Podcasts about unnecessary

It’s time for the Women Tell All on Mel Owens’ season of The Golden Bachelor! But did we really need this? Do we even remember some of these women??Ben and Ashley try to find parts of the Tell All they liked, but we end up hearing plenty of ideas that could have made this more than a “filler” episode. We still have hope for the finale, but is Mel a man in love… or a man in lust?? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the 10th Dentist subreddit post regarding the letter W For the full episode please support the show @ patreon.com/quorators

October 24th, 2025, 4pm: Today in court, New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty to charges of mortgage fraud in a case that Donald Trump pushed to proceed despite pushback. Alicia Menendez — in for Nicolle Wallace — is joined by a panel of political and legal experts to discuss her message of defiance and determination in the face of Trump's weaponization of the Justice Department. Plus the alarming signs that Americans will soon feel the full brunt of Trump's tariffs and Joyce Vance shares why she still has faith in our institutions in the second Trump presidency.For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewhTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Qlik's Field CTO for Generative AI Ryan Welsh reveals why 95% of enterprise AI projects fail and shares the three proven strategies the successful 5% use to deliver real business value from their AI investments.Topics Include:Qlik's Field CTO reveals why 95% of AI projects fail despite massive investmentsMIT research shows shocking failure rates, but 5% are achieving real business valueFirst major pitfall: Bad data foundations doom even the most sophisticated AI modelsSecond problem: Companies use generative AI when predictive models would work betterThird issue: Unnecessary complexity - AI projects disconnected from business outcomesSuccess secret #1: Ground AI in trusted enterprise data and user contextSome LLMs struggle at specific tasks like claims processing despite passing medical examsSuccess secret #2: Let AI learn from users while keeping data governance intactSuccess secret #3: Embed AI directly into existing workflows like SalesforceAgentic AI shifts from reactive Q&A to proactive systems that execute across platformsCase study: Lintek reduced churn 10% and saved millions using these principlesYour AI choices today will lock in your trajectory for years to comeParticipants:Ryan Welsh – Field CTO – Generative AI, QlikSee how Amazon Web Services gives you the freedom to migrate, innovate, and scale your software company at aws.amazon.com/isv/

The fellas discuss the end of the show as well as a legion of unrelated topics including: who is gay, Cliff's date, the weather, Ed Gein, D'Angelo's death, coffee creamers, TV on the Radio, Kingfish, Taylor Swift and more on this week's episode of UnNecessary Talk with Brian Sturges!Hosted by Brian Sturges  @BrianSturges  @MrBrianSturgeshttp://www.briansturges.com With Cliff Beach @CliffBeachMusic @BlackCliffBeachhttp://www.cliffbeachmusic.com http://www.californiasoulmusic.com Cliff's book: https://www.amazon.com/Side-Hustle-Flow-Principles-Productive/dp/1915406005/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3K7GDXMDD9O0E&keywords=side+hustle+and+flow&qid=1655746796&sprefix=side+hustle+and+flow%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-1Cliff's New Album: https://open.spotify.com/album/4HaIgObFa5DUo7wJy8970R?si=1q4LHYfNQni3JIfvfgGFgQCliff's New Audiobook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/side-hustle-flow-cliff-beach/1146434583?ean=2940193398844https://www.amazon.com/Side-Hustle-Flow-Shape-Up/dp/B0DKFZLY8T?ref_=ast_author_dphttps://www.audible.com/pd/Side-Hustle-and-Flow-Shape-Up-Audiobook/B0DKG152DK?eac_link=vDLgovIu2n7R&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0DKG152DK&qid=RqYKZY0uvG&eac_id=136-4124974-1465107_RqYKZY0uvG&sr=1-2Sometimes Produced by Tim Hall | 1192 Studios @TimothyHallMusic @1192Studios@timhallisabitchProduced by Poor Life Choices Productions @PoorLifeChoicesProductions https://www.PoorLifeChoices.tv@UnNecessaryTalkhttp://www.UnNecessaryTalk.com More UnNecessary Brian Sturges Socials:YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@BrianSturgesTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@briansturgesIMDb | https://www.imdb.me/briansturges Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mrbriansturges Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mrbriansturges Twitter | https://twitter.com/briansturges Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/artist/25q56skn2D4RM9l10JITPl Pandora | https://www.pandora.com/artist/briansturges/ARkwjPf2bX92fVV #UNT249 #UNT #UnNecessaryTalk #UnNecessaryTalkPodcast #BrianSturges #BrianSturgesComedy #MrBrianSturges #PoorLifeChoicesTV #PoorLifeChoicesProductions #PoorLifeChoicesComedy #TimothyHallMusic #1192Studios #CliffBeach #CliffBeachMusic #BlackCliffBeach #ComedyPodcast #Comedy #Podcast #fyp

New options for knee pain—radiation and embolization; Popeye was right to power-up with spinach; Conquering inflammation; Methane-predominant SIBO; Unnecessary back surgery on seniors is rampant; Medicare Advantage patients often relegated to inferior cancer surgery. 

Life is tough, and when we make bad choices, it's really tough. Our suffering is not merely because of destiny or the devil; sometimes we suffer for our own dumb decisions. We see this in Israel's story. Like parents who want their kids to succeed, God longed for Israel to thrive rather than only suffer, “Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!” We will inevitably suffer in this life, Jesus told us that. But are there ways you are suffering today that God wants you to avoid? “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:17)Take-Home Message: Not all suffering is necessary.The Suffering of Dissatisfaction (1-9)What makes me dissatisfied with the fruit of my work?Envy (4:4)Greed (5:13-14)Stinginess (5:13-17; 6:3-6)Discontentment (6:7-9)Take-Home LessonFind satisfaction in Christ.The Suffering of an Unwillingness to Accept God's Plan (10-12)Take-Home LessonSurrender to God's plan.

James Gunn's Peacemaker is back for Season 2 — and after the success of Superman, Gunn brings his signature chaos he created in season 1 into the new DCU.The We Needed Roads crew teams up with @TheHowdyBeansPodcast to break down the wild mix of action, comedy, and trauma that makes Peacemaker one of DC's most unpredictable shows.John Cena's Peacemaker continues to wrestle with his demons (predominately daddy issues), Freddie Stroma's Vigilante once again steals every scene, and Danielle Brooks' Leota Adebayo gives the series its emotional core amid the madness.We dig into James Gunn's balance of cheesy rock music, violent absurdity, and surprisingly heartfelt storytelling — and ask the big question: was Peacemaker Season 2 really necessary, or just ridiculously fun?

Send us a textGuest: Dr. George Barna, Director of Research, Cultural Research Center, Arizona Christian UniversityThe Bible says that in the time of the judges in Israel, “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). That is another way of saying the people were flagrantly breaking God's laws and rationalizing their sin. Scripture is clear that all men and women are sinners by nature and by choice.For example, Romans 3 says:“for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one” (Romans 3:9-12).Considering all the hate, murder, lying, lusting, stealing, coveting, envying, immorality, blasphemy, oppression, and much more that marks our world, it may seem surprising that Americans don't see themselves as sinners but as basically good, and thus, do what is right in their own eyes.In a recent survey released by George Barna, Director of Research at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, “only half of all American adults (52%) believe that everyone has sinned…and even among theologically-defined born-again Christians, one in four denies personal guilt of sin.” What's more, “among self-identified Christians, 72% believe that people are “basically good at heart.”This is troubling and egregious error, especially by those who profess to be part of the church. Today on the program, George Barna joins us to discuss the changing view of sin by Americans and Christians and what has led to it. We will also discuss why conviction over one's sin is so important because it shows us our need for the only remedy.------------------------------------RELATED RESOURCES:Report #9: Research Identifies Common Sources of Confusion about Sin Report #8: Millions of American Christians Deny Their Sinfulness 

