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Andy and Randy discuss some of today's top stories in the National Football League.
The world's okayest morning radio show offers you the entire broadcast from today with none of the music and limited commercials. Try to enjoy!
Spines don't just bend — they reveal who we are, how we adapt, and where modern medicine is still failing. Today on Crackin' Backs, we sit down with a man who's been inside those hidden curves, seen what the X-rays don't show, and is rewriting the entire narrative around scoliosis.Meet Dr. Jeb McAviney: chiropractor, researcher, speaker, and CEO of ScoliCare. With over two decades in non-surgical spinal deformity care, Dr. McAviney holds a Master of Chiropractic and a Master of Pain Medicine—he's also developed breakthrough programs like ScoliBalance® and ScoliBrace® and now sits on the board of the International Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT).What we'll uncover in this episode:Why scoliosis is not just a teenage issue—and how adult curves are being ignored.The biggest shifts in scoliosis treatment in the last 2–4 years that many clinicians or parents don't know—and why that lag can be dangerous.The emotional and identity weight that sits on someone's spine—what the image can't tell you, but Dr. McAviney sees.The sacred cows of scoliosis care: What practices will we look back on in 10 years and say, “How did we ever think that was acceptable?”The global scoreboard: Which countries are getting scoliosis care right, which ones are shockingly behind, and what explains the difference.If you've ever wondered what your spine really says about you—this is the episode you can't skip. Learn more about Dr. McAviney & join the mission:ScoliCareTune in now—because the curve in your spine might be writing the story you haven't yet heard.We are two sports chiropractors, seeking knowledge from some of the best resources in the world of health. From our perspective, health is more than just “Crackin Backs” but a deep dive into physical, mental, and nutritional well-being philosophies. Join us as we talk to some of the greatest minds and discover some of the most incredible gems you can use to maintain a higher level of health. Crackin Backs Podcast
Amy talks with the CMO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation Melissa Gellar about Christmas at the Ronald Reagan Library.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Wake Up Call is back with winter FUN! After coming up with creative names for the MNDOT “Name the Plow” contest, Scotch, Tank, and Mandy take it one step further—by writing a song about snowplow safety. It’s called “Don’t Pass the Plow”, and it’s as catchy as it is important. Tune in for laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, and a reminder to stay safe on icy roads this season. Because passing the plow? That’s a big NO!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s time for the ultimate birthday guessing game! In this episode of The Wake Up Call, we drop fun and tricky clues about celebrities celebrating their birthday today. Can you figure out who it is before the big reveal? Play along with Scotch, Tank, and Mandy as they test their pop culture knowledge and share surprising facts about famous birthdays. Perfect for trivia fans and anyone who loves a good challenge!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What if your gut issues were actually your life calling for more?If you're the woman who looks like she's winning… but inside you're exhausted, bloated, anxious, and pushing through- this episode is your wake-up call. Your body is not betraying you. It's trying to lead you toward the life you're meant to be living.Today's guest Tia Maher is a functional health & nervous system expert who once ignored every symptom while climbing the corporate ladder- until her gut literally forced her to change her life. Now she helps ambitious women heal their health by healing the misalignment beneath it.Inside the episode, you'll discover how to:Turn gut symptoms + burnout into a roadmap toward your dream lifeFeel energised + in control again (without sacrificing your ambition) Stop performing “wellness” and actually feel good in your bodyBuild success that supports your body- instead of breaking itMake tiny daily shifts that unlock more joy, radiance & feminine powerYOUR NEXT STEPIf you're ready for a business + life that feels as good as it looks…Join my free masterclass: How to Launch a Coaching Business & Get Sales on Autopilothttp://femaleleadershipcollective.com/how-to-launch-a-freedom-business-and-get-sales-on-autopilotConnect with Suzanna on IG:@femaleleadershipcollectivehttps://www.instagram.com/femaleleadershipcollective/?hl=enConnect with Tia:Link to free community channel - https://tiamaher.kit.com/a7205da73eInstagram: @itstiamaherhttps://www.instagram.com/itstiamaher/?hl=en
Are you making the same mistake with your retirement planning as you do with holiday decorations—waiting too long to get started? This episode dives into why early action can lead to greater confidence in retirement. Abe Abich shares real stories, practical strategies, and insights on planning, risk reduction, and tax mapping, helping listeners navigate the retirement “red zone” and beyond. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: TheRetirementKey.com Get a free copy of Abe’s book: The Retirement Mountain: The 7 Steps To A Long-Lasting Retirement Follow us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer discuss the deadly terrorist attack against the Jewish community at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia. They talk about the parallels of this attack to October 7th in Israel and how this further demonstrates the rise of antisemitic violence in the West. They also argue that this moment is a wake-up call for law enforcement, politicians, and every member of society, and that if those in power do not address these issues directly and unequivocally, this violence will only continue to spread unchecked. The Hub is Canada's fastest growing independent digital news outlet. Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content: https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple) https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify) Watch a video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanada Want more Hub? Get a FREE one-month trial membership on us: https://thehub.ca/free-trial/ Follow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=en CREDITS: Amal Attar-Guzman - Producer and Sound Editor Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer - Hosts
For the first time in years, the NDSU Bison football team is spending Christmas at home—and that means the playoff run is over. In this episode of The Wake Up Call, Scotch, Tank, and Mandy break down the Top 5 signs the Bison are officially home for the holidays. From empty tailgate lots to unexpected holiday shopping sprees, we’ll cover what this early exit means for fans and the program. If you’re a Bison fan looking for a little humor to soften the blow, this one’s for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What’s the one chore you absolutely hate? We asked our Text Club, and the answers did not disappoint! In this episode of The Wake Up Call, Scotch, Tank, and Mandy share the most dreaded household tasks—from laundry piles to scrubbing toilets—and reveal which chores listeners would gladly never do again. It’s relatable, funny, and guaranteed to make you feel better about your own to-do list. Tune in and see if your least favorite chore made the list!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Think you know what Gen Z is saying? In this episode of The Wake Up Call, Scotch and Tank try to decode the latest Gen Z phrases and slang—and let’s just say, they’re not exactly fluent in the language of TikTok. From viral expressions to everyday lingo, can they figure out what these trendy terms really mean? Play along and see if you’re up to date on the current trends and pop culture talk!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When it comes to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, we know the struggle is real. The symptoms can be overwhelming, and the impact on your health is undeniable. But here's the thing: Hashimoto's is not just about the thyroid; it's a system-wide issue. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease, which means it affects your entire body. That's why you can't focus on just treating the thyroid. In this week's episode, Dr.E will explain how Hashimotos is diagnosed, the treatment, and why you should dig deeper and find the trigger behind this autoimmune response. This is a show broadcasted live by Dr. Efrat Lamandre every week with the express purpose of providing free, factual, and practical functional medicine tips to help people prevent disease naturally. Through giving healthy nutrition tips, tips on intermittent fasting, managing stress through diet, and advocating self imrpovement for her patients, Doctor E hopes to help you take control of your health destiny and become the GameChanger in your life. Check us out on social media: drefratlamandre.com/instagram drefratlamandre.com/facebook drefratlamandre.com/tiktok #functionalmedicine #drefratlamandre #medicaldisruptor #NPwithaPHD #nursepractitioner #medicalgaslighting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Allie interviews Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a psychiatrist and former FDA drug safety officer. He unveils the truth about Big Pharma and the detrimental side effects of medications for mental illnesses. SSRIs cause more harm than good; they blunt emotions, breed dependency, and often backfire long-term. Dr. Witt-Doerring advises patients to pursue holistic health that includes a balanced diet, sleep, exercise, and therapy. He and his wife have started TaperClinic, where they help