ludvig, her colleague, sat opposite her.Sv: Han var alltid avslappnad och hade ett lugn över sig som Elin ibland avundades.En: He was always relaxed and had a calmness about him that Elin sometimes envied.Sv: Ludvig hade en hemlighet: han hade känslor för Elin, men visste inte hur han skulle berätta.En: Ludvig had a secret: he had feelings for Elin, but he didn't know how to tell her.Sv: Kontoret var extra upptaget denna dag, och en doft av pumpa och kanel svävade genom luften från de Halloween-bakverk som stod i ett hörn.En: The office was especially busy this day, and a scent of pumpkin and cinnamon wafted through the air from the Halloween pastries in a corner.Sv: Plötsligt hördes ett ljudligt hostande från en av kollegorna vid fikahörnan.En: Suddenly, a loud cough was heard from one of the colleagues by the coffee corner.Sv: "Det är allergi!"En: "It's an allergy!"Sv: ropade någon, och rummet fylldes av oro.En: someone shouted, and the room filled with concern.Sv: Elin tittade mot hostningen.En: Elin looked towards the coughing.Sv: Hennes tid var dyrbar, presentationen skulle börja om bara några minuter.En: Her time was precious; the presentation would start in just a few minutes.Sv: Hon kämpade med tanken.En: She wrestled with the thought.Sv: Men Ludvig kastade en blick mot henne, hans ögon talade tydligt: "Vi måste hjälpa."En: But Ludvig cast a glance at her, his eyes clearly saying: "We have to help."Sv: "Jag hjälper," sa Elin och skyndade till kollegan.En: "I'll help," said Elin, hurrying to the colleague.Sv: Ludvig, alltid snabb att tänka, tog hennes plats vid datorn.En: Ludvig, always quick to think, took her place at the computer.Sv: "Jag fixar de sista detaljerna," försäkrade han henne.En: "I'll fix the last details," he assured her.Sv: Kollegan, vars ögon tårades av allergin, lugnade snabbt ner sig tack vare Elins och några andra medarbetares insatser.En: The colleague, whose eyes were tearing up from the allergy, quickly calmed down thanks to Elin's and some other coworkers' efforts.Sv: Under tiden gick Ludvig igenom presentationen, hans röst fast och säker.En: Meanwhile, Ludvig went through the presentation, his voice firm and confident.Sv: Elin återvände precis i tid för att se Ludvig avsluta presentationen.En: Elin returned just in time to see Ludvig finish the presentation.Sv: Hans ögon mötte hennes när applåd svepte genom rummet.En: His eyes met hers as applause swept through the room.Sv: När allt var över och kollegans hälsa stabiliserats, samlades Elin och Ludvig vid fönstret.En: When everything was over and the colleague's health had stabilized, Elin and Ludvig gathered by the window.Sv: "Tack, Ludvig," sa Elin med ett varmt leende.En: "Thank you, Ludvig," said Elin with a warm smile.Sv: "Du räddade verkligen dagen."En: "You really saved the day."Sv: Ludvig rodnade svagt men log tillbaka.En: Ludvig blushed slightly but smiled back.Sv: "Vi är ett bra team," svarade han.En: "We're a good team," he replied.Sv: Den dagen fick Elin en värdefull läxa.En: That day, Elin learned a valuable lesson.Sv: Empati och teamwork var viktigare än individuell framgång.En: Empathy and teamwork were more important than individual success.Sv: Hon insåg också att Ludvig var mer än bara en kollega.En: She also realized that Ludvig was more than just a colleague.Sv: Kanske fanns det något speciellt mellan dem, något som kunde växa med tiden.En: Perhaps there was something special between them, something that could grow over time. Vocabulary Words:lively: livligautumn: höstcorporate: företagsscattered: spriddashimmered: skimradededicated: engageradcreeping: krypacolleague: kollegarelaxed: avslappnadenvied: avundadesbusy: upptagetscent: doftcinnamon: kanelwafted: svävadecough: hostandeconcern: orotearing: tåradesefforts: insatserconfident: säkerswept: svepteapplause: applådgathered: samladesblushed: rodnadevaluable: värdefulllesson: läxaempathy: empatiindividual: individuellsuccess: framgångrealized: insågspecial: speciellt

