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Introduction: Beware the Pious OnesIntroduction: Beware the Pious OnesMy dad used to warn me, "Be careful of the pious ones." That puzzled me for years. Piety should be about loving God, pursuing God. So why would anyone warn you to be careful of pious people? Then, I noticed that the most pious in Christ's day received His sharpest words. Christ warns the pious that they are shutting people out of the kingdom. In fact, in all their evangelistic zeal, they are only creating disciples of hell. That should make us pause and contemplate true piety.Acts 5 gives some insight into this problem. We discover that there are self-proclaimed pious people actively working against the work of Christ. So the real question is: how do we know what piety we're actually pursuing? The Community's Power (Acts 5:12–16)Word spreads about Ananias and Sapphira, and the healing of the disciples. The crowds do not discern the truth, but hold the apostles on some superstitious pedestal. They bring their sick to the disciples, hoping that at least a shadow will fall on the sick and bring healing. However, they don't want to get too close because people die in this community. The problem is that people look to the apostles for healing rather than to Christ. We have seen this with the crippled man. He clung to the apostles, and not his savior. The apostles made it very clear that the Lord brings healing. So, the Apostles continue to preach the gospel. Tragically, the crowd misses the point of the signs. The signs are not self-promoting signs that the false prophets use to promote their own significance. Christ warned his disciples about these false prophets before going to the cross (Mt. 24:24; Mk 13:22; Luke 21:8). No, these are signs that gave the prophets credibility and authenticity to confirm their message. It was not to compete with the message. Unfortunately, they would rather watch for a miracle than find their wholeness in Christ. It takes time to be progressively transformed by His word. This helps us see true piety versus false piety. True piety looks to our God. False piety looks to the tangible in this world. God's Power Play (Acts 5:17–26)The high priest and the Sadducees move against the apostles out of jealousy. The Sadducees deny the supernatural. They claim that there is no resurrection, no miracle, nothing supernatural. They believe that Scripture is an ethical handbook rather than the living and abiding Word of God that confers life. They are jealous that the Apostles are gaining traction. They cannot tolerate a movement built on a risen Christ. A movement with credible healings and miracles. The apostles' ministry is a radical existential threat to their power. So, they react by assuming that if you silence the messengers, then you silence the movement. So, they try to silence the apostles by locking them up in jail. An angel quietly opens the prison at night. There is no disturbance outside the prison, so the guards assume everything is fine. The Lord sends the apostles right back to the temple with a simple charge: go speak all the words of this Life. The next morning, the council sends for the prisoners and finds an empty locked cell. The word returns to the senate that the "prisoners" are already preaching at the temple. God dismantles the power play without raising his voice. The glorified and resurrected Jesus of Nazareth will be proclaimed. Who Really Holds the Power (Acts 5:27–42)The Apostles are escorted from the temple to the senate. The apostles are accused of trying to put "this man's blood" on them. Please keep in mind that this senate is the same group of people who once told Pilate, "his blood be on us." Peter's answer is direct: "We must obey God rather than men," and he pointedly calls God "the God of our fathers.” The Apostles are in the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because they embrace Christ. This means that the pious ones, who deny Christ, cannot claim the same historic identity. Where Pentecost's crowd was cut to the heart and repented, this council responds with rage.Gamaliel, a Pharisee, then offers a test: movements built on mere men collapse when their leader dies. This happened with Theudas. He rose up, and Rome executed him, silencing his mission. Judas the Galilean led a tax revolt, and Rome executed him, killing his movement. Two clear movements that were not from God rose up and died almost immediately. The movements had no power beyond the leaders. So, if the apostles are from God, there is no way that the Sanhedrin/council can stop it. However, if it is merely a man-made movement, then it will die. So, let history unfold. Praise be to God! We worship the same resurrected and ascended Christ that the Apostles proclaimed. The movement continues by the Lord's continued providence and care.Conclusion: True Piety Points Away From ItselfSo, how do we know if we're pursuing the right piety? Luke 18 answers it: the Pharisee's sin wasn't effort, it was trusting in his own righteousness. There's nothing wrong with looking back and thanking God for how he's sanctified us. However, when it becomes look how good I am, Christ has quietly left the stage. The Pharisees make their own disciples (Matthew 23:19). They are not making disciples of Christ, but disciples of their theology. When Christ gives the great commission, the disciples are commanded to teach and disciple in all that I have commanded you. True piety asks, “How do I glorify Christ?” It is the assurance that I only draw near to God because I am in Christ. He has lived, died, been raised, and ascended to glory. He rules me/us by His Spirit from heaven. True piety seeks to glorify Christ rather than self. That's the whole difference between the pious ones my dad warned me about and the true pious. May we distinguish true piety and desire to please our Lord, who has redeemed us. Then, I noticed whom Christ reserved his sharpest words for in the Gospels: the most pious people of his day. Christ warns the pious that they are shutting people out of the kingdom. In fact, in all their evangelistic zeal, they are only creating disciples of hell.Acts 5 gives some insight into this problem. We discover that there are self-proclaimed pious people actively working against the work of Christ. So the real question is: how do we know what piety we're actually pursuing?The Community's Power (Acts 5:12–16)The Apostles continue to minister the Lord's gospel. The problem is that people look to the apostles rather than to Christ. We have seen this with the crippled man. His attention was called to Christ as the crippled man clung to the apostles. It is the Lord's word that brings the healing.This is where we see the true piety versus the false piety. The true piety looks to our God. False piety looks to the tangible in this world.Word spreads about Ananias and Sapphira, and the healing of the disciples. The crowds do not discern the truth, but hold the apostles on some sort of a superstitious pedestal. They bring their sick to the disciples, hoping that at least a shadow would come into contact and bring healing. However, they don't want to get close because people die in this community.Tragically, they miss the point of the signs. The signs are not self-promoting signs like the false prophets who use the signs to promote their own significance. Christ warned his disciples about these false prophets before going to the cross (Mt. 24:24; Mk 13:22; Luke 21:8). No, these are signs that gave Moses credibility and authenticity before Pharaoh. Unfortunately, we see that the crowds are still the crowds who lurk rather than join. They would rather watch for a miracle rather than find their wholeness in Christ, being progressively transformed by His word.God's Power Play (Acts 5:17–26)The high priest and the Sadducees move against the apostles out of jealousy. The Sadducees deny the supernatural. They claim that there is no resurrection, no miracle, nothing supernatural. Scripture is an ethical handbook rather than the living and abiding Word of God that confers life.They are jealous that the Apostles are gaining traction. They really are not going to allow a movement built on a risen Christ. A movement with credible healings and miracles. This is not a competition for them, but a radical existential threat. Their existence is about to be completely undermined. So, they react by assuming if you silence the messengers, then you destroy the movement. They lock up the apostles in jail.An angel quietly opens the prison at night. There is no disturbance outside the prison, so the guards assume everything is fine. The Lord sends the apostles right back to the temple with a simple charge: go speak all the words of this Life. The next morning, the council sends for the prisoners and finds an empty locked cell. The word returns to the senate that the "prisoners" are already preaching at the temple. God dismantles the power play without raising his voice. His life message will go forth. The glorified and resurrected Jesus of Nazareth will be proclaimed.Who Really Holds the Power (Acts 5:27–42)The Apostles are escorted from the temple to the senate. The apostles are accused of trying to put "this man's blood" on them. Please keep in mind that this same group of people once told Pilate, "his blood be on us." Peter's answer is direct: "We must obey God rather than men," and he pointedly calls God "the God of our fathers.” The Apostles are in the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because they embrace Christ. This means that the pious ones, who deny Christ, cannot claim the same historic identity. Where Pentecost's crowd was cut to the heart and repented, this council responds with rage instead.Gamaliel, a Pharisee, then offers a test: movements built on mere men collapse when their leader dies. This happened with Theudas. He rose up, and Rome executed him, silencing his mission. Judas the Galilean led a tax revolt, and Rome executed him. His movement died. Two clear movements that were not from God. We know that because the movement died. It had no power beyond the leaders.So, if the apostles are from God, there is no way that they can stop it. If the movement is only in their power, then it will cease. So, let history unfold. Praise be to God! We worship the same resurrected and ascended Christ that the Apostles proclaimed. The movement continues by the Lord's continued providence and care.Conclusion: True Piety Points Away From ItselfSo, how do we know if we're pursuing the right piety? Luke 18 answers it: the Pharisee's sin wasn't effort, it was trusting in his own righteousness. There's nothing wrong with looking back and thanking God for how he's sanctified us. However, when it becomes look how good I am, Christ has quietly left the stage.The Pharisees make their own disciples (Matthew 23:19). They are not making disciples of Christ, but disciples of their theology. When Christ gives the great commission, the disciples are commanded to teach and disciple in all that I have commanded you.True piety asks, “How do I glorify Christ?” It is the assurance that I only draw near to God because I am in Christ. He has lived, died, been raised, and ascended to glory. He rules me/us by His Spirit from heaven. True piety seeks to glorify Christ rather than self. That's the whole difference between the pious ones my dad warned me about and the true pious. May we distinguish true piety and desire to please our Lord, who has redeemed us. Amen.

Send us Fan MailThe difference between these two distribution methods comes down to how the "class" of beneficiaries is defined, which radically changes who is included in the final headcount (since per capita translates to "by head").Here is the breakdown of how each designation works:"To My Children, Per Capita"Who is included: The beneficiary class is strictly confined to your immediate, first-generation children.How it works: The estate is divided equally only among your children who outlive you.If a child predeceases you: Their share is permanently lost to their family branch and is instead reabsorbed and divided among your remaining surviving children. The grandchildren belonging to the deceased child's branch receive absolutely nothing (0%).Why it's used: This approach is often chosen by individuals who want to keep assets concentrated strictly within their immediate living generation—for instance, to prevent minor grandchildren from inheriting complex assets that could trigger court-appointed guardianships."To My Descendants, Per Capita"Who is included: The designated class expands exponentially to encompass all living direct linear descendants across all generations. This includes surviving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on.How it works: The estate is divided into equal shares based on a total headcount of all surviving descendants, regardless of their generation.If a child predeceases you: The deceased child's share is added to the total pool, which is then split equally among all living heads. Consequently, grandchildren will inherit equal shares right alongside their living parents, aunts, and uncles.Why it's dangerous: This method often results in a massive dilution of individual shares. It can also create significant family friction, as your living children will see their portions drastically reduced by the sheer number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren counted in the distribution.A Practical Example To illustrate the difference, imagine you have an estate to pass on. You have three children, and between them, they have given you seven grandchildren. Tragically, one of your children passes away before you do.Under "To My Children, Per Capita": Your two surviving children would split the entire estate (50% each). All seven grandchildren would receive $0.Under "To My Descendants, Per Capita": The headcount would include your two surviving children and all seven grandchildren (totaling 8 living heads). The estate would be divided into eight equal pieces, meaning each child and grandchild would receive a 12.5% shareSupport the show

Lindsey Graham has passed away at the age of 71. The cause of death is reported to be an aoritc dissection. President Trump has a preferred successor for Graham's Senate seat but he has not put forth a name yet. Democrat fraud/phony Congressman Ro Khanna claims he was "detained" in Israel. Is this a distraction from his connection to Graham Platner? An Israeli ambassador has debunked Khanna's claims that he was "detained."    Join UNGOVERNED on LFA TV LIVE every MONDAY - FRIDAY from 10am to 11am EASTERN!    www.FarashMedia.com www.LFATV.us www.OFPFarms.com https://www.SLNT.com/SHAWN  https://www.CovePure.com/SHAWN

Yesterday, President Trump repeatedly declared that “There is something wrong” with the leaders of Iran. He's absolutely right, fundamentally, because the current crop – like all their predecessors – are sharia-supremacists.  As such, they will do everything possible to destroy unbelievers, including fellow Muslims they consider to be apostates and certainly us. To that end, they'll employ every instrument from deception to political subversion to violent jihad. The same is true of Ahmed al-Sharaa, the erstwhile al Qaeda commander who is now, with the backing of the sharia-supremacist regimes in Turkey and Qatar, the president of Syria.  Tragically, Mr. Trump is being blindsided by such false friends and even some of his own subordinates to construe Sharaa-tied jihadist attacks on Christians, Druze and other minorities as laudable “stabilization” of that long-suffering country. Mr. President, there's something very wrong as well with the Syrian leadership.    This is Frank Gaffney.

Patsy Brooks-Tallant is a member of the Baby Scoop Era, the mid-20th-century period when societal pressures often forced unmarried or young mothers to surrender their infants for adoption. Born to a 21-year-old mother already raising four children, Patsy's pregnancy stemmed from an affair while the mother's military husband was overseas. To this day—over 63 years later—he believes Patsy is merely a family friend, unaware she is his wife's biological daughter and his stepchild. The couple remains married. Unable to keep her child, Patsy's birth mother arranged a private adoption through a family connection. Her own mother knew an older couple, aged 44 and 46, desperate for a child after the adoptive mother had lost her only biological infant. Bypassing formal agencies, the adoption was facilitated by a county judge, social worker, and private attorney who falsified documents. The adoptive parents were present at the birth and took Patsy home shortly after. Raised in a loving, stable home, Patsy always knew she was adopted. Three years later, the same family adopted her biological cousin, further linking the families. From her teens, Patsy pursued genealogy relentlessly. In high school, she located her birth mother but delayed contact. Their reunion revealed five half-siblings—four older, one younger—none aware of Patsy's existence, per her mother's request for secrecy. Years later, DNA testing uncovered her biological father's identity and seven additional paternal half-siblings. Tragically, he had passed away. Patsy has since met all her paternal siblings and maintains a close relationship with one younger maternal half-brother and his children. Ties with most maternal siblings remain distant to protect their mother's secret. Professionally, Patsy enjoyed a 49-year career as a Master Pet Stylist, owning mobile grooming units and teaching nationally and internationally. Now, her greatest passion is adoptee rights and DNA research. She advocates for unrestricted access to original birth records, refusing to uphold past secrecy. Married 42 years to her high school sweetheart, Patsy has three children and seven grandchildren. Despite a fulfilling life, she feels the primal loss of adoption daily. Forming sibling bonds in one's fifties and sixties - without shared childhoods - is difficult. Having lost her adoptive parents at ages 15 and 22, Patsy navigated these complexities largely alone. For her, adoptee identity remains a lifelong reality. Season 12 Book: The Adoption Paradox by Jean Kelly Widner Eventbrite Link: Live Podcast Event in Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 11th-13th Sign up to be part of our mailing list! Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly ADOPTEE CAFE community. The next meeting will be Saturday, July 11th, at 1 pm ET. RESOURCES for Adoptees: Adoptees Connect Adoptee Mentoring Society Gregory Luce and Adoptee Rights Law Fireside Adoptees Facebook Group Dr. Liz Debetta: Migrating Toward Wholeness Movement Moses Farrow - Trauma therapist and advocate National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988. Kristal Parke Because She Is Adopted Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our nation has just come through a celebration weekend. There was the Great American State Fair, parades, speeches, military flyovers, re-enactments, and fireworks displays which surpassed all previous 4th of July celebrations. All of this was done in celebration of 250 years of Independence. Now let's step back and take a look at the opening sentence to the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Tragically, while we have crossed this 250th anniversary celebration, there are many babies in the womb who are being denied the right to their life, their liberty and their pursuit of happiness. Their lives are being snatched away by the hands of the abortionist, by the hands of a mother popping abortion pills into her system, or of a rapist or pedophile trying to destroy the evidence of their actions. So while we have just celebrated freedom, who's concerned about the freedom of a child conceived in the womb? Rev. James Harden answers this question as he comments on the restoration of funding for Planned Parenthood that had been pulled from the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. Additionally, he discusses fabricated rights vs. unalienable rights, a lawsuit against CompassCare Pregnancy Services, drinking water concerns due to abortion drugs, and much more, including comments from listeners. More Information: CompassCareCommunity.com

Our nation has just come through a celebration weekend. There was the Great American State Fair, parades, speeches, military flyovers, re-enactments, and fireworks displays which surpassed all previous 4th of July celebrations. All of this was done in celebration of 250 years of Independence. Now let's step back and take a look at the opening sentence to the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Tragically, while we have crossed this 250th anniversary celebration, there are many babies in the womb who are being denied the right to their life, their liberty and their pursuit of happiness. Their lives are being snatched away by the hands of the abortionist, by the hands of a mother popping abortion pills into her system, or of a rapist or pedophile trying to destroy the evidence of their actions. So while we have just celebrated freedom, who's concerned about the freedom of a child conceived in the womb? Rev. James Harden answers this question as he comments on the restoration of funding for Planned Parenthood that had been pulled from the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. Additionally, he discusses fabricated rights vs. unalienable rights, a lawsuit against CompassCare Pregnancy Services, drinking water concerns due to abortion drugs, and much more, including comments from listeners. More Information: CompassCareCommunity.com

Professor Donald Rayfield picks up Crimea's story in spring 1942, when Germany turns south for the Black Sea and oil. Some Tartars can't imagine anyone worse than Stalin. Some can't imagine anyone worse than Hitler. Tragically, they are both right though in different ways.Donald explains the realities of the German occupation, from the early “orderly” phase to the arrival of SS units whose mission is extermination of the Jews. Astonishingly some Jews are spared as the ever 'scientific' Nazis rule they are not Jews at all. Then comes one of the great crimes of world history. Stalin decides to deport the entire Crimean Tatar nation to Central Asia. Donald tells the story of the cattle trains, the scale of death and the uncertain welcome for survivors in Uzbekistan. Crimea itself is stripped of Tatar presence through renamed towns and seized homes. We bring things up to date with the 1990s return and the brief cultural revival under Ukraine . But the post-2014 Russian annexation brings renewed repression. As Donald says 'History can always get worse'. It is a fascinating episode.

It's Thursday, July 2nd, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus British might criminalize speaking Biblical truth on sexuality The United Kingdom may criminalize pastors and parents for sharing Biblical truth on sexuality.  The country's Labour government published the Conversion Practices Draft Bill last week. The measure would ban practices aimed at changing a person's so-called sexual orientation or gender identity.  Andrea Williams with Christian Concern said, “This bill opens the door to the persecution of parents and pastors through false accusations of abusive conversion practices.” British Parliament is “the gayest” with 75 sexually perverted In other United Kingdom  news, outgoing Prime Minister Kier Starmer, an atheist, signaled his support for sexually perverted lifestyles.  Listen to his recent comments. STARMER: “I'm really proud that we've got the gayest parliament. I don't think, anywhere in the world. I don't think there's any parliament that is gayer than this parliament. That is fantastic. “The HIV Action Plan is really good to end transmissions by 2030. We've legislated to equalize all existing strands of hate crime and make them aggravated offenses, and again, the announcement through Liv last week, a full trans-inclusive ban on abusive conversion practice. We put an end to those practices.” Indeed, out of the 650 members of British Parliament, 75 of them have sinfully embraced sexual perversion. Isaiah 5:20-23 says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil . . . Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes. … Who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man!” Starmer announced his resignation last month. His Labour Party had just experienced major election losses in May.  Canadian Anglicans offer “liturgy” to bless the euthanized Speaking of calling evil good, the Anglican Church of Canada announced a Christian liturgy to bless people being euthanized. The denomination said it would not comment on the morality of assisted suicide. Instead, it authorized clergy to bless people who have chosen it.  Canada is considered the euthanasia capital of the world. Tragically, over 100,000 people have died under the country's assisted suicide program. The death push began 10 years ago on June 17, 2016.  Planned Parenthood shuts down Iowa City abortion mill Here in the United States, Planned Parenthood will shut down its location in Iowa City, Iowa this month.  The abortion giant closed four other facilities in Iowa last year. This leaves only one location in the state.  Iowa banned most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy in 2024. And yesterday, a law went into effect that bans mail-order abortions in the Hawkeye State.  78% of Americans favor public school student-led prayer groups A new Pew Research survey found that Americans support religious expression in public schools. Seventy-eight percent of U.S. adults favor allowing students to voluntarily pray in student-led groups. Fifty-seven percent favor allowing coaches to lead their teams in prayer. Fifty percent favor displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms. And 46 percent favor allowing teachers to lead their classes in prayer.  Presbyterian Church in America voted against female deacons The second-largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S. recently voted against female deacons. Last month, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America met in Louisville, Kentucky. The church body voted resoundingly against a proposal to allow women to serve as ordained deacons. This reaffirmed the denomination's constitutional documents. Those documents state, “The ordinary and perpetual classes of office in the Church are elders and deacons. ... The office of deacon is not one of rule, but rather of service both to the physical and spiritual needs of the people. In accord with Scripture, these offices are open to men only.”  Chick-fil-A 92-year-old employee encourages customers A Chick-fil-A employee in his 90s is making headlines for his work ethic and his Christian faith. Gilbert Martin, affectionately known as “Mr. Gil,” has been working at a Chick-fil-A in Wilmington, North Carolina for the last six years. Mr. Gil just turned 92. But that doesn't stop him from working throughout the week. He not only keeps the restaurant clean, he takes personal care of the people who walk in. Mr. Gil told WECT-6 that God has allowed him to be an encourager to people. Listen.  MARTIN: “I get a lot of people that are coming in, just going to the doctor, or just been to the doctor, and got bad news, and so forth, and I'm able to be encourager. The Lord gave me that. I don't plan to go anywhere else..” Romans 15:2 says, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Looking for feedback from Worldview listeners I was surprised not to receive a single email yesterday about what listeners, like you, enjoy about this newscast.  What makes this newscast different to you from other newscasts which you've heard?  Do you listen to it while you exercise, drive in the car, or at home with the family as part of your morning routine? What is your favorite part of it? Email me your thoughts in 2-4 sentences including your name, city and state, and country if outside America. Send that to Adam@TheWorldview.com. That's Adam@TheWorldview.com 10 Worldview listeners gave $1,762 yesterday And finally, toward our goal of raising $12,450 by this Friday, July 3rd, 10 Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate. Our thanks to Karen in Goshen, Indiana who gave $12 as well as Emily in De Forest, Wisconsin, Myron in Trinity, Alabama, Jon in Granger, Indiana, and Anna in West Jefferson, North Carolina – each of whom gave $50. We're grateful for the kindness of Mandy in Walpole, New Hampshire and Michael in Ritzville, Washington – both of whom gave $200 as well as LuShun in Newport News, Virginia who gave $250. And we were touched by the generosity of Heather in Mt Juliet, Tennessee who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300 and Michelle in Stagecoach, Nevada who pledged $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600. Ready for our grand total? Drum roll please. (Drum roll sound effect) $1,762 (sound effect of people cheering) That means we have to raise $10,688 over the next two days to hit our first goal toward the $123,500 finish line come July 31st. Go to TheWorldview.com, click on Give, select the dollar amount, and make sure to click on the “recurring” button if that's your wish.  I'm looking for 9 Worldview listeners to pledge $50/month for 12 months or give a one-time gift of $600 and another 18 to pledge $25 per month for 12 months or give a one-time gift of $300. What has the Lord placed on your heart to give to keep this newscast on the air? Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, July 2nd, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

