Podcasts about Venetian

One of the strangest symptoms of Parkinson's is the sudden appearance of unexplained figures – whether that's a cat or a small child, a barking dog or a fully clad Venetian – in your environment. There hallucinations can be benign, but they can also be unsettling, and this week we're trying to find out what's causing them. Are they related to night terrors? Can they always be rationalised? And are there any potential treatment pathways for people struggling with hallucinatory visions? As ever, we're aided in our quest of understanding by a top expert.Movers & Shakers is brought to you in partnership with Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Playing at The Venetian, Wynn, Airport, home casino. Gamblers supply superstore.

Every time I think I have things figured out I'm thrown for a loop. This was an absolutely crazy day of ups and downs. Big plays and nothing results. Big money and big disappointments.

Shahar Goldboim is the Founder and CEO of Boom, an AI-enabled property management platform for short-term rental portfolios built by operators. Shahar is an entrepreneur and builder, and he launched Boom with his two sibblings after identifying real-world operational pain points inside a large South Florida property management company as it scaled. Under his leadership, Boom delivers comprehensive software that simplifies workflows, increases revenue, and reduces costs for property managers.(02:15) - Why Short-Term Rentals Are the Hardest Asset Class(02:44) - Fragmentation and the Review-Driven Revenue Trap(04:13) - The Spark: A Miami Airbnb Experiment(05:30) - From Airbnb Host to Property Manager(07:31) - Software Fragmentation in STR Ops(07:55) - From SaaS to Baas (Business-as-Software)(09:09) - Boom, the AI PMS(12:47) - Enabling Proactive Ops(13:51) - The $12M+ Fundraise(14:47) - Winning Investors with Hospitality & Tech Credibility(16:53) - Feature: Blueprint Vegas 2026(17:46) - STR Market Context and the Vacasa Lesson(21:03) - Replacing Point Solutions(23:47) - ROI, AI Moats, Future of STR Ops(32:06) - Collaboration Superpower: Tony Robbins (Wiki)

Another incredibly long day. I played at the Venetian, Wynn, Cosmopolitan, Planet Hollywood, Paris, Horseshoe, Bellagio, Silverton, and South Point today. Started the day down almost $8,000.

Part 2 of our Vegas trip. We went to the Wynn, the Venetian, Caesars Palace, the Stratosphere, Boulder Station, Arizona Charlie's, Sam's Town, Southpoint, and others.

Please follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! In this episode, Kimberly and Tommaso share their experiences after living in Italy for almost a month. They discuss the daily adjustments, from understanding local customs to enjoying Italian cuisine. Key Points: The Italian Tabacchi: More Than Meets the Eye: Kimberly and Tommaso explain how a “tabacchi” in Italy serves multiple purposes beyond selling cigarettes. It is a place to purchase a “Marco da Bolo,” a stamp needed for immigration applications. This discovery highlights the unique role of local establishments in daily Italian life. The Rhythm of Reposo: Kimberly and Tommaso describe the challenge of adapting to store closing times for “riposo” or “pausa,” the Italian equivalent of a siesta. Store hours vary, making it tricky to plan errands. They joke about needing a spreadsheet or an “Airtable database” to keep track of business hours. These closures offer a peaceful atmosphere, especially during midday, creating a quiet charm in the streets. Grocery Shopping Adventures: A humorous incident occurs when Kimberly attempts to bring a two-wheel shopping cart into a grocery store. She learns that these carts are not allowed inside due to unspoken rules. Kimberly ‘s New York City instincts made her hesitant to leave her cart unattended. The grocery manager's reaction to her concern about theft provides a moment of cultural contrast. A Culinary Awakening: Kimberly and express their delight in the quality and accessibility of Italian food. Small “alimentaries” (local markets) specialize in different products, from prosciutto to Parmigiano. Even simple roasted vegetables become a culinary revelation due to the fresh ingredients and olive oil. They highlight the artistic display of food in shops, which makes shopping a visually appealing experience. The Echoes of History: Living in a village with roots dating back to the Bronze Age give Kimberly and Tommaso a deeper appreciation for history. The Venetian architecture in their village adds to its charm. Tommaso Il Favoloso reflects on his lifelong dream of living in Europe and the magical feeling of making Italy his home. Ciao!

Welcome to the first in a brand new miniseries of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange', as Sarah delves into the world of colour, and how to use each colour palette to its absolute maximum potential in the garden.In this week's first episode, Sarah shares how the colour system used at Perch Hill came to be, the theories behind mixing certain palettes, and the difference between calm and chaos when combining colours.In this episode, discover:How Sarah's experiences as a florist, gardener and colour-obsessed child shaped her approach to garden colourHow the colour palettes underpin every border at Perch HillWhy misuse of colour can make some gardens feel chaotic The six key colours within each palette, from citrus brights and Venetian velvets to café-au-lait pastels and cool silversWhy no colour is truly “wrong” in a garden, and how the right combinations and contrasts can make even challenging shades singProducts mentioned:Tulip 'Mariette': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-marietteTulip 'Sarah Raven': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-sarah-ravenTulip 'Slawa': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-slawaTulip 'Dom Pedro': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-dom-pedroTulip 'Copex Cairo': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-copex-cairoDahlia 'Waltzing Mathilda': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-waltzing-mathildaDahlia 'Schipper's Bronze': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-schippers-bronzeDahlia 'Tom's Choice': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-toms-choiceDahlia 'Molly Raven': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-molly-ravenDahlia 'Perch Hill': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-perch-hillDahlia 'Lou Farman': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-lou-farmanCosmos bipinnatus 'Rubenza': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-rubenzaCosmos bipinnatus 'Dazzler': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-dazzlerCosmos bipinnatus 'Xanthos': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-xanthosDigitalis purpurea 'Sutton's Apricot': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-suttons-apricotFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah's latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Send a textOmnia Nightclub has been working on a new dayclub experience, it's ready for pool season and looks really nice! We have road trip ideas if you want to get in the car and travel Nevada. We have more than 600 ghost towns in the state and there's so much to do. Five Guys opens at the Grand Canal Shoppes with expanded hours and they announced another location downtown. Both have "only in Las Vegas" additions. Bruno Mars performed at the Grammy's and he's stopping in Las Vegas first once he begins his tour. Judy Garland's daughter announced some storytelling experiences set for March at the Venetian. Former Virgin Hotels president, Cliff Atkinson, moves up to downtown as the head of The Fremont Experience. Plus, we have more ideas for Valentine's Day.VegasNearMe App If it's fun to do or see, it's on VegasNearMe. Support the showFollow us on Instagram: @vegas.revealedFollow us on Twitter: @vegasrevealedFollow us on TikTok: @vegas.revealedWebsite: Vegas-Revealed.com

Tiffany Yeh, MD is the CEO and Co-Founder of Eztia Materials, a climate-tech venture developing energy-efficient cooling materials to protect people from extreme heat. With a mission to advance hard tech solutions at the climate-health nexus, Tiffany draws on her unique background as a physician, engineer, and public health advocate to build technologies that improve global health in a warming world.(01:13) - Dr. Ye's Background & Inspiration (01:52) - The Heat Challenge(05:20) - Singapore and the Power of Cooling(06:32) - Why Construction Has Been Slow to Adapt (07:22) - The Human Factor(08:14) - HydroVolt Technology(09:29) - Business Model, Distribution & Competition(11:19) - Worker Comfort (15:32) - Hidden Productivity Crisis Brewing(18:18) - Feature: Blueprint: The Future of Real Estate 2026 in Vegas on Sep. 22-24 (19:21) - The Secret Sauce Behind HydroVolt (20:31) - Prototyping & Real-World Applications (21:32) - Measuring Impact & ROI (23:34) - Pitching to VCs & Investors(25:31) - Product Roadmap(29:08) - Collaboration Superpower: Lionel Messi

In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica sits down with Bryan Brazeau, Academic Director of the Warwick Venice Centre, to talk about what happens when a university and a city begin to think together.We explore Venice not as a setting, but as a working intellectual environment, and Warwick not simply as an institution abroad, but as a way of approaching knowledge through place, daily life, and lived experience.Episode key notes:What Warwick and Venice genuinely have in common beneath the surfaceWhy Venice works as a living classroom rather than a historical backdropHow place shapes academic thinking, research, and teachingThe experience of studying and teaching with the city, not around itThe dual identity of the Warwick Venice Centre, both local and internationalWhat students carry with them after living and learning in VeniceA shared love for Venetian cuisine, and how food becomes another way of understanding the cityWhy eating, cooking, and sharing meals are part of truly living VeniceThe value of intellectual distance, and why studying elsewhere mattersLooking ahead: the future of the Warwick Venice Centre and place-based educationA conversation about learning, location, and culture, where ideas, flavours, and stories move slowly and stay longer.

Fluent Fiction - Italian: A Heartfelt Confession in a Venetian Café Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-02-10-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: Nel cuore dell'inverno veneziano, un piccolo caffè decorato con cuoricini rossi e lucine scintillanti accoglieva i suoi clienti con calore.En: In the heart of the Venetian winter, a small café decorated with red hearts and twinkling lights welcomed its customers with warmth.It: L'aroma del caffè appena macinato e il profumo dei dolci riempivano l'aria, creando un'atmosfera magica perfetta per San Valentino.En: The aroma of freshly ground coffee and the scent of sweets filled the air, creating a magical atmosphere perfect for San Valentino.It: Lorenzo, un barista appassionato, era dietro il bancone.En: Lorenzo, a passionate barista, was behind the counter.It: Stava creando l'arte del latte con cuore, una sua specialità.En: He was creating heart latte art, his specialty.It: Ogni piccolo disegno che faceva aveva un significato, un segreto.En: Every little design he made had a meaning, a secret.It: Questo San Valentino era speciale per lui.En: This San Valentino was special for him.It: Desiderava confessare a Chiara, la talentuosa pasticcera, quanto la ammirava.En: He wanted to confess to Chiara, the talented pastry chef, how much he admired her.It: Chiara era nella cucina del caffè, concentrata sulla preparazione dei suoi famosi biscotti a forma di cuore.En: Chiara was in the café's kitchen, focused on preparing her famous heart-shaped cookies.It: Non si accorgeva di Lorenzo che la guardava con affetto.En: She didn't notice Lorenzo watching her with affection.It: Per lei, ogni biscotto era un'opera d'arte e nulla poteva distrarla dal suo lavoro meticoloso.En: For her, every cookie was a work of art and nothing could distract her from her meticulous work.It: Marco, il manager del caffè, era in agitazione.En: Marco, the café manager, was in a state of agitation.It: Voleva che l'evento di San Valentino fosse un successo totale.En: He wanted the San Valentino event to be a total success.It: Aveva decorato il caffè con amore e sperava che i clienti fossero soddisfatti.En: He had decorated the café with love and hoped that the customers would be satisfied.It: La pressione era alta, ma Marco si fidava del suo team.En: The pressure was high, but Marco trusted his team.It: Lorenzo si domandava quando fosse il momento giusto per dire a Chiara cosa sentiva.En: Lorenzo wondered when the right time would be to tell Chiara how he felt.It: "Prima dell'evento o durante?"En: "Before the event or during?"It: si chiedeva.En: he asked himself.It: Il cuore gli batteva forte ogni volta che Chiara gli si avvicinava per prendere un caffè.En: His heart pounded every time Chiara approached him to get a coffee.It: Con l'arrivo della sera, il caffè si riempì di coppie felici.En: As evening arrived, the café filled up with happy couples.It: Marco era felice, ogni dettaglio era perfetto.En: Marco was happy; every detail was perfect.It: Lorenzo decise che non poteva più aspettare.En: Lorenzo decided he could wait no longer.It: Prese un respiro profondo e preparò un cappuccino speciale.En: He took a deep breath and prepared a special cappuccino.It: Sulla sua superficie, disegnò un cuore con le iniziali sue e di Chiara.En: On its surface, he drew a heart with their initials, his and Chiara's.It: Quando Chiara emerse dalla cucina, Lorenzo le porse il cappuccino speciale.En: When Chiara emerged from the kitchen, Lorenzo handed her the special cappuccino.It: "Chiara, questo è per te," disse timidante, cercando il suo sguardo.En: "Chiara, this is for you," he said timidly, seeking her gaze.It: Chiara, sorpresa, guardò il disegno e sorrise.En: Chiara, surprised, looked at the design and smiled.It: "È bellissimo, Lorenzo," rispose, il suo cuore toccato dal gesto.En: "It's beautiful, Lorenzo," she replied, her heart touched by the gesture.It: I loro occhi si incontrarono, e per un momento, tutto il mondo sembrò fermarsi.En: Their eyes met, and for a moment, the whole world seemed to stop.It: Dopo l'evento, il caffè era silenzioso.En: After the event, the café was quiet.It: Lorenzo e Chiara rimasero, parlando a lungo, confidandosi sogni e desideri.En: Lorenzo and Chiara stayed, talking at length, sharing dreams and desires.It: Lorenzo trovò il coraggio perduto, e Chiara, ascoltandolo, capì che c'era altro oltre ai suoi dolci.En: Lorenzo found his lost courage, and Chiara, listening to him, realized there was more beyond her sweets.It: In quella notte fredda, il caffè veneziano non era più solo un luogo di lavoro per Lorenzo o Chiara.En: On that cold night, the Venetian café was no longer just a workplace for Lorenzo or Chiara.It: Era il punto d'inizio di qualcosa di nuovo, di dolce, che prometteva di durare ben oltre quella serata speciale di San Valentino.En: It was the starting point of something new, something sweet, that promised to last well beyond that special San Valentino evening. Vocabulary Words:the heart: il cuorethe winter: l'invernothe aroma: l'aromathe art: l'artethe specialty: la specialitàthe gesture: il gestothe atmosphere: l'atmosferathe couple: la coppiathe courage: il coraggiothe event: l'eventothe counter: il banconethe kitchen: la cucinathe manager: il managerthe gaze: lo sguardothe design: il disegnothe aroma: il profumothe air: l'ariathe affection: l'affettothe detail: il dettagliothe desire: il desideriothe pressure: la pressionethe success: il successothe evening: la serathe secret: il segretothe message: il messaggiothe customer: il clientethe meaning: il significatothe surprise: la sorpresathe smile: il sorrisothe warmth: il calore