Cabin Cousins: Part 5 The Gales of November. Based on a post by NewMountain80, in 6 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connections. "Hmm" Melissa said, her face still buried in the pillow. She shifted and turned her head, and I moved to her side with one arm and a leg still draped over so we could look into each other's eyes. "Wow. That was..." She sighed. "...Wonderful." I smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did." She squinted at me. "Are you sure I'm not dreaming, and you're just a figment of my imagination?" She said playfully, though I could tell there was something serious behind the question. "I'm real, and I'm right here, in your bed, and I love you." She searched my eyes for a moment, rolled onto her side, and pulled me in close, kissing me deeply. When we stopped kissing to catch our breath, she whispered. "It's our bed, and I love you too." We held each other in silence for a long while. I knew that she had something else to say, but I didn't push her. Eventually, she broke the silence. "Do you want pancakes? I want pancakes." Not exactly the soul-baring statement I was expecting, but now that she had said it, by damn I wanted pancakes. "I'll help." I had made pancakes exactly once before, and it wasn't a complete disaster, so I felt that my inclusion in the process wouldn't be too much of a hindrance. She got a distant look in her eye, then rolled onto her back, and covered her face with her hands with a groan. "I don't have any pancake mix." She peeked at me through her fingers and we both started laughing. I'm not sure why but we both found it hilarious but we roared with laughter. I playfully pushed her towards the side of the bed. "Well, get dressed. I'll take you out for breakfast." Still laughing, she got up and opened a dresser drawer. Stepping into a pair of light blue panties, she asked. "Are you getting dressed too, or are you going to go like that?" "I'm thinking about it." I quipped, eyes following her every movement. I loved watching her move. She had a litheness and grace to her. Cat-like? No, that's not quite right. Amazonian? Maybe, but that implies a stature and bulk that Melissa didn't have. She was fit, not body builder muscular, and she wasn't particularly tall, just shy of my own five foot ten. She was perfect, and my eyes couldn't get enough of her. Let's leave it at that. "You'll give the old ladies at Perkins quite a shock." She shot back, still laughing. With an exaggerated sigh, I rolled off the bed. "For the sake of the old ladies, fine, I'll get dressed." Chapter Sixteen. The plate clinked as Melissa set down her fork. "Ugh. I ate too much, but that really hit the spot." She had attacked her "tremendous twelve" meal with murderous intent. All that remained was a scrap of crust from a piece of toast, and some maple syrup residue on an otherwise clean plate. She had even swiped a strip of bacon off of my plate, an act that left fork marks on my brother's hands on several occasions. I looked at my plate, with its pile of hash browns and a third of a stack of pancakes remaining, and set down my fork. "I guess I didn't work up as much of an appetite as you, cause I'm stuffed too." Melissa looked at me with her special smile and mischievous eyes. "Well, you'll have to try harder next time." "I need to work out more." "I can help with that." She replied, and we both giggled, knowing the truth of it. "Let's start with a walk." We left the Perkins restaurant, and with Melissa navigating, we drove north out of Duluth on Hwy 61. We pulled off and parked where a little river crossed under the road and spilled through a steep set of rocky rapids to Lake Superior below. We hiked down a little trail, and she led me out onto one of the big rocks. The scenery was spectacular, and the water rushing past the rocks had a hypnotic quality. It hadn't snowed last night, but the wind was blowing hard off the lake, and the constant mist from the rapids gave the crisp early November air some real bite. We sat for a while without speaking. Just two people holding hands, taking in the scenery and the roar of the water. There was a Gordon Lightfoot song that had something about the gales of November, how did it go? "When I left home," Melissa began, just loud enough to hear. I turned and watched her, careful to hear what she was saying over the noise of the rapids. I had been hoping for, and dreading this moment, when she decided to get the details of her past out in the open. I resolved to not interrupt and to let her tell it at her own pace. "This was the first place I went." She continued. "I didn't know where to go. I didn't have anywhere to go." She sniffed. We were alone but had someone been watching, her running nose and the tears on her cheek might have been assumed to have been caused by the cold, but I knew differently. I could see the deep down hurt that was welling up, and my heart ached. I squeezed her hand, and let her talk. "Every night for two weeks, I'd leave school, then go up the hill to the mall and sit in the food court to do my homework. When the mall closed, I came here, and parked for the night right over there." She pointed up to the little parking lot where my truck was. "I'd wake up, scrape the snow and frost off the windows, and go to school. I didn't tell anyone because then I'd have to explain why I was sleeping in a car in February. I had friends, but not close friends, you know? Like, not the kind of friends that I could talk to about..." She trailed off and wiped her nose on her jacket sleeve. "I had been lucky, it hadn't been as cold as it should have been, but then one night it got very cold. When I left the mall, I knew if I spent the night here again, I could be in serious danger. So I went to the laundromat. There was never anyone in there in the middle of the night, so I sat at one of the tables and fell asleep. The owner woke me up a couple of hours later, yelling at me that I couldn't sleep there, so I got in my car and came back here." She had been looking at the water as she spoke, but now turned and looked at me. I saw the fear and shame these memories invoked. I wanted to say something, anything to comfort her, but I knew that I should let her say what she needed to say, so I let her continue. "When I went to sleep on the back seat, I didn't think I was going to ever wake up, and I was okay with that. I didn't care that I was going to die. Nobody cared, nobody would miss me. The world would be better off without one more stupid girl. Why bother going on?" She looked away from me, east towards the vast lake, and her face twisted up in anger. "You know, the worst thing, the worst part of all of it, is they made me feel like it was all my fault. They had me so twisted up, that I believed that I was the cause of everything that happened." She turned back to me, the anger fading, leaving just a profound sadness. I wiped the tears from her cheek, and she leaned her shoulder against me. "Did your parents tell you what happened?" My throat was dry, and I swallowed hard before replying. "They were vague." She gave a little smile that was like a sunbeam on a stormy day. "I asked your mom and dad not to tell anyone. You're so lucky to have them." She looked back to the lake and spoke quietly enough that if her face had not been right next to mine, I wouldn't have been able to hear her. "When I was fifteen, when I started looking more like a woman, and less like a little girl, my dad started abusing me. Mom, she was drunk more than she was sober. She knew, she had to know, and she didn't do anything." As the River roared in its ceaseless path to Lake Superior, and the cold wind whistled and rattled through the leafless trees, Melissa spoke of abuse and divorce, lost jobs and social status, the failing of the system to help a girl who was too scared to ask for help and the blame that was assigned for all of it. "So that night, I remember when the state trooper knocked on my window." She gave a brief mirthless huff. "I thought he was an angel, with the way his flashlight lit up the frost on the inside of the window. I thought I was dead, that it was all over. I felt relieved." She shook her head. "The next thing I remember was being in a hospital bed, wrapped in electric blankets, and seeing the sunrise through the window. That trooper was there. He had stayed with me, way past the end of his shift, just to make sure I was alright. Turns out, when they went to my parent's house to see what was going on, my dad was out of town, and my mom ended up getting arrested for assaulting an officer and having a bunch of heroin. That's why she went back to him. Not for me, but for the money to buy her drugs. The trooper persuaded me to reach out to my friends. He said that people can be capable of unexpected acts of kindness, and I decided to believe him. So I called Ashley. We had always gotten along pretty well, and her parents were always super nice to me. They let me stay with them, which was really awkward at first. I just couldn't believe that a family could be so, so perfect. It was like stepping into an old sitcom. Maybe there was a little trouble now and then, but everyone loved each other, and it all worked out in the end. It was surreal, but eventually, I started believing that it was how families should be. That it was right and good, and normal." She looked me in the eyes then, and I saw her love burning through the hurt. "I didn't think that I would ever have that. I thought that there was no way I could ever open up and let someone love me, to be me, to be normal. Who could want me? Then your parents invited me back to the cabin, and I grasped onto a foolish hope that maybe you could. Ever since it's just been, It just doesn't seem real. Charles, I know you love me, but I'm still so afraid." I silenced her with a quick kiss on the lips. I held her cold, rosy cheeks in my hands and looked her in the eyes. "None of what happened was your fault. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to be loved. I love you, I will always love you. Nothing in the past, present, or future will stop me from loving you until the end of time, and when we're both gone from this world, I'll find you in the next and keep loving you!" Fresh tears streamed down her face, not tears of remembered pain, but tears of joyful love. She threw her arms around me and we held each other tight. Overhead, a hawk called, adding its little part to the scene of wind, water, and young lovers. Chapter Seventeen. Getting in my truck and leaving Duluth that evening was the hardest thing I had ever done. The only thing that gave me the strength to leave was the knowledge that it was only temporary. Soon, very soon, I would never have to leave her again. When I got home, Mom was at the kitchen table reading a newspaper. She greeted me with a smile. I had to be very careful with how I was going to handle this conversation. I didn't want to lie to my mom, but I also didn't want to tell her the whole truth. "How was your weekend? I didn't get a call from the cops, so it couldn't have been too exciting." "I was the cop! We went to a Halloween party dressed as the Village People." "Fun!" Mom exclaimed, giving me a beaming smile. "Yeah, and something else happened. Do you know how I can get my employee discount at any store? Well, we stopped at one of the stores in Duluth, and I ended up talking with the yard manager. They've been having trouble finding someone competent to drive a forklift, and if I transferred up there, they'd give me a raise and make me an assistant manager. He said I could start working up there in two weeks." All of these individual facts were technically true, but it still felt like lying. "Good for you! It's great to have in-demand skills. That's a long way to drive though." "Yeah, it would be like, five hours of driving every day." "Did you look into getting an apartment up there?" Mom folded up the newspaper and gave me her undivided attention. "After the school year starts, there's literally nothing cheap available." "Where would you stay then?" She asked, looking concerned. "Well, on the way home, I was thinking about who I know that lives up there. Rob lives in a dorm, so I couldn't get away with staying there long-term. But then I remembered that Melissa lives in Duluth, I could maybe call her and see if she wants a roommate." Okay, this last bit was a lie. I didn't feel good about it, but it had to be done. "Our Melissa? Have you called her yet?" "Not yet. I'm pretty sure I have her number in my phone." "You should figure this out sooner rather than later." She looked at the clock. "It's not too late, give her a call now." I made a show of finding Melissa's number as if I hadn't memorized it weeks ago. Melissa and I had rehearsed this moment. I had the volume on my phone turned way up, so my mom was sure to hear Melissa's side of the conversation too. "Hello?" Melissa's angelic voice asked after three rings. "Hi Melissa, it's Charles." "Charles! It's good to hear from you! What's up?" "Well, I'm going to be transferring up there for work, and I was wondering if you would mind having me as a roommate until I found a place of my own." Another necessary lie. "Yeah, I guess that would be okay. You're not going to find anywhere else to stay until the end of the school year. Even then, I was lucky to get this place, this spring." "So, you're okay with me staying with you?" "Yeah, it'll be fun. Like staying at the cabin, but I don't think my landlord would approve of campfires." "I'll pay half the rent, and utilities, and everything." "Naturally," Melissa said. "I was going to ask one of my friends if they wanted to move in. Only paying half the rent will make saving for school a lot easier." "Cool. So, I guess I'll give you a call tomorrow, and we can figure out the details?" "Yeah, okay." "I'm talking with my mom right now, so I should probably let you go." "Hi Mom!" Melissa yelled. "Hi, Melissa," Mom replied, loud enough to be sure that the phone picked it up. "Talk to you tomorrow, bye!" Melissa said, much quieter this time. "Bye." I had to be very careful not to reflexively say I love you. I put my phone away and noticed that my mom was studying me with a funny little smile on her face. Then in the most casual tone, she asked. "So, does she love you as much as you love her?" My heart nearly stopped. I couldn't respond. "That was a lovely charade. Unnecessary, but lovely." I couldn't speak. My brain frantically searched for words but found only shocked silence. "Oh, honey." She began, in a soothing motherly voice. "You're my baby. Did you think I wouldn't know? It was plain to see at the cabin that you two are in love. You spent the weekend with her?" I forced myself to reply. "Yes," I said, fearing that it was all over. I felt like crying. "Good," Mom said simply. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Mom knew about me and Melissa, and she was... Happy for me? "So, you're not mad about us?" "Oh, Charles. Love is so precious. It doesn't matter where you find it, but when you do, you hold on with both hands and never let go." My tears came then, flowing hard as I released all my pent-up fears and anxiety. Mom held me as I cried on her shoulder. She gently rubbed my back like she used to do when I was a kid. When my crying subsided, she held my shoulders at arm's length. "Now, tell me about her." I did. In the conversation that followed, I was more honest and open about my feelings than I could remember being to anyone other than Melissa. I explained how we knew what each other was thinking or feeling, just by looking into each other's eyes. I told her how I wanted to improve myself, to be a better person for Melissa. And, looking back on it with a touch of horror, I did my best to explain the connection I felt with Melissa when we made love. Throughout it all, my mother was nothing but caring and understanding. After all the fear of this moment, it was surreal. It felt so good, so liberating to tell her how I felt about Melissa. When I was done, I asked Mom. "Does Dad know?" "Oh, I doubt he picked up on it." "Are you going to tell him?" Of all the people in the family, I was sure that Dad would be the least likely to accept. He had always been very traditional. Kind and gentle, but with a very strict moral compass. "Of course. He's my husband. The way you feel about Melissa, I feel about him." She hugged me again. "Don't be ashamed. Love her with all your heart, and everything else will work itself out." She kissed me on the cheek and told me that she loved me. I told her that I loved her too, and said goodnight. I went to my bedroom, shut the door, and called Melissa. "What's up?" She answered. "I didn't think I'd hear from you until tomorrow." Deciding to just be direct about it, I said. "My mother has officially given us her blessing." The line was silent as Melissa processed this. When she spoke, I could tell that she was crying. "How did she find out?" She asked. I recounted the whole conversation. "See? I told you your mom was the best." "She really is." "So, what now?" She asked, with a bit of anxiety. "She said that she had to tell everyone because it's better to have it out in the open than have to keep lying to the family. I agreed." After a short pause, Melissa said. "Me too." As it turns out, my family's reaction was both better than I had feared and worse than I had hoped. My parents had called a family meeting and all of my immediate family, and their spouses, showed up. There were those like my mom, and my brother Mark, who were supportive and genuinely happy for me. On the other end of things, there were people like my second older brother, Stephen, and his wife, who were disgusted and called me a pervert. Most were somewhere in the middle, either not understanding and being polite about it, or just ambivalent to the whole issue. Then there was my dad. He just sat there the whole time, with a frown on his face, and never spoke a word. I couldn't tell if he was ashamed, or angry, or what, and it tore me up inside. He had never in his life been shy about voicing his opinion. After my mom, he was who I needed acceptance from the most. I desperately wanted him to say something, anything, but he never did. His silence cut deeper than any insult or accusation ever could. At the beginning, and with prompting from my mom, I had stood before everyone, confessing Melissa's and my love for each other, and that I was moving out to live with her in Duluth. After the initial shock and spectrum of reactions, I sat down and answered questions. Now, not being able to bear my father's silence any longer, I stood again, interrupting several side conversations. I addressed the whole group, but my words were meant for my father more than anyone. "Melissa and I truly love each other. Nothing you do or say can change it. Accept it, accept us, or don't. I don't care." Dad didn't react, didn't even look me in the eyes. I rushed to my room and locked the door. I curled up on my bed and cried, harder than I could remember ever crying before. The stress of the family meeting and my dad's non-reaction had utterly destroyed me. I held a pillow over my head to muffle the sounds of my uncontrollable sobs, and to hide my face from the world. "What if they're right about you?" A part of my mind asked. "What if you're just a sicko. That's what they all think." "No! I really do love her!" Another part of my mind answered. "What kind of weirdo falls in love with his cousin? What kind of deviant fucks someone in his own family?" "No! Our love is pure and perfect!" "Yeah, perfect. The perfect fantasy of a clinically twisted pervert! You're just taking advantage of a poor broken girl." "No..." I moaned aloud, holding my head in my hands. Sometime after, someone knocked lightly on my bedroom door. I ignored it, lost as I was in terrible contradictory thoughts. The knock came again, and I heard my mom's voice. "Charles, honey. Can I come in?" I didn't respond, knowing that right then I couldn't bear to face anyone, even my mother. "Oh, my baby." She said through the door. "All I want is for you to be happy. Follow your heart, everything will work out. I love you." Her words quieted the thoughts whirling through my mind, and though my sobs faded, the tears continued to flow. I was exhausted, physically and emotionally. I closed my eyes and imagined Melissa lying next to me. I thought about how if she were here, she would comfort me, and wipe the tears from my face. I could see her so clearly in my mind, see how her icy blue eyes would pour her inexhaustible love into me. Soon, my tears stopped flowing, and I regained a sense of peace. I felt awful for doubting myself, for doubting Melissa, if even for a moment. Our love is right. It is pure and perfect. She made me complete, as I made her complete. I drifted off to sleep, with a smile on my face, thinking about Melissa, and dreaming about the future. Chapter Eighteen. Charles copes with changes, but the biggest is yet to happen. The armrests of the padded chair where I was seated were a little too high to be comfortable, so I kept my hands folded in my lap. I gazed at the paintings of calm rural scenes hung on the walls of the spacious office. I wondered absently if they were real places or just the artist's impression of idyllic country life. I glanced at the woman in the matching chair positioned across from me. She was patiently waiting for me to continue my story, with an encouraging expression on her face. "I moved my things into Melissa's apartment a few days later and spent the night with her a couple of times when I had the day off. After the two weeks were up, I started work at the Duluth store and lived with her from then on. I think the only word to describe the years that followed is heavenly. I wouldn't have changed a single thing." "Tell me more about how your family reacted," said the woman, Dr. Clarke. "Did your father and brother ever come around?" "Dad? Yeah, he just needed a little time to process it. After that, he was as good with it as Mom was. The thing with him was, years before, before anyone knew what had been going on with Melissa's dad, he'd known that something was wrong. I'm not sure how, but he knew. After Melissa left home, he would call and check in on her. He paid to have her car fixed and even paid the deposit on her apartment. He always went out of his way to make her feel like she had people that cared. I think he loved her as if she were his own daughter, so the whole thing with the two of us was kind of a shock. When Melissa and I went to my parent's place for Thanksgiving, later that month; and he saw firsthand how happy she was, it wasn't an issue." "And your brother, Stephen?" Dr. Clarke prompted. "That same Thanksgiving, I ended up knocking him down with a punch to the face. He said that Melissa's family were all degenerates and that Melissa was just bringing that degeneracy to our family now. That was the last time I ever saw him." I forced my clenched fists to relax and laid my palms flat on my thighs. "Have you ever thought about reaching out to him? People can change a lot in twenty-four years." "No," I said firmly. "It was his choice to ostracize himself from our family, and I want nothing to do with someone capable of being so deliberately malicious. He knew that she was just beginning to heal the trauma that had been done to her; and had said what he did, specifically to hurt her. Someone capable of doing that will always be capable of doing it." "You might be surprised by how much people can change," She said, as she scribbled a few lines in her notepad. "Maybe," I said, brows furrowing. Those words had made their way into Melissa's nightmares. My fists clenched again, as I remembered all the times I was awoken in the middle of the night by her sobs. I remembered how helpless I felt, being able to do nothing but console her; and hold her until she fell back asleep. My knuckles were white, and my fists trembled slightly. I saw Dr. Clarke glance down at my hands, but she did not indicate what she was thinking. Therapists must make superb poker players. "Some things just can't be forgiven," I said quietly, forcing my hands to relax. "Again, you might be surprised. We can talk more about that next week." She set aside her notepad and glanced up at the clock on the wall behind me. "Now close your eyes, and concentrate on your breathing. Take a slow deep breath, imagining all your negative emotions as a tangible thing. Now breathe out slowly as all those emotions evaporate and exit your body like smoke. Again, deep inhale, and out. Good. Feel your mind become still as your breath carries away the pain. Once more, in, and out. Good." For some reason, this technique worked for me. If left alone, my thoughts naturally gravitated to the bad memories, and each one brought two more with it until I became overwhelmed. I would become mentally gridlocked to the point of not being able to function in everyday life. "When I say the word joy, what is the first thing that pops into your mind?" My eyes were still closed, and I smiled. "Melissa's face when she first saw me that October weekend reunion, at the cabin." "Good. Keep up your breathing exercise. All the pain is gone, only the joy remains. Describe the scene for me. What else do you see? What do you smell and hear?" A single tear rolled down my cheek. I'm not sure why I started to cry, whether it was joy in the image of her, so happy and full of promise for the future, or sorrow because that future is gone. I would never again see her smile. "Sunbeams cut down through the trees, lighting up smoke drifting from the fire pit. She passes through one, and her hair glows like golden fire. I smell the white pines, strong in the soft breeze, and the smell of burning oak. A loon call echoes up from the lake, and all around the cabin yard, there is the quiet burble of conversations and laughter." I wiped the tears from my face with a flannel shirt sleeve and looked away from Dr. Clarke. I still felt embarrassed to cry in front of another person. "That sounds lovely. Hold on to that moment, use it as a refuge." She glanced at the clock again and stood. I stood as well, taking a tissue from the box on the coffee table to dry my eyes. She walked me to her office door. "Thank you for sharing today, Charles. I think you are doing very well." As she opened the door, she asked. "Have you gone to the aromatherapy shop we talked about last week?" "No," I said dejectedly. "I was going to, but..." I had meant to go, but sometimes certain things were just impossible to make myself do. Going into an unfamiliar place and talking to a stranger was one of those things. Sometimes I could, sometimes I couldn't. This hadn't been a particularly good week, and the thought of talking to someone new, someone who would ask questions about why I was there, questions that would bring up painful memories, was simply unthinkable. Yesterday, I had made it all the way to my car and had the key in the ignition, but then I just sat there, unable to make myself go through with it. "That's ok." Said Dr. Clarke. I knew she knew why I didn't go, and I had gotten to the point where I felt safe sharing my feelings with her, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of shame. "Addy is very good at what she does, and she has helped many of my clients. She's a friend." I nodded and started moving through the doorway. Ending conversations always seemed so awkward. I never knew what to say. "Thank you for being so open today, Charles. See you again next week." She was looking at my eyes, and I met her gaze briefly before looking away. In recent years, I had become very uncomfortable making anything more than the briefest of eye contact with people, especially women, so I was usually at a huge disadvantage when it came to reading people's motivations and emotions. In that brief glimpse though, I caught the impression of empathy and a real desire to help. It felt really good to know that someone cared. I gave her a genuine smile and left. I left her office with the intention of going directly to the shop she had recommended, but by the time I was in my car, I just... couldn't. This is what my life had become. I could go from being on the verge of drowning in a sea of sorrow to feeling positive and optimistic in an instant, then back just as fast. But mostly, it was what I called 'the gray'. I am self-aware enough to understand how it began. Instead of dealing with certain traumatic events, my brain decided that it was easier and far less painful, just to push them aside. The problem is, that those things don't just go away. No matter how hard you push them down, they keep bubbling back up, and you end up pushing everything away in the effort. Then one day you realize that living in the gray was the only way to survive because every little bit of emotion, good or bad, could open the gates and let all the pain come rushing in. I had pushed everything and everyone aside for the sake of self-preservation, and it was killing me. I knew I needed help. I knew that the person I was, wasn't really me. The problem was, I had been in the gray so long, that I couldn't remember how it was before, not really. I knew that I had been happy once, that I had hopes and dreams. But that was all gone, lost in the gray. Chapter Nineteen. The next day turned out to be one of the good ones. I was able to get myself out of bed, dressed, and in the car. I decided that I would finally make it to this aromatherapy shop Dr. Clarke wanted me to go to. I turned the key in the ignition, and my geriatric Honda Civic purred to life. I quickly released the emergency brake and shifted into reverse. I backed out of my parking spot with a sigh. There, I did it. The hard part was over, and now that I had started the task, it would be easier to go through with it. Don't ask me why that makes sense, I wouldn't know how to even start explaining. I enjoyed my drive across town. It was a beautiful day in Duluth. Down near Lake Superior, it was a little breezy and a comfortable 65 degrees, perfect for driving with the windows down. Climbing the hill on 194, the farther I got away from the lake, the hotter it got. By the time I got to the shop, it was nearly 80 degrees, and I had begun to sweat. A typical July day in the Twin Ports. I've always said, that this was one of the things I loved most about living in Duluth. It could be hot as hell up on top of the hill, but if the wind was right, it was always cool near the lake. I shut the car off and set the E brake. I wiped a bit of sweat off my brow, and it occurred to me that I was wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday and that I hadn't showered. Hit with a sudden wave of shame and embarrassment about meeting someone new in this state, I almost just left to go back home. With an effort of willpower, I opened the car door and stepped out. Task begun. I walked in and was greeted by a smiling older lady that I assumed was Addy. "Hi, um, Dr. Clarke sent me." Addy's smile widened. "Oh, come in, come in. I'm Addy." "I'm Charles," I replied, meeting her eyes for the briefest moment. "Pleased to meet you, Charles. How is Rose doing these days?" Dr. Clarke's first name was Virginia. She had grown up in Virginia, Minnesota, and I think she was still annoyed by her unimaginative parents, because she liked to use her middle name, Rose. I almost exclusively used 'Dr. Clarke' when speaking with or about her. "I've been seeing her for a couple of months now. She's nice." I never seemed to know how to answer questions like that. I grimaced inwardly at my awkwardness. "She's a sweetheart, and good at her job. I saw her for years." She led me over to a glass counter filled with hundreds of small labeled bottles. "So, are we looking for something to help you relax?" "Something to help me remember." I paused briefly, trying to find the right words. "Well, remembering isn't the issue." I felt a rush of awkwardness and a little bit of embarrassment in talking about something so personal with a stranger. My cheeks flushed, and I looked at the bottles in the case to ensure I didn't accidentally make eye contact. "I want to be able to focus on just the one thing." "Tell me about it." I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. "There's smoke from the campfire, mostly oak. Maybe a tiny bit of something acrid, like someone had thrown a plastic plate in the fire." As I spoke, I could hear Addy selecting a few bottles from a rack within the display case. "Pine trees. Even with the smoke, the pines smell strong." "Spruce?" Addy asked politely. "No, White Pine. The needles and sap are everywhere." "Anything else?" I took another deep breath but didn't reply. "Sometimes there's things around us that have a scent, but we're either too used to it, or its faint enough that we don't remember without smelling it. What else was there? Is this a campground?" Addy asked in what I recognized as being in a deliberately unobtrusive way. "It's a cabin," I replied, searching the mental image for things that may have a scent. "It's an old log cabin, surrounded by white pines. There's a log pile. My brother had been using the chainsaw earlier. My truck is parked in the driveway, it smells like gas because the tank leaks a little bit. Someone had mowed the little patch of grass in front of the cabin." "Is there anyone there, wearing perfume or aftershave?" I nodded my head in the affirmative. Addy gave me time to answer. "She..." I struggled to find words to describe Melissa's scent. How do you describe such a thing to someone? How do you describe a sunset to a blind person, or describe to a deaf person the emotions evoked by the Moonlight Sonata? She smelled like love, and I still smell her on the clothes I keep in her dresser. "You know how strawberry plants don't smell like strawberry? Not like the fake strawberry candy scent?" Of course, she did, but I went on. "A strawberry blossom. Delicate, faint, with just the promise of sweetness." "She was someone special," Addy said, in more of a statement than a question. "I ended up marrying her. She;" A tear rolled down my cheek. "Nine years ago;" I just couldn't force the words out of my mouth. I could tell Addy the exact date and time. I could tell her that we had just gone to see The Martian in the movie theater and that the night was clear and cool after the late August thunderstorm earlier that afternoon. I could tell her what song was playing on the radio. I could tell her the look on Melissa's face when the headlights crossed through the median in front of us. What I couldn't say, was physically unable to, was that nine years ago, Melissa died. "It's okay, dear," Addy said. She had a grandmotherly voice, full of kindness and understanding. For the briefest of moments, the power of that gentle voice made me believe that yes, everything would be okay. "Give me a few minutes, and I'll have something for you to try." I nodded and wandered away from the counter, absently browsing the candles and incense as I tried to compose myself. As I looked through the shop it occurred to me how posh the place seemed. High-dollar products are meant to be sold to people who have the luxury of ignoring price tags. I did not have that luxury. I felt anxiety and a general shame of the complete fuck up I had become. If this costs more than about forty dollars, I wouldn't be able to afford groceries this week. "Charles, it's ready," Addy called from the other side of the store. I walked over and closed my eyes as she extended a small glass bottle filled with clear liquid. I breathed deeply and conjured the scene in my mind. The scent of Addy's mixture hit me like a lightning bolt. It was like reading a book in the dark, and then someone turned on the lights. Everything came into sharp focus like I was there. The smoke, the pines, and, My breath caught in my throat. Buried deep within the mix there was something light, something so tenuous you hardly knew it was there. It was Melissa. In my mind, she threw herself into my arms, and I could smell her. I could smell her. "How?" I asked, looking her in the eyes for the first time since my initial glance. Addy smiled warmly, and I could see genuine care in her face, not just the politeness of a shop owner to a customer. "If she had been wearing perfume, it would have been harder. We remember scents much better than we think we do. Sometimes all we need is a little hint, and it's brought right to the front." Dr. Clarke was right, Addy was good. "Your idea about the strawberry flowers was good. They're very faint and don't smell like much at all, definitely not strawberries. But when you know that you have strawberry flowers, and you smell them, your brain brings up the memory of strawberries. Scents are all connected in our minds, and are rooted deep down at the very foundation of memory." Addy put a rubber stopper in the bottle and carefully placed the bottle in a velvet pouch with her shop's logo on it. She held it out for me to take. A tear dripped off my jaw, and I quickly wiped my face on a sleeve. "How much?" I started to ask, again acutely aware of my wrinkled clothes, my general lack of personal hygiene, and the depressingly small balance of my bank account. Addy cut me off with a raised hand. "Rose is a friend of mine, and any friend of hers is also a friend of mine." She pushed the velvet bag into my hands. "No, I can't;" Addy stopped me again. "Most of my clients just want something that smells nice in their bathroom, or to cover the smell of weed. I'm perfectly happy to take their money." She placed her hands on mine, still clutching the velvet bag. "It's very rare that I get to help someone. Take it as a gift, with my thanks." I was speechless, and fresh tears rolled down my face. I couldn't remember the last time someone was so altruistically kind to me. "Thank you." Was all I could say. To be continued in part 6. Based on a post by NewMountain80, in 6 parts, for Literotica.