​Topics covered : her upbringing, her late husband, grief, mourning, rebuilding her life, fostering, community, belonging and public service. This week, I'm joined by Helen Ogbu​ - Labour councillor, the newly elected Mayor of Galway, foster carer, life coach and PhD student.Helen made history this year by becoming Galway's first Mayor from a migrant background. But long before politics, her life had already taken her on an extraordinary journey.Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Helen was one of eight children in a home where kindness, generosity and caring for others were simply part of everyday life. Those early experiences would later inspire her to become a foster carer, opening her home in Ireland to around 30 children over the years.Helen also shares the deeply personal story of meeting her late husband, Sunny Orji-Ogbu, a principled Nigerian politician who believed passionately that his country deserved honest, accountable leadership. As political tensions intensified, Helen became increasingly fearful for his safety. She moved to Ireland with their young daughter, ChiChi, hoping he would follow. Tragically, in 2010, Sunny was assassinated while returning home from a political meeting. Helen speaks with extraordinary honesty about navigating unimaginable grief, raising her daughter as a young widow, and slowly rebuilding her life in Galway.Today, alongside her work in public service, Helen holds a Master's degree in History and Diplomacy, is currently completing a PhD, and continues to champion community, inclusion and belonging in everything she does​.​C​onnect with Helen:Instagram: ​Helen Ogbu (@iamhelenogbu) • Instagram photos and videosLabour Party profile: Helen Ogbu Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parashat Pinhas continues the story that we began reading at the end of the previous parashah , Parashat Balak. After Bilam was unsuccessful in his attempt to place a curse upon Beneh Yisrael , he suggested to the king of Moav a different tactic for destroying them – to send the women of Moav and Midyan to lure Beneh Yisrael to immorality and idol-worship. Tragically, the plan worked. Hashem delivered a plague that killed 24,000 men among Beneh Yisrael who sinned with the women of Moav and Midyan. The plague stopped only when Pinhas – the grandson of Aharon Ha'kohen – stood up and killed two public violators, a man from Beneh Yisrael and a woman from Midyan. At the beginning of our parashah , the Torah names these two people whom Pinhas killed – Zimri, a leader of the tribe of the Shimon; and Kozbi, the daughter of a leader of Midyan. When naming the man who was killed, the Torah says: ושם איש ישראל המוכה אשר הוכה את המדינית – "And the name of the slain man from Yisrael , who was slain together with the Midyanite..." (25:14). The Keli Yakar points out that the Torah here twice mentions that Zimri was killed: איש ישראל המוכה אשר הוכה . This seems unnecessarily repetitive, as though Zimri was killed twice. The explanation might be that Zimri was already "dead" even before Pinhas killed him – because, despite his position of leadership, he went along with the crowd, he followed the tide. Rather than muster the strength to oppose the scandalous behavior – like Pinhas did – Zimri decided to go along with it, to participate, to be "one of the guys." When a person lacks the courage to stand up for his values and principles, if he is just swept away by the current, he surrenders his individuality. He loses his "life" – his uniqueness, his purpose and his mission. How did Pinhas muster this strength and courage? Where did he find the inner resolve and conviction to go against the tide? The answer is found in the way the Torah introduces Pinhas: פינחס בן אלעזר בן אהרון הכהן – "Pinhas, the son of Elazar, the son of Aharon Ha'kohen." Rashi, at the beginning of our parsha , writes that the Torah here is emphasizing Pinhas' distinguished lineage. The people were questioning Pinhas' right to do such an act, since his maternal grandfather was an idol-worshipper. Hashem therefore emphasized that Pinhas was also the grandson of Aharon, the great tzadik . Pinhas felt pride in his family background, in his belonging to a family of righteous people. The rest of the nation was acting one way – but he was too proud in who he was, in what his family stood for, to participate. This pride is what gave him the strength and the courage to resist the tide. Parents need to ensure that their children take pride in their family's "brand," in what their family represents. In order to resist the social pressures that they will, undoubtedly, face, they need this sense of pride to anchor them in place, to help them set firm, inviolable boundaries, to know that there are things they don't do, places they don't go, and activities they don't get involved in. And parents engender this pride by making it clear what their "brand" is, what their family is about, what they stand for, and what values they hold dear.

Posh and Fab put Samantha back into Sex and the City sequel series And Just Like That, which involves helping Carrie through surgery, and Samantha is once again in danger of having to listen to Carrie's podcast.© 2026 Phillip Lee Curtis & Adam Richard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Andrew Gurgitano Memorial Golf Outing is an annual Westchester County community event that beautifully honors the lasting legacy of Andrew Gurgitano. Held on June 22, 2026, at the beautiful Knollwood Country Club, the routine gathering features a full day of golf, a barbecue, and shared camaraderie. Andrew was a warm, caring, kind-hearted person known for his incredible smile and easygoing spirit. Tragically, he passed away from natural causes at the young age of 16. His deepest passions were his family, his friends, and his profound love for the game of baseball. Both on and off the field, he perfectly exemplified hard work, determination, integrity, and sportsmanship. His positive energy and enthusiasm inspired not only his teammates, but all who were lucky enough to know him, ensuring that his memory continues to make a meaningful impact through this wonderful community event.Westchester Talk Radio was there, and host Andrew Castellano spoke with Joe Cosentino, owner of Westchester Realty Consultants / Morris Park Realty/ Cosentino Realty Group. Joe discussed his own podcast, Coffee with Joe, before sharing real estate wisdom with Andrew. He described the local market (covering areas like the Bronx and Westchester) as highly competitive with low inventory, advising buyers to have their finances ready. In contrast, he noted that the Florida market is currently experiencing a surplus of inventory.

The Andrew Gurgitano Memorial Golf Outing is an annual Westchester County community event that beautifully honors the lasting legacy of Andrew Gurgitano. Held on June 22, 2026, at the beautiful Knollwood Country Club, the routine gathering features a full day of golf, a barbecue, and shared camaraderie. Andrew was a warm, caring, kind-hearted person known for his incredible smile and easygoing spirit. Tragically, he passed away from natural causes at the young age of 16. His deepest passions were his family, his friends, and his profound love for the game of baseball. Both on and off the field, he perfectly exemplified hard work, determination, integrity, and sportsmanship. His positive energy and enthusiasm inspired not only his teammates, but all who were lucky enough to know him, ensuring that his memory continues to make a meaningful impact through this wonderful community event.Westchester Talk Radio was there, and host Andrew Castellano sat down with Sergio "Fabian" Gurgitano, Andrew Gurgitano's father. Fabian spoke passionately to Andrew about keeping his son's memory alive. Andrew was an avid athlete who played baseball as a pitcher and outfielder for the Harrison Huskies before tragically passing away in 2014 during his junior year. Fabian highlighted their website, AG14golf.com, where people can donate. Funds raised are reinvested into local youth sports programs, as well as an annual Harrison vs. Rye memorial baseball game that awards scholarships.

The Andrew Gurgitano Memorial Golf Outing is an annual Westchester County community event that beautifully honors the lasting legacy of Andrew Gurgitano. Held on June 22, 2026, at the beautiful Knollwood Country Club, the routine gathering features a full day of golf, a barbecue, and shared camaraderie. Andrew was a warm, caring, kind-hearted person known for his incredible smile and easygoing spirit. Tragically, he passed away from natural causes at the young age of 16. His deepest passions were his family, his friends, and his profound love for the game of baseball. Both on and off the field, he perfectly exemplified hard work, determination, integrity, and sportsmanship. His positive energy and enthusiasm inspired not only his teammates, but all who were lucky enough to know him, ensuring that his memory continues to make a meaningful impact through this wonderful community event.Westchester Talk Radio was there, and host Andrew Castellano spoke with Adam Hadi about his experience. Adam attended the outing to honor the memory of Andrew Gurgitano. While he did not know Andrew personally, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to support the cause after hearing about how much Andrew was loved.

The Andrew Gurgitano Memorial Golf Outing is an annual Westchester County community event that beautifully honors the lasting legacy of Andrew Gurgitano. Held on June 22, 2026, at the beautiful Knollwood Country Club, the routine gathering features a full day of golf, a barbecue, and shared camaraderie. Andrew was a warm, caring, kind-hearted person known for his incredible smile and easygoing spirit. Tragically, he passed away from natural causes at the young age of 16. His deepest passions were his family, his friends, and his profound love for the game of baseball. Both on and off the field, he perfectly exemplified hard work, determination, integrity, and sportsmanship. His positive energy and enthusiasm inspired not only his teammates, but all who were lucky enough to know him, ensuring that his memory continues to make a meaningful impact through this wonderful community event.Westchester Talk Radio was there, and host Andrew Castellano spoke with Leigh Wilkins, Director of Catering & Event Sales at Knollwood Country Club. Leigh expressed to Andrew how meaningful it was to host the 11th annual outing. She noted that the club went above and beyond to personalize the event, including using orange decorations to honor Andrew's favorite color. Leigh also talked about the seamless cooperation between the venue and the organizers, highlighting a successful tournament despite a brief rain delay. She and Andrew expressed excitement for future collaborations, including the upcoming 27th Annual John Gioffre Memorial Golf Outing.

The Andrew Gurgitano Memorial Golf Outing is an annual Westchester County community event that beautifully honors the lasting legacy of Andrew Gurgitano. Held on June 22, 2026, at the beautiful Knollwood Country Club, the routine gathering features a full day of golf, a barbecue, and shared camaraderie. Andrew was a warm, caring, kind-hearted person known for his incredible smile and easygoing spirit. Tragically, he passed away from natural causes at the young age of 16. His deepest passions were his family, his friends, and his profound love for the game of baseball. Both on and off the field, he perfectly exemplified hard work, determination, integrity, and sportsmanship. His positive energy and enthusiasm inspired not only his teammates, but all who were lucky enough to know him, ensuring that his memory continues to make a meaningful impact through this wonderful community event.Westchester Talk Radio was there, and host Andrew Castellano spoke with Sean Dertinger from Rockland Country Club. Sean said that he was invited to the tournament by friends, one of whom was a close friend of the late Andrew Gurgitano. Sean was thrilled to come out to the Knollwood Country Club to play in the outing, support the Gurgitano family, and honor Andrew's memory.

Always Within ReachActs 12Teacher: Dr. Phillip NationDate: June 28, 2026God always has us within reach. Neither the suffering inflicted by the world nor our prideful sin can separate us from His sovereign rule. In every instance of life, God is at work even though it may seem to be “behind the scenes.” The work of God in all circumstances happens by His providential interventions, through the spiritual realm of angelic work, and by inviting us to join via our own obedient actions. God is close to the righteous so that they are afforded peace, answered prayer, and involvement into His mission. Tragically, for the prideful and the lost, God's nearness will result in their judgment. Acts 12 teaches us that both those persecuted for righteousness and those who are arrogant in their self-sufficiency are equally under God's sovereign rule and will experience His power in one way or another.Support the showTo find more resources like these, follow us:Website: https://thevillagechapel.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVTzDbaiXVUAm_mUBDCTJAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tvcnashville/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tvcnashvilleX: https://twitter.com/tvcnashvilleTo support the ongoing mission of The Village Chapel go to https://thevillagechapel.com/give/. If you are a regular giver, thank you for your continued faithfulness and generosity!

On June 28, 2026, a civilian skydiving aircraft tragically crashed near the northeastern town of Tomblaine, France, resulting in the deaths of eleven individuals. This incident, which left no survivors, included one pilot, five skydiving instructors, and five students. Fortunately, no bystanders on the ground sustained injuries.The aircraft, a German-registered Pilatus PC-6 light plane, was owned by a local skydiving club and was conducting a training flight. Relatives of the skydivers were present at the airfield at the time of the crash. The plane descended vertically into a grassy area adjacent to the runway of the Nancy-Essey Aerodrome, narrowly avoiding a nearby residential area and shopping center.Regional prefect Yves Seguy reported that the aircraft seemed to experience unexplained damage during its ascent before it fell straight down. Amaury Lacote, the deputy public prosecutor in Nancy, confirmed that a technical investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of this tragedy.French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez both visited the site to evaluate the emergency response efforts. In the meantime, local police have urged the public to refrain from entering the perimeter around the aerodrome to ensure that emergency vehicles can access the area without interruption.Medical and psychological support units were onsite to assist eyewitnesses and grieving families.In a separate incident, a helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia resulted in the deaths of 14 Saudi citizens, as reported by the kingdom's official press agency, which noted that the aircraft was owned by the state oil company Aramco.The Saudi Press Agency, citing an official from the energy ministry, stated that the helicopter crashed in Ras Tanura, located in the eastern part of the country."The accident resulted in the fatalities of all 14 passengers, all of whom were Saudi citizens," the agency reported, adding that an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash.Aramco reports that it manages over 60 aircraft, which includes helicopters that serve more than 300 heliports across Saudi Arabia, positioning it as one of the largest corporate fleets in the area.

In this episode, Ray Cochrane unpacks how two colliding black holes revealed a whirlpool in spacetime, a direct detection of frame dragging hidden in the cleanest gravitational-wave signal ever recorded. Additional stories cover the James Webb Space Telescope, counting 16.5 million stars in the Cigar Galaxy, SpaceX rolling out Starship V3, deadly back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela, GitHub fighting a California law that could break open source, and Meta engineering a battery narrow enough to live in a pair of glasses. – Want to start a podcast? It’s easy to get started! Sign-up at Blubrry – Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. Subscribe to the Newsletter. Email Ray if you want to get in touch! Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes Get 1Password Full Summary Cochrane opens with a personal update before the night’s lead story. He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Portland State University, celebrated with family in town, and launched a new site at rayc.world. That site links to a final-project study he built on collaborative filtering using podcasting data, hosted at cohort.rayc.world and drawn from OP3 analytics. He also plans to return to the show’s classic twice-weekly cadence on Mondays and Thursdays. From there, he goes deep on a new black hole discovery, then pivots through space, earth science, climate, biotech, open source, cloud infrastructure, and consumer hardware. Colliding Black Holes Reveal a Whirlpool in Spacetime Two black holes spiraled together, merged, and sent a gravitational wave rippling across the universe. Researcher Neil Lu and colleagues at the Australian National University found the fingerprint of frame dragging buried in GW250114, the cleanest signal LIGO has ever recorded. Frame dragging means a spinning black hole drags spacetime around with it, like a spoon turning in honey, except the honey is reality itself. Remarkably, the wave changed the distance between your nose and your ear as it passed, by far less than the width of a single atom. Sponsor: GoDaddy Economy hosting is $6.99/month, WordPress hosting is $12.99/month, and domains are $11.99. Website builder trial available. Use codes at geeknewscentral.com/godaddy to support the show. Webb Counts the Stars in the Cigar Galaxy NASA released a striking new James Webb Space Telescope view of Messier 82, the edge-on galaxy nicknamed the Cigar Galaxy. Because Webb sees in infrared, it peers straight through the dust that normally hides the galaxy’s interior. Combined with archival Hubble data, the image resolves roughly 16.5 million individual stars. M82 is a starburst galaxy, meaning it forms stars at a furious rate, a frenzy likely triggered when it merged with a neighbor. SpaceX Rolls Out Starship V3 SpaceX officially introduced Starship V3, the third generation of the largest rocket ever built. The vehicle now flies on the Raptor 3 engine, pushing liftoff thrust to around 20 million pounds and making it the most powerful rocket ever flown. More importantly, V3 is designed to carry over 100 metric tons to low Earth orbit while staying fully reusable, roughly triple the previous version. SpaceX also added in-orbit refueling hardware, the capability that finally makes operational Moon and Mars missions realistic. The Asteroid Barrage That Kept Earth From Forming Continents A team led by Curtin University and the Queensland University of Technology argues that relentless asteroid impacts shaped the very young Earth. During the Hadean, more than four billion years ago, the planet was struck far more often than it is today. Each impact dumped heat deep into the interior, repeatedly melting and reworking the crust. Consequently, stable continents formed much later than calmer models assumed, painting a picture of a hotter, weaker, more chaotic early Earth. Back-to-Back Earthquakes Devastate Northern Venezuela Northern Venezuela was struck by two major earthquakes on June 24, a magnitude 7.2 foreshock followed by a magnitude 7.5 mainshock. Both hit only about six miles underground, so the shallow shaking delivered its full force at the surface. Tragically, at least 164 people died, and the region sits along the tangled boundary where the Caribbean and South American plates grind past each other. These were the largest quakes to hit the area since a magnitude 7.7 event near Caracas in 1900. The ‘Guerrilla Solar’ Era Has Arrived A quiet energy shift, nicknamed “guerrilla solar,” is spreading across Europe. These small plug-in panels deliver power to a home’s wiring via a standard wall outlet, with no electrician or permit required. Germany now counts roughly a million of these systems. However, the U.S. payoff remains modest, with savings estimates of around $15 per month against a $500 to $1,500 setup cost. Why a Broken-Up Forest Stores Less Carbon Researchers quantified what foresters long suspected: an intact forest stores far more carbon than the same acreage split into fragments. A hectare inside a large, continuous forest proved about 38 percent more productive than an isolated one. The culprit is edge effects, the extra wind, heat, and direct sun that stress trees at a forest’s boundary. Because a large forest maintains a large protected core while fragments are nearly all edge, planting trees together matters for carbon storage. Edited Human Embryos Reveal a Surprise Researchers used base editing, a precise cousin of CRISPR that rewrites a single DNA letter without cutting the strand, in human embryos. They discovered that a protein called NANOG plays a role in early human development that it does not play in mice. In humans, switching it off still let cells form that seed the placenta and yolk sac. The finding argues that understanding human development requires studying human embryos directly, which reignites a thorny ethical debate. GitHub Fights a California Law That Could Break Open Source GitHub joined Black Forest Labs, Hugging Face, and Mozilla to push for fixes to California’s AI Transparency Act. As written, the bill could force revocation of an open-source license when a downstream user fails to meet certain obligations, which clashes with the permanent, irrevocable promise of open source. Cochrane pointed to curl and its longtime maintainer, Daniel Stenberg, warning that the rule could destabilize the supply chain on which the whole tech world runs. Instead, the coalition points to the EU’s AI Act transparency code as a saner model. Rust Opens Its Maintainers Fund The Rust Foundation launched a Maintainers Fund to pay the people who keep the language’s ecosystem healthy. Backed by RFC 3931, it establishes a funding team and a new Maintainer-in-Residence program for the often thankless work on the compiler, standard library, Cargo, and Clippy. Individuals can donate through GitHub Sponsors, while companies can sponsor there or contact the foundation directly. Cochrane urged any business that depends on open source to invest in the projects it actually uses. AWS Gives Lambda Its Own Isolated Sandboxes AWS introduced MicroVMs inside Lambda, its serverless platform. Each session runs in a dedicated micro virtual machine with no shared kernel and up to eight hours of total runtime. The feature exists for the AI era, in which applications increasingly run code written by an AI agent rather than by the developer. Use cases include AI coding assistants, data analytics platforms, vulnerability scanners, and game servers running user-supplied scripts. Meta Engineers a Battery Narrow Enough for Glasses Meta built custom steel-can battery cells as narrow as seven millimeters to fit the temple arms of smart glasses like the Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta Vanguards. These cells power cameras, speakers, and AI features in a space most engineers would call impossible. To prevent brownouts, Meta swapped wound electrodes for precisely die-cut stacked layers that lower electrical resistance. Now the company is spreading the technology across multiple vendors and eyeing other wearables. Polestar Gets Locked Out of the US Market Starting in 2027, Polestar will not be able to sell its new models in the United States. A federal Connected Vehicle Rule bars cars containing certain Chinese or Russian software or hardware on national security grounds. The painful irony is that Polestar moved production of the Polestar 3 to South Carolina specifically to dodge tariffs on Chinese-built EVs. Because the rule targets the technology’s origin rather than its assembly location, the company is shut out anyway. Retroid’s Pocket Nova Packs Serious Power for $229 Retroid returned with a new retro handheld, the Pocket Nova, starting at $229 with a step-up model around $269. It features a 4.5-inch AMOLED screen in a 4:3 aspect ratio, a shape well suited to classic games. On paper, it should handle GameCube- and PlayStation 2-era titles, though that remains an early expectation rather than a benchmarked promise. Retroid has earned a strong reputation for high-quality, genuinely portable consoles. Cochrane signs off with the usual ecosystem mentions: GNC Insider at geeknewscentral.com/insider, the show newsletter, email at geeknews@gmail.com, and modern podcast app recommendations at podcastapps.com. The post Colliding Black Holes Reveal a Whirlpool in Spacetime #1866 appeared first on Geek News Central.