people come off medications and find real solutions to their problems. Join us for an eye-opening discussion about the dark side of the pharmaceutical industry. Check out more about Dr. Witt-Doerring's TaperClinic here: taperclinic.com Buy Allie's book "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion": https://www.toxicempathy.com --- Timecodes: (00:00) Intro (09:45) Misdiagnosing Mental Illness (19:20) Drug Safety Officer (25:05) Corruption in Medical Academia (27:50) Wake-Up Call (34:35) Problems with SSRIs (46:00) Short-Term vs. Long-Term Medication (53:50) TaperClinic --- Today's Sponsors: PreBorn — Would you consider a gift to save babies in a big way? Your gift will be used to save countless babies for years to come. To donate, dial #250 and say the keyword BABY or donate securely at preborn.com/allie. Good Ranchers — Give a reason to gather. Visit goodranchers.com to start gifting, and while you're there, treat yourself with your own subscription to America's best meat. And when you use the code ALLIE, you'll get $40 off your first order. EveryLife — Visit everylife.com and use promo code ALLIE10 to get 10% off your first order today! Patriot Mobile — Switching to Patriot Mobile is easier than ever. Activate in minutes from your home or office. Keep your number, keep your phone, or upgrade. Go to patriotmobile.com/allie or call 972-PATRIOT, and use promo code ALLIE for a free month of service! Cozy Earth — Give the gift of everyday luxury this holiday season. Head to cozyearth.com and use the code RELATABLE for up to 40% off — just be sure to place your order by December 12 for guaranteed Christmas delivery. --- Episodes you might like: Ep 1189 | SSRIs Are Rewiring Babies' Brains — and Killing Their Moms | Guest: Dr. Adam Urato https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-1189-ssris-are-rewiring-babies-brains-and-killing/id1359249098?i=1000708507649 Ep 821 | Why Antidepressants Don't Fix Depression | Guest: Dr. Roger McFillin https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-821-why-antidepressants-dont-fix-depression-guest/id1359249098?i=1000616890403 Ep 822 | The Big Money Behind Big Medicine | Guest: Dr. Roger McFillin https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-822-the-big-money-behind-big-medicine-guest-dr/id1359249098?i=1000617050991 Ep 1031 | Psychiatry Is Killing People | Guest: Dr. Roger McFillin https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-1031-psychiatry-is-killing-people-guest-dr-roger/id1359249098?i=1000661830317 --- Buy Allie's book "You're Not Enough (and That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love": https://www.alliebethstuckey.com Relatable merchandise: Use promo code ALLIE10 for a discount: https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The world's okayest morning radio show offers you the entire broadcast from today with none of the music and limited commercials. Try to enjoy!
This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, we take on three of the biggest issues shaping America's future: national security, education, and taxes. First, Dr. Meg Reiss, founder and CEO of SolidIntel, joins the show to explain how American red tape is strengthening China's dominance over rare earth minerals. Then, National Emmy winning investigative reporter Chris Papst of Fox45 Baltimore joins to discuss his book Failure Factory, which uncovers America's public education crisis, including how billions in taxpayer dollars are spent while student outcomes stagnate and what parents nationwide should be watching for in their own school districts. Finally, Matthew Putnam of the National Taxpayers Union explains how Truth in Taxation laws offer a proven solution to runaway property taxes, highlighting successful reforms in states like Utah, Kansas, and Nebraska and why lawmakers across the country are paying attention.
Amy King hosts your Friday Wake Up Call. The show opens with ABC News White House correspondent Karen Travers discussing the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, indicating the administration won't telegraph future sanctions or military moves but will enforce existing policies against sanctioned entities like those carrying "black market oil." The host of ‘Home’ on KFI Dean Sharp joins the show and talks about how to de-clutter in 48 hours. We ‘Get in Your Business’ with Bloomberg’s Denise Pellegrini who speaks on what the markets are looking like as the week comes to a close. The show closes with a Wake Up Call ‘taste test,’ an update on Shelby the dog, and hearing from you the listeners through talk backs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac let listeners call in and give their take on the Atlanta Falcons 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last night in Tampa Bay on Thursday night Football in the Wake Up Call! Mike, Beau, and Ali also talk about how the Falcons comeback win over the Bucs last night proves the team hasn't quit on the season or on Raheem Morris.
HR3 - Plenty of Falcons players showed they still have an edge to them last night In hour three Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac let listeners call in and give their take on the Atlanta Falcons 29-28 comeback win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last night in Tampa Bay on Thursday night Football in the Wake Up Call! Mike, Beau, and Ali also talk about how the Falcons comeback win over the Bucs last night proves the team hasn't quit on the season or on Raheem Morris. Then, The Morning Shift crew continues to recap and react to the Atlanta Falcons 29-28 comeback win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last night in Tampa Bay on Thursday night Football, let you hear Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins talk about wide receiver David Sills bouncing back after dropping a wide open touchdown, react to what Cousins had to say, talk about how Kirk Cousins' leadership was on full display last night on the sidelines, give their final thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons 29-28 comeback win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last night in Tampa Bay on Thursday night Football, explain why they think it's important for the Falcons to keep developing their young defensive talent for the rest of the season, and then close out hour three by diving into the life of Beau “Squidbilly” Morgan in The Life of Squid!
." The host of ‘Home’ on KFI Dean Sharp joins the show and talks about how to de-clutter in 48 hours.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 446, including tracks from Catfight, Clarkkent, Glue Ear, Value of Nothing, Rites of Hadda, ZEROZEROZERO, snarewaves, Wake Up Call, The Soakers, BLVCKHELICOPTERS, The Unknowns, and Alex Hellcat. Eric adds his upcoming releases, but is unable to make it this episode but this episode is loaded with a bunch of new music shared with us, a great album, and wrap up the show with an alternative track.
Dan Tortora (DT) welcomes Jennifer Heppel, Patriot League Commissioner, back to "WakeUpCall" to discuss numerous topics, including the membership of the Patriot League, expanding their football conference to include William & Mary as well as Villanova beginning in 2026, having 10 full-time members & 10 football members, what it means to have Army & Navy in most sports, looking at future membership, & More, including looking at national elements connected to collegiate athletics that can affect all conferences & concluding with DT & Jennifer putting each other on the Hot Seat in "Rapid Fire"! Stay close to "WakeUpCall" on Facebook, X, & Instagram! Listen LIVE to "Wake Up Call with Dan Tortora" MON through FRI, 9-11amET on wakeupcalldt.podbean.com & on the homepage of WakeUpCallDT.com from ANY Device inside the Great Lakes Honda City Studios (7140 Henry Clay Blvd, Liverpool, NY)! You can also Watch LIVE MON through FRI, 9-11amET on youtube.com/wakeupcalldt, facebook.com/wakeupcalldt, & facebook.com/LiveNowDT. This special is Proudly Presented by: Carvel DeWitt Great Lakes Honda City Meier's Creek Brewing Company The Wildcat Sports Pub Ma & Pa's Kettle Corn & Popcorn Factory Brian's Landing K-9 Kampground Dog Boarding Game Point Sports Complex Bryant & Stratton Syracuse Binghamton University Onondaga Community College Pizza Man Pub Chick-fil-A DeWitt K-9 Kamp Dog Daycare Avicolli's Restaurant Mother's Cupboard Chick-fil-A Cicero
A replay of our live morning show from 12/12/2025, with guest Dan Zumpano
Yissurim Are a Wake Up Call (Vayeishev 5786)
Don’t miss this powerful conversation with Pastor Jack and The Prophecy Pros as they break down biblical end-times prophecy and explain how and why it applies to real life. Discover why they believe every Christian, including the next generation, should engage deeply with prophecy.CONNECT WITH THE PROPHECY PROS:Book: https://tinyurl.com/mwzxrtnpInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/prophecyprospodcast/Podcast: https://prophecyprospodcast.com/Website: https://www.theprophecypros.com/ (00:00) Why Bible Prophecy Matters for the Next Generation(10:04) Judgment, Salvation & the Wake-Up Call of Prophecy(30:11) Israel, 1948 & the “Super Sign” of the Last Days(43:16) The Seven Churches, Israel & Replacement Theology(56:07) Can You Trust the Bible? Attempts to Disprove ScriptureCONNECT WITH PASTOR JACK:Get Updates via Text: https://text.whisp.io/jack-hibbs-podcast Website: https://jackhibbs.com/Instagram: http://bit.ly/2FCyXpOFacebook: https://bit.ly/2WZBWV0 YouTube: https://bit.ly/437xMHnTwitter/X: https://x.com/RealJackHibbsCALLED TO TAKE A BOLD STAND:https://boldstand.org/DAZE OF DECEPTION:https://jackhibbs.com/daze-of-deception/ Did you know we have a Real Life Network? Sign up for free today for more exclusive content:https://www.reallifenetwork.com/
The world's okayest morning radio show offers you the entire broadcast from today with none of the music and limited commercials. Try to enjoy!
Haiti just made history by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup — but is the real victory still waiting off the field?In this groundbreaking episode, a roundtable of Haitian physicians and professionals explore why this World Cup moment is far more than a sports milestone. It's a powerful metaphor — and urgent call — for educated Haitians in the diaspora to rise, reconnect, and lead. From systemic breakdowns in education, healthcare, and governance to the role of spirituality, family, and culture in building legacy, this is a raw and inspiring conversation you won't hear anywhere else.Hear what six successful Haitian professionals believe Haiti truly needs — and why they're not waiting on foreign aid to make it happen.Learn how shared cultural values like education, community, and faith shaped their success in medicine, law, business, and tech.Discover the practical ways diaspora leaders can fuel long-term transformation — beyond remittances — through intentional action and collaboration.Watch or Listen now to hear how Haiti's World Cup qualification could become the spark for real change — if its physicians, professionals, or the diaspora answer the call.Link to Haitian school discussed in this episode - Find them on X.com - Instruction Civique et Morale @CiviqueEthmoralWatch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/hx1yVC6P-JkWatch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jEgJeylCZTjmOa12tOVlR?si=VJR5EceHTM2bct4mErr1xQListen on Your Favorite Podcast App - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1714769/episodes/18324633Chapters00:00 Haiti's Historical Significance and Current Status02:54 Personal Stories of Haitian Diaspora Professionals05:41 Education as a Key to Success08:18 Community and Family Influence11:06 Challenges Faced by Haitian Immigrants14:18 Positive and Negative Experiences in Haiti16:53 The Role of Education in Overcoming Adversity19:29 Cultural Reflections and Shared Memories22:46 Hope for Haiti's Future25:30 The Impact of Media on Perceptions of Haiti28:10 Concluding Thoughts and Future Aspirations42:35 The Gimmick of Social Media Influence45:46 Cultural Representation and Misrepresentation48:02 Education as a Path to Change50:20 Grassroots Efforts and Community Support53:29 Healthcare and Professional Development57:11 The Role of the Haitian Diaspora59:08 Economic Challenges and Infrastructure Issues01:01:58 The Importance of Education and Job Creation01:05:13 Corruption and Governance in Haiti01:08:54 Spirituality and Its Impact on ProgressTEXT HERE on your Phone's Podcast App Discover how medical graduates, junior doctors, and young physicians can navigate residency training programs, surgical residency, and locum tenens to increase income, enjoy independent practice, decrease stress, achieve financial freedom, and retire early, while maintaining patient satisfaction and exploring physician side gigs to tackle medical school loans.
Amy King hosts your Thursday Wake Up Call. ABC News correspondent Jordana Miller joins the show live from Jerusalem to discuss Israel not letting journalists into Gaza and has yet to offer a reason. Amy takes us on a Southern California Sleigh Ride where she highlights different fun events and activities you can do with your friends and family this holiday season. This week, Amy takes us to ‘Enchant’ at the Santa Anita racetrack. We ‘Get in Your Business’ with Bloomberg’s Denise Pellegrini discussing how the markets are looking today. The show closes with Amy talking with ABC News national correspondent Steven Portnoy talking about head-to-head healthcare proposals, both doomed to fail the Senate vote.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Micah, God, Bible, Parkwood, Barefield
Amy takes us on a Southern California Sleigh Ride where she highlights different fun events and activities you can do with your friends and family this holiday season. This week, Amy takes us to ‘Enchant’ at the Santa Anita racetrack. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
DT shares with you the College Football Playoff Committee's Top 25 Rankings release as they happen, starting from 25th all the way to the top-ranked football program in the second-to-last rankings of the 2025-26 College Football Season... Stay close to "WakeUpCall" on Facebook, X, & Instagram! Listen LIVE to "Wake Up Call with Dan Tortora" MON through FRI, 9-11amET on wakeupcalldt.podbean.com & on the homepage of WakeUpCallDT.com from ANY Device inside the Great Lakes Honda City Studios (7140 Henry Clay Blvd, Liverpool, NY)! You can also Watch LIVE MON through FRI, 9-11amET on youtube.com/wakeupcalldt, facebook.com/wakeupcalldt, & facebook.com/LiveNowDT. This special is Proudly Presented by: Carvel DeWitt Great Lakes Honda City Meier's Creek Brewing Company The Wildcat Sports Pub Ma & Pa's Kettle Corn & Popcorn Factory Brian's Landing K-9 Kampground Dog Boarding Game Point Sports Complex Bryant & Stratton Syracuse Binghamton University Onondaga Community College Pizza Man Pub Chick-fil-A DeWitt K-9 Kamp Dog Daycare Avicolli's Restaurant Mother's Cupboard Chick-fil-A Cicero
Bridge Engineering: Part 3 Settling In For A Long Winter’s Nap. Based on a post by Architect 23 94, in 3 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connected. We all said our goodnights, then Stefani and I made our way back up the stairs. I closed the door to the basement and motioned for her to wait for a moment. I reached up to a nearby shelf and very carefully removed an old set of sleigh bells, which I silently hung on the doorknob as an early warning system. Stefani whispered, "Someone has been doing some serious planning." I quietly replied, "Yes, someone has. Is it working?" She answered by wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into our first slow, introductory kiss. Our lips separated briefly, we looked silently into each other's eyes for a moment, then our heads instinctively tilted and our lips came back together with a deeper, more confident kiss. One kiss blurred into two, then three, and continued until one was indistinguishable from the next. Our mouths opened wider and wider, yearning to feel the other partner's passion, before our tongues began a frantic dance between her mouth and mine. My hands began exploring the soft curves of her lower back, just above where the satin dress flared outward over her hips, and her long fingers ran through my hair as her hands eagerly pulled me into our hungry kisses. I lost all sense of time as we finally broke the passionate tension that had been building between us over the past months. I hadn't realized how much I missed an emotional and physical connection with a special someone, and I knew she felt the same. Our faces were both flush with passion and gasping for breath when I reluctantly pulled away from our moment. Without saying anything, I gently kissed her one more time, took her hand in mine, and led her toward the loft stairs. Stefani understood my intentions and acknowledged her consent with a beaming smile and by clutching my arm close to her body as we walked up the stairs. As we reached the top of the stairs, I motioned toward my bedroom door where a branch of mistletoe hung in the threshold. Stefani saw it and quickly moved to position herself as a gatekeeper in the doorway, saying, "I'm glad you took my advice." I responded by taking her in my arms and resuming the passionate kissing and interplay of our tongues that had begun downstairs. Stefani draped her arms around my neck and pressed her body against mine as my hands slid down her back to feel the satin covered swells of her ass. With our continued intimate contact, my cock responded and began to expand downward inside my pant leg, sandwiched against Stefani's pelvis as it grew. In her own expression of arousal, she extended one leg out from the full length slit in her skirt and wrapped it around the back of my thighs, intentionally pressing her skirt covered mound firmly against my restrained tool. Our mouths frantically struggled to find new depths and my hands cupped her ass as she began urgently grinding herself against my cock. The fervor was only broken when we began to lose balance and Stefani returned to standing on both feet. We both took the opportunity to occupy our hands in other ways, hers sliding between us to grasp at my cock and to unsuccessfully pull at my belt, and mine fumbling to release the back closure on her dress. Admitting defeat, we both paused and I moved behind her to take a different approach. My hand brushed her silken curls aside as I placed soft kisses down the side of her neck and slowly loosened a series of clasps on the back of her dress. She uttered soft moans of pleasure as my lips explored her nape then concentrated on areas that drew the most response. As I continued to expose more of her sensual back with the release of each fastener, Stefani crossed one arm over her bosom to hold the dress in place and reached behind herself with the other to caress the engorged flesh straining within the stretched fabric of my slacks. When I finished the last of the clasps, she removed her hand from my cock and used it to push me backward onto the edge of the bed. I sat in rapt attention as she took a couple steps away from me and, with her back turned, stepped out of her heels to reveal neatly manicured toes with nails painted to complement the color of her dress. Now with bare feet, she turned to face me, still holding the dress with one arm crossed over her tits. Her eyes erotically connected with mine as her hands slowly slid the dress downward, seductively unveiling bit by bit of her amazing body. First were her braless tits, pear-shaped handfuls with the slight sag of an early-thirties mother and topped with aroused gumdrop size nipples on proportionately sized areola. With my attentive eyes and childlike smile suggesting approval, the maroon satin curtain continued descending to uncover a slender torso with modestly toned abs and a cute concave belly button. Once her hands reached the top flare of her hips, Stefani released the dress and let gravity pool it at her feet. Her flat stomach and thin waist gave way to supple curves of womanly hips, which then tapered back to meet her long legs. The toned muscles gracefully ebbed and flowed, punctuated by lean knees and petite ankles, all proportionate to the scale of her tall, trim frame. Stefani was a vision, standing before me in nothing but a pair of black satin panties consisting of a small triangle over her sex and thin ribbons of fabric extending outward over subtly visible hip bones. I quickly shed my sport coat and shoes and began opening the buttons down the front of my dress shirt as Stefani did a slow turn and playfully wiggled her amazing heart-shaped ass. I tore my gaze from her body and looked her lustfully in the eyes as she completed her turn, "Wow, you are absolutely incredible!" My shirt was completely unbuttoned and my full-mast erection strained obscenely against the front of my dress pants. I pulled the shirt tails out from under my waistband and started to unbuckle my belt, but Stefani interceded, "Please, let me." I dropped my hands to my sides as she closed the few steps between us and bent forward to kiss me as I sat on the edge of the bed. We shared a few short kisses before she placed her hands on my chest and gently pushed my torso back on the bed. I propped myself on my elbows as she began trailing kisses down the center of my chest and deftly pulled my belt free of its buckle while opening my slacks. By the time her kisses reached my waist, she was on her knees before me and nuzzled her face against my boxer short covered rod and began kissing along its fabric covered length. The eroticism of the sight and the feel of her warm breath would have easily put me over the edge had I not done everything in my power to hold back. Sensing my edging, Stefani relented her touch and curled her slender fingers under the waistband of my slacks and boxers. I lifted my hips to assist while she pulled the waistband toward herself and carefully lifted it over my straining bulge. Her eyes fixated on the vertical tower that sprung upward as soon as it was free of its prison, and continued staring as she pushed the unwanted clothing down my legs. Once she had my pants fully removed, she slowly slid her hands along the top of my legs while she placed a line of kisses up my right inner thigh. She made one last kiss right next to the base of my cock then nuzzled her face against it and cooed soft hums of contentment. Meanwhile, her right hand took a moment to caress my pelvic area before her long, slender fingers encircled my shaft and began to explore its girth and length. After a few moments, Stefani pulled her head away from me enough to visually inspect every detail of my cock as her hand slowly stroked up-and-down and moved it from side-to-side, exploring its network of veiny ridges and large swollen mushroom cap. Her attention resulted in a bead of clear pre-cum pooling on my tip, which she leaned forward and licked away before it dripped downward. With her visual inspection seemingly complete, Stefani continued to slowly stroke my cock while she moved her head downward and used her tongue to caress my loose hanging, neatly shaven balls and then envelope one of the globes fully in her warm mouth. At this point, the previous single bead of pre-cum gave way to a steady stream trailing down the side of my shaft and over the back of her hand. After giving both orbs equal treatment, her tongue followed my trail of precum over the back of her hand and up my throbbing shaft to its source. She looked me deeply in the eyes as she slowly took my engorged head into her mouth and swirled her tongue around its rim. I held the approaching orgasm at bay by brushing her curly locks aside and placing my hands on the sides of her cheeks to gently guide her off my cock. I continued guiding her up to me where she put a leg on each side of my hips to straddle over me. I pulled her face down to mine and kissed her with passionate urgency as her naked chest pressed against mine and my still leaking cock sandwiched between my stomach and hers. As we kissed, she shifted her position upward so her panty covered sex rested on my shaft and then began to slowly rockng her hips, using my cock to work the fabric into her moist folds. My hands instinctively cupped her ass and reinforced her grinding motions. Kissing tapered off as our breathing became heavier and Stefani raised her torso off my chest to find a slightly different position on my cock. We continued to look into each other's eyes as my hands left her ass to explore the alluring tits hanging above me, seductively swaying in time with her motions. I held them for the very first time, massaging and gently squeezing the milky masses while her erect, gumdrop size nipples punctuated my palms. Her heavy breathing was interrupted when my fingers playfully pinched at the swollen nubs, so I took that as encouragement to lift my head and give them some oral stimulation. My mouth covered one, then the other, swirling my tongue and suckling as Stefani increased the speed and force of her hip movements. Realizing the pressure once again building in my balls, I swiftly rolled our semi-conjoined bodies and reversed our positions, with Stefani now on her back and me sliding off the edge of the bed to kneel between her legs. She raised her hips as I grasped and pulled the thin satin ribbons from her hips. They slid toward me and the sodden triangle of fabric reluctantly separated from her wet folds to reveal a small, neatly trimmed patch of hair immediately above glistening and rosy pink gateway petals. They were naturally opened wide to display her well-lubricated inner flesh and partially cloaked love-button. With her panties fully removed, I gently opened her knees and started to lean forward. Stefani understood my intent, bent her legs upward, and opened them widely to allow me full access. Like she had done to me earlier, my lips left a line of kisses up her inner thigh as my nose inhaled her intoxicating scent. Having reached my destination, I gently licked the outer lips on each side of her opening before sucking each into my mouth and giving equal treatment. Stefani's hands had found my head and were offering reassuring encouragement to continue the oral pleasures. My hands also wandered, alternating between holding her hips and kneading her tits as my tongue's attention became more fervent. I moved from her labia to firmly lick the length of her central opening, gently brushing over the top of her clit. Stefani responded by tensing her legs and clenching my hair in her hands. I returned down to cover the core of her sex with my mouth and swirl my tongue around the entrance to her tunnel. Stefani moaned and continued pulling at my hair as I very slowly moved my attention upward. Eventually, my mouth centered over her pearl and the tip of my tongue tenderly circled around it, before firmly pressing against it. She moaned loudly and every muscle in her body tightened as I changed from licking to sucking on her button. I was rewarded with a flood of her cordials and a long series of rhythmic contractions. I gave her outer petals a few more gentle licks and caressed her flat stomach with my hands while she recovered from the height of her pleasure. When she returned to consciousness, she breathlessly whispered, "Come here." and motioned me toward her. I stood from kneeling at the edge of the bed and climbed between her still splayed legs to hold myself over her. Stefani quietly said, "Thank you. You have no idea how amazing that was; how amazing it is to be here with you." as she tenderly wiped her juices from my cheeks and mouth. I responded, "It's been an amazing couple of months. I haven't felt this way about someone since;” I was speaking from my heart without the filter of my head when I realized the inappropriateness of what I was about to say, and adjusted my statement to, "; well, for a very long time." Stefani looked me lovingly in the eyes, cupped my cheek with her hand, and said, "It's okay to talk about her. Julie is still part of you and always should be. I know how much you love her and it means a lot that you would even mention me in the same breath." I leaned down with an appreciative kiss as I held myself over her. One kiss led to another, then to another and another, until our tongues were tangled and our mouths continually joined. We made out with renewed urgency and Stefani reached between our bodies to wrap her hand around my still steely rod. She broke our kissing long enough to beg, "Please, I need you inside me." Our kissing resumed as she guided my cock toward her opening and rubbed its engorged glans up and down her slit several times before removing her hand. Her arms encircled my neck as we kissed and I shifted my hips to seat the tip of my cock firmly against her gateway. Stefani moaned into my mouth when she felt the pressure, and tightened her arms around my neck when the head slowly pushed through her stretched but slippery opening. I cautiously rocked my hips, pausing frequently and allowing her passageway muscles to relax around my rigid cock. She urged me to continue by mumbling into our locked mouths, "More; more; more;” I applied a little more pressure with each motion of my hips and her body slowly welcomed me deeper and deeper. Signaling she wanted more, Stefani wrapped her long legs around me, interlocking her ankles behind my ass and flexing her legs to draw me further inside. With confidence that Stefani was wanting more, I broke our kissing and took her hands in mine, pinning them above her head as I held my body above hers. She seemed excited for me to take control and relaxed her legs while still keeping her ankles interlocked behind me. I began increasing the speed and force of my thrusts, eliciting yelps of pleasure as my cock explored new depths. The bed shook with our quick motions, as did Stefani's curly tresses and motherly tits. The expressions of pleasure on her face were incredibly erotic and I changed to longer, slower strokes to delay my pending orgasm and prolong our pleasure. She understood what I was doing and agreeably pleaded, "Kiss me." I did, and we made love with our mouths while she reinforced my long, slow, intentional pelvic motions with her legs wrapped around me. That tender moment was emblematic of everything we both wanted and needed. There was an unspoken connection between our souls, bridging our broken pasts and forever joining us into the future. Our bodies responded physically to the emotional and spiritual joining. Stefani's by weeping in happiness through a long, rolling orgasm; and mine by releasing eight years' worth of pent-up passion deep into her womb. Completely consumed by the intensity of the experience, Stefani rolled with me as I collapsed beside her on the bed, our legs still intertwined and my cock slowly softening inside her residual contractions. I looked knowingly into her tearful eyes and said softly, but with conviction, "I love you." Stefani pressed her forehead and sniffling nose into my neck and replied, "I love you, too; even more than I thought I did before tonight." We laid silently in each other's arms, exchanging occasional pecks of affection, until my flaccid cock slipped from Stefani's sex followed by a flood of our combined juices. She quickly cupped her hand to her crotch and scurried to the ensuite bathroom. While she was in there, I quickly slipped on my boxer shorts, opened the bedroom door, and stepped out into the loft to check on the girls. The house was silent and the sleigh bells on the basement doorknob appeared undisturbed. Satisfied all was well, I was walking back in the bedroom and was closing the door when Stefani emerged from the bathroom, still naked, and proclaimed in a hushed voice, "David! I've never been so full of cum in my life!" I shrugged my shoulders as I approached her saying, "You're the one that turned me on so much." then pulled her into a passionate embrace and kiss. She returned my kiss then pulled away saying, "I think I would like some more." as she pulled down my boxer shorts and dropped to her knees in one swift motion. She engulfed my limp cock into her warm mouth and massaged it with her tongue until it began to swell. One hand massaged my balls while the other cupped my ass cheek and pulled me into her ministrations. Once I had a hint of rigidity, she began bobbing her head and applying suction to further draw out my length. Working my cock in and out of her mouth, she made sure the sensitive underside of my glans remained in full contact with her tongue. It didn't take long for me to reach a full, raging erection. Sensing that with her mouth, Stefani confirmed with a couple quick strokes of her hand before standing and moving toward the bed. I watched in rapt attention as she climbed onto the center of the bed, positioned herself on her elbows and knees, and seductively wiggled her ass in the air. She looked at me over her shoulder with lust in her eyes and implored, "Take me!" I quickly climbed on the bed and positioned myself behind her. My hands playfully grabbed her hips and pulled her back into me, sandwiching my thickened shaft against her ass. She responded by wiggling her ass, which served to neatly seat my rod between her cheeks. I held her hips with my hands and rocked a few times to slide the underside of my cock against her cheeks. Having played around enough, I shifted backward on my knees and cupped a hand under her sex. I briefly caressed her inflamed and eager mound before dipping two fingers further into her very well lubricated slit. Stefani uttered encouraging moans as my fingers worked in and out of her dripping wet hole. Knowing we were both ready for the main event, I pulled my copiously coated hand from her mound and used it, along with the pre-cum already dripping from my tip, to spread lubrication along the length of my throbbing shaft. Stefani looked back at me as I held her hip with one hand and guided my cock toward her opening with the other. We both gave prolonged moans as our heightened arousal allowed me to penetrate her fully in one long push. Once inside her, she looked back at me and renewed her original request, "Take me!" And so I did. With my hands holding her hips and pulling her back against my pelvis with every stroke, I began lustfully pistoning in and out of her tunnel. She buried her face into the mattress and squealed with delight as I pounded into her roughly, causing her hanging pear-shaped tits to swing violently with my harsh pummeling. After a while, my hands moved to cradle the milky fruits and feel their rippling movements against my palms. As I became winded from the extended punishment I was giving Stefani, I used the supple handfuls to raise her torso toward me and aggressively kiss the nape of her neck as my cock momentarily slowed its assault. Stefani muttered unintelligible encouragements as her tunnel walls pleasured in the slowed movements of my veiny shaft and bulbous head erotically sliding in and out. In the course of my affection, her breathing quickened and became shallower as she ascended toward climax. Knowing she was close, I gave her sensitive nipples a quick squeeze, pushed her torso back down to the mattress, and grabbed her hips to resume my forceful penetrations. My lustful plunging quickly put Stefani over her summit and she emitted long moans of pleasure punctuated only by the impacts of my pelvis against her ass. Her body began quaking and, unable to support herself, crashed forward face down on the bed. My body followed hers downward and pinned her against the mattress as I gave a few more hard thrusts before pushing myself as far into her depths as possible, and releasing volley after volley of cum. Her walls sheathing my cock spasmed through a long drawn-out orgasm, milking every drop of seed from my cock. I held myself over her while our mutual orgasm slowly subsided. Not wanting to smother her with my weight, I rolled off to her side, leaving a strand of cum as my cock slipped from her warmth and dragged across her ass. Still laying on her stomach, Stefani turned her head and motioned me toward her for a series of lovingly soft post-coital kisses. She then repeated her earlier actions of cupping a hand to her crotch and making her way to the bathroom, to which I chuckled and she returned a playfully stern expression and wagging finger. I checked on the girls again while she was in the bathroom and then we both decided we should get a little sleep before they would be up for Christmas morning. Stefani set the alarm on her phone and we drifted off to sleep naked in each other's arms. Wake Up Call. I didn't hear the alarm, but Stefani did and apparently decided to give me a different type of wake-up call. I awoke to the feeling of wet warmth around my morning erection. I looked down to see a mass of dark curly hair slowly moving up and down over my midsection. I reached out and brushed aside her mane to see her looking up at me, the corners of her mouth smiling from around my cock. She briefly pulled it from her mouth and offered a cheery, "Good morning handsome." I replied, "Good morning beautiful." before she returned her attention to pleasuring me. She resumed slowly making oral love to my glans and moved one hand to massage my balls as she worked. After a while, she began to take more of my shaft with each downward motion until my engorged head began flirting with the entrance to her throat. She had no perceivable reflex to the contact and, on the following downstroke, wiggled her head a little to work my crown past the restriction. Once past the threshold, she took my full length, burying her nose firmly into my pelvis. She held herself there for several moments before pulling herself off my cock, then repeating the actions again and again. I had never experienced that feeling before and it didn't take long for me to be overcome by the pleasure. While buried deep in her throat, I urgently warned, "I'm going to cum! I'm going to cum!" Stefani strained to push her head down further and take in every possible millimeter of my cock before purposefully constricting her throat around the head of my cock. My hands grasped at her curly locks as I launched forceful jets of cum directly into her throat. After the first few ejections, she pulled back to remove my crown from her throat and to milk the remaining cum into her mouth with a rhythmic bobbing motion. She looked into my eyes as she swallowed my seed and continued fellating my organ until it softened in her mouth, then simply said, "Merry Christmas, David." Christmas Morning. I had started a fire in the great room fireplace after Stefani's morning gift and was faking