Cabin Cousins: Part 5 The Gales of November. Based on a post by NewMountain80, in 6 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connections. "Hmm" Melissa said, her face still buried in the pillow. She shifted and turned her head, and I moved to her side with one arm and a leg still draped over so we could look into each other's eyes. "Wow. That was..." She sighed. "...Wonderful." I smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did." She squinted at me. "Are you sure I'm not dreaming, and you're just a figment of my imagination?" She said playfully, though I could tell there was something serious behind the question. "I'm real, and I'm right here, in your bed, and I love you." She searched my eyes for a moment, rolled onto her side, and pulled me in close, kissing me deeply. When we stopped kissing to catch our breath, she whispered. "It's our bed, and I love you too." We held each other in silence for a long while. I knew that she had something else to say, but I didn't push her. Eventually, she broke the silence. "Do you want pancakes? I want pancakes." Not exactly the soul-baring statement I was expecting, but now that she had said it, by damn I wanted pancakes. "I'll help." I had made pancakes exactly once before, and it wasn't a complete disaster, so I felt that my inclusion in the process wouldn't be too much of a hindrance. She got a distant look in her eye, then rolled onto her back, and covered her face with her hands with a groan. "I don't have any pancake mix." She peeked at me through her fingers and we both started laughing. I'm not sure why but we both found it hilarious but we roared with laughter. I playfully pushed her towards the side of the bed. "Well, get dressed. I'll take you out for breakfast." Still laughing, she got up and opened a dresser drawer. Stepping into a pair of light blue panties, she asked. "Are you getting dressed too, or are you going to go like that?" "I'm thinking about it." I quipped, eyes following her every movement. I loved watching her move. She had a litheness and grace to her. Cat-like? No, that's not quite right. Amazonian? Maybe, but that implies a stature and bulk that Melissa didn't have. She was fit, not body builder muscular, and she wasn't particularly tall, just shy of my own five foot ten. She was perfect, and my eyes couldn't get enough of her. Let's leave it at that. "You'll give the old ladies at Perkins quite a shock." She shot back, still laughing. With an exaggerated sigh, I rolled off the bed. "For the sake of the old ladies, fine, I'll get dressed." Chapter Sixteen. The plate clinked as Melissa set down her fork. "Ugh. I ate too much, but that really hit the spot." She had attacked her "tremendous twelve" meal with murderous intent. All that remained was a scrap of crust from a piece of toast, and some maple syrup residue on an otherwise clean plate. She had even swiped a strip of bacon off of my plate, an act that left fork marks on my brother's hands on several occasions. I looked at my plate, with its pile of hash browns and a third of a stack of pancakes remaining, and set down my fork. "I guess I didn't work up as much of an appetite as you, cause I'm stuffed too." Melissa looked at me with her special smile and mischievous eyes. "Well, you'll have to try harder next time." "I need to work out more." "I can help with that." She replied, and we both giggled, knowing the truth of it. "Let's start with a walk." We left the Perkins restaurant, and with Melissa navigating, we drove north out of Duluth on Hwy 61. We pulled off and parked where a little river crossed under the road and spilled through a steep set of rocky rapids to Lake Superior below. We hiked down a little trail, and she led me out onto one of the big rocks. The scenery was spectacular, and the water rushing past the rocks had a hypnotic quality. It hadn't snowed last night, but the wind was blowing hard off the lake, and the constant mist from the rapids gave the crisp early November air some real bite. We sat for a while without speaking. Just two people holding hands, taking in the scenery and the roar of the water. There was a Gordon Lightfoot song that had something about the gales of November, how did it go? "When I left home," Melissa began, just loud enough to hear. I turned and watched her, careful to hear what she was saying over the noise of the rapids. I had been hoping for, and dreading this moment, when she decided to get the details of her past out in the open. I resolved to not interrupt and to let her tell it at her own pace. "This was the first place I went." She continued. "I didn't know where to go. I didn't have anywhere to go." She sniffed. We were alone but had someone been watching, her running nose and the tears on her cheek might have been assumed to have been caused by the cold, but I knew differently. I could see the deep down hurt that was welling up, and my heart ached. I squeezed her hand, and let her talk. "Every night for two weeks, I'd leave school, then go up the hill to the mall and sit in the food court to do my homework. When the mall closed, I came here, and parked for the night right over there." She pointed up to the little parking lot where my truck was. "I'd wake up, scrape the snow and frost off the windows, and go to school. I didn't tell anyone because then I'd have to explain why I was sleeping in a car in February. I had friends, but not close friends, you know? Like, not the kind of friends that I could talk to about..." She trailed off and wiped her nose on her jacket sleeve. "I had been lucky, it hadn't been as cold as it should have been, but then one night it got very cold. When I left the mall, I knew if I spent the night here again, I could be in serious danger. So I went to the laundromat. There was never anyone in there in the middle of the night, so I sat at one of the tables and fell asleep. The owner woke me up a couple of hours later, yelling at me that I couldn't sleep there, so I got in my car and came back here." She had been looking at the water as she spoke, but now turned and looked at me. I saw the fear and shame these memories invoked. I wanted to say something, anything to comfort her, but I knew that I should let her say what she needed to say, so I let her continue. "When I went to sleep on the back seat, I didn't think I was going to ever wake up, and I was okay with that. I didn't care that I was going to die. Nobody cared, nobody would miss me. The world would be better off without one more stupid girl. Why bother going on?" She looked away from me, east towards the vast lake, and her face twisted up in anger. "You know, the worst thing, the worst part of all of it, is they made me feel like it was all my fault. They had me so twisted up, that I believed that I was the cause of everything that happened." She turned back to me, the anger fading, leaving just a profound sadness. I wiped the tears from her cheek, and she leaned her shoulder against me. "Did your parents tell you what happened?" My throat was dry, and I swallowed hard before replying. "They were vague." She gave a little smile that was like a sunbeam on a stormy day. "I asked your mom and dad not to tell anyone. You're so lucky to have them." She looked back to the lake and spoke quietly enough that if her face had not been right next to mine, I wouldn't have been able to hear her. "When I was fifteen, when I started looking more like a woman, and less like a little girl, my dad started abusing me. Mom, she was drunk more than she was sober. She knew, she had to know, and she didn't do anything." As the River roared in its ceaseless path to Lake Superior, and the cold wind whistled and rattled through the leafless trees, Melissa spoke of abuse and divorce, lost jobs and social status, the failing of the system to help a girl who was too scared to ask for help and the blame that was assigned for all of it. "So that night, I remember when the state trooper knocked on my window." She gave a brief mirthless huff. "I thought he was an angel, with the way his flashlight lit up the frost on the inside of the window. I thought I was dead, that it was all over. I felt relieved." She shook her head. "The next thing I remember was being in a hospital bed, wrapped in electric blankets, and seeing the sunrise through the window. That trooper was there. He had stayed with me, way past the end of his shift, just to make sure I was alright. Turns out, when they went to my parent's house to see what was going on, my dad was out of town, and my mom ended up getting arrested for assaulting an officer and having a bunch of heroin. That's why she went back to him. Not for me, but for the money to buy her drugs. The trooper persuaded me to reach out to my friends. He said that people can be capable of unexpected acts of kindness, and I decided to believe him. So I called Ashley. We had always gotten along pretty well, and her parents were always super nice to me. They let me stay with them, which was really awkward at first. I just couldn't believe that a family could be so, so perfect. It was like stepping into an old sitcom. Maybe there was a little trouble now and then, but everyone loved each other, and it all worked out in the end. It was surreal, but eventually, I started believing that it was how families should be. That it was right and good, and normal." She looked me in the eyes then, and I saw her love burning through the hurt. "I didn't think that I would ever have that. I thought that there was no way I could ever open up and let someone love me, to be me, to be normal. Who could want me? Then your parents invited me back to the cabin, and I grasped onto a foolish hope that maybe you could. Ever since it's just been, It just doesn't seem real. Charles, I know you love me, but I'm still so afraid." I silenced her with a quick kiss on the lips. I held her cold, rosy cheeks in my hands and looked her in the eyes. "None of what happened was your fault. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to be loved. I love you, I will always love you. Nothing in the past, present, or future will stop me from loving you until the end of time, and when we're both gone from this world, I'll find you in the next and keep loving you!" Fresh tears streamed down her face, not tears of remembered pain, but tears of joyful love. She threw her arms around me and we held each other tight. Overhead, a hawk called, adding its little part to the scene of wind, water, and young lovers. Chapter Seventeen. Getting in my truck and leaving Duluth that evening was the hardest thing I had ever done. The only thing that gave me the strength to leave was the knowledge that it was only temporary. Soon, very soon, I would never have to leave her again. When I got home, Mom was at the kitchen table reading a newspaper. She greeted me with a smile. I had to be very careful with how I was going to handle this conversation. I didn't want to lie to my mom, but I also didn't want to tell her the whole truth. "How was your weekend? I didn't get a call from the cops, so it couldn't have been too exciting." "I was the cop! We went to a Halloween party dressed as the Village People." "Fun!" Mom exclaimed, giving me a beaming smile. "Yeah, and something else happened. Do you know how I can get my employee discount at any store? Well, we stopped at one of the stores in Duluth, and I ended up talking with the yard manager. They've been having trouble finding someone competent to drive a forklift, and if I transferred up there, they'd give me a raise and make me an assistant manager. He said I could start working up there in two weeks." All of these individual facts were technically true, but it still felt like lying. "Good for you! It's great to have in-demand skills. That's a long way to drive though." "Yeah, it would be like, five hours of driving every day." "Did you look into getting an apartment up there?" Mom folded up the newspaper and gave me her undivided attention. "After the school year starts, there's literally nothing cheap available." "Where would you stay then?" She asked, looking concerned. "Well, on the way home, I was thinking about who I know that lives up there. Rob lives in a dorm, so I couldn't get away with staying there long-term. But then I remembered that Melissa lives in Duluth, I could maybe call her and see if she wants a roommate." Okay, this last bit was a lie. I didn't feel good about it, but it had to be done. "Our Melissa? Have you called her yet?" "Not yet. I'm pretty sure I have her number in my phone." "You should figure this out sooner rather than later." She looked at the clock. "It's not too late, give her a call now." I made a show of finding Melissa's number as if I hadn't memorized it weeks ago. Melissa and I had rehearsed this moment. I had the volume on my phone turned way up, so my mom was sure to hear Melissa's side of the conversation too. "Hello?" Melissa's angelic voice asked after three rings. "Hi Melissa, it's Charles." "Charles! It's good to hear from you! What's up?" "Well, I'm going to be transferring up there for work, and I was wondering if you would mind having me as a roommate until I found a place of my own." Another necessary lie. "Yeah, I guess that would be okay. You're not going to find anywhere else to stay until the end of the school year. Even then, I was lucky to get this place, this spring." "So, you're okay with me staying with you?" "Yeah, it'll be fun. Like staying at the cabin, but I don't think my landlord would approve of campfires." "I'll pay half the rent, and utilities, and everything." "Naturally," Melissa said. "I was going to ask one of my friends if they wanted to move in. Only paying half the rent will make saving for school a lot easier." "Cool. So, I guess I'll give you a call tomorrow, and we can figure out the details?" "Yeah, okay." "I'm talking with my mom right now, so I should probably let you go." "Hi Mom!" Melissa yelled. "Hi, Melissa," Mom replied, loud enough to be sure that the phone picked it up. "Talk to you tomorrow, bye!" Melissa said, much quieter this time. "Bye." I had to be very careful not to reflexively say I love you. I put my phone away and noticed that my mom was studying me with a funny little smile on her face. Then in the most casual tone, she asked. "So, does she love you as much as you love her?" My heart nearly stopped. I couldn't respond. "That was a lovely charade. Unnecessary, but lovely." I couldn't speak. My brain frantically searched for words but found only shocked silence. "Oh, honey." She began, in a soothing motherly voice. "You're my baby. Did you think I wouldn't know? It was plain to see at the cabin that you two are in love. You spent the weekend with her?" I forced myself to reply. "Yes," I said, fearing that it was all over. I felt like crying. "Good," Mom said simply. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Mom knew about me and Melissa, and she was... Happy for me? "So, you're not mad about us?" "Oh, Charles. Love is so precious. It doesn't matter where you find it, but when you do, you hold on with both hands and never let go." My tears came then, flowing hard as I released all my pent-up fears and anxiety. Mom held me as I cried on her shoulder. She gently rubbed my back like she used to do when I was a kid. When my crying subsided, she held my shoulders at arm's length. "Now, tell me about her." I did. In the conversation that followed, I was more honest and open about my feelings than I could remember being to anyone other than Melissa. I explained how we knew what each other was thinking or feeling, just by looking into each other's eyes. I told her how I wanted to improve myself, to be a better person for Melissa. And, looking back on it with a touch of horror, I did my best to explain the connection I felt with Melissa when we made love. Throughout it all, my mother was nothing but caring and understanding. After all the fear of this moment, it was surreal. It felt so good, so liberating to tell her how I felt about Melissa. When I was done, I asked Mom. "Does Dad know?" "Oh, I doubt he picked up on it." "Are you going to tell him?" Of all the people in the family, I was sure that Dad would be the least likely to accept. He had always been very traditional. Kind and gentle, but with a very strict moral compass. "Of course. He's my husband. The way you feel about Melissa, I feel about him." She hugged me again. "Don't be ashamed. Love her with all your heart, and everything else will work itself out." She kissed me on the cheek and told me that she loved me. I told her that I loved her too, and said goodnight. I went to my bedroom, shut the door, and called Melissa. "What's up?" She answered. "I didn't think I'd hear from you until tomorrow." Deciding to just be direct about it, I said. "My mother has officially given us her blessing." The line was silent as Melissa processed this. When she spoke, I could tell that she was crying. "How did she find out?" She asked. I recounted the whole conversation. "See? I told you your mom was the best." "She really is." "So, what now?" She asked, with a bit of anxiety. "She said that she had to tell everyone because it's better to have it out in the open than have to keep lying to the family. I agreed." After a short pause, Melissa said. "Me too." As it turns out, my family's reaction was both better than I had feared and worse than I had hoped. My parents had called a family meeting and all of my immediate family, and their spouses, showed up. There were those like my mom, and my brother Mark, who were supportive and genuinely happy for me. On the other end of things, there were people like my second older brother, Stephen, and his wife, who were disgusted and called me a pervert. Most were somewhere in the middle, either not understanding and being polite about it, or just ambivalent to the whole issue. Then there was my dad. He just sat there the whole time, with a frown on his face, and never spoke a word. I couldn't tell if he was ashamed, or angry, or what, and it tore me up inside. He had never in his life been shy about voicing his opinion. After my mom, he was who I needed acceptance from the most. I desperately wanted him to say something, anything, but he never did. His silence cut deeper than any insult or accusation ever could. At the beginning, and with prompting from my mom, I had stood before everyone, confessing Melissa's and my love for each other, and that I was moving out to live with her in Duluth. After the initial shock and spectrum of reactions, I sat down and answered questions. Now, not being able to bear my father's silence any longer, I stood again, interrupting several side conversations. I addressed the whole group, but my words were meant for my father more than anyone. "Melissa and I truly love each other. Nothing you do or say can change it. Accept it, accept us, or don't. I don't care." Dad didn't react, didn't even look me in the eyes. I rushed to my room and locked the door. I curled up on my bed