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Send us a textTo celebrate Transgender Awareness Week, Jaimee shares some possibly not-so-familiar members of the transgender community. Support Us or Get In TouchSend us an Email at jaimeecbthh@gmail.comBuy Us a CoffeePlease give us a review on Apple Podcast. (It really does help)Visit the Tie and High Heels websiteVisit us on Facebook and InstagramSupport the show
Nya~ sharpen your claws, duelists, we're joined this week by one of the hosts of We Watch 100 Isekai and Tie-in Theatre, TequilaZaku! We're cofuring episodes 9 and 10, featuring a duel with Yu-Gi-Oh's first catgirl duelist, Cathy Catherine and a duel that has been apurrpriately named in the sub "Shark's Counterattack"! We also pawk about Astral's nude aura, the Unfurriendly Local Game Store, obfurscating the truth, and a supurrise cameow from the Shot of Speed! Watching: Episodes 9-10 of Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Dan | Max | Sarah | TequillaZaku Edited by Dan kaiba.online | joeywheeler.dog Bluesky | Tumblr | Discord | Twitch | YouTube Support the show on Patreon! A Noise Space Podcast
Send us a textCheck us out at: https://www.cisspcybertraining.com/Get access to 360 FREE CISSP Questions: https://www.cisspcybertraining.com/offers/dzHKVcDB/checkoutGet access to my FREE CISSP Self-Study Essentials Videos: https://www.cisspcybertraining.com/offers/KzBKKouvA graphing calculator running ChatGPT might make headlines, but our real job is keeping sensitive data from walking out the door. We break down the data states that matter most—at rest, in transit, and in use—and show how to pair encryption, access control, and monitoring without drowning in complexity. Along the way, we share a pragmatic blueprint for classification and labeling that teams actually follow, from visual tags and watermarks to tightly governed upgrade and downgrade paths that keep owners accountable.From there, we zoom out to strategy. Risk tolerance drives control selection, so we talk through scoping and tailoring: how to apply NIST and ISO 27001 sensibly, where GDPR and HIPAA come into play, and why focused logging beats “collect everything” fantasies. You'll hear the real differences between DRM and DLP—licensing and usage enforcement versus data path control—and when each tool earns its keep. We also lay out transfer procedures that work in the wild: SFTP with verified keys, email encryption, FIPS‑validated USBs, and restricted cloud shares with time‑boxed access.Cloud isn't a blind spot when a CASB sits between your users and SaaS. We explain how a CASB delivers visibility into shadow IT, enforces policy across apps, integrates with identity for conditional access, and even helps you rein in egress costs. Tie it all together and you get a layered, test‑ready approach that helps you pass the CISSP while protecting what matters most. If this helped sharpen your plan, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review so we can keep building tools that move you forward.Gain exclusive access to 360 FREE CISSP Practice Questions at FreeCISSPQuestions.com and have them delivered directly to your inbox! Don't miss this valuable opportunity to strengthen your CISSP exam preparation and boost your chances of certification success. Join now and start your journey toward CISSP mastery today!
Šonedēļ "Atsperē" tiekamies ar Latvijas Nacionālā mākslas muzeja direktori Māru Lāci: dzerot rīta kafiju, pievēršamies Latvijas Nacionālā mākslas muzeja galvenās ēkas 120. gadskārtas pasākumiem un arī citām aktualitātēm. Inta Zēgnere: Mums jāsvin dubulta jubileja, jo Latvijas Radio atzīmē simtgadi, "Klasikai" tūlīt būs trīsdesmit, savukārt Latvijas Nacionālā mākslas muzeja ēkai šogad apritēja 120. Māra Lāce: Jā gan! Taču runājot par pašu muzeju, varam runāt par daudz senākiem laikiem, jo muzeja krājums jau eksistēja, bet tad pienāca brīdis, kad bija jātiek līdz ēkai. Un tas brīdis pienāca 20. gadsimta pašā, pašā sākumā, kad pēc Rīgas 700. jubilejas svinībām pilsētas tēvi saprata, ka jārealizē ideja par atsevišķas mākslas muzeja ēkas būvniecību, un tas arī tika realizēts ļoti straujā tempā, pamatakmeni ieliekot 1903. gada maijā un muzeju atklājot 1905. gada septembrī. Tas bija Džordža Armitsteda laiks, kad Rīgas pilsētā risinājās ļoti daudzi būvniecības darbi, daudz kas tika izveidots, turklāt tika veidotas arī tādas lietas kā, piemēram, slimnīca un muzejs – būves, kas nepieciešamas plašākai sabiedrības daļai, kas nodrošina cilvēka labbūtību. Un tā tapa jaunais mākslas templis, kurš kļuva par lielāko un tajā laikā vienīgo speciāli mākslai būvēto ēku Baltijā… Tā tas tiek uzskatīts, lai gan principā tā nav pirmā tieši muzejam būvētā ēka, bet vienīgā, kas saglabājusies līdz mūsdienām. Jo pirmā būve bija Jelgavā – Kurzemes provinces muzejs, kurš diemžēl nav saglabājies: pēc Jelgavas bombardēšanas viss tika iznīcināts. Bet lielākā un nozīmīgākā ēka "Baltijas provincēs", kā toreiz mūs dēvēja, diezgan ilgstoši bija tieši mūsu Latvijas Nacionālā mākslas muzeja ēka. Ēka, kas raisīja ļoti daudzus un dažādus viedokļus un kuras sakarā sadūrās tā laika valdošās elites un topošās aktīvās latviešu sabiedrības domas, viedokļi un darbi. Muzeja darbība jau pirmajos tā pastāvēšanas gados tika izvērsta visā Baltijas mērogā, un to uzsvēra jau pats arhitekts, Rīgas Pilsētas mākslas muzeja ēkas autors un tā pirmais direktors pat Vilhelms Neimanis – ka darbībai jābūt plašākai. Pavisam savādāka situācija veidojas kopš 1919. gada, kad par muzeja direktoru tiek iecelts Vilhelms Purvītis. Tieši viņš ir tas, kurš veido muzeju ar nacionālu kolekciju, liekot uzsvaru tieši uz Latvijas mākslas krājuma veidošanu, vairošanu un attīstību, uz ļoti, ļoti aktīvu izstāžu darbību. Arī uz tādu izstāžu darbību, kas tai laikā skaitījās ļoti avangardiskas, modernas un tādas, kas izraisīja ne vienu vien šūmēšanos un skandālu vietējā Rīgas sabiedrībā. Atceroties neseno izstādi, kas bija veltīta jaunajam mākslas templim – Rīgas pilsētas mākslas muzejam, bija ļoti interesanti uzzināt, kā tolaik muzejs izskatījās: jau vestibilā bija antīkās skulptūras, bet direktora kabinets atradās blakus bibliotēkai – no ieejas pa labi. Arī tagad direktora kabinets no centrālās ieejas atrodas pa labi. Tas nozīmē, ka jūs, Māra, sēžat turpat, kur Purvītis? (Smejas.) Nē, nesēžu gan, pavisam noteikti nē! Tagad viss ir pavisam savādāk. Toreiz, jaunās muzeja ēkas sākuma gados un arī visus divdesmitos, trīsdesmitos gadus darbinieku skaits bija ārkārtīgi mazs. Izstādes iekārtoja paši mākslinieki vai dažādās apvienības un biedrības. Bija ļoti intensīva dzīve! Jāatceras vēl tas, ka Vilhelms Purvītis bija arī Latvijas Mākslas akadēmijas veidotājs un arī pirmais tās rektors, līdz ar to man ir diezgan grūti pat iedomāties, kā viņš varēja apvienot visus šos darbus plus vēl būdams latviešu mākslas izstāžu veidotājs ārzemēs, kā tagad teiktu – kurators, toreiz teica – komisārs. Viņa darbība bija ļoti, ļoti plaša un daudzpusīga. Mūsu arhīvā saglabājusies ļoti interesanta sarakste, kur Vilhelms Purvītis ik pa brīdim raksta Rīgas domei – jo tā ir viņa tiešā priekšniecība – par to, ka muzeja telpas ir par šauru, par šauru, par šauru… Kaut ēka ir nesen kā būvēta! Kā viņš raksta, "agrākos laikos jau nedomāja par racionāli, nedomāja par telpu plašumu – ir liela kubatūra, bet maz sienu plakņu". Un – jā, ar to mēs vēl joprojām saskaramies! Šobrīd, protams, ir plašākas iespējas, bet mākslas krājums un daudzveidība ir tik ļoti vairojusies, un nepieciešamība pēc izstāžu telpām Rīgā kā ir, tā ir – visu laiku tā ir turpinājusies. Šajā izstādē bija interesanti uzzināt, ko Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš par Purvīti rakstījis rakstu krājumā "Vārds par Purvīti". Ka "visievērojamākais notikums mūsu pelēkajā mākslas pasaulē bija Vilhelma Purvīša gleznu izstāde "Ziemassvētku laikā" Rīgas pilsētas muzejā. Tā bija lieliska izstāde, kura mākslinieku pacēla augstu visu vietējo tautību acīs, pie tam dodama necerētus materiālus panākumus, jo tika pārdotas gleznas par kādiem 20 000 rubļu". Un tas bija 1912. gads. Tas bija 1912. gads, tiešām! Izstāde izpelnījās ārkārtīgi lielu atzinību. Vilhelms Purvītis bija mākslinieks, kura darbus pirka ļoti daudzas un dažādas tautības. Viņš tiešām bija ļoti populārs, un katrā smalkā mājā, ja varam atļauties tā teikt, vajadzēja atrasties arī kādai Purvīša gleznai... Tātad vēl paralēli visiem administratīvajiem darbiem viņam bija jāatrod laiks arī gleznošanai! Starp citu, tolaik muzeja krājumā bija salīdzinoši ļoti maz paša Purvīša darbu. Viņš bija muzeja direktors, un sava veida interešu konflikts varēja pastāvēt... Bet arī toreiz, nerunājot nemaz par mūsdienām, viņa darbi nemaksāja maz… Protams, ka viņa darbus nevarēja lēti nopirkt, jo viņš zināja savu cenu. Viņš tolaik skaitījās ļoti labs gleznotājs visā Eiropas mērogā: viņam pat bija savs tituls – labākais sniega gleznotājs. Purvītis bija ļoti racionāls, ļoti prātīgs, arī ļoti labs stratēģis – viņš zināja, kas viņš ir, ko viņš var un kā vajag pret savu mākslu izturēties. Izstādē, kas septembrī tika atklāta par godu muzeja ēkas 120. gadskārtai, bija fascinējoši skatīties tā laika fotogrāfijas – kā muzejs izskatījās: patiešām monumentāla ēka, monumentāla būve. Bet es tomēr gribu pavaicāt: vai jūs savai ēkai tos 120 nosvinējāt kārtīgi? Ko darījāt zīmīgajā 14. septembrī? 14. septembrī pavisam noteikti mēs strādājām. Par izstādi parūpējās mana kolēģe Baiba Vanaga. Vienā no tās dienām rīkojām arī diskusiju par muzeju, par muzeja jautājumiem un arī šo laiku. Bet tādas skaļas svinēšanas nebija, jo tad jau katru gadu kaut ko varētu svinēt. Tomēr Radio simtgadi gan mēs svinējām! Man liekas, ka Radio simtnieks – tas tomēr daudz ko nozīmē. Arī mēs pirms divdesmit gadiem ļoti nopietni atzīmējām ēkas simtgadi: tā bija vesela programma, ļoti izvērsta. Šogad drīzāk pievērsām uzmanību šim faktam, jo tiešām – šī vieta ir ļoti šobrīd apmeklēta, ļoti pieprasīta gan mūsu pašu sabiedrībai, gan tūristiem; pēc rekonstrukcijas tā ir labi kalpojusi, bet jāsaka jau, kā ir – apmeklētāju ir tik daudz, ka tas atstāj savu nospiedumu: parādās bojājumi. Ēka visu laiku prasa nepārtrauktu uzmanību. Vai atceraties pirmo reizi, kad vērāt šīs mājas durvis? Ļoti interesanti, bet es neatceros to brīdi, kad vēru šī muzeja durvis kā ierindas skatītājs… Tas tiešām man nav palicis atmiņā. Esmu lauku bērns, no Dundagas vidusskolas nākusi, un mūsu brīnišķīgā klases audzinātāja Inārija Siliņa mūs ļoti daudz veda uz dažādiem muzejiem: pamatā tie bija literātu muzeji, taču mēs noteikti bijām arī Mākslas muzejā. Bet es labi atceros, kad vēru šīs durvis vaļā citā sakarībā: kad tikko biju iestājusies Mākslas akadēmijas mākslas teorijas nodaļā, mācījos neklātienē, un man bija jāsāk domāt par darba iespējām. Pirmā vieta, kurp devos meklēt darbu, bija Latvijas Nacionālais mākslas muzejs. Bet tikpat strauji, cik iegāju, tikpat strauji mani toreiz izmeta laukā. (Smejas.) Toreiz darbā pieņemta netiku. Savukārt pēc gada startēju vēlreiz, un tas vainagojās ar darba līgumu: astoņus gadus diendienā vadīju ekskursijas. Es biju gide. Tas ir nopietni! Tas bija ļoti nopietni… Man pat likās – ja nakts vidū mani pieceltu, mierīgi varētu norunāt ekskursijas tekstu. Mums bija jāvada ļoti daudz ekskursiju! Pamazām nāca klāt daudzi un dažādi citi darbi, tā ka ik pa kādam noteiktam laika periodam manas prasmes muzeja darbos pilnveidojušās. Vienīgais, ko neesmu darījusi – nekad neesmu neko restaurējusi. Visu pārējo laikam muzejā esmu darījusi. Kopš tā laika pagājuši vairāk nekā 50 gadi. Kas ir lielākais gandarījums, ko jūs visvairāk atceraties, par ko tiešām prieks visā šajā kontekstā? Uz šo jautājumu ir diezgan grūti atbildēt… Gribētu teikt tā, ka visu šo laiku man nekad nav bijis garlaicīgi, nekad nav šķitis, ka man ir apnicis. Jā, bijuši ļoti dažādi periodi, un bijuši arī tie ļoti labie brīži, kad notiek un ienāk kaut kas jauns, ar kaut ko jaunu ir jānodarbojas. Bet brīžiem ir bijusi arī tāda sajūta, ka stāvi uz vietas un nekas nenotiks. Muzejā ienācu vēl tā sauktajā okupācijas laikā – 1973. gadā, un kopš tā laika esmu izdzīvojusi cauri līdz pat Atmodai… Toreiz, okupācijas gados, gan vienā brīdī bija sajūta, ka nekas dzīvē nemainīsies. Process bija absolūti stagnatīvs: tu te esi un savas dienas vadi ārprātīgā garlaicībā. Un tad pamazām, pamazām sabiedrībā sākās pārmaiņas, kas ienesa ārkārtīgi daudz jauna arī muzeja dzīvē. Nākamie gadi jau bija milzīga dinamisma pilni, pie tam ļoti dažādos virzienos. Mums bija ļoti daudz dažādu izaicinājumu. Kā es smējos: ja saka, ka ik pa septiņiem gadiem jāmaina darbavieta vai nodarbošanās, man apmēram ik pa septiņiem gadiem nāca klāt kādi jauni uzdevumi un jauni darba pienākumi. Un katru reizi bija tā, itin kā es sāktu strādāt citā vietā! Tas bija saistīts gan ar politiskajiem, gan tīri organizatoriskajiem lēmumiem, kas tika pieņemti. (..) Bija tāda eksperimentēšana, un katru reizi tas bija komplicēti un arī emocionāli pietiekami sarežģīti reizē. Man likās, ka jūs noteikti sacīsiet, ka viens no lielākajiem gandarījumiem ir atjaunotais muzejs, muzeja pārbūve. Tas bija brīnišķīgi! Tas bija arī ļoti grūts process, bet ļoti aktīvs un ļoti, ļoti feins: mums bija brīnišķīga sadarbība ar Lietuvas jauno arhitektu grupu. Tas bija ļoti jaudīgi. Programma "Klasika" vēl pirms muzeja atklāšanas gāja ekskursijā, un jūs mums to vadījāt: vēlreiz paldies par to! Vai to vēl atceraties? Jūs es atceros pavisam noteikti, jo mums vienmēr bijusi brīnišķīga sadarbība "Klasiku" – programmu, ko es arī personīgi ārkārtīgi augstu vērtēju! Tāpat kā jūsu ieguldījumu: Klasika ir tāda programma, kas rada prieku un gandarījumu. Tā ir brīnišķīga programma – to varu teikt no sirds. Tiešām no sirds. Paldies jums, Māra, par labajiem vārdiem! Tomēr mūsu sarunas noslēgumā – vēl viens akcents: skaists laiks tuvojas "Arsenālam" – notiek kustība uz tā atdzimšanu. Ceru, ka mani kolēģi nonāks pie tā un tas viss realizēsies: 2027. gadā darbiem vajadzētu būt pabeigtiem. Protams, tas ir skaists, bet reizē arī grūts un sarežģīts brīdis, jo tas ir programmas jautājums, tas ir darbības uzsākšanas jautājums. Šobrīd mūsu finanšu un arī visa ģeopolitiskā situācija ir tāda, kas liek justies ļoti nemierīgiem. Ir daudz jaunu uzdevumu un prasību arī muzejiem – viss, kas saistīts ar drošības jautājumiem: dokumentu izstrāde, riska situāciju izvērtējums – kā mēs rīkosimies un darbosimies riska situācijās. Šie jautājumi liek justies nemierīgiem, tāpēc es nevarētu teikt, ka šis laiks būtu viegls.