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: From Masks to Meaning: A Halloween Tale of New Beginnings Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-10-30-22-34-02-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Hösten hade svept över staden med sina gyllene löv och kyliga vindar.En: The autumn had swept over the city with its golden leaves and chilly winds.Sv: I ett kontor, dekorerat med skräckinjagande pumpor och spindelväv inför Halloween, arbetade Elin och Johan.En: In an office decorated with spooky pumpkins and cobwebs in preparation for Halloween, Elin and Johan were working.Sv: Elin, en hängiven projektledare, kände att hennes liv saknade något.En: Elin, a dedicated project manager, felt that something was missing in her life.Sv: Johan, nyinflyttad mjukvaruutvecklare från en liten ort, längtade efter att finna sin plats i den stora staden.En: Johan, a newcomer software developer from a small town, longed to find his place in the big city.Sv: På företaget hade trycket av deadlines och möten alltid legat som en tung filt över Elin, och hon undvek att blanda arbete med personlig liv.En: At the company, the pressure of deadlines and meetings always lay like a heavy blanket over Elin, and she avoided mixing work with personal life.Sv: Johan, å sin sida, kämpade för att bryta igenom hennes professionella skal, och visste inte hur han skulle visa att han ville något mer än bara vänskap.En: Johan, on his part, struggled to break through her professional shell and didn't know how to show that he wanted something more than just friendship.Sv: När Halloween-festen närmade sig, tvekade Elin först om hon skulle gå.En: As the Halloween party approached, Elin hesitated at first about attending.Sv: Hon mindes tidigare erfarenheter av arbetsplatsrelationer som blivit komplicerade.En: She remembered past experiences with workplace relationships that had become complicated.Sv: Men insikten om att hon behövde förändring fick henne att ta mod till sig.En: But the realization that she needed change gave her the courage.Sv: Hon drog på sig en häxdräkt, en symbol för förvandling och vilja till äventyr.En: She put on a witch costume, a symbol of transformation and willingness for adventure.Sv: Festen var i full gång, med kollegor som minglade i sina finurliga kostymer, medan ett paralysliknande hus och kusliga ljus spelades i bakgrunden.En: The party was in full swing, with colleagues mingling in their clever costumes, while a haunted house and eerie lights played in the background.Sv: Johan, klädd som en vampyr, höll sig vid ett hörn av rummet, han spanade efter Elin.En: Johan, dressed as a vampire, kept to one corner of the room, watching for Elin.Sv: När de två till slut träffades, hittade de varandra bakom maskerna och började prata.En: When the two finally met, they found each other behind the masks and began to talk.Sv: Deras samtal blev snabbt ärligt, där de delade sina rädslor och önskningar.En: Their conversation quickly became honest, where they shared their fears and desires.Sv: Det var något befriande i att prata så öppenhjärtigt, skyddade av kostymernas anonymitet.En: There was something liberating about talking so openly, protected by the anonymity of the costumes.Sv: Elin insåg att Johan inte var som de andra.En: Elin realized that Johan was not like the others.Sv: Han ville förstå henne, stödja henne.En: He wanted to understand her, to support her.Sv: Johan, å sin sida, såg en person bakom projektledarfasaden, en kvinna som sökte mening och värme.En: Johan, on his part, saw a person behind the project manager facade, a woman seeking meaning and warmth.Sv: De bestämde sig för att utforska vad ett förhållande utanför jobbet kunde innebära.En: They decided to explore what a relationship outside of work could mean.Sv: Nästa helg skulle de promenera i parken, där de skulle kunna prata mer utan kontorets pressande närvaro.En: The next weekend, they would take a walk in the park, where they could talk more without the office's pressing presence.Sv: Elin kände hur en vikt lyftes från hennes axlar.En: Elin felt a weight lift from her shoulders.Sv: Balansen mellan arbetet och hennes personliga liv kunde kanske uppnås trots allt.En: The balance between work and her personal life could perhaps be achieved after all.Sv: Johan fann styrka i att tro på sig själv, att kunna börja om från början i en ny stad.En: Johan found strength in believing in himself, in being able to start over in a new city.Sv: Och så, den där kvällen på kontoret fyllt av höstens skönhet, började Elin och Johan en ny del av sina liv, omgivna av doften av pumpor och ljudet av första stegen mot något nytt.En: And so, that evening in an office filled with the beauty of autumn, Elin and Johan began a new chapter of their lives, surrounded by the scent of pumpkins and the sound of first steps towards something new. Vocabulary Words:autumn: höstenswept: sveptgolden: gyllenechilly: kyligadecorated: dekoreratspooky: skräckinjagandecobwebs: spindelvävdedicated: hängivennewcomer: nyinflyttadstruggled: kämpadepressure: trycketavoided: undvekhesitated: tvekaderealization: insiktentransformation: förvandlingwillingness: viljaadventure: äventyrparty: festenmingling: mingladehaunted house: paralysliknande huseerie: kusligamasks: maskernaconversation: samtalhonest: ärligtliberating: befriandeanonymity: anonymitetsupport: stödjafacade: fasadenseeking: sökteweight lift: vikt lyftes

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 30ú lá de mí Dheireadh Fómhair, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1971 shábháil siad leanbh agus páistí a bhí ag screadach ó bhloc árasán a bhí trí thine I mBaile Átha Cliath. I 2009 fuair turasóir mála droma aois 23 ó Éirinn, bás san Astráil tar éis ionsaí uafásach. I 1971 chúisigh beirt dhuine óg ag an chúirt de bharr gur ghoid siad 3 charr agus d'úsáid siad iad gan aon árachas agus ceadúnas tiomána. I 1987 bhí agóid ag tarlú in Inis I gcoinne comhairle chontae an chláir de bharr an mhéadú de na táillí uisce. Sin Cheryl Cole le Fight For This Love – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 2009. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1963 ar an lá deireanach den turas ceoil, thaifead The Beatles píosa don chlár Drop In I Stócólm. Chan siad She Loves You, Twist and Shout, I Saw Her Standing There agus Long Tall Sally. I 1967 thaifead Tyrannosaurus Rex seisiúin do stáisiúin raidió sa Bhreatain don chlár Top Gear. Bhí siad an chéad ghrúpa chun é a dhéanamh gan conradh taifeadta. Agus ar deireadh breithlá daoine cáiliúla ar an lá seo rugadh Diego Maradona san Airgintín I 1960 agus rugadh aisteoir Matthew Morrison I Meiriceá ar an lá seo I 1978 agus seo chuid de na rudaí a rinne sé. Beidh mé ar ais libh amárach le heagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo. Welcome back to another edition of Ar An Lá Seo on the 30th of October, with me Lauren Ní Loingsigh 1971: Screaming children and babies in arms were snatched to safety from a blazing flat in Dublin. 2009 a 23 year old Irish backpacker died in an Australian hospital following a vicious assault. 1971: 2 youths were charged at the local court with stealing 3 cars and with using the cars without a driving license or insurance. 1987: A public protest over Clare county council's one hundred per cent increase for domestic water supplies was held outside Ennis courthouse. That was Cheryl Cole with Fight for this Love – the biggest song on this day in 2009 Onto music news on this day In 1963 On the final day of their Swedish tour, The Beatles recorded an appearance for the Sverige Television program ‘Drop In' in Stockholm. They performed ‘She Loves You', ‘Twist and Shout', ‘I Saw Her Standing There', and ‘Long Tall Sally.' 1967 Tyrannosaurus Rex recorded a session for the UK Radio 1 'Top Gear' show, the first group to do so without a recording contract. And finally celebrity birthdays on this day – soccer player Diego Maradona was born in Argentina in 1960 and actor Matthew Morrison was born in America on this day in 1978 and this is some of the things he has done. I'll be back with you tomorrow with another edition of Ar An Lá Seo.

Swedish engineering company Sandvik says the global transition to sustainability faces a major challenge: while technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels depend on “clean” minerals, the demand for materials like copper, nickel, and lithium is rapidly outpacing supply.To draw attention to the source of these essential resources, Sandvik has introduced the eNimon, or Nomine car. More than 90 percent of an average EV's components originate from mined materials, but the eNimon is built entirely without metal or minerals—if you didn't catch it eNimon is “no mine” spelled backwards.

The power grid's numerous substations require large amounts of hardware components and metals such as copper.Gothenburg-based EcoPhi was born out of CEO and founder Ebrahim Balouji's research at Chalmers University of Technology, and today the company offers a combination of harmonizing hardware and AI-driven software.The aim is to digitalize the power system in order to enhance safety and monitoring, reduce resource use, improve energy efficiency, and facilitate the integration of renewable energy.Heja Framtiden has a paid collaboration with the competition Startup 4 Climate, and EcoPhi is one of eight finalists that will pitch in front of the jury on 13th of November in Stockholm. Podcast host: Christian von Essen // Learn more at hejaframtiden.se and subscribe to the newsletter (in Swedish).