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Unmasking Courage: A Venetian Carnival Transformation Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-02-09-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: Le strade di Venezia erano un arcobaleno di maschere e costumi.En: The streets of Venezia were a rainbow of masks and costumes.It: Rumori di musica e risate riempivano l'aria.En: Sounds of music and laughter filled the air.It: Era il famoso Carnevale di Venezia.En: It was the famous Carnevale di Venezia.It: Tra la folla, Giorgio camminava accanto ai suoi amici, Luca e Sofia.En: Among the crowd, Giorgio walked alongside his friends, Luca and Sofia.It: Giorgio amava l'arte e aveva sempre ammirato il Carnevale da lontano.En: Giorgio loved art and had always admired the Carnevale from afar.It: Ma lo faceva con una certa timidezza.En: But he admired it with a certain shyness.It: Le maschere e i colori lo affascinavano, ma l'idea di partecipare lo faceva sentire nervoso.En: The masks and colors fascinated him, but the idea of participating made him feel nervous.It: "Vieni con noi, Giorgio!"En: "Come with us, Giorgio!"It: esclamò Luca.En: exclaimed Luca.It: Era entusiasta, con un ampio sorriso e indossando una maschera lucente.En: He was enthusiastic, with a wide smile and wearing a shiny mask.It: "Sarà divertente."En: "It will be fun."It: Sofia annuì, il suo costume scintillava al sole.En: Sofia nodded, her costume sparkling in the sun.It: "Sì, vieni!En: "Yes, come!It: Non puoi solo guardare."En: You can't just watch."It: Giorgio sorrise, ma esitò.En: Giorgio smiled but hesitated.It: Era chiaro che il suo cuore voleva unirsi, ma la sua mente tratteneva.En: It was clear that his heart wanted to join, but his mind held him back.It: Temeva di essere giudicato.En: He was afraid of being judged.It: La folla cantava e danzava lungo i canali.En: The crowd sang and danced along the canals.It: I balconi delle case storiche erano decorati con fiori e festoni.En: The balconies of the historic houses were decorated with flowers and streamers.It: La città sembrava viva, quasi magica.En: The city seemed alive, almost magical.It: Poteva sentire l'energia attorno a lui.En: He could feel the energy around him.It: Ma ancora esitava.En: Yet, he still hesitated.It: Luca gli porse una maschera semplice ma elegante.En: Luca handed him a simple but elegant mask.It: "Prova questa.En: "Try this.It: Ti starà bene," disse, incoraggiante.En: It will suit you," he said, encouragingly.It: Giorgio la prese.En: Giorgio took it.It: La maschera emanava un senso di mistero e fascino.En: The mask emanated a sense of mystery and charm.It: Era un simbolo di libertà, pensò.En: It was a symbol of freedom, he thought.It: Con un respiro profondo, la indossò.En: With a deep breath, he put it on.It: Immediatamente, qualcosa cambiò dentro di lui.En: Immediately, something changed inside him.It: Si sentì meno osservato.En: He felt less observed.It: La maschera gli dava coraggio.En: The mask gave him courage.It: Guardò Sofia e Luca, che lo incitavano a unirsi alla danza.En: He looked at Sofia and Luca, who were urging him to join the dance.It: Con passi inizialmente incerti, Giorgio cominciò a danzare.En: With initially uncertain steps, Giorgio began to dance.It: Si lasciò trasportare dal ritmo della musica.En: He let himself be carried away by the rhythm of the music.It: La paura che lo tratteneva svanì.En: The fear that held him back vanished.It: In quel momento, smise di preoccuparsi di ciò che pensavano gli altri.En: In that moment, he stopped worrying about what others thought.It: Le danze divennero più vivaci, e prima che se ne rendesse conto, Giorgio rideva e girava con i suoi amici, liberandosi di ogni inibizione.En: The dances became more lively, and before he knew it, Giorgio was laughing and twirling with his friends, freeing himself from all inhibitions.It: Durante il ballo, incrociò gli occhi con quelli di Sofia e Luca.En: During the dance, he locked eyes with Sofia and Luca.It: Nei loro sguardi c'era approvazione e gioia.En: In their looks, there was approval and joy.It: Si sentiva parte di un tutto, unito in questo momento unico.En: He felt part of a whole, united in this unique moment.It: Alla fine della giornata, mentre il sole tramontava e le luci della città si accendevano, Giorgio si tolse la maschera.En: At the end of the day, as the sun set and the city's lights came on, Giorgio took off the mask.It: Sentì il freddo dell'aria sulla pelle, ma dentro di sé era caldo.En: He felt the cold air on his skin, but inside, he was warm.It: "Grazie," disse ai suoi amici, con una sincera gratitudine.En: "Thank you," he said to his friends, with sincere gratitude.It: Loro risero e lo abbracciarono.En: They laughed and hugged him.It: Quella notte, mentre camminavano insieme attraverso le strade illuminate e silenziose, Giorgio guardò indietro e vide la città in un modo nuovo.En: That night, as they walked together through the illuminated and silent streets, Giorgio looked back and saw the city in a new way.It: Ora sapeva che l'arte non era solo da ammirare, ma da vivere.En: Now he knew that art was not just to be admired, but to be lived.It: Aveva affrontato le sue paure, e nel farlo, aveva trovato una nuova parte di sé.En: He had faced his fears, and in doing so, had found a new part of himself.It: Una parte più aperta e fiduciosa.En: A more open and confident part.It: Ed era solo l'inizio delle sue avventure.En: And it was just the beginning of his adventures. Vocabulary Words:the parade: la paratathe mask: la mascherato admire: ammirarethe shyness: la timidezzato hesitate: esitareto judge: giudicarethe crowd: la follathe laughter: la risatathe streamers: i festonithe canal: il canalethe energy: l'energiathe charm: il fascinoalive: vivo/vivato encourage: incoraggiarethe courage: il coraggioto vanish: svanireto worry: preoccuparsithe inhibition: l'inibizionelively: vivaceto twirl: girarethe approval: l'approvazioneunited: unitothe gratitude: la gratitudinethe adventure: l'avventurathe fear: la paurato face: affrontarethe sunset: il tramontothe mystery: il misteroto sparkle: scintillarethe rhythm: il ritmo

It's Seeking Sunday! Ben here, today Jacques takes Hesse and I to the freaking newsroom for a full hour of headlines he's gathered! We talk about a study that says weed literally makes old people's brains big, Venetian jellyfish with vanishing anuses, and deliver a vicious takedown of everyone's favorite country singer.

In this episode, Cherise is joined by Mariam Issoufou, Founder and Principal at Mariam Issoufou Architects with offices in New York, Niamey, Niger, and Zurich, Switzerland. They discuss the Rolex Pavilion in Venice, Italy.You can see the project here as you listen along.Conceived as both an architectural gesture and a cultural offering, the 2025 Rolex Pavilion stands as an ode to sustainability, to Venice, and to the city's enduring relationship with the art of making. Two-hundred-year-old timber beams salvaged from Venetian palazzi are reimagined as the pavilion's walls, while locally crafted Venetian glass is formed into circular discs that compose the ceiling above. Glass extends to the ground plane as well, where terrazzo flooring incorporates recycled Murano glass shards as aggregate.If you enjoy this episode, visit arcat.com/podcast for more.If you're a frequent listener of Detailed, you might enjoy similar content at Gābl Media.Mentioned in this episode:Social Channel Pre-rollPromotes the YouTube channel, ARACTemy, and social handle.

Styx' Tommy Shaw, Lawrence Gowan, and Terry Gowan join Eddie Trunk to discuss their Vegas residency at the Venetian where they're performing the Pieces of Eight album in its entirety. The conversation ranges from their health routines and supplements (with a focus on the mushroom 'lion's mane'), to the creation of their new album 'Circling From Above,' and their upcoming Rockin in Paradise event in Miramar Beach. They also share candid thoughts about AI's impact on music creation, memorable touring experiences with bands like Deep Purple, and how they maintain their vocal harmonies without using backing tracks. Catch Eddie Trunk every M-F from 3:00-5:00pm ET on Trunk Nation on SiriusXM Faction Talk Channel 103.And don't forget to follow Eddie on X and Instagram!Follow the link to get your free 3-month trial of SiriusXM: http://siriusxm.com/eddietrunk Find all episodes of Trunk Nation: https://siriusxm.com/trunknation Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What really happens to a business when payments stop working, even for a few minutes? I recorded this episode live at Dynatrace Perform in Las Vegas, inside the Venetian, surrounded by engineers, operators, and business leaders all wrestling with the same uncomfortable reality. Payment outages are no longer rare edge cases. They are becoming a routine operational risk, and the cost is far higher than many organizations realize. To unpack that shift, I sat down with Victoria Ruffo, Software Engineering Team Lead at FreedomPay, for a grounded and practical conversation about resilience, observability, and what failure actually looks like in modern commerce. Victoria explains how FreedomPay supports merchants by orchestrating every part of the payment journey through a single platform, from terminal management to remote updates and even on-device advertising. If you have checked into a hotel and noticed a payment terminal quietly branded "Secured By FreedomPay," there is a good chance you have already interacted with her team's work. That real-world exposure gives her a clear view of what happens when systems fail and why customers are far less patient than businesses often assume. We talk about new research from FreedomPay, Dynatrace, and Retail Economics that puts a stark number on the issue. $44.4 billion in U.S. retail and hospitality revenue is at risk every year due to payment disruptions. But as Victoria points out, the most alarming insight is not the headline figure. It is the gap between how long customers are willing to wait and how long outages actually last. Most consumers abandon a purchase after seven minutes, while many disruptions stretch on for hours. In those early minutes alone, the majority of revenue is already gone. The conversation moves beyond statistics into lived experience. From lunch breaks cut short by declined payments to stadiums losing an entire event's worth of revenue in a single outage, Victoria shares why these failures are not abstract technical issues. They directly affect staff wages, customer loyalty, and long-term brand trust. We also explore why cash-only backups and outdated terminals no longer reflect how people actually pay, and why uneven investment in resilience leaves many merchants dangerously exposed. AI plays a central role in the discussion, but not in the way hype cycles often suggest. Victoria is clear that FreedomPay is not using AI to touch cardholder data or write payment code. Instead, tools like Dynatrace Intelligence help teams detect issues faster, identify patterns humans might miss, and move from reaction to anticipation. That shift, she argues, is where real value shows up, especially when seconds and minutes matter. If you care about payments, customer experience, or the hidden connection between technical failure and business impact, this episode offers a timely reminder that outages do not have to be catastrophic if organizations plan for them properly. As consumers grow less patient and systems grow more complex, are your payment platforms designed to absorb disruption, or are they quietly waiting to fail at the worst possible moment? Useful Links Connect With Victoria Ruffo Learn More About Freedom Pay Whitepaper Payment Resilience in an Uncertain World UK Learn More About Dynatrace Perform Thanks to our sponsors, Alcor, for supporting the show.