What happens if an AI chatbot tells someone to kill someone else? Tragically, this situation unfolded at a Florida school when a shooter asked ChatGPT for advice on how to conduct a school shooting. But do the creators of ChatGPT bear any responsibility? That's what Erie Meyer, former chief technology officer of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, thinks, and in this episode of Second Request she sits down with Arjun Singh to explain why.

The Esa: G-d’s Rescue Plan for Humanity (The Loving-kindness of G-d) by Mark Stouffer https://us.amazon.com/Esa-G-ds-Rescue-Humanity-Loving-kindness/dp/B0H2CX8D2V Adam and Eve rebelled and became unfit to be in God's presence. Tragically, they went to live in a broken world, our world. Fortunately, God has a plan to rescue us. In The Esa, we will examine God's plan as it is laid out in the Bible. His plan has included: working with the Jews to be His witnesses in the ancient world the coming of the Messiah to pay for the sins of the world Jesus' sending out of His followers to the ends of the earth with His offer of salvation the return of the Messiah at the end of time to set everything right Of course, we humans, both Jews and Christians, have failed greatly in our roles down through the ages. Thank God that Jesus did not fail. The Esa is for Jewish people who want to know the truth about Jesus. It is also good for Christians who want to learn about the Tanakh, or Old Testament. About the author Mark Stouffer is a retired engineer who lives with his family in Columbus, Ohio. He was born in 1960 and grew up loving sports. Mark graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Ohio State in 1983. After college, G-d reached out to Mark. G-d held Mark's heart in His hand and said, “I am here.” Mark received Jesus as his L-rd and Savior, and everything changed. Mark has a passion for the Bible, which he has been studying and teaching for over 40 years. It has always been Mark’s goal to learn the message that each Bible author intended as opposed to trying to make the Bible agree with his beliefs. Out of His grace, G-d called Mark to write this important four volume series. Indeed, the subject of these books was never Mark's idea. For more information on these books, please visit: lovingkindnessofadonai/hesed

When we think about difficult relationships, especially with our parents, God invites us to view them through the lens of His grace and redemption. Honoring a father does not mean ignoring pain, excusing harmful actions, or pretending wounds do not exist. Instead, it means trusting God to bring healing, justice, and transformation in ways only He can. Highlights: God cares about both the wounds we carry and the people who have caused them Forgiveness does not mean ignoring pain, excusing wrongdoing, or removing healthy boundaries God’s grace extends to every person, including those who have deeply failed others We can trust God to bring healing and transformation where we cannot Honoring others begins with allowing God to shape our hearts through compassion and forgiveness Join the Conversation Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: No Father Left Behind By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.” - Proverbs 30:11 Nowadays, some adult children believe they are justified in dismissing their earthly fathers, seeing it as a personal matter between the two of them and believing God is okay with whatever they decide to do. But nothing could be further from the truth, because God cares not only for us but for our fathers, too. Like the Marines’ unofficial slogan of leaving no man behind, God doesn’t leave fathers behind either, even in their failures and sins. Sadly, many individuals have valid reasons for turning their backs on their fathers. Yet God calls us to follow His lead in responding to the pain in our lives, because too many fathers have fallen by the wayside and need His help, mercy, and redemption. Tragically, some fathers have been drunkards, drug users, criminals, murderers, prisoners, abusers, and more. Still, God holds children accountable for their attitudes toward their fathers because it’s a matter of the heart—the kind of issue that, if left unchecked, can lead to lifelong sorrow. Regardless of a father’s sin, God doesn’t write fathers off or give children permission to do the same. Instead, He calls us to forgiveness and to trust Him to work in our fathers’ lives. Trusting God with the Pain We can trust God with our pain, too, because He isn’t going to ask us to embrace or entrust ourselves to fathers who aren’t trustworthy, or to pretend they didn’t hurt us. He isn’t asking us to say or believe things about our fathers that aren’t true, or to overlook their sins. But He also doesn’t support us disowning, abandoning, or labeling them as toxic and unworthy of redemption. Likewise, God doesn’t give us permission to punish, correct, dishonor, or treat them disrespectfully, even when we believe they deserve it. This is often a hard pill to swallow for those who’ve lived life with a derelict dad. Sometimes God Asks More of Us Along with leading us to forgive our fathers, sometimes God asks more of us when it comes to dealing with our dads. Author and speaker Joyce Meyer’s dad sexually abused her while she was growing up, giving her every earthly reason to walk away from him and have nothing to do with him for the rest of her life. Yet, unbelievably, God called her to provide for and care for her abusive father in his old age—something she resisted at first, shocked that a holy and just God would ever ask her to do. After all, why would a loving God call her to care for a father who had so cruelly abused and mistreated her? He certainly didn’t deserve her kindness and generosity. Still, God didn’t let her off the hook. He asked her to do what seemed impossible. Choosing to live in obedience to Him rather than remain bound by her pain, Meyer took on the responsibility. Remarkably, through her kindness and generosity, her father came to know the Lord before passing away. Does God Love Fallen Fathers? So one has to ask: Does God love the godless fathers who have failed miserably and caused unimaginable and unspeakable wounds in the lives of their children and others? Some of us, even as Christians, are ready to throw in the towel when it comes to caring about deeply flawed dads, believing they don’t deserve to receive God’s love. But we are mistaken if we see ourselves as more deserving of His love than they are. The Apostle Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” If we see ourselves as more deserving of receiving God’s forgiveness and love than faithless fathers, then we don’t truly understand the sin nature we are all born with. We all enter life undeserving of God’s grace and in desperate need of a perfect, sinless Savior to redeem us. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re trying to come to terms with a father who failed you, ask God to help you forgive him and give you a heart of compassion toward him. Trust Him to bring healing to your heart and to work in your father’s life in ways only He can. Further Reading:How to Offer Your Dad Forgiveness this Father’s Day Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Jonathan Tepper serves as the Chief Investment Officer at Prevatt Capital and is also the founder of Variant Perception. He previously worked as an analyst at SAC Capital and held the position of Vice President on the proprietary trading desk at Bank of America. An accomplished author, Jonathan has penned several financial bestsellers, is a Rhodes Scholar and graduated with highest honors in History and honors in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also holds an MLitt from the University of Oxford. In reflecting on his childhood and upcoming book, he says,“I grew up as a missionary kid in Madrid, Spain, where my parents founded a drug rehabilitation program for heroin addicts. Tragically, most addicts shared needles, contracted HIV and many succumbed to AIDS. They were my brothers and sisters. My new book,‘Shooting Up' not only serves as a firsthand account of the heroin and AIDS crisis during those years, but as a tale of love and compassion and loss. It's a love letter to friends and family ... and even learning.” Jonathan's Book "Shooting Up": https://a.co/d/0102r9wd   Asking Why with Clint Davis Sponsors: A special thank you to the incredible sponsors of Asking Why with Clint Davis for investing in meaningful conversations that bring hope, healing, and growth to our community.   Wellness by Dr. Natalia — a physician-led integrative and concierge medical practice in Shreveport focused on longevity, regenerative medicine, aesthetics, and whole-person wellness. Learn more at www.LuraguizMD.com   Uprising Addiction Center — helping individuals and families find lasting recovery through compassionate, evidence-based addiction treatment focused on healing the whole person. Learn more at www.UprisingCenter.com   LearningRx Shreveport — empowering children and adults by strengthening cognitive skills needed to learn, focus, read, and succeed with confidence. Learn more at www.LearningRx.com/Shreveport   We're grateful for businesses and organizations that believe in strengthening people, families, and our community.

18-year-old Romanch Mahajan was celebrating his high school graduation with his parents and younger brother with a once in a lifetime trip to NYC. The family decided to take a relaxing ride through Central Park in one of its iconic horse drawn carriages. When the driver stepped away to snap a family photo of the group, the horse bolted and accelerated, throwing Romanch to his death. Now there are renewed and urgent calls to end the decades long tradition in New York, and demands for a full investigation into the tragedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18-year-old Romanch Mahajan was celebrating his high school graduation with his parents and younger brother with a once in a lifetime trip to NYC. The family decided to take a relaxing ride through Central Park in one of its iconic horse drawn carriages. When the driver stepped away to snap a family photo of the group, the horse bolted and accelerated, throwing Romanch to his death. Now there are renewed and urgent calls to end the decades long tradition in New York, and demands for a full investigation into the tragedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18-year-old Romanch Mahajan was celebrating his high school graduation with his parents and younger brother with a once in a lifetime trip to NYC. The family decided to take a relaxing ride through Central Park in one of its iconic horse drawn carriages. When the driver stepped away to snap a family photo of the group, the horse bolted and accelerated, throwing Romanch to his death. Now there are renewed and urgent calls to end the decades long tradition in New York, and demands for a full investigation into the tragedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special extended podcast today.When Molly McLaren ended a short relationship, she believed it was the start of a new chapter. Instead, she found herself subjected to relentless stalking and harassment by a former partner who refused to accept the breakup. As the obsession intensified, Molly repeatedly tried to protect herself and move forward with her life. Tragically, her fears became reality when the stalking culminated in a shocking act of violence.In this episode, I explore Molly's story, the warning signs of coercive and obsessive behaviour, and the lasting impact her case has had on the conversation around stalking and victim protection.I am back on Sunday with a special edition of the UK True Crime Podcast in conversation with German journalist Alex Frieling all about the chief suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, Christian Brückner. I will be back with my normal story on Tuesday - join me for these episodes.Support me at Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/UKTrueCrimeWatch my YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@Adam-uktruecrime/videosGet All The News First - Subscribe To My Newsletterhttps://uktruecrime.comJoin UK True Crime Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/UKTrueCrime Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When our youngest son was just learning to walk and talk, my wife always knew when I walked in the door from work. She said she would just hear this loud, one-syllable announcement from our son, "DA!" No, not "Daddy"…not "Da-Da," just "DA"! And that's how he would greet me as I walked in. My wife said he actually would go to the door late in the afternoon and begin looking for me. And when I finally arrived—say it with me now—"DA!" I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Looking For Daddy.” My son went to the door looking for his father, and he found one. Tragically, a lot of people have gone looking for a father in their life and there was no one there. In fact, maybe for you the word "father" is a hurting word. In one way or another, your father wasn't there for you—physically, financially, emotionally, or supportively. You went to the door, but there was no one there. That leaves an emotional deficit. It makes you feel incomplete, cheated, unexplainably lonely, trying to compensate for the lack of a father's love in countless ways…some that leave you even more scarred. I call it a Daddy deficit. In our word for today from the Word of God there is hope for someone who has never had the father they needed. Galatians 4:4-6, God's Word, "When the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." God is showing us here this incredible possibility of actually belonging to our Creator in a deeply personal way—as a child in His family, with God Himself as your Father. Not like your earthly father. No, God is like the father we always wished we had, not the father we had. And God goes on to say here, "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'" Now, in the Greek language this part of the Bible was written in, that "Abba" is a deeply affectionate word for Father; it's like "Daddy" or "DA!" See, God literally offers you, not a religion, not a rulebook, but a love-relationship with Him—the Creator God—as your Daddy. Even if you've had a wonderful earth-father, there's still that sense of incompleteness, that sense of someone's missing. That's because someone is. See, there's a hole in your heart that can only be filled by this One who wants to be your Heavenly Father. He's always fair, always loving, always understanding what you're feeling, always dependable, always stronger than anything you're facing—always there for you. We're missing our ultimate Father, not because He's left us, but because we left Him. The Bible says, "Each of us has turned to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6). We're separated from God by all the sins of our life--every time we've done it our way instead of His way. That's why, in the Scripture we read, "God sent His Son... to redeem" us. I'll tell you this; God removed all doubt about whether or not He really loves you when He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to pay your death penalty for your sin on His cross. I don't know how you picture God, whether He's waving a condemning finger at you, or His arms are folded, staring at you, or He's just too busy for you. That might have been your earthly father. It's not the Heavenly Father. His arms are wide open. He's so waiting for you to come to Him. The Father you've wanted your whole life becomes your Father when you put your trust in His Son, Jesus, to forgive all your sin. The Bible says, “To all those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” When you open up to God's Son, He makes you a daughter or a son of God. If you've never begun a relationship with Him, I would encourage you today to let your heavenly Daddy come into your life and love you as you were always meant to be loved, with a love that Jesus came for you to have. Tell Him, “Jesus, I'm yours beginning today.” Our website will give you more information on how to be sure you belong to Him. Check it out - It's ANewStory.com. Once you begin this loving Father relationship, wherever you go looking for your Father, He's going to be there!

18-year-old Romanch Mahajan was celebrating his high school graduation with his parents and younger brother with a once in a lifetime trip to NYC. The family decided to take a relaxing ride through Central Park in one of its iconic horse drawn carriages. When the driver stepped away to snap a family photo of the group, the horse bolted and accelerated, throwing Romanch to his death. Now there are renewed and urgent calls to end the decades long tradition in New York, and demands for a full investigation into the tragedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome Rev. Chuck Tedrick to our pulpit this morning. He is the Dean of Students and Director of Alumni Relations at Westminster Seminary in California.IntroductionChrist tells a parable about one of the world's worst prayers, immediately followed by one of the world's most beautiful prayers. The warning is that some trusted in themselves, believing they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.Two men from the same covenant community go to the same temple service. Both stand to pray. Both address God. Yet everything else about their prayers reveals two completely different kinds of people. There is one group that looks to God's grace in Christ alone for salvation. Another group who looks to themself. One represents the humble; the other, the prideful. Christ presents two characters to represent these positions. We would expect the Pharisee to be praised by Christ. We would expect the tax collector to be condemned. However, we see that Christ does the opposite. Why does Christ condemn the hero while exalting the expected villain? The Prideful PrayerThe Pharisee enters the temple with impressive religious credentials. In his day, Pharisees were the most pious, conservative, and scrupulous religious leaders. They took God's law seriously. Tragically, they valued the law, but not the law's giver. His heart is far from God and the Lord's grace. Standing by himself, he prays: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get." This is impressive and intimidating. Notice what is missing. He thanks God for nothing. He is not thankful for the Lord's grace that has moved him past previous sins. He does not see God as the giver of his daily provision. He does not see that he needs the Lord's grace and mercy to stand strong. He compares himself to others and finds himself superior. He lists sins he has avoided (theft, adultery, injustice) and works he has exceeded (fasting beyond requirement, giving above the tithe).Notice that he never mentions his own sins: coveting, gossip, envy, impatience, or the self-righteousness and contempt pouring from his heart. He has not loved God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, nor has he loved his neighbor as himself. The tragedy is not that he hasn't traveled far enough down the road of good works, but that he is on the wrong road entirely. He travels the "law road" when he needs the "faith road." He tries to justify himself through works when Scripture declares that "by works of the law no one will be justified." He trusts in himself rather than in God's promise.The Humble PrayerThe tax collector represents the opposite extreme of Jewish society. Tax collectors were despised as traitors and thieves. They compromised their Jewish purity by collaborating with Rome. In fact, they extorted money from their own people. His posture is different from that of the previous man. He stands "far off," unable to lift his eyes to heaven, beating his breast in grief. His prayer is devastatingly simple: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." He knows he needs the Lord's mercy and grace. He knows that he cannot stand on his own. He compares himself to God and finds himself wanting. He recognizes he has nothing to offer. He does not have a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees. All he asks for is mercy. He does not have a resume that proves his worthiness. No, he is confronted by the reality that he is a desperate sinner on thin ice. The word he uses for "mercy" is propitiation. This is a traditional word that refers to the turning away of God's wrath through sacrifice. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would confess sins over a scapegoat sent into the wilderness and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat. This tax collector understands what the Pharisee misses: the wages of sin are death, and we need a substitute.Jesus is that substitute. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. On the cross, He became the propitiation for our sins, enduring the wrath we deserved, and dying in our place. Christ gives the assurance that the tax collector goes home justified. He sees that his redemption and righteousness are outside himself, and he looks to the mercy of God found in Christ.Christ's VerdictJesus delivers a shocking verdict: "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other."Jesus does not prescribe penance for this man to complete. No "try harder and check back later." The tax collector goes home forgiven, declared righteous, at peace with God. The Pharisee goes home still an enemy of the Lord.Jesus concludes with a kingdom principle that reverses worldly wisdom: "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." This is so contrary to the world's order. In the world's economy, self-promotion leads to success. In God's economy, humility leads to exaltation. Justification is a matter of God's mercy, not human merit.Luke immediately gives us proof in the very next chapter. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, climbs a tree to see Jesus because he has heard that this Teacher declares even tax collectors forgiven. When Jesus announces, "Today salvation has come to this house," the crowd grumbles: "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." But Jesus responds: "The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."ConclusionThis parable serves as both comfort and warning. For those who come to God saying, "Be merciful to me, a sinner," there is immediate justification, peace with God, and the gift of righteousness through faith in Christ alone. For those trusting in their own goodness, religious activity, or moral superiority, there remains judgment. Paul tells us to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. This is a call to examine your own heart. Do you compare yourself to others so that you are thankful you are not "like that person"? Or are you comparing yourself to God's holy standard and finding yourself desperate for grace?Repent and believe. Come to the cross empty-handed, clinging only to Christ. For everyone who humbles himself will be exalted, and everyone who exalts himself will be humbled. The tax collector went home justified. Find your identity and life in Christ rather than yourself.