and cried, harder than I could remember ever crying before. The stress of the family meeting and my dad's non-reaction had utterly destroyed me. I held a pillow over my head to muffle the sounds of my uncontrollable sobs, and to hide my face from the world. "What if they're right about you?" A part of my mind asked. "What if you're just a sicko. That's what they all think." "No! I really do love her!" Another part of my mind answered. "What kind of weirdo falls in love with his cousin? What kind of deviant fucks someone in his own family?" "No! Our love is pure and perfect!" "Yeah, perfect. The perfect fantasy of a clinically twisted pervert! You're just taking advantage of a poor broken girl." "No..." I moaned aloud, holding my head in my hands. Sometime after, someone knocked lightly on my bedroom door. I ignored it, lost as I was in terrible contradictory thoughts. The knock came again, and I heard my mom's voice. "Charles, honey. Can I come in?" I didn't respond, knowing that right then I couldn't bear to face anyone, even my mother. "Oh, my baby." She said through the door. "All I want is for you to be happy. Follow your heart, everything will work out. I love you." Her words quieted the thoughts whirling through my mind, and though my sobs faded, the tears continued to flow. I was exhausted, physically and emotionally. I closed my eyes and imagined Melissa lying next to me. I thought about how if she were here, she would comfort me, and wipe the tears from my face. I could see her so clearly in my mind, see how her icy blue eyes would pour her inexhaustible love into me. Soon, my tears stopped flowing, and I regained a sense of peace. I felt awful for doubting myself, for doubting Melissa, if even for a moment. Our love is right. It is pure and perfect. She made me complete, as I made her complete. I drifted off to sleep, with a smile on my face, thinking about Melissa, and dreaming about the future. Chapter Eighteen. Charles copes with changes, but the biggest is yet to happen. The armrests of the padded chair where I was seated were a little too high to be comfortable, so I kept my hands folded in my lap. I gazed at the paintings of calm rural scenes hung on the walls of the spacious office. I wondered absently if they were real places or just the artist's impression of idyllic country life. I glanced at the woman in the matching chair positioned across from me. She was patiently waiting for me to continue my story, with an encouraging expression on her face. "I moved my things into Melissa's apartment a few days later and spent the night with her a couple of times when I had the day off. After the two weeks were up, I started work at the Duluth store and lived with her from then on. I think the only word to describe the years that followed is heavenly. I wouldn't have changed a single thing." "Tell me more about how your family reacted," said the woman, Dr. Clarke. "Did your father and brother ever come around?" "Dad? Yeah, he just needed a little time to process it. After that, he was as good with it as Mom was. The thing with him was, years before, before anyone knew what had been going on with Melissa's dad, he'd known that something was wrong. I'm not sure how, but he knew. After Melissa left home, he would call and check in on her. He paid to have her car fixed and even paid the deposit on her apartment. He always went out of his way to make her feel like she had people that cared. I think he loved her as if she were his own daughter, so the whole thing with the two of us was kind of a shock. When Melissa and I went to my parent's place for Thanksgiving, later that month; and he saw firsthand how happy she was, it wasn't an issue." "And your brother, Stephen?" Dr. Clarke prompted. "That same Thanksgiving, I ended up knocking him down with a punch to the face. He said that Melissa's family were all degenerates and that Melissa was just bringing that degeneracy to our family now. That was the last time I ever saw him." I forced my clenched fists to relax and laid my palms flat on my thighs. "Have you ever thought about reaching out to him? People can change a lot in twenty-four years." "No," I said firmly. "It was his choice to ostracize himself from our family, and I want nothing to do with someone capable of being so deliberately malicious. He knew that she was just beginning to heal the trauma that had been done to her; and had said what he did, specifically to hurt her. Someone capable of doing that will always be capable of doing it." "You might be surprised by how much people can change," She said, as she scribbled a few lines in her notepad. "Maybe," I said, brows furrowing. Those words had made their way into Melissa's nightmares. My fists clenched again, as I remembered all the times I was awoken in the middle of the night by her sobs. I remembered how helpless I felt, being able to do nothing but console her; and hold her until she fell back asleep. My knuckles were white, and my fists trembled slightly. I saw Dr. Clarke glance down at my hands, but she did not indicate what she was thinking. Therapists must make superb poker players. "Some things just can't be forgiven," I said quietly, forcing my hands to relax. "Again, you might be surprised. We can talk more about that next week." She set aside her notepad and glanced up at the clock on the wall behind me. "Now close your eyes, and concentrate on your breathing. Take a slow deep breath, imagining all your negative emotions as a tangible thing. Now breathe out slowly as all those emotions evaporate and exit your body like smoke. Again, deep inhale, and out. Good. Feel your mind become still as your breath carries away the pain. Once more, in, and out. Good." For some reason, this technique worked for me. If left alone, my thoughts naturally gravitated to the bad memories, and each one brought two more with it until I became overwhelmed. I would become mentally gridlocked to the point of not being able to function in everyday life. "When I say the word joy, what is the first thing that pops into your mind?" My eyes were still closed, and I smiled. "Melissa's face when she first saw me that October weekend reunion, at the cabin." "Good. Keep up your breathing exercise. All the pain is gone, only the joy remains. Describe the scene for me. What else do you see? What do you smell and hear?" A single tear rolled down my cheek. I'm not sure why I started to cry, whether it was joy in the image of her, so happy and full of promise for the future, or sorrow because that future is gone. I would never again see her smile. "Sunbeams cut down through the trees, lighting up smoke drifting from the fire pit. She passes through one, and her hair glows like golden fire. I smell the white pines, strong in the soft breeze, and the smell of burning oak. A loon call echoes up from the lake, and all around the cabin yard, there is the quiet burble of conversations and laughter." I wiped the tears from my face with a flannel shirt sleeve and looked away from Dr. Clarke. I still felt embarrassed to cry in front of another person. "That sounds lovely. Hold on to that moment, use it as a refuge." She glanced at the clock again and stood. I stood as well, taking a tissue from the box on the coffee table to dry my eyes. She walked me to her office door. "Thank you for sharing today, Charles. I think you are doing very well." As she opened the door, she asked. "Have you gone to the aromatherapy shop we talked about last week?" "No," I said dejectedly. "I was going to, but..." I had meant to go, but sometimes certain things were just impossible to make myself do. Going into an unfamiliar place and talking to a stranger was one of those things. Sometimes I could, sometimes I couldn't. This hadn't been a particularly good week, and the thought of talking to someone new, someone who would ask questions about why I was there, questions that would bring up painful memories, was simply unthinkable. Yesterday, I had made it all the way to my car and had the key in the ignition, but then I just sat there, unable to make myself go through with it. "That's ok." Said Dr. Clarke. I knew she knew why I didn't go, and I had gotten to the point where I felt safe sharing my feelings with her, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of shame. "Addy is very good at what she does, and she has helped many of my clients. She's a friend." I nodded and started moving through the doorway. Ending conversations always seemed so awkward. I never knew what to say. "Thank you for being so open today, Charles. See you again next week." She was looking at my eyes, and I met her gaze briefly before looking away. In recent years, I had become very uncomfortable making anything more than the briefest of eye contact with people, especially women, so I was usually at a huge disadvantage when it came to reading people's motivations and emotions. In that brief glimpse though, I caught the impression of empathy and a real desire to help. It felt really good to know that someone cared. I gave her a genuine smile and left. I left her office with the intention of going directly to the shop she had recommended, but by the time I was in my car, I just... couldn't. This is what my life had become. I could go from being on the verge of drowning in a sea of sorrow to feeling positive and optimistic in an instant, then back just as fast. But mostly, it was what I called 'the gray'. I am self-aware enough to understand how it began. Instead of dealing with certain traumatic events, my brain decided that it was easier and far less painful, just to push them aside. The problem is, that those things don't just go away. No matter how hard you push them down, they keep bubbling back up, and you end up pushing everything away in the effort. Then one day you realize that living in the gray was the only way to survive because every little bit of emotion, good or bad, could open the gates and let all the pain come rushing in. I had pushed everything and everyone aside for the sake of self-preservation, and it was killing me. I knew I needed help. I knew that the person I was, wasn't really me. The problem was, I had been in the gray so long, that I couldn't remember how it was before, not really. I knew that I had been happy once, that I had hopes and dreams. But that was all gone, lost in the gray. Chapter Nineteen. The next day turned out to be one of the good ones. I was able to get myself out of bed, dressed, and in the car. I decided that I would finally make it to this aromatherapy shop Dr. Clarke wanted me to go to. I turned the key in the ignition, and my geriatric Honda Civic purred to life. I quickly released the emergency brake and shifted into reverse. I backed out of my parking spot with a sigh. There, I did it. The hard part was over, and now that I had started the task, it would be easier to go through with it. Don't ask me why that makes sense, I wouldn't know how to even start explaining. I enjoyed my drive across town. It was a beautiful day in Duluth. Down near Lake Superior, it was a little breezy and a comfortable 65 degrees, perfect for driving with the windows down. Climbing the hill on 194, the farther I got away from the lake, the hotter it got. By the time I got to the shop, it was nearly 80 degrees, and I had begun to sweat. A typical July day in the Twin Ports. I've always said, that this was one of the things I loved most about living in Duluth. It could be hot as hell up on top of the hill, but if the wind was right, it was always cool near the lake. I shut the car off and set the E brake. I wiped a bit of sweat off my brow, and it occurred to me that I was wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday and that I hadn't showered. Hit with a sudden wave of shame and embarrassment about meeting someone new in this state, I almost just left to go back home. With an effort of willpower, I opened the car door and stepped out. Task begun. I walked in and was greeted by a smiling older lady that I assumed was Addy. "Hi, um, Dr. Clarke sent me." Addy's smile widened. "Oh, come in, come in. I'm Addy." "I'm Charles," I replied, meeting her eyes for the briefest moment. "Pleased to meet you, Charles. How is Rose doing these days?" Dr. Clarke's first name was Virginia. She had grown up in Virginia, Minnesota, and I think she was still annoyed by her unimaginative parents, because she liked to use her middle name, Rose. I almost exclusively used 'Dr. Clarke' when speaking with or about her. "I've been seeing her for a couple of months now. She's nice." I never seemed to know how to answer questions like that. I grimaced inwardly at my awkwardness. "She's a sweetheart, and good at her job. I saw her for years." She led me over to a glass counter filled with hundreds of small labeled bottles. "So, are we looking for something to help you relax?" "Something to help me remember." I paused briefly, trying to find the right words. "Well, remembering isn't the issue." I felt a rush of awkwardness and a little bit of embarrassment in talking about something so personal with a stranger. My cheeks flushed, and I looked at the bottles in the case to ensure I didn't accidentally make eye contact. "I want to be able to focus on just the one thing." "Tell me about it." I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. "There's smoke from the campfire, mostly oak. Maybe a tiny bit of something acrid, like someone had thrown a plastic plate in the fire." As I spoke, I could hear Addy selecting a few bottles from a rack within the display case. "Pine trees. Even with the smoke, the pines smell strong." "Spruce?" Addy asked politely. "No, White Pine. The needles and sap are everywhere." "Anything else?" I took another deep breath but didn't reply. "Sometimes there's things around us that have a scent, but we're either too used to it, or its faint enough that we don't remember without smelling it. What else was there? Is this a campground?" Addy asked in what I recognized as being in a deliberately unobtrusive way. "It's a cabin," I replied, searching the mental image for things that may have a scent. "It's an old log cabin, surrounded by white pines. There's a log pile. My brother had been using the chainsaw earlier. My truck is parked in the driveway, it smells like gas because the tank leaks a little bit. Someone had mowed the little patch of grass in front of the cabin." "Is there anyone there, wearing perfume or aftershave?" I nodded my head in the affirmative. Addy gave me time to answer. "She..." I struggled to find words to describe Melissa's scent. How do you describe such a thing to someone? How do you describe a sunset to a blind person, or describe to a deaf person the emotions evoked by the Moonlight Sonata? She smelled like love, and I still smell her on the clothes I keep in her dresser. "You know how strawberry plants don't smell like strawberry? Not like the fake strawberry candy scent?" Of course, she did, but I went on. "A strawberry blossom. Delicate, faint, with just the promise of sweetness." "She was someone special," Addy said, in more of a statement than a question. "I ended up marrying her. She;" A tear rolled down my cheek. "Nine years ago;" I just couldn't force the words out of my mouth. I could tell Addy the exact date and time. I could tell her that we had just gone to see The Martian in the movie theater and that the night was clear and cool after the late August thunderstorm earlier that afternoon. I could tell her what song was playing on the radio. I could tell her the look on Melissa's face when the headlights crossed through the median in front of us. What I couldn't say, was physically unable to, was that nine years ago, Melissa died. "It's okay, dear," Addy said. She had a grandmotherly voice, full of kindness and understanding. For the briefest of moments, the power of that gentle voice made me believe that yes, everything would be okay. "Give me a few minutes, and I'll have something for you to try." I nodded and wandered away from the counter, absently browsing the candles and incense as I tried to compose myself. As I looked through the shop it occurred to me how posh the place seemed. High-dollar products are meant to be sold to people who have the luxury of ignoring price tags. I did not have that luxury. I felt anxiety and a general shame of the complete fuck up I had become. If this costs more than about forty dollars, I wouldn't be able to afford groceries this week. "Charles, it's ready," Addy called from the other side of the store. I walked over and closed my eyes as she extended a small glass bottle filled with clear liquid. I breathed deeply and conjured the scene in my mind. The scent of Addy's mixture hit me like a lightning bolt. It was like reading a book in the dark, and then someone turned on the lights. Everything came into sharp focus like I was there. The smoke, the pines, and, My breath caught in my throat. Buried deep within the mix there was something light, something so tenuous you hardly knew it was there. It was Melissa. In my mind, she threw herself into my arms, and I could smell her. I could smell her. "How?" I asked, looking her in the eyes for the first time since my initial glance. Addy smiled warmly, and I could see genuine care in her face, not just the politeness of a shop owner to a customer. "If she had been wearing perfume, it would have been harder. We remember scents much better than we think we do. Sometimes all we need is a little hint, and it's brought right to the front." Dr. Clarke was right, Addy was good. "Your idea about the strawberry flowers was good. They're very faint and don't smell like much at all, definitely not strawberries. But when you know that you have strawberry flowers, and you smell them, your brain brings up the memory of strawberries. Scents are all connected in our minds, and are rooted deep down at the very foundation of memory." Addy put a rubber stopper in the bottle and carefully placed the bottle in a velvet pouch with her shop's logo on it. She held it out for me to take. A tear dripped off my jaw, and I quickly wiped my face on a sleeve. "How much?" I started to ask, again acutely aware of my wrinkled clothes, my general lack of personal hygiene, and the depressingly small balance of my bank account. Addy cut me off with a raised hand. "Rose is a friend of mine, and any friend of hers is also a friend of mine." She pushed the velvet bag into my hands. "No, I can't;" Addy stopped me again. "Most of my clients just want something that smells nice in their bathroom, or to cover the smell of weed. I'm perfectly happy to take their money." She placed her hands on mine, still clutching the velvet bag. "It's very rare that I get to help someone. Take it as a gift, with my thanks." I was speechless, and fresh tears rolled down my face. I couldn't remember the last time someone was so altruistically kind to me. "Thank you." Was all I could say. To be continued in part 6. Based on a post by NewMountain80, in 6 parts, for Literotica.