What do a barracks from British troops in the Falkland War, a floating jail of the Bronx, and temporary housing for VWF workers in Germany have in common? Well according to our next guest, Ian Kumekawa, they have all inhabited one Swedish barge built in 1979. Now, the barge has so many names, the author calls it “The Vessel.” The book is called “Empty Vessel: The Story of the Global Economy in One Barge.”

A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on October 29th 2025. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio. Presenter/Producer: Kris Boswell.

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Unmasking Courage: A Halloween Party Surprise Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-10-29-22-34-02-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Det var en kylig höstkväll.En: It was a chilly autumn evening.Sv: Löven låg som en färgglad matta över trottoarerna i det lilla, välordnade grindsamhället.En: The leaves lay like a colorful carpet over the sidewalks in the small, well-organized grindsamhälle.Sv: Klubbhuset, där Halloween-festen hölls, var upplyst av pumpalampor och stearinljus som flimrade i mörkret.En: The clubhouse, where the Halloween party was held, was illuminated by pumpkin lamps and flickering candles in the darkness.Sv: Kvällen lovade spänning och skräck – på det roligaste sättet förstås.En: The evening promised excitement and fear—in the most fun way, of course.Sv: Lars stod i hörnet av rummet, nervös och obekväm.En: Lars stood in the corner of the room, nervous and uncomfortable.Sv: Han hade nyligen flyttat hit med sin fru och kände sig fortfarande som en främling bland sina grannar.En: He had recently moved here with his wife and still felt like a stranger among his neighbors.Sv: Men för Annika, den energiska och vänliga grannen, ville han stanna lite längre, även om han helst av allt ville smita iväg och gömma sig i sitt bekväma, välbekanta hem.En: But for Annika, the energetic and friendly neighbor, he wanted to stay a little longer, even though he most of all wanted to slip away and hide in his comfortable, familiar home.Sv: Annika, klädd i en häxdräkt, log stort och rörde sig smidigt genom folkmassan, säker i sitt element.En: Annika, dressed in a witch costume, smiled broadly and moved smoothly through the crowd, confident in her element.Sv: Hon hade planerat den här festen i veckor.En: She had been planning this party for weeks.Sv: Kvällen skulle bli oförglömlig – det var vad hon hade lovat alla.En: The evening would be unforgettable—that was what she had promised everyone.Sv: Johan, grindsamhällets lite mystiska säkerhetsvakt, stod vid dörren i sin uniform.En: Johan, the grindsamhälle's somewhat mysterious security guard, stood at the door in his uniform.Sv: Han hade en gåtfull utstrålning, och det gick rykten om hans koppling till det mystiska strömavbrotten som ibland drabbade området.En: He had an enigmatic aura, and there were rumors about his connection to the mysterious power outages that sometimes plagued the area.Sv: Men när lamporna plötsligt släcktes och musiken dog ut, blev salen full av förvirring och oroliga röster.En: But when the lights suddenly went out, and the music died, the hall was full of confusion and worried voices.Sv: "Vad händer nu?"En: "What's happening now?"Sv: ropade någon.En: someone shouted.Sv: Annika skrattade nervöst och försökte lugna alla.En: Annika laughed nervously and tried to calm everyone.Sv: "Det är bara en del av showen," sa hon med en glimt i ögat.En: "It's just part of the show," she said with a glint in her eye.Sv: Lars, som precis hade samlat mod att kanske säga några ord till sina nya grannar, kände paniken växa inom sig.En: Lars, who had just gathered the courage to perhaps say a few words to his new neighbors, felt the panic rising within him.Sv: Johan, å sin sida, insåg att det var dags att agera.En: Johan, on the other hand, realized it was time to act.Sv: Med en ursäktande nick till Annika lämnade Johan sin post och smög tyst ut i mörkret.En: With an apologetic nod to Annika, Johan left his post and quietly slipped out into the darkness.Sv: Han måste hitta källan till strömavbrottet, även om det betydde att riskera sina hemligheter.En: He had to find the source of the power outage, even if it meant risking his secrets.Sv: Lars såg Johan försvinna ut genom dörren.En: Lars watched Johan disappear through the door.Sv: En inre kamp snurrade inom honom.En: An internal struggle churned within him.Sv: Skulle han försöka hjälpa till?En: Should he try to help?Sv: Han hade alltid varit försiktig, men någonstans inom sig ville han visa mod.En: He had always been cautious, but somewhere within him, he wanted to show courage.Sv: Utanför klubbhuset hördes Johans dämpade fotsteg.En: Outside the clubhouse, Johan's muffled footsteps could be heard.Sv: Mörkret omgav honom, men han visste vart han var på väg – till det lilla huset där generatorn fanns.En: Darkness surrounded him, but he knew where he was headed—to the little house where the generator was.Sv: När han kom närmare hörde han ett svagt surrande ljud – generatorn höll på att överhettas.En: As he got closer, he heard a faint buzzing sound—the generator was overheating.Sv: Precis när han gick in, frös Johan till.En: Just as he entered, Johan froze.Sv: Det sprakade och rök började stiga.En: There was sparking, and smoke began to rise.Sv: Plötsligt stod Lars bakom honom, all nervositet som bortblåst.En: Suddenly, Lars stood behind him, all nervousness gone.Sv: "Låt mig hjälpa," sa han enkelt.En: "Let me help," he said simply.Sv: Tillsammans lyckades de stänga av generatorn precis innan den fattade eld.En: Together, they managed to turn off the generator just before it caught fire.Sv: Hjärtat i halsgropen lyckades de få igång den igen, och snart strömmade ljuset tillbaka in i klubbhuset.En: With hearts in their throats, they managed to get it going again, and soon the light flowed back into the clubhouse.Sv: Gästerna jublade, musiken började spela och festen fick nytt liv.En: The guests cheered, the music began to play, and the party came back to life.Sv: Annika, lättad och tacksam, tackade Lars för hans mod.En: Annika, relieved and grateful, thanked Lars for his courage.Sv: "Du är vår hjälte ikväll!"En: "You're our hero tonight!"Sv: sa hon med ett leende som förenade dem alla.En: she said with a smile that united them all.Sv: Johan och Lars delade en tyst förståelse utanför strålkastarnas ljus.En: Johan and Lars shared a silent understanding outside the spotlight.Sv: "Tack," mumlade Johan, med ögonen stilla och uppskattande.En: "Thank you," Johan murmured, his eyes calm and appreciative.Sv: Hemligheterna var inte alla borta, men förtroendet hade börjat växa.En: The secrets weren't all gone, but trust had begun to grow.Sv: Lars, nu omgiven av leenden och värme, kände en ny säkerhet.En: Lars, now surrounded by smiles and warmth, felt a new security.Sv: Kanske var det så här att verkligen höra till.En: Maybe this was what it was like to truly belong.Sv: Festen fortsatte, men skuggan av mörkret hade försvunnit.En: The party continued, but the shadow of darkness had vanished.Sv: Hjärtan var öppna, och natten hade blivit en att minnas.En: Hearts were open, and the night had become one to remember. Vocabulary Words:chilly: kyligautumn: höstsidewalks: trottoarernailluminated: upplystflickering: flimradeexcitement: spänningnervous: nervösuncomfortable: obekvämstranger: främlingslip away: smita ivägfamiliar: välbekantaenergetic: energiskabroadly: stortsmoothly: smidigtunforgettable: oförglömligmysterious: mystiskaenigmatic: gåtfullpower outages: strömavbrottenplagued: drabbadeconfusion: förvirringapologetic: ursäktandequietly: tystchurned: snurradeinternal: inreoverheating: överhettassparking: sprakadebuzzing: surrandehearts in their throats: hjärtat i halsgropencheered: jubladerelieved: lättad