Hen over vinteren læser Poptillægget en bog sammen med jer, der har lyst til at læse med - eller bare lytte med til læsningen. Bogklubbens anden bog er Lasse Dyrholm Jensens debut ‘Supersoaker’, som er en kropslig, direkte og underspillet digtsamling om transition. Poptillægget har valgt bogen, fordi den med lethed og humor formår at forvandle en personlig transition til en almenmenneskelig beretning om ensomhed, kærlighed og kød. PANEL OG VÆRKER, 'SUPERSOAKER' FIK OS TIL AT TÆNKE PÅ Kasper Lundberg, kulturjournalist, podcastvært og forfatter. Associationsanbefaling: Se serien ‘Transparent’. Mathias Kryger, kunstanmelder på Politiken og kurator. Associationsanbefaling: Se Tora Schultz’ udstilling ‘Tie’ på Palace Enterprise. Victor Skov Jeppesen, teater- og litteraturanmelder på Politiken. Associationsanbefaling: Læs ‘Fra mand til kvinde’ af Lili Elbe. Vært: Lucia Odoom. Associationsanbefaling: Sangen ‘Man to man’ af Dorian Electra. REDAKTION: Lucia Odoom og Jonas Bach-Madsen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Počet krádeží v obchodoch neustále narastá a na problém už poukazujú nielen obchodníci, ale aj samosprávy. Najväčší problém je agresivita a drzosť zlodejov, ktorí sa vracajú opakovane. „Počet krádeží narastá už od roku 2022, ale teraz to nadobúda nové rozmery,“ hovorí Martin Krajčovič, predseda Slovenskej aliancie moderného obchodu (SAMO). Niektorí recidivisti sa cítia takí nedotknuteľní, že nemajú problém pri krádeži za pár desiatok eur vytiahnuť nôž. „Včera v Bratislave jeden páchateľ prišiel „nakupovať“ so sekerou,“ hovorí Krajčovič. Vláda pod tlakom sľubuje zmenu zákona. Podľa Krajčoviča je nutné nájsť spôsob, ako efektívne trestať recidivistov, ktorí kradnú opakovane. „Nie je možné, aby obchody plnili funkciu sociálnych predajní, kam si isté skupiny ľudí chodia brať tovar zadarmo.“ Podľa štatistiky ministerstva vnútra za mesiace júl a august 2025 polícia zaznamenala takmer 4 500 prípadov krádeží kvalifikovaných ako priestupok. Celková škoda dosiahla 233-tisíc eur, priemerná výška blokovej pokuty bola 130 eur a priemerná škoda 52 eur. „Krádeží je určite viac, pretože nie všetky sa nahlasujú a nie všetkých zlodejov dokážeme odhaliť,“ hovorí Krajčovič. Dodáva, že sa určite zvýšila hodnota kradnutých vecí a recidíva tých istých zlodejov. Zároveň sa ukazuje, že zlodeji kradnú programovo na objednávku konkrétne druhy potravín, napríklad maslo, kávu alebo hovädziu sviečkovicu. Obchodníkov to stojí nemalé peniaze. „V roku 2024 sme ako obchodné reťazce investovali do zabezpečenia našich prevádzok viac peňazí, ako platíme na transakčnej dani. Sú to milióny eur,“ približuje Krajčovič. V rozhovore vysvetľuje aj reálnu a pocitovú infláciu cien potravín na Slovensku: „Najväčší problém na Slovensku nie sú vysoké ceny. Tie sú porovnateľné s okolitými krajinami. Slováci však majú nízku kúpyschopnosť, to znamená, že za svoje platy si nemôžu dovoliť nakúpiť toľko, ako obyvatelia iných krajín.“ Výsledkom je, že spotrebitelia oveľa viac siahajú po zahraničnom tovare, privátnych značkách a diskonte. Snažia sa ušetriť nielen na kvalite, ale už aj na kvantite. Bravčové mäso dokážu obchodníci nakúpiť v zahraničí o takmer tretinu lacnejšie. Martin Krajčovič tiež približuje, ako bude vyzerať situácia v slovenských obchodoch na budúci rok. Moderuje Eva Mihočková.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hi mama, f you've ever stared at that blank self-review form and thought, “Where do I even start?” …this one's for you. In this episode, we're breaking down how to write a year-end review that showcases your wins, your growth, and your true value at work. Because let's be honest… reviews don't exactly scream “fun.” They land right when we're juggling projects, holiday chaos, and life. But your year-end review isn't just corporate homework… it's your highlight reel. It's your chance to remind your boss exactly how much impact you've made this year. Here's what we're covering today: ✨ The mindset shift that turns your review from stressful to empowering ✨ How to write your accomplishments so they show measurable results ✨ The power of a “brag file” (and why your future self will thank you for it) ✨ How to use AI to align your wins with company goals (without sounding robotic) ✨ Confidence vs. arrogance… how to strike the right tone ✨ Simple ways to prep for your review meeting so you walk in ready to shine You'll walk away knowing how to: ✔️ Highlight your value clearly and confidently ✔️ Tie your work to company goals and outcomes ✔️ Advocate for yourself… without feeling like you're bragging ✔️ End the year proud of what you've accomplished And because we're all about reducing stress this time of year, don't forget to grab
THE Sales Japan Series by Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo, Japan
If your buyer can swap you out without pain, you don't have a USP — you have a pricing problem. In crowded markets (including post-pandemic), the game is won by changing the battlefield from price to value and risk reduction for the client. This playbook reframes features into outcomes and positions your offer so a rational buyer can't treat you as interchangeable. Why do USPs matter more than ever in 2025? Because buyers default to "safe" and "cheap" unless you prove "different" and "better". As procurement tightens across Japan, the US, and Europe, incumbent vendors and new entrants flood categories, dragging deals into discount wars. Shift the conversation from line-items to business outcomes: time saved, revenue gained, risk removed. In Japan's consensus-driven buying, precedent and social proof are de-riskers; in the US, speed and ROI proof points get you shortlisted; in Europe, compliance and sustainability signals matter. Use comparative, sector-specific language (SMB vs. enterprise, B2B vs. consumer) so your value feels native to each buyer's reality. Do now: List 3 outcomes you deliver that a competitor cannot credibly claim, and make them the first 90 seconds of every sales conversation. Summary: Lead with outcomes and risk reduction, not features or price. How do you turn features into buyer-relevant outcomes? Translate specs into "jobs done" with timestamps and dollars attached. If you "sell training," your buyer actually wants higher per-rep revenue and lower ramp time; the workshop is just the tool. Frame cause-and-effect: "As of 2025, teams using our method cut onboarding by 30–60 days," or "post-implementation, win-rates rose 8–12% in enterprise accounts." Compare across contexts: startups prize speed-to-first-value; multinationals prize uniformity at scale. Anchor with entities to boost credibility: "Aligned to Dale Carnegie's behavioural change frameworks and Fortune 500 norms." Do now: For each feature, write: "So that the buyer can ___ by ___ date, measured by ___." Then delete the feature and keep the sentence. Summary: Convert every spec into a measurable, time-bound business result. What proof calms executive risk in consensus markets like Japan? Show durable track record and mainstream precedent, not hype. Tenure ("operating since 1912"), adoption ("serving a majority of Fortune 500"), and multi-market delivery ("100+ countries") signal you're not an experiment. Executives at firms like Toyota and Rakuten want to see that others have done due diligence and achieved consistent outcomes. Present proof as risk offsets: longevity = vendor stability; blue-chip logos = quality validation; global presence = repeatability across geographies and languages. In Europe, add references to ISO-aligned processes; in the US, reference board-level impacts and revenue KPIs. Do now: Build a one-page "Risk Reducers" sheet with 5 credibility markers and a 3-line narrative for each. Summary: Package track record as risk insurance for the buyer. How do you compete on instructor quality without sounding generic? Expose the standard, the filter, and the client-side benefit. "250 hours of train-the-trainer over ~18 months" is a rigorous filter; say what it fixes: variability. Many training vendors have star-and-struggle instructors; your certification process "cures" inconsistency, delivering predictable outcomes across cohorts and locations. Tie this to executive concerns: CFOs fear wasted spend; CHROs fear uneven adoption; Sales VPs fear lost quarters. As of 2025, quantify where possible (completion rates, manager NPS, behavioural transfer at 90 days) and compare to sector benchmarks. Do now: Turn your internal QA process into a 5-step visual the buyer can explain internally. Summary: Make your quality bar tangible and link it to reduced variance in outcomes. How do you avoid the price trap in late-stage negotiations? Re-anchor total value and introduce "switching cost of downgrade." When rivals discount, show the cost of failure: extended ramp, inconsistent delivery, and lost deals. Use a simple model: (Expected Revenue Uplift + Risk Reduction Value) − (Implementation & Change Costs). Add comparative caselets: "In APAC, an SME cut churn 3 points post-programme; in North America, a SaaS enterprise lifted ASP by 6%." Create a "good–better–best" offer that scales outcomes, not just hours. Do now: Bring a 1-page value calculator to every Stage-3 meeting; make the CFO your audience. Summary: Move from hourly rate to enterprise value and downgrade risk. How do you tailor USPs for global rollout without bloating the pitch? Modularise by region, role, and sector; keep a common spine. The spine: outcomes, risk reducers, delivery quality. The modules: language and cultural localisation (Japan vs. ASEAN vs. EMEA), regulatory anchors (EU GDPR, Japan's labour reforms), and sector examples (manufacturing vs. SaaS vs. consumer). Your global network isn't trivia; it's the operational proof that content lands locally — language, idiom, and facilitation calibrated to context. Keep sections tight: 3 bullets per role (CEO, CFO, HR, Sales). Do now: Build a 9-cell USP matrix (Region × Role × Sector) with one killer proof point per cell. Summary: One message, many modules — local relevance on a global chassis. What rehearsal builds salesperson muscle memory on USPs? Daily, 10-minute role plays that start with objections. Freshness decays; script drift is real. Start with the toughest objections ("We can swap you out," "Your competitor is 20% cheaper") and practise crisp, evidence-backed responses that land in under 30 seconds. Include a checklist: outcome first, proof second, risk reducer third, price last. Record, score, and iterate. By week two, rotate markets (Japan vs. US) and sectors to keep reps adaptive. Do now: Add a morning "USP stand-up": 2 reps, 2 objections, 2 minutes each, every day. Summary: Reps don't rise to your USPs — they fall to their practice. Conclusion Pricing fights are the path to oblivion. Position with outcomes, prove with precedent, operationalise with quality, regionalise with intent, and practise until it's muscle memory. That's how you make "different and better" undeniable — and un-swappable. FAQs What's the fastest way to sharpen a dull USP? Start with outcomes and risk, cut features, and add one killer proof point per market. Then rehearse daily. How many USPs should we show? Three is plenty: one outcome, one risk reducer, one delivery advantage — tailored by role and region. What if a rival undercuts price by 20%? Re-anchor to enterprise value and switching-cost of downgrade; offer modular "good–better–best." Quick actions for leaders Commission a 1-page "Risk Reducers" sheet with proof. Ship a value calculator for CFO-friendly re-anchoring. Launch a daily "USP stand-up" with objection drills. Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programmes, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー).
„…po spravodlivých cestách vodí ma pre svoje meno.“ Žalmy 23:3 Nie vždy si myslíš, že Božie cesty sú správne. Niekedy vyzerajú tak zvláštne, že začneš pochybovať, či ťa vôbec Boh vedie. Tie správne cesty sú často cesty utrpenia. Boh viedol svojho Syna k dokonalosti cez utrpenie a Syn sa učil z toho, čo trpel. V […] Hans Erik Nissen
You think you're protecting yourself. You're actually drowning.Every time you defend "who you are," you're gripping tighter to a rock while the current tries to carry you somewhere better. Your resistance isn't strength—it's exhaustion disguised as identity.What if you could let go? Not recklessly, but wisely. Tie your camel (handle your responsibilities), then release your grip on who you think you need to be. The river knows where you're going.Listen to this episode. Learn the difference between the lantern (trust) and the jet flashlight (control). One lights your next step. The other blinds you to the path.New episodes out every Monday and Thursday at 10 AM Eastern Time The Greek God Physique Blueprint - https://www.justinegliskis.com/The Greek God Physique Strategy Call - https://calendly.com/egliskiscapital/greek-god-physique-strategy-callJoin 497+ https://signup.justinegliskis.com/Email egliskis@pm.me to get in contact with meDiscover a podcast designed for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, offering insights on stress management, health and wellness, and overcoming imposter syndrome, while emphasizing work-life balance, energy alignment, and inner peace; explore topics like burnout recovery, business automation, scaling a business, business growth strategies, client management, mental resilience, overcoming anxiety, and achieving clearer thinking for sustainable success, using the blade of awareness, solving emotional dysfunction and unveiling the trickster within. Experience transformative solitude for entrepreneurs who seek to overcome loneliness while embracing spiritual isolation as a pathway to energy alignment and emotional clarity; learn to thrive alone and awaken in solitude through purposeful mental reset practices that cultivate an abundance mindset and build emotional resilience rooted in inner peace and deep self-inquiry, enabling mindful business growth through productivity that flows from peace rather than pressure, offering essential burnout recovery and healing alone strategies with specialized alignment coaching focused on deep listening skills that unlock success in silence and develop a resilient entrepreneur mindset capable of sustainable achievement.
Man prātā nāk vismaz divas – Jāņa Mediņa "Uguns un nakts" un Alfrēda Kalniņa "Baņuta", kuru liktenī kuģiem, jūrai un pat okeāniem bijusi itin nozīmīga loma. Pirmā kuģotāja 1919.gada rudenī bijusi "Baņuta", tomēr stāstu sākšu ar Jāni Mediņu un viņa "Uguni un nakti". Ar operas klavierizvilkumu kamiešos – un tas nav nekāds poētisms, bet skaudra realitāte, it īpaši ņemot vērā to, ka notis svērušas kādus 20 kilogramus – Mediņš kopā ar sievu Olgu līdz ar citiem latviešu strēlniekiem no Sarkanās armijas glābdamies, šķērso visu Sibīriju, līdz 1920.gada maijā beidzot sasniedz Vladivostoku, lai tālāk jau ar kuģiem dotos uz Curugas ostu Japānā. Tur viņus gaida okeāna tvaikoni Voroņeža – zem Anglijas karoga un ar argentīniešu kapteini. Jaunās Latvijas valsts valdība apmaksājusi mūsu strēlnieku mājupceļu. Pirmā pieturvieta – Nagasaki, tālāk jau seko Singapūra, Kolombo Ceilonā, vētra Indijas okeānā, Sarkanā jūra, Suecas kanāls, Gibraltārs, spāņu vīna žvingulis Malagā, kuģošana gar Portugāles un Spānijas krastiem Atlantijas okeānā. Kad sasniegta Lielbritānija, kuģim Temzas dokos vajadzējis piemontēt mīnu ķērājus, jo Baltijas jūra vēl nebija pilnībā atmīnēta. Mediņš vēl pēc daudziem gadiem atcerējās – mīnu ķeramie izskatījās kā torpēdas, apmēram pusotra metra garumā, ar stipru stiepli priekšgalā, kas tad mīnu uztvertu un kādus desmit metrus no kuģa liktu tai sprāgt. Kad Dancigā uz kuģa uzkāpj locis – īsts jūrnieku puika ar žoķeni galvā, īsts "džonītis", kā saka Mediņš, un pamana visādam gadījumam sagatavotās glābšanas laivas, virves, signālraķetes un dzeramo ūdeni, "džonītis" kapteinim uzkliedz, ko velti baidot karavīrus un sievas ar bērniem. Nevienas mīnas jūrā vairs neesot, lai vācot visu nost, viņš nu atbildot par kuģi. Kad 3. oktobrī laimīgi tikuši līdz Liepājas kara ostai, četrus mēnešus ilgais un 23 000 kilometrus garais kuģojums no Vladivostokas bija galā. Ostā strēlniekus gaidījuši Latvijas karavīri ar orķestri un "Dievs, svētī Latviju!". Raudājuši visi. Un par operu – kaut vēlāk Mediņš pastāvējis uz to, ka viņa "Uguns un nakts" bijusi pabeigta vēl pirms Kalniņa "Baņutas", ir arī liecības, ka 1920. gada oktobrī tā līdz Rīgai nonākusi vēl tikai klavierizvilkumā. Tātad – bija padarām vēl viss lielais orķestrēšanas darbs. Bet "Baņuta"? "Baņuta" jau pirms mēnešiem četriem – maija beigās – bija izskanējusi uz Nacionālās operas skatuves, iemantodama pirmās latviešu nacionālās operas godu. Un izrādās, arī "Baņutas" liktenī savu lomu spēlējuši kuģi un kuģošana. Alfrēds Kalniņš "Baņutu" sācis rakstīt, atsaukdamies Jāņa Akuratera pamudinājumam jau 1918. gadā, un ļoti ražīgi to dara Liepājā arī tad, kad ir sākušās Neatkarības cīņas – vispirms pret sarkanajiem, tad fon der Golca armiju visbeidzot pret bermontiešiem. Kalniņš "Baņutu" komponē Liepājā, itin kā nemanīdams karastāvokli, komandanta stundu, teju pilsoņu kara apstākļos draudošo badu... Nu jā, pret to noturēties palīdz arī meitiņas Birutas ganītais vistu bars pašu mītnesvietas dārzā. Pāris mēnešus pēc tam, kad Latvijas pagaidu valdība jūnijā no dreifēšanas ar kuģi var atgriezties uz cietzemes – vispirms Liepājā, pēc tam jau Rīgā, arī Alfrēds Kalniņš saņem uzaicinājumu doties uz Rīgu un kļūt par Izglītības ministrijas Mākslas departamenta Mūzikas nodaļas vadītāju. Jūrasceļš ir vienīgais daudzmaz drošais, un tā nu septembra vidū, nospēlējis atvadu koncertu pie Svētās Annas baznīcas ērģelēm, Kalniņš ar ģimeni kāpj uz kuģa, lai dotos uz Rīgu. Tad – 1919. gadā – gan vēl jūrā bija arī mīnu lauki, un Liepājas avīzēs pēc kāda laika parādās ziņa, ka Kalniņa kuģis tiešām uzdūries mīnām un nogrimis. Par laimi, ziņu vajadzēja vien atsaukt. Izrādās – kuģim pa ceļam ievajadzējās remontu, un Kalniņi pāris dienas palika Ventspilī, kur Alfrēds uz pat pamanījās sarīkot ērģeļkoncertu! Tā nu no Liepājas līdz Rīgai Kalniņi kuģoja četras dienas. Tieši tad, kad viņi beidzot 8. oktobrī tiek līdz Rīgas ostai, sākas Bermonta-Avalova armijas uzbrukums Rīgai, arī gaisa uzlidojumi. Kuģim ar visiem Kalniņiem pavēl atgriezties jūrā. Tikai dienu vēlāk jau vēlā vakarā viņus pa galvu, pa kaklu izsēdina krastā, bet visa iedzīve un arī "Baņutas" partitūra (un arī tie bija pamatīgi saiņi!) atgriežas jūrā. Tā nu "Baņuta" un visa Kalniņu iedzīve kādu laiku dreifē pa līci, līdz beidzot tomēr kuģis atgriežas ostā. Kalniņš gan jau bija sadomājies no Rīgas braukt prom, jo viņam te galīgi nepatīk. Tomēr nu, kad "Baņuta" un mēbeles izkrautas krastā, būs vien jāpaliek. Jo jau ir nolemts "Baņutu" uzvest – 1920. gada pavasarī. Kalniņu – kā jau ļoti atbildīgu cilvēku (un ļoti atbildīgu ierēdni) –, ļoti uztrauca operas direkcijas nodomi "Baņutas" iestudēšanai tērēt milzu naudas summas. Pēckara laikā pat spainis krāsas dekorācijām vai baķis auduma tērpiem maksāja baltu naudu (ja vispār bija atrodami). Kalniņam viss likās tik pārspīlēti dārgi un grezni, ka pārņēma bailes – vai "Baņuta" vispār ir tamlīdzīgu tēriņu vērta. Pirmizrāde notika 1920. gada 29. maijā. Operu uzņēmuši silti, klāt bija Latvijas prezidents Čakste, bijuši vainagi, puķes, veltes, tomēr pirmie gadi operai bijuši tik grūti, ka iespaidīgās Jāņa Kugas "Baņutas" dekorācijas pēc kāda laika tikušas "nomazgātas", lai uz audekliem varētu gleznot nākamās – citām operām vai baletiem. Jā, "Baņuta" tika iestudēta vien pusgadu pēc Neatkarības cīņu beigām, kad kara postažu Rīgā vēl varēja skaidri redzēt.