Keith Murphy and Andy Fales take one last look at the Iowa-Penn State game before diving into Curt Cignetti's timely extension. Iowans cash-in, Scott School, and MORE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MedPod Today: the podcast series where MedPage Today reporters share deeper insight into the week's biggest healthcare stories. This week, MedPage Today reporters discuss how the reductions-in-force at CDC and the surrounding chaos, FDA's crackdown on the unapproved weight-loss drug retatrutide, and which hospitals are performing the most, unnecessary spine surgeries. Episode produced and hosted by Rachael Robertson. Sound engineering by

Unnecessary suffering is at the heart of what separates those who thrive from those who just survive. Our brain has become an expert at creating pain where none needs to exist. Layering emotional turmoil on top of life's natural challenges and preventing us from achieving what we're truly capable of. In this second part of the Weekly series, I'm breaking down the core principles of coaching and how understanding your brain's motivational triad can fundamentally transform your relationship with success, pain, and achievement. Join me in The Weekly in 2026. You can sign up right now by going to TheLifeCoachSchool.com/theweekly. What You Will Discover: How your brain's survival mechanism creates unnecessary suffering on top of life's natural challenges. Why the motivational triad (seeking pleasure, avoiding pain, conserving energy) keeps you stuck in mediocrity. The five components of the self-coaching model that govern everything in your life. What happens in your brain when you set an impossible goal and why it immediately creates resistance. How weekly repetition and coaching can rewire negative thinking patterns permanently. The difference between clean pain (necessary) and dirty pain (optional) in your emotional life. Featured on This Episode: Join me in The Weekly in 2026. You can sign up right now by going to TheLifeCoachSchool.com/theweekly. The Last Word on Power by Tracy Goss Ep #537: Weekly 1 Join The Life Coach School on Social: instagram.com/lifecoachschool/ instagram.com/therealbrookecastillo/ facebook.com/lifecoachschool/ linkedin.com/school/lifecoachschool/ tiktok.com/@lifecoachschool pinterest.com/thelifecoachschool/