Musician Oliver Tree tragically passed away from a helicopter crash. Kim Kardashian and Emma Roberts attended Ariana Grande's concert in LA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Raj Sisodia, PhD, co-founder of the global Conscious Capitalism movement, respected global business scholar, and author of 11 influential books. Today's broadcast was originally intended to be a conversation with visionary business leader Bob Chapman, the founder of Barry-Wehmiller. Tragically, Bob recently passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. So we decided to anchor this show as a tribute to Bob Chapman’s remarkable life and monumental legacy by talking with his close friend and co-author, Raj Sisodia, and the results far exceeded all expectations! Earning his PhD from Columbia University, Dr. Sisodia’s distinguished 42-year academic career includes teaching at institutions such as Boston University, George Mason, and serving as the FW Olin Distinguished Professor of Global Business and Scholar at Babson College. Over the past five years, he has served as a distinguished professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey—the MIT of Mexico—where he helped establish a Conscious Enterprise Center that has scaled these leadership principles to hundreds of professors and thousands of students across Latin America. Driven by a profound life purpose to open hearts and elevate human consciousness, he partnered with Bob to write the groundbreaking, national bestseller Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family. LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don't miss an episode! SHOW NOTES: RAJ SISODIA, PhD: BIO: https://rajsisodia.com/#about-raj BOOKS include: Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family, by Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia Healing Leaders: 7 Steps to Recovery of Self, by Raj Sisodia and Nilima Bhat Conscious Capitalism, With a New Preface by the Authors: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business, by John Mackey and Raj Sisodia WEBSITE: https://rajsisodia.com/

"How do we hold space for the miracle of survival while grieving the loss of a dream?" In this week's episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Shayla Élise Walker, PhD, LCSW. Dr. Walker is a licensed clinical social worker, professor, and public speaker with over a decade of experience addressing mental health, racial justice, and restorative healing. But beyond her impressive credentials, she joins us today as a sister in loss, blending her profound scholarship with her own raw, lived experience. Dr. Walker shares one of the most unique and harrowing pregnancy journeys we have ever heard on this platform. After surviving a life-threatening car accident, she was hospitalized in the trauma ICU, where she discovered she was 3.5 weeks pregnant. In the midst of severe physical trauma, this baby felt like an added, beautiful miracle. Tragically, just five weeks later at her first OB appointment, she and her partner learned the pregnancy was non-viable. Dr. Walker takes us into the unspeakable heartbreak of surviving a near-fatal accident, only to lose her miracle baby a month later. As an expert who actively works to redefine what it means to be a "Strong Black Woman," Dr. Walker opens up about her biggest obstacles during this time: navigating the intense societal pressure to "be strong," keep hope, and distract herself by pouring her energy into work. Instead, she advocates for a different path—one that allows us to hold the complex, messy truth of grief, fear of the future, and gratitude for survival, all at the same time. In this episode, we discuss: Dr. Walker's life-threatening car accident and discovering her pregnancy in the trauma ICU. The devastating transition from surviving physical trauma to navigating perinatal loss. Redefining the "Strong Black Woman" trope and resisting the pressure to heal on anyone else's timeline. The complexity of holding grief, fear of future miscarriages, and gratitude simultaneously. The healing power of connecting with other "heavenly baby" mothers and finding community with Sisters in Loss. This is a masterclass in healing, vulnerability, and maternal mental health. Please tune in, grab your tissue, and let Dr. Walker's wisdom wrap around you. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook

Barbara Colby was a respected stage actress whose career was finally taking off in Hollywood when she landed a starring role on the sitcom Phyllis. Tragically, just weeks after filming her first episodes, she was murdered in Los Angeles in a case that remains unsolved nearly 50 years later.Join Mike and Gibby as they discuss the murder of Barbara Colby. Investigators struggled with solving Barbara's murder, in large part, because they could not find a motive. On July 24, 1975, after teaching an acting class in Los Angeles, Barbara was talking with fellow actor James Kiernan in a parking lot when two armed men approached and shot and killed them both. Investigators initially explored possible links to a series of violent crimes that occurred in the Los Angeles area the same night.You can help support the show at patreon.com/truecrimeallthetimeVisit the show's website at truecrimeallthetime.com for contact, merchandise, and donation informationAn Emash Digital productionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrew Bayliss recounts how Pericles provoked the Peloponnesian War by steering Athens toward confrontation with Sparta. He details the Athenian strategy of retreating behind city walls and relying on naval imports, a move that tragically facilitated a devastating plague, claiming thousands of lives, including Pericles himself.1880 ATHENS

Keith welcomes back Rich Dad author Robert Kiyosaki to discuss why debt, inflation, and financial education are critical in today's economy.  Robert challenges traditional advice like "save money and pay off your house," explaining how understanding good debt and owning real assets can accelerate wealth while inflation quietly punishes savers.  They explore how family background and early beliefs shape our money mindset, and why questioning conventional wisdom is essential.  The conversation ultimately stresses that financial education only matters if you take action and intentionally position yourself for turbulent times instead of fearing them. Episode Page: GetRichEducation.com/608 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREinvestmentcoach.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE  or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments.  For predictable 10-12% quarterly returns, visit FreedomFamilyInvestments.com/GRE or text  FAMILY to 66866  Unlock truly passive real estate income—visit flockhomes.com/GRE today to see if your properties qualify for a 721 exchange with Flock Homes. To get in the best physical, mental, and professional shape of your life, go to DanielThomasHind.com and apply for Daniel's intensive 1-on-1 coaching for burnt-out entrepreneurs and executives. Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search "how to leave an Apple Podcasts review"  For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— GREletter.com  Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript:   Keith Weinhold  0:00   Keith, welcome to GRE. I'm your host, Keith Weinhold. This week, the number one selling personal finance author of all time, Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad Poor Dad, returns to the show, revealing that he's in debt to the tune of $1.2 billion with a B. Why he believes a depression is coming, and he strongly espouses financial education today on Get Rich Education,    Keith Weinhold  0:29   you know, Mid South Homebuyers, that top Memphis turnkey provider. I learned that a secret weapon behind their explosive growth is more than just you buying their properties, it's an executive coach for nine years now, their CEO, Terry Kerr, and his COO, Pat Nix, have worked privately with a coach who I've now learned from too, and he doesn't market himself online anywhere. After 12 years behind the scenes, that coach is now making himself available exclusively for GRE listeners. His name is Daniel Thomas Hind. If you're a hard-charging business owner or investor who wants to get in the best shape of your life, physically, mentally, and professionally, you can fill out an application for a free consult. This is private one on one coaching for those willing to go to uncommon lengths to achieve uncommon results. Thanks to Daniel, we've all become better leaders, better operators, and better men. It started by showing up for ourselves. Now it's your turn. Go to Daniel Thomas hind.com H I N D, that's Daniel Thomas hind.com and sign up before Spots Fill    Keith Weinhold  1:41   Flock Homes helps multifamily owners exit the operator grind, whether it's your sixplex or a 50 unit apartment, through a 721 exchange. This defers your capital gains tax. It's a strategy long used by institutions. Now you can swap tenants and toilets for passive income and zero management. Request your initial valuations. See if your property qualifies at Flock homes.com/gre That's F L O C K homes.com/gre   Corey Coates  2:14   You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is Get Rich Education.   Keith Weinhold  2:30   Welcome to GRE from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to Williams, Arizona, and across 188 nations worldwide. You're inside one of America's longest running and most listened to real estate shows, this is Get Rich Education. I'm your host, Keith Weinhold. And with Father's Day this month, it's apropos to talk about Rich Dad. It's been said that the objective of parenting is to turn a liability into an asset. The book Rich Dad Poor Dad has now sold over 40 million copies, and it's been translated into 51 languages. One strong thesis in the book: well, there are a few of them: the rich don't work for money, savers are losers, and your house is not an asset. I think any regular listener here to the GRE podcast is already initiated on this. Savers or losers, because inflation debases your prosperity, and your house is not an asset, because it takes money out of your pocket every month. An asset puts money in your pocket every month instead. And I can see Robert now as he's preparing to take the mic with me here, he's got a blown up visual of his cash flow board game behind him, and then in front of him he's got a few books, including two books that he co-authored with Donald Trump, but this is before Trump was ever a political candidate, so it was before all that, and we're certainly not here to talk politics today. A central theme of the Rich Dad world is that the path for your significant financial betterment is rather than cutting your expenses, increase your income. This is the root action behind the mantra: don't live below your means, grow your means, but see, living below your means is easier. That's the easy thing to do. It's even myopic, say move into a lesser housing situation, or cut out going on vacations. Growing your means takes some education, like how to start a business, or how to own real estate. See, when you deposit money into a bank, all of a sudden that bank has a problem, they owe you interest on it, it's an expense for them. So the bank's job is now to lend your money out to somebody else and make a higher interest rate on it than. Lower interest rate that they're paying you on your deposit. All right. Well, then one direction to focus your education is to start acting like a bank yourself. How do you practically do that? How do you be the bank? Well, just like the bank, you can borrow real estate at a 7% mortgage rate. Now you've got the problem, you've got a monthly mortgage payment you need to make, so you need to beat 7% How are you going to do that? You better get it right. Well, with tax deductions, you might really be paying five to 6% Meanwhile, the real estate that you've carefully identified and invested in with your borrowed capital can earn multiples more without taking high risk, and actually that five to 6% effective cost of capital that you've got is zero, because that monthly payment is all outsourced to your tenants anyway, and what made all this possible for you? Debt made it possible, and now you're acting like the bank, and banks often have the tallest skyscrapers in your city for a reason, because they make money on those spreads all over the place, and now you're doing the same thing. This is an example of growing your means. The bank will hand you 500k to buy a new home or rental property, not for stocks. They won't do that for crypto, not for your 401k not for a business idea that popped into your head at 3am Only real estate, the same institutions, banks that manage your savings and study every asset class, and are very conservative, and have armies and armies of analysts. They will only lend you a half million dollars for one thing: real estate. For a few years, I was a writer for the Rich Dad Advisors blog when that was a thing. Robert and I were most recently together publicly last year when we both served as faculty members on the Terrific Real Estate Guys Investor Summit at Sea in the Caribbean. Let's talk to Robert.    Keith Weinhold  7:18   I'd like to welcome back to the show for his fifth appearance here on the GRE podcast. Well, just the number one selling personal finance author of all time. He wrote Rich Dad Poor Dad in 1997 and has ruled the Rich Dad world ever since. It's a warm get worse education. Welcome back to Robert Kiyosaki.   Robert Kiyosaki  7:38   Thank you, Keith. You know, nobody's more surprised about the success of Rich Dad Poor Dad than me, because it was turned down by every publisher in New York. It was like Simon and Schuster and all these guys, and they said, Why are you turning it down? They said, You don't know what you're talking about. It was consensus about the five editors of different book companies was what you're saying doesn't make sense, that's how strange it was back 1997 and now it's the number one in the world.   Keith Weinhold  8:10   This is often how it is when something strikes someone differently, like the Star Wars movies had difficulty getting traction because it was so unusual, and fortunately, Robert, today the consensus among readers has seen that, oh my gosh, Rich Dad Poor Dad changed my thinking more than anything else. The contrarian thinker,   Robert Kiyosaki  8:34   you know, strike Rich Dad, Poor Dad. My poor dad was academic, you know, PhD, yeah. So he'd be the kind of guy that says your book makes no sense, whereas my rich dad never went to school because his father died when he was 13 and he had to take over the family business. So much of a young person's life is predicated upon their parents or where the family or the culture you come from, and I've been studying more of that, like let's say I was raised in Alabama, I'd have a southern accent but because of the environment it presents it upon you, as the same as money, if a child is born into a poor family, or in my case an academic family, the value systems are all different. My family, and it's still true today. Got to go to school, get a job, and get a pension with the government. That's their whole belief system, and they're so proud of this. Is my brothers and uncles, and all that. They're so proud when their child has what's called a GS, and a government service pension, that's the whole idea on finance, get that pension, job security,   Keith Weinhold  9:49   yeah,   Speaker 1  9:49   nothing wrong with it, nothing wrong with it, but a lot of times we can't hear something because of what's been compressed into us by our culture, our. Family, so my, you know, my poor dad was always, you have to get your PhD, or what? God got a PhD. So my brothers and sisters, their kids are all getting their PhDs. It's fascinating. It's fascinating.   Keith Weinhold  10:14   Yeah, when your poor dad tells you you need to get your PhD, and you're asking for what? Maybe the answer was for him. So our parents, yes, they're often our first teachers.   Speaker 2  10:25   It's just values, very different values. And the more I kind of study it, I don't think I'm a good student of it, but there's this thing called a paradigm matrix, and a paradigm matrix is what is like a cookie cutter, so like father, like son, you know, like mother, like daughter, so much of our lives are transferred by our parents and our schools and things like this, and so that's why Rich Dad Poor Dad, for some people it works, but when it first came out, 1997 as you said, it was strange. I said, you know, the savers were losers, and today everybody knows inflation is going to the roof. I said, your house is not an asset. I got hammered for that one.   Keith Weinhold  11:11   Right.   Speaker 1  11:11   Rich don't work for money. Those are my three rich dad rules. Rich don't work for money, savers are losers, and your house is not an asset. I built Rich Dad Poor Dad around those three rules. I didn't follow my poor dad, those were his guiding lights. You know, you have to have job security, and you have to have a government pension, and my house is my biggest asset. And so you can't hear the person because you already have that paradigm magic, or that cookie cutter inside of you. This is my value system in my family. If I didn't get my PhD, I was stupid. I never got one. But anyway, you know,   Keith Weinhold  11:50   just because you believe something for a long time doesn't make it true,   Speaker 1  11:55   correct? And what's happening? Because I wrote Rich Dad Poor Dad, because I could see this economic times coming, 1971 named Nixon took the dollar off the gold standard, and I knew at that time we're going to have hyperinflation, so that it hasn't hit us quite yet. 1971 was august 15. Nixon's taking the dollar off the gold standard, and you watch what's going to happen next few years. We're going to have hyperinflation that we've never seen before, and it's gonna make the poor and middle class poorer. The rich will get richer, but poor and middle class will get poorer. Tragically,   Keith Weinhold  12:30   that is such an appropriate time to bring this up, Robert, because a lot of people are drawing parallels between the 1970s two waves of inflation during that decade, and what's going on today. I mean, there is so much fuel now that could ignite higher inflation. You've got the cumulative effects of the Iran war and the energy shocks and bottled up supply chains. And Robert, I don't know if you've heard it yet, but you and I's mutual friend, Dr. Chris Martinson, yeah, peak prosperity, there, Chris Martinson, he recently said that he would not be surprised to see 18 to 20% annual inflation in the next two to three years. That's exactly what he said.   Speaker 2  13:12   Yeah, but it's good for those who have assets, right? You see what, when things inflate, you know, like chickens and eggs and milk go up, but so do assets go up, most of them, like gold and silver, will go up, but the purchasing of the dollar will come down. Inflation is a tax, that's all it is.   Keith Weinhold  13:33   So much potential for inflation there, and a lot of this really ties in with debt, about how debtors can be enriched inflation. I think about the cantillion effect, meaning that in inflationary times those closest to the money printer win, and that usually tends to be governments, large banks, corporations with easy credit scores, but a lot of people don't realize that we can benefit from that too is everyday investors that use leverage prudent debt,   Speaker 1  14:05   right, and tell you, in effect, is basically what interest rate can you get, and how easy is money for you, and I use debt, I'm 1,000,000,002 in debt, and that scares the crap out of most people, but I use debt to get rich, and most people use debt to get poor, and again, that's family, what your education says. So, a lot has to do with early childhood development, and all that stuff. The more I study it, it really goes back to before a child was like 15. The cookie cutter has been cut.   Keith Weinhold  14:36   Yes, it goes back to not always having to believe everything that you think.   Speaker 2  14:40   We all have access to education. I have my cash flow game here. I teach people how to use debt, and Dave Ramsey says don't use debt. Well, he's a smart man too, Dave. I like him a lot, and most people should listen to Dave Ramsey, but if you're going to use debt, you'd better take some education, so. To go 1,000,000,002 in debt, man, you better know something. People aren't living paycheck to paycheck, they're living credit card to credit card now, and getting wiped out. I hate to laugh, but it's so obvious. You go, because they have no financial education, and that's why my book was turned down by all those academics in New York City, the publishers say, you don't know what you're talking about. How can I say your house is not an asset? How can I say savers are losers? How can I say the rich don't work for money? And that's what Don't Rich Dad Poor Dad on. And now it's been an international best seller, number one in the world for like 25 years.    Keith Weinhold  15:39   Yeah, well, it's so interesting that you bring up Dave Ramsey here, Robert. He often gets his followers to make a debt-free scream when they're debt free, and you know what I think, Robert, for those that scream that they're debt free, what they're doing is they're postponing screaming that they're job free or job optional, they could have been prudently leveraging dollars for profit, instead, like you and I do.   Speaker 2  16:06    Well, let me just say, Dave Ramsey's advice is good for most people. I'm saying, if you're going to learn to use debt, you know, if all you want is a job and a pension, you don't have to study that much. The biggest mistake I think ever made was at 401 k. It's going to wipe out boomer generation. It's going to.. that's the memos. I wrote this book. Here's who stole my pension, and that's when it's going to nail the boomers. They're finished, because their pensions are going to get stolen. They're four 1k IRAs. They're finished, but they do.. they listen. No, they go, they send their kids to school to get their MBA and get a, get a 401 k.   Keith Weinhold  16:46   Well, I kind of think when you have education around debt, you sort of understand this difference between productive debt and what I'll call ego debt. So, can you talk to us more about what kinds of debt make people rich today and what kinds of debt can quietly destroy them.   Speaker 2  17:02   Well, they should read Rich Dad Poor Dad. Really, I'm serious. That's all it is about, really, is I use debt to get rich, and Dave Ramsey's advice is good for those who don't want to study. So, if you're a PhD in microbiology, and you're a doctor, Dave Ramsey's advice is good for you, because you have no financial education, it's not between your right ear and your left ear. So, I had to study debt, that's the difference. It's what we study.   Keith Weinhold  17:29   And for those that are uninitiated on this, what we're talking about here is, if you've got, say, 200k to invest in real estate, and real estate's going to go up 5% a year. Okay, if you pay all cash, you only have a 5% gain on your 200k but if you get an 800k loan and now you invest in a million dollars worth of real estate, you have that entire million dollars going up 5% not just 200k and you have the tenants servicing the 800k in debt for you. This is really the path to wealth through debt, which is counterintuitive.   Speaker 1  18:02   You don't just get into debt. I mean, you really got to understand debt, and real estate doesn't always go up. It's about to crash again, and I like crashes. Don't get me wrong, I love crashes, because a crash in a stock market, bond market, real estate market is something going on sale, so like if Walmart had a sale, every poor person would run in there, but when the real estate market has a sale, all the poor people run away. I like crashes, that's when you get rich, one's coming big time, big time.   Keith Weinhold  18:33   Well, I want to learn more about that, because residential real estate in our lifetimes has only fallen significantly one time, that was in 2008 and circumstances are so different today. Today, you have responsible lending, and you don't have this oversupply that you had in 2008 So, tell us more about a potential real estate crash that's going to interest a lot of people.   Speaker 1  18:53   Well, real estate crashes, because the currency crashes. It's really the problem with the world today, and this is the whole world, is America is now what, the biggest debtor nation in world history.   Keith Weinhold  19:05   Yeah,   Speaker 1  19:05   39 trillion or something like that. And Japan is a bunch of idiots on Japanese, I can say that they save money. Why would you save money when Japan was the biggest money printer of all times? That'd be like somebody you know, sticking water in your gas tank. Why would you go and fill up with water? But that's what the Japanese were doing. They're saving money. It makes no sense. I mean, I just.. I'm just a different person, you know. I just didn't go to school like my family did. I mean, I have a college education and all that, but I studied different things after school. I studied debt, I studied real estate, and that's the big difference. So, I'm 1,000,000,002 in debt. So, in 2008 when the market crashed, you know, I borrowed 30 million bucks and leveled it up with 1,000,000,002 in debt.   Keith Weinhold  19:52   Good timing   Speaker 1  19:53   should not do what I do, but I studied it since 1974 It's debt that's not. Right now today we have oil going up. My college degree is in oil. I'm an oil tanker driver. I drove oil tankers with Standard Oil. I'm making fortunes today as the price of oil goes up, so you know, more Netanyahu and Trump bomb Iran, terrible as it is. I'm getting richer, so you don't have to be poor, but you're poor because that gap between your left ear and your right ear is empty, you know. You've been taught inflation's bad. Well, inflation is good if you're holding oil or gold or silver or some real estate. Anyway, most people have no financial education. That's why I created the cash flow board game, so you can have fun learning how to be rich. If you don't want to learn to be rich, then go to school and get your PhD.   Keith Weinhold  20:47   Sometimes, when people don't understand how real estate debt benefits them, one way I've helped people understand Robert is that, say, you have a loan balance of 112k on a piece of real estate today, that feels really small. It almost feels like something that you can pay off with what you have in your savings account, but if you go back 30 years, when the median home price is 140k 80% debt on that would have been 112k So here, 30 years later, with your 30 year fixed rate loan, you still just have that 112k in debt, while the median home price is over 400k and that's even if you hadn't made a principal payment at all, so it's really a way to visualize how inflation starts shrinking the real weight of our debt over time.   Speaker 1  21:31   My advice is I would study debt, so I take real estate courses, I'm always studying, I'm studying constantly, because the markets are changing so quickly. The biggest problem today started in 1971 when Nixon took the dollar off the gold standard. So, we're the biggest detonation in world history. I think we're going into a depression right now. So, depression plus AI coming along is going to wipe out jobs. I'm going to get richer. What are you going to do? So, I'm already planning for the future, the people that get rich can see the future. So, when you say, well, you know, back in 2008 it only crashed for a little while. Then, okay, so what? And history has proven in 1971 Nixon took the dollar off the gold standard. Every nation has collapsed. Who did that? The Chinese did it, the Romans did it, the Greeks did it, Germans did it. They print money, and so that's the real issue. It's not debt, but it's also the economic macro problems that keep going into the world. The dollar is coming down, and I'm afraid that we're going into a global depression. I hope I'm wrong, like Grant Cardone, and I have fights all the time about it, you know, because he's a big proponent of that. Real estate always goes up, it doesn't always go up,   Keith Weinhold  22:47   right?   Speaker 1  22:47   It doesn't always go up. The stock market doesn't always go up. The bond market's crashing. Everybody says, "Oh, bonds are safe. The bond market's in the biggest bubble in world history. We're going into a depression. So, what are you going to do about it? I'm afraid America is going to crash because we've taken on Iran, and Iran's a powerful, powerful force out there. I'm not in favor of it, but everybody who's messed with Iran has got kicked. So just note that as this look at history, you can see the future, but you have to be careful in the issue you follow. So, 1971 I was on an aircraft carrier in Vietnam, and my rich dad wrote me a letter. I was a marine helicopter pilot, went down three times. Rich Dad wrote me lessons. Nixon took the dollar off the gold standard, watch out, and immediately I started buying gold. So, I started buying gold at $50 an ounce to today is what, four or 5000   Keith Weinhold  23:43   Yeah,   Speaker 1  23:44   the trouble with gold is you pay high taxes on it, constant taxes too. Good luck to learn, Keith. I study constantly.   Keith Weinhold  23:52   You're listening to Get Rich Education. Our guest is Rich Ed Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki. I'm your host, Keith Weinhold.    Keith Weinhold  23:58   What if you got your mortgage loans the same place I get mine. You sure can at Ridge Lending Group, NMLS 42056 They provided GRE listeners with more loans than anyone, because Ridge specializes in investment property. They'll help you build a long-term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage. Start your prequal, and even chat directly with President Chaley Ridge, while it's on your mind. Start at Ridge lendinggroup.com that's Ridge lendinggroup.com    Keith Weinhold  24:29   Let me ask you something. If you've worked hard to build wealth, is your money positioned to actually support your goals? A lot of accredited investors leave capital sitting in cash because it feels safe, but inflation and missed income opportunities can quietly erode its value. Freedom Family Investments offers freedom notes for investors seeking structured income backed by real estate. It's a straightforward approach built on real assets, not speculation. In full disclosure, I'm an investor myself. What I like is that their team walks you through how it all works, so you can decide if it aligns with your portfolio and income goals. Every investment carries risk, and nothing is guaranteed, but with a track record of consistent on-time investor payouts, they built real credibility. Go to freedomfamilyinvestments.com to book a clarity call or text family to 66866 that's family 266866 This   Jim Rickards  25:31   is Author Jim Rickards. Listen to Get Rich Education with Keith Weinhold, and don't quit your daydream.   Keith Weinhold  25:47   Welcome back to Get Rich Education. I'm your host, Keith Weinholt. We're talking with the top-selling personal finance author of all time, Robert Kiyosaki.   Speaker 1  25:55   Just study history. History will see this, you'll see the future. So, this is my good friend here, McDonald. You know why he wants you to get rich, and it's this one man, one message.   Keith Weinhold  26:06   Robert's holding up a book now.   Speaker 1  26:08   You've got to get educated on money, but most people won't, so they got a 401 k, and they live debt free. Good advice. Will it protect them? No, it won't protect them from a, you know, if you lose your job, AI takes it away, or is a massive crash, but we've never been in this much debt before to you. Black generation is screwed, boomers and boomers are screwed, because we're the first generation with a four 1k that was 1974 1974 also Kissinger went to Saudi Arabia to sign the dollar up back by oil, and today my buddy here, Trump is bombing the crap out of Iran. I'm not saying it's good or bad, but the price of oil is going through the roof now. Everybody's complaining about it because of inflation, so chicken and eggs go up in price, you know. Diesel delivers chicken and eggs all over the world. I'm getting richer because I own oil wells, you see. You don't have to be poor, but you better question what they put between your left ear and your right ear. What did Mommy and Daddy tell you? Go to school, get a job, get a job with a government service. My daughter's a GS, she's got a master's from Washington State University losers,   Keith Weinhold  27:24   this untethering of the dollar from gold in 1971 that meant that there is no sovereign currency in the world today that's still tied to gold, allowing for more money printing and enriching over time debtors like you and I, but Robert, we think about how debtors are profiting, and you spoke earlier about how oftentimes your parents put all of these values inside you. How do you emotionally tolerate having a lot of debt yourself? You talked about having $1.2 billion in debt. How do you emotionally deal with that?   Speaker 1  28:00   I study, I take courses. I'm constantly in seminars studying debt. I don't study a 401 ks or bonds, that's for losers. But this is the biggest point, Keith. You got to find out. My rich had always said to me, says there's a billion ways to financial heaven. So, there's what, 8 billion people on planet earth, and 1 billion of the eight may make it to financial heaven, but there's 7 billion to financial hell, and the difference is what's between your left ear and your right ear, and that's why you may choose what you learn carefully, cash flow game, study it, have fun, practice, play, learn, but if you don't want to learn, then follow Dave Ramsey's advice. That's much better. It's better for you, really. I'm serious. And get your PhD and get a 401 k and get wiped out when you lose your job. It's up to you.   Keith Weinhold  28:54   Yeah, I mean, the debt-free mindset probably is better for most people, but I think you shouldn't aspire to want to be like most people. Most people are overweight, and they have a busted relationship, and they don't have enough money at the end of the month. So we're really not aspiring to be mediocre here, and that can mean taking on prudent debt. You wrote something in a book one time, I don't think it was Rich Dad Poor Dad, it was one of your later books. This is so simple, but I found it to be so profound and life-changing for me. And that is simply being wealthy is a choice   Speaker 1  29:28   that doesn't, what you want, it's your choice, but you better know what your choices are. What did Mommy and Daddy say to you? But also, were they doing in front of you?   Keith Weinhold  29:39   Right,   Speaker 1  29:40   were they cleaning for job security or were they buying coil wells? Like, I own Bitcoin, but they'll recommend it now. I study it. I don't really understand it that well. I have 5049 Bitcoin, not much, but as inflation goes up, my Bitcoin goes up. Also, have in theory. I'm old. I don't understand tech that well, but I buy it to learn it, to practice, to study it. Am I an expert at Bitcoin? No. So I just keep studying, that's all I'm saying. I have a choice how to put between this year and that year. That's your choice today.   Keith Weinhold  30:18   Well, that's really interesting, Robert, because some people say that you should only invest in something that you understand well, others say that you're only going to understand something well if you invest a little in it first and have a stake. Well, is there any last thought that you have, Robert, as we wind up, anything at all that a listener should know today?   Speaker 1  30:39   No, I mean, I just said it, that's it. Choose what you put between your left brain and right ear, and what do you do? What do you do in your spare time? Like studying, you can ask the people around me. I'm constantly studying, you know, because I like to win. I'm very concerned, Keith. We're going into the biggest depression in history. So, what happens when you lose your job and you can't put food on the table, that's gonna create another problem. So, I'm a big pessimist, but I'm ready for it. I have a lot of guns, so the, I call it the 5g's Okay, you have to have gold, food, I mean ground, gasoline, and guns, that's preparing for the future, the 5g will be gold, gas, ground, food, guns.   Keith Weinhold  31:27   Well, Robert, you gave us a lot to think about there, including some actionable things. It's been great having you back on the show.   Speaker 1  31:32   Okay. Well, thank you. Keep up the good work.   Keith Weinhold  31:40   I believe Robert feels that a calming economic depression would be linked to the longer term calamity about the dollar being de-pegged from gold for about 55 years now. His 1.2 billion in debt is largely, if not completely, good debt. You can learn more about Robert and the Rich Dad world@richdad.com and he and I talked more off air. As much as he stresses financial education, he emphasizes taking action after you've learned; otherwise, you really haven't gained much of anything. But the rat race is so busy that some people don't have time to care about this stuff. In fact, the difference between financial education and financial courage is action taking. That's the difference. Now, in my view, it seems that some feel like financial betterment means cutting your expenses so much that you reduce your standard of living even over the long term, and doing that for the long term, you might do some of that in the short term, earlier in your investing career, because you need some capital formation, but to me, before long, financial betterment should give you the ability to make your life better. I mean, really don't buy the boat or RV just because it's a depreciating asset. Well, you don't want to do that wastefully if you can't afford it, but if you can learn how to afford it, consider borrowing for it, investing it at a higher interest rate than the RV loan, and profiting while you enjoy the RV, some people don't even think something like that is possible. Well, that's the sort of thing financial education can do. Genuine financial betterment means that you can take the trip, it means that you can buy the boat, because what's worse, owning a depreciating asset or living a depreciating life. Big thanks to Robert Kiyosaki.    Keith Weinhold  33:47   Today, we've got a lot of great upcoming shows here on the Get Rich Education podcast. Next week, The Mad Scientist of Multifamily, Neil Bower, will be here. It's going to be a charged conversation on the state and the future of the residential real estate market. Also, I've been compiling my top 12 dirty dozen due diligence questions that are going to help you avoid mistakes when you buy a piece of income property, like for example, How do you be sure that a build to rent community isn't overbuilt with supply, and why you should always get a property inspection, even on a new construction property that's coming in future weeks, and if you're a new listener and still learning about how to prudently use debt to build wealth, you're in luck. Just eight weeks ago, on episode 600 it's an episode where it's just me talking to you, called Debt is the American dream. Be sure to check out that show until next week. I'm your host, Keith Weinhold. In In the Spirit of Rich Dad, don't quit your daydream.   Speaker 3  34:52   Nothing on this show should be considered specific personal or professional advice. Please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial, or business. Professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of Get Rich Education LLC exclusively.   Keith Weinhold  35:18   The preceding program was brought to you by Your Home for Wealth Building, Get Rich education.com  