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Unexpected Bonds: A Halloween Night in Stockholm Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-10-29-07-38-20-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Det var en krispig höstkväll i Stockholm.En: It was a crisp autumn evening in Stockholm.Sv: Gårdarna blinkade i all sin Halloween-glans.En: The yards glittered in all their Halloween splendor.Sv: Barn i dräkter sprang omkring med högljudda skratt och pumpor lyste varmt i mörkret.En: Children in costumes ran around with loud laughter, and pumpkins glowed warmly in the darkness.Sv: I det avgränsade området där Lars och Elsa bodde, var stämningen både mystisk och inbjudande.En: In the secluded area where Lars and Elsa lived, the atmosphere was both mysterious and inviting.Sv: "Ser du vår nya granne där borta?"En: "Do you see our new neighbor over there?"Sv: frågade Lars, som alltid spanade efter något intressant.En: asked Lars, who was always on the lookout for something interesting.Sv: Elsa, som bar på en korg fylld med godis, vinkade entusiastiskt åt de små häxorna och spökena som passerade dem.En: Elsa, carrying a basket filled with candy, waved enthusiastically at the little witches and ghosts passing by them.Sv: "Ja, varför tror du att han plötsligt vill vara med?"En: "Yes, why do you think he suddenly wants to join?"Sv: undrade Elsa nyfiket.En: wondered Elsa curiously.Sv: Deras granne, en äldre herre som sällan visade sig, hade plötsligt anmält sig till Halloween-festen.En: Their neighbor, an elderly gentleman who rarely showed himself, had suddenly signed up for the Halloween party.Sv: "Jag tänkte prata med honom," svarade Lars beslutsamt.En: "I thought I'd talk to him," Lars replied decisively.Sv: "Vi måste få veta varför."En: "We need to find out why."Sv: Elsa log.En: Elsa smiled.Sv: "Kanske behöver han bara lite hjälp med dekorationerna.En: "Maybe he just needs a little help with decorations.Sv: Jag kan erbjuda mig!"En: I can offer to help!"Sv: De gick tillsammans fram till den mystiske grannen, som just satte upp en sista lysande lykta på sin veranda.En: They walked together over to the mysterious neighbor, who was just putting up a final glowing lantern on his porch.Sv: Hans namn var Gunnar, och han log vänligt men avvaktande när han såg dem.En: His name was Gunnar, and he smiled kindly but cautiously when he saw them.Sv: "Hej," sa Lars med sin mest vänliga röst.En: "Hi," said Lars with his most friendly voice.Sv: "Vi undrade om du behövde hjälp?"En: "We were wondering if you needed any help?"Sv: Gunnar tvekade.En: Gunnar hesitated.Sv: Men så, med en suck av lättnad, sa han: "Jag uppskattar det, faktiskt.En: But then, with a sigh of relief, he said, "I appreciate it, actually.Sv: Det är första gången jag gör något sådant här."En: It's the first time I'm doing something like this."Sv: När de började pryda verandan med spindelväv och fladdrande fladdermöss, började Gunnar tala.En: As they began decorating the porch with cobwebs and fluttering bats, Gunnar began to talk.Sv: Han berättade hur han alltid hade firat Halloween med sin fru innan hon gått bort för tre år sedan.En: He told them how he had always celebrated Halloween with his wife before she passed away three years ago.Sv: Denna natt var deras speciella tradition.En: This night had been their special tradition.Sv: "Tänkte att det kanske var dags att försöka igen, för hennes skull," sa han mjukt.En: "Thought maybe it was time to try again, for her sake," he said softly.Sv: Elsa och Lars såg på varandra och förstod plötsligt varför Gunnar valt just denna Halloween att vara med.En: Elsa and Lars looked at each other and suddenly understood why Gunnar had chosen this Halloween to join in.Sv: Det var en hyllning till minnen och kärlek.En: It was an homage to memories and love.Sv: När kvällen fortskred, stirrade varken Lars eller Elsa misstänksamt längre på Gunnar.En: As the evening progressed, neither Lars nor Elsa looked suspiciously at Gunnar any longer.Sv: Istället bjöd de in honom till fler gemensamma arrangemang.En: Instead, they invited him to more community events.Sv: I det mjuka ljuset från Halloween-lyktorna hade både Lars och Elsa lärt sig något nytt.En: In the soft light from the Halloween lanterns, both Lars and Elsa learned something new.Sv: Lars slutade analysera allting så mycket och förstod att alla bar på sina egna historier.En: Lars stopped analyzing everything so much and realized everyone has their own stories.Sv: Elsa upptäckte att riktiga vänskaper ibland krävde tid och tålamod.En: Elsa discovered that real friendships sometimes required time and patience.Sv: Och så, förenade i ett litet överraskande band, gick de alla tre genom den snurriga höstvinden, längre in i kvällens äventyr.En: And so, united in a little unexpected bond, they all walked together through the swirling autumn wind, further into the night's adventure. Vocabulary Words:crisp: krispigglittered: blinkadesplendor: glanssecluded: avgränsademysterious: mystiskinviting: inbjudandecostumes: dräkterlaughter: skrattcuriously: nyfiketelderly: äldrecautiously: avvaktandehesitated: tvekaderelief: lättnaddecisively: beslutsamtappreciate: uppskattarfluttering: fladdrandesoftly: mjukthomage: hyllningmemories: minnenprogressed: fortskredinvited: bjödcommunity: gemensammasuspiciously: misstänksamtanalyzing: analyserafriendships: vänskaperrequired: krävdepatience: tålamodunexpected: överraskandebond: bandswirling: snurriga

Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra members and a star-studded cast, this Swedish tale sheds magical light on kindness, caring, and letting roots run deep. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

The Man of the West is genuinely sorry; fortunately, Tolkien is talking about a Swedish interpreter of The Lord of the Rings instead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on October 28th 2025. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio. Presenter and producer: Michael Walsh

In Part 1, Lee and Paul reflect on ultimate underdogs Mjällby becoming Swedish champions and the key figures behind their unlikely Allsvenskan triumph. How have sporting director Hasse Larsson and coach Anders Torstensson shown courage in the face of adversity? Why are Mjällby the best-ever team in Swedish history? And why is the village of Hällevik looking for a new postman? And from one first-time champion to another, Titas Teiten of Baltic Football News has the lowdown on new Lithuanian title-winners Kauno Žalgiris. Part 2 continues in Lithuania, where Lee has paid a visit to second-tier champions TransINVEST and their stunning newstadium to ask some key questions. How does a new club based in a village outside Vilnius and owned by a logistics company build a fanbase from scratch? What has the reaction been in the rest of Lithuania? And why is football firmlyin the shadow of basketball in this beautiful Baltic country? To finish off, there are tales of helicopters, heartbreak and heroism in Ireland, Iceland and Kazakhstan respectively. More from Baltic Football NewsRead the Baltic Football News WebsiteListen to the Baltic Football Podcast Chapters00:00 – Intro00:45 – The Mjällby miracle09:37 – Kauno Žalgiris with Baltic Football News 14:08 – A trip to TransINVEST 29:45 – Ireland's marathon helicopter31:51 – Relegation for cup winners Vestri32:50 – Final-day drama in Kazakhstan34:23 – On The Spot

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv King to attend first official LGBT event after veterans campaign Boy thrown from Tate Modern can now run, swim and jump family say The striking Swedish workers taking on carmaker Tesla Newspaper headlines Billions wasted on hotels for migrants and Trudeau, madly, deeply Pontyclun Road rage at funeral corteges happening weekly Home Office squandered billions on asylum accommodation, MPs say International troops wont want to enforce Gaza peace, says King of Jordan MoJ owes us 20m after contractor ISGs collapse, say suppliers Man dies in M6 crash after driving car wrong way Oil firm Petrofac files for administration

Post the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo in September, we unpack why the Swedish pole vaulter, Armand Duplantis is literally breaking world records 1cm at time. Two quick things became four quick things and honestly, WE'LL ALLOW IT because women's sport is absolutely on FIRE this week. We chat about the retirement of Ariarne Titmus, and wrap up with all the great sporting documentaries currently available on iView - a whole host of Australian Stories and a cracking 3 part documentary by Tony Armstrong on racism. Join us! Libby and Georgie xxx End Game and Australian Story are avilable now on ABC iView. Hosts: Georgie and Libby Trickett Connect with Us: Instagram: @beingsportish Website: www.playonmedia.com.au Email: hello@playonmedia.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: A Last-Minute Miracle: Lena's Race Against Time Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-10-28-22-34-02-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Lena kände sig aldrig ensam i livet.En: Lena never felt alone in life.Sv: Men denna dag, på Stockholm Arlanda International Airport, var ett undantag.En: But this day, at Stockholm Arlanda International Airport, was an exception.Sv: Med stressen i kroppen rörde hon sig snabbt genom den livliga terminalen.En: With stress in her body, she moved quickly through the bustling terminal.Sv: Det var Alla helgons dag, och många reste för att träffa familj och vänner.En: It was All Saints' Day, and many were traveling to meet family and friends.Sv: Flygplatsen var full av människor, deras röster blandade sig med ljudet av rullväskor på golvet.En: The airport was full of people, their voices blending with the sound of rolling suitcases on the floor.Sv: Lena höll hårt i sin väska, hennes ögon fast beslutna att hitta rätt gate.En: Lena held her bag tightly, her eyes determined to find the right gate.Sv: Hennes älskade mormor i Göteborg låg sjuk, och Lena visste att tiden var knapp.En: Her beloved grandmother in Gothenburg was sick, and Lena knew that time was running out.Sv: Det var viktigt för henne att ta farväl, att hålla mormors hand en sista gång innan det var för sent.En: It was important for her to say goodbye, to hold her grandmother's hand one last time before it was too late.Sv: Kylan från det klara höstvädret sipprade in genom de stora glasfönstren, och utanför virvlade löven i guld och rött.En: The cold from the clear autumn weather seeped in through the large glass windows, and outside, the leaves swirled in gold and red.Sv: Men Lena märkte inte höstens skönhet.En: But Lena did not notice the beauty of autumn.Sv: Hennes inre storm av oro tog över.En: Her inner storm of worry took over.Sv: "Flyget är snart," tänkte hon.En: "The flight is soon," she thought.Sv: "Jag måste hinna."En: "I have to make it."Sv: När Lena nådde gaten såg hon en lång kö.En: When Lena reached the gate, she saw a long queue.Sv: Hon närmade sig personalen med blicken fylld av hopp.En: She approached the staff with hope-filled eyes.Sv: "Jag måste åka till Göteborg," sa hon snabbt.En: "I have to go to Gothenburg," she said quickly.Sv: "Min mormor är sjuk.En: "My grandmother is sick.Sv: Snälla, jag ber er."En: Please, I'm begging you."Sv: Mannen bakom disken bläddrade genom skärmen.En: The man behind the desk scrolled through the screen.Sv: "Tyvärr," svarade han, "flyget är överbokat.En: "Unfortunately," he replied, "the flight is overbooked.Sv: Vi har inte fler bekräftade platser."En: We have no more confirmed seats."Sv: Lena kände hur tomheten grep tag om henne.En: Lena felt the emptiness grip her.Sv: Besvikelsen var tung, men hon kunde inte ge upp.En: The disappointment was heavy, but she couldn't give up.Sv: Hon övervägde sina alternativ.En: She considered her options.Sv: Hon kunde försöka hitta en plats hos ett annat bolag, men det var en risk.En: She could try to find a seat with another airline, but it was a risk.Sv: Hon kanske inte skulle hinna i tid.En: She might not make it in time.Sv: Lena tjatade en gång till.En: Lena pleaded once more.Sv: "Snälla, jag behöver verkligen en plats."En: "Please, I really need a seat."Sv: Där, precis då hon skulle överväga andra möjligheter, ropade kvinnan vid mikrofonen hennes namn.En: There, just as she was about to consider other possibilities, the woman at the microphone called her name.Sv: Ett glimmer av hopp tändes inom Lena.En: A glimmer of hope ignited within Lena.Sv: "Vi har en plats!En: "We have a seat!Sv: Du kan åka."En: You can go."Sv: Lena drog en djup suck av lättnad, tårar av tacksamhet fyllde hennes ögon.En: Lena let out a deep sigh of relief, tears of gratitude filling her eyes.Sv: Hon upptäckte att ibland är mirakel bara ett namn bort.En: She realized that sometimes miracles are just a name away.Sv: Hon steg ombord på planet, med en ny beslutsamhet att inte låta något förbli osagt.En: She boarded the plane with a newfound determination not to leave anything unsaid.Sv: När Lena anlände till Göteborg rusade hon genom folkmassan, med bara ett mål i sina tankar.En: When Lena arrived in Gothenburg, she rushed through the crowd, with only one goal in her mind.Sv: Hon måste hinna.En: She must make it.Sv: På sjukhuset fann hon sin mormor, vars ögon lyste svagt vid synen av sitt barnbarn.En: At the hospital, she found her grandmother, whose eyes glowed faintly at the sight of her granddaughter.Sv: Lena tog hennes hand och kände värmen sprida sig i sitt hjärta.En: Lena took her hand and felt the warmth spread in her heart.Sv: De sista orden som inte sagts tidigare, fann äntligen sin väg över läpparna "Jag älskar dig, mormor."En: The last words that had not been said before finally found their way across her lips, "I love you, grandma."Sv: Lena lärde sig denna dag hur viktigt det är att inte vänta.En: Lena learned that day how important it is not to wait.Sv: Att säga det som behöver sägas när det är möjligt.En: To say what needs to be said when it's possible.Sv: Med mormors hand i sin och ett hjärta fyllt av både sorg och kärlek, lovade Lena att alltid hålla kontakten med de hon älskar.En: With her grandmother's hand in hers and a heart filled with both sorrow and love, Lena promised to always keep in touch with those she loves.Sv: Hon visste nu vikten av att omfamna nuet, att aldrig ta möjligheter för givet.En: She now knew the importance of embracing the present, of never taking opportunities for granted.Sv: Lena hade kommit i tid, och det var allt som betydde något.En: Lena had made it in time, and that was all that mattered. Vocabulary Words:exception: undantagbustling: livligadetermined: beslutnaseeped: sippradeswirled: virvladequeue: köhope-filled: fylld av hoppoverbooked: överbokatemptiness: tomhetenpleaded: tjatademicrophone: mikrofonenglimmer: glimmerignite: tändessigh: suckgratitude: tacksamhetmiracles: mirakelcrowd: folkmassanfaintly: svagtwarmth: värmenglowed: lystesorrow: sorgembracing: omfamnaopportunities: möjligheterdetermination: beslutsamhetterminal: terminalensound: ljudetconsidered: övervägdepossibilities: möjligheterapproached: närmade sigconfirm: bekräfta