Chicago resident and environmental activist Gina Ramirez explains what's happening in the city's Southeast Side as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents try to take more people into custody.And, analysis by ProPublica found that immigration agents have detained at least 170 U.S. citizens in recent months, though that's predicted to be an undercount. ProPublica's Nicole Foy shares more details about the cases.Then, 16-year-old American Mohammed Ibrahim has been detained in Israel for eight months. His family says he's developed scabies, and they're pleading for his release. Ibrahim's uncle, Zeyad Kadur, details what the family has heard about Ibrahim's condition in prison.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Diddy has escaped the RICO charges but that doesn't mean he's gone unscathed. Also, the duo breakdown the Nicki and Cardi B beef, hip hop is ahead of the "head bitch" archetype but does Nicki know that? Keep it locked here on Album Mode.Follow us: TikTok:Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcomDémar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemiInstagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepodAdriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant===================================

The fellas talk about wrapping it all up, going to Vegas, Ace Ventura, Sylvester Stallone, Brian's Audition, AI actresses, Taylor Swift and more on this week's episode of UnNecessary Talk with Brian Sturges!Hosted by Brian Sturges  @BrianSturges  @MrBrianSturgeshttp://www.briansturges.com With Cliff Beach @CliffBeachMusic @BlackCliffBeachhttp://www.cliffbeachmusic.com http://www.californiasoulmusic.com Cliff's book: https://www.amazon.com/Side-Hustle-Flow-Principles-Productive/dp/1915406005/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3K7GDXMDD9O0E&keywords=side+hustle+and+flow&qid=1655746796&sprefix=side+hustle+and+flow%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-1Cliff's New Album: https://open.spotify.com/album/4HaIgObFa5DUo7wJy8970R?si=1q4LHYfNQni3JIfvfgGFgQCliff's New Audiobook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/side-hustle-flow-cliff-beach/1146434583?ean=2940193398844https://www.amazon.com/Side-Hustle-Flow-Shape-Up/dp/B0DKFZLY8T?ref_=ast_author_dphttps://www.audible.com/pd/Side-Hustle-and-Flow-Shape-Up-Audiobook/B0DKG152DK?eac_link=vDLgovIu2n7R&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0DKG152DK&qid=RqYKZY0uvG&eac_id=136-4124974-1465107_RqYKZY0uvG&sr=1-2Sometimes Produced by Tim Hall | 1192 Studios @TimothyHallMusic @1192Studios@timhallisabitchProduced by Poor Life Choices Productions @PoorLifeChoicesProductions https://www.PoorLifeChoices.tv@UnNecessaryTalkhttp://www.UnNecessaryTalk.com More UnNecessary Brian Sturges Socials:YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@BrianSturgesTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@briansturgesIMDb | https://www.imdb.me/briansturges Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mrbriansturges Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mrbriansturges Twitter | https://twitter.com/briansturges Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/artist/25q56skn2D4RM9l10JITPl Pandora | https://www.pandora.com/artist/briansturges/ARkwjPf2bX92fVV #UNT248 #UNT #UnNecessaryTalk #UnNecessaryTalkPodcast #BrianSturges #BrianSturgesComedy #MrBrianSturges #PoorLifeChoicesTV #PoorLifeChoicesProductions #PoorLifeChoicesComedy #TimothyHallMusic #1192Studios #CliffBeach #CliffBeachMusic #BlackCliffBeach #ComedyPodcast #Comedy #Podcast #fyp

Christa Biegler is an award-winning dietitian nutritionist, host of the Less Stressed Life podcast, and author of The Eczema Relief Diet & Cookbook.  She helps health-savvy women overcome eczema, food sensitivities and fatigue without unnecessary restriction, endless testing and supplements. She has a passion for subclinical thyroid issues, the nervous system & stealth biotoxins. She lives with her unicycling husband & kids in the Midwest.   In this episode we talk about:  Name pronunciation Biz related shit and failing fast Unnecessary food restriction Major patterns eczema The stress skin connection Unrealized stress of high performers Inflammatory buckets   Learn more about working with me  Shop my masterclasses (learn more in 60-90 minutes than years of dr appointments) Follow me on IG Follow Empowered Mind + Body on IG  Learn more about working with Christa Follow Christa on IG   

Deputy Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, has described the appointment of 18 new Deputy Ambassadors as unnecessary, arguing that it will only add to the financial burden on taxpayers

In part 2 of “Angry?” Dr. Crawford Loritts warns that excessive anger can leave shrapnel effecting generations to come. Unnecessary anger must always be followed up with an attempt to reconcile. Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/livingalegacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ESPN MLB broadcaster, Ben McDonald's comments during the San Diego Padres & Chicago Cubs game that infuriated NHL fans. Preview of the Buffalo Bills' Week 5 division game against the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football. Top NFL Week 5 story lines. The No. 4 UFC light heavyweight contender, Khalil Rountree Jr. joins Cofield & Company to preview his bout against former champion Jiri Prochaska at UFC 320, review his potential for being selected to fight on the UFC White House card in 2026, and detail his ultimate goal as a Las Vegas native fighting in the UFC. 7220 Sports Founder & Publisher, Cody Tucker joins Cofield & Company to preview the Wyoming Cowboys' college football Week 6 match-up against the UNLV Rebels, detail the top weapons on the Cowboy offense going into Week 6, and give his thoughts on the 4-0 start for UNLV football this season.

The largest provider of diagnostic testing in the country is now offering 'wellness testing', where anyone can request a bundle of tests - such as 'the fatigue bundle' or the 'male hormone bundle' but GPs are say the tests are a waste of time and likely exploiting the 'worried well'.   

The show has a "heckler" and he believes this show is being hysterical about the digital control mechanisms covered pretty often. He may be right. He may be wrong. This show lays out what this show sees happening.  For you to decide: Everything is fine? Or should we be concerned? Only time will tell.

Send us a textWhat's the real cost of not growing your practice when the time is right? Spoiler alert: it's more than just lost revenue.Welcome to Medical Money Matters. Today's episode tackles something many practice leaders know they should think about—but often push to the bottom of the to-do list: when and how to scale your medical practice.Now, if you're a physician or practice administrator, your day is already full. You're seeing patients, solving staffing problems, reviewing financial reports, answering portal messages—and probably skipping lunch to do it. So when the topic of expansion comes up, it can feel overwhelming. Unnecessary. Even reckless.But here's the truth: in many cases, not growing when your practice needs to can be more damaging than growing too soon. And the impact goes beyond your bottom line. We're talking about team burnout, patient dissatisfaction, and even harm to your practice's reputation.The good news? There's a path to healthy, responsible growth. One that doesn't require overextending yourself or guessing your way through the process. That's what we're unpacking today.Please Follow or Subscribe to get new episodes delivered to you as soon as they drop! Visit Jill's company, Health e Practices' website: https://healtheps.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter, Health e Connections: http://21978609.hs-sites.com/newletter-subscriber Want more formal learning? Check out Jill's newly released course: Physician's Edge: Mastering Business & Finance in Your Medical Practice. 32.5 hours of online, on-demand CME-accredited training tailored just for busy physicians. Find it here: https://healtheps.com/physicians-edge-mastering-business-finance-in-your-medical-practice/  Purchase your copy of Jill's book here: Physician Heal Thy Financial Self Join our Medical Money Matters Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3834886643404507/ Original Musical Score by: Craig Addy at https://www.underthepiano.ca/ Visit Craig's website to book your Once in a Lifetime music experience Podcast coaching and development by: Jennifer Furlong, CEO, Communication Twenty-Four Seven https://www.communicationtwentyfourseven.com/

Unnecessary walking

Jack seeks audience advice about a decision he made after seeing something unusual at a restaurant, things you were warned against that turned out to be harmless and what to do when your neighbors include your kid in a seance without your knowledge.  

This week on Family Policy Matters, host Traci DeVette Griggs welcomes Beverly Willett, author and co-chairman for the Coalition of Divorce Reform, to discuss the great importance of saving marriages and reducing unnecessary divorces.  Learn more about Beverly Willett's book, Disassembly Required

As the energy transition accelerates, critical minerals have become increasingly important, and the priorities of extraction for countries in the Global North are beginning to shift. The U.S., EU, and others are now exploring the possibility of on-shoring critical mineral mining -  potentially bringing a divisive industry closer to home.  This week, Alasdair talks to extraction expert Dr. Thea Riofrancos, who explains the tension between the harmful consequences of mining and the key role of extractive industries in facilitating the energy transition. She outlines the history of lithium mining in Chile, the environmental and human-rights consequences of extraction, and why we may have overestimated the quantities of critical minerals we actually need. Thea Riofrancos' new book Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism, published by Island Press and W.W. Norton & Company, is available for purchase here. Thea is an associate professor of political science at Providence College and a strategic co-director of the Climate and Community Institute. Further reading Electric cars are drying up the desert, Meabh Byrne, 2023, Land and Climate Review  The ‘critical minerals' rush could result in a resource war, Thea Riofrancos, 2025, Financial Times  The Security–Sustainability Nexus: Lithium Onshoring in the Global North, Thea Riofrancos, 2023, MIT Press Direct Endogenous Participation: Prior Consultation in Extractive Economies, Thea Riofrancos, Julia Falleti, 2017 World Politics  Click here for our website to read all our most recent Land and Climate Review features and pieces.