Read OnlineJesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Mark 11:27–28Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem for Passover, which would culminate in His death. In the preceding months, Jesus prepared His disciples for this final journey, telling them three times that He would be handed over in Jerusalem, suffer, die, and rise again. Each time, the disciples failed to grasp the full meaning of His words.The week began with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The next day, Jesus drove the money changers, merchants, and others out of the Temple. As the week progressed, hostilities grew. Today, Jesus is confronted by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. Later in the week, He will face opposition from the Herodians, Pharisees, and Sadducees. Each of these groups held significant civil and religious authority within the Jewish community.The chief priests oversaw Temple worship. The scribes were experts in Jewish Law. The elders were respected lay leaders within the community. The Herodians were politically motivated supporters of Herod and Roman rule. The Pharisees focused on strict observance of the Law and oral traditions. The Sadducees denied beliefs, such as the resurrection and angels, and cooperated with Roman authorities to protect their positions.While Roman authorities governed Jerusalem civilly, the religious leaders held significant influence over the Temple and the enforcement of Jewish laws, matters that were of little concern to the Romans. The religious leaders could arrest people, but they lacked the authority to execute anyone—an authority they ultimately sought to use against Jesus. Tragically, they became icons of hostility and evil as they persecuted the Son of God.In today's Gospel, the chief priests, scribes, and elders confronted Jesus: “By what authority are You doing these things?” This challenge was likely in response to Jesus' actions the previous day when He cleansed the Temple. The tension and hostility were palpable. The disciples were fearful, and those observing took sides—some angry at Jesus, others concerned for what might happen to Him.Jesus' disposition and response to these icons of hostility and evil offer insight into how we must confront every diabolical attack and temptation in our own lives. Jesus was calm, firm, and fearless. He revealed their dishonesty, trickery, and evil intent when He said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John's baptism of heavenly or human origin? Answer me.”The religious leaders didn't know what to say. Any answer they gave would have revealed their malice and dishonesty, so they said, “We do not know.” Jesus responded, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things” (Mark 11:33). Jesus was not intimidated and exposed their dishonesty.Evil is always irrational and hostile. When we encounter the wrath of others or witness it from a distance, we often find ourselves thinking, “This doesn't make sense!” And indeed, it doesn't. Jesus unmasked this irrationality and refused to be oppressed by it. Though it led to further persecution, He faced it without fear. His witness serves as the ideal model for us whenever we encounter irrational anger, persecution, or hostility.Reflect today on any hostility you might encounter. If it seems senseless and leaves you feeling oppressed or fearful, turn to Jesus as your guide. Hostile irrationality can arise from many sources, even those close to us. We must resist the temptation to return hostility with hostility, but neither should we give in to fear. Our response must be rational, calm, and firm, just as Jesus demonstrated. Our Lord's witness should not only result in our admiration and praise, but also in our imitation, relying on His grace to confront evil as He did.Most courageous Lord, You never allowed the anger and deception of others to oppress You or fill You with fear. You faced every evil with confidence and wisdom, unmasking its irrationality. Grant me Your courage and wisdom as I confront the evils in my life, so that I may live with confidence and security in Your grace. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: You cling to human traditions... by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

We've been looking for them, at least since I was a kid. Life forms from somewhere else in the universe. In the 1930s for example, famed actor, Orson Welles, freaked out a nation with a radio broadcast of simulated news bulletins. Millions were convinced an alien invasion was taking place. And then in the 1950's, sightings of UFO's triggered reports of downed aliens secretly kept in New Mexico's infamous “Area 51.” And then in the 1990s, the hit TV series, “X Files.” Now our government has started releasing extensive files with all kinds of footage of aerial phenomena. Is it military technology? The interplanetary visitors we've been waiting for? Or spiritual forces, as the Bible talks about in a section about “how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:9). I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Aliens – And Beyond.” In our broader popular culture, extraterrestrial life is one of the most enduring mysteries of the past century. But it's just one of many things in the “beyond us” category. Astronauts return from space in awe of the magnitude of what they have seen beyond our world. And millions of us are endlessly curious about a buffet of spiritualities and unexplainable spiritual phenomena. And while our fascination with things “beyond us” takes us down many different trails, there is one common source. There's a yearning in our soul that needs something bigger than ourselves. Bigger than can be explained. And the revealing explanation for this comes from the greatest “beyond us” of all. The God who created us. Who says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, our word for today from the Word of God: “God has placed eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We are looking for something that will last forever! Which effectively eliminates everything “earth.” Oh, we try all kinds of relationships and accomplishments and experiences – but they don't last! And all of our ventures into the unknown and unexplainable are ultimately, well, substitute supernaturals. Little bridges that leave us stranded. Because none of them reach the destination our soul craves. Knowing our Creator. For He tells us that we were “created by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). And as He prayed, Jesus said, “This is the way to have eternal life – to know You, the only true God” (John 17:3). But our search for lasting love and peace and meaning has not taken us to Him. It has taken us away from Him. God describes it this way: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to our own way” (Isaiah 53:6). The opposite of God's way. Tragically, that has left us “without God and without hope” (Ephesians 2:12). Alone in His universe. By our choice, not His. A lot of religions talk about God at the top of a mountain. And us on many different roads, hoping they will lead to Him. But the divine bombshell is this amazing reality: we can't possibly reach a sinless God, no matter which road we choose. But God loves us too much to leave us lost. So in the greatest act of love in human history, He came down from the mountain to bring us to Him! At the unspeakable price of dying to pay the penalty for the very sinning we've done against Him. In the Bible's words: “Christ died for sinners to bring you safely home to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Then He rose from the dead to give us a gift that answers the eternity in our heart. Life. Eternal life! That life is within your reach today. That's what our website is all about, and I encourage you to go to ANewStory.com. There you'll see from the Bible how to begin this life-changing relationship with the Jesus. Suddenly all the scattered pieces of our life make something. All our fear of the future is swallowed up by life that lasts forever. And the cosmic loneliness of our life is finally satisfied by the endless love of God. No, the answer is not “out there." It's right here. In the Savior waiting for us with arms open wide.

In a special Gardeners' Question Time episode to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, the programme is at the Serge Hill Project, an inspirational garden that promotes working with nature to radically transform people's health and well-being. Renowned landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, and Tom's partner, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist Sue Stuart-Smith, join regular panellists Pippa Greenwood, Christine Walkden, and Anne Swithinbank to answer listener questions. The programme also features a generous and brave final appearance from GQT panellist Matt Biggs. Matt has been a GQT panellist since 1994, and has been battling cancer for six years. Tragically, Matt's cancer has now entered its end-stage. Matt wanted to record this programme, knowing it would be his last appearance on Gardeners' Question Time, surrounded by his longtime friends and GQT colleagues. Listeners will hear questions answered by the GQT panel of gardening experts, but they will also hear about Matt's journey from initial diagnosis to his current mental and physical condition. At times Matt's words are upsetting, raw, and honest, however it is Matt's wish that his story is told partly as advice for other sufferers and also to serve as inspiration to all listeners. Producers: Dan Cocker, Matt Smith and Rahnee Prescod Assistant Producer: William Norton A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4 * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

From the very beginning, the authority of God's Word has been under attack. God gave clear instruction in the Garden of Eden as recorded in Genesis 2:16 and following: "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.'" In Genesis chapter 3, the serpent spoke to Eve, "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" The serpent put this question in her mind to cause doubt and later countered what God said, "Ye shall not surely die." Tragically, Eve took of the fruit and ate it. She gave it to Adam, who also ate it, and thus sin entered into the world. We often look back and ask how could they do such a thing. Yet, in our secular world and in pulpits across the country, the same challenge is happening day after day, questioning the authority of the Scriptures. Returning to Crosstalk to answer this concern was Ken Ham. Ken is founder of Answers in Genesis and its life-changing attractions: the highly acclaimed Creation Museum and the world-renowned Ark Encounter. Ken is a biblical apologist and author of multiple books, including Divine Dilemma (understanding death, disease, and suffering); Divided Nation (about today's culture wars); Creation to Babel (a devotional commentary); The Lie: Unraveling the Myth: Evolution/Millions of Years and Miraculous: The Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis Story.

From the very beginning, the authority of God's Word has been under attack. God gave clear instruction in the Garden of Eden as recorded in Genesis 2:16 and following: "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.'" In Genesis chapter 3, the serpent spoke to Eve, "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" The serpent put this question in her mind to cause doubt and later countered what God said, "Ye shall not surely die." Tragically, Eve took of the fruit and ate it. She gave it to Adam, who also ate it, and thus sin entered into the world. We often look back and ask how could they do such a thing. Yet, in our secular world and in pulpits across the country, the same challenge is happening day after day, questioning the authority of the Scriptures. Returning to Crosstalk to answer this concern was Ken Ham. Ken is founder of Answers in Genesis and its life-changing attractions: the highly acclaimed Creation Museum and the world-renowned Ark Encounter. Ken is a biblical apologist and author of multiple books, including Divine Dilemma (understanding death, disease, and suffering); Divided Nation (about today's culture wars); Creation to Babel (a devotional commentary); The Lie: Unraveling the Myth: Evolution/Millions of Years and Miraculous: The Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis Story.

NYC'S PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM IS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE On this episode we break down the shocking incident where NYPD officers reportedly waited 41 minutes for EMS before transporting a 22-year-old man to the hospital themselves during a medical emergency. Tragically, the patient later died. According to reports, officers made TWO separate calls requesting an ambulance before deciding they could no longer wait. How does this happen in New York City? We'll discuss: The 41-minute EMS delay and the death of a 22-year-old patient Why NYPD cops are increasingly forced to act as EMS The controversial “Super Speeders Bill” and the push for speed limiters in NYC Allegations of crime stat manipulation coming out of Washington DC The growing controversy surrounding an NYPD Captain who publicly blasted Zohran Mamdani The political pressure, morale issues and public safety consequences facing law enforcement today From collapsing emergency response times to political warfare inside policing, this episode covers the stories legacy media won't fully touch. #NYPD #EMS #FDNY #NYC #ZohranMamdani #Police #DC #CrimeStats #SuperSpeedersBill #BreakingNews #FirstResponders #TheFinestUnfiltered ️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5689366474915840 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Allison "Ally" Rose Suhy was more than a beautiful face—her kindness and warmth shone from within. She loved helping others feel confident, whether braiding hair, doing makeup, or working with children at autism camps. Bringing joy to others came naturally—she lit up every room she entered.  Though she lived with a severe nut allergy from a young age, Ally never let it define her. Supported by family, friends, and school staff, she embraced life fully and confidently. At Ohio University, she quickly found her place—building friendships, joining Alpha Xi Delta, and diving into campus life. Tragically, during her first Dad's Weekend, Ally suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction and passed away at just 18 years old. Ally's story is a powerful reminder of how critical food allergy awareness and preparedness are, especially as young adults gain independence. Her legacy lives on in the effort to create a safer, more informed world—so others can live fully, without fear. Foundation's Website Make a Donation Here Foundation's Instagram Foundation Facebook Page ______________________________ Follow me on my Instagram or Facebook Podcast Facebook page here Check out KristiCapel.com Email: Kristicapelpodcast@gmail.com  