Phenom Poker — now running daily MTTsFirst-time depositors can get up to a 200% bonus on $2,000 when you use our link:https://play.phenompoker.com/register?r=Table1Mafia Poker Rooms, Molly's Game Checks, and Building a Vegas Stream Game | Table 1 PodcastSome poker stories start with a “buddy taught me Hold'em in college.”Brian Okin's starts with a craps addiction in Vienna, a nickname that luckily didn't stick (Dice), and an underground Manhattan room where you had to buzz in like Rounders… and somehow turns into: running a dot-com era e-commerce business, losing $100k+ in a three-day session (plus the cursed cashmere hoodie), playing Molly's Game (and cashing what might've been her last check), and eventually building a high-stakes streamed cash game at the Venetian.In this episode, Art and Justin sit down with Brian Okin for one of those conversations that zig-zags between poker, business, and the kind of New York stories you're not supposed to say out loud.What we talk about: The most confusing legal name in poker: A. Peter Brian Okin Growing up Long Island → Manhattan for 18 years Board games, Uno scoring, and why Monopoly is “the true model of business” First real gambling: Vegas as a kid → self-deal poker → then… an “underground casino” run out of a synagogue

My vagina does amaaaaaazing things. Sometimes people see me doing phantasmagorical things like: Dead hangs ab exercises, whilst also lifting 11lb. With my vagina Lifting pieces green coconuts, bunches of mangos and Venetian chandeliers. With my vagina. Of course, we want women to realize that the BASELINE is not peeing their pants and vaginas falling onto the floor—yes, vaginal “prolapse” effects 50% of women after childbirth—but that the BASELINE for ALL vaginas, everywhere is to:Shoot ping pong ballsGive hand jobsMake a man orgasm or stop him from orgasming with their flexing power aloneHave ravenous libidosLubricate and ejaculate profusely And be multi-orgasmic If your vagina isn't doing these things, it's under-performing. Beyond the physical, there is also an energetic function to the vagina related to: Femininity Creativity and manifesting abilityHer self-expression in the world How deeply she surrenders to life, her partner and God  In today's episode, we're talking to Well-F**ked All Star Dr. Beth. She's a chiropractor, women's pelvic health specialist and big proponent of the jade yoni egg.  Through using the jade yoni egg, she: Healed her prolapseCleared the residue of suppressed childhood sexual abuseWent from clitoral orgasms to G-Spot, cervical, nipple, anal and of course birth orgasms and squirting on demand Went from chronic yeast infections to never having them againHas sex almost every day, even with 5 kids and still breastfeeding her youngestHad an orgasmic free birth at home. Look ma! No doctors or midwives!She and her husband use their sex life to attract and manifest things in their lives Vaginal Kung Fu is open for registration NOW and it closes January 30th at midnight PST. In the salon, you'll become a maestro of all things vaginal and sexual. You'll learn: My step-by-step guided vaginal weight lifting routine Yoni massage to de-numb and activate your vagina Quantum techniques to clear your blocks and illuminate your sexual shadowBreast massage techniques to tone, lift and enlarge the breasts Natural birth control and detoxing off The Pill How to make menstruation and menopause the energizing and rejuvenating portals they were meant to be  How to give a vaginal handjob How to use your sexual energy to heal yourself, including my sex position mood guide. Signup now! Vaginal Kung Fu. 

On this episode of Say Something Interesting Brent and Megan discuss last weekend's talk at EastLake. Other topics include the Little Mermaid soundtrack, OnePiece cards, and being surprised by delight.

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/italian-studies

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day

Fluent Fiction - Italian: A Venetian Adventure: Friendship's Unseen Treasure Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-01-27-08-38-19-it Story Transcript:It: Il vento freddo soffiava attraverso la Laguna di Venezia, portando con sé il profumo del mare e l'eco lontano delle maschere danzanti del Carnevale.En: The cold wind blew through the Laguna di Venezia, bringing with it the scent of the sea and the distant echo of the dancing masks of Carnevale.It: Luca, Giulia e Matteo camminavano lungo un percorso familiare, coberto dal velo sottile della nebbia invernale.En: Luca, Giulia, and Matteo walked along a familiar path, covered by the thin veil of winter fog.It: Erano amici da una vita, ma oggi il cielo grigio e il loro silenzio rivelavano una tensione particolare.En: They had been friends for a lifetime, but today the gray sky and their silence revealed a particular tension.It: "Luca, racconta ancora del tesoro," disse Giulia, cercando di riscaldare l'animo con battute.En: "Luca, tell us about the treasure again," said Giulia, trying to warm their spirits with jokes.It: "Si dice che sia nascosto in un vecchio magazzino abbandonato," rispose Luca, gli occhi vivaci.En: "It's said to be hidden in an old abandoned warehouse," replied Luca, his eyes lively.It: "Ma dobbiamo attraversare una parte della laguna chiusa al pubblico per arrivarci."En: "But we have to cross a part of the lagoon closed to the public to get there."It: "È troppo pericoloso," protestò Giulia, stringendo le mani nei guanti caldi.En: "It's too dangerous," protested Giulia, clenching her hands in warm gloves.It: Matteo restò in silenzio, guardando l'acqua scura che scorreva lenta sotto i piedi.En: Matteo remained silent, watching the dark water slowly flowing beneath their feet.It: Era sempre stato quello riflessivo, ma quel giorno, il coraggio di Luca lo ammirava tanto quanto lo spaventava.En: He had always been the reflective one, but that day, Luca's courage both admired and scared him.It: Nonostante le proteste di Giulia, Luca era deciso.En: Despite Giulia's protests, Luca was determined.It: "Non possiamo perdere questa occasione," insistette, la voce piena di determinazione.En: "We can't miss this opportunity," he insisted, his voice full of determination.It: "Matteo, vieni con me."En: "Matteo, come with me."It: Matteo esitò, poi annuì.En: Matteo hesitated, then nodded.It: Non poteva lasciare Luca da solo, anche se la paura gli stringeva lo stomaco.En: He couldn't leave Luca alone, even if fear twisted his stomach.It: Iniziarono a camminare verso la parte proibita della laguna, con Giulia che li seguiva a distanza, pronta a intervenire.En: They started walking towards the forbidden part of the lagoon, with Giulia following at a distance, ready to intervene.It: Il ghiaccio cominciava a formarsi in piccoli lastroni sull'acqua, un manto bianco e ingannevole.En: Ice began to form in small sheets on the water, a deceptive white blanket.It: Mentre avanzavano, l'atmosfera festosa del Carnevale sembrava sempre più lontana.En: As they advanced, the festive atmosphere of Carnevale seemed increasingly distant.It: Il silenzio era rotto solo dai loro passi incerti sul ghiaccio.En: The silence was broken only by their uncertain steps on the ice.It: E poi tutto accadde in un attimo: con un suono sordo, il ghiaccio sotto Luca si ruppe.En: Then everything happened in an instant: with a dull sound, the ice beneath Luca cracked.It: Matteo gridò mentre Luca spariva nell'acqua gelida.En: Matteo shouted as Luca disappeared into the icy water.It: "Luca!"En: "Luca!"It: urlò Giulia, correndo avanti.En: cried Giulia, running forward.It: La paura si trasformò rapidamente in azione mentre lei e Matteo si sforzavano di tirare fuori l'amico dalla morsa gelida.En: Fear quickly turned into action as she and Matteo struggled to pull their friend from the icy grip.It: Il tempo sembrava scorrere al rallentatore, mentre il gelo cercava di sopraffare Luca.En: Time seemed to slow down as the cold tried to overwhelm Luca.It: Insieme, riuscirono a tirarlo fuori dall'acqua, mezzo congelato ma vivo.En: Together, they managed to pull him out of the water, half-frozen but alive.It: Lo portarono fino a una barca vicina, accendendo il motore per scaldare Luca con l'aria calda.En: They carried him to a nearby boat, starting the engine to warm Luca with the hot air.It: Il suono lontano della musica del festival sembrava ora un dolce richiamo alla vita.En: The distant sound of the festival music now seemed a sweet call to life.It: "Luca, ci sei?"En: "Luca, are you there?"It: disse Giulia, preoccupata.En: asked Giulia, worried.It: "Sì," sussurrò Luca, tremando ma grato.En: "Yes," whispered Luca, trembling but grateful.It: "Grazie."En: "Thank you."It: In quel momento, Luca capì che il vero tesoro era proprio lì accanto a lui, nel calore dei suoi amici.En: In that moment, Luca realized that the true treasure was right there beside him, in the warmth of his friends.It: Non aveva bisogno di dimostrare nulla.En: He didn't need to prove anything.It: Giulia sorrise, confortata dal suo prendersi cura che finalmente veniva apprezzato.En: Giulia smiled, comforted by her care finally being appreciated.It: Matteo guardò i due, sentendosi più forte di quanto avesse mai immaginato.En: Matteo looked at the two, feeling stronger than he ever imagined.It: Il sole tramontava mentre il gruppo lasciava la laguna, il viso rivolto verso la vita e l'amicizia che risplendeva come una gemma preziosa.En: The sun set as the group left the lagoon, their faces turned towards life and friendship that shone like a precious gem.It: La lezione appresa era chiara: l'amicizia era il tesoro più grande di tutti.En: The lesson learned was clear: friendship was the greatest treasure of all. Vocabulary Words:the wind: il ventothe mask: la mascherathe path: il percorsothe veil: il velothe fog: la nebbiathe tension: la tensionethe warehouse: il magazzinothe lagoon: la lagunathe glove: il guantothe protest: la protestathe courage: il coraggiothe opportunity: l'occasionethe sheet: il lastronethe blanket: il mantothe atmosphere: l'atmosferathe sound: il suonothe ice: il ghiacciothe fear: la paurathe action: l'azionethe grip: la morsathe engine: il motorethe music: la musicathe call: il richiamothe treasure: il tesorothe care: il prendersi curathe sun: il solethe life: la vitathe lesson: la lezionethe friendship: l'amiciziathe gem: la gemma