Get your tickets to the live show through this link: https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/nobody-asked-the-live-show/186033Follow us on socials:IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobodyaskedpodcast__/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobodyaskedpodcast1Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NobodyAskedPodJoin the Nobody Asked Secret Headquarters Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19QXHhHEGt/Send us a question, story or words of affirmation through the FAN MAIL LINK here: https://forms.gle/GQk7RFUb7AHLMYvM600:00 LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT05:00 Today's outfits07:15 Edan's cooked musical story16:20 Our embarrassing theatre moments22:45 Unlikely Movie to Musical Adaptations 30:10 Hearts are Trump32:10 Lachy's phone wallpapers33:00 The Edan Archives: Round 235:00 Unnecessary arguing35:55 We pitch our new reality show ideas43:50 Bob Katter Strikes Again Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

in this episode, the boys discuss the passing of Polly Holiday and Rick Davies and then talk about Peacemaker, Star Trek, Wednesday and Sinners

Fighter burnout is a ticking time bomb. Most don't realize it until it's too late – like me. The damage I did to my body in my teens and early 20s just caught up with me at age 52.Yet I managed to fight professionally until 40 without issues. The secret?I completely transformed my training approach at 25.But those early years of "old school" training? They left their mark.Like most young fighters, I thought:* Every session needed to be all-out* Pushing through pain meant I was tough* More training always meant better results* Recovery was for the weakThat mindset helped me survive fights... but it created hidden damage that took decades to surface.I've identified why fighters burnout, the exact point where 'hardcore' becomes 'harmful'...If you're pushing through pain, fighting fatigue, or feeling burned out - this video reveals why, and exactly how to fix it.KEY MOMENTSFollow along using these quick timestamps:00:00 Training harder always means getting better?00:42 Is fighter performance training healthy?01:50 Optimal vs. Peak03:12 Three training day categories05:26 The big picture–your annual snapshot07:18 Unnecessary wear and tear09:28 How to balance training and recovery11:12 Training "Momentum"13:43 Scoring the Acute:Chronic ratio16:03 Three levels of overtraining18:15 Signs of non-functional overreaching19:11 Recovery steps 21:13 Plan for regular functional overreachingFurther notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2025/09/19/why-fighters-burnout-and-how-to-prevent-it/Optimal Fight Camp Blueprint available at http://heatrick.com/12-week-fight-camp

Core vs Knots round 2 - we read your comments!FEATURING:Jed (https://x.com/QUANTUMprojX)Dan Eve (https://x.com/cryptopoly)Thomas Hunt (https://twitter.com/MadBitcoins)THIS WEEK: The battle between Bitcoin Core vs Knots is getting uglyhttps://cryptoslate.com/the-battle-between-bitcoin-core-vs-knots-is-getting-ugly/Source: Crypto SlateKnots has code to turn itself off at a set expiry date. Unnecessary, stupid, and outright dangerous.Did you know? Was it discussed in a team of experts? How can such a dangerous "feature" even make it into a release? By trusting a single guy who lives in his own reality.https://twitter.com/callebtc/status/1958440115996397754?s=46Source: Twitter | Callebtc The Bitcoin Group #466 - Core vs. Knots - S&P500? - $1B Venture - Trump and Sons vs. Sunhttps://www.youtube.com/live/tr7M9vT2zLA?si=bi-WjK4oBfOPHVbySource: Youtube | World Crypto Network Gen Alpha will buy Bitcoin over goldhttps://cointelegraph.com/news/gen-alpha-buy-bitcoinSource: Cointelegraph Shares in bitcoin hoarders sink as ‘crypto treasury' mania sourshttps://www.ft.com/content/ad063ed3-4c69-40e6-a478-40e0061d1b3cSource: FTParabolic Bitcoin Rally Is Coming—Here's What to Watchhttps://bitcoinmagazine.com/markets/parabolic-bitcoin-rallySource: Bitcoin Magazine‘Bottom of the first inning.' Winklevoss twins see bitcoin reaching $1,000,000 in 10 yearshttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/12/winklevoss-twins-see-bitcoin-reaching-1000000-in-10-years.htmlSource: CNBCFor 12 years he searched in vain for his €737 million in a landfill – now a new series gives him a second chancehttps://www.leravi.org/for-12-years-he-searched-in-vain-for-his-e737-million-in-a-landfill-now-a-new-series-gives-him-a-second-chance-14313/Source: Leravi________________________________________________________________World Crypto Networkhttps://www.worldcryptonetwork.com/On This Day in World Crypto Network Historyhttps://www.worldcryptonetwork.com/onthisday/---------------------------------------------------------------------------Please Subscribe to our Youtube Channelhttps://m.youtube.com/channel/UCR9gdpWisRwnk_k23GsHf

Lynnell is joined by his Team 980 colleague Kevin Sheehan to react to the news that Jayden Daniels is day-to-day with a knee sprain. Kevin zooms out to the big-picture issue, stressing that Washington's young quarterback must cut down on the unnecessary hits he's been taking. The two discuss how Daniels' playing style impacts both his health and the Commanders' long-term future

Rob and Kelvin discuss if Jerry Jones inadvertently opened up the Packers’ Super Bowl window by trading Micah Parsons to Green Bay, tell us what Canelo Alvarez has to gain by taking this fight against Terence Crawford, explain why big changes are coming for the Miami Dolphins, and take a trip out to Shekel City for Rob’s nightly bets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Story of the Week (DR):Lachlan Murdoch Secures Control of Fox and News Corp, Ending Succession FightLachlan Murdoch is confirmed as Rupert Murdoch's successor, gaining control over the family's media empire (which includes Fox Corporation and News Corp). Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch, and James Murdoch—three of Rupert's older children—will each receive about US$1.1 billion. They will sell their holdings in Fox and News Corp and give up beneficial/trust rights in those companies.Apart from full siblings Elisabeth and James Murdoch, Lachlan has three half-siblings, an elder half-sister Prudence, and two younger sisters by his father's third marriage, Grace and Chloe. A new family trust will be set up benefiting Lachlan and Rupert's younger daughters, Grace and Chloe. That trust will hold controlling voting shares in Fox and News Corp. The three older siblings will no longer be beneficiaries in the trust(s) connected to Fox and News Corp. They also give up any voting rights held via those trusts. Rupert Murdoch, despite handing over the control structure, retains a role as Chairman Emeritus. The new trust arrangement secures Lachlan's control over the companies through 2050. One of Rupert Murdoch's concerns was the possibility that the more moderate siblings (Prudence, Elisabeth, James) could shift the political or editorial leanings of Fox/News Corp after he's gone. The new structure is designed to prevent that.Senators Call for Hearings About JPMorgan's Ties to Jeffrey EpsteinDemocrats want CEO Jamie Dimon to testify about keeping Epstein as a client until 2013Epstein had dozens of accounts at JPMorgan's private bank and communicated often with bank executives, connecting them to his wealthy contacts, ties The Wall Street Journal first reported in 2023 to be deeper than understood. Epstein was a JPMorgan client before and after he was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008 and forced to register as a sex offender.Trump Epstein letter and drawing from ‘birthday book' releasedEric Trump removed from the ALT5 board of directors after discussion with the Nasdaq Stock Market LLCTrump's second son, Eric Trump, was removed from the ALT5 board of directors. According to the SEC filing, the change was made after discussion with the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, therefore, the change was in order to comply with Nasdaq's listing rules.It is still unclear which of the Nasdaq rules caused Eric Trump to be removed. The closest reason would be the rule that requires a majority of board members at listed companies to be independent. However, if Trump didn't qualify as independent, other members would have also been removed, which was not the case.after discussion with The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC … and in order to comply with Nasdaq's listing rules.” He is now a board observer: While he was originally announced as a full board member, Eric Trump has been reassigned to observer status — meaning he can attend meetings but doesn't have voting power.Larry Ellison's $100 billion day reminds us why David Ellison could buy ParamountLarry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, recently saw his net worth jump by around US$100 billion in a single day due to a spike in Oracle's stock.Larry's wealth was a key factor enabling his son, David Ellison, to acquire Paramount.David Ellison's position is less pressured because his father's vast wealth gives him a kind of “cushion” — meaning that even if some deals don't go well, he can withstand the backlash more than many media owners could.Paramount Skydance Prepares Ellison-Backed Bid for Warner Bros. DiscoveryThe majority of the planned bid for Warner will be made up of cashA Key to Larry Ellison's Wealth Creation: Years of Oracle Stock BuybacksOracle has used aggressive stock buybacks over the past 15 years as a major lever to boost shareholder value—and especially to amplify Larry Ellison's personal wealth. Oracle has aggressively repurchased its own shares over roughly the last 15 years — reducing its outstanding share count by nearly 45%. Because Larry Ellison held roughly the same number of shares, his ownership percentage rose from ~23% to around 41% without buying more stock.This buyback strategy significantly boosted the value of Ellison's stake — Barron's estimates that without the buybacks, his stake might have been worth only $215 billion instead of the current ~$387 billion.Ellison didn't need to purchase additional Oracle shares to increase the value of his investment—he benefited from the shrinking pool of shares and the company's rising valuation.Vanguard Tries To Get Investors Interested In Proxy Voting MMVanguard's trying to get millions of its fund investors involved in big corporate decisions—but so far, most people are still tuning out. That's left folks wondering who really holds sway at America's largest companies.Vanguard's campaign faces a classic case of 'rational apathy', where most index fund investors skip shareholder votes because it feels like a hassle with little impact on their own wallets.Even though Vanguard's Voting Choice program doubled participation to 82,000 people and tripled the dollar value voted to $9 billion, that's tiny compared to the company's 50 million investors and $11 trillion in assets.Studies from Duke, Florida, and Columbia universities show just how overwhelming the sheer number of ballot measures can be—making most people pick broad voting policies, like mainstream or anti-ESG, instead of poring over each decision.While reformers hope wider voting can democratize the system, the early results point the other way: individuals often skip votes or side with management, letting company leaders keep their grip. In fact, last year's Tesla shareholder votes would have failed if Vanguard's index funds had voted like individuals.Financial Services Committee Examines the Shareholder Proposal Process and Proxy Advisory FirmsOn the Impact of Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank on Annual Proxy Statements: “Together, these two laws [Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank] have driven up costs, increased the length and complexity of proxy statements, expanded the disclosure and oversight process, and fundamentally changed much of the shareholder access to the proxy system,” said Chairman Hill.French Hill: founder, Chair, and CEO of Delta Trust & Banking Corporation from 1999 until 2014. A ninth-generation Arkansan, Hill is a direct descendent of slave plantation owner Creed Taylor who was among the wealthiest 1% of Americans in 1860.On the Cost of Unnecessary and Irrelevant Shareholder Proposals: “Under this flawed system, companies are too often forced to waste valuable time and resources fighting proposals that are irrelevant to the company's bottom line, hurting investors and workers alike,” said Capital Markets Subcommittee Chair Ann Wagner (MO-02)."Allowing a small group of left-wing activists to hijack the proxy proposal process to push social, environmental, DEI, or political objectives totally unrelated to the core business of a company does not advance the cause of capitalism. It undermines capitalism. It corrupts capitalism because it results in the misallocation of resources of the company. It undermines the profitability of the company. It hurts the shareholders,” stated Financial Institutions Subcommittee Chair Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06).Barr believes that abortion should be illegal, including in cases of rape and incestBarr, who's now running for Mitch McConnell's Senate seat, made it clear that he and Musk are joined at the hip. A few days after the “town hall” Barr released a photo of himself standing beside a shiny new Tesla, with a big smile, a thumbs-up, and the caption “Elon Musk sure knows what he's doing!”On How Proxy Advisory Firms Can Deter Businesses from Joining Public Markets: “For many small and medium private companies considering an IPO, the decision often comes down to whether the benefits of accessing public markets outweigh the risk of compliance. But as we have seen in recent years, the shareholder proposal process can be dominated by a small group of activist investors advancing niche political agendas that have little to do with long term value creation. At the same time, proxy advisory firms wield outsized influence over voting outcomes, and [are] operating with limited transparency and potential conflicts of interest. So together, these dynamics can create an uncertainty and additional cost that make public markets less attractive,” declared House Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams (TX-25).Williams was listed as the 22nd wealthiest member of Congress in 2018. Williams inherited the family's automobile dealership from his father, who founded the business in 1939.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams's Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership in Weatherford, Texas, received a loan of between $1 million and $2 million as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP);[28][29] the loan was later forgivenGoodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Boone Electric Co-op members can cast drive-thru votes for directorsDR: New Mexico will be the first state to make child care free DR MMThe program, which will start in November and is expected to save families $12,000 per child annually, is available to all residents regardless of income. Gov. Michelle Lujan GrishamMM: Vanguard Finds ESG Voting Policy by Far the Most Popular Choice for Younger InvestorsAssholiest of the Week (MM):Asshole Speed Round! You rate the level of asshole for each, and the top scorers are assholes of the week:Paul Atkins 6SEC chief threatens ban on European accounting rules over sustainabilityThe US is thinking about banning IFRS, used everywhere else, because they don't like the data other countries want to use for investingWe already have feet, miles, and pounds, why not just have our own way to measure things that literally no one else uses?Sam Altman 7‘I haven't had a good night of sleep since ChatGPT launched': Sam Altman admits the weight of AI keeps him up at nightOMG, SHUT UP.Journalists who don't understand dual class shares 5Oracle CEO, one of the world's richest self-made women, just got $412 million richer in 6 hoursCharlie Scharf 10Wells Fargo CEO says Trump is entitled to be vocal about the FedScharf, also on the MSFT board for the enigma of successJamie Dimon 8Jamie Dimon says economy is ‘weakening' but he can't make sense of all the different data: ‘Maybe, one day, AI will fix that problem'JPMorgan processed over $1B for Jeffrey Epstein despite internal concerns over sex offender status: reportReverse justifying Zuck's feckless suckups 10Meta CFO explains CEO Mark Zuckerberg's $600 billion White House pledgeSusan LiBros 10The gender pay gap is getting wider, reversing progressThe pay gap is now back to where it was in 2017, when the burgeoning #MeToo movement drew wide attention to sex discrimination.Everything Charlie Kirk 10There are two things happening simultaneously that are probable root causes in political assassinations today:Hopelessness - Elon Musk is proposing to pay himself 68% of ALL THE WEALTH of the BOTTOM 50% OF US HOUSEHOLDS. If this pay package passes, he will have as much worth as ONE QUARTER of EVERYONE UNDER 40 - 166 million people in the US. We're convinced because he bought a car company and built some rockets using US subsidies he's singular. Combine that with the fact that he's one of 4 billionaire white men who control social media, which tells us EVERY DAY our life sucks and the reason is “the other side” and capitalism support is at a long term low, and people feel there are NO OTHER OPTIONS but to assassinate someone.Men - more than 99% of political violence is committed by men. Out of nearly 10,000 global public companies, 93% are lead by men. 73% of all country level parliamentary seats are male. You know who doesn't shoot people, engage in constant chest thumping, gun toting nationalism? Women. Step aside boys - investors, your opportunity is now, you get to vote on directors. Do some due diligence.Headliniest of the WeekDR: Hot mic catches Zuckerberg admitting his $600 bn vow to Trump was a guess: “Sorry, I wasn't ready… I wasn't sure what number you wanted to go with.”MM: Uber sued by DOJ for alleged discrimination against disabled riders - isn't this, like, SUPER WOKE?Who Won the Week?DR: Every Ellison everMM: Larry Ellison's facial hair - he can finally afford a razorPredictionsDR: David Ellison buys Lachlan's two younger half-sisters (from Rupert's third marriage), Grace and Chloe, and then immediately trades them for 30% ownership in the Winklevoss twins cryptocurrency-exchange company Gemini Space Station MM: THIS time, we won't get thoughts and prayers - we'll get ideological purges!