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Trust, Technology, and Triumph: A New Beginning at Arlanda Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2025-10-28-07-38-20-sv Story Transcript:Sv: På Arlanda flygplats var luften full av höstens friska doft.En: At Arlanda flygplats, the air was full of the fresh scent of autumn.Sv: Runt omkring fanns resenärer i alla riktningar, många med kostymer och pumpor eftersom Halloween närmade sig.En: All around were travelers in every direction, many with suits and pumpkins as Halloween approached.Sv: Väskor rullade över golven och högtalarna meddelade flygtider på olika språk.En: Suitcases rolled across the floors, and the speakers announced flight times in various languages.Sv: Elin stod vid ett cafébord och väntade på sin kollega, Johan.En: Elin stood by a café table waiting for her colleague, Johan.Sv: Hon var nervös inför deras kommande affärsresa.En: She was nervous about their upcoming business trip.Sv: Hon hade förberett presentationen i veckor och ville att allt skulle bli perfekt.En: She had prepared the presentation for weeks and wanted everything to be perfect.Sv: Hennes förra resa hade slutat i kaos när tekniken krånglat, något hon inte ville uppleva igen.En: Her previous trip had ended in chaos when the technology malfunctioned, something she did not want to experience again.Sv: Johan kom leende fram till bordet.En: Johan came to the table smiling.Sv: Hans avslappnade stil var en stark kontrast mot Elins stelare hållning.En: His relaxed style was in stark contrast to Elin's more rigid demeanor.Sv: "Hej, Elin!En: "Hi, Elin!"Sv: ", sa Johan.En: said Johan.Sv: "Redo för resan?"En: "Ready for the trip?"Sv: Elin nickade.En: Elin nodded.Sv: "Ja, men jag vill verkligen att vi går igenom presentationen igen", svarade hon.En: "Yes, but I really want us to go through the presentation again," she replied.Sv: "Vi får inte lämna något åt slumpen."En: "We can't leave anything to chance."Sv: Johan log och sa, "Ja, men oroa dig inte för mycket.En: Johan smiled and said, "Yes, but don't worry too much.Sv: Vi har lagt ner mycket arbete, och jag tror att min nya idé verkligen kan bidra."En: We've put in a lot of work, and I think my new idea can really contribute."Sv: Han syftade på en innovativ del han velat lägga till, men Elin hade inte varit säker.En: He was referring to an innovative part he wanted to add, but Elin had not been sure.Sv: De satte sig ner med sina bärbara datorer.En: They sat down with their laptops.Sv: När de gick igenom materialet, försökte Johan övertala Elin att inkludera hans idé.En: As they went through the material, Johan tried to persuade Elin to include his idea.Sv: "Det kan ge presentationen en unik vinkel," förklarade han.En: "It can give the presentation a unique angle," he explained.Sv: Elin tvekade.En: Elin hesitated.Sv: Hon var fast besluten att hålla sig till planen.En: She was determined to stick to the plan.Sv: "Men tänk om det inte fungerar?"En: "But what if it doesn't work?"Sv: svarade hon med en oro hon inte kunde skaka av sig.En: she replied with an anxiety she couldn't shake off.Sv: "Du måste lita på mig," sa Johan lugnande.En: "You have to trust me," said Johan reassuringly.Sv: "Jag har testat det flera gånger.En: "I've tested it several times.Sv: Vi kan hantera det."En: We can handle it."Sv: Plötsligt blev det ett tekniskt problem.En: Suddenly, there was a technical problem.Sv: Projektorn vägrade starta, vilket gav Elin en déjà vu-känsla från den förra resans problem.En: The projector refused to start, giving Elin a déjà vu feeling from the previous trip's troubles.Sv: Hennes oro ökade.En: Her anxiety increased.Sv: Johan stegade snabbt fram och började arbeta på problemet.En: Johan quickly stepped forward and started working on the problem.Sv: Elin stod bredvid, hjälpte till där hon kunde.En: Elin stood by, helping where she could.Sv: Till slut lyckades Johan lösa problemet.En: Eventually, Johan managed to solve the issue.Sv: Hans kreativitet och snabbtänkta handlingar imponerade på Elin.En: His creativity and quick thinking impressed Elin.Sv: När de väl fick tekniken att fungera, tog Elin ett djupt andetag och vände sig mot Johan.En: Once they got the technology to work, Elin took a deep breath and turned to Johan.Sv: "Tack," sa hon.En: "Thank you," she said.Sv: "Jag förstår nu hur viktig din del är.En: "I now understand how important your part is.Sv: Låt oss inkludera din idé."En: Let's include your idea."Sv: De reste sig och gick mot mötesrummet.En: They stood up and headed towards the meeting room.Sv: Presentationen flöt på utan problem.En: The presentation went smoothly.Sv: Johans idé framhölls och fick positiv feedback från åhörarna.En: Johan's idea was highlighted and received positive feedback from the audience.Sv: Vid slutet av presentationen erkände Elin Johans bidrag högt inför alla.En: At the end of the presentation, Elin acknowledged Johan's contribution loudly in front of everyone.Sv: När de lämnade rummet tillsammans, kände Elin en ny lättnad.En: As they left the room together, Elin felt a new sense of relief.Sv: Hon insåg värdet av samarbete och förmågan att släppa kontrollen ibland.En: She realized the value of collaboration and the ability to let go of control at times.Sv: Johan kände sig äntligen värderad och motiverad.En: Johan finally felt valued and motivated.Sv: Vid kaféet igen, stod de båda med varsin varm choklad.En: Back at the café, they both stood with a hot chocolate in hand.Sv: "Vi gjorde det," sa Johan med ett leende.En: "We did it," said Johan with a smile.Sv: Elin log tillbaka, deras relation nu starkare och mer respektfylld än någonsin.En: Elin smiled back, their relationship now stronger and more respectful than ever.Sv: Den kalla vinden utanför välkomnade de första antydningarna av vintern, men inuti flygplatsens värme hade Elin och Johan gjort ett genombrott i sin relation och arbetsdynamik.En: The cold wind outside welcomed the first signs of winter, but inside the warmth of the airport, Elin and Johan had made a breakthrough in their relationship and work dynamics. Vocabulary Words:aroma: doftautumn: höstsuit: kostympumpkin: pumpaannouncement: meddelandecolleague: kolleganervous: nervöschaos: kaosmalfunction: krånglarigid: steldemeanor: hållningchance: slumpcontribute: bidrainnovative: innovativhesitate: tvekaanxiety: ororeassuringly: lugnandehandle: hanteraprojector: projektordéjà vu: déjà vu-känslaimpress: imponeracreative: kreativitetquick-thinking: snabbtänktbreathe: andasacknowledge: erkännacollaboration: samarbeterelief: lättnadmotivated: motiveradbreakthrough: genombrottdynamic: dynamik