Make a Logo on Fiverr At CES 2026, Eureka Park inside the Venetian lower level once again proves why it's the heartbeat of global innovation. This is where new companies, international companies and bold ideas collide—where today's prototypes could become tomorrow's household names. From AI-powered storage to wearable robotics and smart grooming tools, the show floor is packed with new innovations that feel straight out of the future. Modue Modular Control Panel Content creators and power users, take note. Modue introduces a modular desktop control system that snaps together magnetically, letting you mix and match buttons, sliders and jog wheels into one customizable interface. With support for up to 16 modules on a single connection, users can build a workflow tailored to streaming, editing or production. Starting at $500 for a four-module set, it's a Kickstarter-ready concept that could reshape how creators interact with their tools. Check it out here ZetLab AI NAS: Smarter Storage for Creators Network-attached storage isn't new—but AI-enhanced NAS is. ZetLab's AI NAS lineup brings intelligent file detection, duplicate recognition and expandable storage up to 200TB depending on the model. With multiple RAID options, up to 16GB RAM and powerful processing under the hood, it's designed for video-heavy users who need organization and speed. Pricing starts at $429, making it a compelling option for studios looking to modernize their storage game. Check it out here Subtle VoiceBuds: Hear Only You In a crowded convention hall, Subtle's Voice Buds do something remarkable—they isolate only your voice for transcription and recording, even when someone is shouting next to you. Using machine learning and multi-mic processing, the earbuds require no training and ship this spring for $199. For journalists, creators and remote workers, this could be a breakthrough in clean audio capture. Check it out here Soul Mobility Hybrid Wheelchair Soul Mobility bridges manual and powered mobility with a foldable hybrid wheelchair system. Adjustable ride height, drop-down joystick controls and a travel-friendly design make it practical for everyday use and air travel. At $9,300, it's a premium innovation aimed at giving users greater flexibility without sacrificing performance. Dephy Bionic Walking System One of the most eye-catching innovations at Eureka Park is Dephy's wearable walking assist system. Strapped around the lower leg, the device uses AI-driven power assistance to reduce fatigue while walking. Ideal for professionals on their feet all day—or even CES attendees logging miles on the show floor—the $4,500 system includes battery and shoe integration for a fully powered stride. More info here Shoe Steamer: Deep Clean Without Chemicals Forget tossing sneakers into the washing machine. The Shoe Steamer uses water-based steam—no chemicals, no detergents—to lift grime from leather, suede and athletic shoes. With drying cycles built in, it doubles as a post-rain rescue unit. Pre-orders are set at $699, targeting sneakerheads and anyone serious about shoe care. SYNC AI Pelvic Health Belt In the sports and health section, SYNC introduces a wearable AI-powered belt focused on pelvic and core recovery. Featuring heat, compression and guided app-based coaching, it's designed for wellness support during training or recovery. It's another example of how CES 2026 continues to expand into personalized health tech. Pavo Foldable Pilates System Pavo brings Pilates home with a foldable, intelligent reformer that slides under a bed when not in use. Smart tracking and guided workouts aim to replicate studio-quality sessions in a compact design. Early bird Kickstarter pricing starts at $899, positioning it squarely in the connected fitness category. Farseer ROCX AI Tracking Camera Birdwatchers and outdoor shooters get an upgrade with Farseer's ROCX system. Featuring three-axis gimbal stabilization, 50x zoom and AI-powered auto-tracking, the lightweight unit keeps fast-moving subjects in frame. Crowdfunding begins in February, with pricing ranging from $399 to $799 depending on configuration. FotoStax Motion 3D Prints Fotostax reimagines printed photography with motion and 3D effects. Using a smartphone and a companion device, users can create flip-style and dimensional prints reminiscent of classic lenticular postcards—but powered by modern imaging. The Kickstarter-bound system is expected to launch around $200. Sign up Here Glide Smart Hair Clipper Yes, AI is cutting hair now. Glide introduces what it calls the world's first smart hair clipper, featuring auto fade, real-time AI coaching and an app-controlled trimming system. Designed to make at-home fades easier—even for beginners—the system is expected to launch summer 2026 between $150 and $200, with early deposits locking in lower pricing. Eureka Park at CES 2026 remains the launchpad for new innovations, new companies and ambitious international startups looking to make their mark. From bionic footwear and hybrid mobility systems to smart hair clippers and AI storage, this is where the future gets its first public test run. Get Hair Cut Here Check out the Geekazine Merch, including "I AM AI " T-Shirt.  Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to Geekazine: RSS Feed - YouTubeTwitter - Facebook Tip Me via Paypal.me Send a Tip via Venmo RSS Bandwidth by Cachefly Get a 14 Day Trial Be a Patreon: Part of the Sconnie Geek Nation! Reviews: Geekazine gets products in to review. Opinions are of Geekazine.com. Sponsored content will be labeled as such. Read all policies on the Geekazine review page.  Reviews: Geekazine is also an affiliate of Amazon Last Updated on February 17, 2026 11:57 am by Jeffrey PowersThe post Bionic Footwear? Smart Hair Clippers? Eureka Park Has it All! appeared first on Geekazine.

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Mysteries and Masks: Giulia's Transformative Venetian Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-01-26-23-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: A Venezia, nel cuore misterioso dell'inverno, il Carnevale stava per raggiungere il suo apice.En: In Venezia, in the mysterious heart of winter, the Carnevale was about to reach its peak.It: Maschere colorate e costumi elaborati popolavano le strette calli e le pittoresche piazze.En: Colorful masks and elaborate costumes populated the narrow calli and the picturesque squares.It: Giulia, una giovane curiosa e avventurosa, si preparava per una giornata di lavoro noiosa.En: Giulia, a curious and adventurous young woman, was preparing for a dull day at work.It: Ma quel giorno non era come gli altri.En: But that day was not like the others.It: Mentre attraversava il Ponte di Rialto per andare in ufficio, una busta bianca illuminò il suo percorso.En: As she crossed the Ponte di Rialto to go to the office, a white envelope lit up her path.It: A terra, nascosta tra due pietre, una lettera.En: On the ground, hidden between two stones, was a letter.It: Giulia la raccolse, le mani tremanti per l'attesa.En: Giulia picked it up, her hands trembling with anticipation.It: La aprì con cautela e lesse: "Questa sera, al ballo mascherato, scoprirai la verità.En: She opened it cautiously and read: "This evening, at the masked ball, you will discover the truth.It: Segui i segni dello zanni nero".En: Follow the signs of the black zanni."It: "È solo uno scherzo," disse Luca, il suo amico gondoliere, quando Giulia gli raccontò della lettera.En: "It's just a joke," said Luca, her gondolier friend, when Giulia told him about the letter.It: Luca era sempre prudente, forse troppo.En: Luca was always cautious, perhaps too much.It: Ma Giulia, sentiva dentro di sé un senso di avventura irresistibile.En: But Giulia, felt an irresistible sense of adventure inside her.It: "Non posso ignorarlo," rispose, determinata a scoprire di più.En: "I can't ignore it," she replied, determined to find out more.It: Matteo arrivò a Venezia quello stesso pomeriggio.En: Matteo arrived in Venezia that same afternoon.It: Nessuno sapeva molto di lui.En: No one knew much about him.It: Era un visitatore misterioso, con occhi che sembravano sapere più di quanto dicessero.En: He was a mysterious visitor, with eyes that seemed to know more than they said.It: Giulia lo incrociò per caso, o forse destino, lungo il Canale Grande.En: Giulia crossed paths with him by chance, or perhaps destiny, along the Canale Grande.It: Il suo sguardo, una promessa di segreti.En: His gaze, a promise of secrets.It: La sera, la città brillava di luci e di musica.En: In the evening, the city glowed with lights and music.It: Il ballo mascherato si teneva in un antico palazzo affacciato sulla laguna.En: The masked ball was held in an ancient palace overlooking the lagoon.It: Ogni angolo era un quadro vivo, un sogno tra i suoni di violini e risate.En: Every corner was a living painting, a dream among the sounds of violins and laughter.It: Giulia indossava una maschera d'argento e un abito azzurro, così diversa eppure sempre la stessa.En: Giulia wore a silver mask and a blue gown, so different, yet always the same.It: Seguendo le indicazioni della lettera, cercò il "zanni nero".En: Following the letter's directions, she searched for the "black zanni."It: Ogni passo la portava più vicina alla verità.En: Every step brought her closer to the truth.It: Matteo, all'ombra di una colonna, era la chiave del mistero.En: Matteo, in the shadow of a column, was the key to the mystery.It: "Perché sei qui?"En: "Why are you here?"It: chiese Giulia, un po' esitante, ma sicura nel cuore.En: asked Giulia, a bit hesitant, but sure at heart.It: "Per darti un'opportunità," rispose Matteo, offrendo un piccolo diario antico.En: "To give you an opportunity," replied Matteo, offering a small ancient diary.It: "Questa è la storia della tua famiglia.En: "This is the story of your family.It: Una storia che può cambiarti la vita."En: A story that can change your life."It: In quel momento, Giulia capì che la lettera era solo l'inizio.En: In that moment, Giulia understood that the letter was just the beginning.It: Con il cuore colmo di emozioni, aprì il diario.En: With her heart filled with emotions, she opened the diary.It: Vide il suo passato, il suo presente, e il potenziale del suo futuro.En: She saw her past, her present, and the potential of her future.It: Lì, al ballo, sotto il cielo stellato di Venezia, prese la decisione più audace della sua vita.En: There, at the ball, under the starry sky of Venezia, she made the boldest decision of her life.It: Giulia scelse di seguire quella nuova strada, abbandonare il lavoro che la soffocava, e abbracciare l'ignoto.En: Giulia chose to follow that new path, leave the job that suffocated her, and embrace the unknown.It: Aveva scoperto la verità, una verità che le dava ali.En: She had discovered the truth, a truth that gave her wings.It: Non era più la ragazza che sognava una vita oltre il suo lavoro noioso.En: She was no longer the girl dreaming of a life beyond her boring job.It: Era una donna coraggiosa, pronta ad affrontare il mondo.En: She was a courageous woman, ready to face the world.It: Il Carnevale continuava, ma per Giulia, tutto era cambiato.En: The Carnevale continued, but for Giulia, everything had changed.It: Ora, con Matteo e la sua nuova conoscenza, aveva un futuro da costruire.En: Now, with Matteo and her new knowledge, she had a future to build.It: E, mentre Venezia risplendeva di gioia e colori, Giulia sorrideva, finalmente libera.En: And, while Venezia shone with joy and colors, Giulia smiled, finally free. Vocabulary Words:the envelope: la bustathe calli: le callithe squares: le piazzethe office: l'ufficiothe bridge: il pontethe truth: la veritàthe gondolier: il gondolierethe destiny: il destinothe letter: la letterathe opportunity: l'opportunitàthe diary: il diariothe future: il futurothe decision: la decisionethe story: la storiathe column: la colonnathe gaze: lo sguardothe past: il passatothe present: il presentethe potential: il potenzialethe beginning: l'iniziothe mask: la mascherathe sign: il segnothe secret: il segretocautious: prudenteadventurous: avventurosairresistible: irresistibilethe mystery: il misterocurious: curiosato tremble: tremareto illuminate: illuminare

Season 5, Episode 3: In this episode of Season 5, Jack and Alex sit down with Edward Pitoniak, CEO of VICI Properties, the REIT born out of Caesars' bankruptcy that went on to become the dominant owner of experiential real estate in the world. Edward breaks down how VICI reshaped net lease at institutional scale, why gaming real estate proved more resilient than expected, and how skepticism turned into conviction over time. The conversation spans VICI's evolution from Caesars to the Venetian, as well as its expansion into assets like Chelsea Piers and Great Wolf Lodge. A clear look at owning mission-critical real estate despite shifting narratives. Shoutout to our sponsor, Bracket. The AI platform transforming how we underwrite deals. TOPICS 00:00 – VICI's Origin Story 03:10 – Ed's Path to the CEO Seat 11:06 – Caesars Bankruptcy and the VICI Spin 21:09 – Wall Street Skepticism Around Gaming 25:29 – Cap Rates, Net Lease, and Scale 31:00 – The Venetian Deal with Apollo 37:58 – Cycles, Pricing, and Operator Power 43:26 – Experiential Assets Beyond Vegas 48:26 – College Sports and New Sale-Leaseback Models 51:10 – Mission-Critical Real Estate For more episodes of No Cap by CRE Daily visit https://www.credaily.com/podcast/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoCapCREDaily About No Cap Podcast Commercial real estate is a $20 trillion industry and a force that shapes America's economic fabric and culture. No Cap by CRE Daily is the commercial real estate podcast that gives you an unfiltered ”No Cap” look into the industry's biggest trends and the money game behind them. Each week co-hosts Jack Stone and Alex Gornik break down the latest headlines with some of the most influential and entertaining figures in commercial real estate. About CRE Daily  CRE Daily is a digital media company covering the business of commercial real estate. Our mission is to empower professionals with the knowledge they need to make smarter decisions and do more business. We do this through our flagship newsletter (CRE Daily) which is read by 65,000+ investors, developers, brokers, and business leaders across the country. Our smart brevity format combined with need-to-know trends has made us one of the fastest growing media brands in commercial real estate.