Šajā Metālkāsta epizodē notiek kaut kas neticams... SILVESTRS, nevis Renārs, stāsta par savu festivāla pieredzi aizgājušajā TARBARIITUS festivālā!Tieši tā, Silvestrs devās savos metālgalvas piedzīvojumos uz ekstrēmā metāla pagrīdi Igaunijā un pārmaiņas pēc, Renārs ir tas, kuram ir jāklausās, nevis jāstāsta! :DApspriežam dzirdētās grupas un festivāla piedzīvojumus, salīdzinām šo festivāla gadu ar iepriekšējo...Un Silvestrs paralēli bauda kulinārās izvirtības. TARBARIITUS ir ekstrēmās pagrīdes metāla festivāls, kas uzņem dažas no unikālākajām grupām šajā scēnā un pulcē cilvēkus, kuri ir iesaistīti pagrīdes metālā tikai un vienīgi aiz mīlestības pret to. Kādas bija tavas iecienītākās grupas šī gada Tarbariitus festivālā?Vai apsver to apmeklēt nākamgad?Piesaki savu grupu WACKEN METAL BATTLE 2026 līdz 30. novembrim:www.metal-battle.com/latviaTARBARIITUS:https://pergerus.eu/tarbariitus/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568466481729https://www.instagram.com/tarbariitus/https://www.youtube.com/@Tarbariitus0:00 - Ievads, izaicinājumi, mūsu pieredzes salīdzinājums10:15 - Ceļš uz Tarbariitus festivālu16:40 - Tarbariitus festivāla 1. diena33:39 - Merch / Atribūtika40:48 - Tarbariitus festivāla 2. diena 1/21:09:22 - Silvestrs apmeklēs ko?!1:12:38 - Tarbariitus festivāla 2. diena 2/21:18:10 - Šī gada Tarbariitus favorīti1:22:32 - Mājupceļš un secinājumi1:27:11 - Citi piedzīvojumi, gaidāmie koncerti un plāni1:38:45 - Piesakies: WACKEN METAL BATTLE 2026Metālkāsts LV ir podkāsts latviešu valodā smagās mūzikas cienītājiem. Pasākumu un albumu apskati, sarunas/intervijas, vietējās metālmūzikas jaunumi, un citas smagās sarunas m/
High-achieving, intuitive leaders don't lack drive—they lack clarity they can trust. In this episode, Brenda breaks down the three clarity blocks (energy leaks, the productivity trap, and the unworthiness loop) and gives simple embodied tools to separate other people's energy from your own, stop mistaking motion for progress, and move with confident, aligned action. You'll hear real client stories, a nervous-system reset you can do in minutes, and a gentle nudge to act on what you already know. Links & Resources Clarity Workshop (On-Demand, $25): https://www.brendawinkle.com/clarity Get the 90-minute replay + workbook to clear energy leaks, regulate, and move into aligned action. The Regulated Entrepreneur (Membership): https://www.brendawinkle.com/regulatedentrepreneur Monthly regulation sessions, intuitive strategy, and grounded community to stay clear between launches. The Clarity Retreat (Mar 3–5, 2026 — Lincoln City, OR): https://www.brendawinkle.com/clarityretreat Where purpose meets intuition—and clarity becomes action. VIP includes a free year of The Regulated Entrepreneur. Free Energy Audit: https://www.brendawinkle.com/audit Track what fuels vs. drains you so you can lead with clarity and impact. Timestamps 00:00 – 01:15 | Welcome + context Brenda frames the episode: clarity doesn't come from pushing— it comes from slowing down, tending your nervous system, and acting on what you already know. 01:16 – 02:35 | What this is not A reality check on “fantasy marketing.” You can be successful even when you're stressed; regulation and energy work help—but action still matters. 02:36 – 04:45 | Action creates clarity Why waiting for perfect energy or zero fear keeps you stuck. The expectation for this episode: listen, then take one aligned action. 04:46 – 05:57 | Invitation: Clarity Workshop (On-Demand) Access the 90-minute training + workbook any time for $25. 05:58 – 10:03 | Clarity Block #1 — The Energy Leak How absorbing others' emotions/opinions quietly derails your decisions. Empathy vs. intuition, and what brain research suggests about sensitivity. Client story: changing offers after every outside opinion. 10:04 – 14:29 | Sovereignty reset (mini-practice) A simple boundary calibration you can do daily: “What's yours is yours; what's mine is mine…” Why your clarity voice is quiet—and how to hear it. 14:30 – 18:03 | Clarity Block #2 — The Productivity Trap Motion ≠ progress. How fight/flight makes busyness feel “safe.” Real examples (dusting the product, endless Canva tweaks) and what to do instead. 18:04 – 22:44 | The Pause that accelerates results A 30–90 second pause before posting, emailing, or reaching out: “Why am I sharing this? What do I want someone to do?” Tie effort to outcomes. 22:45 – 26:31 | Clarity Block #3 — The Unworthiness Loop Waiting for permission/certifications/readiness. Client story: sitting on a program for 18 months. “Readiness is an internal decision.” 26:32 – 27:52 | Micro-integration Breath cue + self-inquiry: “What clarity do I already have that I'm pretending I don't?” 27:53 – 30:05 | Your next right step How action reinforces intuition. Brenda's full framework path: Workshop → Membership → Retreat. 30:06 – 31:07 | Close + review ask Share, rate, review; pitch topics you want Brenda to cover next. Keywords: Brenda Winkle, solo podcast, energetic leadership guide, psychic medium, somatic coach, intuitive leaders, clarity blocks, energy leak, energetic sovereignty, empaths, highly sensitive people, productivity trap, inspired action, self-doubt, decision-making, nervous system, clarity, emotional baggage, intention, self-care, meaningful progress, busywork, pause, recalibrate, alignment, Unworthiness Loop, external permission, readiness, fear of failure, action, somatic exercise, clarity workshop, The Regulated Entrepreneur, community support, nervous system regulation, breathwork, group coaching, immersive retreat, intuition, magnetic wisdom, personal growth, coaching style
A Sermon for the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 6:10-20 by William Klock If you haven't noticed, we have a mouse problem. Usually the mice stay to the attic or the crawlspace, but for some reason, this year, they've decided to go everywhere. For the last six weeks I've been plugging holes and setting traps and experimenting with bait: everything from peanut butter to dog treats to Veronica and Meredith's maple fudge. All to no avail. They don't touch the traps, but they poop right next to them as if to say, “Do you really think we're that stupid?” And Friday, Friday was the last straw. The last while has seemed like a steady stream of setbacks and disappointments. This week I was working on my book on preaching while sending feedback to a couple of guys I've been advising on preaching. I've been really struggling with that book and this week, chatting with these two guys, I finally kind of identified the obstacle I've been running up against and I don't really know how to get around it, and that's left me frustrated and discouraged. And the City of Courtenay. They won't clear the leaves in their little “conservation” area anymore, so I cleared the sidewalks, but then Thursday's storm blew the leaves back even deeper, so Friday morning I was using a snow shovel to move them out as far away as I could from the church so the wind wouldn't blow them back and in the process I strained something in my leg. And then the news coming out daily this week from ACNA and about bishops not doing what bishops are supposed to do and bishops allegedly doing things that bishops aren't supposed to do. I was really, really discouraged on Friday. I'm rarely tempted to give up, but Friday I was close. And then I heard a noise, and I turned and saw a mouse dart across the room and into the storage cubicle in the Sunday School. So I got up to see where the mouse went. I didn't find it, but I did find the nest. In the seasonal banners. It was gross. The mice had peed and pooped and chewed holes in them. And that was it. Stick a fork in me. I'm done. I packed up my things and went home. I tried the Elijah therapy. I had a snack and a nap. It didn't really work. I came back yesterday morning to clean up the mouse mess. I checked the traps first. I wanted revenge. But alas—nothing—as usual. So I started sweeping and mopping and vacuuming and while I was doing that I was praying—mostly for the death of the mice. But somewhere between the mopping and the vacuuming it hit me. Of all the things wrong with the world and wrong with the church, it wasn't the mice. People sin, bishops sin, I sin—but not the mice. The mice, as annoying as they are, the mice are doing exactly what God created them to do. They're upstairs peeing and pooping and chewing on the banners, because that's what God made them to do and in doing it they give him glory. And while I was discouraged and tempted to just give up, they were happily doing their thing, not caring at all that I'm out to get them—laughing their little mouse laughs at me as they poop right next to my traps. Looking for a new place to build a nest after I kicked them out of the last one. And as I vacuumed up their poop St. Paul's words from our Epistle kept running around my head like a mouse on a wheel: Stand firm! I—we—need to be like the mice. We need to be what Jesus has made us to be and in that we will give God glory. And, of course, in doing that, we'll catch the attention of the enemy, who will do his best to oppose us, to discourage us, to persuade us to throw in the towel. Our Epistle today is from Ephesians 6—just about at the end of the letter. The first part of the letter is about who we are—or, better, who Jesus has made us through his death and resurrection. In Chapter 2 Paul writes that if we belong to the Messiah—if we have put our faith, our trust, our allegiance in him—then we are already “seated with him in the heavenly places”. If by faith we are in the Messiah, then that's who we are: we're part of God's new creation, seated with our king in glory. But of course, this is one of those “already, but not yet” things. It's begun, but it's not yet finished. Think about it. When he rose from death, Jesus won the decisive battle over sin and death. But that doesn't mean the war is over. Sin and death, the principalities and powers of the old evil age still, nevertheless, continue to fight on even though they've already lost. It won't be over until the gospel and the Spirit have gone out to bring God's new creation to the ends of the earth—until the knowledge of his glory covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. And here's the point that Paul is trying to make here at the end of Ephesians: Because we've been united with Jesus the Messiah, because what's true of him is true of us, because we are seated with him in the heavenlies, that means that we've been recruited to take part in this great messianic battle to carry the gospel and God's glory to the ends of the earth—to proclaim the victory Jesus won on the cross to the people who haven't yet heard that good news, who haven't yet heard that he's the world's true lord. And if we do this, we will face opposition. That's why, when you make it clear for example, that your church isn't in the business of playing musical chairs with other churches, but about going out to proclaim and live the gospel to bring people to Jesus, the devils will fight you. That's why, when you make it clear that you're not going to compromise with the philosophies, with the politics, with the systems of the world, the devils will fight you. That's why, when you make it clear that you're going to live out new creation and make the glory of God known here and now, the devils will fight you. They will fight you. They will throw hurdles in your path. They will go for the weakest link and they will cause your leaders to stumble and fall. They will do whatever they can to discourage you and tempt you to throw in the towel. And so Paul writes to the Ephesian Christians and he says, “The one thing left to say is this: Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.” Don't be strong in yourself. That won't cut it. Be strong in the Lord, because he's the one who has won the victory. “Put on God's complete armour,” he says. “Then you'll be able to stand firm against the devil's schemes.” And, to be clear, it's the devil's schemes. “The warfare we're engaged in, you see, isn't against flesh and blood. It's against the principalities, against the powers, against the cosmic powers that rule the world in this dark age, against the wicked spiritual elements in the heavenly places.” I expect this took some time to sink in with Paul's original audience—especially his fellow Judeans. It's not that they didn't believe there are unseen forces in the world. That's a problem unique to people today with all of our post-enlightenment materialistic thinking. If we can't see it, it doesn't exist. People in the First Century knew better than us. They knew there are spiritual powers we can't see. The issue is that when we think of enemies, we almost always think of people. It's the guy on the city council who wants to take away the tax exempt status of churches. It's the people in the wrong political party. It's the people in that foreign country that hate us. It's the Communists or it's the Muslims or the alphabet people or the pronouns people. Paul's people thought the same way. Judeans thought it was the pagans. Their enemies were the Greeks who tried to stamp out their way of life back in the Second Century B.C. It was the Romans who presently ruled them and whose grip was getting tighter and tighter. Paul knew that as persecution came to the churches at the hands of unbelieving Jews and pagan Greeks and Romans Christians would be tempted to start thinking the same way about them. And Paul's wanting them to understand here that none of those people is the real enemy. Maybe they once were, but when Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he redefined the battle. Jesus didn't go to the cross to defeat the Greeks or the Romans or the Communists or the Muslims. He went to the cross to defeat sin and death and the powers of evil—those powers that, since the serpent tempted Eve, have infiltrated God's good creation and corrupted it, that have caused us to worship idols instead of God, that have caused us to forsake our vocation as the stewards of his creation and priests of his temple, that have caused us to turn on each other instead of loving each other as God loves us. Jesus came like a new Adam to defeat not us, but the powers of evil, and in the process to forgive us for our rebellion and treason and to restore us to our old vocation, to do the job he created us for in the first place. That's what it means to bear his image. And Paul knew that this meant Jesus has called us to fight at his side. Not to fight the Greeks or the Romans or the Communists or the Muslims, but to fight the powers of evil, the principalities and powers and spiritual forces that have infiltrated creation and brought darkness where there should be light. Again, at the cross he won the decisive victory, now he calls us into his gospel army to proclaim that good news. To announce to the world that Jesus is Lord, that there is forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God through him if we will only come in faith and give him our allegiance. The Greeks and the Romans, the Communists and the Muslims aren't the enemy. It's the dark powers behind them. And never forget that those dark powers were once working in us, too. And they're often much closer to home—even doing their work of corruption in our own house—if you've followed the ACNA news the past couple of weeks. But the good news is that Jesus can deliver those people, just as he delivered us. This, by the way, is why Jesus hasn't just done the war all at once. Because God is patient, loving, and gracious he's chosen to fight this war over the long term, giving the whole world the opportunity to hear and respond to the good news about Jesus. Giving time for the gospel and the Spirit to infiltrate the systems and powers and people of this old evil age to undo what sin and death have done. So, Paul writes, stand firm and be prepared to fight—the real enemy. And for that he says we need to take up the whole armour of God. That's verse 13. And this is really telling. If you were paying attention when we read the Old Testament lesson this morning—the one from Isaiah 59—what Paul says here should sound familiar. Through Isaiah the Lord promised that he would send a redeemer to set the world to rights. Our Old Testament lesson is a promise of the coming Messiah, of Jesus. Here's what we read: “‘The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment…And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,' declares the Lord.” Jesus was the first one to put on this armour and now, because we're united with him, because he's made us part of his new creation, and because he's called us to enter the battle and to stand firm against the darkness, he shares his armour with us—otherwise we wouldn't be able to stand at all. And here's the armour as Paul describes it in Ephesians, starting again at 6:13: “For this reason you must take up the whole armour of God. Then, when wickedness grabs the moment, you'll be able to withstand, to do what needs to be done, and still be on your feet when it's over. So stand firm! Put the belt of truth around your waist; put on justice/righteousness as your breastplate; for shoes on your feet, ready for battle, take the good news of peace. With it all take the shield of faith; if you've got that, you'll be able to quench the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word.” It starts with truth. A Roman soldier's belt or girdle was sort of the thing that everything else attached to or hung from. Put on truth as your belt. Everything else depends on that. In Isaiah's vision the Messiah was to come to set this broken world to rights and that begins with the truth. The reason the world is in the mess it's in is because we believed the serpent's lie—that we could be like God. Brother and Sisters, the truth is that that's idolatry. Every other sin cascades from that. The great lie that permeates the world is that we can do and be whatever we want. That we can make our own reality and define goodness for ourselves. But Jesus has come to remind us of the truth—the truth of the original creation and the truth of God's new creation. And so before we go to battle evil, we've got to tie that truth around us. The gospel isn't about our feelings; it's not what we make it; it's not about what we think might offend or not offend people; it's about the truth, the reality of God's goodness and his good creation and his purpose to set it and us to rights revealed in the good news about Jesus. Tie that on and the rest follows naturally. Second, as a breastplate, put on God's justice or righteousness—remember in Greek they're the same word. It's a reminder that at the heart of the gospel is God's plan to set this broken world to rights—to undo everything that's wrong, to undo all the sad things, to wipe away all the tears—ultimately and eventually to wipe every last bit of evil and sin and darkness from creation and even death itself. And it's a reminder that when God raised Jesus from death, he overturned the world's false verdict against him and declared him to be in the right—and that if we are united with him, then we share in that verdict, in his vindication. And then for our shoes: peace. “How beautiful are the feet of the one who announces peace…who says to Zion, Your God reigns.” This is the place where Paul changes that Old Testament image from Isaiah. Instead of vengeance, he calls us to put on peace. The Jews wanted vengeance on their enemies, but Paul's reminding us that the Messiah, through his death, has reconciled us to God. He's given us peace. And that peace isn't just for us; it's for everyone. And it's on our feet. We stand on it. The enemy will try to knock us down by making us think we're in this for vengeance—that we need to go after the Greeks or the Romans or the Communists or the Muslims, but if we stand on peace, on reconciliation with God, we will stand firm and remember that our fight is not with flesh and blood, but with the devil. The fourth bit of armour is the shield of faith. In the ancient world an enemy might shoot flaming arrows at you, so you soaked your wooden shield in water. We soak our shield in faith. That means in the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah and in our own responding faith—remembering that he's won the victory and trusting that he will empower us to stand firm in this gospel battle and win in the end. And that goes with the helmet of salvation—like a gospel thinking cap, it reminds us Jesus has rescued the captives. You and I no longer belong to sin and death, but to the Messiah. It reminds us, too, why we're waging this battle: to free the men and women still captive, still slaves to sin and death. So far this armour is all for defence. The Christian has only one offensive weapon and that should remind us about the nature of this battle. It's not against flesh and blood, but against the unseen forces of evil that infiltrate the systems and institutions of the world. Our sword, the weapon by which we advance the kingdom of God is the word. In Isaiah 11:4 the Messiah smites the earth with the rod of his mouth and slays the wicked with the breath of his lips. It's a wonderful illustration of the power of God's word and God's Spirit—not violence, but his creative and life-giving word—to free and to transform and to set the broken world right as it confronts the great lie with God's truth. But our Epistle doesn't quite end there. Truth and justice, peace and faith, salvation and the word are all essential if we are going to stand firm. To take up these things is to be the people that Jesus has made us through our union with him. But union is about more than putting these things on, it's about real, literal union—or communion—with him. We need to talk with our commander. And so, in verses 18-20 Paul writes: “Pray on every occasion in the Spirit, with every type of prayer and intercession. You'll need to keep awake and alert for this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. And also for me. Pray that God will give me his words to speak when I open my mouth, so that I can make known, loud and clear, the secret truth of the gospel. That after all, is why I'm a chained-up ambassador. Pray that I may announce it boldly; that's what I'm duty-bound to do.” Paul was in prison because of his preaching, because he'd put on the armour of God and because he'd proclaimed God's truth. But he knew that prison could not stop the march of the gospel and so he asked his brothers and sisters to pray for him—and not only for him, but live prayer, because that's what it means to be united to Jesus and to be baptised in God's Spirit—to be in constant communion with God. It's not just about formal prayer—like when you sit down with your Prayer Book and your Bible and you prayer the prayers and pray the Psalms. It's a life saturated with the presence of God and with communion with him. I don't know how it works. I don't think anyone does. I've read books and books on prayer and it remains a mystery, but the best ones all conclude: I don't know how it works, but I know it works. Prayer doesn't change God—as if somehow hearing from me causes him to realise that my ideas and my plans are better than his. But prayer changes things and it changes me and it changes us and things—kingdom things, grace things, glory things—happen when we pray and live in that communion with God. Brothers and Sisters, to pray is to act on and to live out the reality of Jesus' cross and of the new creation he's made us. It's to know that, through Jesus and the Spirit, we can now walk with God the way Adam and Eve once did. That we live in his presence and in his grace and in his love. It's to know that he is our strength. And so to pray, is to be what he has made us, it's to consciously reject our rebellion and sin, and to be his new creation. The mice—they know nothing of sin, nothing of rebellion. Mice have always been what God made them in the beginning. And, like I said, because of that, mice give him glory even when they're just doing the ordinary things mice do. We, on the other hand, rejected that life. Jesus has given it back, but it's a struggle. That's why Paul urges us to put on God's truth and justice, his righteousness and peace. And it's why he urges us to pray without ceasing. Because reliance on God is the only way we'll put to rest our old nature and be able to live into the new one he's given. To pray is to look back to the cross in gratitude and to look forward in hope to God's new world, and find our life and our strength and everything else that matters in him—so that we can stand firm and so that we can glorify him. So, Brothers and Sisters, stand firm. Stand firm and be the new creation that Jesus has made us. Remember that we stand with our king in the battle, but that this battle is not against flesh and blood. It's against the dark powers that corrupt flesh and blood, that make us hate and that make us enemies of one another. Stand firm in God's truth and justice, stand firm in his peace and his salvation. And confront the world with the good news of Jesus, crucified and risen. And pray, pray, pray, remembering that he is with us and that he is our strength and our hope. Let's pray: Merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Tiešraide no Doma laukuma. Protesta mītiņš pret Latvijas izstāšanos no Stambulas konvencijas. Lai arī Saeima 5. novembrī pēc prezidenta lēmuma neizsludināt likumu par tā dēvētās Stambulas konvencijas denonsēšanu lēma šo jautājumu atstāt nākamā sasaukuma pārziņā, cilvēki aicināti pulcēties Rīgā, Doma laukumā, kā arī vairākās citās Latvijas pilsētās, lai aktualizētu jautājumu par vardarbības novēršanu un vardarbībā cietušo aizstāvību. Sanākušos Doma laukumā uzrunāja Velta Čebotarenoka, Dainis Īvāns, Anna Belkovska un Indulis Paičs. No studijas, kas pārcēlusies uz Latvijas Radio balkonu, notiekošajam līdzi seko un diskutē domnīcas "Providus" direktore Sanda Liepiņa un politologs Andis Kudors. Uzklausām mūsu korespondenti Agniju Lazdiņu, kas atrodas Doma laukumā un vaicā tiem, kas sanākuši, kas viņus mudinājis ieraksties. Sazināmies ar Annu Lieni Brokāni, kas stāsta par akcijas norisi Cēsīs. Par protesta norisi Liepājā stāsta Dzintars Hmieļeviskis, par akciju Daugavpilī stāsta Vitālijs Meinerts. Pēc tiešraides diskusiju turpinājums Krustpunktā speciālizlaidumā.
1 My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger, 2 you are trapped by the words of your mouth; you are ensnared with the words of your mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, since you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbor. 4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; 7 which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8 provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. 9 How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— 11 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man. 12 A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth, 13 who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers, 14 in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord. 15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy. 16 There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: 17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19 a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers. 20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and don't forsake your mother's teaching. 21 Bind them continually on your heart. Tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. When you awake, it will talk with you. 23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, 24 to keep you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the wayward wife's tongue. 25 Don't lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids. 26 For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life. 27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched? 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished. 30 Men don't despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry, 31 but if he is found, he shall restore seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house. 32 He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul. 33 He will get wounds and dishonor. His reproach will not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He won't regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts. Listen Donate Subscribe: Proverbs Daily Podcast Psalms Daily Podcast
Today's episode is about effective savings in the kitchen. In the Slovak lesson, you will learn a few new words from my dialogue. You will also learn how to say “I'm trying to save a little.“ in Slovak. At the end of this episode, you can find my dialogue.Episode notesIn today's episode, I'm talking about how to effectively save some money in the kitchen. In the Slovak lesson, you will learn a few new words from my dialogue. You will also learn how to say “I'm trying to save a little.“ in Slovak. At the end of this episode, you can find my dialogue.Slovak lesson1. výplata (paycheck)2. pokladňa (checkout/register)3. účet (bill)4. zľava/akcia (discount/sale)5. leták (flyer)6. varenie (cooking)7. prežiť (to survive)8. obchod (store/shop)9. lacný (cheap)10. drahý (expensive)11. zdražieť (to get more expensive)12. úspora (saving)13. usporiť (to save)14. Snažím sa trochu usporiť. (I'm trying to save a little.)DialogueDarina: Počúvaj, Beáta, v poslednej dobe sa mi zdá, že sa ceny v obchodoch úplne zbláznili.Beáta: Neboj sa, nie si v tom sama. Včera som v Lidli nechala polovicu výplaty a pritom som tam šla len po mlieko a chlieb.Darina: Presne! A ešte ten šok pri pokladni, keď si myslíš, že to bude stáť pár eur, a zrazu ti suma vystrelí ako raketa na Mars.Beáta: Vieš čo je najhoršie? Že aj veci v akcii sú ešte stále drahé.Darina: A elektrina, to je ďalšia kapitola. Bojím sa variť dlhšie ako desať minút, aby mi neprišiel účet, pri ktorom skolabujem.Beáta: No hej. Aj ja sa snažím trochu usporiť.Darina: Vieš čo robím ja? Nakupujem podľa obchodných letákov. Cítim sa ako finančný stratég, len bez toho luxusného platu.Beáta: A ja som zase začala variť doma viac. Tie ceny v reštauráciách sú nehorázne.Darina: Tak, ale varenie doma má aj svoje výhody. Vieš, čo je v jedle, a keď sa dobre vydarí, máš dôvod na mini oslavu.Beáta: A keď sa nevydarí, aspoň sa na tom zasmejeme.Darina: Pravda! Lebo keď sa nad tým nezasmieš, tak už len plač ostáva. Ale my sme Slováci a humor je nám bližší ako plač.Timestamps00:33 Introduction to the episode02:25 About rising prices in Slovakia05:46 10 Tips for effective savings in the kitchen11:11 Slovak lesson15:39 Dialogue in Slovak17:33 Dialogue with the English translation21:15 Final thoughtsIf you have any questions, send it to my email hello@bozenasslovak.com. Check my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bozenasslovak/ where I am posting the pictures of what I am talking about on my podcast. Also, check my website https://www.bozenasslovak.com © All copywrites reserved to Bozena Ondova Hilko LLC
Austin shares the 4-part anatomy of a great interview answer so you can propel your interview answers from mediocre to amazing!Time Stamped Show Notes:[0:30] - Most job seekers are unprepared[1:11] - Tie your answer directly to the role[2:07] - Set the stage and the stakes[2:56] - Show your work[4:02] - End with a winWant To Level Up Your Job Search?Click here to learn more about 1:1 career coaching to help you land your dream job without applying online.Check out Austin's courses and, as a thank you for listening to the show, use the code PODCAST to get 5% off any digital course:The Interview Preparation System - Austin's proven, all-in-one process for turning your next job interview into a job offer.Value Validation Project Starter Kit - Everything you need to create a job-winning VVP that will blow hiring managers away and set you apart from the competition.No Experience, No Problem - Austin's proven framework for building the skills and experience you need to break into a new industry (even if you have *zero* experience right now).Try Austin's Job Search ToolsResyBuild.io - Build a beautiful, job-winning resume in minutes.ResyMatch.io - Score your resume vs. your target job description and get feedback.ResyBullet.io - Learn how to write attention grabbing resume bullets.Mailscoop.io - Find anyone's professional email in seconds.Connect with Austin for daily job search content:Cultivated CultureLinkedInTwitterThanks for listening!
Life is full of broken promises—but God's promises never fail. We'll explore and discover why Jesus is the only anchor strong enough to hold us steady. Tie on to Him and find hope that never drifts!Hebrews 6:13-7:28Andy Kvernen
Valsts prezidents Edgars Rinkēvičs nolēmis nodot Saeimai otrreizējai caurlūkošanai likumprojektu par Latvijas izstāšanos no Eiropas Padomes Konvencijas par vardarbības pret sievietēm un vardarbības ģimenē novēršanu un apkarošanu jeb tā saucamās Stambulas konvencijas, prezidents paziņojis platformā "X". Ja Saeima likumu negrozīs, tad Valsts prezidents otrreiz ierunas vairs nevarēs celt, paredz Satversme. Šodien, 3. novembrī, Valsts prezidenta kanceleja Rīgas pilī rīkoja tikšanos ar Saeimas, valdības un nevalstisko organizāciju pārstāvjiem saistībā ar parlamentā pieņemto likumu. Gan daudzas nevalstiskās organizācijas, gan partijas JV un "Progresīvie" iepriekš iesniedza prezidentam aicinājumu šo likumu neizsludināt un nodot Saeimai otrreizējai caurlūkošanai. Savukārt platformā "ManaBalss.lv" par Valsts prezidentam paredzētu iniciatīvu, aicinot viņu neizsludināt šo likumu, nepilnu četru dienu laikā parakstījušies vairāk nekā 62 000 cilvēku. Bet Saeimā jau iesniegtajā iniciatīvā, kurā parlaments aicināts turpināt dalību konvencijā, parakstu skaits sasniedzis gandrīz 33 000. Ceturtdien paredzēti protesti pret izstāšanos no konvencijas. Tie notiks Rīgā, Liepājā, Cēsīs un Daugavpilī, kā arī ārpus Latvijas - Tallinā un Tartu, Briselē, Helsinkos, Berlīnē, Hāgā un Vīnē.
Week 8 saw more comebacks, some tight races, a blowout…and our first TIE of the season! Parity (mostly) continues apace!
It's an every-which-way week. Tie down your grounding cord and hang on tight. Oh, and Mercury's going retrograde. Astro-Insight for November 3-9, 2025. Please do not forward w/o copyright notice intact, which is: Text & recording ©℗ Kathy Biehl 2025. Image by Harry Purnama from Pixabay Transcription of this episode Check out my Witchy & Whimsy apparel Energy management tips in my Actions You Can Take playlist Bonus content at Patreon Join my mailing list Listen to Celestial Compass on OM Times Radio and TV Support this podcast Find out what this means for you! Facebook: Empowerment Unlimited and the Astro-Insight Lounge
Holidays don't usually line up with release day—but this year they did. In this Halloween special, Trace uses the horror-movie trope of the "scary boiler room" to deliver practical, field-tested reminders for safer sampling, clearer thinking, and better decisions in high-heat, low-light spaces. Boiler Rooms, Myths, and Real Risks From Nightmare on Elm Street to Tower of Terror, pop culture loves dim steam, tight corridors, and clangy pipe-labyrinths. Trace contrasts that imagery with what matters to pros: light, ventilation, a stable work surface, and time for observation. He urges listeners to advocate for basics—task lighting, a table, and smarter workflow—so test results are usable, repeatable, and defensible. Sampling That Won't Scare Your Data Sampling isn't the job—thinking is. Trace reviews essentials: collect safely (sample coolers when available), fill bottles with no headspace, cool samples to about "hand-holdable" (~100°F) before running tests, and remember temperature and prep sensitivities—especially sulfite tests that use starch. Poor cooling "cooks the potatoes," skewing readings. Tie every test to a hypothesis about system behavior; use results to prove or disprove what you think is happening. Observation > Automation Don't just grab a bottle and walk. Log pressures and temperatures (DA/FT), verify blowdown practices (including surface blow and any cooling devices), check the sample cooler, and review boiler logs. Pair disciplined observation with testing so numbers have context. Stretch Past the "Butterfly Line" Halloween also prompts a leadership challenge: if you haven't felt "butterflies" lately, are you still stretching? Trace revisits public-speaking growth, previews his AWT presentations (presenting craft, Start With Why, Working Genius, and processes), and encourages pros to reframe nerves as excitement on the way to competence. Make the boiler room less cinematic and more professional. Better lighting, better setup, and hypothesis-driven testing produce better calls—and better outcomes for customers. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 07:05 - Why Hollywood loves boiler rooms 10:10 — Disney's Tower of Terror queue through a "boiler room" and hidden Mickeys 13:31 – Don't just sample – Observe 15:02 - Safety first: sample coolers when available; protect yourself from burns 35:21 - Water You Know with James McDonald 47:05 – Halloween Throwback Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Website: www.scalinguph2o.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scalinguph2o/ YouTube: Scaling Up! H2O Podcast - YouTube Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Annual Convention and Exposition 2025 Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea Start with Why Ted Talk The Rising Tide Mastermind The Hang Ep 166 The One Where We Celebrate Halloween Ep 325 Rising Together: Conquering Challenges through Collective Support Ep 427 July 4th! Entrepreneurship, Water Wells, and the Spirit of Liberty Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the pressure of a fluid called that's measured relative to "atmospheric" pressure? 2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni dive into one of the biggest decisions every professional speaker faces — whether or not to write a book. With reading habits changing and attention spans shrinking, is publishing still worth it? Maria shares what she learned from writing The Bookability Formula, including how a book clarifies your thinking, protects your IP, and raises your authority. James discusses his upcoming SuperCreativity book, why he waited five years before writing it, and how books can elevate your speaking brand. Together they explore the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing, how to use your book as a marketing tool, and creative ways to launch and promote it. Whether you're a new or established speaker, you'll discover why books still matter — and how to make yours work for your business, your brand, and your audience. Key Takeaways Books clarify thinking – Writing forces structure and helps you refine your core message. Authority comes from authorship – The word "authority" literally begins with "author." Timing matters – Don't write too early; live your content first. Books as business cards – A book opens doors and elevates positioning, even if it doesn't make big money. Hybrid publishing is a smart middle path – Keeps quality control without losing autonomy. Tie your launch to an event – Use an existing audience for maximum visibility. Give books freely – Strategic giveaways amplify goodwill and social proof. You must market it – Promotion, interviews, and podcasts are on you, not your publisher. AI audiobooks are here – Tools like Eleven Labs can narrate your book in multiple languages. Memorable Quotes "Writing a book unravels your thinking — it turns spaghetti into structure." – Maria Franzoni "A book is the summation of years of ideas, handed to you for £20. That's incredible value." – James Taylor "Authority comes from author. A book changes how clients perceive you." – Maria Franzoni "You don't need a book to be a successful speaker — but it can unlock a higher level of opportunity." – James Taylor "Attach your book launch to an event that already has your perfect audience." – Chris Gardner (via Maria Franzoni) Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & why reading is declining 01:16 – Why Maria wrote The Bookability Formula 02:15 – Books as clarity tools and IP protection 04:01 – James on the value of books for idea transfer and legacy 05:47 – Speaking first, writing later – when to start your book 07:09 – Avoid writing too early; live your material first 08:23 – How writing affects your speaking income short-term 09:38 – Books as brochures and positioning tools 10:59 – How bureaus view speakers with books 13:44 – Branding your book and keynote under one concept 15:01 – Why bureaus love books but don't profit from them 16:54 – Micro-books and multi-series publishing 17:46 – Traditional vs hybrid vs self-publishing 18:12 – Finding a publisher who respects your voice 19:36 – Owning foreign rights and global expansion 21:27 – The marketing reality: sales depend on you 22:08 – David Allen's 25-year book promotion discipline 23:08 – Maria's tip: attach your book launch to an event 25:02 – Free books as social-media gold 25:50 – James' tool: Eleven Labs for AI audiobooks and voiceovers 26:58 – Closing thoughts and listener questions
Welcome to November, Cosmic Cousins. On this episode, Jeff Hinshaw of 'Cosmic Cousins' joins forces with Taylor Ursula of 'That's So Pisces' to explore the transits of November 2025. We enter November deep in Scorpio Season, a time of release, renewal, and emotional truth-telling. The veil is thin, the energy is potent, and transformation is inevitable. As the month unfolds, we move from Scorpio's waters into Sagittarius' fire, from introspection into expansion, from death into renewal, from mystery into meaning. Neptune Retrograde in Pisces (final return) Theme: The last veil before awakening. Tone: Dreamlike, nostalgic, spiritually dissolving. Neptune revisits the past 15 years of mystical growth. A reflective passage to integrate lessons before Neptune enters Aries next year. October 29 — Mercury Enters Sagittarius Theme: Expansive thinking, philosophical dialogue. Tone: Curious, blunt, humorous. Conversations take on big-picture meaning. Ideal for storytelling and exploring new perspectives, but avoid over-promising. November 4 — Mars Enters Sagittarius Theme: Adventure, inspired action. Tone: Fiery, restless, truth-driven. Mars fuels pursuit of ideals. Paired with Mercury, early November has preacher energy, bold, outspoken, needing freedom. November 5 — Taurus Full Moon Theme: Grounded embodiment of desire. Tone: Sensual, stabilizing. This lunation balances Scorpio season with tangible pleasure, focus on finances, creativity, and embodiment. November 6 — Venus Enters Scorpio Theme: Deep intimacy, emotional alchemy. Tone: Seductive, investigative. Venus explores loyalty, shadow, and soul bonds. Prioritize truth and passion over comfort. November 7 — Uranus Re-enters Taurus Theme: Stability through disruption. Tone: Earthquaking yet inventive. Uranus revisits Taurus for the last time in our lifetime, reinvention of finances, material structures, both personally and collectively. November 9 — Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius Theme: Re-examining beliefs. Tone: Reflective, revealing. A time to revise philosophy, education, travel, or messaging. November 11 — Jupiter Retrograde Theme: Faith under review. Tone: Slow growth, inner optimism. Big dreams gestate internally before expansion resumes in 2026. Practice patience and gratitude for small wins. November 15 — Vesta Enters Capricorn Theme: Sacred discipline. Tone: Grounded, devotional. Focus on legacy, sustainable effort, and aligning purpose with structure. November 18 — Mercury Re-enters Scorpio Theme: Truth-digging, intuitive perception. Tone: Investigative, psychological. Words gain emotional depth. Ideal for journaling, therapy, or uncovering hidden motives. November 19 — Scorpio New Moon Theme: Emotional renewal through release. Tone: Transformative, ritualistic. A portal for shadow work, regeneration, and reclaiming power. Tie into Mercury retrograde for re-exploring unspeakable truths. November 21 — Sun Enters Sagittarius Theme: Shift towards expansion and optimism. Tone: Celebratory, adventurous. Shifts focus from depth to horizon. Encourage laughter, storytelling, teaching, growth and expansion. November 27 — Saturn Stations Direct at 25° Pisces Theme: Maturity of faith. Tone: Grounded mysticism. Progress in integrating compassion into boundaries. Collective issues around institutions, spirituality, and accountability move forward. November 29 — Mercury Stations Direct at 20° Scorpio Theme: Clarity returns. Tone: Sharp intuition, empowered communication. Fog lifts, understanding and resolution emerge. Strong day for declarations and agreements. November 30 — Venus Enters Sagittarius Theme: Playful love, cross-cultural beauty. Tone: Flirtatious, inspired, generous. Relationships and creative connections lighten through expansion. Desire for freedom and shared growth blooms. Late November — Mars Conjunct Juno at 17° Sagittarius Theme: Partnerships aligned through mission. Tone: Purpose-driven union. Combines desire with commitment, amplifying collaboration in relationships or creative projects. This episode features music from artists: Hannah Ramone featuring Taylar Elizza Beth with Clarity Cosmic Cousins Links Cosmic Cousins Memberships Intro & Outro Music by: Felix III Mentorship Deep Dive Astrology Readings Tarot Soul Journey
Proverbs 3:1-12 NLTMy child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.In this passage, and throughout the Bible, the writer refers to the reader as ‘my child'. Returning to a position where we don't have everything figured out on our own seems to be a common theme throughout scripture.Listen to this passage again from the mindset and the position of your heart of returning to the perspective of a child, with much to learn, not having everything figured out.My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:1-12 NLT)‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on your own understanding' pretty much sums up what this is saying.Is there an area in your life that you have been leaning primarily on your own understanding? Can you do what this passage suggests, ‘seek him in all that you do and he will show you which path to take'? Letting go of the preconceived idea that you are required to have this all figured out on your own is foundational in living with the abandon of childlike innocence, living with a healthy sense of dependency and trust in your Father who goes before you.Let's pray: Father, help me to surrender my natural way of looking at things, that I have to have everything figured out. Help me to lean on You, help me to seek You in all that I do as I trust you to show me which path to take. As above, so below.”