My guest today is Coleman Hughes — one of the most interesting voices in the American debate about race and identity. His book The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a colorblind America (Thesis 2024) has just been translated into Swedish under the title Färgblind – en strävan bortom raspolitik (NoPolar).We talk about what colorblindness really means — and why Hughes believes it's the only way out of race-based politics. We talk about Black Lives Matter, about how myths can turn into truths when they're repeated often enough, and about Martin Luther King's legacy — what he actually stood for.We also talk about culture — about jazz and authenticity, about beauty and representation — and why some forms of antiracism have ended up becoming racist in practice.Follow: Coleman Hughes Follow his Substack: Coleman's Corner Coleman Hughes on X: @coldxmanBuy his new book in Swedish here: Färgblind – en strävan bortom raspolitikOberoende endast tack vare erVi är nu över 25 000 prenumeranter här – och antalet växer stadigt. Rak höger med Ivar Arpi och Under all kritik ligger båda konsekvent på topp-20 bland nyhetspoddar i Sverige. Det är helt och hållet er förtjänst – tack för det!Skillnaden mot de flesta andra på topplistan är tydlig: medan de har public service-miljarder eller stora tidningshus med presstöd och annonsintäkter i ryggen, så har vi bara er. Konkurrensen är snedvriden, men ni har visat att det går att bygga något nytt. Vi är helt självständiga – tack vare er.Som ni märkt har vi nu tagit nästa steg med en videosatsning, som kommer ge ännu mer innehåll för betalande prenumeranter framöver. Redan i dag får du flera poddavsnitt i veckan – ofta med video – och minst en text, ibland fler.Vill du vara med och bygga vidare? Bli betalande prenumerant redan i dag och få 30 procents rabatt!Den som vill stötta oss på andra sätt än genom en prenumeration får gärna göra det med Swish, Plusgiro, Bankgiro, Paypal eller Donorbox.Swishnummer: 123-027 60 89Plusgiro: 198 08 62-5Bankgiro: 5808-1837Utgivaren ansvarar inte för kommentarsfältet. (Myndigheten för press, radio och tv (MPRT) vill att jag skriver ovanstående för att visa att det inte är jag, utan den som kommenterar, som ansvarar för innehållet i det som skrivs i kommentarsfältet.) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.enrakhoger.se/subscribe

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Boy thrown from Tate Modern can now run, swim and jump family say The striking Swedish workers taking on carmaker Tesla King to attend first official LGBT event after veterans campaign International troops wont want to enforce Gaza peace, says King of Jordan Home Office squandered billions on asylum accommodation, MPs say Oil firm Petrofac files for administration Man dies in M6 crash after driving car wrong way MoJ owes us 20m after contractor ISGs collapse, say suppliers Newspaper headlines Billions wasted on hotels for migrants and Trudeau, madly, deeply Pontyclun Road rage at funeral corteges happening weekly