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Mystery in Masks: Unraveling Venice's Hidden Secrets Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-01-25-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: Nella nebbia sottile del mattino, una lettera arrivò all'ufficio di Lorenzo.En: In the thin morning fog, a letter arrived at Lorenzo's office.It: L'invito era elegante, decorato con maschere dorate e piume scintillanti.En: The invitation was elegant, decorated with golden masks and shimmering feathers.It: La scritta era piccola, quasi invisibile: "Venezia.En: The writing was small, almost invisible: " Venezia.It: Carnevale.En: Carnevale.It: Segreto nascosto tra maschere e ombre.En: Secret hidden among masks and shadows.It: Risolvilo."En: Solve it."It: Lorenzo, giornalista alle prime armi, alzò il sopracciglio.En: Lorenzo, a rookie journalist, raised an eyebrow.It: La sua curiosità era pungente come il freddo invernale.En: His curiosity was as sharp as the winter chill.It: Aveva bisogno di una grande storia per brillare nel suo giornale.En: He needed a great story to shine in his paper.It: Sfogliò l'invito, cercando un indizio evidente, ma non c'era niente di chiaro.En: He flipped through the invitation, looking for an obvious clue, but there was nothing clear.It: La sera stessa, giunto a Venezia, fu travolto dalla festa del Carnevale.En: That evening, having arrived in Venice, he was swept up by the Carnival festivities.It: L'atmosfera era carica di magia.En: The atmosphere was charged with magic.It: Le calli strette erano gremite di maschere colorate, e il famoso Ponte dei Sospiri risuonava di risate.En: The narrow calli were crowded with colorful masks, and the famous Ponte dei Sospiri echoed with laughter.It: Mentre camminava distrattamente, Lorenzo si scontrò con una donna mascherata.En: As he walked absentmindedly, Lorenzo bumped into a masked woman.It: La maschera nascondeva il viso, ma gli occhi, misteriosi e affascinanti, catturarono i suoi.En: The mask hid her face, but her eyes, mysterious and captivating, caught his.It: Era Giulia, una figura enigmatica, nota in città per il suo amore per enigmi e segreti.En: It was Giulia, an enigmatic figure, known in the city for her love of puzzles and secrets.It: "Devi seguire il percorso nascosto," sussurrò Giulia.En: "You must follow the hidden path," Giulia whispered.It: La sua voce era come un canto, dolce e seducente.En: Her voice was like a song, sweet and seductive.It: Lorenzo era scettico.En: Lorenzo was skeptical.It: "E se fosse uno scherzo?"En: "What if it's a prank?"It: pensò.En: he thought.It: Ma l'idea di perdere una storia importante lo spinse a fidarsi.En: But the idea of missing an important story pushed him to trust.It: Con un cenno d'intesa, seguirono insieme le indicazioni dell'invito.En: With a knowing nod, they followed the directions on the invitation together.It: Attraversarono il labirinto di Venezia.En: They crossed the maze of Venice.It: Ogni angolo, un'allegoria.En: Every corner, an allegory.It: Piazza San Marco brillava sotto la luna invernale.En: Piazza San Marco shone under the winter moon.It: Giulia svelava piccoli segreti, sussurrando ciò che soltanto lei sapeva.En: Giulia unveiled small secrets, whispering things only she knew.It: Infine, giunsero in un luogo nascosto: un palazzo antico, avvolto dal silenzio.En: Finally, they reached a hidden place: an ancient palace, wrapped in silence.It: Lì, il messaggio dell'invito diventò chiaro.En: There, the message of the invitation became clear.It: Un gruppo d'élite stava orchestrando un complotto per appropriarsi di beni storici veneziani.En: An elite group was orchestrating a plot to seize Venetian historical assets.It: La maschera copriva i volti, ma non le intenzioni.En: The mask covered faces, but not intentions.It: Lorenzo, con occhi spalancati, capì la gravità del suo scoop.En: Lorenzo, with eyes wide open, understood the gravity of his scoop.It: Un grande scandalo da riportare.En: A big scandal to report.It: Ma c'era di più.En: But there was more.It: La collaborazione con Giulia gli aveva insegnato il valore della fiducia.En: The collaboration with Giulia had taught him the value of trust.It: Alla fine, seduti tra le ombre, Lorenzo propose a Giulia di raccontare insieme la storia.En: In the end, sitting among the shadows, Lorenzo proposed to Giulia to tell the story together.It: "Ogni storia ha più voci," disse sorridendo.En: "Every story has more voices," he said with a smile.It: Lei acconsentì con un cenno, e il suono delle campane del Carnevale riempì l'aria, accarezzando la nuova alleanza nata tra maschere e verità.En: She agreed with a nod, and the sound of Carnival bells filled the air, embracing the new alliance born between masks and truth.It: Lorenzo, arricchito da questa esperienza, ripartì da Venezia con una storia incredibile e una lezione preziosa.En: Lorenzo, enriched by this experience, left Venice with an incredible story and a valuable lesson.It: La fiducia, come il Carnevale, può nascondere misteri che solo insieme si possono risolvere.En: Trust, like the Carnival, can hide mysteries that only together can be unraveled. Vocabulary Words:the fog: la nebbiathe invitation: l'invitogolden: dorateshimmering: scintillantialmost invisible: quasi invisibilethe journalist: il giornalistathe eyebrow: il sopraccigliocuriosity: la curiositàthe chill: il freddothe clue: l'indiziothe festivities: la festathe atmosphere: l'atmosferanarrow: strettecrowded: gremitethe laughter: le risateabsentmindedly: distrattamenteto bump into: scontrarsi conthe mask: la mascheramysterious: misteriosicaptivating: affascinantienigmatic: enigmaticapuzzles: enigmithe path: il percorsoseductive: seducentesceptical: scetticoto trust: fidarsithe maze: il labirintothe allegory: l'allegoriato whisper: sussurrarethe plot: il complotto

For the second time this month, there's been a fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in the US city of Minneapolis. Local police said a thirty-seven year old man, who's believed to be an American citizen, had been killed.Also in the programme: surviving the cold and war in Kharkiv; and why a beautiful Venetian palazzo is failing to sell.(Picture: A person holds a placard as federal agents use tear gas to disperse people gathered near the scene where federal agents fatally shot a man while trying to detain him, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 24, 2026. Credit: Reuters)

Save 10% on a Las Vegas Advisor 2026 membership and book with code MTM.  https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/shop/products/lva-membership-platinum/ Episode Description This week UNLV released research into slot holds in Nevada and the data isn't promising. Not only has the trend gone in the wrong direction, but casinos are routinely holding more money than ever before. We break down what the data looks like, why casinos are holding more and what you can do about it. Plus which areas of Nevada have the best return to player and which are the worst to gamble in? In other news Derek Stevens wants to attract Canadians by offering a 1:1 par exchange rate. Will this help to draw Canadians back to Vegas? We also discuss: Venetian's stunning hidden concourse, Brightline's construction, A's ballpark progress, more bad elevators, boozie brunch at a playground and the themed restaurant we need in Las Vegas. Episode Guide 0:00 Taking a bumper into a casino? 0:28 Angry Vegas elevator pic of the day 1:17 On Par - Canadians get 1:1 exchange rate 2:59 Aloha Specialties trouble in Downtown 4:00 A themed restaurant we need in Vegas? 5:19 Venetian's crazy 10th floor concourse 7:06 Ethel M Lights of Love 8:00 Boozie brunch arrives at Play Playground 9:34 Brightline construction update - Stadium construction? 10:58 Eastside Cannery deconstruction progress 11:47 A's stadium progress - Taking shape? 13:23 Slots are getting tighter 15:20 Which places have the highest slot hold in Nevada? 16:24 State rules for return to player and can you tell the difference? Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!