Last time we spoke about the battle of West Suiyuan. The Ma Clique, Muslim warlords controlling Northwest China, led by Ma Hongkui and Ma Hongbin, rebuffed Japanese overtures to ally, citing historical grievances like the 1900 invasion. Driven by patriotism, they aligned with the Nationalists, reorganizing forces into the 17th Army Group. In 1938, Ma Hongbin commanded West Suiyuan defenses, building fortifications in harsh desert and mountain terrain, blending cavalry tactics with modern training despite equipment shortages. In January 1940, Japanese and puppet troops advanced from Baotou, occupying Wuyuan and Linhe. Chinese forces, including Fu Zuoyi's 35th Army and Ma's 81st Army, employed guerrilla and mobile warfare. A major counterattack in March recaptured Wuyuan, killing Lt. Gen. Mizukawa and thousands, forcing Japanese retreat. Through ambushes and night raids, the Chinese recovered territories, securing Soviet aid routes and the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia region. Over 2,000 Ningxia soldiers perished, their sacrifices underscoring peripheral fronts' role in national resistance.   #200 The battle of Yaoyi Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. After capturing Wuhan, the Japanese army had already stretched itself dangerously thin. Most regular and Class A reserve divisions were committed to the front, yet they failed to annihilate the main Chinese force. Despite losing its core industrial and resource regions, the Nationalist government in Chongqing refused Japan's peace terms. Japan now found itself trapped in the very protracted war it had desperately sought to avoid. The logical Japanese response was to halt major advances, consolidate control over occupied areas, and conduct limited offensives to pressure Chiang Kai-shek into negotiations—essentially repeating the post-Nanjing strategy of late 1937. But the situation had deteriorated sharply: occupied territory had at least doubled, Japanese garrisons were inadequate, and strategic reserves were nearly exhausted. What might have been prudent a year earlier had become plainly unwise by late 1938.   To stabilize the front, Japan reorganized its China Expeditionary Army at the end of 1938. Large numbers of newly raised independent mixed brigades and lower-quality Class B reserve divisions were sent to relieve veteran regular and Class A divisions. The relieved units were either demobilized back to Japan or shifted north to reinforce the Kwantung Army against the Soviet threat.   By early 1940 Japan maintained roughly 24 divisions, 21 independent mixed brigades, and 2 cavalry brigades in China proper (excluding Manchuria), totaling nearly 800,000 ground troops. The enormous scale and expense strained the home economy severely. Even so, the vast occupied zones could not be effectively controlled: divisions often held only a single mobile battalion while dispersing the rest into scattered platoon- and squad-sized outposts. Guerrilla activity by both Nationalist and Communist forces not only persisted but intensified, occasionally clashing with each other in "friction" incidents.   Beyond mere occupation, Japan sought to wear down Chinese strength. With most elite Central Army units held in reserve in the southwest or around Wuhan, Japanese local offensives targeted the Fifth and Ninth War Zones, aiming to methodically destroy Chiang's best troops. Thus, while other Japanese armies focused on garrison relief and brigade substitution, the 11th Army—still holding Wuhan with seven divisions and three brigades—remained the main offensive instrument. In 1939 it captured Nanchang, then mounted major operations against the Fifth War Zone (Suizao Campaign) and Ninth War Zone (First Battle of Changsha). Except for the seizure of Nanchang, however, these offensives inflicted only limited and temporary damage on Chinese forces.   Japan's domestic economy was in even worse shape. In early 1937, it had approved a massive 2.4 billion yen naval and army rebuilding program aimed at countering the United States and Russia, but implementation had barely started when the Sino-Japanese War erupted. The conflict generated enormous war costs while military expansion continued unabated, rapidly draining the Bank of Japan's gold reserves. By the end of 1938, those reserves (valued at just 1.35 billion yen) had shrunk by more than two-thirds. To fund the Battle of Wuhan that year, Japan postponed key elements of the rebuilding plan. After Wuhan fell, the Army revised its wartime reorganization: the original target of forty divisions grew to fifty-five by early 1938, then to sixty-five divisions plus 164 Army Air Force squadrons by 1942. The funding required to equip and stockpile for this expansion escalated steadily; the 1939 expansion budget alone demanded 1.8 billion yen, pushing Japanese finances to the breaking point.   Japan repeatedly sought a way out of China, but its peace terms remained far beyond what Chongqing would accept, leaving negotiations stalled. Efforts to install puppet regimes in North and Central China—culminating in the Wang Jingwei government in 1940—aimed to "use Chinese to control Chinese" and undermine Nationalist influence, yet produced disappointing results.   The 11th Army's 1939 campaigns yielded only mediocre outcomes, hampered by chronic troop shortages. Even its divisions were tied down in occupation duties; mounting a serious offensive required pulling garrison forces, leaving no reserves to hold the line unless new units arrived. Sustained large-scale operations to seriously weaken Chinese strength demanded a major troop increase—otherwise, Japan was limited to shallow, localized attacks. Lt. Gen. Yasuji Okamura, commanding the 11th Army, recognized this clearly. In a December 1939 report, he argued that diplomacy and small offensives were futile and urged a large-scale operation backed by substantial reinforcements. His superiors, however, were preoccupied with funding the broader military buildup and could offer no extra men. The post-Wuhan "defensiveization" of operations was largely a cost-saving measure to support that expansion. Japanese ground strength in China, which peaked near 850,000 after Wuhan, had already dropped by about 50,000. Full-strength regular or Class A divisions numbered roughly 22,000 men (four regiments), while newer garrison divisions had only about 15,000 (three regiments), and independent mixed brigades just 6,000. Okamura's proposal was sensible but politically impossible; high command was even contemplating slashing China troop levels to 400,000.   The Chinese Winter Offensive of December 1939, together with counterattacks at Nanning and Kunlun Pass, inflicted serious losses and exposed the limited damage done to Chinese forces in 1939 operations. The recapture of Wuyuan in March 1940 signaled the start of a new phase. Shortly afterward, intensified Chinese guerrilla raids deep into Japanese rear areas prompted large Japanese "mop-up" operations in southern Shanxi, central Hubei, southern Jiangxi, and northern Hunan. In the Wuhan sector, repeated blows from the Winter Offensive heightened fears of Chinese forces in the Dahong and Tongbai Mountains, which threatened control over the vital Jianghan Plains rice-producing region. In mid-April 1940, the Japanese abandoned outposts at Macheng (eastern Hubei), Fengxin, and Jing'an (northern Jiangxi), withdrew elements of the 6th Division (northern Hunan), 40th Division (northern Jiangxi), and the 3rd, 13th, and 39th Divisions (Hubei), and concentrated them around Zhongxiang, Suixian, and Xinyang for a maximum-effort push.   These setbacks finally forced Tokyo to abandon deep troop reductions in China and approve reinforcements of two regular divisions for a major 1940 offensive. The revised end-1940 target became 740,000 troops in China. In spring 1940, the 11th Army—backed fully by Imperial General Headquarters and the China Expeditionary Army—began detailed preparations for a large-scale assault on China's Fifth War Zone.   On February 25, 1940, the 11th Army issued its "Guiding Strategy for the Campaign." The operational goal was to defeat the main force of China's Fifth War Zone along both banks of the Han River before the rainy season, inflict further heavy losses on Chiang Kai-shek's army through decisive victory, and thereby advance Japan's overall political and strategic position vis-à-vis China. The guiding principle called for the quickest possible preparations, with the offensive to begin around early May: first destroy Chinese forces on the left (east) bank south of the Baihe River, then completely annihilate the core units on the right (west) bank near Yichang. On April 7, under the new commander Lt. Gen. Sonobe Kazuo (who replaced Okamura Yasuji), the 11th Army produced a more detailed plan. On April 10, Imperial General Headquarters Order No. 426 ("Continental Order") authorized the China Expeditionary Army to conduct operations in central and southern China during May–June, even beyond established boundaries, to fulfill current objectives.   Japanese planners viewed the Fifth War Zone—roughly 50 divisions encircling Wuhan—with its main strength concentrated along the Han (Xiang) River in northwestern Hubei. Striking Yichang would deliver a severe blow to the zone. As the gateway to Sichuan, only 480 km from Chongqing, Yichang held immense strategic value: an inland port, Three Gorges logistics hub, and key base for air raids on Chongqing. Capturing it would directly threaten the Nationalist wartime capital and southwestern rear, advancing political leverage. Still, long-term occupation was not pre-decided; initial plans stressed inflicting maximum damage followed by withdrawal, in line with the post-Wuhan policy of avoiding permanent overextension. China, aware that holding the Jianghan Plain's rice-producing areas enabled sustained attrition against Japan, deployed guerrilla units to harass Japanese rear areas (increasing occupier losses) while tasking the River Defense Force to hold key front-line points: Jingmen, Shashi, and Yichang.   To achieve these aims, the 11th Army committed as much as possible of its seven divisions and four brigades (88 battalions total). Core units included the 3rd Division (Maj. Gen. Yamakoshi Masataka; regiments 6, 18, 34, 68), 13th Division (Maj. Gen. Tanaka Shioichi; 58, 65, 104, 116), 39th Division (Maj. Gen. Murakami Keisaku; 231–233), elements of the 40th Division, detachments from the 33rd and 34th Divisions, and others. Reinforcements comprised the Ikeda Detachment (three battalions from 6th Division), Ishimoto Detachment (four–five from 40th), Ogawa Detachment (two from 34th), and Provisional Mixed Brigade 101. Supporting assets included the 6th Field Heavy Artillery Regiment, 7th and 13th Tank Regiments, 3rd Air Group, Navy 1st China Dispatch Fleet, and 2nd Combined Air Team. The China Expeditionary Army transferred seven battalions from the 15th and 22nd Divisions (13th Army, lower Yangtze). The main effort north of the river involved roughly 48–54 battalions, or 80,000–110,000 men, making the Zaoyi (Zaoyang–Yichang) Campaign the largest Japanese operation on the central front since Wuhan. Sonobe's staff structured the offensive in two phases. Phase One targeted the Fifth War Zone's main force around Zaoyang (east of the Han River) through converging pincer movements: right flank from Xinyang (reinforced 3rd Division), left flank from Zhongxiang (reinforced 13th Division), and central thrust by the reinforced 39th Division from Suixian. The plan exploited terrain—Dahong and Tongbai Mountains—for encirclement. After seizing Minggang (right flank) and advancing from Zhongxiang (left), the pincers would close on Zaoyang, with the center (along the Xianghua Highway from Suixian) drawing Chinese forces into the trap for envelopment. Diversionary attacks south of the Yangtze, propaganda hinting at limited scope, and planted false orders helped mask intentions. Japanese radio intelligence—intercepts and direction-finding of Chinese headquarters signals—provided critical advantages, especially in later stages.   By March 1940, Chinese intelligence had already detected the 11th Army's intent to mount a major offensive from Xinyang and Wuhan into northwestern Hubei. On April 10, Chiang Kai-shek telegraphed Li Zongren and other Fifth War Zone commanders, urging immediate preparations for a preemptive strike against any push toward Shapingba and Yichang. He emphasized proactive flanking attacks on Japanese rear areas via Wusheng Pass and threats to the Pinghan Railway, while keeping main forces east of the Han River for decisive engagement once the enemy committed.   Following Military Commission directives, the Fifth War Zone devised a plan that used part of its strength for forward advances and deep raids into Japanese rear areas to harass and divert. The bulk of forces would hold the rear, seizing chances for preemptive strikes and a decisive battle east of Zaoyang or south of Jingmen–Dangyang. Deployments included: the 33rd Army Group garrisoning the Xiang River; in the center, the 45th Corps (22nd Army Group) west of Luoyangdian–Suixian and the 84th Corps (11th Army Group) north of Suixian–south of Gaocheng; in southern Henan, the 30th Corps east of Tongbai and the 68th Corps north of Pingchangguan–Minggang; the 41st Corps in reserve near Xiangyang; the 29th Army Group (with part garrisoning north of Tongqiao Zhen–Sanyangtien) concentrated in the Dahong Mountains; and the 31st Army Group positioned between Queshan and Ye Hsien as the mobile force to strike invaders. River Defense Army commander Guo Chan controlled the 26th, 75th, and 94th Armies, the 128th Division, and the 6th and 7th Guerrilla Columns. Total Chinese strength approximated 350,000–380,000 men across roughly 50–54 divisions. To mask preparations and mislead, the Japanese conducted a late-April "mop-up" near Jiujiang, staged naval feints on Poyang and Dongting Lakes, and bombed key points in Hunan and Jiangxi, simulating an imminent Ninth War Zone operation.   With forces assembled, the Japanese offensive began May 1, 1940, from Xinyang, Suixian, and Zhongxiang. The advance split into five routes: (1) Changtaiguan–Minggang–Biyang–Tanghe; (2) Xinyang–Tongbai; (3) Suixian–Zaoyang; (4) Suixian–Wujiadien; (5) Zhongxiang–Shuangkou. Employing flanking with central breakthrough, the reinforced 3rd Division (right flank, including Ishimoto Detachment from 40th Division with tanks and engineers) spearheaded from Xinyang toward Biyang, breaching the Chinese Second Army front on day one. By May 1, elements of the 3rd and 40th Divisions captured Minggang, Lion's Bridge, and Xiaolintien; on May 5 they took Biyang and Tongbai. The Chinese 31st Army Group (northeast of Biyang) linked with the 68th and 92nd Corps to hit Japanese flanks and rear. Leaving some forces west of Tongbai to press the enemy, the main 30th Corps struck Japanese flanks. After seizing Tanghe on May 7, the Japanese pushed south toward Zaoyang. On May 8–9, the 31st Army Group retook Tanghe and Xinye, pursuing vigorously. On May 8, the Japanese left flank (13th Division) attacked from Zhongxiang, breaking through the 33rd Army front the same day.   On May 3, the Japanese 13th Division—supported by over 20 tanks, 40 aircraft, artillery, and cavalry—advanced north from Zhongxiang, capturing Changshoudian and Tianjiachi. It seized Fengyao and Changjiachi by May 6. Chinese 33rd Army Group forces used favorable terrain to intercept, while the 29th Army Group struck Japanese flanks and rear at Changjiachi and Wangjiadian, and the 41st Corps fought tenaciously to halt the advance. By May 7, Japanese spearheads reached Changjiachi on the Zaoyang–Xiangyang Highway, with elements entering Shuangkou; their rear cavalry took Xinye on May 8. Fifth War Zone commander Zhang Zizhong personally led attacks along Tianjiachi–Huanglongtang, supported by fierce 29th Army Group assaults on Japanese rear.   The Japanese 39th Division and a 6th Division brigade delayed their assault on the Chinese 11th Army Group until May 4 from Suixian. After overrunning Gaocheng and Anchu on May 5, Chinese forces withdrew to Huantan–Tang Hsien–north of Gaocheng. As the 33rd Army Group faltered, part of the 11th Army Group reinforced it; the 175th Division held at Tang Hsien while the main body fell back toward Zaoyang. During the maneuver, Japanese tanks enveloped at Tang Hsien, cutting the Zaoyang–Xiangyang Highway and forcing bitter fighting by the 174th Division. To break out, Chinese abandoned Zaoyang, using the 173rd Division for rearguard resistance while the bulk shifted west of the Tang and Bai Rivers. Japanese captured Suiyangdian and Wujiadien on May 7, Zaoyang on May 8; the 173rd Division suffered heavy losses, including the death of its commander, Gen. Zhong Yi.   On May 10, Japanese completed an encirclement east of Xiangdong along the Tang and Bai Rivers—but it collapsed as Chinese exterior forces outflanked both Japanese wings and compressed the center, trapping much of the Japanese in the Xiangdong Plains. The Chinese 2nd and 31st Army Groups plus 92nd Corps pressed south, 39th and 75th Corps east, and 33rd and 29th Army Groups north against the pocket. The 94th Corps advanced along the Han–Yichang Highway deep into Jingshan, Zaoshi, Yingcheng, and Yunmeng to sever Japanese rear communications. Meanwhile, the 7th Corps and eastern Hubei guerrillas seized Jigong Shan, Lijiachai, and Liulin station on the Beijing–Hankou Railway. The 92nd and 68th Corps retook Zaoyang, Tongbai, and Minggang, encircling four Japanese divisions in the Xiangdong Plains. By May 11, battered Japanese retreated eastward under pursuit, Chinese flanking and rear attacks leaving many dead on the field. The 31st Army Group recovered Zaoyang on May 16. Chinese reports claimed 45,000 Japanese casualties, plus capture of over 60 guns, 2,000+ horses, 70+ tanks, and 400+ trucks. The 33rd Army Group fought fiercely to intercept retreating columns, driving large Japanese remnants toward Nanguadian.   Tragically, on May 16 noon, Gen. Zhang Zizhong—personally commanding his Guard Battalion and main 74th Division—was killed in action. With pressure eased on the Japanese left, they counterattacked and retook Zaoyang on May 17. Chinese forces withdrew to Xinye on the Tangbai River's west bank and north of the Tang River, regrouping for a renewed counteroffensive.   The Military Commission anticipated a Japanese withdrawal to original lines, likely along the rain-impassable Xianghua Road. Exploiting the enemy's supply shortages, exhaustion, and retreat difficulties, it ordered Fifth War Zone units to encircle and annihilate Japanese forces near the battlefield, then pursue toward Yingcheng–Huayuan. The zone promptly launched a counteroffensive. By nightfall on May 8, Japanese pincers neared junction, having inflicted serious damage on the Chinese 84th Army but achieved little else. Nonetheless, the 11th Army ordered frontline divisions to withdraw to the Tanghe–Baihe line after reaching it, preparatory to encircling Chinese forces west of the Han River. Chongqing issued general offensive orders at 8 PM and 11 PM that night. By then, six divisions of the 31st Army Group advanced south from Nanyang in the north, five from the 33rd Army Group pressed from the south, and five from the 45th and 94th Armies pursued in the southeast—nearly completing the Japanese encirclement. Intense combat erupted.   On May 10, retreating Japanese first clashed with the advancing 33rd Army Group from the south. Seizing the moment, they ordered the 13th and 39th Divisions plus Ikeda Detachment south to smash it, with the 3rd Division covering the northern flank. Full-scale battle broke out on May 12: two Japanese divisions assaulted five Chinese divisions of the 33rd Army Group, plunging them into desperate fighting. Japanese radio intercepts—including telegrams between the Military Commission and Fifth War Zone, plus Zhang Zizhong's report to Chiang on his five divisions' movements—revealed exact positions and plans. Sonobe Kazuo concentrated the 13th and 39th Divisions to strike south along the Han's east bank against Zhang's army group, while ordering the 3rd Division (south of Xinye) back to Zaoyang to guard the rear. Direction-finding had long pinpointed the 33rd Army Group headquarters radio (call signs and bearings) about 10 km northeast of Yicheng. With air support, the Japanese encircled it. On the night of May 15, the 39th Division advanced from Fangjiaji and Nanying toward Nanguadian, completing tactical encirclement by dawn on May 16. Artillery-supported four-sided assaults followed. The defending 74th Division resisted fiercely with repeated counterattacks. Fighting raged into the afternoon, with the Special Service Battalion joining. Japanese attackers swelled to over 5,000, backed by concentrated artillery and 20+ aircraft for a final push. Zhang Zizhong, wounded multiple times, continued commanding calmly until a severe chest wound killed him heroically. The exhausted, isolated 74th Division and battalion suffered devastating losses. That day, the 13th Division also routed the main 33rd Army Group force, breaking the southern encirclement. Japanese then redeployed, concentrating around Zaoyang.   In the north, 17 divisions (including six from the 31st Army Group) attacked the isolated Japanese 3rd Division from east, south, and north, severing its supply lines. With limited ammunition and no resupply, the division faced crisis; its 29th Brigade telegram pleaded: "Enemy fighting spirit extremely high... safe return very difficult; request battalion reinforcements." Yet southern Chinese forces remained undestroyed amid chaos. Japanese choices narrowed to independent 3rd Division retreat or holding for relief. They opted to lure pursuers: ordering the division southeast toward Zaoyang to draw Chinese into pursuit. From May 16–18, the 3rd Division fought a delaying retreat; relentless Chinese pursuit inflicted limited damage due to insufficient firepower, allowing escape. By evening May 18, it reached northeast of Zaoyang and prepared offensives. The 13th and 39th Divisions, after defeating the 33rd Army Group, also advanced north to the Zaoyang line.   The 3rd Division's retreat shortened Japanese lines and hastened convergence. Unsuspecting Chinese pursued to Zaoyang. After a successful counterattack northeast of Yicheng, the 13th and 39th Divisions rejoined the 3rd Division there. On May 19 morning, three Japanese divisions attacked abreast, forcing decisive battle along the Tang River. Chinese divisions collapsed within hours; the 75th Army took heavy losses, others significant casualties. Fifth War Zone ordered hasty retreat. Japanese pursued vigorously. By May 21, the 3rd Division reached Dengxian, 13th east of Laohekou, 39th Fancheng. Early that day, the 39th Division—crossing the Baihe—met fierce west-bank fire, losing Regiment Commander Kanzaki Tetsujiro and over 300 men. That evening, the 11th Army halted pursuit, ending east-bank (Xiang River) fighting. The 20+ day operation east of the Han inflicted heavy Japanese losses, far exceeding the planned duration, leaving troops exhausted. After halting, units withdrew to Zaoyang vicinity for rest and reorganization rather than immediate return to base positions. Commanders debated proceeding to Yichang west of the Han: abandoning the plan would signal Phase One failure, eroding authority and imperial trust. Most argued troop fatigue and casualties should not deter continuation. Over 1,000 tons of supplies rushed forward via six motor companies. Following east-bank termination, Japanese consolidated for the next phase targeting Yichang. Reinforcements arrived: the 4th Division from Manchuria and 18th Independent Brigade from Wuning. The 4th Division assumed Shayang–Zhongxiang positions east of the Xiang River.   The Japanese bombarded the west bank of the Han River for ninety minutes before forcing a crossing at Wangji north of Yicheng. That midnight, the 3rd Division also crossed southeast of Xiangyang. Both met little resistance and completed crossings before dawn. The 11th Army left the 40th Division at Dahongshan for rear-area mopping-up and assigned the Xiaochuan and Cangqiao Detachments to guard mobile supply depots. On May 31 night, the 3rd and 39th Divisions crossed the Xiang River at Yicheng and Oujiamiao. After seizing Xiangyang on June 1 night, the main force split into columns crossing westward. By June 3, Japanese captured Nanzhang and Yicheng. The Chinese 41st Corps fiercely counterattacked, retaking part of Xiangyang while its main body battled around Nanzhang; the 77th Corps also struck hard. On June 4, Chinese recovered Nanzhang, forcing Japanese retreat southward. Meanwhile, the 13th Division and elements of the 6th Division forced a crossing on the Han–Yichang Highway near Jiukou and Shayang to link with southern columns for a joint push. The Chinese River Defense Force shifted its main strength to key positions, using terrain to block southward advances. The 2nd and 31st Army Groups pursued south separately. Chinese abandoned Shayang on June 5; Japanese took Jingmen, Shilipu, and Shihujiao on June 6. The 77th Corps and river defense units resisted stubbornly from Jingmen to Jiangling. After retaking Yicheng, the 2nd Army Group continued pursuit. Japanese concentrated around Jingmen–Shilipu as Jiangling fell.   On June 9 morning, Japanese launched joint air-ground assaults from Dongshi to Dangyang and Yuanan. By afternoon, penetrating the Chinese right flank forced a night withdrawal to Gulaobei–Shuanlianshi–Dangyang along the Zu River to Yuanan. June 10 saw Japanese capture Gulaobei and Dangyang, pushing Chinese to Yichang outskirts. After days of heavy fighting and prohibitive losses, Chinese abandoned Yichang on their own initiative. The 2nd and 31st Army Groups then reached Dangyang north of Jingmen. On June 16, they mounted a general offensive. By June 17, Chinese briefly retook Yichang; the 2nd Army Group linked with the 77th Corps against Dangyang, while the 31st Army Group severed Dangyang–Jingmen communications and assaulted Jingmen violently. South of the Yangtze, the 5th and 32nd Divisions crossed to hit Shayang and Shilipu. By June 18, Japanese main force held stubbornly from Dangyang to the Xiang River with superior equipment. Chinese, fighting on exterior lines, formed an encirclement from Jiangling–Yichang–Dangyang–Zhongxiang–Suixian–north of Xinyang while maintaining surveillance. Thus, the Zaoyi (Zaoyang–Yichang) Campaign ended. No prior decision existed on holding Yichang long-term. Per post-Wuhan Imperial General Headquarters policy, even extended operations aimed only to inflict severe blows and erode Chinese resistance, not expand occupation. On capture day, the 11th Army declared objectives achieved, ordering reorganization, destruction of Yichang military facilities, and dumping irremovable captured supplies into the Yangtze preparatory to withdrawal. At 10 PM June 15, formal orders withdrew to the Han's east bank: 3rd and 39th Divisions first to Dangyang–Jingmen to cover, then the 13th Division. The 13th began retreating from Yichang at midnight June 16, reaching Tumenya (10 km east) by 7 AM June 17. Chinese counterattacked along the route; the 18th Army pursued and retook Yichang morning of June 17. Japanese held Yichang only four days.   Intense debate erupted between frontline commanders and Imperial General Headquarters over retaining Yichang. With Nazi Germany's Western Europe offensive underway—Paris fell June 12, the day Yichang was taken—global upheaval intensified Japanese urgency to resolve China swiftly and free resources for wider competition. Many in high command and China Expeditionary Army argued long-term occupation would threaten Chongqing more directly, aid political maneuvers, and hasten settlement, offering immense strategic value. This swayed the Emperor, who inquired at the June 15 Imperial Conference about securing it. Backed by imperial support, high command ordered temporary retention (one month) on June 16. By transmission through Expeditionary Army and 11th Army channels, the rearguard 13th Division had withdrawn 52 km. With 3rd Division cooperation, it reversed, broke Chinese resistance, and retook Yichang afternoon June 17. On July 1, to offset expanded 11th Army responsibilities, General Headquarters transferred the 4th Division from Kwantung Army (Jiamusi, Heilongjiang) to 11th Army control. July 13 orders confirmed long-term Yichang retention, redefining Wuhan-region operations to Anqing–Xinyang–Yichang–Yueyang–Nanchang. The 11th Army assigned: 13th Division to Yichang, 4th Division to Anlu, 18th Independent Mixed Brigade east/west of Dangyang; remaining units returned to original defenses.   Post-recapture, Chinese continued counterattacks on Yichang and rear lines until ordered to halt: "To adapt to international changes, preserve National Army combat strength, and facilitate reorganization, Fifth War Zone cease attacks on Yichang immediately." A stalemate followed along lines encircling Yichang, Dangyang, Jiangling, Jingmen, Zhongxiang, Suixian, and Xinyang. To shield Chongqing and Sichuan, Nationalists re-established the Sixth War Zone (briefly created post-First Changsha, abolished April 1940), appointing Chen Cheng commander-in-chief with 33rd and 29th Army Groups, River Defense Army, and 18th Army covering western Hubei, western Hunan, eastern Sichuan. The Zaoyi campaign thus concluded. Japanese combat power again proved markedly superior. Official Japanese records (11th Army/China Expeditionary Army) reported 2,700 killed, ~7,800 wounded (total ~10,500; some phases ~1,403 killed/4,639 wounded). Chinese admitted heavy losses: 36,983 killed, 50,509 wounded, 23,000 missing (total >110,000 in some accounts). Wartime Nationalist claims inflated Japanese casualties to 45,000 killed/wounded with major captures (60+ guns, 70+ tanks, 400+ trucks), likely propagandistic; Japanese sources show far lower equipment losses. With 56 battalions deployed, Japanese suffered 12–15% combat casualties; Chinese (54 divisions, ~380,000 men) incurred 25–30% or higher—underscoring firepower/equipment disparity. Japan achieved tactical success by securing Yichang long-term (as a Chongqing bombing base) but failed to annihilate the main Chinese force or compel peace. Chinese resistance thwarted full encirclement and imposed attrition, albeit at crippling cost to the Fifth War Zone—severely weakened and never fully recovering until war's end. Japanese aims were realized to a significant, though not decisive, degree.   The Fifth War Zone's operational plan was fundamentally sound. Chinese intelligence detected Japanese intentions early, accurately predicted the attack axis, and deployed accordingly. The plan included preemptive strikes at Wusheng Pass and the Guangshui section of the Pinghan Railway to harass Japanese rear areas, threaten Wuhan, gather reconnaissance, and disrupt enemy preparations. Though well conceived, these actions never materialized. In the first phase (Xiangdong operations), Chinese forces resisted while shifting the main body to outer lines, securing mobile flanking positions. This frustrated Japanese encirclement efforts in the Xiangdong Plains. Exploiting the enemy's retreat, China launched a timely counteroffensive that encircled the Japanese 3rd Division. Despite breakout support from over 100 aircraft and 200 tanks, the poorly equipped Chinese inflicted heavy casualties during the three-day siege, blunting the division's momentum.    On the southern front, the 33rd Army Group's intercepting deployment was appropriate, but insufficient strength and compromised communications allowed the Japanese 13th and 39th Divisions to counterattack decisively, inflicting major losses and claiming the heroic death of Commander-in-Chief Zhang Zizhong—whose steadfast patriotism remains a lasting source of national pride. Overall, Chinese assessments and deployments in Phase One were largely correct. The battlefield showed China retained initiative and was not wholly dominated by Japanese plans. The core issue was overestimation of Chinese combat power amid severe shortages of heavy weapons. At least three corps suffered heavy attrition, yet Japanese captured only twenty-three mountain/field guns. Relying on manpower for brute force left Chinese units critically undergunned, enabling repeated encirclement attempts but preventing decisive destruction or severe damage to encircled enemies like the 3rd Division.   Phase Two, by contrast, was entirely passive. The initial Japanese Han River crossings were largely feints, yet the west bank received scant attention in overall planning—leaving Yichang virtually undefended as main forces deployed east of the river. Post-Phase One, Japan reinforced the 11th Army with three infantry battalions and one mountain artillery battalion from the 13th Army (lower Yangtze), plus six motor transport companies rushing massive supplies forward. Chinese intelligence missed these moves, remaining complacent in expectation of Japanese withdrawal eastward. After regrouping, Japan abruptly pivoted west with rapid advances. The Military Commission and Fifth War Zone, caught unprepared, made frantic, chaotic adjustments that failed to mount effective defense. The loss of strategically vital Yichang was inevitable, complicating the resistance both militarily and psychologically. This stemmed directly from command misjudgment of Japanese strategic and operational aims. Had plans anticipated a westward thrust and retained strong reserves—or detected the 10-day regrouping window to readjust deployments—China could have retained greater initiative, inflicted more damage, and reduced its own losses.   I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Japan's 11th Army launched an offensive in Hubei to encircle Chinese forces in the Fifth War Zone and seize Yichang for bombing Chongqing. Chinese troops countered effectively, encircling Japanese divisions and inflicting heavy losses, though General Zhang Zizhong was killed in action. After intense fighting east of the Han River, Japanese crossed west, captured Yichang, briefly withdrew, then retook and held it long-term. 