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Boy thrown from Tate Modern can now run, swim and jump family say Oil firm Petrofac files for administration Newspaper headlines Billions wasted on hotels for migrants and Trudeau, madly, deeply Pontyclun Road rage at funeral corteges happening weekly The striking Swedish workers taking on carmaker Tesla Man dies in M6 crash after driving car wrong way MoJ owes us 20m after contractor ISGs collapse, say suppliers Home Office squandered billions on asylum accommodation, MPs say International troops wont want to enforce Gaza peace, says King of Jordan King to attend first official LGBT event after veterans campaign

Huawei matters, not just because it's the world's largest telecommunications company, but because it reveals so much about contemporary Chinese economics and politics. In House of Huawei, just shortlisted for the FT business book of the year, the Washington Post's Eva Dou has written the untold story of this mysterious company that has shaken the world. As much about its reclusive founder, Ren Zhengfei, as it is about the telco manufacturer, Dou tells the story of one the great economic miracles of new Chinese economy. From its scrappy origins selling telephone switches to becoming a global tech giant capable of challenging American supremacy, Huawei embodies China's transformation—and the increasingly fraught collision between Chinese ambition and Western power that now defines our geopolitical moment. And in overtaking Sweden's Ericsson as the world's dominant telecommunications equipment supplier, Huawei's rise marks a fundamental shift in global technological leadership from West to East. What was once unthinkable—a Chinese company displacing the century-old Swedish pioneer that had long symbolized European technological excellence (and neutrality)—became inevitable, revealing how quickly the old order can crumble when confronted by innovative and dynamic state-backed industrial ambition. Yeah, Huawei matters. As Dou acknowledges, the Huawei story might even offer some signposts for Western companies - like Intel and even Nvidia and OpenAI - struggling to keep up with the pace of Chinese state capitalism. 1. Huawei's Rise Embodies China's State Capitalism Model Huawei's transformation from scrappy startup to global telecommunications leader reveals how China combines entrepreneurial dynamism with strategic state support—a hybrid model that has proven remarkably effective at challenging Western technological dominance while defying simple categorization as either purely private enterprise or state-controlled entity.2. Ren Zhengfei Remains One of Modern China's Most Enigmatic Figures The reclusive founder's personal story—from military engineer to billionaire industrialist—mirrors China's own transformation, yet he has deliberately cultivated mystery around both himself and his company, making Huawei simultaneously China's most successful global brand and its most opaque major corporation.3. The Huawei Story Reveals Fundamental Tensions in US-China Relations America's aggressive campaign against Huawei, from the arrest of Ren's daughter Meng Wanzhou to equipment bans across the West, demonstrates how technological competition has become the central battleground of twenty-first century geopolitics, with telecommunications infrastructure emerging as contested territory in ways that transcend traditional trade disputes.4. Huawei's Displacement of Ericsson Marks a Historic Power Shift The fact that a Chinese company could overtake Sweden's century-old telecommunications pioneer—long synonymous with European technological excellence and neutrality—represents more than market competition; it signals a fundamental reordering of global technological leadership from West to East that seemed unthinkable just decades ago.5. Understanding Huawei is Essential to Understanding Contemporary China Huawei serves as a lens through which to examine China's economic miracle, its relationship between private entrepreneurship and state power, its technological ambitions, and the growing friction between Chinese industrial policy and Western concerns about security, sovereignty, and fair competition—making the company's story inseparable from broader questions about China's role in the world.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

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Recorded at Spelkongress, Stockholm, Sweden! (The audio is of varying quality)00.00.30: Introductions00.03.48: World of Gaming: news from Spelkongress presnantions that we did not go to, that were mostly in Swedish - our Swedish patrons did attend though and thoughtful told us what was going on, on Discord.00.12.01: On the plane David and Matthew discuss their hopes for the event00.38.25: Eric Granstrom, on Svavlewinter (The Brimstone Sleep) for DoD/Dragonbane; and Alderland for Forbidden Lands00.47.43: Anders Gilbring, on Western01.04.20: Magnus Seter, on Trudvang01.49.40: Anders Blick, on on being an elder statesman of Swedish gaming (and Ereb Altor)01.26.08: Next time and Goodbye 01:27:14: Music by TjautEffekt is brought to you by Effekt Publishing.Music by kind permission of Tjaut info@tjaut.se www.tjaut.seLike what we do?Sign up for updates on Tales of the Old West via our new website and download Tales of the Old West QuickDraw available for free on DriveThru. The core rules are now available on DriveThru too.Put our brand on your face! (and elsewhere)Buy pdfs via our DriveThru Affiliate linkLeave a review on iTunes or PodchaserFind our Actual Play recordings on effektap ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Enough is enough! Nish stages an intervention with Coco about her troubling relationship with Chat GPT. Or as Coco puts it: her mate “Chatty G”.  But Coco's not the only one embracing generative AI - it's creeping into politics. From MPs using it in their daily work to the Swedish prime minister turning to it for a second opinion on running the country. Is AI a useful and harmless political tool or will it erode trust even further? Despairing, Nish catches up with internet pioneer and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. What can our increasingly polarised and trust-depleted world learn from the man who turned a crazy idea into one of the most popular websites in the world? Nish and Jimmy cover Musk's “Wokepedia” attacks, the rise of AI and the Online Safety Act.  And Nish and Coco check in on some other questionable distortions of reality - featuring everyone's favourite charlatan Nigel Farage and Prince Andrew's infamous inability to sweat. CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS CALM https://www.calm.com/PSTUK  SPOTIFY https://www.shopify.co.uk/podsavetheuk  GUESTS Jimmy Wales CREDITS Al Arabia BBC The Sun  Reform UK Donald Trump Bloomberg Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Good Moms, are joined with Flyana Boss, the pink-haired, elf-eared duo who met on Hollywood Boulevard, dropped out of music school, and built a non-traditional sisterhood and a career together. From following Swedish boys to opening for Janelle Monáe; Join the ladies as they talk about fentanyl birth balloons, fake Karens, buffet religions, and share some of their bad choices. ------------------------ Watch This episode & more on YouTube! Submit your advice questions, anonymous secrets or vent about motherhood anonymously! Submit your questions Catch up with us over at Patreon and get all our Full visual episodes, bonus content & early episode releases. Join our private Facebook group! ------------------------ Connect With Us: @GoodMoms_BadChoices @TheGoodVibeRetreat @Good.GoodMedia @WatchErica @Milah_Mapp ------------------------ Jamaica, Ganja Goddess Retreat - April 17th- April 22nd Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, or simply a sexy fun time, the Ganja Goddess Retreat promises an unforgettable experience of empowerment and sisterhood. Join us as we celebrate femininity, wellness, and the magic of Jamaica's natural splendor at the Ganja Goddess Retreat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.