Fluent Fiction - Italian: A Venetian Journey: Memories, Love, & New Beginnings Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-01-23-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: Luca e Martina camminavano fianco a fianco attraverso Piazza San Marco.En: Luca and Martina walked side by side through Piazza San Marco.It: L'aria invernale era fresca, e piccole gocce di pioggia cadevano dolcemente attorno a loro.En: The winter air was crisp, and small raindrops gently fell around them.It: Le maschere colorate si affacciavano dalle vetrine dei negozi, promesse silenziose del prossimo Carnevale.En: Colorful masks peeked from store windows, silent promises of the upcoming Carnevale.It: "Luca, guarda!En: "Luca, look!It: È qui che papà ci portava a prendere il gelato," disse Martina con un sorriso nostalgico.En: This is where dad used to take us to get ice cream," said Martina with a nostalgic smile.It: I suoi occhi brillavano mentre indicava un piccolo caffè accanto alla piazza.En: Her eyes shone as she pointed to a small café next to the square.It: "Ricordo," rispose Luca, il tono calmo, quasi distaccato.En: "I remember," replied Luca, his tone calm, almost detached.It: "Papà adorava quel gelato al pistacchio."En: "Dad loved that pistachio ice cream."It: Giulia, la loro madre, camminava un passo dietro di loro, osservando i figli con occhi pieni di amore e comprensione.En: Giulia, their mother, walked a step behind them, watching her children with eyes full of love and understanding.It: Per un momento, il dolore della perdita sembrava dissiparsi con il dolce ricordo delle giornate passate.En: For a moment, the pain of loss seemed to dissipate with the sweet memory of past days.It: Luca era concentrato sul compito pratico che li aveva portati a Venezia: occuparsi del testamento del padre.En: Luca was focused on the practical task that had brought them to Venice: handling their father's will.It: Tendendo il foglio tra le mani, sentiva il peso della responsabilità.En: Holding the paper in his hands, he felt the weight of responsibility.It: Tuttavia, vedendo Martina così immersa nei ricordi, decise di mettere da parte i documenti.En: However, seeing Martina so immersed in memories, he decided to set the documents aside.It: "Martina, facciamo come facevamo una volta: esploriamo la città," propose, cercando di allentare la tensione tra loro.En: "Martina, let's do as we used to: explore the city," he proposed, trying to ease the tension between them.It: Martina annuì, riconoscente per il gesto del fratello.En: Martina nodded, grateful for her brother's gesture.It: "Mi piacerebbe."En: "I would like that."It: Dopo aver vagato per le strette calli, la famiglia trovò un gondoliere disponibile.En: After wandering through the narrow calli, the family found an available gondolier.It: Saliti sulla gondola, la maestosa serenità della Laguna di Venezia li avvolse.En: Once on the gondola, the majestic serenity of the Lagoon of Venice enveloped them.It: L'acqua tranquilla rifletteva il cielo grigio, mentre il gondoliere navigava silenziosamente tra i canali.En: The calm water reflected the gray sky as the gondolier silently navigated through the canals.It: "Davvero mi manca," Martina confessò all'improvviso, la voce tremante.En: "I really miss him," Martina suddenly confessed, her voice trembling.It: Luca, per una volta, depose la facciata riservata.En: Luca, for once, dropped his reserved facade.It: "Anche a me, sorella," ammise, permettendosi di mostrare il dolore che aveva trattenuto.En: "Me too, sister," he admitted, allowing himself to show the sorrow he had been holding back.It: Giulia ascoltava in silenzio, lasciando che i suoi figli condividessero il peso che avevano portato in modi così diversi.En: Giulia listened in silence, letting her children share the burden they carried in such different ways.It: "Vostro padre sarebbe così fiero di voi," disse infine, cercando di offrire conforto.En: "Your father would be so proud of you," she finally said, trying to offer comfort.It: Dopo la gondola, si ritrovarono seduti in un piccolo caffè tranquillo.En: After the gondola ride, they found themselves seated in a small, quiet café.It: L'atmosfera era accogliente, e il profumo del caffè riempiva l'aria.En: The atmosphere was cozy, and the aroma of coffee filled the air.It: Giulia aprì una piccola scatola di legno che aveva portato con sé.En: Giulia opened a small wooden box she had brought with her.It: Dentro, c'erano due piccoli ciondoli.En: Inside were two small pendants.It: "Questi sono per voi," disse dolcemente.En: "These are for you," she said softly.It: "Suo modo di dirvi che vi sarà sempre vicino."En: "His way of telling you he will always be close."It: Luca prese il suo e lo strinse forte, sentendo per la prima volta un sollievo.En: Luca took his and held it tightly, feeling relief for the first time.It: Martina, guardando il ciondolo, lasciò scendere una lacrima, ma con un sorriso dolce.En: Martina, looking at the pendant, let a tear fall, but with a sweet smile.It: "Sai," disse Luca a Martina, "forse il migliore ricordo è proprio qui, ora."En: "You know," Luca said to Martina, "perhaps the best memory is right here, right now."It: Martina annuì, trovando un nuovo senso di pace.En: Martina nodded, finding a new sense of peace.It: I tre, seduti insieme, sentirono che il legame familiare era più forte che mai, mentre il tempo scorreva dolcemente in una Venezia che continuava la sua vita, testimone di momenti infiniti di amore e memoria.En: The three of them, sitting together, felt that their family bond was stronger than ever, as time gently flowed in a Venice that continued its life, witness to endless moments of love and memory. Vocabulary Words:the square: la piazzacrisp: frescaraindrops: gocce di pioggiaupcoming: prossimonostalgic: nostalgicoshone: brillavanocalm: calmodetached: distaccatopain: il doloreloss: la perditatask: il compitowill: il testamentoresponsibility: la responsabilitàtension: la tensionenarrow: strettethe gondolier: il gondoliereenveloped: avvolsesorrow: il doloreburden: il pesocomfort: il confortoride: la corsaatmosphere: l'atmosferaaroma: il profumobox: la scatolapendants: i ciondolirelief: il sollievotear: la lacrimabond: il legamewitness: il testimonemoments: i momenti

Hello everybody! Happy 2026! The Monsters Behind the Masks are here to start this new year in style! First of all, it's Carnevale time (yes, we mean the actual one!): wear your favourite mask and go party! Then, we start this year hosting a very special guest... listen the episode and find out who he is! Last but not least, there's still time left to join our painting challenge! Paint a model from the new starter set World's Faire Afterparty or any model from Carnevale's MyMiniFactory tribe and send at least 3 pictures to monstersbtm@gmail.comThe deadline is set to Sunday 26th January 2026. Hurry up! You can win a model (of you choice!) from the new set "Kings of the Adriatic Sea". Enjoy the Show! Arrivederci a Venezia!

In this podcast, Jonathan and Gary sit down with Rob Goldstein, a legend in the gaming industry. Goldstein shares his remarkable journey of over 30 years, primarily with the Sands Group, starting from an unexpected childhood experience that led him to a career in gaming and hospitality. He discusses his East Coast beginnings, his father's gambling habits, and his transition from law school to the forefront of the gaming industry. The conversation highlights Goldstein's instrumental role in the development of Las Vegas, including significant milestones like collaborating with Sheldon Adelson on the creation of the Venetian and Palazzo, the value of themes in hotels, outsourcing food and beverage operations, and non-gaming revenue. Goldstein also speaks about his future plans as he looks forward to new ventures after announcing his departure from Sands.

Katie Date from Manifest joins the ThinkFreight Podcast to break down what to expect at Manifest 2026 in Las Vegas. We cover what's new this year at the Venetian, including expanded expo space, more activations, and a dedicated Cold Chain Pavilion with curated sessions and featured companies. Katie also shares how Manifest is shaping its agenda around what's happening in the industry right now, where AI is showing up in meaningful ways, and how attendees can get the most value by using the app early, building a plan, and prioritizing high-quality conversations over trying to do everything.Grab your tickets now! 

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Poker Tournament: A Venetian Tale of Honor and Unity Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-01-16-23-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: Nella tranquilla Venezia in inverno, le strade erano avvolte da un sottile manto di umidità, che rifletteva delicatamente le luci della città.En: In the quiet Venezia in winter, the streets were shrouded in a thin layer of moisture, reflecting the city's lights gently.It: All'interno di un elegante palazzo, Lorenzo si preparava per il più importante gioco di poker della sua vita.En: Inside an elegant palace, Lorenzo was preparing for the most important poker game of his life.It: Il suo obiettivo era chiaro: vincere il torneo e recuperare l'onore della sua famiglia.En: His goal was clear: to win the tournament and restore his family's honor.It: Ma mancava ancora una cosa essenziale: un set da poker vintage che avrebbe portato fortuna.En: But one essential thing was still missing: a vintage poker set that would bring luck.It: Il fratello di Lorenzo, Gianna, osservava preoccupata.En: Lorenzo's sister, Gianna, watched with concern.It: "Sei sicuro di voler fare questo, Lorenzo?"En: "Are you sure you want to do this, Lorenzo?"It: chiese con dolcezza.En: she asked gently.It: Lei temeva che il desiderio ardente di Lorenzo stesse diventando un'ossessione pericolosa.En: She feared that Lorenzo's burning desire was becoming a dangerous obsession.It: "Devo farlo, Gianna.En: "I have to do it, Gianna.It: È l'unica maniera per riscattare il nome di papà," rispose Lorenzo con fermezza.En: It's the only way to redeem dad's name," Lorenzo replied firmly.It: Lorenzo ricordava le storie del padre.En: Lorenzo remembered his father's stories.It: Ogni storia finiva con un misterioso tesoro lasciato dai suoi amici di poker.En: Every story ended with a mysterious treasure left by his poker friends.It: Ma per partecipare al torneo, aveva bisogno di vendere la sua Vespa.En: But to participate in the tournament, he needed to sell his Vespa.It: Un prezzo alto da pagare, ma necessario.En: A high price to pay, but necessary.It: Mentre Lorenzo si avventurava nei vicoli labirintici di Venezia, alla ricerca del set di cui aveva bisogno, incontrò Matteo.En: As Lorenzo ventured through the labyrinthine alleys of Venezia, in search of the set he needed, he met Matteo.It: Era un rivale enigmatico, con un sorriso che nascondeva mille segreti.En: He was an enigmatic rival, with a smile that hid a thousand secrets.It: "Cerchi questo?"En: "Looking for this?"It: chiese Matteo, mostrando un magnifico set da poker.En: asked Matteo, showing a magnificent poker set.It: Lorenzo sapeva che era raro.En: Lorenzo knew it was rare.It: "Sì, ma non ho abbastanza soldi," confessò Lorenzo.En: "Yes, but I don't have enough money," confessed Lorenzo.It: Matteo sorrise con malizia.En: Matteo smiled mischievously.It: "Forse possiamo fare un accordo," propose Matteo, nascondendo le sue vere intenzioni.En: "Perhaps we can make a deal," proposed Matteo, hiding his true intentions.It: Lorenzo accettò l'aiuto, anche se Gianna restava dubbiosa.En: Lorenzo accepted the help, even though Gianna remained doubtful.It: La notte del torneo, la sala era silenziosa.En: The night of the tournament, the room was silent.It: La tensione era palpabile.En: The tension was palpable.It: Fiamme di candele danzavano sulle tavole lucenti.En: Candle flames danced on the shiny tables.It: Lorenzo riuscì a raggiungere il round finale contro Matteo.En: Lorenzo managed to reach the final round against Matteo.It: Un confronto deciso dal coraggio e dalla strategia.En: A confrontation decided by courage and strategy.It: Lorenzo rischiò tutto.En: Lorenzo risked everything.It: Calcolò attentamente il suo momento per bluffare.En: He carefully calculated his moment to bluff.It: Matteo osservò Lorenzo, poi finalmente posò le carte.En: Matteo watched Lorenzo, then finally laid down his cards.It: Lorenzo aveva vinto.En: Lorenzo had won.It: Il tavolo scoppiò di applausi, ma Matteo, con un sorriso misterioso, sussurrò: "Era il nostro patto, Lorenzo.En: The table erupted in applause, but Matteo, with a mysterious smile, whispered, "That was our deal, Lorenzo.It: Ben fatto."En: Well done."It: Con la vittoria, Lorenzo ricevette il diario di suo padre, non oro, ma preziose parole su amicizia e lealtà.En: With the victory, Lorenzo received his father's diary, not gold, but precious words on friendship and loyalty.It: Compreso che il vero tesoro era la memoria e l'amore della famiglia.En: He understood that the real treasure was the memory and love of family.It: Lorenzo aveva imparato una lezione.En: Lorenzo had learned a lesson.It: La vera ricchezza non stava nei soldi, ma nei legami che ci fanno sentire veramente ricchi.En: True wealth was not in money but in the bonds that make us feel truly rich.It: Gianna abbracciò suo fratello, serena sapendo che Lorenzo aveva trovato qualcosa di più importante dell'onore familiare: il valore dell'unione.En: Gianna hugged her brother, serene knowing that Lorenzo had found something more important than family honor: the value of unity.It: E così, in una Venezia illuminata dalla luna, Lorenzo camminava lungo i canali, portando con sé un ricordo più prezioso di qualsiasi campionato vinto.En: And so, in a moonlit Venezia, Lorenzo walked along the canals, carrying with him a memory more precious than any championship won. Vocabulary Words:silent: silenziosamoisture: l'umiditàelegant: elegantetournament: il torneohonor: l'onoreobsession: l'ossessioneredeem: riscattarelabyrinthine: labirinticienigmatic: enigmaticorival: il rivalemischievously: con maliziadeal: l'accordotension: la tensionecandle flames: fiamme di candeleshiny tables: tavole lucentifinal round: il round finaleconfrontation: il confrontostrategy: la strategiabluff: bluffareapplause: gli applausidiary: il diariofriendship: l'amicizialoyalty: la lealtàmemory: la memoriawealth: la ricchezzabonds: i legamiunity: l'unionemoonlit: illuminata dalla lunacanals: i canalitreasure: il tesoro

Maor Greenberg is the co-founder and CEO of Spacial, the AI-powered engineering partner delivering coordinated, permit-ready structural, MEP, and energy plans for residential construction. With over 19 years of experience as a builder and founder, Maor previously scaled Greenberg Construction, Greenberg Design Gallery, and VRchitects, earning Inc. 5000 honors and multiple design awards. At Spacial, he combines deep field experience with cutting-edge AI to reduce permitting friction and accelerate housing delivery. His work has been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, and CTech, and he actively invests in forward-thinking AEC and AI startups.(01:33) - Maor's Journey to the US (02:54) - Challenges in Architectural & Engineering Processes(04:05) - The Pain Points Leading to Spatial AI (05:31) - Permitting Bottlenecks in Construction (06:05) - Design & Construction Integration Issues (08:24) - AI's Role in Streamlining Processes (09:29) - Success Stories & Milestones(15:07) - Shoutout: AmTrustRE's $217M Office Acquisition of 260 Madison(15:54) - Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2026 (17:02) - Standardized Pricing & Adoption (18:55) - Speed vs. Quality in Engineering (24:53) - Modular Housing (28:25) - Future Vision for Spatial AI (29:09) - Collaboration Superpower: Elon Musk