The National Security Hour with Blanquita Cullum – Sadly, violence is used as humor. Film heroes are depicted as violent offenders. Art imitating life—such as alleged assassin, Luigi Mangione, developing a fan base. Tragically, more life-threatening attempts are directed at leaders like President Donald Trump at the most recent White House Correspondents' Dinner. Responses from some...

Presented by Maxxis The final Triple Crown of the series went down in Cleveland, Ohio, last weekend, and the 450 championship was literally blown wide open. With only three rounds left, we have the tightest premier class championship battle in the history of the sport, with Hunter Lawrence and Ken Roczen separated by only a single point. Tragically, Eli Tomac's championship hopes came to an end with a crash in the whoops during the first qualifying session, as he banged up his hip badly enough that he was unable to carry on. Our Editor at Large, Kellen Brauer, joins us on today's Kickstart Podcast to add extra insight to this week's show! Enjoy!

Tragically, many Christians are virtually ignorant of spiritual warfare. But Dr. Tim and Noreen Muehlhoff describe how real and significant this issue is, and why Satan targets Christian marriages in particular. Get the book Defending Your Marriage with your donation of any amount! And when you give today, your support will be DOUBLED to Give Families Hope! Get More Episode Resources If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Last time we spoke about the beginning of the first battle of Changsha. From Chongqing, Chiang debated defensive strategies for Hunan, ultimately adopting Plan B after Xue Yue's pleas, focusing on successive resistance north of Changsha to thwart Japanese advances. Japanese forces, under Okamura Yasuji, launched assaults in Jiangxi and Hunan. In Jiangxi, the 106th and 101st Divisions attacked Huibu and Gao'an, where Chinese troops under Luo Zhuoying and Song Kentang fiercely resisted. Gao'an fell briefly but was recaptured by the 32nd Army and the elite 74th Army, with heavy casualties on both sides, as recounted by soldier Liu Qihuai. In Hunan, Japanese units crossed the Xin Qiang River and landed at Yingtian, facing brutal opposition. At Bijia Mountain, Qin Yizhi's 195th Division held for four days; Battalion Commander Shi Enhua's reinforced unit perished entirely, their fragmented remains mourned by locals. Along the Miluo River, Chen Pei's 37th Army fortified positions, repelling waves of Japanese attacks, including suicide squads disguised as civilians. Recruit Yang Peyao's unit endured bombardments, inflicting significant enemy losses before withdrawing at dusk.   #197 The First Battle of Changsha Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Major Luo Wenlang, battalion commander of the 3rd Battalion, 55th Regiment, 19th Division of the 28th Army, harbored a peculiar quirk: he couldn't sleep soundly without unwrapping his leg bindings, a small ritual that anchored him in the chaos of war. Since the war's eruption, such luxuries were rare, and unwrapping his bindings every night became an impossibility, leaving him to endure restless slumbers. Tonight, however, sleep eluded him entirely; he tossed and turned on his makeshift bed, his mind a whirlwind of unrest. Two days after the northern Hunan battle ignited like a powder keg, the 55th Regiment received urgent orders from Division Commander Tang Boyin to race to Wukou in Pingjiang County. Their path wound through Luo Wenlang's hometown of Fulinpu, a twist of fate that stirred conflicting emotions. Entering the village under the cover of night, the entire battalion encamped in the commander's modest family village, with battalion headquarters naturally established in his ancestral home.   Luo yearned to step across that familiar threshold but dreaded it, for his parents remained oblivious to a devastating truth. They slaughtered chickens and prepared meat, hosting the battalion staff with drinks and hospitality, after all, this was their son's unit gracing their home. Luo orchestrated door planks and straw for bedding, posted sentries, and deftly evaded his parents until they retired. Before dawn broke, he mustered the troops, ensured they were fed, and led them onward, slipping away like a shadow. By noon on the 22nd, they reached Wukou, only to receive fresh directives: rush to Yingtian to bolster the 95th Division against the enemy's audacious landings. The 3rd Battalion spearheaded the division's reinforcements, marching relentlessly through day and night, arriving at Dongtang, over 30 kilometers southeast of Yingtian—on the 23rd, hearts sinking upon learning Yingtian had already fallen into enemy clutches.   Luo Wenlang sought out the retreating 95th Division Commander Luo Qi to beg for a mission, his resolve unyielding. Luo Qi, anticipating his arrival, relayed Commander Guan Linzheng's ironclad instructions: The 19th Division's reinforcements would assume Dongtang's defenses. With the main force still en route, Luo Qi tasked Luo's battalion with relieving a segment held by a replacement regiment. He handed over a map, sketching a line with a pencil, a simple stroke that thrust Luo Wenlang and his men onto the front lines of fate. An operations staff was dispatched to guide them to the position and oversee the handover.   As the troops advanced, they encountered scattered soldiers fleeing like startled rabbits; seizing a platoon leader revealed they were indeed from the replacement regiment. Mere minutes from division HQ, the enemy was already closing in, a predator's breath hot on their necks. Luo Wenlang and Deputy Battalion Commander Wu Yacui split the battalion, launching a counterattack on Dongtang from dual routes. Fortune favored them; the Japanese held only an exhausted company, crumbling under a single, ferocious charge. They swiftly deployed two companies to the positions, reserving one as a bulwark. By dusk, the full 55th Regiment arrived, accompanied by the rest of the 19th Division's reinforcements, allowing the battered 95th Division, ravaged at Yingtian, to withdraw for desperate reorganization. The regimental commander positioned Luo's 3rd Battalion on the regiment's vulnerable left wing. In the blink of an eye, it was the 27th, aligning with the 15th of the eighth lunar month. Amid the relentless great battle, few noted the calendar, and the skies hung heavy with clouds. Luo Wenlang twisted on his straw bed, his thoughts a snarled knot of anxiety and memory.   At 11 p.m., gunfire shattered the night; a barrage of machine gun bullets riddled the battalion HQ house, raining thatch and dust upon Luo like fallout from a storm. Catastrophe had struck! Luo surged toward the positions with the bugler—his battalion signal chief—and the reserve force, ascending the hilltop in a frenzy. Halfway up, he spotted 8th Company's Lieutenant Platoon Leader Rong Fayu leading over 20 soldiers in retreat. Bellowing "Why unauthorized retreat?" while brandishing his pistol, he compelled Rong to rally and turn back. The Japanese had launched a nocturnal assault; 8th Company Commander Yi Zuitao lay slain by a fatal shot, over a dozen comrades felled in brutal close combat, the survivors scattered like leaves in the wind; the high ground now belonged to the enemy.   Upon learning of Dongtang's loss, the regimental commander personally led the regimental reserve, his face etched with urgency. Under flickering lantern light, poring over the map with Luo, Division Commander Tang Boyin telephoned, his voice a whipcrack of command: Recapture it before dawn, or both would face the merciless hand of military justice. After seizing the high ground, the enemy hesitated to press further; Luo surmised the darkness concealed paths, and their numbers were not overwhelming. Forgoing the regimental reserve, he led 7th Company's 4 squads and remnants of the routed 8th Company in a stealthy ascent. Near the position, a ravine concealed over 20 8th Company soldiers, rallied by Sergeant Squad Leader Tan Tianrong, who had lurked in wait for reinforcements, dreading exposure at dawn under the enemy's gaze.   Spotting the battalion commander personally spearheading the counterattack, Tan Tianrong's face lit with fierce joy; his men, armed with grenades, surged as the vanguard. Intimate with the terrain even in blindness, they hurled explosives into bunkers, trenches, and works. The commander orchestrated the charge; the Japanese force of 40-50 men crumbled, over half slain or maimed, the remnants fleeing northward to their village stronghold. It was past 4 a.m.; the moon pierced the clouds, bathing the earth in a silvery glow. With positions reclaimed, the night revealed its secret: tonight was Mid-Autumn. Moonlight unraveled the tangled threads of his past; Luo draped his clothes over his shoulders, sat beneath the luminous orb, and wept in solitary anguish.   Before the war, devastating news had arrived: his brother Luo Yinong had been killed in Jiangxi. Luo had three brothers; the eldest shouldered half the family's burdens, their bond unbreakable. The brother had enlisted first in the 50th Army, climbing to battalion commander through sheer valor. He and his younger brother had followed suit, inspired by that call to arms.   Wartime conscription demanded only one per family, but battling the devils was a duty for the nation and its people. His brother had risen to deputy regimental commander before his end. The 50th Army notified him first. Engulfed in battle, there had been no time to console his grieving parents or tend to the funeral; it weighed on his heart like an unyielding stone. His sister-in-law, diligent and unassuming, cared for a young boy and carried another child; the long, arduous days ahead loomed like an endless shadow. The night dew brought a biting chill, the moon an icy sentinel; Luo shivered uncontrollably, his tears mingling with the frost.   The sky hung heavy with overcast gloom, yet the moon lurked beyond the clouds, casting a faint, ethereal light that warded off utter darkness. Along the road, a unit's elongated black shadow snaked southward in hurried silence, a serpent of weary resolve pressing through the night. Qin Yizhi reined in his horse, pausing to gaze back: the queue stretched onward, silent and impeccably orderly, belying the exhaustion of a force scarred by days of ferocious combat, their spirits unbroken amid the shadows. After the Japanese seized the 195th Division's defiant outpost at Bijia Mountain, they surged across the Xin Qiang River in a merciless onslaught. The river, shallow enough to wade knee-deep, offered no true impediment; the real barrier was forged from the defenders' scorching blood, a crimson testament to their unyielding stand. The 195th Division clashed in a maelstrom of cruelty; positions were heaped with corpses time and again, the Xin Qiang's waters churning blood-red in relentless cycles of carnage. From the night of the 23rd to the dawn of the 25th, respite was a forgotten dream; Okamura Yasuji, in a gesture of grim respect, inscribed Qin's name in elegant calligraphy and hung it within his command tent, a haunting trophy of the foe's tenacity.   Following their triumphant landing at Yingtian, the Japanese entangled the Ninth War Zone's left-wing defenders in a protracted snare, their advances grinding slowly like a predator toying with prey, menacing the flanks of the frontal troops with insidious intent. On the evening of the 27th, Xue Yue issued the fateful order for the 15th Army Group to withdraw to the precarious ground between the Miluo River and Shangshan City, ushering this blood-soaked force into an all-night march toward the next defensive crucible. Late into the night, a brief halt was called. Soldiers slumped to the ground, adjusting leg wraps and gear with mechanical precision; logistics teams darted through the ranks, distributing rations like lifelines; cooks, having forged ahead, arrived with steaming pots of rice soup, infusing the air with a rare warmth. Though no clamor broke the hush, a quiet camaraderie enveloped the queue, a fleeting balm against the war's chill.   The division staff claimed a flat expanse beside a farmhouse yard for their respite. Qin settled onto a stone roller used for grinding grain, nibbling at his meager ration and sipping the hot soup that steamed in the cool air. Suddenly, moonlight pierced the clouds, cascading down in silvery streams; the familiar contours of the farmhouse stirred a flood of warmth in his heart, evoking memories of home.   Chongqing, Huangshan Villa. Every window was shrouded in double layers of thick curtains, sealing out any sliver of betraying light, as if the very walls conspired to guard secrets from the encroaching night. Tonight's ethereal protagonist rose languidly from the eastern valley, its orange-red moonlight casting an aura of drowsy reluctance, as though it had not fully shaken off the slumber of the day. The feeble glow dappled the building's roof, balcony, and the surrounding hillsides, intersections, and thickets, where armed shadows lurked, capturing every rustle in the oppressive silence. Only upon close inspection could one discern the faint specks of moonlight glinting off steel helmets. Yet, beyond those fortified walls, another realm pulsed with life, a vibrant contrast to the shadowed vigilance outside. The front hall, living room, and dining room blazed with brilliant light. Vibrant flowers, dominated by chrysanthemums in full, defiant bloom, infused the air with color and fragrance; a phonograph murmured a cheerful Guangdong melody, weaving an atmosphere thick with festive joy, a deliberate illusion amid the storm of war.   Chiang Kai-shek, clad in a flowing black silk gown, strode ahead with poised grace, escorting his guests into the dining room alongside the elegantly attired Soong May-ling, their conversation laced with laughter and warmth. At the table, Soong May-ling's smile was a beacon of diplomacy, as she artfully arranged the seating to suit hierarchies and alliances, while servers in crisp white uniforms moved with nimble precision. This was Chiang Kai-shek's intimate Mid-Autumn family banquet; beyond a handful of pivotal military and political figures, the gathering brimmed with relatives. Guests and kin alike noted Chiang's buoyant spirits tonight; his smiles were wide and genuine, his discourse light and expansive, delving into casual topics with uncharacteristic ease.   In September 1939, China's War of Resistance Against Japan had entered its grueling third year. After the initial cataclysm of turmoil and disarray, the government and military had clawed their way to stability, adapting to this unprecedented historical crucible, with operations finally aligning into a semblance of order. According to figures proclaimed by Minister of Military Affairs He Yingqin to Chinese and foreign reporters on the 13th of this month, Japanese invaders had seized 521 counties across 12 provinces, a vast swath of conquest. Yet, the Japanese imperialists had exacted this toll at a staggering cost. Just prior, on August 30, the Hirannuma Cabinet, installed a mere eight months earlier, had collapsed in mass resignation. Hirannuma Kiichiro's predecessor, Konoe Fumimaro, had similarly bowed out amid governmental failures, chiefly the unmet ambitions in the Sino-Japanese War that he had boldly promised to parliament, exacerbating domestic political and economic woes. Days ago, when Wang Pengsheng briefed Chiang on Japan's turbulent politics, he quipped: "Konoe said three months to destroy China; three months didn't work, nor three years, who knows about 30 or 300. Hirannuma had no solutions, down in eight months. Does Abe have good ideas? How long can he be prime minister?" Indeed, Abe Nobuyuki, Hirannuma's successor, would endure a mere four and a half months before resigning in ignominy. Tonight's feast showcased Chiang's favored cuisines: delicate Jiangsu-Zhejiang dishes mingled with robust Sichuan flavors. Chiang abstained from alcohol, raising his cup in mere symbolic toasts to his guests. During the meal, as if by unspoken accord, no one broached the raging domestic battles or the volatile international landscape; conversations meandered through trivialities, skirting anything heavy or discordant, a fragile bubble of normalcy.   On September 3, Britain and France had declared war on Germany, shattering the global order in a seismic shift. Foreign newspapers already bandied the term "Second World War," a phrase that evoked freshness, exhilaration, and sheer terror in equal measure. China's diplomacy surged with newfound vigor. In April, Ambassador to the US Wang Zhengting had negotiated a $20 million loan with American banks on China's behalf. In May, Stalin responded to Chiang's overtures, agreeing to exchange arms for Chinese tea, wool, raw hides, and more. A month later, the first consignment of light and heavy weapons—including artillery and heavy machine guns—arrived via clandestine routes through Xinjiang and Mongolia, bolstering the central army's frontlines. In August, Hu Shih, Wellington Koo, and Chien Tai represented the Nationalist Government at the 19th League of Nations Assembly, laying bare the Japanese imperialists' atrocities in China before the world and rallying global forces for peace to support China's defiant stand. Soon after, British and American civic groups ignited "China Week" campaigns, pressing their governments to aid the beleaguered nation. Waves of foreign volunteers streamed in from distant shores: doctors, journalists, ordnance engineers, even retired soldiers clamoring to join the fray on the frontlines.   "If we could pull America into this war..." Through Soong May-ling's subtle, persuasive influence, Chiang allowed himself to daydream of that prosperous, dynamic young powerhouse across the vast ocean. Thus, on this Mid-Autumn night, his talk turned to America, to his correspondence with President Roosevelt regarding the "tung oil loan." That saga had unfolded the previous October; T.V. Soong had jetted to America, securing a loan with China's tung oil, a commodity scarce in the US, as collateral. China had boldly requested $400 million; America countered with $25 million, a classic tale of "ask high, settle low." Yet, the funds were secured. One success paved the way for many. Soong May-ling had once confided to Chiang: "In mobilizing US aid for China's resistance, I'll make a difference." When Chiang responded with a smile, "Thank you, Madam," he could scarcely foresee how his beautiful wife's extraordinary prowess in fulfilling this solemn vow would astonish him, etching eternal glory for Chinese women worldwide and elevating Soong May-ling to the zenith of her life's achievements.   The most direct echo of the First Battle of Changsha's thunderous saga resides in the Ninth War Zone's meticulous report on the northern Hunan and southern Hubei operations, submitted to the Chongqing Military Committee and Chiang Kai-shek himself, a faded relic now entombed amid the vast ocean of Nationalist Government military and political archives in Nanjing's Second Historical Archives of China. This document, a painstaking compilation of combat dispatches from divisions, armies, and army groups, stands as a testament to valor and sacrifice. Tragically, time's relentless march and human folly have ravaged this priceless artifact, leaving only shards and whispers to conjure the heart-wrenching inferno of that bloody clash.   "October 24, Year 28. Urgent. To Chongqing. Chairman Chiang. Secret. Submitted by Commander Xue on orders." The rice paper has yellowed to a deep, somber hue, brittle and parched; a careless touch could reduce it to dust. Some pages lie fractured, their remnants affixed to white paper, forever unable to reclaim their original wholeness. Leafing through page by page unleashes a pungent miasma, a scorched, acrid, decayed blend that assaults the senses. Traces of fire and water mar the original rice paper sheets, with countless fragments glued haphazardly to white backings, their sequences lost to eternity.   "...The Xin Qiang River spanning from Lujiao to Leishi Mountain, defending a front of over 110 li..." "Enemy 13th and 33rd Divisions, parts of the Hata Detachment, naval units, and artillery, cavalry, engineers totaling..." "...Began attacking us first with artillery... fortifications completely destroyed, then infantry charged; relying on our officers and men all resolved to coexist with the homeland..." "...And launched balloons to direct artillery... our army braved the cannons... repelled them, corpses filling the river, turning the water red..." "Division casualties also reached over a thousand... failed to inflict greater strikes and annihilate... deep inner guilt, besides vigorously training troops awaiting orders to kill the enemy..." "...Attack casualties heavy, then concentrated large forces... artillery fire so dense like continuous firecrackers for hours... released poison gas, Wang Street garrison all heroically sacrificed, then breached... Zhao Gongwu kowtows, October 15"   Zhao Gongwu commanded the 2nd Division under Zhang Yaoming's 52nd Army. This unit first held the line along the Xin Qiang River, then fell back to northeast of Fengjiang Bridge to staunch the enemy tide once more; after October 6, it hammered southward-marching Japanese from the west in the Yanglin Street and Dajing Street regions. Through these crucibles, the division bled over half its strength. A fragment of an envelope clings to a sheet of white paper, its words faintly visible: "Changsha 126-3 Zhang Yaoming," "Hunan Jinjing Air Mail," "Combat Process by..." and the like. The stamp remains remarkably intact—a philatelic gem now. Measuring 1.5 cm square, it features Sun Yat-sen's portrait at its center, inscribed "Republic of China Post" below, with "5" in the upper right, "fen" to the left, and "5" in each lower corner. I sat at the long table in the spacious, brightly lit reading room, staring vacantly, my thoughts grinding to a halt. These remnants are all that endure for posterity, of that monumental battle, of the scorching blood and vanished lives of countless unnamed Chinese soldiers. With hands that once gripped a rifle, I gently caressed those pages from a bygone era; they were cold, devoid of any lingering breath.   As the full moon of the 15th of the eighth month dissolved into the golden-red blaze of sunrise, Qin Yizhi's 195th Division had already plunged into the rugged mountains and dense forests encircling Fulinpu. Per directives from 15th Army Group Commander Guan Linzheng, the 195th was to forge a new defensive bastion centered on Fulinpu, 40 to 70 kilometers from Changsha. Their mandate: stall the Japanese southward juggernaut, granting precious time for allied forces to muster and fortify around the city. Despite the grueling all-night march, morale soared undimmed. The advance chief of staff doled out positions to each regiment, and the troops dove into fortification labors with fervent zeal. The 195th Division's unyielding stand along the Xin Qiang River had already etched preliminary glory upon this unit in its baptism of fire. "Fame in one battle" echoed as a battle cry throughout the division, where collective honor intertwined with personal valor. Honor and triumph formed the bedrock for soldiers and armies alike. Yet, another fire fueled their resolve.   On September 23, amid the Japanese forcing the Xin Qiang River, Guan Linzheng's voice crackled over the phone to Qin Yizhi: "Facing you is the 6th Division." The 6th Division, a name that ignited fury in Chinese troops and civilians, forever linked to the demonic specter of Tani Hisao. Moments later, the whisper spread like wildfire through every trench: "The Japanese army that perpetrated the Nanjing Massacre is right in front." Agitation rippled through the ranks; some donned fresh uniforms and shoes from their packs, casting aside the worn; others flouted discipline to bid farewells to hometown comrades: "Today we fight to the death here; see you in the next life." "Tell my mother I died fighting the Nanjing Massacre enemies."   Some company commanders commanded their mess sergeants to expend all funds on hearty feasts. All Japanese were foes, but the 6th Division embodied a blood debt, an unforgivable vendetta; the Chinese nation does not lightly forget its tormentors. In the Xin Qiang River maelstrom, the 195th Division battled with heroic ferocity. Some soldiers, in their final breaths, murmured: "Die then; it's worth it." Others lamented slaying too few devils, gritting teeth, eyes refusing to close in eternal regret. Now under Inaba Shiro's command, the 6th Division splintered southward after breaching the Xin Qiang; roughly a thousand hounded the 195th to Fulinpu. On the morning of September 29, the Japanese blundered into the 195th's meticulously laid ambush. Qin Yizhi, pulse racing with excitement and tension, fumbled the binoculars from his guard's hand. His command sliced the air: "Begin." War history chronicles: "The 6th Division advanced south from the Miluo River along the Xinshi-Liqiao road and Xinshi-Fulinpu routes. The over a thousand reaching Fulinpu were ambushed by the Nationalist 195th Division, suffering heavy losses." As Japanese artillery and aircraft unleashed hell upon the 195th's positions, Qin orchestrated a swift southward withdrawal to the environs of Shangshan City. Again, without pause, they erected fortifications and set deadly traps.   On the morning of September 30, the pursuers from Fulinpu closed in on Shangshan, their numbers swollen to over 1,500. Qin Yizhi clenched his jaw, his demeanor icy calm, allowing the Japanese to creep into the kill zone before barking: "Hit them hard!" Combat raged from dawn to dusk, obliterating over 700 foes. Qin ascended a hill, surveying through binoculars, then erupted: "Bad! The enemy is retreating." Upon receiving Qin's telegram, Guan Linzheng scrutinized the map, momentarily stunned, then replied: "Enemy shows no retreat signs yet; proceed per original plan. Your unit to block at Shangshan City line until October 2." Xianning, Okamura Yasuji's 11th Army HQ.   Combat maps bristled with markings, staff officers darting amid ringing phones and clattering telegrams. The colossal red arrow in northern Hunan had fractured into tributaries, surging over 100 km southward from the outset; one tendril pierced to Yong'an City, a mere 30 km from Changsha. Vast swaths of northern Hunan lay conquered, yet Okamura sensed the tide turning, it was time to retreat. The Chinese employed their time-honored gradual resistance, battling while retreating with cunning grace. Some units fell back directly, others amassed on flanks—what portent did that hold? In Okamura's shrewd mind loomed an equally shrewd Xue Yue; he envisioned his adversary methodically weaving a snare.   Post-Yingtian landing, the 15th Army Group's timely evasion had unraveled his "Xiang-Gan Operation Plan" like fragile thread. If encircling and annihilating the Chinese main force proved unattainable, what purpose in pressing onward? Telegrams from 3rd Division's Fujita Susumu, 6th's Inaba Shiro, and 13th's Tanaka Seiichi piled on his desk, pleading to assault Changsha—for headlines and Imperial accolades, perhaps, but blind to their exposed supply lines vulnerable to enemy thrusts? Ground logistics teetered on collapse; the air force resorted to airdrops for isolated regiments. Venturing further south would stretch lines to breaking; a severed artery spelled doom for the vanguard. When would these commanders mature into true stewards of the Imperial Army? Okamura fretted and pitied them in equal measure.   At 4 p.m. on September 30, Okamura decreed a halt to advances at Shangshan and Yong'an. He commenced orchestrating the retreat. Changsha, Yuelu Mountain, Ninth War Zone Command Forward HQ. October 1. Xue Yue stood before the map, Guan's latest telegram clutched in hand. Qin's second missive insisted on Japanese withdrawal, corroborated by 15th Army Group scouts from Yingtian: This morning (October 1), Japanese transports unloaded artillery stowed the previous night, hauling it back to Yueyang; intercepted wires revealed a regiment aborting its southward push, standing idle. Guan assessed the mosaic and commanded counteroffensives: intercept if feasible, pursue relentlessly, deny the Japanese escape; he relayed retreat indicators to Xue. Xue paced the chamber, head bowed in contemplation. Chief of Staff Wu Yizhi, Staff Director Zhao Zili, and their cadre tracked his every step with expectant eyes, awaiting the verdict. Xue's thoughts whirled through military stratagems and beyond.   Pre-war, Xue had segmented the war zone's forces into tripartite blocs: Northern Hunan under Guan Linzheng's 15th, Yang Sen's 27th, and Shang Zhen's 20th Army Groups as "A Cluster"; Northern Jiangxi Nanchang with Yunnan Army Lu Han's 1st Army Group and the 74th Army as "B Cluster"; the Wuning, Xiushui, Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border guarded by Sichuan Army Wang Lingji's 30th Army Corps, Fan Songpu's Border Advance Army, and 8th Army; augmented by 3 armies' 7 divisions in general reserve. Before the storm broke, Xue pored over maps, tracing every mountain, river, road, and bridge, envisioning burial grounds for the invaders.   Now, beneath Changsha, 200,000 troops formed a tightening net. The "decisive battle in Changsha suburbs" blueprint had been wired to Chongqing. Chiang and the nation yearned for a resounding triumph as the resistance pivoted into a new epoch?! A masterful drama, honed over half a month's toil, neared its crescendo; yet that cunning fox appeared to sniff the trap's metallic tang, freezing in place. "Commander, phone from Minister Chen." "Brother Boling, good news." Chen Cheng's voice brimmed with levity, "Your formal appointment published. What? Ninth War Zone Commander! First to congratulate; document tomorrow." Shedding the "acting" prefix was inevitable; Chiang had intimated as much long ago. But for a man and general, true worth lay not in titles, but in forging indelible feats. Splendor was judged not by underlings, colleagues, or superiors, but by peers in the craft of war.   Unmoved by the promotion, Xue exhaled a profound sigh. Though the 15th's intelligence couldn't confirm a wholesale retreat, preparations for dual contingencies were imperative. Victories came hard; a splendid battle, harder still. He summoned Wu Yizhi and Zhao Zili to devise countermeasures for the enemy's potential flight. October 2, Sichuan Army Yang Sen's 27th Army Group, Yang Gancai's 134th Division special service company, under Company Commander Wan Mingyu, slogged through the profound mountains and forests on the northern Mufu Mountains' flanks. The 134th's covert mandate: infiltrate enemy rear via treacherous terrain, sabotage supply arteries in the Chongyang-Xianning sector, and deliver a dagger to the Japanese spine when opportunity struck, bolstering frontal defenses.   Past 3 p.m., a crystalline mountain stream materialized. Wan decreed a respite. Over 100 soldiers, drained from a half-day's ascent, collapsed like puppets with severed strings. Most propped their torsos with rifles in one hand, fanning hats to ward off the relentless forest mosquitoes with the other. Regaining breath, they devoured rations washed down with stream water. Some unfurled towels and ventured downstream, letting the cool flow rinse away layers of sweat. Then, a muted engine drone encroached from the heavens. Wan peered through the foliage: a low-flying plane vectored southward, its wings emblazoned with the Rising Sun.   A transport; Wan recognized the temporary Japanese airfield near Xianning. With lines overextended, airdrops sustained isolated units. Wan was prying open a can with his bayonet, the tip etching a cross on the lid before levering along the edge; paired with a rice ball, it promised a savory repast. His orderly proffered a cup of fresh stream water; 2nd Platoon Leader Hu Yaozong perched nearby on a rock, smirking, poised to pilfer from the opened tin. Wan warded off this Sichuan Pixian compatriot. The plane droned overhead then.   Both glanced skyward; the platoon quipped: "Open quick, damn, I'll repay two cans later." Commander: "Want cans? Sky has; shoot plane down, enough for two lifetimes, bloat your mother-in-law first." The can hailed from a prior supply raid. Platoon: "You want me to shoot the plane?" Commander: "Bastard! You shooting or not?" The platoon snatched the light machine gun from a tree fork, jamming the butt against his belly, one hand on the grip, aiming crudely: "Come down, you turtle son!" The other hand squeezed the trigger. Wan assumed jest, resuming his task. "Da-da-da..." Wan jolted; the half-opened can tumbled to his feet, spilling Japanese fish onto Chinese soil. Recoil floored the platoon; he hurled the gun like a branding iron, face ashen. Inspecting the trigger, he snarled: "Whose damn fault, why no safety?!" The gunner dashed over; tall and even-tempered: "Safety was on; how'd it fire without pulling?" Wan's initial panic: "Damn! Position exposed."   The company spearheaded the division's reinforced regiment to raze a recent Japanese depot, guarded by a mere company—but exposure doomed the regiment deep in hostile territory. The assault had been plotted for days; pre-departure, Yang Gancai had toasted them. Wan had sworn a blood oath: No return to Sichuan without success. Hu had jested then: "No Sichuan return means wanting Hunan girl as concubine." Banter was fine in peace, but in war's grip, this was no trifling errand. Wan unleashed a torrent of curses, rising to survey the environs. The main force lagged 15 km behind; advance or abort post-blunder? Enemy rear was a labyrinth; this isolated band teetered on a razor's edge. As if to compel a choice, the radio operator approached; Wan itched to lash out. In his fury and indecision, a miracle unfolded.   The transport's engines hacked like a consumptive invalid, then a witness spied the plane banking left, plummeting, its nose inexorably toward a colossal rock 3-4 km distant. It rebounded twice on the stone, nose and left wing crumpling; the fuselage, fragile as parchment, tumbled gently, skewing onto the slope amid splintered trees. Wan gaped, then bellowed: "Assemble!" The men snapped from reverie, charging downhill in a frenzied cascade. One hour later, 134th Deputy Commander and Reinforced Regiment Commander Liu decoded Wan's vanguard transmission via radio. Another hour passed before Liu received Yang Gancai's directive: Abort Mountain Leopard operation; return with documents expeditiously. One day hence, October 3, Okamura Yasuji's original retreat order from October 2 dawn, addressed to northern Hunan's 6th, 33rd Divisions, Nara and Uemura Detachments, plus its Chinese translation, landed on Xue Yue's desk.   Fifteen days later, at the Changsha Victory Celebration, unit accolades were proclaimed; for "shooting down enemy plane, obtaining vital enemy documents," meritorious honors went to 134th Commander Yang Gancai and Deputy Liu. Each received 1000 yuan and one 3rd Class Baoding Medal. Okamura's October 2 order original: Chinese forces retreated to Miluo and Xiushui Rivers banks assembling; to avoid disadvantage, this army should quickly withdraw to original positions, restore combat strength.   Withdrawal plan as follows: … Xue's October 3 order original:   "Northern Hunan frontal units with current posture immediately pursue facing enemy fiercely, must capture in Chongyang-Yueyang south area. ... Pursuit units may detach part to monitor and sweep enemy collection troops; main force execute overtaking pursuit... Already deep behind enemy advance units vigorously destroy enemy transport lines, cut escape routes."   From October 3, Chinese forces unleashed ferocious counteroffensives against the Japanese on three fronts: northern Hunan, southern Hubei, and the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border; the invaders receded like a vanishing tide, never to reclaim their ground. The 25th and 195th Divisions hounded the 6th Division and Nara Detachment from Fulinpu back to the Miluo River, then to the Xin Qiang River. On October 8, the Japanese fled across the Xin Qiang; the 195th's 566th Brigade surged in pursuit, launching a nocturnal raid on Xitang-Jianshan. Gains were modest, but the enemy, entrenched in their den, resisted with feral tenacity. Qin commanded the brigade's withdrawal southward; northern Hunan operations concluded.   In southern Hubei, the 79th Army chased remnants of the 33rd Division from Sanyan Bridge to Pingjiang, across Nanjiang Bridge, hounding them back to their Tongcheng lair. On the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border, 30th Army Group Commander Wang Lingji orchestrated a pincer against Japanese at Xiushui. The foes retreated to Sandu, mounting a stubborn defense. Chinese assaults faltered for three days; on the fourth night's blitz, victory crowned their efforts, expelling the invaders to their original Wuning stronghold. With both armies reclaiming pre-war lines, the First Battle of Changsha drew to its resounding close.   Over days, Xue Yue received a deluge of congratulatory telegrams and letters from the Nationalist Government, Military Committee, National Assembly, myriad civic groups, party officials, and social luminaries. As hoped, among them was Chiang Kai-shek's effusive missive, brimming with joy. For Xue Yue, this one sufficed. Chiang Kai-shek's telegram to Xue Yue:   "In this northern Hunan campaign, over half the enemy was annihilated. The triumphant news has invigorated the nation, all due to effective command and soldiers' valor; I commend without reservation. Thoroughly investigate and report meritorious personnel from this battle; also report the dead and wounded for awards and relief. With this initial victory foundation laid, our officers and men's responsibilities grow heavier; urge your subordinates to extra vigilance, redoubled effort, avoiding arrogance or complacency, to amass great achievements, my deepest hopes."   As if countering Chongqing's high-powered broadcasts, Japanese radios in Wuhan, Nanjing, Beiping, and Manchukuo blared at full volume: "In this Xiang-Gan operation, valiant Imperial forces penetrated over 100 km into northern Hunan, sweeping anti-peace elements, routing Chinese central main forces, inflicting over 40,000 enemy casualties, a pivotal triumph advancing the holy war. Having achieved objectives, Imperial troops have victoriously withdrawn..."   In the aftermath of the First Battle of Changsha, the Japanese high command spun a tale of calculated restraint, insisting their assault was merely a spoiling raid, a calculated jab never intended to seize and hold the city indefinitely. With brazen confidence, they downplayed their toll, claiming a mere 850 souls lost to death and 2,700 wounded in the fray, while boastfully asserting they had slain 44,000 Chinese defenders and taken 4,000 captive, painting a picture of overwhelming triumph amid the smoke and ruin. Yet, foreign military observers, peering through the fog of propaganda with detached scrutiny, painted a starkly different canvas. They gauged Chinese losses at a far more tempered 20,000 killed and wounded, a heavy but bearable scar on the nation's resolve, while estimating Japanese casualties soared to around 30,000, a grievous hemorrhage that belied the invaders' claims of minimal sacrifice. Military historian Michael Clodfelter, sifting through the annals of conflict, ventured an even grimmer tally: a staggering 50,000 Japanese casualties endured in the relentless clash, a testament to the ferocity of Chinese resistance and the high price of imperial ambition. In the battle's locale, neither side claimed clear victory, but globally for the resistance, it favored China. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The First Battle of Changsha unfolded in September 1939 during China's War of Resistance Against Japan. Japanese forces under Okamura Yasuji advanced into Hunan and Jiangxi, crossing rivers and capturing key positions like Yingtian amid fierce Chinese defenses led by Xue Yue. 

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