Starp visām cilvēka maņām oža nereti paliek pēdējā vietā. Mums tā nav tik labi attīstīta kā citiem dzīvniekiem un līdz ar to - diez vai būs noteicošā mūsu izdzīvošanā.Taču ožai ir sava īpaša loma - ļoti cieši saistīta ar mūsu emocijām, atmiņām un funkcionēšanu sabiedrībā. Kāda būtu dzīve bez ožas? Ko smaržu uztveres traucējumi stāsta par mūsu psihoemocionālo veselību un kā apkārtni ļauj uztvert neredzamā smaržu pasaule? Raidījumā Zināmais nezināmajā stāsta Nacionālās psihiskās veselības centra ambulatorā centra "Veldre" vadītājs, profesors Māris Taube un Latvijas Universitātes Uztveres un kognitīvo sistēmu laboratorijas vadītājs, profesors Jurģis Šķilters. "Ožai ir klīniski apstiprināta iedarbība uz gan kognitīvām funkcijām, gan arī uz emociju apstrādi," atzīst Jurģis Šķilters. Var teikt, ka ceļš uz emocijā ir caur ožu. "Tie reģioni ir ļoti tuvi, kas saistās ar depresiju, trauksmi, arī pētījumi pierāda šo saistību," piekrīt Māris Taube. Jurģis Šķilters skaidro, ka oža cilvēka dzīves laikā mainās. Tāpat kā visas maņas. "Oža optimāli darbojas cilvēkam vecumā no 20 - 40 gadiem. Ar laiku ožas jutība mazinās. Ja strauji mazinās, ir liela varbūtība, ka ir kāda psihiatriska ķibele," norāda Jurģis Šķilters. "Otra interesanta liela - oža ir adaptīva," turpina pētnieks. "Ienākam radio mājā, cik mēs ilgi to radio mājas smaržu vai smaku sajūtam? Tās ir kādas minūtes trīs, varbūt piecas. Mēs ātri pie smaržām adaptējāmies, pierodam. Īstermiņa pierašana ir viena lieta, bet ir cilvēki, kuri visu mūžu lieto vienu aromātu, smaržu. Kaut kādā brīdī dzīves laikā viņa draugi un paziņas, un apkārtējie viņu nevar vairs ciest, jo viņš lej tik daudz to smaržu. Bet viņa ilgtermiņa ožas adaptācija ir tā izveidojusies, ka viņš daļēji nejūt." Māris Taube piebilst, ka jārēķinās, ka veci cilvēki daudz vājāk sajūt smaržās un reizēm tas varbūt kā iemesls nelaimes gadījumam, ja, piemēram, daudz vēlāk sajūt dūmu smaržu telpā, ja ir piededzis ēdiens. Tā ir ožas saistība ar Alcheimera slimību, vecumu. Mazāka spēja sajust aromātu ir normāls novecošanās process, katrā gadījumā nav jāsatraucas par agrīnām demences vai Alcheimera pazīmēm. "Gandrīz visu maņu jutība ar laiku mazinās. Samazinājums nav pēc viena principa. Cilvēkam salīdzinoši labi saglabājas valodiskais intelekts, arī sirmā vecumā viņa vārdu krājums ir pavisam labs un uzteicams. (..) Ja mēs domājam par garšu, ožu, arī termouztvere dzīves laikā mazinās, bet tā ir normāla novecošanas īpatnība. Man liekas, problēma ir tāda, ja piepeši kāda no maņām kļūst būtiski vājāka, tad tam ir kāds iemesls," atzīst Jurģis Šķilters. Sievietes smadzenes grūtniecības un bērna kopšanas laikā ietekmē piedzīvo izmaiņas Ir izpētīts, ka grūtniecība un bērna kopšana laiks līdz aptuveni viņa divu gadu vecumam ietekmē mātes smadzeņu darbību - grūtības koncentrēties, uztvert informāciju, lēnāka domāšana. Tas ir izpētīts nevis aptaujājot sievietes par viņu sajūtām minētajā periodā, bet to pierādījuši galvas smadzeņu skenēšanas rezultāti. Pirms vairāk nekā gada žurnālā „Nature Neuroscience” tika publicēts raksts, kura līdzautore Kalifornijas universitātes pasniedzēja Liza Krastila, esot stāvoklī, veica 26 reizes elektromagnētisko rezonansi smadzenēm un, salīdzinot skenēšanas rezultātus, izrādījās, ka bija samazinājies pelēkās vielas apjoms. Uzreiz jāsaka, ka tas nav unikāls un biedējošs atklājums, kas varētu ietekmēt sieviešu izvēli dzemdēt. Vienkārši tāpat kā citas izmaiņas, kas noris grūtniecības laikā sievietes ķermenī, tā arī tās notiek galvas smadzenēs. Runa ir par diviem hormoniem - esterogēnu, kas paaugstina smadzeņu aktivitāti, un progesteronu, kas to samazina. Vairāk par to, kā šie hormoni darbojas tieši topošo un jauno māmiņu galvās, vai tiešām viss ir tik vienkārši, un vai vīriešu uztvere atšķiras no sieviešu, stāsta neirologs, Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes Neiroloģijas un Neiroķirurģijas katedras asistents Jānis Mednieks.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Geraldine Butler-Wright, Founder and Chief People Officer of RorCas and about scaling tech companies. Geraldine is also the host of the excellent "People and Pioneers" podcast, where she explores the human side of innovation and success. Here are other topics from our conversation: The Real Reputation of HR: HR shouldn't be a cost center stuck pushing paperwork. Tie your people practices to business impact. Ask: How does this initiative move the needle and help us win? Move beyond red tape and become a true strategic partner. Intentionality & Company Culture: Great culture starts with intentionality. Don't get lost in HR noise - focus on what really helps your business grow and brings people together with purpose, not just policies. Technology & High-Talent Teams: Small, high-talent teams powered by AI are the future. Automate admin, and double down on the moments only humans can deliver - quality service, empathy, and growth. Action & Iteration: Don't aim for perfect. Launch your podcast or idea, even if it's rough. Start with trusted people, keep learning, and let your work evolve. Action leads to clarity and confidence. Resilience & Entrepreneurship: Building a business is tough - don't let setbacks stop you. Give yourself time to process, then move forward. Progress is about grit, focus, and staying ready to learn and adapt. Geraldine's insights are a must-read for anyone looking to make HR a driver of business growth rather than just a function. Website: www.rorcas.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/headofpeoplegbutlerwright/ About The A Better HR Business Podcast The A Better HR Business shares strategies, tactics, success stories, and more about marketing for HR consultancies and marketing for HR tech companies, and how to get more clients. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss future episodes. For show notes and to see details of our previous guests, check out the podcast page here: www.GetMoreHRClients.com/Podcast HR BUSINESS GROWTH RESOURCES Get the new book - Grow A Successful HR Business Your Way Get More HR Clients Business Growth Kit - Get More HR Clients Kit Launch your own business podcast: B2B Podcast Agency VISIT GET MORE HR CLIENTS Want more clients for your HR-related consultancy or HR Tech business? Visit the Get More HR Clients website for articles, newsletters, podcasts, videos, resources, and more at www.getmorehrclients.com.
THE Sales Japan Series by Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo, Japan
We've all had those weeks where the pipeline, the budget, and the inbox gang up on us. Here's a quick, visual method to cut through noise, regain focus, and turn activity into outcomes: the focus map plus a six-step execution template. It's simple, fast, and friendly for time-poor sales pros. How does a focus map work, and why does it beat a long to-do list? A focus map gets everything out of your head and onto one page around a single, central goal—so you can see priorities at a glance. Instead of scrolling endless tasks, draw a small circle in the centre of a page for your key focus (e.g., "Time Management," "Client Follow-Up," "Planning"). Radiate related sub-topics as circled "planets": prioritisation, block time, Quadrant Two focus, weekly goals. This simple visual cues the brain to spot what moves the needle first and what's just distraction. In 2025's noisy, Slack-popping world, mapping beats lists because you see interdependencies, not just items. It's a low-tech cognitive offload that scales across roles—from B2B SDRs to enterprise AEs—in Japan, the US, or Europe alike. Do now: Grab a blank page, pick one central outcome, and sketch 6–8 sub-topics in 3 minutes. What's the six-step template I should run on each sub-topic? Use this repeatable mini-playbook: (1) Area of focus, (2) My current attitude, (3) Why it matters, (4) Specific actions, (5) Desired results, (6) Impact on vision. Walk a single sub-topic (say, "Prioritisation") through all six prompts to turn fuzzy intent into daily behaviour. This prevents feel-good plans that never reach your calendar. The key is specificity: "Block 90 minutes at 9:00 for top-value tasks, phone on Do Not Disturb" beats "be more organised." Leaders can cascade the same template in pipeline reviews or weekly one-on-ones to connect tasks to strategy and help teams self-coach. Do now: Copy the six prompts onto a sticky note and keep it next to today's focus map. Can you show a concrete sales example for time management? Yes—prioritisation in practice looks like: organise, calendarise, and execute the top-value items first, every day.Start by acknowledging the usual blocker: "I never get around to it." Then translate to action: buy or open your organiser, maintain a rolling to-do list, and block time in your calendar for the highest-value, highest-priority items before anything else. Desired result: your best time goes to tasks with the greatest impact (e.g., discovery calls with ICP accounts, proposal updates due this week). Vision impact: consistency compounds—your effectiveness rises, and so does your contribution to team revenue. This is classic Quadrant Two discipline (important but not urgent) adapted for post-pandemic hybrid work. Do now: Book tomorrow's first 90 minutes for your top two revenue drivers and guard it like gold. How should I prioritise when markets differ (Japan vs US vs Europe) or company size varies? Anchor priorities to value drivers that don't care about borders: ICP fit, deal stage risk, and time-to-impact. In Japan (often relationship-led and consensus-driven), prioritise follow-up and multi-stakeholder alignment; in the US (speed + experimentation), prioritise high-velocity outreach and fast iteration; in Europe (privacy/regulatory sensitivities), prioritise compliant messaging and local context. Startups should weight pipeline creation and early GTM proof; multinationals should weight cross-functional alignment, forecasting hygiene, and large-account expansion. The focus map adapts: the central circle stays constant ("Close Q4 revenue"), while the "planets" change by market and motion (ABM research vs channel enablement vs security reviews). Do now: Label each sub-topic with the market or motion it best serves (e.g., "JP enterprise," "US SMB," "EU regulated"). How do I turn focus maps into weekly cadence without burning out? Run a lightweight loop: Monday map, daily 90-minute deep-work block, Friday review—then iterate. On Monday, pick one central theme (e.g., "Client Follow-Up") and 6–8 sub-topics. Each morning, choose one sub-topic and run the six-step template; protect a single 90-minute block to execute. On Friday, review outcomes vs. desired results, retire what's done, and promote what worked. Leaders can add a shared "focus wall" for visibility and coaching. This cadence blends time-blocking (Cal Newport), Eisenhower Quadrants, and sales hygiene—without heavy software. As of 2025, hybrid teams using this approach report better handoffs, cleaner CRM notes, and fewer "busy but not productive" days. Do now: Schedule next week's Monday-Friday 09:00–10:30 focus block in your calendar. What are the red flags and watch-outs that kill focus? Beware "activity inflation," tool thrashing, and priority drift. Activity inflation = doing more low-value tasks to feel productive. Tool thrashing = bouncing between apps without finishing work. Priority drift = letting other people's urgencies displace your high-value commitments. Countermeasures: (1) Tie each sub-topic to a KPI (meetings booked, qualified pipeline, cycle time), (2) pre-decide your top two daily outcomes before opening email, (3) make your Friday review public to your manager or team to add gentle social accountability. Keep the map hand-drawn or one-page digital; if it takes longer to maintain than to act, you've over-engineered it. Do now: Add KPI labels beside three sub-topics and delete one low-value "busywork" task today. Is there a quick checklist I can copy for my team? Use this one-pager and recycle it weekly. Central focus (one phrase): ____________________ Planets (6–8 sub-topics): ____________________ Six Steps per sub-topic: Area of focus → 2) My attitude → 3) Why it matters → 4) Specific actions → 5) Desired results → 6) Impact on vision Time block: 90 minutes daily, device on Do Not Disturb KPIs: meetings booked, pipeline $, cycle time, win rate Friday review: what shipped, what's next, what to drop This blends visual clarity (map) with behavioural clarity (six steps), making it easy for sales managers to coach and for reps to self-manage under pressure. Do now: Print this checklist for the team stand-up and agree on one shared KPI for the week. Conclusion Focus maps + a six-step template turn overwhelm into action. They help you see what matters, schedule it, and ship it—fast. Start with one central goal, map the "planets," and run one sub-topic per day through the six prompts. That's how you get better results when time is tight. Optional FAQs What's the difference between a focus map and mind map? A focus map is smaller and execution-oriented: one central outcome and 6–8 sub-topics you'll actually schedule this week. How many sub-topics are ideal? Six to eight forces trade-offs; more invites sprawl and context switching. How quickly should I see results? Usually within two weeks once you're blocking 90 minutes daily for the top-value tasks. Next Steps for Leaders Run a 30-minute "Monday Map" with your team; pick one shared KPI. Make the 90-minute deep-work block part of your sales playbook. Review focus maps in pipeline meetings; coach actions, not anecdotes. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). A Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg delivers globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He is the author of Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, Japan Presentations Mastery, Japan Leadership Mastery, and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training; his works are also available in Japanese.
Līdz ziemai noteikti vēl ir kāds laiciņš palicis, bet bieži gadās, ka ziema savu pirmo uznācienu sarīko jau oktobrī vai novembra sākumā, kad bieži arī sniegam neesam gatavi. Tieši par šādām agrām sniega stihijām stāsts raidījumā Zināmais nezināmajā. Šoruden patiesi sals un sniegs nesteidzas uz mūsu pusi. 12. oktobrī Latvijas austrumu daļā pirmās slapjās sniega pārslas krita, bet sniega segu neveidoja. Bet ir bijušas reizes, kad jau oktobrī atnākusi ziema un paralizējusi ikdienas dzīvi. Daudzi pirmo sniegu jau gaida, jo pelēkais laiks ir sācies, tas nenoliedzami ir drūmāks bez sniega. Bet, kad tad ir normāli, kad uzsnieg pirmā sniega kārtiņa? Dati par Rīgu kopš 1961. gada liecina, ka vidējais datums pēdējā desmitgadē, kad ne tikai nobirst dažas pārslas, kas tūlīt izkūst, bet jau izveidojas vismaz centimetru bieza sniega sega, bijis 29. novembris. Tā kā vēl mēnesis jāgaida. Savukārt vēsturiskie dati rāda, ka šāda pirmā sniega diena ir kļuvusi ievērojami vēlāka 60. un 70. gados. Šajās desmitgadēs vidējais datums bija, kad izveidojās 1 cm bieza sniega kārta, bija 14. novembris. Protams, korekti būtu salīdzināt trīsdesmitgades, jo klimatoloģijā laika solis ir 30 gadi. Tad, ja paņemam 1961.-1990. gadu, pirmā sniega diena bija 17. – 20. novembrī. Šādi paraugoties, protams, pieaugums nešķiet liels. Bet pēdējā desmitgadē pirmais sniegs ir bijis arvien vēlāk. Pagājušajā ziemā pirmā diennakts ar vidējo sniega biezumu vismaz 1 cm bija tikai 4. janvārī. Protams, ir bijušas daudzas reizes, kad pašā oktobra uzsnieg, kā arī reti gadījumi, kad jau septembrī ir bijis sniegs. Digitalizētajā Latvijas Televīzijas arhīvā var atrast ziņu par sniega stihiju Latgalē 1992. gada 27. oktobrī. Latvija ir nesen atguvusi brīvību, ir milzīgas finansiālas problēmas un Latgalē ilgstoši palikusi bez elektrības sniega dēļ. Toreiz vidējais sniega biezums bija 15-22 centimetri, dažviet mērījumi liecina, ka pat 37 cm. Togad sniga arī pārējā Latvijā, bet pārsvarā sniega biezums bija līdz 10 centimetriem. Savukārt 2002. gada kārtīga ziema ne tikai ar sniegu, bet pat -15 grādu salu Vidzemē ieradās jau 21. oktobrī. Bet 2003. gadā tieši Rīga un tās apkārtne piedzīvoja lielāko oktobra sniega stihiju zināmajā vēsturē. Naktī no 26. uz 27. oktobri Rīgā uzsniga 39 centimetri sniega. Tas ir liels sniega daudzums pat jebkuram ziemas mēnesim, kur nu vēl oktobrim. Pilsēta, protams, bija paralizēta tajā rītā.
Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 15 Chancellor Gets Boned In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels. The pursuit of power is pointless unless you know how to use it The look the Chancellor gave me was filled with hate alright, but it was awash in a desperate sexual hunger too. "You goddamn bastard," she huffed through clenched teeth. My response was to switch finger slamming her, instead rolling her rather large clit between my forefinger and thumb gently. "Gak," she choked out. "You can get on top and ride me," I promised her softly. "You an even tie my hands up with the sash of my robe." "On your back, damn you," Melrose snarled ferociously. As I fell back, she ripped my bathrobe sash off so fast it yanked me off the bed. My ass had no sooner hit the bed again when Bazz pulled my robe open and straddled me. She pulled my arms together and bound my wrists with frightening proficiency. "Not your first time at the rodeo?" I joked. She slapped me across the face; not so hard to break my skin but enough to make me have to rework my jaw to get it set again. "Shut up, Braxton," she gloated over me, "I'm going to treat you like the piece of trash that you are. You are going to regret ever thinking you belonged here." Mel rose up on her knees, maneuvered her hand onto my cock, and aimed it at her cunt lips. "Oh," she gasped as her sex blossomed and let my cockhead in. She slowly began shifting down my cock with ecstatic pleasure written all over her face. "It feels pretty good," I started to say. I was going to finish with 'doesn't it?' but she cut me off. "Shut up!" she seethed. "You exist solely for my pleasure. I don't need to hear your juvenile stumbling at sexual banter." This wasn't the time to start a fight; that would come later. Doctor Bazz kept wiggling her ass down my shaft. She was so lost in her own fulfillment that she almost forgot about me. I grunted when she planted herself down particularly hard as she was humping me. Melrose looked down at me. With one hand she struck snake-like at my throat, squeezing my windpipe shut. "You are just a child," she taunted me wickedly, but then her whole tone changed to a creepy, appreciative voice, "a pretty, pretty child." Okay, I want a psychopath. I want a selfish bitch with no issues beyond insensitivity. I do not want a woman in her forties telling me I'm "a pretty, pretty child." That's just wrong, and that's coming from a guy who screws just about anything that moves. "Is this how you screw those sluts?" she moaned. "Is this how you pack Heaven's tight little ass? Does she scream for you?" Wait; did she call Heaven a 'she'? That's progress! I choked out a non-response. I was getting enough air to breath but not enough vocal freedom to talk, and I had a feeling this was on purpose. "You don't need to answer that," she chuckled eerily. "I've heard reports of their sad little cries as they squirted all over you. You love it when you break their wills to you and this, oh, God, big cock, don't you?" The Chancellor leaned forward, her bra-covered breasts dangling tantalizingly close to my mouth, and rolled her hips so that her clit rubbed against my cock. "You hammer them, hammer them, and hammer them some more until their tight little bodies can't even crawl out of your bed. And you wanted to hammer me with this huge cock of yours; you wanted to make me sweat, make me cry out your name, you wanted to wreck me," she sneered. I reached up with my bound hands and lifted her grip off my throat. "Actually, I'm done. I want you out of my room," I growled back. Melrose's breast heaved and she glared down at me, angry but uncertain. "I was hoping there would be something intriguing about you but seriously, you are just, mediocre. Hell, Heaven is more of a woman than you are and that's kind of pathetic. I wasn't denigrating Heaven, who I cared about, but was using Doctor Bazz's prejudice against the bitch. "How dare you?" she muttered. She hadn't stopped humping me yet. "Get some plastic, a broom handle, I don't care, but get the hell off of me, you evil witch," I insisted. As a counterpoint to that, I began to thrust my cock deeper into her womb. "Ugh, ugh, no," she gasped. "You don't, tell me what, to do." Mel had now positioned her clit so that it received maximum impact with my pelvic bone. I flipped us over; even with her resistance, I was too strong for her. I pushed my bound hands down on her sternum, the fear of sexual frustration written large over her face and burning forth from her eyes. "I want Heaven back," I demanded. "Never," she growled. I began to withdraw my cock from her cunt. She whimpered and tried to hold me to her body by grabbing my shoulders in each hand. "Get off me," I insisted. "Get off of me. If you want some piece of meat between your thighs, go to an over-forties bar and pick up some Momma's Boy who will pop in less than fifteen seconds, then grovel at your feet for an hour like a worm. "It would be better than an immature punk like you," she struggled to insult me and my performance. I took three long strokes inside her, flexing my cock when it was at its deepest, thumping her G-spot each time. I could see tears of pleasure in her eyes. I tried to pull out the fourth time but she hooked her legs behind me and held my shoulders tight. "No," she persisted. "I am going to use you until I'm satisfied." Instead of wrestling with her, I pulled her up so that my hands cupped her ass, her arms remained around my shoulders, letting her kiss me, and her thighs and calves were wrapped around my waist. I bounced her up and down quickly, quickening her passion as each drop onto the fullness of my rod brought her closer to orgasm. "What?" she gasped, "Where are we, " "Outside, so that your security can see us," I explained evilly. "No!" she squeaked. "Heaven," I stated. She shook her head so I took two more steps to the cutback exit in the screens. "No, no," she insisted then as I took the next step. "Fine," she said in defeat, but hating me for it. "You can have her back for the short time she's still here," she seethed. "The Board will support my decision and that will be it for her, and probably the rest of you too." "Don't be bitter, Mel," I teased. "You've been good to me so I'm going to be good to you. How do you want it?" She glared at me so I continued talking as I walked us back to the bed. "You want to be slammed from behind, don't you? It is hard to get those girls you break down to do a convincing job of it, yet you miss being treated like a slut," I verbally prodded her. She'd gone over too fast to face down and ass sticking out for someone who didn't crave it. I gently lowered us down to the bed while keeping eye contact. "Take off your bra, then roll over on your hands and knees right here on the edge of the bed. She was torn; she had hold of me at the moment, but she really wanted to give me my grudge fuck. As she opened her shirt, I dove into her cleavage, kissing and licking. She purred hungrily even as she worked her shirt off and then her bra. While keeping up my torture of her breasts, I hooked her thighs with my hand and hiked up her legs until I had her splayed out, her knees pushed halfway to her breasts. I dove down to her muff and ravaged her clitoris and lips. Doctor Bazz squealed with surprise and pleasure. Right as my vaginal attention got to be too much for her, I yanked her ass over the edge, bent her farther over, and returned to chewing on her nipples. If she was upset that I wasn't immediately fucking her, she was doing a good job of hiding it. The next time I dove on her cunt, I kept my fingers on her engorged nipples, teasing to the point pleasure and pain collided. I tore up her cunt with a total disregard to patience and sensitivity. The Chancellor squealed, squirmed, and thrust against me without inhibition until she growled loud enough to bring any guards, had they been close enough. She hit her second spasm when I rushed one hand down to her twat and began to jackhammer two fingers inside her cunt, unrelentingly driving her eruption from crest to crest. When her eyes rolled back in her head, I released her, but only to move to my next stage. I'd promised her a good hard fucking after all. I took Melrose's hips and repositioned her so that she was face down, her knees on the edge of the bed and her legs dangling over. I knelt between her thighs and began licking her from clit to anus. A few passes into it, I sucked several of my fingers on one hand until they were really slick while working her cunt over with my other hand. I think she was a bit surprised when I pressed my first finger against her anus. As her sphincter gave way, Doctor Bazz finally spoke up. "Don't you dare," she moaned sensually. "Don't do this?" I teased her, as I sunk another half-inch into her rectum. "Oh, God, yes," she groaned like a wanton whore. I wiggled in a little farther; Melrose gasped and shook her big ass in my face. I pulled the finger, she whimpered in need, and I went back to assaulting her cunt with my tongue and teeth. "Put it back," she panted. "If I put it back, I'll have to use two fingers," I informed her. Mel coughed in response. I obliged her quiet acquiescence by teasing her anus once more. "Ugh, bastard," she grunted. It started out angry but transformed to sexual in mid-vocalization. I worked my two fingers in slowly, I didn't want her to scream and I'm basically not a sadist. I also ameliorated the pain by slipping my cock back into her cunt seconds later. I developed a slow rhythm, picking up the pace incrementally until she was really taken aback the moment I bottomed out in her womb, tickled her cervix, and twisted my two fingers 180 degrees in her anus. "Oh, God," she moaned. I began fishing through a list of affections until I found the one that bit - 'Gorgeous'. That word bit into her psyche and I decided to use it. "Oh, fuck, Gorgeous, you are so damn sexy," I whispered to her. Melrose coughed, then growled. I took the moment to lean on her back and cruelly grab a breast and begin to aggressively maul it. "Oh, God, yes!" she exulted heavily. "You are a filthy-minded, little, huge damn delinquent." "And you finally got me to ream you good, didn't you?" I responded. "Play, play all you like," she groaned, "but I know how to break you, now." 'Yes', I thought back, 'but I know you want something too.' About this time I was pretty sure there was no possible way I was getting away with this. I had fucking silk screen walls, for pity's sake. Chancellor Bazz was equally sobbing and cursing into my sheets. One second she was encouraging me to pound her harder, I obliged, and the next second she was telling me how good it felt. I will give her this much; the old bird had a lot of sexual frustration to work out and I was her instrument. Having this game go on and on certainly wasn't going to work so I had to figure out what I could do that I wasn't already doing and what would turn her on. I didn't like my answer. I reached down and took Melrose by the back of her head and pushed her face deeper into the bed. First she moaned louder and then her body started to tremble as she thrust back harder. When the suffocation set in, she struggled to rise but I was too strong and pressing her down with too much force. The Chancellor reached back from her vulnerable position and tried to push me off and remove my hand holding her head down. She became more and more frantic, undoubtedly fuelled by her own sense of rage upon the world and mirroring my own hatred of her as my motivation. Her last explosion of air was a scream into the bed. A fear-fueled orgasm overwhelmed her with her whole body going rigid, then lurching about. Now that I'd gotten her off, I let go of her neck, going so far as to grabbing her shoulder and pull her up for a desperate breath. I withdrew my fingers from her ass and my cock from her flooded cunt. Melrose lay boneless on the bed, dazed and incoherent. I put my fists on either side of her shoulders and leaned over my tormentor and victim. "You damn near killed me, you bastard," she moaned heatedly. "Was the orgasm worth it, knowing this might be the last thing you feel in this life?" I whispered to her. "Don't answer because your body told the story already. As much as you hate me, you loved putting everything on the line like that." "Shut up," she wheezed. "You know nothing, Child." "I know you are lying face-first, mostly naked, on my bed, freshly fucked, covered in sweat, my cock resting on your open, inviting ass with your legs spread wide for me, Doctor Bazz. I know I said that the next time we met I was going to fuck you like I owned you, and I think I've done that." "I am, going to, break, all of your girl, friends," Melrose ground out. "We will see who owns who when this is over, Mr. Braxton," she gasped once she'd finally calmed down and she could take an unlabored breath. As I slowly got off of her, she gave out one last sigh. "Remember your promise, Chancellor," I cautioned her. "I remember all kinds of things," she snapped back. Doctor Bazz resumed a standing position but was polite enough not to kick me when I helped her get her panties back on. "Let's not do this again," I cautioned the Chancellor. "If we do, I'm going to have to tie you up and abuse all three of your holes all weekend long." "The only 'next time' will be my last time using you," she growled. "You didn't let me finish, Mel. Next time, after I've got you warmed up, I'm handing you over to Rio who, trust me, will be a lot less compassionate than I am. Like you, she's got some anger issues to work through," I grinned. "Thank you for putting her back on my radar," she sneered back sweetly. "I'm not too worried, Mel," I replied. "You are a pretty smart woman. You know that with Rio, the pain and risk of permanent harm isn't just play. She'll be looking forward to making you beg for your life." The expectant smile she shot my way chilled the soul. God, can't you give me some not-so-crazy women to deal with? For once, he gave me a reply by way of a sudden insight: try not to solve every problem with my cock and appreciate the sane women who do spend time with me. Doctor Bazz moved past me so I gently stroked her ass. "Done?" she snarled while looking straight ahead. Her anger was betrayed by her hardening nipples. "Yes. And I apologize, Chancellor. I was only thinking about your arms bound behind your back while I pounded your cunt at the same time as Rio slammed you from behind," I said softly. She rotated her gaze to me, lust and hate warring across her countenance. "Every time we are alone together, Melrose," I breathed into the side of her face as I rubbed a hand down from her stomach to her crotch, "I am going to have to check out how wet you are." Her hand flashed down and stopped my progress. "Or would you rather I check you from behind?" I added as I ran a hand down her rump. "Fuck you," she sighed. "Is that an invitation?" I teased. This was killing me inside. "Just remember that next time, you are getting that dildo rammed up your ass." "Damn you," she seethed once more. "I have to go before security suspects something." Like they didn't all know precisely what had been going on? How dumb did she think they were? Without another word she strode out of my bedroom into the main area. "What have you found?" she questioned the guards. Of course they had found nothing damning. They had to be suspicious of all the TVs and computer stations without internet hook-ups but no one mentioned a thing. "This was a colossal waste of time," Melrose said in an exaggerated display. "Let's go." Doctor Bazz led the way down the stairs but stumbled on the first step. The last guard in line smirked at me. "Do you miss Dana much?" I inquired quietly. "And how," she rolled her eyes. "Tonight was a total bust. Anyone with half a brain knew you expected a raid tonight and would have everything stashed somewhere else. All this overtime is good for my paycheck but I'd kill for a good night's sleep." "Oh, you are preaching to the choir, ma'am," I chuckled, "preaching to the choir." I went back to my room and lay down. Sleep did not come easy. I knew that the Science Club's cameras had recorded the events of the past half hour; I just had to figure out what to do with them, besides get Heaven back. Rolling Off the Bottom I had grabbed a shower around 2:00 so I wasn't really surprised that a dozen feet came running up my steps at 6:15. I was barely able to prop myself up in the bed when Rio came storming in. "What's up, dude?" she said as she plopped down. "Planning to forgo cleanliness?" "I showered earlier," I told them. Valerie, Iona, Opal, Brandi and Barbie Lynn all came in and sat around me. Barbie Lynn was the first to clue in that something was off. "What's wrong, Honey?" she asked with concern. "My room was raided last night," I answered. It wasn't the total truth but I wasn't sure how I felt about my actions with the Chancellor the night before, much less how my friends would take it. "Well, you are still here so they didn't find anything, so what is it?" Opal prodded. "Ladies, can I keep this plan to myself?" I requested. "Of course," Iona responded. Sadly, she seemed to be the only one who appeared ready to let the situation lie. "Don't make us get all CSI on your ass," Rio teased. "You know we'll eventually figure it out so you might as well tell us." I studied her for a few seconds. "I ass-raped the Chancellor in order to get Heaven back," I told her in a dead-even tone. It was an empty joy to see that most of them realized too late they really didn't want to know after all. "What did she say?" Barbie Lynn came to my rescue. "Are we getting Heaven back?" "She promised me, and I have reason to believe she'll actually honor it," I replied. "Well, Rio finally kicked in, "How was she?" "Why do you think I took a shower earlier?" I pointed out. "I've never used sex that way and I pray it never happens again." "Don't beat yourself up over this," Brandi consoled me. "You did say that being young means you get to do stupid shit?" I don't recall using those exact words but still, "I think we can agree to not talk about this outside of this room," Opal added. "So do you know of any Thai Sexual Cleansing ritual that will help you get over last night?" Brandi grinned mischievously. I chuckled. "We'd love to help," Barbie Lynn chimed in. "Thank you, ladies," I smiled, "but I think I need to get my head on straight before diving back into the pleasurable side of this school. I need to know if I did the right thing or not." On that cheery note we all began to move toward the stairs and out into the world. In the stairwell Valerie cornered me, put a hand on my chest to impede my progress, and motioned to me that she had something to say. "From the discussion in the Chancellor's office Monday I get the feeling that Heaven is a girl-guy, shemale, what have you; right?" she started off. I nodded. "You clearly like girls but you are real close to Heaven; right?" Val continued. "Yes," I replied. "So you risked something you love, namely, the pleasure you derive from sex, to save her; right?" she prodded. "Yes," I sounded curious. "Then you did the right thing," she concluded. "Zane, I'd kill for the people I love and I imagine you would too. What's death compared to a little rough sex with an evil controlling bitch to get her to release someone as close to you as Heaven appears to be?" "Thanks, Valerie," I grinned. "My heart knows you are right but it is going to take my mind a while to accept that. I guess I'm over-thinking things." "Happens to the best of us," Valerie joked, then punched me in the arm. "Let's catch up with the others before Rio does something stupid, okay, does something more stupid than normal." We were halfway through breakfast when I noted a diminishing of noise from the south entrance of the hall. Being taller than the average female student, I was able to make out the cause of the disturbance. I catapulted out of my seat and raced for the lady at the door; I had the vague impression I wasn't alone. I rushed up within a few feet of Heaven, who had dropped her bags and looked at me with fear and expectation. I didn't want to overwhelm or embarrass her so I pulled up short to make sure the moment was special. I'm an idiot!! Rio slipped past me, grabbed Heaven's cheeks, and planted a deep kiss full of longing on MY GIRL's lips!! "Oh, Babycakes, I've missed you so much," Rio panted passionately to Heaven. "Ah, thanks, Rio," Heaven said, "but if you don't let go of me right now, I'm going to strangle you with your own intestines." Heaven untangled herself from Rio, shot a look my way, then rushed into Christina's arms. Rio smirked at me. The rest of Christina's crew swarmed around Heaven and rejoiced at her return. I took a step back to give them some room. I did note Chancellor Bazz glaring at me from the head table. I looked back to catch sight of Dana Gorman giving me a lopsided grin from the door Heaven had come through, a McDonald's bag in hand. I missed Heaven's arm slipping through her knot of friends and pulling me in. She pressed her body against me and looked up into my eyes. "I want you inside of me so bad," she whispered. Why can't a woman look at me and say "I've missed gazing into your eyes" or something romantic like that? "How about we get Heaven squared away in our room before Assembly?" Christina suggested. "We'll get her bags," Hope volunteered. "I'll come too," I joined in, but Chastity quickly put a hand up. "No, you don't," she smiled. "We'd like Heaven to actually get to Assembly." "There is no Assembly today," Iona pointed out. "Great, I can go straight to Zane's room," Heaven beamed. "I don't think we'll mind the company," Paige announced. I was suddenly left trying to figure out how she'd appeared next to me in this crowd, as well as how my arm ended up around her waist. "Holy Hell, Paige," I hissed. "You are going to give me a heart attack if you keep that up." "It isn't worth it unless you pay the price," she teased me. What the hell did that mean, 'pay the price'? Heaven balled up her fists and I was sure blood was about to be spilled. "Paige, we need to figure out what you are wearing to the party this weekend," Valerie intervened. "Party?" Paige sounded intrigued. Valerie edged Paige away and the situation defused. "Heaven, unpack," I began. "Iona, round up the Coach and get her to our place." "Barbie Lynn, could you and Alice watch over the door to make sure we aren't overwhelmed by non-freshmen?" Alice had been standing on the periphery and was clearly stunned that I was addressing her in this manner, but still rapidly nodded and looked to Barbie Lynn to gauge her perception of the request. Barbie Lynn gave her 'replacement' a smile and motioned Alice away from the group as well. "Alright, everyone," Doctor Larson spoke up, "finish breakfast and then back to your rooms. We are still under twenty-four hours of restricted travel so I do not expect to see any of you again until lunch. Please get about your business. Lastly, I expect some of you will be called before the Board of Directors to give testimony or receive a verdict on your status here; make yourself ready and presentable." "Mr. Braxton," Doctor Topaz Larson fixed me with a deadly eye, "that will require you to remain fully clothed most of the time. Do you understand?" "Of course, Doctor Larson; I'll do my best," I swore. "Sweet! That means I get to run around naked!" Rio exalted. "Ms. Talon, are you taking your anti-psychotic drugs?" Doctor Larson said deadpan. "Nope; I've been slipping them into the Chancellor's tea," Rio grinned all crazy-like. "Do you think anyone has noticed?" "If you want to take credit for the past two weeks, by all means do so," Topaz allowed. "I was looking for a cheap and sleazy way to be despised by everybody, she began, but I headed her off. "She'll stay in clothes and we'll make sure that all her pills are changed to suppositories. I know she won't miss any of those," I taunted my friend. "That may be for the best," Doctor Larson snorted disdainfully, but ruined it with a grin. She turned and strode back to the table. I wasn't sure which one of us the Chancellor hated more; Doctor Larson for keeping order or the rest of us for obeying. "Okay, I'm going to the bathroom. Heaven, can I hope to see you once you are squared away in your room?" I asked as I hugged her once more and headed away. I knew the questions would come soon enough. One aspect of a women's college that guys might not appreciate is that there are only stalls in girl's bathrooms, and since FFU has a grand total of two men's rooms on the entire campus (Administration and Athletics), I was always using a female facility. I was about to finish business, the standing-up kind, when my door rattled as someone tried to get in. "Excuse me?" I inquired. "Let me in," hissed my visitor. Since I clearly knew the voice, I zipped up and unlatched the door. She pushed in and latched the door behind her before pushing me down and straddling my lap. "You did, Heaven kissed me ", something." Kiss, kiss. "Christina says it had to be you who got me back." She went back to kissing me. "You are my girlfriend, Heaven. I don't know what I wouldn't do for you, Babe," I told her. She nestled into my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. "You make me feel so alive, Zane," Heaven related in a soft vulnerable tone. "Don't get all romantic on me," I teased her between light kisses on her lips. "I've got a whole bottle of Viagra showing up at noon and I need someone to work all that sexual energy out on, and, okay, I missed you." She wiggled into a more snug fit in my lap. "Did you miss me more than Barbie Lynn, or Paige?" she teased. "They aren't you," I countered. I ran my right hand between us, worked up her skirt, and began rubbing her package, which was clearly straining against the strap-down. Heaven began moaning, then slowly rolling her body against mine. "Come on," she panted, "let's have a quickie." "Can't happen," I whispered. To prove my dedication to my statement, I ran my left hand around her hip, under her skirt, and to her covered ass. I pressed a finger between her ass cheeks until I pressed against her anus. Now I was massaging her front and back. "Oh, God, you bastard," she sobbed while she rocked back and forth. "We really need to get going, though," I sighed. "Bazz will send someone after us soon enough." "I, Gurr, I owe you, Zane," Heaven groaned. "You stood by me. Damn, you fought Gorman by yourself for me and somehow you got me back. I know I can be a horrible person but you've always looked past that and saw who I could be." "I could continue being a jack-ass and say that I looked past your horrible personality to that luscious ass but I think I'd rather remind you that I chose you to be my lover and no one else," I smiled at Heaven. "Your lover, she murmured happily. "And you are my bitch," she tacked on that bit from our sexual encounter in the Kappa Sigma closet hardly one week back. We still managed to stand up and get the door open before Ms. Marlowe came in quietly. She frowned at us while we grinned at her, cleaned our hands, and walked past her back to the Dining Hall. Restructuring We sat outside in the hall opposite the main Administrative conference room. There weren't a ton of us; the individual class presidents plus Heaven, Rio and myself. Christina and Rhaine shared the Senior Class spot. "Drink run," I volunteered. "Who wants what?" "Zane, if they call for you and you're gone, it will be big trouble," Christina pointed out. "If I stay here one more minute, I'll strip off my clothes, paint myself blue, and streak across campus," I grinned piratically. "Sprite," Heaven spoke up. A series of orders followed and I hurried off. Upon my return, I handed Rhaine (last in line) a Doctor Pepper, which caused her to give me an odd look. "I didn't ask for, she began muttering. "Nah, but I always see you drinking the stuff so I figured you could use one," I told her. "Ah, thank you," she responded with a cautious smile. "If it makes you horny then it was my idea too, Rhaine," Rio leaned forward so Rhaine could see her and smiled. "Is she hormonal, dropped on the head as a child, or what?" Simone Brady asked the group of us. She was the Junior Class President and nominally a Rhaine supporter. She'd asked for and received a Sunkist. "Tie me up in your room and we'll find out," Rio licked her lips at Simone. "Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?" Heaven quizzed Rio. "No; Simone looks like a slow learner and I don't want to scare her off on our first date," Rio leered. "Now you know what I went through," Rhaine explained to Simone, who sniffed in derision. "Hey, I don't know this crazy woman at all but even I can tell she's playing with you two," Hannah Cartwright, Sophomore Class President, rolled her eyes. "How about we all try to remember we are all here to save our school?" Christina interrupted. The conversation had died down to nothing when Rio nudged me. "There's this old guy coming down the hallway and he looks like he knows you," she whispered. I looked up and my heart nearly stopped. I'd fucked up even worse than I thought. "Uncle Josh," I said weakly, as I stood and faced him. "Dude, I thought you said your family was dead," Rio continued. "Technically, that would be true," the old man rumbled, "and you would be Rio Talon. I'm Joshua Coppersmith, old family acquaintance and the Braxton family executor." "The last time I saw you I was being placed on a plane to Thailand," I stated somewhat bitterly. "It was part of your father's will, Zane. He was my boss and the son of a friend so I owed it to him to trust his judgment concerning his only child," Uncle Josh explained. "I recall wanting to stay with you," I reminded him. I recalled crying a river of tears, hoping to stay. I actually knew who Josh was, where Tim and Jill were virtual unknowns. "A normal life is not allowed for everyone," Christina spoke up; "Past battles and all." I hate being beaten with my own words. "That was one of your father's favorite sayings," Uncle Josh said. "I am glad to see you living by it. Thank you, Ms. Buchanan." She nodded politely. "Who is this old geezer again?" Rio interjected. "He was a close personal friend of my grandfather. They turned the company from a tired little mining concern to something a bit more. He mentored my father and they worked side-by-side when granddad died. Now he sort of runs thing until I inherit," I outlined. "That is somewhat correct but not why I'm here. I could hardly miss the past week's activities here at Freedom Fellowship University. As the child of Victor and Jenna Braxton, I owed it to them both to let Zane sink or swim on his own. As the future head of the corporation I work for, I need to make sure he doesn't end up in prison," Josh clarified. "Dude," Rio scoffed, then came to my side, "your boy went to jail last week. Where were you then?" "Ms. Talon, I do not have spies watching his every move. By the time I became aware of the matter, it had been resolved," my pseudo-Uncle responded. "I seriously suggest you get a 'minder' for Zane," Hannah Cartwright weighed in. "He's a real nutjob." That assessment would have angered me more had I not seen everyone nod in agreement. Instead, I went for the redirect. "You've been in contact with Aunt Jill?" As far as I knew, Jill despised every aspect of my Dad's life. "Zane, Jill has never handled more than two hundred dollars her entire life; of course I'm keeping an eye on her, and you," Josh stared at me. "I carefully monitor both yours and her finances." "Seriously?" Christina asked skeptically. "He bought a warehouse full of furniture and that didn't appear to you to be frivolous?" "Frivolous would be renting a private jet and a penthouse for a weekend in Las Vegas. Since Zane can't use eight sofas, I made the educated guess he was buying them to help out his dorm mates," Josh countered. "It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. I'm Rhaine Ritchie, Senior Class President," Rhaine jumped in. "I am curious as to your purpose here. Are you here to take Zane away or are you going to help him stay here?" "President Presumptive," Heaven growled. "That's good to know," Josh nodded, "and I'm here to represent the corporation's interests, in this case, avoiding embarrassment to the company's executive branch." "If you want an embarrassment, you don't need to go any further than Heaven," Rhaine insinuated. "She's my transgender girlfriend and we have rocking sex," I blurted out to preempt Rhaine. Heaven's eyes flew open; Joshua looked totally nonplussed. "Did you buy her in a Manila slum?" Josh asked me dryly. "Ahh, no?" I stammered. "Oh, that's alright, then," Uncle Josh mused. "I mean, once I had to fly a fourteen-year-old Tanzanian princess back to her home and explain to her parents why she and Victor weren't really married." He looked at Heaven, "Besides, she's clearly an adult and we could do far worse with photo opportunities." "His father dated his share of actresses and models before he settled down and I have every reason to believe Zane will be just as much trouble before some woman steals his heart and reins him in," Uncle Joshua related. "Too late," Rio snickered, but I cut her off with a painful elbow to the ribs. "Ow!" "That would be me," Christina stood and declared proudly. Josh looked her over. "Little lady, I hope you have patience, iron resolve, and the will to exert them both in equal measure," he informed her. "I am not sure I want him yet," Christina retorted. "Ah, then you are intelligent as well," Josh smiled. "Please make sure that if you do marry, you don't murder him until you have a child. Otherwise, the inheritance will be a bear. I like Jill but she comes from a family of nitwits," Josh continued. "That won't be a problem," Rio grinned evilly. "Zane's adopted a daughter since coming to FFU." "Iona is not my daughter," I snarled at Rio, "but I could do worse than making her my heir." Instead of being shocked, Josh rolled his shoulders. "I'll get the paperwork to you next week." "Are you sure you want to do that to Ms. Beckett?" Christina asked me. "Who else would be saint enough to deal with Rio if I was gone?" I explained. "Just for that, you get to wear the ball-gag and restraints next time," Rio warned me. "Mr. Coppersmith?" an attendant from the Board meeting asked when she poked her head out of the conference room. Her eyes flitted from me to my 'Uncle', locking on him. He nodded and followed her into the room. "Umm, he looks like my first husband," Rio mused. "I'm sure his wife, children, and grandchildren will take to that without protest," I joked. "Fine; I'll settle for being his mistress," Rio sulked. The Inquisition "Okay, I am missing something," Rhaine spoke up. "What is going on, Zane? Now that you know Heaven is a guy, how can the two of you still be going out together? You are not gay." "Rhaine, I already knew about Heaven before we actually had intercourse, though I admit to being attracted to her before then," I responded. "But, he's a guy. What do you do?" Rhaine wondered out loud with a quizzical look on her face. "Rhaine," Christina chimed in, "what kind of sex do you think Zane has been having with all the women he takes to bed? He's not taking their virginity, after all." "Oh, that's sick!" Simone declared. "Simone, have you ever had anal sex?" Rio grumbled. "God, no, that's gross," Simone said indignantly. "So what was it like when you walked the Dolorosa?" Rio queried. I was pretty stunned Rio even knew what the path that Jesus took to Golgotha was called. "What? I've never been to Israel," Simone answered. "I bet you'd like to go and I'd bet you think you'd like it," Rio grinned. "Yes, I would want to go, and I know it would be spiritual, but this has nothing to do with homosexuality being wrong," Simone struck back. "Listen, you stuck up bitch," Rio kept grinning, "Jesus was a pretty smart Son of God so we would assume if something was really important to him, he'd have brought it up before the Romans gakked him. Seriously, how long does it take to say 'homosexuality is wrong; no more butt-sex'?" Rio beamed vile unpleasantness at Simone. "You are an immoral soul," Rhaine jumped in. "If that is how you want to describe someone who is honest, fearless, and who thinks for themselves, then I guess Rio and I are both immoral souls," I defended my best buddy. "Count me in," Christina raised her hand. "Me, too," Hannah and Heaven joined in our little heresy. "Hannah, how can you go down the same way they are?" Rhaine complained. "Heaven is gay and Christina has lied for her since the beginning; Rio is a criminal; and Zane is, a boy." "Listen, Rhaine, I don't claim to understand what is going on with Heaven and Zane but I figure if God is pissed, he'll let them know," Hannah stated. "In the past two weeks, short of dodging you and your enforcers, I haven't known Rio to do anything wrong. She's served her time so we should forgive her and give her a chance. St Paul started out persecuting early Christians before he saw the light. What would have happened if Jesus hadn't given him a second chance?" Hannah sighed. "How could I do less?" "And Zane, face it, he's eye-candy, and I've got a list of ten different things I want to do with him when my time to have him for Handmaiden's Duty comes up," she finished with a grin. "Just once I'd like to have a girl here tell me I'm smart, or funny, or that I have a nice personality," I griped. "But No, it is always 'he's got a fifteen inch cock as thick as his forearm; he can screw for two hours straight; or that I have a prehensile tongue that can tickle the ovaries and bring a girl to multiple orgasms." Simone and Hannah's eyes grew larger as my gross exaggerations persisted. "It's not fifteen inches long," countered Rhaine decisively. Simone missed it. "How do you know how big it is?" Hannah clearly didn't. "I, Rhaine choked. "I was coming out of the shower when Rhaine, Joy Jefferson, and Mercy Chaplain intercepted me. My towel accidently fell off and she got a brief view," I volunteered. Rhaine's look of surprise became one of veiled thanks. "Because it wasn't like Rhaine wanted that massive piece of meat rubbing between her legs until she cried out in ecstasy or anything like that," Rio teased. "That's enough," I cautioned Rio, and put an arm around her waist to pull her in. That calmed things down until we were all called into the meeting. Uncle Josh was sitting against the near wall. Against the North wall sat Ms. Lane and a dark-haired fortyish woman with reading glasses I didn't recognize. They both were taking notes. On the South Wall sat a different woman, early thirties with short black hair and what I could best describe as a casual lethality. Both new women looked over us newcomers but lingered on Christina, Heaven, and myself. Looking at the eight men on the Board of Directors was rather anticlimactic comparatively. "Ms. Ritchie and Buchanan, we have decided to uphold Chancellor Bazz's decision to annul the last election of Senior Class President. The matter will be decided during Freshman elections in October. We find both of your behavior to date this semester to be deplorable and a sad example to your fellow seniors. Do you have any comments? Ms. Buchanan?" "Directors, what do we do if the Chancellor once again annuls the elections?" Christina asked. "You appeal the action to the new Vice-Chancellor, Doctor Victoria Scarlett," the head of the board directed our attention to the woman sitting with Ms. Lane. As if my life wasn't hell already. "Oh, you would so do her," Rio whispered to me with her insane grin. I was so busy praying that no one heard her that I missed Simone being read the riot act next. She'd be facing re-election in a few weeks too, a fact she was distinctly upset by. Hannah was given the same news but her reaction was to flick her hair over one shoulder and give a bored sigh. "What was that, Ms. Cartwright?" the Head Director grilled her. "Reverence, Purity, Integrity, this is what our school supposedly stands for," Hannah faced the man down. "I can vote and fight for my country but you are treating us like children, Sir. The Chancellor was wrong and we fought back against her tyranny because that was the only choice our Christian moral code left us." "It is hardly Christian to physically attack your fellow students, Ms. Cartwright," he shot back. "I didn't tell any of my class to attack anyone but I admit that I punched two girls who I knew attacked other students," she admitted. "I figured it was time for a little Old Testament 'Wrath of the Israelites' kind of thing." "Your intransience is not encouraging," a different man on the board stated. "I apologize, Sir. I was hoping my love of justice would not be misunderstood," she sighed. "Hannah, I'm voting for you as my class president," Rio leaned forward and addressed Hannah. "You can't, Rio; you are a freshman and I'm a sophomore," Hannah grinned back at her. As far as I could tell, this was the most either had ever said to the other. "Obviously you've never heard of gerrymandering and ballot box stuffing," Rio snickered. "This is neither the time to joke nor a subject to joke about, Ms. Talon," the Chairman said crossly. "Sorry, Sir," Rio beamed. "I wasn't trying to be frivolous; elections are a good thing. I'm all for seeing more of the girls here, to see them get excited and come together for their mutual enjoyment, I swear I do." While that seemed to satisfy the Board, Hannah had to look down at her lap and Heaven developed a sudden coughing fit. "Um, um, Vickers, umm, you represent quite a quandary. We suspect you lied on your application to this school three years ago and you absolutely understood you would not have been admitted if you had been honest with us," the Chairman of the Board declared. Heaven shivered so I took one of her hands while Christina took the other. Our motions were noted but I doubt the three of us cared. "Now, Vickers, we could deal with this matter if you would submit to a medical examination," he continued. "Why?" Christina replied. "Is every other applicant to this school required to do the same?" "No other student has their gender called into question," a third board member informed us. "She is not going to go along with this blatantly discriminatory policy," Christina retorted. "If I may," Doctor Scarlett raised her hand. After a moment the Chairman nodded. "Mr. Braxton, as a man and someone with a confessed familiarity with Heaven Vickers, would you assert that said person is a woman?" "She's more than woman enough for me," I quickly answered. "Since it is clear that I have the lowest moral threshold in this room, it isn't going to make anyone think less of me if I attest that I've seen Heaven naked and she's got all the girlie parts I like," Rio threw her soul into the struggle. Heaven virtually froze up at that declaration. "Are, are you saying that you've seen Umm, Vickers naked?" the second director stuttered. "Dude," Rio scoffed, "we have communal showers here. Seeing a girl naked is hardly a rare occurrence. Since you seem like a kindred kinky soul, I'll let you know that I've seen Heaven under the sheets and I can give that body my pseudo-lesbian seal of approval." "Have you had homosexual relations?" the Chairman gasped. "With Heaven, definitely not," Rio swore with an upraised hand. "As for anyone else, what does it matter?" she joked. "You already think I'm a whore." "You should watch your language," the third director warned Rio. I put my hand on her stomach to hold her back from saying something that would only make it worse for her. "To the bitter end," she winked at me. "To the bitter end," I smirked back. She was taking one for the team; drawing off the discussion about Heaven by shocking the Board. Unfortunately, I wasn't alone in seeing that. "Mr. Chairman," Doctor Scarlett addressed the Head of the Board, "perhaps we could return to the agenda if you want to stay on schedule." "Very well," the man allowed. "Umm, Vickers, this matter isn't over but since we do not have conclusive proof about your gender, your application will remain under review." "Thank you," Heaven replied softly. "Don't thank us," the man spat. "Your deviancy will reveal itself soon enough. Evil can never hide from God's Truth." "God is with us," I glowered back. I wasn't winning any friends on the far side of the table. "Your time is coming, Mr. Braxton," the Chairman retorted. "Ms. Talon, we find it miraculous that you haven't racked up more infractions in your short time here. Now, your parents and this board agreed, upon your admittance, that you would live with the strictest discipline and you've attempted every trick in the book to circumvent those intentions." "They did this to me on purpose," Rio moaned over the revelation of her parents' role in events. They'd given the Chancellor and Dana Gorman carte blanche in dealing with Rio. "Nothing has changed," I whispered to Rio. She turned and looked at me with tear-brimmed eyes. She nodded once in understanding. "A special guardian will be assigned to see to your physical and spiritual security," he continued. "Who?" Rio questioned quietly. "Administration will decide on who is most appropriate," he responded snidely. "Now for Mr. Braxton." "I would like to say how much we appreciate you ladies and gentlemen taking time out of your busy schedules to deal with matters here today," I interrupted. I earned several glares for my effort. "Mr. Braxton, you are an unfortunate aberration that should never have been allowed to happen. All disruptions that have happened in the past few weeks can be laid at your feet," he opened with. I raised my hand. The man opened his mouth to continue but seemed annoyed with my gesture. "Yes, Mr. Braxton?" "Sir, how did you come to this conclusion? I'm one guy, and a freshman at that," I countered. "You are the man, of course," the Chairman snorted. "It is only natural that the women of this campus would follow your masculine authority no matter how unfounded and perverse." Wait, did he just call every woman in this room mindless sheep? "Still, we are caught in the same quandary that left you here in the first place. Since we have already isolated you in a Solarium, you will also be assigned a guardian," he grumbled. "Oh, okay," I shrugged. "What happens to Dana Gorman?" "Ms. Gorman has been terminated," he shrugged back. "But it wasn't her fault. I'm no fan; she did knock me out during a practice session once after all," I pointed out. "She is good for this school, though." "We have a new Head of Security and the Athletics Department is being suspended for the rest of the semester," the Chairman informed us. "That would be the neo-fascist in black at the end of the table," I directed my attention to the lone woman on the south end of the table. "Ending our sports programs would be a serious mistake for the morale of the school. Ms. Gorman has done a bang-up job and it would show real concern for the students at this school if you would keep her on as Athletics Dean." "Ask around to any of the hundreds of students who participate; ask Rhaine, she's worked closely with the Coach before," I begged. I had no idea which way Rhaine would jump but she was the only trump I had to play. The big guy didn't seem inclined to listen to Rhaine but that didn't stop her. "Coach Gorman gives every girl an active outlet for our energy," Rhaine volunteered. "She also allowed the reliable elements of the student body to aid with security. It was a shame that Zane's masculinity unbalanced the school populace; the student body does not blame her for what Zane and Christina did." "She should hardly be rewarded for such a catastrophic loss of control," the second director stated. "Reinstating Coach Gorman as Athletics Dean would save us the need for creating new creative programs to provide for the physical well-being of the girls," Doctor Scarlett suggested. "This is a matter for the Board to discuss," the Chairman announced. "You students are released to return to your dorms. Thank you for your attendance. Mr. Braxton and Ms. Talon, you will be assigned your guardians before you arrive at breakfast tomorrow." We took that as our clue to leave. We made it out of the room and almost out of the building. "A moment, Mr. Braxton, Ms. Buchanan," the short-haired woman called out. I turned and met her while the rest of the group slowed down behind me as we started to exit the building. "I'm Gabrielle Black, your new Head of Campus Security. I thought it was important to meet you before classes formally resume." She stepped up and shook Christina's and my hand while we studied her. "You may call me Zane," I offered. "I hope this means we are getting off on the right foot despite that whole neo-fascist thing." "I don't see any panty lines 'Gestapo' Black," Rio interjected herself. "Have you gone commando today?" "I usually make someone earn the right to find out, Ms. Talon," she gave Rio a shark-like grin. "I really don't see how that is relevant and I really don't want to know," Hannah spoke up. "Come on, Zane," Rio persisted, "give it a shot." "Hannah doesn't want to go there so why don't we say good-bye to the nice lady and go," I responded. "What exactly is Ms. Talon asking for?" Ms. Black inquired. "Apparently Zane has a thing for figuring out women and woman's lingerie," Christina said with a degree of caution. "I hope Ms. Cartwright will forgive me but I'd like to test this little trick," Gabrielle requested. "If Hannah doesn't mind," I asked the sophomore class President (sort of). She nodded so I looked to Gabrielle. "Give me a second," I requested. "What's wrong, Zane?" Rio wondered when I didn't immediately start reeling off the facts. "She's good at lying," I informed the group, "but, " "But?" Gabrielle smirked. "Lycra, form-fitting, probably a custom job, dull black, and I guess, with some sort of synthetic weave," I stumbled along. "I've never seen anything precisely like it." "I have," Simone muttered. "A woman in the Presidential Detail for the Secret Service talked about having o
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Links & Mentions: Consult booking link: www.dryazdancoaching.com/consult Email me: DrDYazdan@gmail.com Make more money video: www.dryazdancoaching.com/MDM Follow me for more tips: (@DrYazdan) www.instagram.com/dryazdan and (@DrYazdanCoaching) www.Instagram.com/dryazdancoaching Are you constantly frustrated with your team? Do you feel like no one does things quite the way you want — even when you've told them before? If so, you're not alone… and you're probably running your practice from an invisible “manual.” In today's episode, Dr. Yazdan breaks down the hidden expectations that might be sabotaging your growth, draining your energy, and keeping you stuck in micromanagement mode. She shares how to identify your “manual,” why it's not working, and the step-by-step process to replace it with systems that actually scale. This episode is packed with real-world examples from dental practices just like yours — and practical tools you can start using today to stop spinning your wheels and start leading with strategy.
Būtu svarīgi zināt, ko mēs ēdam, kaut vai tāpēc, lai apzinātos dažādu vielu ietekmi uz organismu. Tomēr - vai pievēršam tam pietiekami daudz uzmanības un kāpēc tas var izrādīties svarīgi, skaidrojam raidījumā Kā labāk dzīvot. Skaidro Pārtikas un veterinārā dienesta Pārtikas izplatīšanas uzraudzības daļas vecākā eksperte Svetlana Aļminoviča-Miļjanoviča un sertificēta uztura speciāliste Zane Timpare. Vai iedzīvotāji, iepērkoties veikalos, pievērš uzmanību produktu sastāvam un e-vielām, to vaicājam Rīgas ielās sastaptajiem cilvēkiem. Svetlana Aļminoviča-Miļjanoviča skaidro, ka e-vielas ir precīzi definētas vielas un tās tiek stingri uzraudzītas un reglamentētas. Tās ir vielas, kuras pievieno pārtikas produktiem pārstrādes un ražošanas procesā ar zināmu tehnoloģisko nolūku - sasniegt noteiktu uzturvērtību, sasniegt noteiktu uzglabāšanu pārtikas produktiem un drošumu. Tās obligāti jānorāda pārtikas produktu marķējumā. Ikviens var iepazīties pirms iegādāšanās. E-vielas, pirms tās iekļaut atļauto sarakstā, stingri no vērtē no dažādiem bīstamības aspektiem. "Neapstrādātiem produktiem - augļiem, dārzeņiem, piena produktiem, medum, bērnu un zīdaiņu pārtikai e-vielas nemaz nedrīkst pievienot," norāda Svetlana Aļminoviča-Miļjanoviča. Runājot par nitrītu un nitrātu pievienošanu gaļas izstrādājumiem, Svetlana Aļminoviča-Miļjanoviča norāda, ka no 2025. gada 9. oktobra gaļas produktos ir samazināts pievienojamo nitrītu un nitrātu daudzums. Devas ir samazinātas, bet ņemts vērā, lai mikrobioloģiskais drošums būtu saglabāts. "Produkti, kas satur nitrātus un nitrītus, gaļas izstrādājumi ir ļoti populāri, cilvēkiem ir grūti atteikties," vērtē Zane Timpare. "Pēdējā laika ieteikums ir, ja ēdam kūpinātas gaļas šķēli, tad ar rupjmaizi un dārzeņiem. Kāpēc? Jo dārzeņi saturēs C vitamīnu, flavonoīdus, dažādas bioloģiski aktīvās vielās, kas mazinās kaitīgo ietekmi, ja tā ir. Tas nenozīmē, ka es rekomendēju ēst šos produktus. Tie, kam kūpinātas gaļas maize tā garšo, tā varētu būt laba kombinācija." "Neatkarīgi no tā, kā e-vielas ir iegūtas, visām ir jābūt drošām, ja tās ir iekļautas atļaut e-vielu sarakstā," atgādina Svetlana Aļminoviča-Miļjanoviča. "Visi produkti, kas nonāk veikalu plauktos, tirgū vai tirdzniecības vietās un ir pieejami, apriori ir droši un nekaitīgi. Piesārņoti produkti nedrīkst nonāk veikala plauktos vai tirgū. Ja tas ir nonācis veikala plauktā, pats par sevi produkts ir drošs un nekaitīgs. Protams, gadās dažādas nianses attiecībā uz uzglabāšanu." Zane Timpare mudina paskatīties uz e-vielām no cita skatupunktā - kas ir tie produkti, kam e-vielas visbiežāk pievieno. "Ir svarīga produktu grupa, ko angliski dēvē "ultra-processed food" vai "hyperpalatable food", no kuriem pēdējo tulko kā pārmērīgi garšīgs. Varētu teikt, nesalīdzināmi garšīgs produkts, salīdzinot ar vienkāršo, ar melleni, burkānu, grūbām," norāda Zane Timpare. "Man liekas, lielākā problēma ir šo produktu pamatsastāvs, šādos produktos ir daudz tauku, daudz cukuru, vai daudz tauku un ogļhidrātu, vai daudz sāls. Tad jau e-vielas ir papildinājums. Jārunā par šo grupu, kuras patēriņš, ka liecina pētījumi, ļoti pieaug. Un arvien vairāk pieaug jaunu cilvēku vidū. Tas ir riska faktors. Ja runājam par e-vielām šādos produktos, tad ražotāji iet uz priekšu, ir nomainītas sintētiskās krāsvielas pret dabīgām, jo ražotāji seko līdzi tam, ko prasa patērētāji. No e-vielu skatupunkta nav riska, risks ir par pamatsastāvu. Lai panāktu šos produktus garšīgākus, kraukšķīgākus, krēmīgākus, visam vajadzīgas e-vielas, nav svarīgi, vai tās ir kaitīgas vai nekaitīgas, bet visi šie produkti veicina vēlmi ēst. Tur ir riska faktors - mēs gribam, lai ir garšīgāks, kraukšķīgāks, un ražotājs piedāvā. Tad ir pircēja izvēle."
This week's I-5 Corridor Traffic Report begins with the heartbreak of the Mariners' Game 7 loss to Toronto in the ALCS. It ends with talk of the Grateful Dead, Tie-dye and whether or not we just don't get it. And in the middle, the two dissect Oregon's 56-10 beating of Rutgers.
Send us a textIn this episode, after asking herself a single question, Jaimee shares the results of continually asking "But why?" Support Us or Get In TouchSend us an Email at jaimeecbthh@gmail.comBuy Us a CoffeePlease give us a review on Apple Podcast. (It really does help)Visit the Tie and High Heels websiteVisit us on Facebook and InstagramSupport the show
Members of the House of Strauss community are, as noted, invited to do our NBA season over/unders contest over at Sports Predict. Personally, I am agonizing over the Warriors and their O/U of 46.5. We discuss this in the pod with Steve, plus other NBA trend subjects. Topics include…* Shoutout to Sid Kali for winning last week in NFL picks. Email me at houseofstrauss@substack.com if you wish to collect a prize* What's my overall strategy for making NBA picks now that I'm not deep in the weeds?* Steve is trying to break the NBA with an idea that, in my opinion, broke the MLB* The Rockets' style is gaining traction, but is it good for the sport? * That Houston Rockets O/U* I have a non analytical reason to love the Orlando Magic OVER* Steve and I disagree on the Lakers* Is weather is a HUGE underrated influence on quarterback performance?Oh, and again, details for entering the contest: The NBA Smart Predictor ChallengeThink you've got one of the sharpest NBA minds around?Here's your chance to prove it — and maybe pocket up to $1,000 while doing what you already love: thinking deeply about basketball.How It WorksThis is the Season Win Totals Challenge — a simple but revealing test of who really understands the league.You'll see the projected win totals for all 30 NBA teams for the 2025–26 season.Your job: for each team, pick Over or Under. Before the first game begins of the season begins. That's it.Scoring• Winner: Whoever gets the most correct picks.• Tie-breaker: If multiple people nail the same number of teams, we go to total net wins differential — meaning how right you were and by how much. It's a clean way to separate luck from skill. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe
In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter speak with Andrea Steele, Area Vice President (AVP) eCommerce & Customer Marketing at Kraft Heinz.Andrea shares her framework for embedding digital and eCommerce capabilities across large organizations, and how true transformation starts upstream, in brand strategy, product development, and core business processes.She breaks down five steps to make digital change stick, from aligning on strategy to measuring success and celebrating wins. Andrea also discusses balancing change management with team wellbeing, fostering collaboration across functions, and driving long-term transformation while keeping pace with an industry and audiences that move at lightning speed.Key takeawaysLead with strategy: Tie every digital effort to a clear business goal before investing in tools.Embed early: Bake eCommerce into brand planning and product development to make change stick.Align cross-functionally: Involve legal, finance, and supply teams early to remove bottlenecks and speed up execution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Stop chasing motivation and build momentum you can count on. I sit down with Robin J. Emdon, the procrastination slayer, to unpack his GetResultsology framework for solopreneurs and business owners. Robin explains why procrastination isn't about laziness but about how our brains are wired, and he shows how to spot it before it takes hold. Together we explore his productivity trifecta of brain chemistry, the power of micro-deadlines, and why accountability works best when it creates support instead of pressure. You'll hear how breaking projects into 10-minute wins builds confidence, how routines and structure reduce overwhelm, and why connecting daily actions to your bigger life vision makes progress inevitable.Highlights:Catch procrastination before it starts - Learn a quick self-check to notice when you're slipping into “I'll do it tomorrow,” and how to redirect in the moment. Use the Productivity Trifecta - Understand dopamine (the conductor), acetylcholine (the scholar), and noradrenaline (the fun-size warrior) so your brain is set up for focus and follow-through. Make structure do the heavy lifting - Pre-decide routines, add accountability for feedback not pressure, and use micro-deadlines to shrink overwhelm. Turn big projects into bite-size wins - Chunk work into small steps, set near-term hurdles, and apply the Pomodoro approach to build momentum daily. Lead with life vision, not just goals - Tie today's tasks to a clear life vision so chores become stepping stones, not stress triggers.Connect with Robin:Website: https://getresultsology.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinjemdon/ Podcast: https://getresultsology.com/podcast/ Get your Free PDF of Robin's book – “Get Results-ology” at https://reallyusefultips.com In appreciation for being here, I have some gifts for you:A LinkedIn Checklist for setting up your fully optimized Profile:An opportunity to test drive the Follow Up system I recommend by checking this presentation page - you won't regret it. AND … Don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and be eligible for my complimentary LinkedIn profile audit – I do one each month for a lucky listener!Connect with me:http://JanicePorter.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/janiceporter/https://www.facebook.com/janiceporter1https://www.instagram.com/socjanice/Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode andthink that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the...
Trade leaders win when appreciation becomes a system, not a slogan. In this solo lesson, Chad Peterman shares the 20-year story of a position coach's handwritten note that flipped his mindset and how HVAC, plumbing, and home-service teams can use the same playbook to unlock belief, consistency, and effort. You'll learn the four elements of effective appreciation, how to “close the coaching loop,” and a simple weekly cadence that raises performance without lowering standards. Additional Resources: Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community (powered by our media partner, PeopleForward Network) Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Appreciation outruns perfection: Praise visible effort and progress to drive long-term results. Make it specific: Tie gratitude to observable behavior and impact so the team can repeat it. Close the loop: Coach the mistake, then praise the corrected behavior to cement learning. Keep it sincere and concise: A short, genuine note often beats a long speech. Lead from gratitude: Daily gratitude practice improves mood, influence, and resilience under pressure.
In this week's episode of The Chazz Palminteri Show, I sit down with the legendary Tony Orlando, whose voice and charisma defined an era of American music. From his timeless hits like “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” and “Knock Three Times,” to his incredible career as a singer, songwriter, producer, and television host, Tony shares his life journey through music, family, and perseverance. We talk about: Tony's early rise in the music industry and how Dawn became a household name The stories behind his biggest hits and how they shaped pop culture What it was like navigating fame across seven decades of show business The importance of faith, humility, and gratitude in staying grounded Our shared Bronx roots, performing for generations, and the joy of connecting with fans This episode is filled with laughter, wisdom, and inspiration from one of the most enduring voices in music history.
Po dvoch rokoch, ktoré stáli životy desaťtisíce ľudí a ktoré doslova rozdelili celý svet, nastalo prímerie.Vzorec je pomerne jednoduchý. Mladý muž či chlapec, ktorý sa cíti osamelo, nedostatočne či neatraktívne, sa zahĺbi do sociálnych sietí. Tie mu ponúknu jedno dve videá s obsahom, ktorý by sme mohli nazvať maskulínny, antifeministický, ľahko mizogýnny a ak ich pozerá dosť dlho, ponúkne mu ďalšie a ďalšie a radikálnejšie.Postupne sa dostáva pod vplyv takzvanej manosféry a nachádza podobných mladých mužov, ktorí si hovoria inceli. A zrazu nie je taký sám, zrazu sú takých ako on tisíce. O ženách si začne myslieť svoje, dlhujú mu všetko a nie sú ani ľuďmi.Online prejavy tejto nenávisti sa pretavujú aj do reálneho života, napríklad zhoršeným psychickým zdravím mužov, ale aj násilnými útokmi. Denník SME incelov pozoroval a komunikoval s nimi na najväčšom uzavretom fóre, kde sa združujú.O tom, čo sa tam dialo, ako títo muži premýšľajú a čo sa s tým dá robiť, sa Nikola Šuliková Bajánová rozpráva so stážistkou denníka SME Líviou Lukácsovou.OdporúčanieVeľa z toho, o čom sme sa dnes rozprávali, má koreň v nezahojených traumách, často spôsobených výchovou. Preto, či už máte alebo nemáte deti, odporúčam prečítať si knihu Toto mali čítať naši rodičia od Philippy Perryovej. Je to bestseller o tom, ako si vytvoriť s deťmi kvalitný a bezpečný vzťah, a takisto pomáha pozrieť sa na vlastné detstvo očami psychoterapeutky.–Všetky podcasty denníka SME nájdete na sme.sk/podcasty–Odoberajte aj audio verziu denného newslettra SME.sk s najdôležitejšími správami na sme.sk/brifing
Centieni dzīvot ilgāk un labāk mudina dažādas interesantu kopienas aizrauties ar "virtuves" ģenētiku jeb biohakingu. Vai varam šunas apmācīt tās darboties efektīvāk un ļaut mums dzīvot ilgāk un labāk. Vai mūsu lielās un mazās dzīvesveida izvēles patiešām var ietekmēt šūnu darbību? Vai rīta kross, augu valsts uzturs vai badošanās patiešām mainīs mūsu šūnu darbību? Vai varam "ieprogrammēt" šūnām darīt to, kas tām nav paredzēts un apiet nevēlamas izpausmes vai ģenētiskas slimības? Vai varam pārgrogrammēt un atjaunot mūsu ķermeni ar jaunāku, labāku programmatūru gluži kā robotu? Kā šūnu programmēšanu pēta zinātnieki un vai kādu dienu varēsim "apmācīt" vēža šūnu uzvesties kā parastai šūnai? Raidījumā Zināmais nezināmajā analizē medicīnas zinātņu doktore, Latvijas Universitātes tenūrprofesore precīzijas medicīnā Una Riekstiņa un Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes Sabiedrības veselības un epidemioloģijas katedras vadītājs Ģirts Briģis. Sintētiskā bioloģija pēta, kā šūnas pašas var sākt darboties kā dzīvas zāles Procesi dzīvās šūnās dažkārt var kalpot kā iedvesma, lai radītu elektroierīces un citus rīkus cilvēka ikdienai. Bet reizēm ar elektrotehnikas un matemātikas palīdzību šūnas iespējams uzlabot jaunā līmenī, ka tās pašas var sākt darboties kā dzīvas zāles. Tieši šādus jautājumus skata sintētiskā bioloģija, un šīs jomas pārstāvis - profesors Mustafa Khamašs no Šveices - nesen viesojās Rīgā. Mustafa Khamašs (Mustafa Khammash) ir Šveices Federālā tehnoloģiju institūta Cīrihē (ETH Zürich) Biosistēmu zinātnes un inženierijas departamenta profesors. Pagājušajā nedēļā, viesojoties Latvijā, viņš ar referātu uzstājās Rīgas Tehniskajā universitātē, aplūkojot sintētiskās bioloģijas sasniegumus. Sintētiskā bioloģija paver ceļu jaunai dzīvo zāļu paaudzei - inženierijas ceļā radītām šūnām, kas uztver slimības signālus un reaģē ar pielāgotām terapijām. Profesors tic, ka ar sintētiskās bioloģijas palīdzību cilvēka organismam netiek iedots kaut kas svešs, drīzāk var atdot atpakaļ paša cilvēka dabisko regulatoro mehānismu, kad kaut kas nogājis greizi. Saruna par sintētisko bioloģiju - tā vienlaikus ir sastapšanās ar elektrotehniku un tādu jēdzienu kā negatīva atgriezeniskā saite, kad izejas signāla fāze ir pretēja ieejas signāla fāzei, un pat matemātiskās analīzes terminu “integrālis”. Profesoram vispirms vaicājam, vai sintētiskā bioloģija, dēvēta arī par inženierbioloģiju, ir pavisam jauns virziens, vai arī - esam ar to sastapušies jau labu laiku, tikai tagad devuši tam apzīmējumu?
Send us a textJaimee provides an exciting update about the Kickstarter Book Campaign. And she shares the story of the first time she ever ventured out as her true self.Support Us or Get In TouchSend us an Email at jaimeecbthh@gmail.comBuy Us a CoffeePlease give us a review on Apple Podcast. (It really does help)Visit the Tie and High Heels websiteVisit us on Facebook and InstagramSupport the show
Identity doesn't vanish after suicide loss; name the parts that still fit and make room for them on purpose. Journal prompt: “Where I feel most like myself lately is…”Identity doesn't vanish; it gets buried. Today we name the parts of you that still fit—and make room for them on purpose.A Flicker (Hope) — A familiar thread Notice one moment you felt like you this week—how you spoke, moved, created, cared. Keep that thread.To Rebuild (Healing) — Pick 1–2 identity words Examples: listener, maker, advocate, steady, honest, curious, playful, caretaker, organizer. Circle 1–2 that land today. Write them at the top of your notes app.Take a Step (Becoming) — Put identity on the calendar (≤10 min) Tie one micro-act to your word:Maker: lay out one tool (sketchbook, yarn, instrument) and touch it for 10 minutes.Advocate: send one supportive message or share one resource.Listener/Steady: check in on one person with a two-sentence text.Choose-your-energy menu:Hollow (low): Hollow — Whisper your word once. Put a hand on your chest and breathe out longer than in.Healing (medium): Healing — Do one 10-minute identity act; stop when the timer ends.Becoming (higher): Becoming — Schedule this identity act 3 times this week.Food for Thought Today: Identity isn't a costume you perform; it's a way your love moves through the room. When you choose one small act that matches who you are, you're not pretending you're okay—you're remembering yourself in real time.Exhale. Keep what serves you; leave the rest. I'll be here again tomorrow.
3rd Annual History of the Bay Day, 11.9.25 at Public Works, SF - ticket link: https://www.tixr.com/groups/publicsf/events/3rd-annual-history-of-the-bay-day-159082OopzAllBerryz is a fixture in the Bay Area scene known for being a member of HBK Gang and owning the second Shmop House. Although he's not a musician, he's known in the local party scene for spreading good vibes. Growing up in Oakland, Oopz' interest in cannabis and psychedelics led him to adopt the hippie lifestyle and his signature tie-dye outfits. Starting off as a fan of HBK's music, he eventually became friends with Kool John and has been part of Shmop Life ever since. Oopz has also launched his own products and projects and continues to push his own lifestyle brand.--For promo opportunities on the podcast, e-mail: historyofthebaypodcast@gmail.com---History of the Bay Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZUM4rCv6xfNbvB4r8TVWU?si=9218659b5f4b43aaOnline Store: https://dregsone.myshopify.com Follow Dregs One:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1UNuCcJlRb8ImMc5haZHXF?si=poJT0BYUS-qCfpEzAX7mlAInstagram: https://instagram.com/dregs_oneTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dregs_oneTwitter: https://twitter.com/dregs_oneFacebook: https://facebook.com/dregsone41500:00 Introduction02:58 Tie dye style07:20 Growing up in Oakland10:32 Cannabis culture16:54 Psychedelics 26:47 Ladies man29:10 Meeting HBK32:45 Shmop House parties35:11 HBK era41:45 Party music52:20 Oopz brand
Man, that Packers-Cowboys tie left a sour taste—our once-dominant defense got torched for 40 points, while the offense scraped by with Jordan Love and Romeo Dobbs shining through the mess. Callers vented hard on the lack of pass rush, sloppy special teams, and Matt LaFleur's questionable deep shots that killed early momentum. It's raw frustration as fans question if this team has any real identity amid injuries and inconsistencies. Defense meltdown: No pressure on Dak, missed tackles, and calls to rethink Quay Walker's future. Offense highs and lows: Solid from Love and Dobbs, but too aggressive early without rhythm. Coaching heat: Blasts at LaFleur for conservative end-game calls and Hafley for failing to adjust. Positive spin: Tie beats a loss, and with pieces returning post-bye, maybe we turn it around like past champs. This episode is brought to you by PrizePicks! Use code PACKDADDY and visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACKDADDY to get started with America's #1 fantasy sports app. Subscribe, rate, and review to keep the After Dark vibes rolling—hit us up on social with your hot takes. Tease: More Packers drama incoming after the bye. To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/packernetpodcast #Packers #AfterDark #NFLDrama #GreenBayTiesSuck
Man, that Packers-Cowboys tie left a sour taste—our once-dominant defense got torched for 40 points, while the offense scraped by with Jordan Love and Romeo Dobbs shining through the mess. Callers vented hard on the lack of pass rush, sloppy special teams, and Matt LaFleur's questionable deep shots that killed early momentum. It's raw frustration as fans question if this team has any real identity amid injuries and inconsistencies. Defense meltdown: No pressure on Dak, missed tackles, and calls to rethink Quay Walker's future. Offense highs and lows: Solid from Love and Dobbs, but too aggressive early without rhythm. Coaching heat: Blasts at LaFleur for conservative end-game calls and Hafley for failing to adjust. Positive spin: Tie beats a loss, and with pieces returning post-bye, maybe we turn it around like past champs. This episode is brought to you by PrizePicks! Use code PACKDADDY and visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACKDADDY to get started with America's #1 fantasy sports app. Subscribe, rate, and review to keep the After Dark vibes rolling—hit us up on social with your hot takes. Tease: More Packers drama incoming after the bye. To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/packernetpodcast #Packers #AfterDark #NFLDrama #GreenBayTiesSuck
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