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Finding Friendship: Luca's First Day in Venetian Wonderland Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-01-14-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: Sotto il cielo grigio di un inverno veneziano, Luca camminava lentamente lungo il canale.En: Under the gray sky of a Venetian winter, Luca walked slowly along the canal.It: L'aria era fredda, e il suono dell'acqua che lambiva le fondamenta delle case lo accompagnava mentre si dirigeva verso la sua nuova scuola.En: The air was cold, and the sound of the water lapping against the foundations of the houses accompanied him as he made his way to his new school.It: Era il primo giorno, e il suo cuore batteva forte nel petto.En: It was the first day, and his heart was pounding in his chest.It: Le strade strette e i ponti antichi della sua nuova città lo affascinavano, ma l'ansia di non conoscere nessuno lo faceva sentire un po' spaventato.En: The narrow streets and ancient bridges of his new city fascinated him, but the anxiety of not knowing anyone made him feel a bit scared.It: Raggiunse finalmente la scuola, un edificio accogliente e colorato che si affacciava su un piccolo campo dove la neve appena caduta brillava sotto la pallida luce del mattino.En: He finally reached the school, a welcoming and colorful building overlooking a small field where the freshly fallen snow sparkled under the pale morning light.It: All'entrata, fu accolto da Giulia, la sua vicina di casa.En: At the entrance, he was greeted by Giulia, his neighbor.It: Lei era un raggio di sole, sempre pronta con un sorriso.En: She was a ray of sunshine, always ready with a smile.It: "Ciao Luca!En: "Hi Luca!It: Sei pronto per il tuo primo giorno?"En: Are you ready for your first day?"It: lo salutò con entusiasmo.En: she greeted him enthusiastically.It: Luca fece un respiro profondo e annuì.En: Luca took a deep breath and nodded.It: "Sì, credo di sì," rispose, cercando di nascondere il suo nervosismo.En: "Yes, I think so," he replied, trying to hide his nervousness.It: Le lezioni iniziarono e Luca si sedette vicino a Marco, un ragazzo vivace e sempre al centro dell'attenzione.En: Classes began and Luca sat next to Marco, an energetic boy always at the center of attention.It: A prima vista sembrava sicuro di sé, ma Luca notò una nota di insicurezza nei suoi occhi.En: At first glance, he seemed confident, but Luca noticed a hint of insecurity in his eyes.It: Durante la pausa, Luca esitava.En: During the break, Luca hesitated.It: Si chiedeva se dovesse rimanere da solo o cercare di unirsi agli altri.En: He wondered if he should stay alone or try to join the others.It: Giulia e Marco giocavano a un gioco con altri bambini nel cortile.En: Giulia and Marco were playing a game with other children in the courtyard.It: Giulia alzò lo sguardo e fece segno a Luca di unirsi a loro.En: Giulia looked up and gestured for Luca to join them.It: Il cuore di Luca batteva forte.En: Luca's heart was pounding.It: Era un momento decisivo.En: It was a decisive moment.It: Decise di essere coraggioso, di uscire dalla sua zona di comfort.En: He decided to be brave and step out of his comfort zone.It: Avanzò verso il gruppo, le mani che tremavano appena.En: He moved towards the group, his hands barely trembling.It: "Ciao a tutti," disse con voce incerta ma determinata.En: "Hi everyone," he said with an uncertain but determined voice.It: "Posso unirmi a voi?"En: "Can I join you?"It: Giulia sorrise e Marco gli diede una pacca sulla spalla.En: Giulia smiled and Marco gave him a pat on the shoulder.It: "Certo, Luca!En: "Of course, Luca!It: Più siamo, meglio è!"En: The more, the merrier!"It: disse Marco con un ampio sorriso.En: said Marco with a broad smile.It: Giocarono insieme, ridendo e scherzando mentre la neve scricchiolava sotto i loro piedi.En: They played together, laughing and joking as the snow crunched under their feet.It: Piano piano, l'ansia di Luca svanì.En: Gradually, Luca's anxiety faded.It: Si sentì accolto, parte del gruppo.En: He felt welcomed, part of the group.It: Alla fine della giornata, Luca camminava verso casa al fianco di Giulia e Marco.En: At the end of the day, Luca walked home alongside Giulia and Marco.It: Sentiva il calore della loro amicizia crescere dentro di sé.En: He felt the warmth of their friendship growing inside him.It: Quel primo giorno di scuola si era trasformato in qualcosa di speciale.En: That first day of school had turned into something special.It: Aveva superato la paura e, con essa, aveva vinto una piccola battaglia personale.En: He had overcome his fear and, with it, had won a small personal victory.It: Si sentiva già più sicuro e felice.En: He already felt more confident and happy.It: Quando raggiunse il portone di casa, sapeva di avere trovato nuovi amici.En: When he reached the front door of his house, he knew he had found new friends.It: "Ci vediamo domani!"En: "See you tomorrow!"It: gridò loro, salutandoli con la mano.En: he shouted to them, waving goodbye.It: Giulia e Marco risposero con un allegro "A domani!"En: Giulia and Marco replied with a cheerful "See you tomorrow!"It: mentre scomparivano nella nebbia del canale.En: as they disappeared into the fog of the canal.It: La città di Venezia aveva accolto Luca, e quella sera, guardando fuori dalla finestra la magia delle luci riflettersi sull'acqua, sorrise.En: The city of Venice had welcomed Luca, and that evening, looking out the window at the magic of the lights reflecting on the water, he smiled.It: Aveva trovato il suo posto in quel nuovo mondo.En: He had found his place in that new world. Vocabulary Words:the canal: il canalethe air: l'ariathe foundation: la fondazioneto accompany: accompagnarethe anxiety: l'ansianarrow: strettothe bridge: il ponteto fascinate: affascinareto sparkle: brillareto greet: accogliereenthusiastic: entusiastato nod: annuirethe glance: lo sguardoto hesitate: esitarethe courtyard: il cortileto gesture: fare segnodecisive: decisivoto tremble: tremaredetermined: determinatobroad: ampiogradually: piano pianoto fade: svanirethe warmth: il caloreto overcome: superarethe victory: la vittoriato feel: sentirethe fog: la nebbiato reflect: riflettereto disappear: scomparirethe magic: la magia

If you've ever wondered how a massive industry event like Manifest manages to feel timely, relevant, and most importantly useful, this is the episode for you. I'm sitting down with Tanzil Uddin, SVP of Content and Partnerships, to peel back the curtain on how they build a world-class agenda without falling into the vendor karaoke trap.Tanzil explains the listening tour strategy that begins almost a year in advance, where the team interviews dozens of shippers and industry leaders to identify the real world friction points in the supply chain. We discuss how they balance long term trends like AI and automation with sudden, disruptive headlines like new tariffs or geopolitical shifts. Tanzil also shares his advice for anyone looking to get on stage, emphasizing that Manifest isn't looking for product pitches. They're looking for high level use cases and collaborative solutions.Whether you're a first time attendee looking to navigate the Venetian or a seasoned logistics pro curious about how the industry's biggest conversations are curated, Tanzil breaks it all down with a focus on practical value over hype.What we cover:The Research Phase: How Tanzil's team uses a listening tour to gather intel directly from shippers and manufacturers.Agility in Content: Why the Manifest agenda is never truly final until the weeks leading up to the show to ensure it reflects current market conditions.The No Sales Rule: Tanzil explains the strict vetting process that keeps product demos off the stage and puts problem-solving front and center.Speaker Criteria: What the content team looks for in a moderator and why diversity of thought is non negotiable for their panels.Mastering the Manifest App: How to use the 30 day window before the show to build a strategic battle plan and avoid the dreaded hallway FOMO.Watch this interview on YouTubeLinks: Connect with Tanzil at Manifest/Hive Group on LinkedinPurchase your Manifest 2026 ticket (save some money by using our link!)Feedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! SPI Logistics has been a Day 1 supporter of this podcast which is why we're proud to promote them in every episode. During that time, we've gotten to know the team and their agents to confidently say they are the best home for freight agents in North America for 40 years and counting. Listen to past episodes to hear why. CargoRex is the search engine for the logistics industry—connecting LSPs with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.

SHOW1-8-2026THE SHOW BEGINS IN DOUBTS ABOUT THE SARCASTIC INVENTION, THE DON-ROE DICTRINE..SPHERES OF INFLUENCE AND THE RETURN OF THE MONROE DOCTRINE Colleague Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Anatol Lieven argues that "spheres of influence" have returned, with the US reasserting the Monroe Doctrine in the Western Hemisphere and threatening to seize Greenland. Unlike traditional alliances, this approach risks alienating fellow democracies. Lieven contrasts this with Russia's territorial ambitions in the former Soviet Union and China's historic regional goals. NUMBER 1COLD WAR TACTICS: THE SEIZURE OF A RUSSIAN TANKER Colleague Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Lieven discusses the US Navy's detention of a Russian-flagged ship in the North Atlantic, viewing it as a dangerous escalation akin to piracy. This move humiliates Moscow and aims to control oil supplies. Lieven warns that if European nations mimic these seizures, Russia may retaliate violently, risking a direct war. NUMBER 2THE SUPREME COURT AND THE MYTH OF THE UNITARY EXECUTIVE Colleague Richard Epstein, Civitas Institute. Richard Epstein challenges the view that the Roberts Court blindly supports a "unitary executive." He argues the Court is correctly questioning the constitutionality of independent administrative agencies, like the FTC, which insulate officials from presidential removal. Epstein contends that relying on case counts ignores the specific legal merits regarding separation of powers. NUMBER 3TRUMP V. ILLINOIS: LIMITING PRESIDENTIAL POWER OVER THE NATIONAL GUARD Colleague Richard Epstein, Civitas Institute. Discussing a recent unsigned Supreme Court order, Epstein notes the Court upheld a decision preventing the President from deploying the National Guard without a governor's consent. This ruling contradicts claims of judicial bias toward the executive, affirming that the President cannot simply declare an emergency to override state sovereignty. NUMBER 4ONE YEAR LATER: ANGER AND STAGNATION AFTER THE PALISADES FIRE Colleague Jeff Bliss, Pacific Watch. A year after the Palisades fires, Jeff Bliss reports that residents remain angry over government inaction. Rebuilding is stalled by the Coastal Commission's strict regulations, and fuel loads in canyons remain high due to environmental restrictions on brush clearing. The fires, driven by Santa Ana winds, highlight systemic bureaucratic failures in Los Angeles. NUMBER 5#SCALAREPORT: AI AND ROBOTICS DOMINATE CES Colleague Chris Riegel, CEO of Scala.com. Reporting from CES, Chris Riegel highlights the dominance of AI and robotics, from household droids to military applications. While the tech sector booms with massive infrastructure spending, Riegel warns of a "K-shaped" economy where Main Street struggles with softening demand, masking the wealth concentrated in artificial intelligence and data centers. NUMBER 6LANCASTER COUNTY: AMISH SPENDING AND DATA CENTER GROWTH Colleague Jim McTague, Author and Former Barron's Editor. Jim McTague reports that the Lancaster County economy remains robust, evidenced by heavy Amish spending at Costco and thriving local businesses like Kegel's Produce. Despite some local protests, data centers are being built on old industrial sites. McTague sees no need for Fed rate cuts given the stable local economy. NUMBER 7THE NUCLEAR ESCROW: MANAGING PROLIFERATION AMONG ALLIES Colleague Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. Henry Sokolski warns that allies like Poland, Turkey, and South Africaare considering nuclear weapons due to eroding trust in US guarantees. He proposes a "nuclear escrow" account: storing refurbished warheads in the US for allies to deploy only during crises, providing leverage without permanently stationing targets on foreign soil. NUMBER 8THE SIEGE OF 717 AND THE VOLCANO OF THERA Colleague Professor Ed Watts, Author of The Romans. In 717 AD, Arab forces besieged Constantinople but failed due to the city's massive walls and "Greek fire." Professor Watts explains that a subsequent volcanic eruption in Thera was interpreted as divine punishment for the empire's sins, leading to a spiritual crisis and the rise of iconoclasm to appease God. NUMBER 9THE STUPIDITY OF SUCCESSORS: MANUEL AND ANDRONICUS Colleague Professor Ed Watts, Author of The Romans. Manuel Komnenos favored grand gestures over systemic stability, weakening the Roman state. His successor, Andronicus, was a nihilistic sadist whose tyranny and family infighting destabilized the empire. Watts details how the refusal to punish rebellious family members created a culture of impunity that eventually led to a violent overthrow. NUMBER 10THE CRUSADES: FROM COOPERATION TO CONFLICT Colleague Professor Ed Watts, Author of The Romans. Relations between East and West collapsed during the Crusades. While the First Crusade cooperated with Rome, the Second and Third turned hostile, with Crusaders seizing territory rather than returning it. Watts notes that the theological schism of 1054 and cultural distrust entrenched this division, setting the stage for future betrayal. NUMBER 111204: THE SACK OF CONSTANTINOPLE AND THE END OF CONTINUITY Colleague Professor Ed Watts, Author of The Romans. The Fourth Crusade, diverted by Venetian debt, sacked Constantinople in 1204, burning the city to quell resistance. Watts argues this marked the true end of the ancient Roman state. The meritocratic system collapsed, and elites like Nicetas Choniates lost everything, severing the 2,000-year political continuity of the empire. NUMBER 12VENEZUELA: THE REGIME SURVIVES MADURO'S EXIT Colleague Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Wall Street Journal. Despite Maduro's removal, the Venezuelan regime remains intact under hardliners Delcy Rodriguez and Diosdado Cabello. Mary Anastasia O'Grady notes that repression continues, and European oil companies are hesitant to invest. The regime feigns cooperation to avoid US intervention, but genuine recovery is impossible without restoring the rule of law. NUMBER 13RUSSIA'S OIL CRISIS AND REGIONAL DEFICITS Colleague Michael Bernstam, Hoover Institution. Russiafaces a financial crisis as oil prices drop below $60 per barrel. Michael Bernstam explains that increased global supply forces Russia to sell at deep discounts to China and India, often below cost. This revenue loss prevents the Kremlinfrom paying soldiers, sparking severe regional budget deficits. NUMBER 14EUROPEAN FREEZE AND THE MYTH OF BOOTS ON THE GROUND Colleague Simon Constable, Journalist and Author. A deep freeze hits Southern Europe while commodity prices like copper rise. Simon Constable reports on the UK's bleak economic mood and dismisses the feasibility of British or French "boots on the ground" in Ukraine. He notes that depleted military manpower makes such guarantees declarative rather than substantial. NUMBER 15ARTEMIS 2 RISKS AND THE SEARCH FOR LIFE IN SPACE Colleague Bob Zimmerman, BehindtheBlack.com. Bob Zimmerman urges NASA to fly Artemis 2 unmanned due to unresolved Orion heat shield damage, arguing safety should trump beating China. He also dismisses concerns about lunar methane contamination and highlights a new study suggesting ice caps could allow liquid water lakes to exist on Mars. NUMBER 16

Our very first merch line is here! Get it now at http://mtmvegas.shop Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Save 10% on a Las Vegas Advisor 2026 membership and book with code MTM. https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/shop/products/lva-membership-platinum/ Episode Description This week Mark stayed at Venetian as part of a New Year's Eve comp. On this show we review the newly renovated Venetian King Room, discuss how the new decor works and doesn't work plus discuss the one huge downside of his stay. Does Venetian have the best standard rooms in Vegas and why is the resort so good? In other news as 2026 rolls on remember not to forget your losses from last year. We have some good advice for you. We also discuss: Joe's at Forum Shoppes, our favorite bars revisisted, deconstruction of Eastside Cannery, Vegas 2025 weather, Flamingo's new carpet, the death of mid-tier hospitality & a crazy sports bet gone wrong. Episode Guide 0:00 Budweiser Clydesdale in a casino? 0:35 2025 Vegas weather recap 1:55 Las Vegas Athletics trademark denied! 3:16 Eastside Cannery deconstruction process 4:27 Main Street Station's rooms are decent 5:49 Crazy sports bet gone wrong 6:57 Mid-tier hospitality is dying? 9:32 Flamingo new carpet - Sexy ending! 10:54 Gambler advice - Look at your win/loss statements 12:20 Joe's at Forum Shoppes and F1 Arcade surprise 13:32 Silver Stamp & Red Dwarf are still so good 15:28 Pedestrian bridge screens are an improvement? 16:33 Mark's Venetian room review & check-in experience 17:58 The Venetian room refresh is solid 19:11 Does Venetian have the best standard room in Vegas? 20:12 Hair in the tub & cleanliness of Vegas hotel bathrooms Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!

1204: THE SACK OF CONSTANTINOPLE AND THE END OF CONTINUITY Colleague Professor Ed Watts, Author of The Romans. The Fourth Crusade, diverted by Venetian debt, sacked Constantinople in 1204, burning the city to quell resistance. Watts argues this marked the true end of the ancient Roman state. The meritocratic system collapsed, and elites like Nicetas Choniates lost everything, severing the 2,000-year political continuity of the empire. NUMBER 121661

In the 933rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow kick off Season 17 with some poker predictions for 2026. Will the Big Beautiful Bill's gambling tax situation be resolved or lead to big ramifications in the industry? Will Phil Hellmuth win his 18th gold bracelet? Would the World Series of Poker (WSOP) ever raise the buy-in for the Main Event? The triumvirate also covers recent stories, including poker players Galen Hall and Jason Somerville winning big in the Circa Survivor content, arbitration ending between Maurice Hawkins and Denise Pratt, and Lex Veldhuis returning to the streaming streets, albeit not as a PokerStars Ambassador. Similarly, Caitlin Comeskey's ambassadorship with PokerStars US came to an end, and got the crew asking, "Is there still value in poker ambassadors?" You'll also see a short interview of Poker Hall of Famer Erik Seidel chatting with Rep. Dina Titus about the aforementioned tax bill, hear about Jeremy Becker and Matthew Wantman winning titles at the Venetian, and another book giveaway for a copy of Jonathan Little's The Complete Poker Workout. A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time    Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 01:40 | Poker players win big in Circa's Survivor contest 08:20 | Maurice Hawkins arbitration ends 21:56 | Lex Veldhuis is back! 26:07 | What are the value of "Poker Ambassadors" nowadays? 30:00 | Poker predictions for 2026 30:42 | Video: Erik Seidel chats w/ Rep. Dina Titus 38:29 | Trivia – Venezuela's all-time money list 40:03 | Is late reg and unlimited reentries a problem? 47:45 | Could WSOP Main Event be $15,000? 49:50 | Hellmuth will win bracelet No. 16 in 2026 50:30 | Recent Tournament Winners presented by 888poker 51:18 | Jeremy Becker claims title at Venetian 51:35 | Matthew Wantman kicks off New Year with win 51:46 | Preston Dean wins RoughRider Poker Tour title 52:10 | Jonathan Little book giveaway 54:13 | Disc golf with TJ Reid

Who was the real Marco Polo, and did his journey along the Silk Road actually happen? Today, we follow the life of the Venetian traveler Marco Polo from his early days through his epic adventure to the court of Kublai Khan. We'll talk about how his father first met the Great Khan, his long journey to China, what it was like working in the advanced Mongolian court, the origins of The Travels of Marco Polo, and even the surprising origins of the Marco Polo pool game...Welcome to History Camp!

Tzvika Graiver is the co-founder and CEO of RoboChute, the company reinventing how buildings manage trash chutes using smart, autonomous robots. With a background in law and a deep commitment to environmental innovation, Tzvika brings a unique blend of strategic insight and operational grit to the built world. RoboChute's system proactively cleans, monitors, and extends the life of garbage chutes—already delivering healthier air and lower costs in buildings across Israel. Tzvika is also the longtime Chairman of KeepOlim, a nonprofit supporting new immigrants in Israel through business development and community advocacy. Whether launching robotics or empowering new communities, he's focused on building smarter, more inclusive buildings and cities from the inside out.(01:35) The Problem with Garbage Chutes(05:46) Cost & Maintenance of Garbage Chutes(07:49) VC on hardware vs. software(12:06) Challenges & Opportunities in Robotics(21:16) Future of Real Estate & Robotics(24:02) Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2026: The Premier Event for Industry Executives, Real Estate & Construction Tech Startups and VC's, at The Venetian, Las Vegas on September 22nd-24th, 2026. As a friend of Tangent, you can save $300 on your All-Access pass(24:51) Robots in Real Estate Operations(25:16) The Importance of Building Automation(27:06) Innovative Solutions for Waste Management(28:23) The Role of AI in Building Management(32:03) The Rise & Fall of Roomba / iRobot & Amazon's Blocked Acquisition(35:14) Competition with Chinese Manufacturers(42:22) Collaboration Superpower: Hannah Szenes (Wiki) & Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (Wiki)

Hello Beautiful, I'm so grateful you're here with me.

The words High and Late Middle Ages conjures up images of fog rising up over a field where knights in shining armor are trading blows with double handed swords, mighty bishops overseeing the construction of monumental cathedrals and peasants toiling on the land as serfs. The reason we see it that way goes back to the chivalric literature that celebrated the aristocratic lifestyle where tournaments and poetry mattered more than the humdrum world of business.But let's just take a look back at the High Middle Ages, the time of Richard the Lionheart, Saint Louis and Frederick Barbarossa. Who controlled access to the great endeavor of the time, the conquest of the Holy Land? Who re-opened up the connections to the wider world, from Novgorod to India and China? Who were the most ferocious fighters who neither expected norgranted any quarter? Who had all the money?These were the great cities of Italy, of Flanders, of Picardie and Provence and of the Holy Roman Empire. Verona under the Della Scala in the 14th century generated tax revenues twice as high as those of England, Venice capacity was sixty percent of what France could generate. And these cities fielded armies that, as we know, defeated the Holy Roman Emperors, even the most capable ones like Barbarossa and Frederick II time and time again. Their absolute dedication to fight to the end was evidenced by their extremely heavy and slow war carts, the Carroccios and by the bravery of the Flemish Militia at the Battle of the Golden Spurs. And the first European since Roman times to make to India and China wasn't a Knight errant, but a Venetian merchant, nor were the vast lands on the Eastern side of the continent linked up by military force. The crusades, the grand project of the age was as much a venetian mercantile adventure as a religious pilgrimage, culminating in the sack of Constantinople in 1204. What happened? Where did all these city states go? And why?That is what we are going to discuss today, when we look at the showdown between Maximilian of Habsburg, widower of the last duchess of Burgundy and father of Philip, the universally recognised heir of the Low Countries and the Flemish cities, and specifically its largest, the city of Ghent.The music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.As always:Homepage with maps, photos, transcripts and blog: www.historyofthegermans.comIf you wish to support the show go to: Support • History of the Germans PodcastFacebook: @HOTGPod Threads: @history_of_the_germans_podcastBluesky: @hotgpod.bsky.socialInstagram: history_of_the_germansTwitter: @germanshistoryTo make it easier for you to share the podcast, I have created separate playlists for some of the seasons that are set up as individual podcasts....