Many of us believe that suffering is inevitable. We endure the inner turmoil associated with stress, shame, depression or loneliness and try to soldier on. Author PETER RALSTON believes, however, that most suffering can be avoided.  In this week's episode, Andrew and Peter discuss the dynamics of the mind that set the stage for distress and get us into trouble. Peter explains: How mental states of suffering are created How to recognize when you cause them, and  How to stop suffering-inducing thought patterns and beliefs. Peter Ralston is the author of a new book called Ending Unnecessary Suffering: How to Create a Powerful, Complete and Peaceful Life.  He is also a founder of the consciousness movement in the San Francisco Bay area and the creator of the Art of Effortless Power, an internal martial art based on effortlessly effective interaction.  Born in San Francisco but raised primarily in Asia, Peter began studying martial arts at the age of 9 in Singapore. By the age of 28 he had black belts or expertise in almost every martial art there is and was developing his own Art of Effortless Power. In 1978 he became the first non-Asian ever to win the World Championship full-contact martial arts tournament held in the Republic of China. The founder of the Cheng Hsin Center and the author of several previous books, including The Book of Not Knowing, he currently lives outside of San Antonio, Texas. If You're Looking for More…. You can subscribe to The Meaningful Life (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts) and hear a bonus mini-episode every week. Or you can join our Supporters Club on Patreon to also access exclusive behind-the-scenes content, fan requests  and the chance to ask Andrew your own questions. Membership starts at just £4.50 This week supporters will hear: How to Create Purpose Three Things Peter Ralston knows to be true.  AND subscribers also access all of our previous bonus content - a rich trove of insight on love, life and meaning created by Andrew and his interviewees. Follow Up Attend Andrew's new men's retreat, Reconnect With Yourself, this autumn in the Brandenberg countryside near Berlin  Get Andrew's free guide to difficult conversations with your partner: How to Tell Your Partner Difficult Things  Read Peter Ralston's new book, Ending Unnecessary Suffering: How to Create a Powerful, Complete and Peaceful Life Learn more about Peter Ralston on his website Follow Peter Ralston on Facebook @OfficialRalston Take a look at Andrew's new online relationship course: My Best Relationship Tools Join our Supporters Club to access exclusive behind-the-scenes content, fan requests and the chance to ask Andrew your own questions. Membership starts at just £4.50 https://www.patreon.com/andrewgmarshall  Andrew offers regular advice on love, marriage and finding meaning in your life via his social channels. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube @andrewgmarshall   

Murph & Andy: CyHawk Call Your Shot, Andy's Favorite Personalities, Unnecessary Censorship, and MORE (Sep. 5, 2025) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nathan Harrison teaches on August 31, 2025.

You're not failing—you're just overwhelmed. If your days feel like chaos, your house is constantly behind, and you're tired of flying by the seat of your pants, this episode is your first step toward peace. I'm showing you how to do a super simple time audit—no spreadsheets, no trackers, no perfectionism. Just 3 steps to uncover where your time is actually going… and how to ditch what's not serving you. This one shift helped me stop spinning in circles and start living with more intention, more joy, and way more freedom. You deserve that too. xoxo, Chelsi Jo . . . . ➡️ Ready to build a systemized business that makes space for your life—not just your work? Inside Systemize to Scale, I'll show you how to: – Organize your home and calendar with strategic systems – Build workflows that eliminate burnout – Create time to hire, scale, and grow your income – Stop doing it all and finally feel supported You'll get access to my complete home management system for free when you join. Let's get your time, energy, and business back on track—join now → chelsijo.co/systemizetoscale

Happy Tuesday! Fi's over summer, but it's still hanging in there - a bit like us… Jane and Fi also get into bilingual pets, Guildford, and a cheese smuggling escapade. Plus, criminal barrister Alex McBride discusses the new upcoming series of 'The Jury: Murder Trial'.You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjhtS9sprg864IXC96he?si=uOzz4UYZRc2nFOP8FV_1jg&pi=BGoacntaS_ukiIf you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producer: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jerry starts with the Yankees loss to the Red Sox as they committed four errors, three in one inning. The Mets were up 3-0 and lost 9-3 to the Nationals. Jaxson Dart played well again for the Giants in their final pre-season game. Dart took a hit because he didn't slide and needed to be checked for a concussion. Jerry Jones was on the Michael Irvin podcast and said the agents ruin everything. He also said nobody offered him more money than he has.

Keith Murphy is LIVE from Circa in Las Vegas as he joins Andy Fales to discuss Gameday Eve for Iowa State in Ireland. Stories from Vegas, SEC moving to nine conference games, and Pat Fitzgerald settles. Scott School, Who's the A-Hole, What's Bugging YOU, and MORE! Presented by Ramsey Subaru. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keith Murphy and Andy Fales react to the penalties handed out to Michigan and the AP All-Time All-American Team before some more college football talk off the field. What's Bugging YOU, Unnecessary Censorship and MORE! Presented by Ramsey Subaru. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A medical sales rep blows the whistle on an alleged kickback scheme where he says a company bribed staff at a Veterans Affairs hospital to buy unnecessary medical devices at taxpayer expense, and use them in medically unnecessary procedures on veterans. The company and doctors dispute the allegations and deny any wrongdoing.Order Sharyl's new bestselling book: “Follow the $cience.” Subscribe to my two podcasts: “The Sharyl Attkisson Podcast” and “Full Measure After Hours.” Leave a review, subscribe and share with your friends! Support independent journalism by visiting the new Sharyl Attkisson store.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From cold plunges to booty bands, 75 Hard to walking pads — the fitness world is flooded with trends claiming to be the next big thing. But are they actually worth your time… or just another fast track to burnout, boredom, or broken knees? In this episode, we put 20 of the most popular fitness fads on trial. No filters — just real talk, bold opinions, and honest takes on what's actually helpful… and what's total nonsense. We cover: The real deal with 12-3-30 Whether HIIT every day is helping or hurting you Why some trends are all hype and no science The hidden risks behind influencer workouts And the one trend we secretly love (but kind of hate ourselves for it) If you've ever wondered, “Should I be doing that too?” — this one's for you. Tune in, laugh a little, and walk away knowing which trends are worth your energy… and which belong in the trash. Because when it comes to your health, clarity beats chaos. Every time. APPLY FOR COACHING: https://www.lvltncoaching.com/1-1-coaching SDE Method app: https://www.lvltncoaching.com/sde-method-app Project B Waiting List https://quest.lvltncoaching.com/project-b Macros Guide https://www.lvltncoaching.com/free-resources/calculate-your-macros Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lvltncoaching FREE TOOLS to start your health and fitness journey: https://www.lvltncoaching.com/resources/freebies Alessandra's Instagram: http://instagram.com/alessandrascutnik Joelle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellesamantha?igsh=ZnVhZjFjczN0OTdn Josh's Instagram: http://instagram.com/joshscutnik Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Fitness Trends 02:30 75 Hard: Mental Toughness or Burnout? 09:00 Walking Pads: Productivity or Distraction? 12:50 Carnivore Diet: Survival Mode or Nonsense? 14:29 High Rep, Lightweight Workouts: Are They Effective? 18:53 10,000 Steps a Day: Myth or Reality? 24:41 Energy Drinks: Boost or Burden? 30:59 Refreshing Mocktails and Hydration Choices 33:01 Caffeine: Energy Blocker or Performance Enhancer? 34:04 Barefoot Training: Trendy or Beneficial? 36:46 Fasted Cardio: Effective or Unnecessary? 42:36 Running Safety and Awareness 45:47 Booty Bands: Effective Tool or Marketing Gimmick? 48:10 HIIT: Efficient Fat Loss or Stress Inducer? 48:39 The Influence of HRV on Workouts 49:26 Pros and Cons of Influencer Workouts 50:40 Cold Plunges and Ice Baths: A Personal Perspective 51:57 Exploring Red Light Therapy 53:54 The Myths of Sweating and Fat Loss 55:17 Ankle Weights: Functional Boost or Risky Business? 55:58 Group Fitness Classes: Community or Chaos? 57:27 The 12-3-30 Treadmill Method: A Trend or Effective Workout? 59:32 Smartwatches and HRV: Helpful Tool or Mental Trap? 01:02:30 Fitness Challenges: Jumpstart or Yo-Yo Effect? 01:05:00 Peloton: Game-Changer or Overpriced Spin Cult?

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle saving seats in Singapore, avoiding unnecessary meetings, bringing your own sodas to parties, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE: Chope-ing in Singapore A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Does this need to be a meeting? QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: What should I do about friends who bring their own fountain sodas to my parties? Should we let our house guests use our master bedroom? VENT OR REPENT: Bad audience members, Too much glassware CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: Thanks to old friends, A nice message THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW ⁠The Newton Food Center scene from "Crazy Rich Asians" YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support our show through Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Call, text, or email us your questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our official website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some fabulous official merchandise⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CREDITS Hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick Leighton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leah Bonnema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer & Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick Leighton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Theme Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rob Paravonian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ADVERTISE ON OUR SHOW ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here for details⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TRANSCRIPT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 274 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle saving seats in Singapore, avoiding unnecessary meetings, bringing your own sodas to parties, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE: Chope-ing in Singapore A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Does this need to be a meeting? QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: What should I do about friends who bring their own fountain sodas to my parties? Should we let our house guests use our master bedroom? VENT OR REPENT: Bad audience members, Too much glassware CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: Thanks to old friends, A nice message THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW ⁠The Newton Food Center scene from "Crazy Rich Asians" YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support our show through Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Call, text, or email us your questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our official website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some fabulous official merchandise⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CREDITS Hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick Leighton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leah Bonnema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer & Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick Leighton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Theme Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rob Paravonian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ADVERTISE ON OUR SHOW ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here for details⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TRANSCRIPT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 274See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3690: David Cain explores how we often turn fleeting problems into enduring struggles by mentally amplifying them. By learning not to “make a thing out of it,” we can reduce unnecessary suffering and let difficulties pass without becoming emotional narratives. His practical insight shows how small mindset shifts can make life smoother and more peaceful. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.raptitude.com/2014/08/dont-make-a-thing-out-of-it/ Quotes to ponder: "Most of our suffering comes from what we do after a problem appears." "The trick is not to give the moment any new meaning it doesn't already have." "Let the bad moment hang there, raw and unprocessed, without turning it into a story." Episode references: Wherever You Go, There You Are: https://www.amazon.com/Wherever-You-There-Are-Mindfulness/dp/1401307787 The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Steve & Larson's Pro Wrestling Podcast is sponsored by DeleteMe and Hims.  Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you text RAW to 64000. Start your free online visit for personalized hair loss treatment options today at http://www.hims.com/goinginraw Consider joining Friendo Club by clicking JOIN ($5/month) OR becoming a $5+ Patron at http://www.patreon.com/steveandlarson!