blanket-covered sleep on the sofa when I heard little footsteps clamoring up the basement steps and bursting through the sleigh bell alarmed door. The girls scurried across the room in their new pajamas, taking the shortest route to the Christmas presents under the tree, and began eagerly exploring which packages were for whom. I pretended to be waking up and put on a show by pushing the blanket aside, stretching my arms in an exaggerated fashion as I sat upright, and saying, "Merry Christmas, girls!" Just then, I saw Stefani coming down the loft stairs and continuing the ruse by drearily rubbing her eyes and smoothing her disheveled curls. She had apparently gone shopping in my closet and was wearing one of my old t-shirts, which was long enough on her to almost completely cover a pair of my boxer shorts beneath. She echoed, "Merry Christmas everyone!" The girls distractedly replied, "Merry Christmas," as they continued sorting through gifts under the tree. Stefani sat down next to me on the sofa and folded one leg beneath her. After confirming the girls were not looking, I turned my head and gave Stefani a quick peck on the lips before suggesting, "Girls, do you want to pass out all the presents?" They excitedly responded, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" and enthusiastically went about checking tags and making stacks of presents where each recipient was seated. I reached over to take Stefani's hand in mine, our fingers interlaced, as we soaked in the holiday atmosphere. During their process, Toni and Lizzie independently delivered a package for either me or Stefani and noticed us holding hands. Interestingly, they both had similar reactions which amounted to hesitating for a moment, then going on about what they were doing as if us holding hands was expected and logical. Once the girls had all the gift bags and wrapped boxes distributed, we took the civilized approach of taking turns, each of us opening a present while the others looked on. Toni and Lizzie each received an assortment of clothes, girly trinkets, and a couple electronic items. Stefani and I were especially moved when the girls exchanged gifts they had personally selected for each other, then embraced in an extended hug. On my next turn opening a gift, I was genuinely touched when I unwrapped a shirt-box size package from Lizzie to find a small ceramic coin dish, hand-painted in red and green with speckles of gold glitter. Also in the box was an impressively detailed color pencil drawing of Lizzie, Toni, Stefani, and me all holding hands and standing on Lizzie's little bridge behind our house. Stefani and I reserved our presents to each other until all the others had been opened and the girls were happily playing with their new toys. We sat on the sofa watching them and shared occasional discreet touches of affection before exchanging our gifts. I'm sure we would have both selected different items had we known the deepening of our relationship that would occur on Christmas Eve, but they were still meaningful in a retrospective way. I opened an absolutely beautiful mechanical wristwatch with an ornately engraved metal band. As I was admiring its craftsmanship, I noticed the side of the clock face was inscribed with intricate script, "Thank you for being on-time. --Stefani" Knowing the deeper significance of those words in Stefani's painful past made my gift to her equally meaningful. I presented her a small box which she opened to reveal a delicate silver pendant necklace containing a marble-size translucent brown gemstone. Her slender fingers picked up a small printed card inside the jewelry box that read, "Legend of Apache Tears -- This gemstone native to Superior, Arizona bears the tears shed by Apache women after loss of their men defending the sacred homelands. For those who possess an Apache Tear, their emotional body will be cleansed of old traumas or wounds and they need not cry again, because the Apache women cried enough for the one who holds the stone." Stefani carefully placed the card back into the jewelry box and closed the case saying, "Thank you, but I think you are my real healer." I replied, "I know you are mine." and gave her a short but meaningful kiss. Our lips pulled away from each other to find the girls sitting on the floor by the Christmas tree, distracted from playing by the sight of us kissing. Stefani was quicker thinking than me and asked the intentionally leading question, "How would the two of you feel about the four of us spending more time together?" To my surprise, Lizzie put her toys aside, walked over to the sofa and gave Stefani a giant hug. She said something to Stefani while they hugged, but I couldn't make out the words. Toni followed Lizzie's lead and came over to give me a hug. Her face buried into my neck, she said with the honest wisdom of a child, "You make my mom happy." Not understanding the full significance of what had just occurred, Toni and Lizzie returned to playing while Stefani and I silently held hands and just enjoyed the moment. My mind drifted to recount the last couple months, and last 24 hours, as the fingers of my free hand idly twisted and twirled a small piece of wrapping paper. While Stefani and I had commonly tragic backgrounds that drew us together, that is not why I loved her. That was simply the key that opened our guarded doors and freed our real selves. I loved her for being the intelligent, quick-witted, caring, compassionate, and cheerful person I had come to know once she let me inside her world. When we were together, especially with Lizzie and Toni, we felt like a real family. There was genuine care and warmth. Lizzie's reaction to hug Stefani earlier surprised me, but it shouldn't have. I did the best I could to raise her, but I was still only one man. She didn't have a mother figure in her life and, looking back over the last couple months, I could see the special bond she was starting to form with Stefani. I vowed to myself right then that I would focus on doing the same with Toni. Her earlier statement of, "You make my mom happy." and the picture she drew of the four of us holding hands, told me she was clearly more astute to the situation than I was aware. My heart yearned for the impromptu family the four of us had started to become and, more importantly, it yearned for Stefani in a way I hadn't felt since Julie. I glanced down at my free hand and observed that my fidgeting fingers had unconsciously produced a little twisted rope circle from the scrap of wrapping paper. In that moment, I realized that my heart knew what it needed. The girls had moved their play downstairs while I was lost in my thoughts, and Stefani and I hadn't said anything in quite some time. She eventually broke the silence, and my distant stare, by asking, "Are you okay? What's wrong?" I responded, "Nothing is wrong. Absolutely nothing." before continuing with conviction, "I know this is going to sound impulsive, but I've never felt more clearly about anything in my life." I lifted my free hand with the little wrapping paper ring and said, "I love you, Stefani. Will you marry me?" She quickly and emphatically answered, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" and her eyes filled with tears as I slipped the makeshift giftwrap ring over her finger. She then leapt into my lap, cradled my face with her palms, and passionately kissed me through her weeping. The Idea. We introduced the idea to Lizzie and Toni as we were all playing board games that Christmas afternoon. It would be an understatement to say they were thrilled about being sisters and living in the same house together. Stefani and I hadn't even begun to consider logistics of being a family. Would we live in my house, her house, a new house? Regardless, the girls immediately started planning how they wanted to decorate a shared bedroom. Stefani asked if they might each like their own room, an idea which the girls quickly dismissed. As the girls' planning continued, Stefani discreetly moved her hand under the table and onto my thigh, giving it affectionate caresses and little love squeezes. I gave her a contented smile, then a moment later she interrupted the girls' conversation to ask, "Would the two of you like to sleep in the tent downstairs again tonight?" Of course they said yes, but I think Stefani and I were even more excited than they were. When the evening wound down, we tucked them into bed and headed upstairs to my bedroom. Stefani decided she would like a shower so we gathered towels and toiletries, sharing plenty of kisses and touches as we did. We reluctantly parted and she proceeded into the bathroom. I heard the glass door open and close, then the sounds of splashing water indicating she was in the shower. I gave her about 10-minutes to freshen up before stripping naked and going in to surprise her. I opened the shower door to see her rinsing shampoo from her hair. She continued rinsing without interruption, but acknowledged me by saying, "I was hoping you would come in." My hands explored her body while she attempted to rinsed her hair, my hardened cock occasionally poking and pressing against her as we moved. She gave up rinsing after a few moments and we urgently kissed in each other's arms, our wet naked bodies pressed together and responding to the slippery contact. After some extended foreplay, I turned Stefani away from me and motioned for her to place one foot up on the tiled shower bench, then entered her from behind in that standing position. She steadied herself against the shower walls as I passionately took her in that standing position, my hands alternating between her holding her hips and kneading her soapy tits. Stefani giggled as I eventually pulled out of her and the combined product of our orgasms trailed down the inside of her leg and swirled down the shower drain. We did actually clean ourselves, of course with a lot of shared soaping, rinsing, and drying assistance, before taking our desire to the bed. We made love numerous times that night in various waves of passion, some tender and caring, some urgent and visceral, and all immensely satisfying to our bodies and souls. Announcement. Stefani told her parents about our engagement when they returned from their cruise. They were understandably concerned given the very short timeline of events and urged her to slow things down. They expressed the same to me when Lizzie and I met them for the first time over a family dinner. After eating, her parents took me aside to reinforce their concerns when I began talking somewhat cryptically, "I was perfectly content living day-to-day, just Lizzie and me as our own little family. Sure, I had fantasies about my wife still being alive, or meeting some beautiful woman that would fill that hole in my heart, but I didn't expect that to ever happen and certainly didn't seek it out. Then Lizzie met Toni, and I met a very; guarded; version of Stefani." Her parents gave each other knowing glances at that statement, and her dad offered, "And bitchy." I laughed and put my hands up in the air as if to mockingly plead, "You said it, not me." before I verbally continued, "Let's just say that her; cold; attitude led to us having a conversation and discovering we have some common experiences in our pasts. Anyway, that's when I truly met the real Stefani and began falling in love, not because of our common pasts, but because of the beautiful, intelligent, caring, compassionate, and cheerful person I came to know after she let me in. I didn't understand what was missing from my life until I truly met the real Stefani; and Toni. The four of us complete each other." Her parents' faces visibly softened as I continued, "I completely understand your concerns, and I'm willing to wait as long as it takes to have your blessing. Your daughter is my fantasy, my fairy tale that I thought I would never find. I can wait a little longer." Her mom's eyes filled with tears and her dad held out his hand to shake mine saying, "You have our blessing. I trust the two of you to decide when the time is right." Blending. Stefani and I honored her parent's guidance and spent the next months growing together and falling deeper in love. We had frequent sleepover nights at both my house and hers and were really beginning to function as a family of four. Stefani was very much becoming a mother to Lizzie, and me a father to Toni. At some point that spring, we all knew the time was right. In early June, Stefani's parents and a small gathering of friends looked on as Stefani, Toni, Lizzie, and I stood on the bridge behind our house and officially became a family. It turns out maybe Lizzie was always right about that bridge. It did have a way of healing wounds and making everything right again. Based on a post by Architect 23 94, in 3 parts, for Literotica.
Start your day with The Wake Up Call! We’ve got your latest news, sports, and weather, plus Tank’s NHL report from the Novice Hockey League at the Cullen Hockey Center in Moorhead. Hear the full recap of last night’s showdown between the White Team and the Black Team, and find out who came out on top. If you love local hockey and staying informed, this episode is for you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When bestselling author and podcast host Jen Hatmaker's 26-year marriage imploded, she realized something shocking: even though she was the breadwinner, she had no idea how much money she made… or how to access it. In this deeply honest and empowering conversation, Jen sits down with Jean Chatzky to discuss her financial “wake-up” — how she went from completely disconnected to financially independent after divorce. Together, they unpack how faith, purity culture, and traditional gender roles shaped her relationship with money, and how she ultimately took back control. What You'll Hear In This Episode: Why she went to an attorney, not a therapist, after finding out about her husband's affair The cultural and religious beliefs that kept her from managing her money Jen's 90-day crash course to financial independence (and the exact checklist she followed) How friendships and solo travel helped her heal emotionally and financially Her evolving relationship with spirituality after stepping away from church Jen's advice for women who feel they're “late” to their own financial lives Resources & Links: Jen Hatmaker's memoir: AWAKE Jen's podcast: For The Love Follow Jen on Instagram More financial tips and support: HerMoney.com If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend who needs to hear it. Subscribe for more stories of reinvention, resilience, and taking control of your financial future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have you ever felt the Lord's presence speak directly to you - calling you to step out of your comfort zone for Him? One night, Cassie Connelly, from our West Cobb community (outside of Atlanta, Georgia), had this personal experience with the Lord as He called her to the world of adoption - a call that had been placed in her heart since she was a little girl. Beautifully illustrated and told, Cassie will take you on a journey to China, where her family adopted her daughter. Through it all, you will be reminded of the Lord's provision and providential care and encouraged to know that when the Lord calls you to do something, you are never alone. He is with you all the way. ____________________________________________ VERSE OF THE WEEK: "God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK: In what ways have you seen the puzzle pieces of your life come together for the glory of God? This Christmas season, sit in remembrance of what the Lord has done in your life over the years and ask Him what He's calling you to do next. Links: Thank you to Waverly Advisors for being one of StoryTellers Live's ministry sponsors! Listen to Jessica Prier's story- Ep. 312- Jessica Prier: "Hands Wide Open- A Story of Starting Business" Listen to a similar story: Eva- Ep. 95: God's Perfect Timing:: An Adoption Story" Download a phone background of the weekly verse HERE Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Cassie and any of our past storytellers! Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a Continue the Conversation with Lindy, Katie, and Robyn. Robyn shares her personal experience of adopting a child. Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series~ Stories of Hope, Stories of Freedom, Stories of Faith Are you interested in one-on-one coaching with our very own Robyn Kown!? Click HERE! Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website. Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings.
Brittany joins the Sober Motivation Podcast to share her powerful story of growing up in Minnesota with a father who struggled with alcoholism, living with clinical depression, and using alcohol to cope with trauma, loneliness, and shame. She talks about becoming a “high-functioning” drinker—doing well at work and school while secretly relying on alcohol every day. Brittany also opens up about getting trapped in an abusive relationship, the trauma bond that kept her stuck, and the moment everything changed after a violent incident. On January 3rd, she chose sobriety, learned to ride out cravings, and started rebuilding a life filled with real joy, self-respect, and emotional healing. If you're questioning your relationship with alcohol, stuck in toxic patterns, or wondering if change is possible, this recovery story will give you hope and motivation to keep going. ---------------- Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivation Sober Motivation Community: Click Here Brittany on IG: https://www.instagram.com/innatedivinity/
The world's okayest morning radio show offers you the entire broadcast from today with none of the music and limited commercials. Try to enjoy!
Take a peek behind the curtain of the podcast's brand-new direction that's less “HR rulebook,” more “let's talk about the wonderfully unpredictable humans running your business.” Kira shares the personal burnout story that cracked her leadership wide open, why mental health and real support systems aren't optional, and what authentic leadership actually looks like when you stop white-knuckling through it.Kira's story sets the tone for this new era and is an open invitation for returning listeners and fresh arrivals to buckle up and align with the honest, human-first conversations that will guide every episode from here on out.We're so glad you're along for this ride!
Amy King hosts your Wednesday Wake Up Call. ABC News correspondent Jim Ryan opens the show talking about poisonous fungus. KFI Tech Reporter Rich DeMuro joins Wake Up Call for ‘Wired Wednesday’! Rich talks about the Pebble Index Ring, Slates modular EV concept, and ways to connect with Santa. Denise Pellegrini from Bloomberg Media joins the show to give a business and stock market update. The show closes with Amy talking with veterinarian ER visits being extremely expensive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Morning Shift reset the headlines the third hour of the show before hitting a Wake Up Call to hear from listeners about Christmas party horror shows and what the Falcons will do on Thursday.
The Morning Shift reset the headlines the third hour of the show before hitting a Wake Up Call to hear from listeners about Christmas party horror shows and what the Falcons will do on Thursday. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times joined The Morning Shift to discuss the matchup between the Falcons and Bucs on Thursday night. He dug into some context for the Falcons' division rivals and helped us understand some things from the Tampa perspective. We wrapped the show with some more Falcons discussion before flipping over to talk about some wild stories from Ed Orgeron and his recruiting days during Life of Squid.
KFI Tech Reporter Rich DeMuro joins Wake Up Call for ‘Wired Wednesday’! Rich talks about the Pebble Index Ring, Slates modular EV concept, and ways to connect with Santa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured This morning, after listening to a parade of Republican senators and representatives regurgitate talking points about healthcare, farm policy, and government spending, I hit a breaking point: I'm never voting for “less bad” again. Watching these people dodge reality while their constituents suffer was embarrassing — for them, and for the country.In this episode, we break down: • Why the GOP's current leadership is terrified of saying anything real • How Republicans now rely on the same canned bullet points as Democrats • Why nothing meaningful has been accomplished under Mike Johnson's Congress • How the party continues to rubber-stamp spending, foreign aid, and bureaucratic growth • Why Republicans treat criticism like “mean tweets” instead of feedback And why refusing to vote for weak candidates may be the only way forward.
After a year of displacement, five homes, and the fires of Malibu at my back, I woke up in my childhood home with a clear knowing: I have reached the end of investing in the counterfeit masculine. This episode is a personal reckoning—raw, honest, and unfiltered. I share what it feels like to walk through the museum of inherited survival, and how I am closing the door on men who perform presence without embodying it. If you are a man hearing this, know this is not condemnation—it is a clear signal. The feminine is no longer feeding what refuses to grow. www.sexlieslove.com#asmr #single and #happy#conscious #masculinity#feminine #awakening#emotional #sovereignty#masculine #healing#trauma #patterns#relationship #truth#embodiment #work#peace #billionaire
Join The SwoleFam https://swolenormousx.com/membershipsDownload The Swolenormous App https://swolenormousx.com/swolenormousappMERCH - https://papaswolio.com/Watch the full episodes here: https://rumble.com/thedailyswoleSubmit A Question For The Show: https://swolenormousx.com/apsGet On Papa Swolio's Email List: https://swolenormousx.com/emailDownload The 7 Pillars Ebook: https://swolenormousx.com/7-Pillars-EbookTry A Swolega Class From Inside Swolenormous X: https://www.swolenormousx.com/swolegaGet Your Free $10 In Bitcoin: https://www.swanbitcoin.com/papaswolio/ Questions? Email Us: Support@Swolenormous.com
Today I'm joined by Mark Altieri, EVP of Business Development at Zonic Design. We break down why fixed ops is still the most under-leveraged profit center in dealerships—and how communication gaps are quietly eroding customer loyalty. Mark explains how AI is reshaping customer engagement, why half of a dealership's DMS often sits untouched, and what operators can do to immediately improve retention. Clear takeaways, practical frameworks, and fast-changing tech insights make this a must-listen for every dealer. Have questions about how Zonic Design can help your service operations, reach out to Mark directly at mark@zonicdesign.com or find him on linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/maltieri/ This episode is brought to you by: 1. Repair360 - If you're in the used car business, you know wasted time is wasted money. Check out Repair360—the first and only reconditioning software that connects every function in the dealership to tighten recon and help you sell more cars — No more hounding vendors. Goodbye endless texts and hallway chases. Repair 360 connects all the dots. See where every car is and what its recon is costing minute-to-minute in real time. Go to www.repair360.com 2. fullthrottle.ai® - fullthrottle.ai® is a next-generation AdTech powerhouse. The Automotive DSP™ is built specifically for the auto industry, combining advanced programmatic targeting, real-time bidding, and analytics tailored to drive dealership and OEM performance. With fullthrottle.ai®, marketers can reach the right car shoppers at the right moment and optimize toward real business outcomes like test drives, leads, or sales. fullthrottle.ai® bridges the gap between auto media buying and results-driven marketing. Check out http://fullthrottle.ai 3. Zonic Design - 28 years providing direct to dealer fixed operations solutions. Data • Print • Digital • Voice • AI, Removing the noise in pursuit of frictionless customer engagement. Learn more about BDC-Angel at https://zonicdesign.com Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Topics: 00:06 Why are fixed ops so important? 00:28 What's the first impression in service? 02:38 Biggest challenge and opportunity in fixed ops? 06:10 How to improve dealership communication? 08:24 How can AI help service departments? 21:50 Tailoring communication strategies for different customers? 28:37 Final piece of advice for fixed ops? Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
Are you tired of watching your potential collect dust while your excuses keep holding the pen that writes your story?“Get Your Life Together: A Raw, Inspirational, Motivational Speech to Break Excuses, Build Discipline & Level Up Now”This episode is your official wake-up call. A fully inspirational, motivational, mindset-changing message designed to snap you out of excuses, fear, procrastination, self-sabotage, and emotional drift.If you've been waiting for the “right time”… If you've been praying without preparing… If you've been dreaming without moving… If you've been stuck in cycles you KNOW are beneath your calling…This powerful motivational speech is the breakthrough you've been avoiding.Reginald D breaks down the truth about discipline, emotional healing, internal honesty, responsibility, procrastination, excuses, and the version of YOU that's waiting to be unlocked. This episode is raw. It's real. It's uncomfortable. But it's the exact inspirational push your next season requires.Whether you're struggling with direction, motivation, consistency, confidence, or clarity—this is the episode that will motivate, activate, and elevate you into motion. Most people today feel overwhelmed, distracted, behind, or unmotivated. They're drowning in noise, notifications, emotional exhaustion, and the fear of starting over. This episode speaks directly to that battle.You'll learn why you're stuck, how your habits are shaping your results, and what's really keeping you from stepping into the life God designed for you. You'll discover why your future self is depending on you, and how to finally break the cycle that's been holding you back.You'll Gain:• A deeper level of self-honesty that reveals the real reasons behind your lack of progress—and the clarity to fix it now. • Motivational tools and inspirational mindset shifts to finally break excuses, confront your patterns, and build discipline that lasts. • A renewed sense of identity, confidence, and spiritual alignment so you can step into the stronger, healed, focused version of yourself that your future requires.Hit play now and let this inspirational, motivational speech ignite the discipline, courage, and purpose you need to finally get your life together and level up today.motivational and inspirational. inspirational, motivational, motivate, motivational speech, self-discipline, personal growth, mindset shift, life transformation, GodSend us a textSupport the showFor daily motivation and inspiration, subscribe and follow Real Talk With Reginald D on social media:Instagram: realtalkwithreginaldd TikTok: @realtalkregd Youtube: @realtalkwithreginald Facebook: realtalkwithreginaldd Twitter Real Talk With Reginald D (@realtalkRegD) / TwitterWebsite: Real Talk With Reginald D https://www.realtalkwithreginaldd.com Real Talk With Reginald D - Merchandise
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In this episode, we break down Alex Golesh's no-nonsense Monday press conference, where the Auburn head coach delivered a firm message about commitment, culture, and the kind of players he wants in the program moving forward. We'll dive into his standout comments on why being “all-in” on Auburn matters now more than ever, and how that mindset is shaping the Tigers' identity. Golesh also had high praise for defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, highlighting the impact he's making and what his leadership means for Auburn's evolving defensive philosophy. And of course, we'll get into the big question on everyone's mind: the future of the Tigers' quarterback room. From talent development to long-term vision, we'll discuss Golesh's plans and what fans should expect next. Tune in for analysis, key takeaways, and what this press conference tells us about where Auburn football is heading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices