Podcasts about war zones

Last time we spoke about the Japanese invasion of Hainan. In early 1939, the Sino-Japanese War shifted from pitched battles to a grueling struggle over lifelines and logistics. Japan pursued a southward strategy (Nanshin-ron), aiming to choke Chinese resistance by isolating key railways and airbases. It seized Hainan in February to secure southern airfields and threaten Indochina routes, then targeted Nanchang to cut the vital Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway, crippling Free China's eastern supply lines. The Japanese used a blended-arms approach: concentrated armor, air support, and amphibious and river operations, focusing on rapid, strategic breakthroughs rather than large-scale frontal assaults. China, though battered, relied on a reconstituted defense around Wuhan and Nanchang, with the Ninth War Zone under Xue Yue delaying Japanese advances and preserving critical corridors south of the Yangtze. The campaign highlighted the war's broader human and political dimensions: massive casualties, forced labor, and internal political fragility within the Kuomintang, even as both sides sought to outlast the other.   #186 The Battle of Nanchang Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. For the Second Sino-Japanese War, 1939 marked a transition from broad occupation tactics to a focused, politically driven military strategy aimed at breaking Nationalist cohesion and isolating key nodes. After the January 11, 1938 Imperial Conference, Tokyo framed the China Conflict as a contest of endurance and political attrition: hold occupied territories as strategic assets, push a narrow operational corridor between Anqing, Xinyang, Yuezhou, and Nanchang, and treat the broader east-of-line spaces as pacified. The aim was to deny resources to Chiang Kai-shek's regime while awaiting a more opportune political rupture, instead of pursuing indiscriminate conquest. By October 1938, the tactical center of gravity shifted toward Wuhan and the Yangtze corridor. General Headquarters acknowledged the need to adapt to a protracted war: emphasize political strategy alongside combat operations, bolster a new regime in areas under pressure, and gradually erode Chongqing's moral and material resolve. This shift produced a dual track: reinforce a centralized, secure core while permitting peripheral fronts to be leveraged against Chongqing.   In early 1939, Japan sought to consolidate gains through layered defenses and strategic war zones, aiming to blunt Chinese mobilization and disrupt critical logistics. The Ninth War Zone, commanded by Xue Yue, formed a defensive umbrella over Nanchang's northern approaches and the surrounding rail-and-river arteries. China's leadership, notably Chiang Kai-shek, pressed for preemption to seize the initiative: an ambitious plan from Xue Yue to strike by March 24, 1939, to prevent a river-crossing Japanese advance and to pin forces before they could entrench. Japan responded with Operation Ren, targeting the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway to sever lines of communication and isolate Nanchang. Okamura Yasuji reorganized heavy weapons into concentrated tank groups, supported by air power, while late-February 1939 movements staged feints and riverine maneuvers to complicate Chinese concentration around Nanchang. The objective was a rapid, surgical seizure of Nanchang to blind the southern airbase network, disrupt the critical rail spine, and push Chinese forces deeper inland, thereby tightening a blockade around southern China. Together, these shifts framed Nanchang not as an isolated objective but as the climactic hinge in a broader strategy of coercive pressure, air-ground mobility, and rail control. The city's fall would represent the culmination of a protracted contest to deny the Nationalist regime its logistical arteries and air superiority, paving the way for further Japanese consolidation and pressure along the Yangtze corridor. In the wake of the Japanese capture of Wuhan in late 1938, the city swiftly transformed into a pivotal stronghold for the Imperial Japanese Army. It became the new base for the 11th Army, occupying the former territories of the National Revolutionary Army's 5th and 9th War Zones. This shift not only consolidated Japanese control over central China but also positioned their forces to launch further offensives, exploiting the region's logistical and geographical advantages. As a key railway hub and the western terminus of the Zhejiang-Hunan Railway, Nanchang served as a vital supply artery connecting the Third and Ninth War Zones of the Nationalist forces. Its airfields further amplified its importance, posing a direct threat to Japanese shipping routes along the Yangtze River. Capturing Nanchang would sever Chinese supply lines, isolate key military districts, and pave the way for deeper incursions into southern China. Faced with this looming threat, the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek moved quickly to reorganize its defenses in the 9th War Zone. General Chen Cheng retained his nominal position as commander in chief, but the actual operational reins were handed to General Xue Yue, a seasoned tactician known for his defensive prowess. This restructuring aimed to streamline command and bolster resistance, yet it was hampered by persistent logistical challenges that rendered many changes ineffective on the ground. As tensions escalated in early 1939, Chinese forces began amassing near Nanchang in preparation for the inevitable clash. Over 200,000 troops from 52 divisions were mobilized, drawing from units across the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi Border Area. This region alone housed more than 29 divisions organized into four army groups: the 1st, 19th, 30th, and 32nd. On paper, this formidable assembly included over 16,000 officers and 240,000 enlisted men, representing a significant concentration of Nationalist power.   Leading this defensive effort was General Chen Cheng as the overarching commander in chief, with General Xue Yue stepping in as the acting commander to oversee day-to-day operations. Within this structure, the 19th Army Group stood out under the command of General Luo Zhuoying, supported by Lieutenant General Luo Weixong as his chief of staff. Luo Zhuoying, in particular, emerged as a central figure, assuming overall command for much of the ensuing Battle of Nanchang. His leadership would be tested against the relentless advance of the Japanese Eleventh Army, setting the stage for one of the bloodiest engagements of the war. In July 1938, during their offensive against Wuhan, Japanese forces attempted to advance toward Nanchang but were halted by Chinese defenders along the Xiushui River. The Chinese had established strong, fortified positions that effectively barred the Japanese path. The impasse endured for the rest of the year, with both armies locked in a standoff on opposite sides of the river. By March of 1939, the 11th Army led by General Okamura Yasuji, part of the Central China Expeditionary Army of General Hata Shunroku comprised 3 divisions, the 6th, 101st and 106th, roughly 120,000 men supported by 130 tanks and tankettes, 200 pieces of artillery, 30 warships with 50 motor boats, a battalion of SNLF and several air squadrons.  On March 12,  the Japanese Central China Expeditionary Army issued orders to its directly subordinate 116th Division. This division was commanded to dispatch two key detachments: the Ishihara Detachment and the Murai Detachment, the latter composed meticulously of five battalions drawn from the 119th Brigade. Their mission was to conduct a thorough search along the eastern shore of Poyang Lake, supported by naval vessels that patrolled the waters with menacing precision. The purpose was multifaceted: to safeguard the integrity of land and water transportation routes and to protect the left flank of the main Japanese force as it prepared for larger operations. By March 15, these detachments had advanced without encountering any resistance from the Chinese army, allowing them to conclude their search operation successfully. Following this, they deployed the necessary troops at key points along the route, establishing garrisons that would serve as footholds for future advances. This reconnaissance was no mere stroll; it was a calculated probe into enemy territory, drawing lessons from prior engagements like the grueling Battle of Xuzhou in 1938, where intelligence gathering had proven crucial to Japanese successes. The Japanese soldiers boots sank into the marshy banks of Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater body, covering over 3,500 square kilometers and teeming with reeds that could hide ambushes. The lack of opposition allowed the Japanese to fortify their positions, setting the stage for the preemptive strikes that would follow. The tempo of battle quickened on March 17, 1939, as the Japanese army launched its preemptive attack, a move designed to seize the initiative and disrupt Chinese preparations. The very next day, on March 18, the Murai Detachment departed from Xingzi aboard warships, navigating the treacherous waters to land near Wucheng, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Yongxiu. Their objective was to assault the Chinese defenders in this area, but they encountered fierce resistance from the Chinese 32nd Army and other supporting units, turning the landing into a brutal contest of wills. Concurrently, the main forces of the Japanese 101st and 106th Divisions, bolstered by their artillery and tank units, advanced methodically toward the north bank of the Xiushui River. They occupied their respective attack starting points with precision, after which the artillery units began conducting test firings and further reconnaissance to gauge the strength of Chinese defenses. This phase echoed the Japanese tactics employed in the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, where combined arms operations had overwhelmed urban defenses. A Chinese defender's recollection "We watched the enemy approach like a dark cloud, our rifles ready, knowing that the river would soon run red with the blood of brothers." The climax of preparation erupted at exactly 16:30 on March 20, when the Japanese 11th Army issued orders to the commander of the 6th Artillery Brigade. This commander was directed to orchestrate all available artillery to bombard the positions held by the Chinese 49th and 79th Armies on the south bank of the Xiushui River. What ensued was a pre-general offensive artillery barrage that endured for more than three grueling hours, incorporating a large number of poison gas shells, a heinous weapon that flouted international conventions like the Geneva Protocol of 1925. Many defenders' positions were utterly destroyed in this onslaught, and several officers and soldiers, including the valiant Wang Lingyun, commander of the 76th Division, were poisoned by the toxic fumes, suffering agonizing effects that highlighted the barbarity of chemical warfare. At precisely 19:30 that evening, the 106th Division commenced its forced crossing of the Xiushui River at Qiujin. Later, on the night of the 20th, the 101st Division also initiated its crossing north of Tujiabu. The Xiushui River, measuring about 30 meters in width, had swollen by approximately 3 meters due to continual heavy rains, rendering the crossing exceedingly difficult for the Japanese troops who battled against the raging currents. Nevertheless, the flooding had an unintended benefit for the invaders: many defender positions were inundated, and most water obstacles were washed away by the deluge. Leveraging this, the two Japanese divisions broke through the defenders' front lines and executed continuous night attacks, establishing a beachhead that extended 2 kilometers deep by dawn on the 21st. This foothold provided essential cover for Japanese engineers to construct pontoon bridges amid the chaos. At around 8 a.m., the Japanese tank group crossed these pontoon bridges and launched an attack on the Dongshan garrison from the front of the 106th Division, then proceeded to circle around toward Nanchang along the west side of Nanxun Road. Historian Rana Mitter aptly describes such river crossings as "desperate gambles where nature itself became a combatant," underscoring how environmental factors often tipped the scales in Sino-Japanese confrontations.Chiang Kai-shek, monitoring these developments from his command center, would have felt the weight of impending crisis.   By 21:30 on March 22, the Japanese vanguard tank group had advanced to Fengxin and successfully occupied the Liaohe Bridge outside the South Gate. The sudden and ferocious tank attack caught the defending troops off guard, preventing them from withdrawing the 38 artillery pieces that had been deployed on the city's outskirts before they were forced into a hasty retreat. On March 23, the Japanese army fully occupied Fengxin. Simultaneously, a portion of the 101st Division launched a frontal assault along Nanxun Road. Under the protective cover of artillery, they crossed the Xiushui River and encountered fierce resistance from the Chinese 32nd Army at Tujiabu, resulting in a prolonged stalemate where neither side could gain a decisive advantage. Following the Japanese launch of their general offensive, the Guilin Headquarters of the National Government Military Commission, under Director Bai Chongxi, urgently ordered all units of the Ninth War Zone to hold their positions firmly on March 21. On the same day, Chiang Kai-shek telegraphed Gu Zhutong, commander-in-chief of the Third War Zone, with specific instructions to immediately transfer the 102nd Division to Nanchang to reinforce the city's defenses, placing it under the command of Luo Zhuoying, commander-in-chief of the 19th Army Group. He also ordered the 16th and 79th Divisions to proceed to Dongxiang and Jinxian, southeast of Nanchang, to guard the southern bank of Poyang Lake and provide support for operations in Nanchang. Simultaneously, he commanded the 19th Army Group to deploy approximately two divisions of its strongest forces to strike key enemy points in the rear, including Mahuiling, Ruichang, Jiujiang, and De'an, with the aim of sabotaging railways and highways, cutting off enemy rear-area transportation, and preventing reinforcements from reaching the front. However, due to poor communication, slow troop movements, and inadequate coordination among units, these ambitious plans were not implemented, and the battlefield situation had already undergone significant changes by the time adjustments could be made. On the 23rd, Chiang Kai-shek came to realize that the Japanese army was resolutely determined to capture Nanchang, and thus he conceived the strategic idea of inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy before potentially abandoning the city. He specifically telegraphed Xue Yue, commander-in-chief of the Ninth War Zone; Luo Zhuoying, commander-in-chief of the 19th Army Group; and Xiong Shihui, chairman of Jiangxi Province, with the following directive: "The key to this battle is not the gain or loss of Nanchang, but inflicting the greatest blow on the enemy. Even if Nanchang falls, all our armies should disregard everything and advance toward the designated targets, and decide on future operational plans in accordance with this policy." This telegram, preserved in wartime archives, exemplifies Chiang's shift toward a war of attrition, a tactic that would define much of China's resistance. On March 25, Chiang Kai-shek again telegraphed Bai Chongxi, Xue Yue, Luo Zhuoying, and Gu Zhutong, providing detailed instructions: "1. The main force of Luo's group should maintain focus on the Hunan-Jiangxi Highway, attack the enemy's right flank, and press them toward the Gan River. It is crucial to avoid having the main force operate with its back to the Gan River. (That is, the main force of the 19th Army Group should be moved to a mobile position west of the Gan River to avoid being forced to the Gan River and facing a decisive battle in an unfavorable situation.) 2. A necessary portion should be used to defend the Nanchang front. If necessary, resistance can be carried out gradually between the Fu and Gan Rivers to cover southern Jiangxi." On the very same day, the Japanese army defeated the 102nd Division, which had been reinforced from the Third War Zone, in engagements west of Nanchang. By March 26, the Japanese army had advanced to the vicinity of Shengmi Street on the left bank of the Gan River. They crossed the river that day, executing a maneuver to outflank Nanchang from the south and simultaneously cut off the Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway, a critical supply line. The main force of the 101st Division also advanced to Shengmi Street via Wanbu and Huangxi on March 26, crossed the Gan River that evening, and launched a direct attack on Nanchang. Its 101st Brigade, moving along the Nanchang-Xuncheng Railway via Lehua and Jiaoqiao, reached the north bank of the Gan River northwest of Nanchang on the 26th. Upon discovering these Japanese advances, the 19th Army urgently ordered the 32nd Army to withdraw from Tujiabu on the Nanchang-Xuncheng Railway back to Nanchang to join the 102nd Division in defending the city. However, before the 32nd Army had fully withdrawn, the Japanese tank group and the 101st Brigade had already advanced to the Gan River bridges to the west and north of Nanchang, respectively. Although the defending forces managed to destroy the bridges to halt their progress west and north of the Gan River, the Japanese 101st Division had already penetrated into Nanchang from the south. The defenders found themselves outnumbered and with weak firepower compared to the invaders. After engaging in intense street fighting, they suffered heavy casualties and were ultimately ordered to retreat to Jinxian. On March 27, the Japanese 101st Division occupied Nanchang, marking a significant, albeit temporary, victory in their campaign. Eyewitness account "The city fell amid the thunder of guns and the wails of the wounded, a testament to the fragility of urban defenses against mechanized onslaught." Following the capture, on March 28, the Japanese 11th Army was ordered to ensure that the main force of the 101st Division would return to Nanchang and that the 106th Division would retake Fengxin, all in preparation for subsequent operations in Gao'an or areas west of Fengxin. By April 2, the Japanese army had occupied Gao'an City, further consolidating their hold on the region. Meanwhile the fighting extended to Wuning. Wuning is located on the north bank of the Xiushui River, approximately 80 kilometers west of the Nanchang-Jiujiang Railway. This position holds immense strategic importance, backed by the formidable Mufu Mountains, and serves as a key point on the left flank of the Ninth War Zone's defense line in northern Jiangxi. The forces deployed here included the 72nd and 78th Armies of the 30th Army Group, along with the 8th and 73rd Armies of the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi Border Advance Army, all positioned along both banks of the Xiushui River under the unified command of Wang Lingji, commander-in-chief of the 30th Army Group. To bolster the defense of Nanchang, the Nationalist Government's Military Commission devised a plan to send a powerful force eastward from Wuning toward Qiujin and De'an, with the intent of harassing the rear and flanks of the enemy advancing south along the Nanchang-Jiujiang Railway and disrupting their transportation networks. After carefully assessing the Chinese deployments and strategic intentions, the Japanese 11th Army also regarded Wuning as a crucial flank in its overall Nanchang campaign. Consequently, they dispatched their 6th Division to Wuning to contain and block the Chinese army, thereby ensuring the safety of its main force's right flank and facilitating the capture of Nanchang. On March 20, while the Japanese army was heavily engaged on the Nanxun Railway front, its 6th Division launched an attack westward along the north bank of the Xiushui River from Ruoxi (situated between Qiujin and Wuning). However, they encountered fierce resistance from the Chinese 73rd and 8th Armies, which resulted in slow and painstaking progress for the attackers. On the afternoon of the 21st, a portion of the 6th Division, under the protective cover of aircraft and artillery, crossed the Xiushui River east of Ruoxi, and the main force directed its assault toward Wuning, while its 36th Brigade targeted Yangzhou Street. The 30th Army Group, tasked with defending Wuning, mounted a tenacious resistance by leveraging the advantageous mountainous terrain, making the Japanese advance extremely difficult. After four days of fierce and unrelenting fighting, the Japanese were still unable to break through the defenders' positions. On the morning of March 23, under continued air and artillery cover, the Japanese army persisted in its fierce attack, repeatedly dropping incendiary and chemical bombs on Chinese positions. The defending forces suffered heavy losses as a result and were compelled to withdraw from Wucheng Town on the 24th, moving farther back to regroup. After occupying Wucheng, the Murai Detachment continued its operations to clear the Gan River and Xiushui River of obstacles and to remove mines that had been laid by the Chinese forces. By the 28th, they had advanced to the vicinity of Xinning Town, which is about 4 kilometers east of Wuning. Its 36th Brigade engaged in fierce fighting with the defending 19th Division at Yangzhou Street on the 24th and successfully captured Jing'an on the 27th; however, due to the conclusion of the Nanchang battle and the fact that its main force was blocked east of Wuning, it quickly returned and redirected its attack toward Wuning. Because the 73rd and 8th Armies had suffered heavy casualties from days of intense fighting, the 30th Army Group ordered the 72nd Army to assume the defense of northeast Wuning. The Japanese 6th Division concentrated its forces for a fierce and coordinated assault, and by the 29th, the defending forces had retreated to the south bank of the Xiushui River, allowing the Japanese army to occupy Wuning. After further intense fighting, by April 5, the Japanese 36th Brigade had advanced to the south bank of the Xiushui River.During this entire period, Chiang Kai-shek repeatedly telegraphed Bai Chongxi and Xue Yue, issuing orders for the 30th Army Group in Wuning and the 31st Army Group in Chongyang and Tongshan (commanded by Tang Enbo) to launch a counteroffensive regardless of the evolving situation in Nanchang. The objective was to flank and attack the enemy's rear, advancing toward Mahuiling, De'an, Yongxiu, and Ruichang on the Nanchang-Xunyi road, to cut off enemy transportation lines and block reinforcements. However, this plan was not implemented due to various logistical and coordination challenges.   After the Japanese army captured Nanchang, it maintained a tense standoff with the Third and Ninth War Zones of China along the southeast bank of Poyang Lake to the east, Xiangtang to the south, and Gao'an, Fengxin, and Wuning to the west. The Military Commission of the National Government made a calculated judgment that although the Japanese had occupied Nanchang, they had suffered heavy losses and had not yet had the opportunity to replenish their forces. The defending forces within the city were deemed insufficient, prompting the Commission to decide on launching a counteroffensive while the Japanese army was still in the process of consolidating its position. At the same time, it ordered each war zone to initiate the "April Offensive" (also known as the "Spring Offensive") with the goals of harassing and containing the Japanese army and preventing it from continuing to advance westward toward Changsha. The Military Commission specifically ordered the Ninth War Zone and the Third War Zone to plan and execute a counteroffensive against Nanchang. The forces designated for this operation were planned to include the 1st, 19th, and 30th Army Groups of the Ninth War Zone and the 32nd Army Group of the Third War Zone, totaling about 10 divisions, all under the unified command of Luo Zhuoying, commander-in-chief of the 19th Army Group. On April 17, Chiang Kai-shek telegraphed his detailed "Plan to Conquer Nanchang" to Bai Chongxi, the director of the Guilin Headquarters, and sought his opinion on the matter. The operational strategy outlined was: "First, use the main force to attack the enemy along the Nanchang-Xunyi Railway, effectively cutting off enemy communications, and then use a portion of the force to directly capture Nanchang. The attack is scheduled to begin on April 24th." The main content of its troop deployment was as follows: The 1st Army Group (Commander-in-Chief Gao Yin-huai), the 19th Army Group, and the 74th Army (Commander Yu Ji-shi) were ordered to advance through Fengxin and Dacheng toward the Nanchang-Xunyi Railway between Xiushui and Nanchang, thoroughly disrupting transportation, cutting off enemy reinforcements, and cooperating in the capture of Nanchang; the 49th Army of the 19th Army Group (Commander Liu Duo-quan) was ordered to advance gradually as the general reserve; the 32nd Army Group (Commander-in-Chief Shangguan Yun-xiang) was ordered to attack Nanchang from the east of the Gan River with three divisions, and to organize a regiment to seize Nanchang by surprise; the 30th Army Group (Commander-in-Chief Wang Ling-ji) was ordered to attack Wuning. On April 18, Bai Chongxi replied to Chiang Kai-shek, offering his own suggestions on troop deployment with slight modifications. He emphasized the critical need for a surprise attack and for disrupting and harassing the enemy's transportation and rear areas, as well as cutting off the enemy's communication lines. He also believed that the attack should be brought forward and carried out as soon as possible, at the latest around the 22nd. On April 21, the forces of the Ninth War Zone began their operations in earnest. The 1st Army Group, comprising the 184th Division of the 60th Army and the New 10th Division of the 58th Army, attacked Fengxin, while the New 11th Division of the 58th Army monitored the Japanese forces in Jing'an; the main force of the 74th Army attacked Gao'an, and parts of the 74th Army and the 49th Army crossed the Jinjiang River to the north, attacking Dacheng and Shengmijie. Fierce fighting continued until the 26th, when the Japanese retreated to the areas of Fengxin, Qiuling, and Wanshougong. The 19th Army Group captured strongholds such as Dacheng, Gao'an, and Shengmijie. However, progress thereafter became difficult, and the offensive stalled. Neither army group was able to advance to the Nanchang-Xunyi Railway as originally planned. On April 23, the 32nd Army Group of the Third War Zone, consisting of the 16th and 79th Divisions of the 29th Army, the 5th Reserve Division, and part of the 10th Reserve Division, crossed the Fu River and launched an attack on Nanchang. Fierce fighting persisted until the 26th, when they captured Shichajie (south of Nanchang) and advanced toward the city. On the 27th, the Japanese concentrated the main force of the 101st Division to launch a counterattack. Supported by heavy artillery and air power, they engaged in fierce fighting with the Chinese army in the southeastern and southern areas, repeatedly contesting villages and strongholds. Due to the heavy casualties sustained, Duan Langru, commander of the 79th Division, changed the offensive deployment on the night of April 28 and reported this alteration to the army and army group commanders. The commander-in-chief of the 32nd Army Group, citing unauthorized changes to the plan, reported to the Third War Zone for approval and requested the dismissal of Duan Langru. Eager to capture Nanchang and driven by strategic impatience, Chiang Kai-shek, upon hearing the report, issued a stern order on May 1: Duan Langru was to be executed in front of the army for delaying military operations, He Ping, commander of the 16th Division, was ordered to atone for his crimes by achieving success in battle, and Shangguan Yunxiang was sent to the front to supervise the battle personally, with a strict deadline of May 5 for capturing Nanchang. On May 2, the 102nd Division recaptured Xiangtang and then Shichajie. The 16th Division once captured Shatanbu, but it was subsequently taken back by Japanese reinforcements. Shangguan Yunxiang then committed the 26th Division into the battle. On May 4, they launched another concerted attack. By dusk on the 5th, the 5th Reserve Division had reached the outer perimeter of the city and destroyed the barbed wire defenses, but Japanese firepower was intensely concentrated, causing the division to suffer heavy casualties and rendering it unable to continue the assault. The 152nd Regiment of the 26th Division broke into Xinlong Airport at dawn on the 5th and destroyed three Japanese aircraft. The 155th Regiment broke into the railway station at 9:00 a.m. on the 5th, but was blocked by fierce Japanese firepower and a determined counterattack. On May 5, after Chiang Kai-shek had issued the order to capture Nanchang by May 5, Xue Yue, acting commander of the Ninth War Zone, held the belief that with troops not having been replenished after the defense of Nanchang and with weaponry far inferior to that of the enemy, it was impossible to capture Nanchang within the subjective timeframe set. However, he did not directly dissent to Chiang Kai-shek, and on May 3, he telegraphed Chen Cheng to express his views in detail. He wrote: "Attacks on Nanchang and Fengxin have continued for 11 days since April 23. Because our army's equipment cannot keep pace with the enemy's, and the enemy's heavy weapons, mechanized units, and aircraft can support their ground forces everywhere, it is quite difficult to destroy the enemy's strong positions. Now I have received the Chairman's telegram: our army's operational strategy is to wear down the enemy without being worn down by the enemy, to avoid the enemy's strength and attack their weaknesses, and to achieve a protracted war of resistance. Therefore, this attack on Nanchang is aimed at wearing down the enemy. Under the principle of avoiding the enemy's strength and attacking their weakness, we should lie in ambush in advance and launch a surprise attack from all sides, hoping to recapture Nanchang with the fastest and most agile means. However, the battle has already dragged on; a direct assault is impossible, and striking their weakness is also unattainable. Although the enemy's strength is waning, it is practically impossible to capture Nanchang before May 5. Besides strictly ordering all units to overcome all difficulties and continue the fierce attack at all costs, I intend to politely explain the above situation to Chiang Kai-shek during a telephone conversation." Chen Cheng forwarded Xue Yue's telegram in full to Chiang Kai-shek on May 5. At the time, Bai Chongxi, director of the Guilin Headquarters, also considered the order to capture Nanchang within a limited time to be unrealistic, and on May 5 he telegraphed Chiang Kai-shek and He Yingqin, subtly offering a different suggestion. He stated, "Our army's attack on the enemy must be unexpected to be effective. Now, the enemy in Nanchang is prepared, and our army has launched a ten-day attack and has exerted all its efforts. To consider morale and our highest strategic principles, it is proposed that one-third of our forces continue the siege of Nanchang, while the other two-thirds are reorganized. Outside, we should continue to publicize our aggressive strategy…" The aim of both telegrams was to "turn the enemy's own spear against his shield," hoping Chiang Kai-shek would alter his order to capture Nanchang within a specified time, citing the operational guidance as inconsistent with the broader strategic policy. Upon receiving the telegrams, Chiang Kai-shek also learned of the sacrifice of Commander Chen Anbao and the heavy casualties among the attacking troops. On May 6, the main force of the Japanese 106th Division, supported by aircraft and tanks, launched a pincer attack on the 29th Army in the suburbs of Nanchang and Liantang. By 5 PM, the 29th Army was encircled. Liu Yuqing, commander of the 26th Division, was wounded in the fighting, and army commander Chen Anbao and Xie Beiting, commander of the 156th Regiment, were killed in action. Based on the actual battlefield situation, Xu Zhixun, chief of staff of the 29th Army, and Liu Yuqing, realizing that capturing Nanchang was impossible, decided to break out toward Zhongzhouwei and Shichajie to avoid total annihilation and potential execution by Chiang Kai-shek for failure. A regiment of the 5th Reserve Division, disguised as civilians, had infiltrated the city but was forced to withdraw due to the lack of follow-up support. Finally, on May 9, Chiang Kai-shek issued an order to halt the attack on Nanchang. The Japanese army, having suffered heavy losses themselves, was also unable to mount an effective counterattack, and thus the Battle of Nanchang came to an end, leaving behind a legacy of valor and tragedy. In the Battle of Nanchang, China suffered more than 52,000 casualties, including over 43,000 deaths, while Japan sustained more than 24,000 casualties and over 2,200 deaths. Although the National Army eventually lost Nanchang, the engagement thwarted Japan's plan to crush the main Chinese force. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me.   The Nanchang battle was a decisive Japanese victory, yet the Chinese did manage to halt the Japanese western advance and showcased their perseverance amid a growing strategic stalemate. Supplies were still leaking into Nationalist China, the Japanese would have to continuously find and plug them. The war for China was nowhere near over.

Civil War is brewing within the X-Men! Hayley and Brian continue their coverage of the 2015 Secret Wars event, with X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda. A virus is spreading that could potentially wipe out all of the Mutants/ Mutates. Can it be stopped, along with multiple other threats to the X-Men existence?!?https://marvelguides.com/part-17-secret-warsComics Read: Secret Wars (2015) X-Men X-Tinction Agenda: # 1 - 4EMAIL: SPARCPODCAST@GMAIL.COMTWITTER: https://twitter.com/SourcePagesCastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thesourcepagespodcast/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SPARCPODCASTSPaRC's Podcast Buddies:Across the Bifrost: The Mighty Thor - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/across-the-bifrost-the-mighty-thor-podcast/id1572200841Dan and Ian Have Questions - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-and-ian-have-questions-podcast/id1587402809Commute: The Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/commute-the-podcast/id1552657624Segabits - https://segabits.com/Machtails From the Cantina - https://www.facebook.com/machtailsfromthecantina/Rebel Force Radio Presents "The Babu Freaks" - https://www.rebelforceradio.com/shows/category/BaJacked Kirby - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jacked-kirby/id1248146026So Weird So Fun - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-weird-so-fun-swsf-friends-through-fandom/id1793135012Star Wars YOU-niverse - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/star-wars-you-niverse-podcast/id1704904756

New year. New Show! Hayley and Brian are back, and they are in familiar territory: covering the 2015 Secret Wars event. This time with the X-Men '92 gang! What happens when there is peace amongst the Mutants? Can this harmony last, or is something sinister always lurking around the corner?https://marvelguides.com/part-17-secret-warsComics Read: Secret Wars (2015) X-Men '92 Infinite: # 1 - 8EMAIL: SPARCPODCAST@GMAIL.COMTWITTER: https://twitter.com/SourcePagesCastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thesourcepagespodcast/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SPARCPODCASTSPaRC's Podcast Buddies:Across the Bifrost: The Mighty Thor - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/across-the-bifrost-the-mighty-thor-podcast/id1572200841Dan and Ian Have Questions - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-and-ian-have-questions-podcast/id1587402809Commute: The Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/commute-the-podcast/id1552657624Segabits - https://segabits.com/Machtails From the Cantina - https://www.facebook.com/machtailsfromthecantina/Rebel Force Radio Presents "The Babu Freaks" - https://www.rebelforceradio.com/shows/category/BaJacked Kirby - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jacked-kirby/id1248146026So Weird So Fun - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-weird-so-fun-swsf-friends-through-fandom/id1793135012Star Wars YOU-niverse - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/star-wars-you-niverse-podcast/id1704904756

Episode 3168 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the renowned Vietnam War correspondent Peter Arnett. The featured story is titled: Peter Arnett, Journalist Who Braved the World’s War Zones, Dies. It appeared on the AARP … Continue reading →

This week on The Group Chat: Sky News Special Correspondent Alex Crawford tells us about reporting from the battle frontlines. And, Ireland's media minister talks tough about online safety.Plus, world Excel champion Diarmuid Early finds that winning formula. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surviving War Zones: Daily Prayers and Daring Negotiations 

In this episode of the David Watson Podcast, I sit down with former Reuters journalist and IMF publisher Jeremy Clift, now the author of two thought-provoking sci-fi novels: “Born in Space” and “Space Vault.” We start with his life as a foreign correspondent in the 70s, 80s and 90s – Paris, Beirut, Egypt, India, China under Deng Xiaoping – what he calls “the front row of history.” From there we dig into how news used to be gathered, the craft of great writing and editing, and why trust in media has eroded in the 24-hour news and social media age. Then we move into the future: asteroid mining, the coming space economy, gene editing, AI, robots in every home, universal basic income, and the huge ethical questions around who owns life, data and even our memories. Jeremy explains how all of this feeds into his sci-fi series and why he thinks the next few decades will be truly transformational for humanity. If you like deep, nostalgic conversations that run from smoky newsrooms and outside toilets in 60s Britain to Neurolink, space vaults and sentient robots, this one's for you. What we talk about in this episode: Growing up in post-war Britain and the “you've never had it so good” generation Training as a Reuters journalist and reporting from Paris, Beirut, Egypt, India, Indonesia, China and beyond How newsrooms used to work: deadlines, teleprinters, foreign bureaus and serious editors The rise of 24-hour news and why verification and integrity became harder to protect Fake or distorted reporting, “agenda-driven” editing and why audiences now have to be their own filter Moving from Reuters to the IMF and learning the craft of book and research publishing Why asteroid mining, the moon and the space economy could upend global wealth and power Seeds, gene editing and “who owns life?” – the core themes of Space Vault AI, robots, Neurolink and grief tech: talking to digital versions of loved ones Universal basic income, surplus labour and the tension between human nature and technological change Why Jeremy chose sci-fi instead of spy thrillers – and how his reporting past shapes his fiction 0:00 Intro – why I wanted Jeremy on the podcast 0:41 Jeremy joins the show 3:41 Old order vs new order in politics and journalism 10:04 Childhood in post-war Britain and moving around with the Navy 17:06 Learning journalism at Reuters and early foreign postings 24:30 Trust, manipulation and the 24-hour news cycle 32:40 From Reuters to the IMF and into publishing 34:24 Born In Space – space labs, children and identity 39:18 Space Vault, seed banks and “who owns life?” 45:40 AI, robots, grief tech and ethics 52:05 Universal basic income and the future of work 59:44 Where to find Jeremy and his books 1:01:15 Closing thoughts Find Jeremy and his work: Website: jeremycliftebooks.com Books: “Born in Space” and “Space Vault” (available on Amazon and wider retailers) Audiobook: Born in Space on Audible, narrated by Gabrielle Gums Gordon

We're heading to the land in Battleworld "Where Monsters Dwell".. possibly! Hayley and Brian continue with reading the 2015 Secret Wars event, this time with issues 1 - 5 of Where Monsters Dwell. If there ever was a time to take SPaRC up on the "We Read Comics So You Don't Have To," mantra, it may be now. Still trying to process it....https://marvelguides.com/part-17-secret-warsComics Read: Secret Wars (2015) Where Monsters Dwell: # 1 - 5EMAIL: SPARCPODCAST@GMAIL.COMTWITTER: https://twitter.com/SourcePagesCastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thesourcepagespodcast/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SPARCPODCASTSPaRC's Podcast Buddies:Across the Bifrost: The Mighty Thor - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/across-the-bifrost-the-mighty-thor-podcast/id1572200841Dan and Ian Have Questions - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-and-ian-have-questions-podcast/id1587402809Commute: The Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/commute-the-podcast/id1552657624Segabits - https://segabits.com/Machtails From the Cantina - https://www.facebook.com/machtailsfromthecantina/Rebel Force Radio Presents "The Babu Freaks" - https://www.rebelforceradio.com/shows/category/BaJacked Kirby - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jacked-kirby/id1248146026So Weird So Fun - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-weird-so-fun-swsf-friends-through-fandom/id1793135012Star Wars YOU-niverse - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/star-wars-you-niverse-podcast/id1704904756

Alpha Warrior, Josh Reid, and Brad Zerbo come in hot for Episode 5 of Q After Hours, diving straight into global instability, psychological operations, and the mounting tensions shaping a world in transition. The guys break down the rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, from the Middle East powder keg to Ukraine's unraveling, and explore how propaganda, shadow governance, and orchestrated crises are pushing populations toward a collective reckoning. They examine the collapse of institutional trust, the awakening of millions to systemic corruption, and the increasing desperation of governments trying to maintain control. Along the way, they discuss AI censorship, media fear-cycles, election manipulation, and the strategic moves happening behind the scenes as elites scramble for narrative dominance. With their signature blend of sharp analysis, humor, and late-night honesty, Alpha, Josh, and Brad piece together the signals in the noise and map out what's coming next in the global struggle for power and truth.

I'm joined by Mark Pfeifle, founder and president of Off The Record Strategies — and truly one of the best storytellers in the business.Mark brings the kind of lived experience you can't fake: from his time on the ground in Iraq to his earliest days learning how to navigate people, pressure, and purpose. He walks through some of the most intense communications crises of his career, breaks down how he approaches leadership in the hardest moments, and shares the kinds of stories that make you stop, think… and laugh out loud.It's lively, it's insightful, and it's wildly entertaining. Mark's path through government, crisis comms, and strategic counsel is unmatched, and spending a half hour with him is like getting a masterclass from someone who has seen it all— and can tell it better than anyone.Give this one a listen. You'll walk away with lessons, perspective, and more than a few great stories to carry into your own work. Get full access to Authentically Speaking at thefridayreporter.substack.com/subscribe

The trek through Battleworld continues! This episode, Hayley and Brian travel to Arachnia to see the Spider-Verse, and to witness all what is going on with the various Spider incarnations as they encounter a seemingly benevolent Mayor Norman Osborn. But seriously, never, EVER, trust Norman Osborn!!https://marvelguides.com/part-17-secret-warsComics Read: Secret Wars (2015) Spider-Verse: # 1 - 5EMAIL: SPARCPODCAST@GMAIL.COMTWITTER: https://twitter.com/SourcePagesCastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thesourcepagespodcast/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SPARCPODCASTSPaRC's Podcast Buddies:Across the Bifrost: The Mighty Thor - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/across-the-bifrost-the-mighty-thor-podcast/id1572200841Dan and Ian Have Questions - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-and-ian-have-questions-podcast/id1587402809Commute: The Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/commute-the-podcast/id1552657624Segabits - https://segabits.com/Machtails From the Cantina - https://www.facebook.com/machtailsfromthecantina/Rebel Force Radio Presents "The Babu Freaks" - https://www.rebelforceradio.com/shows/category/BaJacked Kirby - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jacked-kirby/id1248146026So Weird So Fun - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-weird-so-fun-swsf-friends-through-fandom/id1793135012Star Wars YOU-niverse - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/star-wars-you-niverse-podcast/id1704904756

The future is now! The read-through of the 2015 Secret Wars event continues with Secret Wars 2099! Same names, but (mostly) different faces! Can multiple superheroes teams work together to stop a coming threat? Also, Hayley and Brian discuss some current TV shows and Hayley is AGHAST when Brian reveals when mega-blockbuster movie he's never seen. OH THE HORROR!! https://marvelguides.com/part-17-secret-warsComics Read: Secret Wars (2015) Secret Wars 2099: # 1 - 5EMAIL: SPARCPODCAST@GMAIL.COMTWITTER: https://twitter.com/SourcePagesCastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thesourcepagespodcast/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SPARCPODCASTSPaRC's Podcast Buddies:Across the Bifrost: The Mighty Thor - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/across-the-bifrost-the-mighty-thor-podcast/id1572200841Dan and Ian Have Questions - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-and-ian-have-questions-podcast/id1587402809Commute: The Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/commute-the-podcast/id1552657624Segabits - https://segabits.com/Machtails From the Cantina - https://www.facebook.com/machtailsfromthecantina/Rebel Force Radio Presents "The Babu Freaks" - https://www.rebelforceradio.com/shows/category/BaJacked Kirby - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jacked-kirby/id1248146026So Weird So Fun - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-weird-so-fun-swsf-friends-through-fandom/id1793135012Star Wars YOU-niverse - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/star-wars-you-niverse-podcast/id1704904756

The coverage of SECRET WARS (2015) continues this week. Hayley and Brian are starting off Chapter Four with a SMASH! as we venture into Planet Hulk, in the Battleworld Domain of Greenland! Can our unlikely team-up of Captain America and Devil Dinosaur complete their mission, with a little -Gamma-infused help, or has it just been DOOMED from the get-go? https://marvelguides.com/part-17-secret-warsComics Read: Secret Wars (2015) Planet Hulk: # 1 - 5EMAIL: SPARCPODCAST@GMAIL.COMTWITTER: https://twitter.com/SourcePagesCastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thesourcepagespodcast/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SPARCPODCASTSPaRC's Podcast Buddies:Across the Bifrost: The Mighty Thor - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/across-the-bifrost-the-mighty-thor-podcast/id1572200841Dan and Ian Have Questions - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-and-ian-have-questions-podcast/id1587402809Commute: The Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/commute-the-podcast/id1552657624Segabits - https://segabits.com/Machtails From the Cantina - https://www.facebook.com/machtailsfromthecantina/Rebel Force Radio Presents "The Babu Freaks" - https://www.rebelforceradio.com/shows/category/BaJacked Kirby - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jacked-kirby/id1248146026So Weird So Fun - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-weird-so-fun-swsf-friends-through-fandom/id1793135012Star Wars YOU-niverse - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/star-wars-you-niverse-podcast/id1704904756

Leland Vittert didn't speak until age three. Diagnosed with what we now know as autism, he spent middle school crying himself to sleep while his father repeated one message: "The qualities that make you bullied now will make you successful later." In this raw conversation, Leland opens up about his memoir Born Lucky, a father-son story about choosing resilience over accommodation and truth over popularity. We talk about the decision his parents made not to shelter him from adversity, but to hold his hand through it. About learning to turn isolation into independence, and pain into purpose. This isn't a polished highlight reel. It's an honest look at neurodivergence, parenting choices, bullying, and what it costs to stand your ground when the truth matters most. Key moments: Growing up neurodivergent before we had the language for it The parenting decision that changed everything Why middle school bullying prepared him for Washington newsrooms Finding your voice when you literally couldn't speak The father-son relationship that became his foundation Whether you're a parent of a struggling kid, someone who's faced isolation, or anyone trying to find strength in their story, this conversation offers hope, honesty, and the reminder that your hardest seasons might be preparing you for something greater. Guest: Leland Vittert is a journalist and author of Born Lucky, chronicling his journey from a nonverbal child with severe learning disabilities to a voice millions trust. Get the book Born Lucky: https://bornlucky.com/ Chapters: (00:00) Trailer (01:09) Intro (01:44) Introducing Leland Vittert (02:41) Overcoming Childhood Challenges (08:16) The Power of a Nickname: 'Lucky' (11:37) Navigating Autism and Social Challenges (20:41) Journalism and Personal Growth (27:30) Facing Adversity in the Newsroom (40:06) Covering the George Floyd Protests (43:37) The Challenges of Neutral Journalism (47:54) The Role of Media in Political Polarization (50:02) Interviewing Extremists (58:02) Personal Sacrifices for Integrity (01:05:08) Autism and Personal Growth (01:11:24) Faith and Family (01:19:56) A Father Tribute (01:20:58) Rapid Fire Questions SPONSORS: ElevenLabs: Thanks to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ElevenLabs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for supporting this episode and powering Tim's voice. SOCIAL: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nlupod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nlutimgreen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/NLUpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nlupod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AUDIO ONLY: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PERSONAL: Tackle ALS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tackleals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tim Green Books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠authortimgreen.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ROCKET ARM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062796895/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I talk with someone who's been on my dream guest list since day one—Ami Vitale. Ami is a National Geographic photographer and filmmaker whose work has taken her from war zones to wildlife sanctuaries, always in pursuit of the deeper story. But this conversation goes far beyond her remarkable resume. We talk about how picking up a camera transformed her from a shy, introverted kid into one of the world's most powerful visual storytellers. Ami opens up about what it really means to bear witness, the emotional cost of telling the truth, and why she eventually turned her lens away from conflict and toward hope, healing, and our connection with the natural world. This episode is about dignity, presence, and the quiet leadership that comes from listening well and seeing clearly. I promise, you'll never look at a photograph the same way again. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:06) - How picking up a camera gave Ami a voice (05:06) - Why introverts might see the world more clearly (06:21) - Knocking on doors with a camera (12:32) - Wanting to be a photographer—and being told “no” (16:27) - Leaving a steady job to bet on herself (23:30) - What war zones taught Ami about storytelling (29:26) - The moment Ami knew she had to walk away from war zones (38:08) - From grief to hope: finding a new kind of story (51:26) - The story that changed everything (59:42) - Why wildlife stories are human stories (01:07:22) - One image that moved the world: Steve Winter's P-22 (01:13:41) - Capturing moments with dignity and depth (01:15:59) - The relationships behind the photographs (01:25:51) - Reflecting on a life of good work (01:28:02) - Barrett on the fears and hopes behind Good Work Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

Andrew Atkinson is a former Victorian police officer. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, Andrew discusses his journey from general duties to the Technical Surveillance Unit and his deployments with the United Nations in Timor and Iraq. He candidly addresses the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on his life and career, emphasising the importance of mental health awareness and support for police veterans. Andrew reflects on the physical challenges he faced due to his service, including cancer and multiple surgeries, and highlights the need for open discussions about mental health in law enforcement. He advocates for the creation of supportive networks for current and former officers to help them navigate their experiences and challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The surgeon David Nott was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2016 shortly after returning from war-torn Syria.He spoke to Kirsty about his experiences of working in a warzone for the first time back in the early 90s.You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

The world grows darker by the day. Today, we'll discuss the new so-called “peace deal” in the Middle East, reveal even more about who I believe is behind Charlie Kirk's assassination (the Israeli government), and go deeper into Taylor Swift's evil OnlyFans era.--https://policecoffee.com/collections/coffee

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by someone whose career defies convention and whose work has touched lives across war zones, hospital wards and the written page. Dr Rachel Clarke began as a broadcast journalist, reporting from some of the world's most dangerous places — covering Al Qaeda, the Gulf War and the civil war in the DRC. Then, at 29, she retrained as a doctor, specialising in palliative care, where she now helps patients live their final days with dignity and as much comfort as possible. Her bestselling books; 'Your Life in My Hands', 'Dear Life', 'Breathtaking' & 'The Story of A Heart' have become essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the human side of healthcare. 'Breathtaking', her searing account of the COVID-19 frontline, was adapted into a critically acclaimed ITV drama in 2024, co-written by Rachel herself alongside Jed Mercurio and Prasanna Puwanarajah. Rachel's also a fierce NHS advocate and a public voice for compassion in medicine. I'm in awe of every guest I speak to, but Rachel's story is one of extraordinary reinvention, resilience and radical empathy. In this podcast we explore how Rachel's managed to excel in journalism, medicine, activism, storytelling and what drives her to keep speaking truth to power. Related links:  Rachel's Website Watch the trailer for 'Breathtaking' Follow Rachel on Instagram Follow Rachel on Twitter

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by someone whose career defies convention and whose work has touched lives across war zones, hospital wards and the written page. Dr Rachel Clarke began as a broadcast journalist, reporting from some of the world's most dangerous places — covering Al Qaeda, the Gulf War and the civil war in the DRC. Then, at 29, she retrained as a doctor, specialising in palliative care, where she now helps patients live their final days with dignity and as much comfort as possible. Her bestselling books; ‘Your Life in My Hands', ‘Dear Life', ‘Breathtaking' & ‘The Story of A Heart' have become essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the human side of healthcare. ‘Breathtaking', her searing account of the COVID-19 frontline, was adapted into a critically acclaimed ITV drama in 2024, co-written by Rachel herself alongside Jed Mercurio and Prasanna Puwanarajah. Rachel's also a fierce NHS advocate and a public voice for compassion in medicine. I'm in awe of every guest I speak to, but Rachel's story is one of extraordinary reinvention, resilience and radical empathy. In this podcast we explore how Rachel's managed to excel in journalism, medicine, activism, storytelling and what drives her to keep speaking truth to power. Related links:  Rachel's Website Watch the trailer for ‘Breathtaking' Follow Rachel on Instagram Follow Rachel on Twitter

Spiritual warfare is real. As Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson preview the new sermon series, "War Zone," they dive into spiritual warfare, unpacking what it means to fight daily battles that most of us can't even see. They open up about the unseen forces working against our efforts to love God and love others—and the practical ways we can push back. They unpack how staying anchored in Scripture—and leaning into prayer, community, and Christ—shapes the way we stand in the fight.Amber mentions the "I Am" PDF that reminds us what God says about us. You can find it here: https://bit.ly/IAm-ToG.Pastor Mike mentions the new book "When the Devil Attacks: Winning in the War Zones" by Time of Grace's own Dr. Bruce Becker. You can request your copy with your gift to the ministry at timeofgrace.org.

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In this episode of The Resilient Show, Chad Robichaux sits down with Pastor Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson (Undaunted.Life) for a raw and challenging conversation on faith, masculinity, and standing firm in today's cultural chaos.From war stories on the battlefield to spiritual battles at home, the three men discuss what it really means to “act like men” in a world desperate for authentic leadership. Together, they unpack the importance of vulnerability, brotherhood, and the courage to speak biblical truth in a culture that often silences it.Learn More About Kyle's Undaunted.Life Podcast: https://www.undaunted.life/Learn More About Joby's Deepen Podcast: https://jobymartin.com/podcasts⁠RESILIENT:Live Resilient Store: https://shop.theresilientshow.comJoin Our Patreon: https://patreon.com/theresilientshowFollow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientshowFollow Us On Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/resilientshowFollow Us On TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@resilientshowFollow Chad:⁠https://www.instagram.com/chadrobo_official⁠https://www.x.com/chadroboSPONSORS:Smith & Wesson: ⁠https://www.smith-wesson.com/⁠Vortex Optics:https://vortexoptics.comGatorz Eyewear: ⁠https://www.gatorz.com/⁠Allied Wealth:https://alliedwealth.comBioPro+: ⁠https://www.bioproteintech.com/CHAD30⁠BioXCellerator:https://www.bioxcellerator.comThe Holy Waters:https://theholywaters.comGet The Resilient Show x Uncharted Supply Co Bag: https://liveresilient.com/shopTRS is a proud supporter of military & first responder communities in partnership with Mighty Oaks Foundation.

Car culture has a higher body count than both world wars combined. So why don't we think of automobility in the same way we think about the bloody and destructive global conflicts that dominate the news — and what would it take to transform our streets into a tool to make our whole society more peaceful, rather than more violent?  Today on the Brake, we sat down with PhD candidate Ashton Rohmer to talk about her fascinating new paper that looks at our transportation culture through a "peace and conflict studies" lens — and why car domination is a kind of warfare unto itself, even if claims of a counterattack are seriously overblown. And then we dig into what shifts when we approach transportation reform  advocacy as a part of the larger "peacebuilding" project — and why self-proclaimed peacebuilders need to embrace ending car culture, too. 

In this powerful episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, guest host Sana speaks with Lyubim Kogan—five-time Olympian, 9/11 survivor, founder of Wings4Heroes, and a man who has quite literally walked back into fire. From Wall Street to war zones, Lubim opens up about the mental cost of mission-driven work, surviving burnout, and why he still chooses to keep going when most would turn away. He shares how protecting his "silent hour" helps him align with his inner compass, and why real resilience is about resting without guilt. This conversation is a masterclass in legacy, sacrifice, and staying mentally grounded under pressure. About the Guest:Lyubim Kogan is a first-generation immigrant, Olympic athlete, former Wall Street executive, and the founder of Wings4Heroes, a nonprofit that empowers amputee veterans through paragliding. After surviving 9/11, Lyubim chose to return to conflict zones in Ukraine to serve those who sacrificed for freedom. His life embodies mental discipline, compassion, and purpose-driven service across continents. Key Takeaways: Burnout is real—even for high performers—and recovery requires intention, not guilt. True resilience means knowing when to stop, rest, and reconnect with yourself. Constant action can be a form of avoidance. Silence reveals true direction. Real impact starts when you follow your inner compass, not just societal definitions of success. Legacy is not about accumulation, but contribution. Connect with Lyubim:Visit www.wings4heroes.org to learn more or reach out through the contact form. Lyubim responds personally to every message. Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PodMatch:DM Me Here:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avikTune to all our 15 podcasts:https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/healthymindbyavikSubscribe To Newsletter:https://healthymindbyavik.substack.com/Join Community:https://nas.io/healthymind Stay Tuned And Follow Us!YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@healthymind-healthylifeInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/healthyminds.podThreads – https://www.threads.net/@healthyminds.podFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/podcast.healthymindLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/reemachatterjee/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikchakrabortypodcaster #podmatch #healthymind #healthymindbyavik #wellness

What if the “impossible” was actually possible?In this jaw-dropping episode, Karen sits down with midwife Kristine Lauria, a global midwifery director with more than 30 years of experience, to unpack the viral story of a home birth triplet delivery.Kristine has attended over 5,000 births worldwide — from refugee camps in South Sudan with Doctors Without Borders to high-risk deliveries in the U.S. — and she brings an unmatched perspective on what physiological birth can truly look like.Tune in to hear:The incredible story of Amber's viral home birth with tripletsWhat actually happens in a breech extraction (and why it was needed in this case)How Kristine stayed calm in an emergency and why that saved a lifeWhy the role of a good midwife often means having the skill to do nothingThe difference between scary and traumatic births — and how a mother's experience matters just as much as the outcomeWhat Kristine has learned from thousands of births in hospitals, homes, and disaster zones around the worldWhy hospital cesarean rates don't compare to what's possible when birth is left undisturbedThe spiritual and emotional side of birth that modern maternity care often overlooksConnect with Kristine: @globalmidwife64 @allowedtobirthConnect with Karen:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

From the war-torn streets of Ukraine to the peaks of Kilimanjaro, Jill Tupper's life is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of calm in the face of chaos. With a background that spans neuroscience leadership, yoga, and occupational therapy, Jill shares how resetting the nervous system can transform fear into strength and overwhelm into purpose. Her journey reveals that even in the darkest places, we all carry within us the innate ability to restore calm, reclaim resilience, and rise as warriors powered by love. Key Takeaways: Discover how to reset your nervous system to access calm even in moments of crisis. Learn why resilience isn't about ignoring fear but about navigating through it with purpose. Understand the difference between living in survival mode and truly thriving. See how integrating mind and body tools can help release stress and foster transformation. Be inspired to use your innate capabilities to create impact—whether on a global scale or in everyday life.   About Jill Tupper: From the frontlines of Ukraine to the summit of Kilimanjaro, Jill Tupper has built her life on resilience, purpose, and transformation. She has trained leaders amid war zones, guided by her NSR™ Nervous System Reset to cultivate calm in crisis. Her global experiences—from working with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity to running marathons and rock climbing—fuel her passion for challenging others & herself to take inspired action. With expertise in neuroscience, leadership, and mind-body integration, Jill's training is unparalleled. Her high-energy, results-driven keynotes empower leaders to push past limits, align with purpose, and achieve extraordinary impact.   Connect with Jill Tupper:  https://www.global-warrior.org https://www.instagram.com/jilltupper/ https://www.facebook.com/adventurejill https://www.linkedin.com/in/jilltupper/   Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at: https://smallchangesbigshifts.com hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco   Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

When there is danger or crisis anywhere in the world, ABC's chief national correspondent, Matt Gutman is there. He shares intimate and harrowing stories from Afghanistan to Iraq to Israel. . . to back home in the Mojave Desert where his "Devil in Desert" podcast reached #1 on the charts.

All My Xs, our decade-by-decade miniseries on Marvel's merry mutant franchise, rolls into the 1970s with a look at The Phoenix Saga from X-Men #101, 104-105 and 107-108, published by Marvel Comics! Superstar writer Chris Claremont starts coming into his own in these issues, which introduce the Phoenix, reestablish Magneto as the X-Men's primary big bad, and inject a healthy dose of space opera (and more than a few Star Trek shoutouts) into this once-moribund title! And if that weren't enough, artist extraordinaire Dave Cockrum hands the book off to blockbuster artist John Byrne, kicking off one of the most impactful writer-artist runs in comics history! Join us as we ask the burning questions: Do you think this Phoenix character will catch on? What's the deal with Eric the Red's costume? And can these pulse-pounding issues survive an encounter with that M'Kraan Crystal known as … the Comics Canon? In This Episode: ·       Sean Cassidy, 70s pop superstar ·       Spoiler alert for 1986's X-Factor #1 ·       Star Wars and The Phoenix Saga: a timeline ·       Wolverine: Old Man Logan Vol. 0: Warzones! and Vol. 1: Berzerker ·       A specific moment from the first season of X-Men 97 ·       “No More Critics” from Matt Goldberg's Commentary Track newsletter ·       Imperial #1 ·       Kevin's shocking confession about Fantastic Four: First Steps Join us in two weeks as we forge ahead into the 1980s and the X-Men graphic novel God Loves, Man Kills! Until then:Please consider donating to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Impress your friends with our Comics Canon merchandise! Rate us on Apple Podcasts! Send us an email! Hit us up on Facebook or Bluesky! And as always, thanks for listening!

Watch every episode ad-free & uncensored on Patreon: https://patreon.com/dannyjones Scott Anderson is a writer, novelist, non-fiction author, and war correspondent. He has authored non-fiction books including Lawrence in Arabia, The Man Who Tried to Save the World, and War Zones. His newest book, 'King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution' is available now. SPONSORS https://whiterabbitenergy.com/?ref=DJP - Use code DJP for 20% off EPISODE LINKS Scott's new book: https://a.co/d/0A9kGwt FOLLOW DANNY JONES https://www.instagram.com/dannyjones https://twitter.com/jonesdanny OUTLINE 00:00 - Chechnya: the world's most terrifying war 07:21 - What's happening in Ukraine right now 14:19 - America's mistake in bombing Iran 22:10 - Is America the "bad guy"? 27:50 - Why sanctions don't work 35:44 - What is Russia's motive for war? 41:59 - Likelihood of nuclear war 53:26 - How technology is making war more savage 01:03:30 - The "industrial revolution" of war 01:10:47 - Drugs on the battlefield 01:14:50 - How CIA participates in the battlefield 01:20:10 - The CIA, the Shah & Khomeini 01:30:29 - How Russia & China feel about Iran today 01:36:20 - China vs. Taiwan 01:44:16 - Georgia's surveillance state 01:47:43 - The Israel & Iran proxy war 01:57:22 - Trump's war on the Epstein files Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Burnout and trauma are not mental illnesses. They live in your physiology. They live in your biology. They live very specifically in your nervous system,” Dr. Rola Hallam says with a conviction rooted in her own successful journey to overcome the effects of chronic stress she accumulated during many years on the frontlines of humanitarian crises in Syria and other conflict zones. Out of concern for the multitudes of health professionals who, like herself, spend years carrying the weight of their traumatic experiences without seeking help, or who pursue ineffective remedies for relieving it, Dr. Rola -- as she's known – has shifted her focus to being a trauma and burnout coach. Among her offerings is Beyond Burnout, a twelve-week program that includes multimedia content as well as live coaching and teaching about developing nervous system awareness and regulation. “Most wellness initiatives fail because they're not rewiring the nervous system to come out of survival mode and back into what is called the ventral-vagal state, which is our state of social connection and of healing and repair.” She also stresses that healing is not an individual pursuit, especially for providers who work in a relational field, and teaches about the benefits of borrowing from a colleagues' state of calm and offering them the same. Don't miss this insightful and giving conversation with host Lindsey Smith that covers Dr. Rola's wrenching experiences providing care in desperate conditions, the critically important distinction between empathy and compassion, and how empowering frontline workers to heal their trauma can uplift individuals and empower entire communities. Mentioned in this episode:Dr. Rola CoachingBeyond Burnout AssessmentCanDo - Humanitarian Aid If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

There's political drama in Texas, Israel's push to control Gaza and a discussion on Yacht Rock.

I'm thrilled to share the latest episode of our podcast, featuring the incredible Tahira Dosani. Tahira is not only the founder of Resilience VC but also an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins and Georgetown University. Her journey from management consulting at Bain to transforming Afghanistan's telecommunications and fintech landscape is nothing short of inspiring.Here are some key takeaways and intriguing insights from our conversation:

In this summer edition of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg catches up with stand-up comic, filmmaker, and war-zone performer Jennifer Rawlings. Jennifer reflects on her years raising five kids while performing for U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Sarajevo—often leaving behind toddlers and pull-ups for flak vests and flatbed stages. She shares how her youngest son, now a film professional, co-directed her new special I Only Smoke in War Zones, which captures her real-life experiences performing comedy amid explosions, basketball-court gigs with no mics, and chow-hall sets surrounded by barbed wire. Ophira and Jennifer get real about the guilt moms carry, the emotional labor of parenting adult children, and the horror of seeing your grown kid's partner move into your basement. Jennifer recalls being handed a Kevlar vest mid-set as mortars went off and jokes that her kids were so feral when she returned from 30 days in Iraq, she wasn't even sure she'd been missed. They also talk about how her work in war zones exposed her to young mothers and children missing limbs, fueling a deeper drive to tell women's stories both on stage and in film. And yes—her son did call her in Afghanistan just to complain his brother ate all the Cheez-Its.

On this week's show, Josh shares his harrowing experience in Israel as Iran launched daily attacks. From sprinting to bomb shelters in under 90 seconds at all hours, to the emotional journey back home, Josh recounts it all. He also weighs in on President Trump's targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — and why he believes it was exactly the right move. Plus, Josh breaks down last week's Supreme Court victory and the broader implications of its ruling on birthright citizenship and nationwide injunctions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textWelcome to your June 26th no-BS team room drop—brought to you by the Ones Ready squad and powered by caffeine, sarcasm, and tactical booties. Jared dives into the late-breaking chaos of June 25th like a B-2 on a midnight hammer run. From underground terror bunkers to squirrels declaring war on Minot AFB, this episode hits harder than hypersonics and keeps it unapologetically real.CENTCOM says terrorists are going subterranean, Iran's still acting like the boss villain of global instability, and somehow the Missile Defense Agency is still blaming COVID for its two-year delay. Oh, and in case you missed it—female aircrew smoked Iranian targets while half the internet cried over the phrase “our boys.” Grow up.We also cover squirrel infestations, Air Force fitness crybabies, the return of NATO guilt-tripping, and why Congress doesn't need to be in the Airstrike Group Chat. It's everything you need to know to stay informed, pissed off, and ready to crush your next ruck.

Today's guest was running a humanitarian mission in Iraq… raising two kids… and navigating life without reliable electricity. Then her husband had a near-death experience - and everything changed. Jessica Courtney didn't plan to become a real estate investor. But one $63K townhome in Waco turned into a life-changing backup plan for her family. In this episode, she shares how she bought properties using stock-backed loans, accidentally acquired an assisted living facility for $5K, and why “boring” rentals are her secret weapon. If you've ever thought: "Real estate isn't for people like me", think again.

Today's guest was running a humanitarian mission in Iraq… raising two kids… and navigating life without reliable electricity. Then her husband had a near-death experience - and everything changed. Jessica Courtney didn't plan to become a real estate investor. But one $63K townhome in Waco turned into a life-changing backup plan for her family. In this episode, she shares how she bought properties using stock-backed loans, accidentally acquired an assisted living facility for $5K, and why “boring” rentals are her secret weapon. If you've ever thought: "Real estate isn't for people like me", think again.

What if every screen you looked at had the power to improve your mental health—would you change what you watch? Meet Muhammad Lila, former CNN war correspondent and founder of Goodable—a platform that delivers clinically backed positive news to nourish your mind. We unpack the invisible cost of constant negativity in media, the neuroscience behind uplifting storytelling, and why the future of journalism could be the very antidote to our global mental health crisis. Muhammad shares his journey from reporting in war zones to launching one of the most impactful positive media platforms in the world. We discuss what happens when people finally feel seen, supported, and hopeful—and why this shift isn't just good for our minds, but for business, society, and leadership.   **** ✨ Personal Socrates is on SALE! >>> Use UPGRADE20 at baronfig.com for 20% off through May and June.    Release details for the NEW BOOK.   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props

Join me on my outdoor adventures on public lands across the American West and beyond. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here:https://www.youtube.com/@thehuntersquest Check out The Hunter's Quest Podcast here:https://open.spotify.com/show/1bvtyKal41T76jLgPTXp10 Follow along on Instagram:@TheHuntersQuest My Favorite Eberlestock Gear! – www.eberlestock.com/huntersquest www.browning.com Browning Firearms & Ammunition – The Best There Is. www.canisathlete.com - use code: QUEST and save on Tactical Hunting Apparel__________________________________________________________________________ OnX Maps – use code: QUEST and save 20% when you join / support the show Seek Outside Shelters – use code: QUEST and save 10% on shelters, stoves, etc.____________________________________________________________________________ FENIX Lighting – www.fenixlighting.com Leupold Optics – www.leupold.com___________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGVP4F5g3SiOookJK01Jy5w Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thehuntersquest/ and @huntermcwaters____________________________________________________________________________ www.thehuntersquest.com

In this episode, Jon and Lewis cover four wildly different stories, from Warfare to the impact of Trump conspiracies on Datacentres.First up, Microsoft is investing $400 million to turn Switzerland into the next cloud capital. Is it for neutrality, Trump instability syndrome or just demand? Then, we meet a glow-in-the-dark protein made by an AI called ESM3, because why not let machines start designing life?Next, we detour into wartime sci-fi: Ukraine's drone swarm attack: trucks, remote lids, and enough AI autopilot to cause substantial damage. Finally, we finish with Fi, a smart dog collar that integrates with your Apple Watch. Track your dog's steps, sleep, and GPS location. Why? Who knows!All that, plus plenty of opinions, speculation, and the usual unpacking of what is going on in the Cloud, Tech and AI space. 

As the founder of World Central Kitchen, renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés has truly mastered the art of leading through crisis. Andrés returns to Rapid Response to share insights from his new book, Change the Recipe — a candid collection of personal stories that doubles as a playbook for navigating uncertainty, breaking rules, and leading with heart. José also explores how AI is poised to reshape the food industry, the importance of unplugging, and more. In a world seemingly on fire, José shows us how to harness that fire — without getting burned.Order José's New Book TodayVisit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In April of 2024, a group of aid workers were killed by Israeli Defense Forces while bringing food to Central Gaza. The IDF had alleged that its military analysts had identified a gunman on top of one of the trucks carrying supplies, suggesting it was a military vehicle, not an aid vehicle. In the online debate following the event, a familiar trope popped up: arguing over whether one of the aid trucks a Toyota Hilux. The reason? In military conflict around the globe, the Hilux is a familiar character. Whether you're a U.S. designated terrorist group, a "freedom fighter," or someone else involved in direct armed conflict, you probably know about the Hilux. Endless Thread wanted to know why, and how, this happened. So we took a journey beyond America's commercial pickup truck identity to understand why beyond our borders, the Hilux is the truck of choice. Credits: This episode was produced by Ben Brock Johnson and Dean Russell.  Mix and sound design by Paul Vaitkus. It was co-hosted by Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson.

Ever wonder what kind of lunatic books a vacation to North Korea, Haiti, and cartel-infested Mexico for fun? Meet Jurgis, a businessman and good friend of Brandon's from Lithuania who treats the world’s most dangerous hot spots like they’re all-inclusive resorts. We talk how they met at Harvard Business School and about the thrill of walking through gang territory like it’s Disneyland, the fine art of not getting kidnapped, and why some places on Earth make Mogadishu look like a retirement community. If that’s not enough, we close things out with a deep dive into stem cell therapy—because after all the bullets, bribes, and bad decisions, even the world’s most fearless traveler needs a little body repair. Buckle up—this one’s a wild ride. For more on stem cell treatments visit: https://www.bioxcellerator.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travis Haley is a legend in the armed forces community. As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, he's built an illustrious career in both military service and the private sector. After combat tours in the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, Haley transitioned to private military contracting with Blackwater USA, where he participated in high-profile operations including the 2004 Battle of Najaf. He later co-founded Magpul Dynamics, revolutionizing firearms training for civilians and professionals alike. In 2011, he founded Haley Strategic Partners, a company dedicated to advanced tactical training and product development for military, law enforcement, and responsible armed citizens. Under Haley's leadership, Haley Strategic Partners has introduced groundbreaking training programs and products that emphasize adaptability, self-awareness, and practical application. The company offers dynamic hands-on training and develops tactical gear such as the D3CR (Disruptive Environments Chest Rig) series. Recently, Haley has expanded his focus to include "mind architecture," helping individuals achieve personal growth through resilience and self-improvement. His work continues to influence the defense industry while fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in tactical training. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: http://amac.us/srs http://drinkhoist.com/ | Use Code SRS http://patriotmobile.com/srs http://meetfabric.com/shawn https://ShawnLikesGold.com | 855-936-GOLD #goldcopartner https://americanfinancing.net/srs NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Call 866-781-8900 for details about credit costs and terms. Travis Haley Links: Website - https://haleystrategic.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dragonflyhaley/ X.com - https://x.com/haleystrategic YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdqO3qjABeMfqdhErk-A7zg LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-haley-54314a41/ Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Palmer Luckey is an entrepreneur and innovator best known for founding Oculus VR and Anduril Industries. In 2012, he launched Oculus VR and developed the Oculus Rift, a groundbreaking virtual reality headset that redefined a wide array of industries. The company was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for $2 billion, where Luckey subsequently worked until 2017. Following his departure, he founded Anduril Industries - a defense technology company specializing in autonomous systems including drones, surveillance towers, and aircraft. Anduril has secured major contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and international allies. The company has raised significant funding, including $1.5 billion in 2022, valuing it at $8.5 billion. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: http://armra.com/srs http://helixsleep.com/srs http://patriotmobile.com/srs http://hexclad.com/srs http://ziprecruiter.com/srs https://ROKA.com | Use Code SRS Palmer Luckey Links: Anduril Industries - https://www.anduril.com/ ModRetro - http://modretro.com/ X - https://x.com/PalmerLuckey/ Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leif Babin is a decorated former Navy SEAL officer who served for 13 years, including 9 in the SEAL Teams. He is a recipient of the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart for his service, which included leading major combat operations in the Battle of Ramadi as a SEAL platoon commander in Task Unit Bruiser. After his military career, he co-founded Echelon Front, currently serving as President and Chief Operating Officer to bring world-class leadership consulting to the private sector. Babin is also the co-author of two #1 New York Times bestsellers: "Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win" and "The Dichotomy of Leadership," both written with his Echelon Front co-founder, Jocko Willink. He continues to share his leadership expertise through speaking engagements, executive coaching, and leadership training programs, helping organizations across various industries build high-performance teams. Leif Babin Links:  Website - https://echelonfront.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leif-babin-2a43b631 X - https://twitter.com/leifbabin Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leifbabin/ Extreme Ownership - https://extremeownership.com/ Dichotomy of Leadership - https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250195777/thedichotomyofleadership/ Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://lumen.me/srs https://PrepareWithShawn.com https://amac.us/srs https://meetfabric.com/shawn https://helixsleep.com/srs https://blackbuffalo.com/ https://betterhelp.com/srs This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices