Podcasts about weirdly

Relationship Reddit Stories, OP's friends boyfriend is constantly trying to get information on OP's life and everyone else thinks it's normal?!0:00 Intro0:19 Story 15:56 Story 1 Comments / OP's Replies9:12 Story 1 Update12:13 Story 1 Comment / OP's Reply14:24 Story 217:57 Story 2 Comments / OP's Reply#redditupdate #redditrelationship #redditstoriesreddit Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/mark-narrations-the-wafflecast-reddit-stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the key to investing wasn't finding the next big thing—but surviving the next unknown? Bestselling author and savings expert Morgan Housel shares the true story that changed how he sees risk forever—and how it reshaped his philosophy on money, markets, and why most people lose when they try to predict the future. Listen to the full episode here - Spotify - https://g2ul0.app.link/H8BQBpwjsSb Apple - https://g2ul0.app.link/Y3vybjBjsSb Watch the Episodes on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/%20TheDiaryOfACEO/videos Morgan Housel's books - https://www.morganhousel.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During a time where a global pandemic was ravaging the world, people were finally able to flock back to the theater for their first big theatrical experience in almost a year. What were they given after an overwhelming time? The film equivalent of your brain short circuiting! Christopher was back with 'Tenet'. Weirdly sandwiched between his historical dramas 'Dunkirk' and 'Oppenheimer', is this a natural progression on his usual twisty formula, or is a regression into old tropes?Starring - John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Michael Caine

Louise Edington discusses the astrology forecast for April 6th to 13th, highlighting significant astrology events and their impact. Mercury and Venus are both stationing direct and we have a Libra Full Moon as we emerge from the chrysalis of immense shifts. The tide is beginning to turn. #riseuptogether #togetherwerise #rootrisecreate Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE or PAID for group calls and more. https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation Follow Louise at her website louiseedington.com. Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicOwlLouiseEdington/ Louise's fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ ///FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY /// FYI I READ EVERY COMMENT AND DELETE INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS /// This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Louise Edington discusses the transition of Neptune into Aries, a significant astrological event with a 165-year cycle. Neptune's move, expected to last until 2038, is expected to influence global energy and consciousness. Louise highlights the shift from Neptune in Pisces, marked by spiritual awakening and cultism, to Neptune in Aries, which may foster a rise in sacred identity, visionary action, and spiritual warrior archetypes. She notes historical parallels, such as the American Civil War era, and emphasizes the importance of personal power and vision in the coming years. Louise also mentions her YouTube membership program and upcoming live Q&A sessions for both Substack and YT subscribers. Subscribe to Louise's YouTube at “at cosmicowlastrology” Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation For more from Louise, subscribe to this channel and check the bell to receive notifications AND/OR follow Louise at louiseedington.com or https://www.facebook.com/WildWomanUnleashed/ My fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Louise Edington discusses the astrology forecast for MARCH 30 - April 5th, highlighting significant astrological events and their impact. She mentions the nodes at 27 degrees, Venus and Mercury's retrogrades in Pisces, and Neptune's move into Aries. Key aspects include the moon's conjunction with Chiron, Mars, and Neptune, and Venus's conjunction with the North Node. Edington emphasizes the importance of personal transformation, collective consciousness, and taking action aligned with one's values. She also introduces new membership options and encourages self-care and resilience amidst the ongoing changes. #riseuptogether #togetherwerise #rootrisecreate Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE or PAID for group calls and more. https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation Follow Louise at her website louiseedington.com. Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicOwlLouiseEdington/ Louise's fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ ///FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY /// FYI I READ EVERY COMMENT AND DELETE INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS /// This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Ret FBI Behavior Analysis Chief Breaks Down Karen Read's Contradicting Statements & Actions Did a true crime documentary just tank Karen Read's defense? When you're facing an alleged second-degree murder charge, most folks would advise you to keep your head down, stay quiet, and maybe—just maybe—not hand your unfiltered stream of consciousness to a documentary crew. But that's exactly what Karen Read did in “Body in the Snow”, the HBO Max/ID doc that might double as a cautionary tale for anyone with a pending trial. Tony Brueski and former FBI Behavioral Analyst Robin Dreeke break down Read's on-camera contradictions—from her teary musings of “What if I ran over his foot?” to suddenly being sure she didn't touch a hair on his head. The emotional tone? Weirdly upbeat. The logic? Like a drunk game of Clue with a broken compass. Robin calls it “word salad.” Tony calls it narcissistic. We just call it… yikes. Then there's the blogger—Turtleboy—who Read allegedly had daily contact with, feeding him info while he stirred a digital witch hunt. Online harassment, stalking, intimidation… and it's not even the second trial yet. Is Karen Read the victim of a smear campaign, or her own worst enemy with a podcast mic? #KarenRead #JohnOKeefe #TrueCrimeToday #HiddenKillersPodcast #FBIBehavioralAnalysis #Turtleboy #BodyInTheSnow Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Ret FBI Behavior Analysis Chief Breaks Down Karen Read's Contradicting Statements & Actions Did a true crime documentary just tank Karen Read's defense? When you're facing an alleged second-degree murder charge, most folks would advise you to keep your head down, stay quiet, and maybe—just maybe—not hand your unfiltered stream of consciousness to a documentary crew. But that's exactly what Karen Read did in “Body in the Snow”, the HBO Max/ID doc that might double as a cautionary tale for anyone with a pending trial. Tony Brueski and former FBI Behavioral Analyst Robin Dreeke break down Read's on-camera contradictions—from her teary musings of “What if I ran over his foot?” to suddenly being sure she didn't touch a hair on his head. The emotional tone? Weirdly upbeat. The logic? Like a drunk game of Clue with a broken compass. Robin calls it “word salad.” Tony calls it narcissistic. We just call it… yikes. Then there's the blogger—Turtleboy—who Read allegedly had daily contact with, feeding him info while he stirred a digital witch hunt. Online harassment, stalking, intimidation… and it's not even the second trial yet. Is Karen Read the victim of a smear campaign, or her own worst enemy with a podcast mic? #KarenRead #JohnOKeefe #TrueCrimeToday #HiddenKillersPodcast #FBIBehavioralAnalysis #Turtleboy #BodyInTheSnow Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Ret FBI Behavior Analysis Chief Breaks Down Karen Read's Contradicting Statements & Actions Did a true crime documentary just tank Karen Read's defense? When you're facing an alleged second-degree murder charge, most folks would advise you to keep your head down, stay quiet, and maybe—just maybe—not hand your unfiltered stream of consciousness to a documentary crew. But that's exactly what Karen Read did in “Body in the Snow”, the HBO Max/ID doc that might double as a cautionary tale for anyone with a pending trial. Tony Brueski and former FBI Behavioral Analyst Robin Dreeke break down Read's on-camera contradictions—from her teary musings of “What if I ran over his foot?” to suddenly being sure she didn't touch a hair on his head. The emotional tone? Weirdly upbeat. The logic? Like a drunk game of Clue with a broken compass. Robin calls it “word salad.” Tony calls it narcissistic. We just call it… yikes. Then there's the blogger—Turtleboy—who Read allegedly had daily contact with, feeding him info while he stirred a digital witch hunt. Online harassment, stalking, intimidation… and it's not even the second trial yet. Is Karen Read the victim of a smear campaign, or her own worst enemy with a podcast mic? #KarenRead #JohnOKeefe #TrueCrimeToday #HiddenKillersPodcast #FBIBehavioralAnalysis #Turtleboy #BodyInTheSnow Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Did a true crime documentary just tank Karen Read's defense? When you're facing an alleged second-degree murder charge, most folks would advise you to keep your head down, stay quiet, and maybe—just maybe—not hand your unfiltered stream of consciousness to a documentary crew. But that's exactly what Karen Read did in “Body in the Snow”, the HBO Max/ID doc that might double as a cautionary tale for anyone with a pending trial. Tony Brueski and former FBI Behavioral Analyst Robin Dreeke break down Read's on-camera contradictions—from her teary musings of “What if I ran over his foot?” to suddenly being sure she didn't touch a hair on his head. The emotional tone? Weirdly upbeat. The logic? Like a drunk game of Clue with a broken compass. Robin calls it “word salad.” Tony calls it narcissistic. We just call it… yikes. Then there's the blogger—Turtleboy—who Read allegedly had daily contact with, feeding him info while he stirred a digital witch hunt. Online harassment, stalking, intimidation… and it's not even the second trial yet. Is Karen Read the victim of a smear campaign, or her own worst enemy with a podcast mic? #KarenRead #JohnOKeefe #TrueCrimeToday #HiddenKillersPodcast #FBIBehavioralAnalysis #Turtleboy #BodyInTheSnow Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Big Tommy Gas Hands brought his rubber ducky to UFC London. See what he did there? That's a little elbow to the ribs of Jon Jones, who we know Aspinall has been chasing all over God's green earth trying to get a shot at unifying the heavyweight title. That's got to be frustrating. Weirdly, however, Aspinall emerged from a meeting with UFC brass last week saying he was excited, that he felt great, that “big announcements” are coming soon. Yet, he also didn't specifically say those big announcements had anything to do with Jones. So, is he just messing with us, or is something else on the horizon? Plus, Sean Brady jumped up four spots to No. 1-contender status on the UFC's official welterweight rankings after defeating Leon Edwards. Yes, you read that correctly. Brady now officially outranks THAT BOOT GOOD. SAY WHAT??? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whats something that you're oddly attracted to? Website

We hit a nice tangent this morning of a bunch of good stuff Headlines with the two American astronauts returning yesterday Sports with an update on Tracy Morgan after he threw up at the Knicks game the other night

Louise Edington discusses the upcoming eclipse on March 29th, emphasizing its significance as a portal of transformation and rebirth. She notes the eclipse's alignment with Venus and Mercury retrograde, the solar maximum, and previous eclipses. The eclipse is at 9 degrees Aries, opposing the new moon eclipse from October 2024. Key aspects include Mercury retrograde, Venus in Pisces, and the asteroids Salacia and Psyche. Louise highlights the themes of universal love, spiritual awakening, and the integration of depth and light. She encourages embracing creativity, joy, and the wildness of being, predicting a significant shift in human consciousness. Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation My fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Al and Kev talk about Piczel Cross: Rune Factory Timings 00:00:00: Theme Tune 00:00:30: Intro 00:01:23: What Have We Been Up To 00:23:29: Game News 00:32:12: New Games 00:38:58: Piczel Cross: Rune Factory 01:01:33: Outr Links Desktop Cat Cafe One Lonely Outpost Console Release Sprout Valley “Friends Forever” DLC Everholm 1.1.0 Update Farlands 0.4 Update Mika and the Witch’s Mountain “Into the Mount Gaun” Update Wholesome Direct Announcement Monsterpatch Kickstarter Contact Al on Mastodon: https://mastodon.scot/@TheScotBot Email Us: https://harvestseason.club/contact/ Transcript (0:00:30) Al: Hello, farmers, and welcome to another episode of the harvest season. My name is Al, (0:00:36) Kev: And my name is Kevin, and I’m, or so I’m told. (0:00:38) Al: and we’re here today to talk about how tired we are, and also Cottagecore Games. (0:00:44) Kev: Oh, gosh, yes. (0:00:46) Kev: Oh, whoa, hey, that, that’s the correct one. (0:00:55) Kev: That’s how my brain feels right now. (0:00:55) Al: That’s all of the enthusiasm you get from this episode, though. (0:01:00) Al: Right. This episode, we’re going to talk about Pixel Cross Rune Factory, the new Pixel Cross game. (0:01:06) Kev: by the not to pick across people yeah (0:01:11) Al: Yeah. Yeah. Pixel Cross by someone else. Before that, we obviously have the news. (0:01:19) Al: Look at a chunk of news. So we’re going to talk about that. But first of all, Kevin, (0:01:25) Al: what have you been up to? (0:01:26) Kev: Oh gosh. So, not a lot in terms of games and all that. Why, you ask? Because I went on a (0:01:36) Kev: work trip this week. I just got back this morning, a couple hours ago, when we start this recording. (0:01:47) Kev: So, I went to sunny San Diego, California. My first time back to my home state in almost 25 years. (0:01:57) Kev: I’m not from San Diego. I’m a little farther north. It’s my hometown area. But, (0:02:04) Kev: yeah, I went to San Diego a few times because SeaWorld was there. But not too many memories (0:02:09) Kev: other than SeaWorld. But the trip itself was fine. The work stuff was work stuff, whatever. (0:02:21) Kev: But just yesterday, I got basically an extra day. I’m gonna spend a (0:02:26) Kev: little time to run around San Diego. I went down to the beach, this place called La Jolla Cove. (0:02:35) Kev: There are sea lions, there are rocky cliffs. You can wade in the water in the beach. It is (0:02:43) Kev: all the hallmarks from my childhood because I lived by the coast. Farther north, like I said, (0:02:48) Kev: but almost the same thing. Many seals and sea lions. Very, very enjoyable. The weather was nice. (0:02:55) Kev: That was a great time. (0:02:56) Kev: So, yeah, that was fun. (0:02:58) Kev: What wasn’t fun was the kind of the bookends, the start and the beginning of this. (0:03:06) Kev: So, as I was leaving, I was bringing my own personal laptop because, you know, I might need it for something or wanted to do stuff with it. (0:03:16) Kev: And then I soon discovered that it wasn’t charging. (0:03:22) Kev: At first I thought I was the charger, that wasn’t working, then I thought it was the (0:03:26) Kev: port, but it wasn’t charging with another, the original charger which is a different (0:03:31) Kev: kind of port. (0:03:34) Kev: Long story short, I think my personal computer is dead. (0:03:37) Al: Oh, no. (0:03:40) Kev: So I have to get that repaired, I don’t know if it’s a battery thing or whatever, but I (0:03:45) Kev: would like that fixed because I have things on there including my other audacity and recordings, (0:03:52) Kev: that’s my usual recording computer. (0:03:57) Kev: Next, and also that explains the chromium audio quality coming from me today because I have (0:04:04) Kev: my microphone, but it’s a USB-A connector and the computer I’m using right now is only (0:04:12) Kev: USB-C ports because of the brilliant design of course I guess, and I don’t have a dongle (0:04:18) Kev: or adapter or whatever, so I’m just using standard laptop recording. (0:04:24) Kev: So yeah, sorry about that. (0:04:26) Kev: Folks. So that happened. That was not fun. I’m gonna address that. So the trip back, that was, that was something because the plane left or it was a, I had one layover in Los Angeles. (0:04:48) Kev: So my first flight left like at 6 p.m. San Diego time and it was only not even a full house. (0:04:57) Kev: I had a half hour to get to Los Angeles. So I was there by 7 p.m. or whatever, let’s just say, but then my, the other flight left at 11 p.m. So I was in the airport doing not much of anything for four hours. (0:05:10) Al: Yeah, always fun. (0:05:15) Kev: The fun part is, so we left at 11 p.m., right? And I’m traveling west to east so the time jumps gets weird and we had daylight savings time. (0:05:27) Al: Oh, just to make even more confusing. (0:05:27) Kev: So, yup. So my flight left at like 11 p.m. I arrived today at 7 a.m. but it was only a four hour flight. So you do the math. (0:05:42) Al: Well, I don’t I don’t think I want to do the maths on that, to be honest. (0:05:43) Kev: I, I, I’m, I think literally, yeah, yeah, yeah, literally. (0:05:47) Al: It was it was bad enough. It was bad enough trying to figure out what time it would be (0:05:51) Al: for you today when we’re recording it. What is normal time for me? (0:05:56) Kev: I lost, like the flight was half the time of the time change. Like it’s bad. I almost left four hours, but I landed eight hours later. (0:06:07) Kev: So I’m, it’s, I’m tired, my feet in pain from walking and all that. I’m kind of all beat up. So yeah, not a lot of games because of that. (0:06:19) Kev: I got in a game of Snap here or there, but not, not that much, you know, but what I did get to see on the way, on the flight too. (0:06:26) Kev: I got to watch a couple movies because it’s a longish flight (0:06:32) Kev: The first one was John wick chapter 4 (0:06:35) Kev: Have you watched the John wick movies? (0:06:37) Al: I have, yes, yes I have. I didn’t watch them for a long time because I was like, “Ugh, (0:06:38) Kev: Okay, um, so (0:06:43) Al: just another action film.” And then I watched the first one and was like, “Oh no, this (0:06:44) Kev: Yeah (0:06:47) Al: is, this is not just, this is like, I don’t, I don’t know why nobody told me before I watched (0:06:47) Kev: Yeah (0:06:53) Al: them that they were satire. Like, they’re fantastic, they’re so good.” (0:06:55) Kev: Yeah, oh, yeah, they’re incredible, right? (0:07:01) Kev: So, yeah, a big fan of the WIC series. (0:07:05) Kev: The fourth one, I think, is the weakest entry in the whole thing. (0:07:10) Kev: I feel like so obviously they’re just thinly veiled excuses for, you know, (0:07:17) Kev: gun cottas and choreography and stuff, right? (0:07:21) Kev: Like, I get that. (0:07:22) Kev: but even even by (0:07:25) Kev: those standards like I don’t know the plot here just wasn’t wasn’t doing it (0:07:29) Kev: for me right like John’s motivations didn’t line up like he was supposed to (0:07:35) Kev: go out and and kill the the 12 members of the table or whatever he killed only (0:07:40) Kev: the one guy I don’t know but anyways the the action was good of course I feel (0:07:48) Kev: like the most ridiculous of the the series which is you know a lot but cuz (0:07:53) Kev: We I don’t know why we have guns (0:07:55) Kev: Japanese bows and arrows and samurai swords, but we do because it’s cool. I guess but (0:08:02) Kev: But yeah, I don’t know. It just feels like (0:08:06) Kev: Even by John Wick’s changes. There are a few places that just kind of went a little over the top (0:08:11) Kev: Or maybe it’s just a little fatigue from seeing the other three entries or whatever. I don’t know (0:08:17) Kev: But I mean overall it was good. I’m not I’m not trying to berate it too much just probably my least favorite of the (0:08:24) Kev: The entire series (0:08:25) Kev: And hey, it’s Keanu, right? Like I was happy to see that and I love his his, you know, his his trademark (0:08:33) Kev: Yeah, that he does in every movie like 50% of his lines are just that yeah (0:08:41) Kev: Good old good old Keanu (0:08:45) Kev: Let’s see the other one I watched was A Quiet Place day one (0:08:49) Al: Hmm. (0:08:50) Kev: So I have not seen either of the other quiet place movies. I didn’t know a third one (0:08:55) Kev: came out but I saw it in my life so I was like sure why not. Have you seen quiet place either? (0:09:00) Al: - Yeah, I’ve seen them all, yeah. (0:09:04) Al: Which, I’m just noticing how funny this is (laughs) (0:09:09) Al: because we were having a chat on one of the slacks (0:09:13) Al: about someone claiming that I just watch everything (0:09:16) Al: and then the two series that you’re talking about, (0:09:16) Kev: Yeah, that’ll bring up. Yeah, yeah (0:09:18) Al: I’ve watched both of them, but anyway. (0:09:24) Al: The, I do, I don’t think it’s actually a bad place (0:09:30) Kev: Well, from what I understand, they’re not like, all the stories aren’t directly connected, (0:09:31) Al: to enter the series. (0:09:40) Kev: right? (0:09:40) Al: The first two films are, the second film is very much a direct sequel of the first one but day one is very much a prequel, not connecting directly to individual people, but the concept, yeah, so if you understand the concept of it, then yeah, but… (0:09:41) Kev: They’re different. (0:09:43) Kev: They are? (0:09:44) Kev: Oh gosh, that doesn’t, oh, nevermind then. (0:09:52) Kev: Okay. (0:09:53) Kev: Right. (0:09:54) Kev: Mhm. (0:09:55) Kev: Okay. (0:09:56) Kev: Sure. (0:09:57) Kev: Sure. (0:09:58) Kev: Sure. (0:09:59) Kev: Sure. (0:10:01) Kev: Yeah. (0:10:02) Kev: I do. (0:10:03) Kev: Yeah. (0:10:04) Kev: Yeah. (0:10:05) Kev: And then, you know, it’s not a terribly hard concept. (0:10:06) Kev: So, yeah. (0:10:07) Kev: Yeah. (0:10:08) Kev: I was familiar with that. (0:10:09) Kev: So, um, I don’t know, like, obviously I can’t compare it to the first two, I haven’t seen (0:10:12) Kev: them, but they, this one felt like a little, they were forcing it a little too much, right? (0:10:21) Kev: Like we, we, we’ve already got a cancer patient, right? (0:10:24) Kev: So, you know, they’re already trying to tug at the, the heartstrings or whatever. (0:10:29) Kev: and then you have a dank. (0:10:30) Kev: In this movie it looks like my cat, which caused my anxiety to spike so much, because the cat in that movie looks a lot like my cat, or one of my cats. (0:10:41) Kev: And of course what they can do, they’re going to keep putting it in danger. (0:10:48) Kev: But yeah, a lot of it was very heavy handed in how it was trying to raise the stakes. (0:11:02) Kev: But overall, not a bad film. (0:11:05) Kev: Yeah, I think there are a few moments where it’s a little questionable, like I don’t know why this character did this or whatever, but overall pretty fine. (0:11:19) Kev: Yeah, I don’t have much else to say, I liked it overall though. (0:11:26) Kev: Um, but that’s what I’ve got going on for me. What about you? What’s going on? (0:11:32) Al: Yeah, I’ve also not done a huge amount of gaming. This week has been busy, busy. Obviously (0:11:37) Al: I’ve been playing Pixel Cross Rune Factory for the episode. And I did a bit of raids (0:11:40) Kev: I did too. Great. Shadow Legend. Oh. [laughs] (0:11:45) Al: in Scarlet and Violet this weekend. And obviously I’m continuing on Pokemon Go every day. Yeah, (0:11:56) Al: that’s probably about it games-wise. I did watch the first two episodes of the new Daredevil (0:12:01) Al: Born Again series. (0:12:02) Kev: due to how are they do tell me (0:12:03) Al: There’s that I very much enjoyed the right word. (0:12:09) Al: I very much thought I thought there were I thought they were good. (0:12:12) Kev: I thought they were shows (0:12:13) Al: There was a couple of no, no, no, it’s more a case of I can’t say much (0:12:18) Al: without spoiling it, but there’s this stuff that happens that doesn’t make me (0:12:22) Al: happy, but it’s not meant to make me happy, right? (0:12:25) Kev: okay so mission accomplished that’s not necessarily a bad thing (0:12:27) Al: Yeah, I’m feeling what they want me to feel. (0:12:30) Al: it. Yeah, it’s (0:12:31) Kev: I don’t like the feeling. (0:12:32) Al: the. (0:12:35) Kev: OK. (0:12:36) Kev: What is the plot? (0:12:38) Kev: Because I don’t know any– (0:12:39) Kev: I haven’t heard anything about the specifics. (0:12:42) Al: Have you seen the the Netflix series? (0:12:42) Kev: What is– I have not, but I know enough about it, I think. (0:12:47) Al: I mean, the overall idea of the series is this is the Fisk is Mayor one, so, which they’ve (0:12:58) Kev: » Okay. Sure. (0:13:00) Al: done in comics before, I’m sure I know I’ve kind of seen some things about it, but that’s (0:13:05) Al: the kind of overall something happens at the beginning of the first episode that leads (0:13:10) Al: to Daredevil stopping. (0:13:12) Al: being Daredevil, and then Fist becomes Mayor, and now we’re a little bit further on, and (0:13:18) Al: now Matt wants to be Daredevil again, or doesn’t want to be Daredevil again. (0:13:22) Al: But you know what I mean? (0:13:23) Al: Like, it’s forced into being Daredevil again because of things that happen. (0:13:23) Kev: yeah yeah okay uh okay then you know that’s fine I guess but okay well fisk is mayor okay that that’s (0:13:29) Al: It’s hard to say much without spoiling the episodes, right? (0:13:36) Kev: the elevator picture I was looking for um okay here’s a question where does this fit into the (0:13:42) Kev: timeline like with she-ho because that’s the one i’m actually seeing with the good old man in any (0:13:46) Al: Yeah, it’s a good question. They don’t directly tie it in, but I think as far as I can tell (0:13:55) Al: it’s She-Hulk and then a little while later Echo happens and then a little while later (0:14:01) Al: this happens. They directly reference Echo happening in the past. Yeah, they don’t directly (0:14:02) Kev: Okay. Okay. (0:14:13) Al: reference the racist. (0:14:16) Al: that’s, I think it’s happened in the past, but not sure. Like just in terms of like (0:14:20) Kev: Okay (0:14:23) Al: just general MCU continuity, right? (0:14:25) Kev: Mm-hmm, um, okay that that’s interesting because I haven’t seen echo (0:14:32) Al: Echos, well, okay, I really enjoyed Echos. I thought it was very good. Yeah. (0:14:35) Kev: Okay (0:14:38) Kev: Okay, I mean no no like I believe it just I’m thinking just like cuz you know (0:14:43) Kev: obviously I feel like there’s a lot of important context because you know with the (0:14:48) Kev: the end of Hawkeye you get some kingpin and (0:14:50) Kev: then you got Echo and She-Hulk, so I’m just, yup, yeah he is and that’s fine cause it’s (0:14:51) Al: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, he’s he’s popping up in a lot of things, (0:14:56) Al: isn’t he? (0:14:59) Kev: a great portrayal, but you know just context wise like how do I, I missed a few chapters (0:15:04) Al: I would watch Echo, I think it’s worth watching Echo. Not necessarily for Daredevil, (0:15:05) Kev: in how we got here. (0:15:10) Kev: I watch Hawkeye, yes. (0:15:16) Al: I don’t think it really does a huge amount for Daredevil, but it does for Fisk. I think (0:15:18) Kev: Yeah (0:15:21) Kev: Okay (0:15:22) Al: it’s important for Fisk’s story. (0:15:24) Kev: Okay, okay, that makes sense is Kate Bishop in it Kate Bishop in any of this oh (0:15:30) Al: has not been yet. I also like Kate Bishop. Yeah, there were some rumours that her stepdad, (0:15:32) Kev: But I like Kate Bishop specific (0:15:36) Kev: Specifically this one. What’s her name Haley Seinfeld? Yes (0:15:44) Al: what’s his name? I can’t remember his name. Yeah, there were some rumours that he’s going to appear (0:15:46) Kev: Oh the the sword guy (0:15:48) Kev: Oh (0:15:51) Al: in this series. But we’ll see. (0:15:52) Kev: Okay, uh-huh that’d be interesting I don’t remember his name is he supposed to be a sword master I don’t know whatever um (0:16:00) Al: I think he’s kind of loosely based on that idea, but he’s not actually. He’s just a bozo. (0:16:04) Kev: Yeah, yeah (0:16:06) Kev: Yeah, that’s that’s the feeling I get (0:16:10) Kev: Well, you know, you know, I don’t even need Kate Bishop specific. I just want more Haley Seinfeld in my life (0:16:16) Al: Well, well, yeah, there is that. Yeah, I would be surprised if we don’t get her in the next (0:16:18) Kev: There is that (0:16:23) Al: two years in something. I guess, is that cheating? Because in two years, we’ve got secret wars, (0:16:25) Kev: I mean, yeah. Well, you know what? (0:16:30) Al: and if we don’t get anybody, if someone doesn’t appear in secret wars, (0:16:34) Al: they’re basically dead, right? Like, they’re not going to be in anything again. (0:16:36) Kev: I was look I was I was about to say with at the current state of the mcu (0:16:42) Kev: it’s a kind of a 50/50 on that question for almost anyone (0:16:46) Al: I don’t think, I don’t think Kate Bishop was badly received at all. Like, there are some characters (0:16:56) Kev: yeah (0:16:57) Al: that I could see them just, like, I would be really sad if she helped never appears again, (0:17:01) Al: but I would understand based on, you know, the internet. But I didn’t see anything about that with (0:17:02) Kev: yes (0:17:06) Kev: yeah (0:17:09) Kev: yeah yeah no i’m here’s the thing like my point is it feel like in such a (0:17:15) Kev: directionless disarray I don’t even think that’s a factor like what (0:17:18) Al: Well, I think I think they’re at the point now where they’re just wrapping up the stories (0:17:27) Al: that they weren’t sure about. And I think they probably have good ideas for what they want to do, (0:17:33) Al: but they need to wrap up what they were doing before they can do that, if that makes sense. (0:17:37) Al: Like it feels like we’re kind of almost like falling towards secret wars because they want (0:17:42) Al: to get it over and done with and then reset into something that they can do the stories (0:17:44) Kev: Yes (0:17:48) Al: they want to. The classic comic book way, right? (0:17:48) Kev: Yeah, yeah, yeah (0:17:53) Kev: Yep, yep, throw away everything cuz we’re not sure anymore is just do the new thing I guess (0:17:59) Al: Yeah, we would like to do our film that lets us have Pedro Pascal (0:18:04) Al: alongside Robert Downey Jr. Please and thank you, move along. (0:18:07) Kev: Yeah, you know, that’s yeah. Ooh, you know, that’s that might be a fair trade-off (0:18:14) Kev: You don’t you won’t get what’s his name? Oh gosh One Direction guy Wow (0:18:20) Al: Oh yeah, Harry Styles, Star Fox. (0:18:23) Kev: Yeah, you’re not I promise you we’re not getting Harry Styles anymore, but we’ll get Pedro Pascal that’s that’s a fair trade-off. Oh (0:18:32) Al: Yeah. Look, the one that boggles my mind that they’ve not brought back is Shang-Chi. (0:18:33) Kev: Oh, man (0:18:38) Al: Why has he not reappeared anywhere? Bizarre. Bizarre to me. Like, that was such a well-received film. (0:18:42) Kev: Yeah (0:18:49) Kev: It was yeah, I mean it but really I mean (0:18:54) Kev: Everything post infinity war like not not not by individual like, you know, obviously there’s been great and highs and lows (0:19:02) Kev: but just like the entire (0:19:04) Kev: idea of their continuity and (0:19:08) Kev: Connectedness has been an absolute mess a train wreck. So I don’t know (0:19:12) Al: It’s really interesting if you look back on release dates. So we had a whole Iron Man trilogy (0:19:13) Kev: You (0:19:15) Kev: Mm-hmm. Yeah (0:19:21) Kev: Yes, right (0:19:21) Al: in five years, 2008 to 2013. It has been nearly four years since Shang-Chi came out. (0:19:25) Kev: Yeah (0:19:29) Kev: Oh sick (0:19:32) Al: So in the time that it has been since Shang-Chi, Iron Man was nearly at its third film. (0:19:40) Kev: Crazy. (0:19:40) Al: Thor had a full trilogy and. (0:19:42) Al: In six years, Captain America had a full trilogy in five years. (0:19:50) Al: Like it’s just, it’s fascinating how slow they are at getting sequels out now. (0:19:50) Kev: Oh, yeah, one of my favorite benchmarks of any time comparison is the US Confederacy, (0:20:02) Al: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Two thousand, yeah. Fun. Fun times. Anyway, uh, I’ve also been watching (0:20:03) Kev: right? (0:20:05) Kev: And we have now a full Confederacy between Shang-Chi appearances. (0:20:13) Kev: Oh, yeah. (0:20:22) Al: Avatar the Last Airbender, so that’s the thing I’m watching through just now. So I have just (0:20:24) Kev: Oh yeah, I forgot about that. (0:20:27) Kev: Mm. (0:20:28) Al: finished season one and I am enjoying it very much so. (0:20:32) Al: Particularly there was a fun, so when they get to the North (0:20:36) Al: Pole, there’s a very fun, Katara has a very fun fight with (0:20:36) Kev: Yep. (0:20:42) Kev: Yep. (0:20:42) Al: someone. I don’t want to say too much, just in case anyone else (0:20:44) Al: is wanting to watch them. It doesn’t want to get spoiled. (0:20:46) Al: That fight is an incredible fight. I love all the different (0:20:50) Al: ideas that they have for that fight. So yeah. (0:20:53) Kev: oh well buckle up buckaroo because one thing they did excellent throughout the entire show (0:21:01) Kev: up to the very end is the choreography um well the fight choreography and direction um it’s all (0:21:09) Kev: stellar um but you know because all the the different earthbending styles are based off real (0:21:15) Kev: life martial arts and whatnot and so they you know they they translate that well but then of (0:21:20) Kev: And of course you have elemental superpowers. (0:21:23) Kev: They translate, they do fun stuff with that sometimes. (0:21:25) Kev: Um… (0:21:27) Kev: But, uh… (0:21:28) Kev: Oh, I am very excited for you. (0:21:31) Kev: Uh, like, y-you’ve seen how good season 1 is. (0:21:34) Al: Yeah, and people well people keep saying it’s the worst season, and I’m like this is the worst my word (0:21:35) Kev: What if I told you… (0:21:38) Kev: Yeah! (0:21:38) Kev: YEAH! (0:21:39) Kev: YEAH! (0:21:40) Kev: YEAH! (0:21:40) Kev: YEAH! (0:21:41) Al: I’m looking forward to what comes next (0:21:41) Kev: YEAH! (0:21:41) Kev: YEAH! (0:21:43) Kev: Yeah, exactly what I was about to say, yeah, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. (0:21:45) Kev: You haven’t seen anything yet, you’ve seen garbage. (0:21:48) Kev: It’s… it’s so good. (0:21:49) Al: The humour in it is very good. It’s stupid for humour, but the comedic timing is what (0:21:50) Kev: Um… (0:21:53) Kev: It’s great. (0:21:56) Kev: Yeah. (0:21:57) Kev: Yeah. (0:22:00) Al: gets it, right? There’s a bit where Katara is pretending to be an earthbender, right? (0:22:00) Kev: Yeah. (0:22:01) Kev: Yeah, it- (0:22:06) Kev: Yeah. (0:22:06) Al: And they do this weird thing where Aang is blowing air through a hole in the ground to (0:22:11) Kev: Yeah. (0:22:13) Al: levitate a rock, and Katara is pretending to do that. (0:22:13) Kev: Yeah. (0:22:14) Kev: Yeah. (0:22:19) Al: The guys look over and they’re like, “Oh, that lemur’s earthbending!” It’s just such (0:22:24) Kev: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely, you’re right, they are they’re killer with their (0:22:25) Al: a stupid moment, but because of the tension, and they build it up, and the timing, and (0:22:31) Al: that stupid moment is just so funny. (0:22:37) Kev: comedic timing, like in general, because it’s, it’s, it’s wild, because it’s such a serious, (0:22:44) Kev: like, show, right, like, both in terms of the overall plot, and they, they treat that, (0:22:49) Kev: the tone gets very heavy at times, but they still managed to pull off. (0:22:54) Kev: And I think part of it is because they’re stupid 12 year olds, you know, so they’re gonna do dumb stuff. (0:23:00) Al: » Yeah. (0:23:02) Kev: But yeah, oh man, I can’t hurry up and finish it so I can talk to you about my favorite episodes, the dragon dance. (0:23:04) Al: » Yeah. (0:23:10) Al: It will only be another few weeks. (0:23:12) Al: I’ve got these done in three weeks. (0:23:14) Kev: Alright. (0:23:14) Al: So we’ll be done soon. (0:23:16) Kev: Tell me you get to boo me. (0:23:20) Al: Yeah, I think that’s everything. (0:23:22) Al: So that’s what we’ve been up to. (0:23:22) Al: My word. (0:23:24) Al: I thought this was going to be a short episode. (0:23:24) Al: We’re 25 minutes in. (0:23:26) Kev: I’m on- I’m on this show, you know that won’t happen. (0:23:31) Al: - Let’s get through this news. (0:23:32) Al: So first off, desktop cat cafe is out now. (0:23:35) Kev: Okay. (0:23:35) Al: Not much to say about that. (0:23:36) Al: That’s the bottom of the screen cat cafe game, (0:23:38) Kev: The- the- the rusty leg is what I’d say, yeah. (0:23:39) Al: the Rusty Like. (0:23:42) Kev: Um, that’s- (0:23:44) Al: So if you were like, (0:23:45) Al: “Oh, I like the idea of Rusty’s retirement, (0:23:46) Al: but I want it to be cats.” (0:23:49) Al: There you go. (0:23:50) Kev: Yeah, the the cats are kind of I’m still not the whole idea (0:23:55) Kev: I don’t like I’m very on the idea, but the cats are very cute. I will say that (0:24:02) Kev: Yeah, it looks nice. I’m sure it’s a wonderful entry for you rusty. Yeah, it’s right rusty lights. I’m rusty like fans (0:24:13) Kev: I enjoy cute cats (0:24:15) Al: Next we have one lonely outpost have released their 1.0 and are now on switch Xboxes and (0:24:22) Al: PS5. (0:24:24) Kev: Wait, they weren’t already on Switch? (0:24:25) Al: They were not the this is their this is their console release. (0:24:27) Kev: Okay. (0:24:30) Kev: Oh, well, good for them. (0:24:31) Al: The 1.0 is pretty slim. (0:24:33) Al: It’s like yeah this is the 1.0 and it’s like almost all bug fixes. (0:24:38) Kev: Hehehehe, it’s a game! (0:24:40) Al: Which is like probably the right way to do it like I’ve always complained about people (0:24:45) Al: 1.0 and like here’s half the game now because it’s because it just ends up being buggy. (0:24:48) Kev: Yeah. (0:24:50) Al: So this is probably the right way to do it but it’s just really funny saying here’s the (0:24:53) Al: release notes for 1.0 and the only thing that isn’t a bug fix is added four new artifacts (0:24:59) Al: to Sydney’s shop. (0:25:00) Kev: I was about to say like, the amount of content for 1.0 is debatable maybe or a little subjective, (0:25:13) Kev: yada yada, but the one thing, the game should work, right? (0:25:17) Kev: That’s the minimum, so if it’s all just bug fixes to get to that point, I can live with (0:25:22) Kev: that I guess. (0:25:23) Kev: I probably won’t play this game, but you know, good for them. (0:25:26) Al: for sure. (0:25:28) Kev: They crossed a finish line. (0:25:30) Al: Next we have a new DLC for Sprout Valley, it’s the Friends Forever DLC, I think this (0:25:36) Kev: Didn’t expect this I don’t know why I just I don’t know but here we are sprovella dilsen (0:25:42) Al: is what happens when you release a game that costs like a fiver, you sell DLC, 11 new friends (0:25:45) Kev: I guess yeah (0:25:49) Al: that can be found while visiting new islands, each of them has their own gift preferences, (0:25:53) Al: hobbies, unique style, and they’re all different. (0:25:56) Al: They’re all different kinds of creatures from buffaloes to frogs. Each new island’s dweller has a questlet at the end of which await new workspaces, items, and rewards. (0:26:06) Kev: cool. 2-bit or 8-bit Hello Kitty Island adventure, basically. Yeah, no, I’m kidding, I’m kidding, (0:26:12) Al: I it’s not as big as that, not by in no way as it was. (0:26:16) Kev: I know. I know. Yeah, yeah, no. I’m just saying, because I’m looking at one of the, I think (0:26:18) Al: I had fun with the, what, like five hours I played it. (0:26:25) Kev: it looks like a dog. It looks a little like a cinnamon roll. Anyway, it’s still a very (0:26:29) Kev: cute game, no matter what. Good for you Sprout Valley, keep on trucking. (0:26:35) Al: Next, we have Everhome have released a 1.1.0 update. (0:26:40) Al: This adds cooking, and it adds a compendium, tracking discoveries. (0:26:42) Kev: like cooking that’s always a good one feels like it should have been at 1.0 (0:26:48) Al: Yep. (0:26:52) Kev: but mmm true (0:26:52) Al: Yeah, well, as you say, always debatable what these things are. (0:26:58) Al: And they’ve also overhauled their quests and luck systems. (0:27:02) Kev: oh okay that that’s probably good um well I get it you touche (0:27:05) Al: So maybe we’ll see. Who knows? (0:27:13) Al: Firelines have released their 0.4 update, adding relationships into the game. (0:27:18) Kev: oh goody finally now now they’re cottage core oh um (0:27:24) Al: I think you’ll find their space cottage core. Thank you very much. (0:27:33) Kev: yeah I don’t i’m trying to think of a clever name I can’t think of one but here we are oh man (0:27:40) Al: base kedge no i’m not no I should have not but (0:27:46) Kev: Can I rome can I romance aliens do just the cat people boo (0:27:50) Al: I don’t think so (0:27:55) Al: yeah I haven’t seen anything about that anyway (0:27:58) Kev: This should be (0:28:00) Kev: There’s very clearly an alien-looking guy again. I would guess it’s an alien-looking guy (0:28:06) Al: You know what, I think you might be excited about, OK. (0:28:09) Kev: Yeah, the next news item (0:28:11) Al: Mika and the Witches Mountain into the Montgaunt is now available. (0:28:16) Kev: Oh snap this is a reason to come back (0:28:16) Al: This is the as far as we know, as far as we know, (0:28:22) Al: it’s the last update for Mika and the Witches Mountain. (0:28:27) Al: I say as far as we know, just because in the release information, (0:28:31) Al: they’re saying it’s the latest free content patch. (0:28:36) Al: They’re actively saying it’s the final one. (0:28:38) Al: But they have previously not mentioned any announcement of any other updates. (0:28:44) Kev: Yeah, okay (0:28:44) Al: But this is the one that adds in dungeons. (0:28:46) Al: So there are three dungeons in the game to test your skill. (0:28:50) Kev: So I was about to say because I’m looking down the dungeons (0:28:54) Kev: There’s one of fire one of wind and one of water and I’m and you know, I’m no secret. This is (0:29:02) Kev: Oh my god, but oh my goodness (0:29:07) Kev: Wind Waker jeez, I know I took me to I’m tired people. Um, it’s wind Waker inspired (0:29:08) Al: Mm-hmm (0:29:12) Kev: I’m looking at like all that. I know that (0:29:14) Kev: Wind Waker dungeon. I know that Wind Waker dungeon (0:29:17) Kev: And I’m like, yeah, we’re just turning up the Wind Waker dial and then I scroll to the near the bottom (0:29:24) Kev: And oh, there you go. They’ve also introduced your actual actually (0:29:30) Kev: Link’s costume you get the tunic and a green hat. They call it the green witch but (0:29:32) Al: I, yeah, I think you’ll find this is the green witch outfit, thank you very much. Legally distinct. (0:29:43) Kev: Very cute (0:29:44) Kev: Is this reason for me to fire up Mika? Yeah, I actually probably is I haven’t touched it so (0:29:46) Al: you you yeah absolutely did you play the other two updates (0:29:53) Kev: I’ve not so I’m gonna get them all at once. Yeah (0:29:55) Al: well there you go then I was waiting for the for the mall as well maybe we (0:29:59) Kev: Yeah, I’m down for that (0:30:03) Kev: This is uh (0:30:06) Kev: Whoa (0:30:07) Kev: Sorry, I’m just reading when you get the green witch costume you get upward flight. So I (0:30:13) Al: Oh, finally! There we go. Just a shame that that’s for completing the dungeons, i.e. having (0:30:15) Kev: Snap (0:30:17) Kev: The limiters are off (0:30:19) Kev: Then it’s (0:30:22) Al: done everything in the game. Well, hey, maybe it’ll be fun, who knows. (0:30:24) Kev: Yeah, pretty much (0:30:28) Kev: Yeah, yeah, I’m always I was kind of (0:30:32) Kev: I’m always torn on this sort of design right because it’s it’s not uncommon where you get the (0:30:37) Kev: The full power at the very end or whatever right and like on the one hand it makes sense that you know (0:30:44) Kev: That’s where the progression leads to (0:30:46) Kev: But on the other hand like what are you gonna do with it now, you know? (0:30:50) Al: Yeah, yeah, I think this there is a balance to be had there and I think I (0:30:55) Al: think this is why I like 3d platform or certain nothing just platformers in general because (0:31:01) Al: You know excluding Metroidvanias, which the whole point is just unlocking (0:31:05) Al: Skills as you go. I like the idea that it’s (0:31:09) Al: What gets you through the game is your skill improving not necessarily the game just giving you things to make it easier (0:31:16) Kev: Okay, sure, sure. (0:31:18) Al: Um, and speaking of metroidvanias, I did. (0:31:20) Al: Once, which you didn’t unlock stuff as you went through the game, it just told you about stuff as you went through the game. (0:31:28) Al: So if you like just experimented and tried things, you would actually be able to do things much earlier than the game told you about them. (0:31:35) Kev: Yeah, I like that, see that is a good design right there. (0:31:40) Al: Next, we have the announcement that the Wholesome Direct is coming back this year, coming in June, there we go. (0:31:47) Kev: Okay, just like I don’t mean like one punch man. Okay. I’m like, all right. Yeah, that’s fine (0:31:56) Al: There we go. (0:31:56) Al: That’s the thing. (0:31:58) Al: That is a nice, easy episode for us later in the year. (0:31:58) Kev: Yeah (0:32:01) Kev: Yeah, that’s the real excitement here easy episode announced (0:32:07) Al: No preparation except watching a video. (0:32:09) Kev: Yeah, we can do that (0:32:13) Al: And finally, we have the announcement of Monster Patch. (0:32:17) Al: We have vaguely talked about this in the past, because this is the monster-collecting farming (0:32:26) Al: game by the maker of Littlewood. (0:32:26) Kev: Oh, by Sean Young. Yeah. (0:32:30) Al: Yes, so, but this is like the first proper thing of it, and this is the Kickstarter (0:32:35) Al: is going live soon. (0:32:38) Al: So yeah, it’s very much Gameboy-style graphics, kind of traditional Pokemon-style graphics. (0:32:46) Al: So if you like that, yeah. (0:32:46) Kev: Very not just graphics like even art style like that those trainers. That’s a Brock misty and ash (0:32:56) Al: Yeah, I was going to say the first one is definitely Gary. (0:32:56) Kev: And there’s even a Gary on the first image (0:33:00) Kev: That is definitely Gary (0:33:03) Kev: And even some of these Pokemon, you know getting getting in that little little bit of power world school of thought that you know (0:33:12) Kev: He squint is that a whooper? No (0:33:17) Kev: It’s an ax a lot. No, that’s not a that’s not a whooper (0:33:25) Al: Hold up. Hold up just a minute. Is Whipper based on an axolotl? (0:33:27) Kev: Yeah, yeah (0:33:30) Al: I had never noticed that before, but you’re right. It is, isn’t it? (0:33:31) Kev: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s got the little little you know antenna with a little (0:33:34) Al: Wild. There you go. (0:33:40) Al: It totally is. It totally looks like what… (0:33:42) Kev: Yeah, yeah, there you go. Yeah, we made that connection. Oh, yeah (0:33:47) Kev: um (0:33:48) Kev: Could we make a cuter ax a little probably cuz ax a little are very cute, but whooper is good. No, it was good. Nonetheless. Um, I (0:33:59) Al: And of course it’s shiny pink, isn’t it? Which is the standard axolotl, axolotl colour. (0:34:01) Kev: Yeah, that’s correct (0:34:04) Kev: Standard yeah, okay. Yeah. Yeah, you know, okay slight slight (0:34:13) Kev: tangent here, um (0:34:15) Kev: so (0:34:17) Kev: They are you know 99 PI 99% invisible, okay, um (0:34:23) Kev: For folks who don’t know it’s a podcast that just goes into the history and origins of all sorts of random topics (0:34:28) Kev: I’m just everyday things um (0:34:30) Al: It’s mostly like design stuff, but yeah, they stretch out of that quite a bit, but that’s the original idea. (0:34:32) Kev: Yeah design stuff yeah (0:34:34) Kev: They do they do yeah, yeah (0:34:39) Kev: There’s an episode where they talk about axolotls (0:34:42) Kev: And how the the pink acts a lot of the common one that (0:34:46) Kev: so famous and popular and you can get pet shops is is so very distinct and different now because (0:34:57) Kev: long story short they years ago they some researchers got like a handful like eight (0:35:04) Kev: axolotls from the wilds of mexico and then like all the lab quote unquote lab axolotls though the (0:35:12) Kev: the pink ones with the translucent skin all those are more or less descendants (0:35:16) Kev: and they’ve just become so distinctly different from the wild ones because if (0:35:23) Kev: you look at a wild axolotl from the ones in Mexico they’re not even pink (0:35:26) Kev: they’re more like gray and they’re a little more fish-looking for lack of a (0:35:33) Kev: better word they might just because their skin isn’t translucent like the (0:35:36) Kev: the ones that so famous but it’s it’s a fascinating topic I love axolotls both (0:35:43) Kev: with the wild ones and the not wild ones. (0:35:46) Kev: But yeah, so going back to thing, Whooper’s cool, and more importantly Monster Patch. (0:35:54) Kev: Like, all the jokes about the style and whatever side, it looks, at least the images look competently made. (0:36:02) Kev: So I’m curious to see how this will pan out. (0:36:07) Kev: Do we have a date for the launch? I don’t think we do, do we? (0:36:09) Al: No, we just it’s coming. (0:36:11) Kev: Alright, well, keep your eyes out. (0:36:15) Kev: Yeah, I don’t know, we’re growing things. (0:36:18) Kev: And Pokemon are there. (0:36:20) Al: - Yes, yeah, fun. (0:36:23) Al: We’ll see what it’s like, but I liked Little Wood, (0:36:26) Al: so, and I like Pokemon. (0:36:29) Kev: I do. I don’t know. I actually haven’t played Little Wood, but I like Pokémon. (0:36:35) Kev: So we’ll see. That Apple Dragon Crocodile thing, I don’t know what that is. That’s a cute looking one. (0:36:44) Kev: I’m down. Let me know when. I mean, obviously you will let me know when this launches, but I’m just (0:36:49) Al: Oh, I just noticed it does actually say the Kickstarter is launching. (0:36:50) Kev: speaking to Sean Young, I guess. Not you, Al. But let me know when it launches so I can play this. (0:36:56) Kev: I am intrigued. (0:36:59) Kev: Oh, yeah, there it is at the very end. Oh, that’s soon, relatively, but yeah, but it kills us. That’s no indicator. You know, it just gives us the various tiniest, like false hope of when it actually comes out because that, you know, we’re talking about it like, oh, that’s lunch. That is no correlation to when we can play it. Done. (0:37:19) Al: yeah there was because they (0:37:27) Al: yeah because there was the um what was the other chibi game uh elusive um the kickstarter for (0:37:35) Al: that launched last week and yeah it was the expected release date for that is uh may 2027 (0:37:43) Al: so two years time (0:37:44) Kev: You know what? At least, I think I almost prefer a long launch window because that feels realistic/believable/but you know, I get it. (0:37:56) Al: Yeah, yeah, but it’s also the fact that elusive was announced three years ago originally. (0:38:04) Kev: Oh, that’s a different story. You’re right. (0:38:07) Al: So it’s like, yeah, games take a long time, but also this will be like five years from (0:38:12) Al: the first time we hear about it when it eventually releases. (0:38:14) Kev: Oh, sick. (0:38:16) Al: It’s our first official 2027 release date. (0:38:21) Kev: That is, that is also… (0:38:21) Al: Just checking my spreadsheet. (0:38:23) Al: We have a few saying 2026, but nothing saying 2027. (0:38:26) Kev: Look, I don’t mean, I don’t want to be mean to elusive. (0:38:30) Kev: Alright, like, the game dev’s hard, I get it, but… (0:38:34) Kev: I just, again, it’s one of my favorite benchmarks. (0:38:37) Kev: The elusive dev cycle is longer than one Confederacy of the United States. (0:38:50) Al: Where am I? I lost my tab. There we are. That’s all the news. We are now going to talk about (0:38:57) Kev: We did it (0:39:01) Al: Pixel Cross Rune Factory. Now before we get into this, Kevin, did you play the previous (0:39:03) Kev: So (0:39:06) Kev: Yes, yes, yeah, yeah we did I was on the episode we did the episode yes, it was (0:39:08) Al: one? (0:39:09) Al: Pixel Cross. (0:39:10) Al: It was me and you, was it? Right, OK. (0:39:13) Al: So next question, did you actually get any time to play this game this week? (0:39:15) Kev: A little bit it I’ve reached the first boss. There’s my (0:39:20) Al: OK. Yeah, that’s decent. I think you get the customization by that point. (0:39:26) Kev: Yeah, oh, yeah, you get that early on that’s like one of the first ones you get yeah, so I have enough to have thoughts (0:39:31) Kev: I haven’t seen the full things, but I certainly enough for opinions. Yes. Yes, absolutely. Yeah (0:39:34) Al: I think you’ve seen enough. You’ve seen enough, realistically, right? (0:39:39) Al: Because you also see, I think the boss, the only thing you won’t have done is a colour one. (0:39:44) Kev: Yeah, I’ve not seen a gun of color one yet. No, but uh, but (0:39:47) Al: but I think they’re pretty clear. (0:39:50) Al: They’re just slightly more complicated ones, but what comes to them when we come to it? (0:39:51) Kev: Yeah, yeah (0:39:58) Al: I’m changing this list around. I want to talk about the customisation first, (0:40:02) Al: because this is the thing that’s different. This is the thing that’s different about this game, (0:40:03) Kev: Oh (0:40:06) Al: other than the bosses are different, the colours are different, but this is the thing that seemed (0:40:09) Kev: Okay, well (0:40:12) Al: the most interesting to me until I played the game. (0:40:14) Kev: Well, there’s a few things oh (0:40:16) Kev: Okay, I’m gonna take us to (0:40:18) Kev: Hold on before we get them we can take one step back just for anyone who might not remember because you know (0:40:23) Kev: That was a while ago and people aren’t remember, right? So we’re talking on a grand pic cross puzzles, right? (0:40:29) Kev: Um, they did, uh, when we’re talking about his- his pixel-cross story of- (0:40:33) Kev: That’s the previous game, and that was just a very straightforward bare-bones- (0:40:39) Kev: Here’s a bunch of Picross puzzles, um, and there happens to be Harvest Moon, you know, they’re all Harvest Moon, er, story of seasons images, there’s (0:40:47) Kev: music in the background, and a little farm growing in the background. Um, but that- that was pretty much it, right? A very- (0:40:53) Kev: Yeah, I- I enjoy it, ‘cause I enjoy nonagram, but, um, but straightforward and, uh, basic sort of collection of puzzles. (0:41:03) Kev: This one, they’re- they- they upped- they upped it. I’m just- I’m surprised, I didn’t think they could take it places, but they did, they’re doing stuff, right? (0:41:13) Kev: Um, because- okay, let’s get into the customization. Now, that’s one of the biggest ones, ‘cause story of seasons was just (0:41:21) Kev: automatically happening in the background, you kind of looked at it here and there, but here, go ahead, Al, tell them. (0:41:24) Al: Yeah. Yeah, so here you I mean, realistically, it’s not fundamentally different, right? Like, (0:41:33) Al: the back, the background is still doing the same thing is the background. And you have a farm, (0:41:39) Al: like the previous one, because it’s all still farming, right? But you get to like, choose how (0:41:45) Al: your farm looks, basically, right? So you have, you can, it’s very specifically, you can go down (0:41:52) Al: down to which crops you want on which. (0:41:54) Al: Crop plot point, you can say “I want a turnip here, I want a potato here, I want a cabbage there”. (0:42:00) Al: You can be very specific about it. Weirdly detailed and you can also change your character’s (0:42:08) Al: look and weapons and stuff like that. I guess the thing I was disappointed about it was (0:42:14) Al: it doesn’t change anything. It is just the background and that’s fine. Maybe I shouldn’t (0:42:18) Al: have expected any more but it doesn’t make any difference to gameplay. (0:42:24) Al: It’s just changing what is on in the background which some people might really like but I’m just (0:42:29) Al: a little bit… I don’t particularly care because it’s really in the background. It’s there but (0:42:35) Al: you’re looking at the puzzle and especially… I don’t know how you play these games but I’m (0:42:39) Al: trying to do them as quickly as possible and then I put it down when I finished. (0:42:42) Kev: Yeah, right (0:42:45) Kev: Well, okay there is I (0:42:48) Kev: Think there’s a few more there’s a little more to it that gives it a little more meat on the buns (0:42:52) Kev: First of all, this now introduces a collection aspect, right? (0:42:55) Kev: Like one that you can actually display right whether it’s your displaying different crops on the field or perhaps more importantly to us (0:43:02) Kev: You you can collect monsters, right? (0:43:05) Al: Oh yes, I forgot about the monsters, of course. (0:43:07) Kev: Yeah, right you can have a couple monsters on your farm and they’re just walking around (0:43:12) Kev: background elements, but (0:43:14) Kev: Gotta catch them all. You’re right. Gotta catch them all (0:43:16) Al: Well and, and including, you won’t know this, but you can have the boxes there as well. (0:43:20) Kev: Yeah, I figured so I think there’s a page for that like you could kind of see it on the (0:43:26) Kev: Customization pages, but yes including bosses. So that’s fun (0:43:32) Kev: And actually (0:43:34) Kev: I guess you know, no, I’ll get to that in a second. Um (0:43:38) Kev: The other big one I think is the quote-unquote (0:43:42) Kev: And I say big is still not that big but the arms or equipment or whatever (0:43:48) Kev: So you can unlock different weapons because room factory, you know has this combat based (0:43:54) Kev: And there are combat scenes in the background when you’re fighting monsters to capture them or whatnot, right? (0:44:02) Kev: So depending on the weapons you equip you actually get different animations going on the background (0:44:07) Kev: I don’t know if you played around with that now or caught it but if you equip gauntlets versus a sword (0:44:12) Kev: Or an axe or whatever you get different animations and again just background stuff. Nothing cats significant, but it’s it’s a cute little (0:44:20) Al: Yeah, it’s, it’s, it’s fun. And I get why people like it. It’s just that’s not really my thing. I’m much more interested, I think, in the changes they made to gameplay, which we’ll come on to in a minute. (0:44:21) Kev: Cute little nod. I appreciate that. Yeah (0:44:27) Kev: Sure (0:44:33) Kev: Sure sure (0:44:34) Al: But yeah, it was… (0:44:36) Kev: Okay, before we get to the some of the different puzzles or how they spice it up (0:44:42) Kev: Other thing that I like so when you start the game you’re asked (0:44:46) Kev: Basically, there are two modes you can do you can do puzzle mode or adventure mode now puzzle mode is just basically like the (0:44:55) Kev: The first one where it’s just a collection of puzzles and you just do them (0:44:59) Kev: And you know, I think you can still not the customization and so on and so forth, but it’s just a big (0:45:05) Kev: block of (0:45:07) Kev: puzzles a list of puzzles (0:45:10) Kev: Adventure mode is a little bit (0:45:12) Kev: different because you unlock the puzzles basically on a sort of map where you clear one puzzle and then surrounding tiles on them on this map will unlock so you can kind of bounce around and progress right at the end you know it’s it’s it’s just a it’s still just a list of puzzles just a slightly different direction and a little different presentation but it’s it’s again kind of a fun little nod to the rune factory series where you got exploration and whatnot right. (0:45:40) Al: - Yeah, it kind of doesn’t make any difference (0:45:43) Al: but in a way it does ‘cause it gives you a lot more (0:45:46) Al: flexibility on what you’re playing, right? (0:45:48) Al: Like in standard one, standard like nonogram games, (0:45:51) Al: you just got like, here’s a list and you go and do one (0:45:53) Kev: Yep. (0:45:55) Al: then you do the next, you do the next, you do the next. (0:45:57) Al: Whereas here, you do one and it kind of unlocks (0:45:58) Kev: Yep. (0:46:00) Al: the top and the left of that one (0:46:02) Kev: Yeah. (0:46:02) Al: and you do the one over there (0:46:03) Al: and it does the bottom and the right of that one. (0:46:05) Al: And it gives you lots and the, (0:46:08) Al: As much as I was like, not massive. (0:46:10) Al: I do feel like purely this map-based layout does make me feel a little bit more immersed (0:46:19) Al: in this world, right? (0:46:20) Kev: It it does it (0:46:20) Al: Because it actually feels like you’re traveling, it feels like you’re exploring, and especially (0:46:25) Al: as it shows you there are some areas there, but you can’t get to them yet, and then you (0:46:28) Kev: Yeah, yeah (0:46:30) Al: unlock that, and then it shows you more areas you can get to. (0:46:32) Al: It feels like I’m exploring much more than anything else. (0:46:33) Kev: Yeah (0:46:34) Kev: It does right and it’s some that’s that establishes a goal of sort right like (0:46:41) Kev: Actual progress which is you know not associate with the nonagram collection game, but but I agree (0:46:48) Kev: Yeah, because like you said there’s (0:46:50) Kev: I’ve reached a puzzle where okay, I cleared the the puzzles next to them, but it didn’t lock. Why is that? (0:46:55) Kev: Well, that’s I guess I for me to discover and that’s kind of fun (0:47:00) Kev: And you know if nothing else like I think it’s all I’m impressed by how clever all these ideas are right like (0:47:07) Kev: Cuz they you don’t have a lot of room to play with this sort of game, right? (0:47:11) Kev: Like it’s the bread and butter is just the nonagrams (0:47:14) Kev: So how do we make it a little more interesting and they’re using some fun ideas here (0:47:18) Kev: and the adventure map (0:47:20) Kev: absolutely is one of them. (0:47:22) Kev: Now the other thing with adventure mode is that you also get some different challenges, (0:47:29) Kev: which are optional in the standard puzzle mode. (0:47:35) Kev: And that amounts to different variations on the puzzle. (0:47:39) Kev: The first one is color puzzles, (0:47:43) Kev: which I don’t even know if it’s actually just locked to adventure mode. (0:47:47) Kev: But anyways, so you have the color mode where– (0:47:48) Al: I don’t think they are. I think the only thing that’s locked to Adventure Mode is (0:47:51) Kev: Oh, really? Oh, okay, well. (0:47:56) Al: the boss battles being challenges. (0:47:58) Kev: Yeah, I think I said you can do challenges and puzzle, but it’s not required (0:48:02) Al: Yeah, that’s the thing. Adventure Mode is you have to do them. But yeah, anyway. (0:48:04) Kev: Yeah (0:48:07) Kev: Yeah, you’re forced to do it. Yeah, okay, so the color puzzles as the name implies like (0:48:14) Kev: You now not only have your numbers that you’re filling out, but you have them in different color blocks (0:48:21) Kev: You need to fill them with the correct color. I haven’t done one. So I don’t remember all the specifics but (0:48:28) Kev: but I think (0:48:31) Kev: I’ve done other (0:48:33) Kev: Nonogram games that they’ve done similar mechanics and I it’s always a fun little touch to add (0:48:37) Kev: Just know just a little variation at least in the in the puzzle, right? (0:48:42) Kev: Oh, oh, you know what this also reminds me (0:48:46) Kev: One thing that I found intriguing is when you start the game and you’re setting up your profile (0:48:51) Kev: You’re actually given a little tutorial on all the elements of the nonogram puzzles in the different modes and stuff (0:48:59) Kev: You know not (0:49:01) Kev: It’s nothing super heavy. No hand-holding. In fact, maybe it’s a little light for you know, how complex these can be but&l

Something's not right in the world of location data.In January, a location data broker named Gravy Analytics was hacked, with the alleged cybercriminal behind the attack posting an enormous amount of data online as proof. Though relatively unknown to most of the public, Gravy Analytics is big in the world of location data collection, and, according to an enforcement action from the US Federal Trade Commission last year, the company claimed to “collect, process, and curate more than 17 billion signals from around a billion mobile devices daily.”Those many billions of signals, because of the hack, were now on display for security researchers, journalists, and curious onlookers to peruse, and when they did, they found something interesting. Listed amongst the breached location data were occasional references to thousands of popular mobile apps, including Tinder, Grindr, Candy Crush, My Fitness Pal, Tumblr, and more.The implication, though unproven, was obvious: The mobile apps were named with specific lines of breached data because those apps were the source of that breached data. And, considering how readily location data is traded directly from mobile apps to data brokers to advertisers, this wasn't too unusual a suggestion.Today, nearly every free mobile app makes money through ads. But ad purchasing and selling online is far more sophisticated than it used to be for newspapers and television programs. While companies still want to place their ads in front of demographics they believe will have the highest chance of making a purchase—think wealth planning ads inside the Wall Street Journal or toy commercials during cartoons—most of the process now happens through pieces of software that can place bids at data “auctions.” In short, mobile apps sometimes collect data about their users, including their location, device type, and even battery level. The apps then bring that data to an advertising auction, and separate companies “bid” on the ability to send their ads to, say, iPhone users in a certain time zone or Android users who speak a certain language.This process happens every single day, countless times every hour, but in the case of the Gravy Analytics breach, some of the apps referenced in the data expressed that, one, they'd never heard of Gravy Analytics, and two, no advertiser had the right to collect their users' location data.In speaking to 404 Media, a representative from Tinder said:“We have no relationship with Gravy Analytics and have no evidence that this data was obtained from the Tinder app.”A representative for Grindr echoed the sentiment:“Grindr has never worked with or provided data to Gravy Analytics. We do not share data with data aggregators or brokers and have not shared geolocation with ad partners for many years.”And a representative for a Muslim prayer app, Muslim Pro, said much of the same:“Yes, we display ads through several ad networks to support the free version of the app. However, as mentioned above, we do not authorize these networks to collect location data of our users.”What all of this suggested was that some other mechanism was allowing for users of these apps to have their locations leaked and collected online.And to try to prove that, one independent researcher conducted an experiment: Could he find himself in his own potentially leaked data?Today, on the Lock and Code podcast with host David Ruiz, we speak with independent research Tim Shott about his investigation into leaked location data. In his experiment, Shott installed two mobile games that were referenced in the breach, an old game called Stack, and a more current game...

  Successful management of the massive investment funds that the state of North Carolina maintains is no small or easy job. But it's also not rocket science. Many states have done quite well for decades with a standard mix of moderate-to-conservative public and private investments. Weirdly, however, this simple, commonsense approach regularly runs afoul of […]

Louise Edington discusses the astrology forecast for February 27 to March 9, highlighting the Pisces New Moon, Venus retrograde, Mercury retrograde, and upcoming eclipses. She notes the occultation of Mercury by the Moon on February 28, conjunct the North Node and Neptune, symbolizing the dissolution of beliefs. Venus stations retrograde on March 1, with a conjunction to the Moon less than three hours later. Mercury enters Aries on March 3, and Hecate stations retrograde on March 7. The conversation also touches on the significance of Pluto and Haumea's 13-part square, emphasizing transformation and rebirth. #riseuptogether #togetherwerise For more from Louise, subscribe to at cosmicowlastrology on Youtube and check the bell to receive notifications when new content is uploaded. Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE or PAID for daily written updates and more. https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation Follow Louise at her website louiseedington.com. Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicOwlLouiseEdington/ Louise's fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ ///FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY /// FYI I READ EVERY COMMENT AND DELETE INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS /// This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your host is Paul Marden.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on Twitter  or Bluesky for your chance to win the books that have been mentioned in this podcast.Competition ends on 13th March 2025. The winner will be contacted via Bluesky. Show references: Website: https://www.crowdconvert.co.uk/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crowd-convert/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crowdconvert.co.ukCrowd Convert has been created to provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world class digital interactions that extend their incredibly moving physical experiences into the digital world. Very simply Crowd Convert is here to Rehmanise Commerce http://kellymolson.co.uk/Kelly Molson - The Lifestyle Agency AdvisorSupporting overwhelmed solo founders who crave long-term sustainable growth, through monthly advisory. Define your niche. Generate leads. Build your pipeline. Founding Rubber Cheese, a lifestyle web development agency in 2003, she grew the agency profitably for over 20 years transforming our success in 2019 by establishing it as the leading web design agency in the visitor attraction sector. She sold the business in 2024, and now support founders building specialist lifestyle agencies to find their own path – agency growth on their terms.• Gain clarity on direction, mission and positioning to win the right clients• Become confident in increasing prices and saying no to ‘stuff' that sucks time and energy• Feel the excitement of building strategic partnerships that deliver your dream clientsBuild an agency on your terms, choosing profitability over pressure, putting life before work.  Transcription: Kelly Molson: Well, look who is back. They've let me loose with the microphone again. I might never leave. Paul Marden: Welcome to Skip the Queue, a podcast for people working in and working with visitor attractions. Kelly Molson: Can I just say that you pretty much called me a queen just before we began recording this, and I think I wear that crown appropriately today. Andy Povey: Podcast royalty. Kelly Molson: She is back where she belongs in her rightful place on her throne with her microphone. Wow. Thank you. You two have been cooking up something interesting, and I am back here to tease it out of you both today. But because I am in charge again, I get to do things my way, which means Icebreakers are back on the cards. Yay. Kelly Molson: I'm so happy to be back here doing this. Right? Paul Marden: I've never done one of these. This is so. In all of the time. I know. Andy Povey: So I've got something over you now, Paul. Kelly Molson: I can't believe this. Even when we did the sessions that were us two, the episodes that were us two. Paul Marden: You didn't ask me icebreakers. I am dodged that bullet for two and a half years. Kelly Molson:  That's outrageous. Okay, well, then we'll start with you. I would like to know who's your favourite podcast host? Why is it me? Paul Marden: Wow. Kelly Molson:  No. Genuine question. Genuine question. Okay, so, I mean, obviously it is me. We could put that aside. Paul Marden: Yeah, yeah. So put a pin in that one. Kelly Molson: Put a pin in that. So listen there, I have seen in the last. Well, since we started Skip the Queue back in 2019. Goodness, July 2019, there's been lots of different sector podcasts that have kind of popped up, and they are brilliant. And I'm all for more and more niche podcasts. They are the best kind of podcast. But I want to know, aside from Skip the Queue, what is your second favourite sector podcast? Paul Marden: Oh, oh. Attraction Pros is the one for me. I do like listening to the guys at AttractionPros. Kelly Molson: They are good. They were around before Skip the Queue. So they're like. For me, they're the ones that we are looking up to in terms of the podcast. Paul Marden: We were. Kelly Molson: Oh, oh, Podcast Beef. Josh is gonna hear this. He's not going to be happy. Andy, same question to you. What other podcasts you listen to sector wise? Andy Povey: So, I mean, that's a really difficult question because. Well, it's not. The answer's none. I don't listen to sector podcasts very much. I become a politics junkie, or I've been a politics junkie for years. Kelly Molson: Okay.Andy Povey: So my podcasts are just full of politics podcast, which in the past two weeks I've stopped listening to. I've turned off completely because the world of politics is just such a mess.Kelly Molson: It's a car crash.Andy Povey: Within two minutes of having been published. Kelly Molson: What would be normally your go to, like, the regular one that you would listen to? Andy Povey: Me being a reluctant remainer. It's all the stuff that hangs over from that. So there's. Oh, God, what now? Quiet riot. The two. Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart. I can't remember what that one's called right now. Paul Marden: The rest is politics. Kelly Molson: Rest is politics. Yeah, cool. Paul Marden: What about the one with Ed Balls and George Osborne? Andy Povey: I tried it and haven't really got into it. Paul Marden: Yeah. So I'm the opposite way around. So that's the one I like. And I don't like Rest is politics. And I turned out that actually George Osborne is a human being and I quite like the guy. I'd go for a drink with him. Who knew? Kelly Molson: This is no news. Paul Marden: Yeah. Kelly Molson: I wonder if he'd like to go for a drink with you. Paul Marden: Probably no.Andy Povey: I'm sure he'll be delighted to hear that when he listens to this. Paul Marden: When these politicians, when they give up their day job and they return to normal life and then you hear them on programmes, they're actually quite relatable and you think, why could you not capture that relatability when you were actually doing the job? Andy Povey: Well, it's actually a key part of the job, isn't it? It's the only thing you need to be good at as a politician. Kelly Molson: You would think, “Oh, could I could make a good politician then?” I'm just generally nice to people. Andy Povey: Absolutely. What would be your policies, Kelly? What would you do? What would you bring in? Kelly Molson: Oh, new policies. Oh, well, that's a very good question. I have one about mobile phones and people walking and looking at them at the same time, which I would ban because I generally just want to kick people. Kelly Molson: You know when you, like on the tube and you've got to get somewhere and you've just got people walking up the stairs in front of you, like, whilst looking at their phone, like, I want to swipe their legs away. So something around that they would be useful. It would make me happy anyway. Andy Povey: Absolutely. Kelly Molson: Make some other people happy, too. Who knows? Good. Okay. Glad that went there. Second question. This is a good one. It's coming up to. Well, I mean, it's already started, isn't it? Conference season has kicked in well and truly. You're at NFAN. That's really the start of it. I am going to be at the Association for Cultural Enterprise Conference in March. So looking forward to seeing everybody. I'm going to be at the awards do as well. I've been judging the awards. Paul Marden: Have you really? Kelly Molson: Yes, there was a lot in my category, I'm not going to lie. That took a lot longer than I was expecting it, but it was really fun. And the short list of finalists is out now if you haven't seen it. And it's an amazing list. So yeah, I'm really looking forward to seeing who the winners are. But I would like to know what is the worst food you've ever been served at a conference? Because let's face it, can be a bit dodge, can't it? Andy Povey: So this sticks in my mind. It was an awful experience. We were at Port Sunlight up in. Actually not that far from Liverpool where the ACE conference is going to be in March. And it was pretty close, pretty soon after lockdown and it was almost like the caterers just looked in the freezer to see what they've got left over and no other conference had been there and then just put it all out at the same time. And it was all beige and it was just such mixture. Kelly Molson: Hang on a minute, hang on a minute. Let's not dis beige food because I'm not gonna let. I am a bit of a fan of beige food. So if you. If there was a conference that basically the lunch was made up of like kids party food, that would be the best conference I'd ever been to. Like sausage rames. Andy Povey: As long as you can have half a grapefruit covered in tin foil with cocktail sticks with cheese and pineapple stuff in it. Kelly Molson: No pineapple, I'm allergic, that would kill me. Paul Marden: But cheese tinned pineapple, it's got to be. Kelly Molson: Oh, tin pineapple is actually okay. Weirdly, that wouldn't kill me. So yeah, I would be down. I know, it's weird, I know. It's just fresh pineapple. Who knew?Kelly Molson: So little classed. Paul Marden:  Still loves the sausage roll and a scotch egg. Andy Povey: That's fine. Sausage rolls and scotch eggs, absolutely no problem. It's when you mix them with onion barges and samosas and Chinese spring rolls and. Paul Marden: Sounds like every Boxing Day lunch I've ever been to. Kelly Molson: I'm not going to lie, it actually sounds like my dream conference. Paul, over to you. Paul Marden: Conferences that serve you food that you cannot eat with one hand. Andy Povey: Yes. Paul Marden: Yeah. So pasta with a sloppy sauce. Why would you do that to me? I mean, I am not the best eater. I need a bib at most times, but if I'm out in public, I don't want garlic bread, I don't want saucy food. I want stuff I can shovel crack quickly and politely. I mean, as politely as you can shuffle food, but, you know.Kelly Molson: I'm with you on this. Like, what is wrong with the sandwich? Yeah, genuinely, I don't feel like we need to push the boundaries of conference food. I'm happy with stuff that you can pick up with one hand and eat comfortably. Kelly Molson: Stuff that, you know, you're confident that you can sit because let's face it, you get quite upright cos. And personal to people at conferences, don't you, when you're trying to, you know, it's not. Let's not be overloading them with garlic or anything. Kelly Molson: Delightful, you know? Yep, exactly. I don't know, I still, I keep going back to the whole party food. I think kids parties have got the right idea. Party rings, sausage rolls, scotch eggs. Paul Marden: And what sits that you can put in your mouth like a walrus. Kelly Molson: Oh, you know my party tricks. Brilliant, guys. Okay, listen, unpopular opinions are back for one time only. So, Andy, what you've got for me? Andy Povey: So mine's food related and it's probably more unpopular in my house than it is anywhere else, but Chinese food is massively overrated. Paul Marden: Behave. Kelly Molson: Yeah, I'm very on the fence about this one. Andy Povey: My kids love it, but the things they love are all the stuff that come with the sugar sauces. So lemon chicken, the sweet and sour chicken balls, all that kind of stuff. We good? So we mean, I don't need dessert and the main meal at the same time. Paul Marden: So we're talking English approximations of Chinese food from the takeaway. Yeah.Andy Povey: Nothing very sophisticated. Kelly Molson: I'm afraid I feel like that is all the stuff that I used to like, but now if you served me up a big plate of all of that stuff, it'd be like, oh, God, I'm gonna, I'm this. I'm gonna really struggle with this and I'm gonna be up in the night, aren't I? Paul Marden: I'm basically just a nine year old. Because it sounds like my idea of heaven. Sweet and sickly, deep fried. What's not to love? Kelly Molson: All right, well, let's see how our listeners feel about the whole Chinese debate. Paul, what about you? What you got? Paul Marden: The best radio station, is in fact Radio 4. Andy Povey: I agree with you 100%. Paul Marden: So that's not a controversial opinion. I thought that was going to be massively controversial. They've been podcasting for about 100 years. They podcasted long before there was really a podcast. It's all just spoken voice. So if I got trapped on a desert island, my luxury would be a Radio 4 on a radio to listen to because there's always a variety of stuff that you can listen to. Kelly Molson: Do you not listen to any of the other? Paul Marden: I do quite like. I quite like Greg James in the morning. Kelly Molson: I love Greg. I am a Radio 1 fan. Paul Marden: So have you listened to Greg on Radio 4? Kelly Molson: No, I know he does do that. Paul Marden: But, yeah, he's got a program on Radio 4 where he delves through the BBC archives. Rewinder, it's called, and it's brilliant. I love it. It's Greg James. Funny, combined with the novelty of listening to new things on Radio 4. Kelly Molson: Okay, all right, well, I'll give that a go. Yeah. I'm not fully sold on the Radio 4. I do like it. Paul Marden: But if I've got three or four hours in the car, up to a meeting and then another three or four hours to drive back afterwards, I'd rather listen to Radio 4 than Radio 1 because I won't get repeats of stuff. Kelly Molson: Yeah, I definitely am with you on that. And I would not. Yeah, I would not listen to Radio 1 for that length of time for that reason. Well, I'm. I did used to like. What was the pop quiz? Was that on Radio four? No, that was radio. Paul Marden: That was Radio 2. Kelly Molson: It was two, wasn't it? Sorry, I'm getting my radios mixed up. Paul Marden: Getting your old person radio mixed up. Kelly Molson: If I'm honest, I quite like a little bit of magic every now and again, but that really does age me. It's quite gentle. It's calming. When you've had a three and a half year old toddler screaming at you in the car for a while, it's quite nice to put something neutral on. Andy Povey: Absolutely. Kelly Molson: Thank you. Thank you for indulging, actually. Paul Marden: That was enjoyable. Kelly Molson: You're welcome. Andy Povey: That's why she likes doing them. Kelly Molson: All right, listen, let's get to the good stuff. I mean, everyone likes that bit. Let's face it, they've missed it, they want me back. But let's get to the actual route of why we're supposed to be here. Andy Povey: So I have another unpopular opinion that sort of leads in as a segue to where we were going. Kelly Molson: Oh, for God's sake, who's in control of this podcast? Me. Go on, then. Andy Povey: So this unpopular opinion is that if you're an attraction operator, you don't want a ticketing system. Kelly Molson: Excellent segue. Andy Povey: We were just talking about conferences. There are sessions in conferences and one of my favourite conferences I go to is the Ticketing Professionals Conference. But there are sections in each of these conferences on how to find a ticketing system, how to choose your ticketing system supplier, how to get a better relationship with your ticketing system. And in my opinion, an attraction operator doesn't want one. They want happy guests who are giving them lots of money to come and have great experiences. They don't care how it happens. Kelly Molson: It's true. Yeah, yeah, I agree with that, definitely. But are you dissing ticketing professionals and saying basically the sessions you're putting on a rubbish no one gives them? Andy Povey: No, no, no. There's a certain section of society that really enjoys it. So I describe this as. When I go to B and Q to look for a drill, I'm one of the geeks that actually wants to understand how the drill works and how fast it is and all that kind of stuff. But the majority of people going to buy a drill don't want a drill. They want a hole. Kelly Molson: Want a hole. Andy Povey: Yeah. So he's an attraction operator. You don't want a ticketing system. You want happy customers who are giving you lots of money and having great experiences. Kelly Molson: Okay, right. So that was a great segue into where I was going. Look, you two, you two have been thick as thieves for a good few months, if not longer, and there's been something cooking up between the two of you. Kelly Molson: I have had a little bit of privy to understand what's been going on, but this is the first time that you've actually got to the point of talking about it openly and publicly, isn't it? And that why you've got me back on, basically, is to grill you on what you're doing. So spill up, fess up. What have you been doing in the background, the two of you? Paul Marden: Well, this all came about after a lunch that Andy and I had in August of last year, where were putting the world to rights and figuring out what do attractions need to do with their ticketing, what do they need to do with their websites, and what could we do to try to improve things? And Andy had thought lots about this stuff and he prepared me. It's quite the lunch. He prepared me a PowerPoint presentation for lunch. Kelly Molson: Wow. Like when you want your mum and dad to get you a dog. Andy Povey: Absolutely. Can we make this happen? Paul Marden: Yeah, it was. It was his wish list. Clearly, this PowerPoint has been worked on for many years because there was lots of wishes, lots of ideas, and being the developer at heart that I am, I'm like, how hard can that be? It's only a website. Surely we can do this. Surely we can do it. We've done bits of it before and we started to think about where we could go with stuff that had long predates me. Yeah. There are elements of Rubber Cheese that you and Wag were working on for years, probably prior to the merger with Carbon Six. But it's been a really challenging market. Paul Marden: And getting out there and meeting people and talking about some of these elements of E commerce and ticketing, sales and personalisation and things like that we're going to talk about in a minute are quite hard to sell into people when it's a challenging market. And it seemed like, well, that was our first date and we thought that it could be a marriage made in heaven for the two of us, because Andy's got a lot of understanding of the sector and the needs and the challenges and who would benefit from this sort of technology. And I'm in the lucky position after having merged Carbon Six and Rubber Cheese, of having some of this technology that we could then develop. So it was a seed that grew from there, really, wasn't it, Andy? Andy Povey: Yeah. And he's carried on growing. I mean, the intent behind it all was that everything is just so disjointed at the moment. So if you're a big theme park with accommodation and a decent retail and decent catering, food and beverage offering, you're looking at seven or eight different systems that you need to run your business and someone needs to plug all of those together to get a good guest experience. And unless you're the size of Merlin or Disney or Universal, with lots and lots of resource to apply to plugging these systems together, it just doesn't happen. Which is why we're still not delivering the Best in class Omni Channel experience to people who are coming out for a day out. Kelly Molson: I think this is a really exciting conversation. And if I think back to some of the conversations that we were having prior to me leaving Rubber Cheese, Paul,it's exactly the challenge that they were having. You know, thinking back to a particular pitch where there's a historic house, there was a plague playground, there was a golf course, there was a spa, there was a hotel, there was something else. And all of these things had so many different systems that were running them and there wasn't really a way to facilitate bringing them all together. And that's the challenge because that's exactly what they need. But they weren't of the scale to be able to invest in the infrastructure to be able to do that. But it is exactly what they needed. Kelly Molson: So is this thing that you've built, or in the process of building and developing, going to solve that problem for people? Andy Povey: That's the objective. Paul Marden: That was a very guarded statement, wasn't it? That was a politician's answer. I think the answer that were just groping for then was yes. Kelly Molson: Yes, it is.Andy Povey: Yes. Kelly Molson: It's exactly the answer that I wanted. Andy Povey: We're forming a company that we're calling Crowd Convert and we'll put a link to the URL and website and all that kind of stuff in the show notes. And the objective behind CrowdConvert is that we will make this all work together. It's a journey. We don't have it today. It doesn't exist. I worked for Merlin Entertainment for the two source group for 18 years now. We had lots of resource in comparison to smaller attractions, but we still didn't make it happen. So it doesn't exist out there at the moment and we're going to build it. Kelly Molson: Okay, so we've got Andy, we've got an industry veteran. Hope you don't mind me. Andy Povey: Not at all. Kelly Molson: Kind of makes you feel, it makes you feel ancient, but you're not. But, you know, you've got all of this historic understanding and experience within the sector. Paul, yours is building, obviously we've built that over the years with Rubber Cheese. But you're, you know, you're the digital specialist that can come in and support facilitating building these and you've both come together under the Crowd Convert name. So this is the new company that the two of you have formed. I love the name. Andy Povey: Thank you. Kelly Molson: So I want to understand, like how then there's a story there. What I want to get a little bit of a deeper understanding is what is the offer? So, you know, what is the thing that you are actually building and does that thing have a name at the moment? What does it look like? So firstly, where did the name come from? Crowd Convert. Paul Marden: Weeks and weeks of effort. I hate choosing names for things, so hard. You come up with a brilliant idea and then you say it to your wife, “Oh my God, you can't call it that”. Or you come up with a name and then somebody's bought the domain name and by the end of It I was just like, please, somebody just put me out of my misery. I don't care what we choose. Andy Povey: It was actually the most torturous thing about getting this all together. There were a few others that came in very close second. But choosing the name and getting that together was really quite painful. Paul Marden: But it was the right process because we were so happy with the result at the end of it. Andy Povey: Absolutely. But it seems or it felt to me like the choosing the name, when we actually got to that part of the process took two or three minutes. And if we'd have thought of that name right at the start, then would we have rejected it or would we have carried on? Could we have saved two minutes? Kelly Molson: So you worked through the process, which means the name has more meaning. Paul Marden: Yeah. Kelly Molson: So what is the meaning behind it? What's the ethos behind between Crowd Convert? Like what? Andy Povey: So we've reverse engineered this one a little bit. And if you're in the world of attractions, you have a crowd. You hopefully you have a crowd. And as a visitor to an attraction, you want to be part of a crowd. You don't want to be the last person in the pub or the only person in theatre, because that just feels weird. But as an attraction operator, I want to have a relationship with you. I want to know who you are, I want to know what you want. I want to give you a great experience. I want to give you a membership. If I'm a charitable organisation, I want to convert you to a donor. If I'm not, then I want to turn you into an advocate at a superfan. Andy Povey: So Crowd Convert is giving you the tools to convert those crowds into individuals that you can create that know, like and trust relationship with. Kelly Molson: That's nice. So you talk a lot on the website about kind of humanising that process. And I think it is. It's taking it back to that kind of one on one that talking to people as individuals rather than talking to them as a mass. Andy Povey: Absolutely. That goes back to the. You don't want a ticketing system. Don't show me what goes in the sausage. Give me a great experience. Paul Marden: Mixing your metaphors there. Andy Povey: I know. Kelly Molson: You lost me at sausage. So, sorry. So I want to go back a little bit, Paul, to what you. Something that you said earlier about that this predates you and your part that you play in Rubber Cheese and your ownership of Rubber Cheese. So I'm going to make an assumption here that something that you're using is something that we already kind of started, but quite a long time ago. So we had almost like a product at Rubber Cheese that was in the ticketing space. And if I'm honest, as a small agency, you only have so much resource to work on things that are for you and ultimately the things that were for us and for you, like the podcast and the survey and the report, always took priority. Kelly Molson: And that was an awful lot of work for an agency that was, you know, before we merged, there were six or seven of us. You know, we weren't huge. We didn't have a whole lot of capacity and resources to give up to these things. But we did start to develop a product that kind of. We knew that it could be good, but it almost. We just, we had to shelve it and we just said, you know, one day we might get investment or one day we might be big enough that we could actually kind of focus on that. It feels like that's the product that you are now. Paul Marden: That is definitely the great grandparent of the idea that we've got now. Kelly Molson: I like that. Paul Marden: So there's, I guess there's two parts to some of the stuff that you had developed previously. Some of it was in the ticketing space. So for very small attractions, you developed a system that had an inventory of tickets that you could buy online and it would issue the ticket, create a barcode, send it to them. But there was also a piece that you did that integrated with existing ticketing systems. And that's the area where I think my mind was going is around building a best in class e commerce experience. Because people sat on the sofa on a Thursday night trying to decide what they're going to do at the weekend, want to be able to find an attraction, get their tickets, and then carry on watching the telly. They want quick and easy experience. We can build that experience. Paul Marden: We know from the survey that it's nine steps on average to be able to complete an attractions checkout, plus or minus a couple of steps. So there's ones that are even worse. And that checkout experience is torturous in many cases. They want to know when you're coming, what time you're coming, what type of ticket you want to buy. They want to know who's coming, the names, possibly the email addresses of all of your guests that you're bringing with you. They'll want to know what your home address is, what your billing address is. They'll then want to sell you a guidebook. They might upsell or cross sell some other products along the way. And that's how you end up with 12 steps in a process that just feels torturous. Paul Marden: I had one last year where they even made me enter a password for a site I was never going to return to and told me off twice for getting the password wrong. I mean, the process that many attractions go through to make you buy, it's a wonder anybody ever perseveres. What's stopping us from achieving an Amazon like one or two click experience? How can we go from that really extreme version down to something really simple and quick? And we've proven that it is possible to do that. It's possible to get down to a couple of clicks and we do that. I know you look surprised. Kelly Molson: Yeah, well, yes, I, well, I am surprised, but also quite excited by that because that is one of the issues that has come up year after year in the visitor attraction, you know, website report is the amount of steps and the aggravation it causes people, but also the cost that it could save attractions. Paul Marden: Yep. Kelly Molson: I mean you said nine steps. I thought were, I thought were aboutbbetween seven and nine steps is about the average. Kelly Molson: Right. So we know that can cost attractions a huge amount in lost revenue. You know, I'm just going back to the 2022 report, but it was something like 250k for one of our best performing attractions. But it's also tied to, you know, that excessive amounts of CO2 emissions, which I know you focused on really heavily for the current report. So you're saying that the product that you're building could essentially take those average steps down to two. Andy Povey: It's not good. It does. Kelly Molson: WowPaul Marden: It does. Yeah. So the way that we do that is a number of different core principles. Yeah. So we are not going to ask you for anything we do not need in order to affect the transaction. We are only going to ask you to share the data we absolutely need to complete the transaction. We are going to start to make some assumptions about you through personalisation technology. We will know roughly where you are and how far you are away from the transaction. If you're within an hour's distance of the place, chances are if you're looking on Thursday night, probably looking for this weekend. If you're on a different continent, you might be planning for a long term holiday. Paul Marden: If we know that you're quite local, let's assume the date that you want to travel based on our understanding of average behaviour of people at that particular attraction and then let people change it if it's not right. Yeah. Another thing Andy talks about a lot is not overselling. So a lot of ticketing systems are trying to upsell, cross sell and increase the average order value, but by cannibalising the conversion rate. And you talk, Andy, don't you, about the maitre d at the restaurant? Andy Povey: Yeah. So it's. It's like comparing a McDonald's experience to go to a fine dining place. So if I'm in the McDonald's world, I have to choose what drink I want, what dessert I'm going to have, what main course I'm going to have, all at the same point. And it's a really artificial transaction. It's almost like if you were walking into a fine dining restaurant with the maitre d at the front going, “Welcome, Andy, come in. Lovely to see you. Can you tell me what you'd like for your starter for your main course? For dessert? Will you like coffee after dessert? Would you like a liqueur after the coffee?” We still haven't got to the table and that's where we are with attractions, upsells. Andy Povey: Because we believe mistakenly, in my opinion, that's the only opportunity that we've got to sell guidebook or the teddy bear or whatever to the guest who's coming. We should stop all of that because it's stopping the transaction, it's interrupting the transaction, adding extra steps and causing people to leave. Kelly Molson: It's a really good point. I mean, I actually have in the past have advocated for adding in upsells in that journey. And because I have often been like, well, yeah, actually it's a really good opportunity for people to sell a little bit more, you know, whether it's a guidebook, whether it's an experience, whatever that might be. So what would you say to people who they still want to do that? Is that, are we then talking about, you know, there's options for you to do that or actually that becomes part of the pre visit, pre boarding. So it funnels down into like emails, comms and stuff. Andy Povey: It's both options, really. For an upsell to work really well, it needs to be at the time where it's most appropriate. So back to the restaurant analogy, offering me a coffee at the point I walk in the door is completely inappropriate. Andy Povey: Offering me a coffee after I've had a great meal and I'm feeling quite full and quite happy with myself is entirely the appropriate time to offer me the coffee. So let's make the offers on the upsells appropriate to the time and to the guest. So if you're an attraction that charges for car parking, for example, it might be that 9:00 in the morning on the day of visit when the family are just getting in the car to travel to the venue is the most appropriate time to offer the car parking upsell. Not at the point where I'm buying the ticket. It might be if you've got a VIP upgrade experience. So if you're a water park there's a cabana you can have. If you're a theme park it's a fast track experience. Andy Povey: If you're a museum then there's a guided Tour that upsell VIP type experience you offer 48 hours before the day of visit. Kelly Molson: Sure. Andy Povey: Memberships are another great thing. So there's still the majority of first time membership purchases are made as the consumer is leaving the attraction. Had a great day out. Get today's entry feedback against your membership and that's still go and join this queue with kids who are overtired and a little bit disappointed because they're leaving and I'm stressed because I've got a. I'm tired as well and I've got a long drive home and then I've got to work out what we're going to do for dinner when we get in. There's all these negatives. Don't try and sell me a membership then. Sell me the membership for the next seven days and hit me up with lots of different messages through appropriate channels. Andy Povey: So it might be that a WhatsApp message on the way home offering me a really simple way of upgrading to a membership is the most appropriate that time. But it might be that 9 o'clock on Monday morning when we can assume that a lot of people are going to be sitting behind a desk. Then it's the most appropriate to send me an email and then hit me up again Thursday when I'm thinking about what I'm going to be doing next this weekend coming remind me of the great experience I had and give me an opportunity then. So just be, make it much more human. Kelly Molson: It makes sense. And there's something that you. I've been able to have a sneak peek of the Crowd Convert website. So we'll talk a little bit later about where people can find out a little bit more about you. But I've been able to have a little look at that and there's something that you talk about which is about rehumanising commerce and there's a really lovely story on there that you talk about, which is the Shopkeeper's Wisdom. And I read that, I was like, this is really nice because I've always. The local shop is or did sit at the epicentre of the community at one point. And I have got really vivid memories. So we lived on a little estate near my school in Essex and across the road from us was the corner shop. Kelly Molson: And it was where everything happened, you know, like it was the post office, it was where you got your papers, where you got your sweets. At one point is where you got your videos, not your DVDs because they did not exist. You know, you got your VHS cassettes and you could go and rent, you know, everything kind of happened there. And they knew you, they knew your family, they knew your mum and dad, they knew your names, you know, and it was a really, it was just quite a wholesome experience. And you talk about that, the Shopkeeper's Wisdom. So you say, you know, the local shopkeeper knew everything that it was to know about their customers. And that is kind of taking it back to that level. That's, that's what this feels like. Andy Povey: And that's completely where we're trying to get to. We don't want to get to the level of creepiness where people are getting all upset about what were. Andy Povey: And we don't want to be intrusive. But we have a great opportunity in the attraction space. Our customers want to engage with us. They're going because they enjoy what we do. They're going to see us because they want to experience the thing that we're doing. It's not like we're selling insurance or car tires that you just got to have and it's really tedious. People want to engage, so let's make it easy for them to do that. Kelly Molson: Okay. So we're doing that by making it quicker for them and less friction to buy a ticket in the first place. Communicating with them at the appropriate times and in the ways that they want to be communicated to and offering them. Because we don't want to stop offering people extra things. We're doing it in the way and at the time that's appropriate for that audience. Paul Marden: We're absolutely convinced that moving some of these upsells and cross sell opportunities to later in your relationship will increase the likelihood of you closing the deal. Don't cannibalise the conversion rate at the initial conversation. You haven't built a trust relationship with someone, so don't keep throwing options at them. It's just too much. I'm a simple boy. If I go to a restaurant, I want a really simple menu, three or four things, and I'll make a choice. Yeah. If you give me too many options, I'll just sit there and I won't be able to decide. And I think that's what we do when we present people with nine steps and we want to know the email address of everybody, we want to know the postcode of where they live because we want to be able to market to them and that's important. Paul Marden: But there are other better ways of being able to identify where somebody is other than using their postcode and making them type something in. They don't need that hassle. Andy Povey: So this is all about the e commerce journey. Stepping back a little bit closer to what Rubber Cheese do. And the DNA behind Rubber Cheese is making attractions websites work really well. And it's back to the point about things being disconnected and attraction operators having to plug them together. How many websites are there or how many attraction e commerce journeys are there where you click on the button to buy a ticket and you're taken to a different page and that different page can have a completely different look and feel? Kelly Molson: Oh, yeah. I mean, that's a massive bug. It's been a bugbear of mine for years. Andy Povey: But how many websites do you have where I can be sitting there looking at the tulip experiences coming up? We heard lots of that kind of stuff at the end fan conference. I'm on the tulips page. But then you take me to a page where I've got to pick the date that I want to visit. I've already told you, I'm on the tulip page. I want to come and see tulips. I'm not interested in Father Christmas. Kelly Molson: I'm just all about the tulips. Andy Povey: So don't make me choose twice. Make it work together. Kelly Molson: Okay, So I want to play devil's advocate here because I'm sitting here listening to this going, this sounds great. I'm going back to what Andy said about, you know, attractions, they don't really want a ticketing system. They just. They don't really care about the system. They just want it to work. Right, I get that. But there's going to be a lot of people that are listening to this podcast going, “bloody ticketing system”. There's a lot, right? Let's face it. Paul Marden: It's a busy space. Kelly Molson: You are. It is a busy space. And if you are an attraction sitting here going,”Oh my God, another one.” We know that another one. You know that we know what we've got isn't working for us. We've, we've got workarounds, we're doing what we can with what we already have. But you know, ultimately we can't grow with what we have and we know we need to change it. This is a big task, right? You know, your ticketing system is often embedded so deeply into your organisation that the process of selecting a new one and then implementing that change is so vast and overwhelming that one people declare we just won't bother. That's why I've got these workarounds in place or two, you know, overwhelmed with choice. And yes, I know there's specialists out there. Kelly Molson: You know, we work with a couple that will help you go through that process and select the right partners for you. But if someone like me is sitting here going, “Okay, why do I come to Crowd Convert?” Like, why is this, what is it the thing that your product is going to be stand out for that is going to sit above or is going to solve the problems I've got above all of the other options that I've got out there? Andy Povey: So this is back to the comment earlier about this being a concept, an ethos of philosophy. Our business will grow through either building solutions, acquiring other solutions that have already been built, or selecting partners to integrate with. And we will do the whole integration. So it doesn't matter what ticketing system you're using that you have today, if you want the better digital experience for your guests, we will integrate to your current ticketing system. Kelly Molson: Okay, so you're taking the pain of having to change something that's deeply embedded in your organisation and almost putting something, a layer on top of that will actually facilitate this better customer interaction, purchasing process without the need for all of the stressful change. Paul Marden: Do away with the whole monolithic solution that solves the operation of the entire business and start to turn it into LEGO bricks. I want a LEGO brick from a website. I want a LEGO brick for my ticketing. I want my LEGO brick for my e commerce experience. I want my LEGO brick for my online shop. We'll either build or acquire those LEGO bricks or partner with the best of breed LEGO bricks that exist. Other building blocks are available and we will help to plug those together and make them work effectively. But you can imagine, you know, I always talk about, we talked a lot about ticketing today, but I, whenever I talk to somebody about ticketing, changing your ticketing system is like open heart surgery on the business. Paul Marden: Yeah, it's something you don't necessarily do casually, although I have met people who have changed it casually. But it's often so difficult because it's so deeply ingrained across the entire operation. But if you start to. It's a horrible, boring technical term. If you start to build this composable set of systems that can plug together, then it becomes easier. If you plug in an e commerce online ticketing solution and it plugs into your current ticketing system, well then later on when you change that ticketing system, you won't necessarily have to change the online experience in order to be able to do that. Yeah, we'll be able to plug into the new one that you choose. It makes it easier for you to chop and change things and become less dependent on one single monolithic provider. Kelly Molson: Yeah, because that's the thing. Right. You know, I think the past dream has been one system that does everything and suddenly that one system goes down and you're absolutely screwed. Andy Povey: That's not the way the world works anymore. And the human world. I use analogy of a TV. I got a new TV a few weeks ago out of the box and turned it on and I was presented on screen with an option to get the remote control for my new TV to operate other devices in my house. And my kids could have set it up. Kelly Molson: Danger.Andy Povey: Absolutely. Why is integration so difficult? And that's the way the world is going. If you look at credit card processing two, three years ago, to be able to accept a payment by credit card, you had to sign into a five year agreement with a credit card process provider. I was in my local WIX yesterday and I could have bought credit card terminal off the shelf. Andy Povey: They were sitting on the shelf next to the suites at the checkout. For 50 quid I could have taken it home, unboxed it and I would be processing credit card transactions there and then. I'm not signing into a three year agreement. If I don't like it, I can take it back and get one in pink because I prefer pink to white. It's got to be much easier. The world is becoming much easier. The technology world is becoming much easier to make these things work together. So you won't need clever people like Paul to make it all work together. Crowd convert. Paul Marden: I'll be on the golf course, won't I? Kelly Molson: Do you play golf? Paul Marden: No. Never played golf in my life. Crazy golf. Kelly Molson: I like the analogy. I like the Lego brick analogy. I like this whole kind of the concept that it's, you know, like plug and play but you know, you haven't got. You're using the base of what you already have, but you can pop these things as part of it. That feels really understandable for people to get their head around the concept of what you're doing. Paul Marden: But still totally integrated. What we don't want is the solution that is that somebody, an attraction that we've been to recently, where to get in, you have to go through different turnstiles depending on whether you've got a day ticket or a membership ticket because the two different sets of systems can't talk to the same turnstile at the same time. And so then you need more double the staff to be able to man the turnstiles. Kelly Molson: And confusion, and it ruins that whole first impact of arrival because you don't know yet. Andy Povey: But we're exposing our dirty laundry to the consumer. Why? They don't care. Kelly Molson: Yeah, yeah. Andy Povey: It doesn't matter to them what ticketing system you've got. Paul Marden: That is the vision. And the vision is becoming reality as well. Kelly Molson: Okay, well, let's talk about that. So there is a website that I've had privy to and the product is in its, should we say it's in its infancy at the moment and it's being developed. Paul Marden: Yes. Kelly Molson: So this is the time to that you'll be having, I guess you'll be having conversations with people about what that product, you're almost building it for the people. Right. You're having conversations with them about this is what we see happening. This is how we see what we do. What are your needs? Paul Marden: Yeah. Kelly Molson: Okay, cool. So can people get involved with that process? Paul Marden: Exciting. Andy Povey: Absolutely. Paul Marden: Anyone can talk to Andy. He'll talk to anybody. Kelly Molson: It's true, he will. Paul Marden: I just get locked in a cupboard and told to design things. Andy Povey: Make it work, plug it together. Kelly Molson: Okay, so I've got a few questions about what does this mean for Rubber Cheese? What does this mean for Rubber Cheese? What does this mean for Skip the Queue. What does this mean for the report initiatives that we do? I guess that's all still happening. Paul Marden: Yeah, yeah. Absolutely no changes to Rubber Cheese at all. This is part of a wider, bigger family that Rubber Cheese is part of. And looking at different parts of the attraction operating experience. Paul Marden: Yeah. So Rubber Cheese is going to carry on almost single minded focus on websites that enable people to get to the buy button. Kelly Molson: I like that. Paul Marden: Getting them from being interested in the attraction to hitting that buy now button or get your ticket button. Yeah. That's our specialty and that will remain our specialty. The job of Crowd Convert then is to convert them. Kelly Molson: Pick up from that point. Andy Povey: Absolutely. Kelly Molson: That's lovely, isn't it? Andy Povey: And that's where the build, acquire and partner comes in. So there will be other organisations, other tools that we partner with and plug together. And that's the bit that Crowd Convert does. It's almost the umbrella, the glue that glues all of these things together. Kelly Molson: Okay, so what more do our listeners need to understand about Crowd Convert and how can they get involved? How can they be part of this conversation to define what this product actually looks like and does for them? Andy Povey: So we're launching the website. You can find Paul and me on LinkedIn. We've got a bunch of events and exhibition shows that we're going to be at over the next few months where we're actively going to be asking people to get involved. If you are interested, then pick up the phone and drop us an email. We'll have a chat. Paul Marden: Contact@crowdconvert.co.uk.Kelly Molson: I was going to say we need the domain name in there. Crowdconvert.co.uk is the place to go. Go and have a look, find out, have a little bit of a read through about the site. It's designed in a really nice way. I think that what I really liked as I was reading it through was kind of this real focus on building something for the greater good. It's not just another ticketing platform. It's not just about. It really is about working with the attractions to build something that is just, it just works. And it works for them in the way they need it to and it works for the visitors in the way they need it to. Andy Povey: And that's it completely. It's about putting the guest at the centre of everything we're doing. And looking at this from the consumer's perspective, does it make sense or am I going to have to work out where I bought my tickets? So I know whether I go through the right hand turnstiles or the left hand turnstiles, that's just rubbish. Kelly Molson: Yeah, okay, great. So website is launching.Paul Marden:  It is launched. It's up and running. Kelly Molson: Oh, it's out. It's out there all right. It's out there in the world already. So that's where you go, listeners, if you want to find out more about what's happening. And I would really recommend booking a call with Andy, booking a call with Paul, talking through, you know, if anything that we've talked about today has made you feel quite excited about what the prospect of this product could potentially be. Book a call with them. I mean, listen, if you're seeing Andy at a conference, you just need to up. And you'll find him. Or maybe it's just me.Paul Marden: Me, not so much. Kelly Molson: Oh, it's just me. Okay, listen, I always finish off my podcasts with a book recommendation for our listeners, so I'd like to ask you both if you've prepared a book today. Andy, what do you have for us? Andy Povey: So I pondered this for quite a while because I was expecting it and I think it's the third or fourth you've asked me for. So I'm actually not going to recommend a book at all. I told you that I've given up on podcasts earlier on and I found Audible. So at the moment the thing that's occupying all of my attention is that, The Day of the Triffids on Audible which is fantastic. Fantastic escapism from everything that's going off in the world at the moment. Paul Marden: Interesting. Kelly Molson: That's nice actually. That's really good. But audiobooks are really good for long drives that were talking about earlier. They're quite good. I got into. Sorry, Paul, just. I'll come to you in a minute. Paul Marden: It's all about you. Kelly Molson: It's all about me today. I really got into. Kelly Molson: Just before the pandemic and during it there was a BBC podcast called the Lovecraft. Oh gosh, what is it called? The Lovecraft's Tales. I'm gonna have to have to check this on my.Paul Marden: Sorry, listeners. Well, she's out of practice on this. Kelly Molson: So I am out of practice. Apologies, but you know me. The Lovecraft investigations. Don't know if anyone would listen to it. It's brilliant. It's based on the love. It's loosely based on on Lovecraft books but it was quite like it's about supernatural. But what I really enjoyed about it was linked to like local places that I kind of knew like Retend and Forest and there was a lot of like, kind of like Norfolk, Suffolk and Dunwich and stuff. And that was. They're really good for like long drives as well because you can really get into something on like a two or three hour journey. So I totally with you on the triffids thing. So I did bring it back to Andy in the end. Andy Povey: Thank you, Kelly. Kelly Molson: Paul, what have you prepared? Paul Marden: I am an absolute Fan of classic British crime novels. Love an Agatha Christie. Love, a  mystery of some sort. But I'm not going to recommend an Agatha Christie one. I'm going to recommend one that I've got on Audible as well, that I found originally from Audible. Paul Marden: And it is one of the British Library classic British crime series, where they're republishing stuff from, like, you know, the 20s and 30s, and it's called the Wintringham Mystery Anthony Barclay. It's a classic whodunit in a kind of locker room mystery in a massive stately home. It's just like a Poirot novel, but it's not Poirot. It's a different one. But I love it. It's a brilliant book. Kelly Molson: When you find stuff like that, it's really comforting, isn't it? It's like a little a warm hug and a cup of tea. Andy Povey: Absolutely. Kelly Molson: Lovely. Well, do our listeners still get to win copies of those books even though they're audiobooks? Paul Marden: Yeah, but they don't do it on X anymore because, you know, who wants to be posting on X? So if listeners. If you'd like a copy of Andy's. Well, no, you can't have Andy Lovecraft books but it was quite like it's about supernatural. On Audible or mine. On Audible or on Paperback, then head over to Bluesky and repost the shownotes where Wenalyn has announced the podcast and the first person that does that will get a copy of the book. Kelly Molson: Lovely. Well, it has been an absolute treat to be back on the podcast today. Thank you. Paul Marden: You're not coming back over again? It's still mine. It's mine there. Kelly Molson: Please let me come back. Please. Anything that we've talked about today will, as ever, be in the show notes. So you'll find links to the Crowd Convert website, you'll find links to Paul and Andy's LinkedIn profiles and email addresses, whatever. However, best to get in touch with them. But I highly recommend having a chat with them. Can I just say, because it is all about me. I've been very sad to not be part of the podcast moving forward. But I am also been really thrilled that you have taken completely up to the ownership of it. So I just. While I'm on here, and it is about me, I just wanted to congratulate you for taking over and making it your own, because you really needed to do that. And it's brilliant to see. Kelly Molson: And I've loved listening to the episodes. I think the bravery in doing some of the live ones. Paul Marden: Stupidity. Kelly Molson: Well, maybe a tad. Paul Marden: We won't talk about what happened at NFAN last week. Please let's not talk about that. Andy Povey: What happens in Blackpool stays in Blackpool. Kelly Molson: Next time I come on the podcast, I'm going to make you spill that as a guilty confession. Paul Marden: But you know what? I absolutely loved it. I came back afterwards and I listened to that episode and it's the first one where I've been. I really thoroughly enjoyed listening to the conversation. I'm finding my feelings only taken me a couple of years. Kelly Molson: Well, it only took me a couple of years as well. But you're there now and it's brilliant. So, like one, well done. I genuinely think that you're doing an excellent job and I'm very glad that I got to hand the baton over to you and you're doing it differently. Paul Marden: You can just come back as a guest star. Andy Povey: It was more of a temporary end, wasn't it, than a handover. Paul Marden: It's mine. It's mine. Kelly Molson: I think it was a, "Here you go, dumped on your lap." Paul Marden: Thank you for coming back and talking to us. It's been marvellous. Kelly Molson: Thank you for having me back. I've loved every minute. Paul Marden: Thanks for listening to Skip the Queue. If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review. It really helps others to find us. Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them to increase their visitor numbers. You can find show notes and transcripts from this episode and more over on our website, skipthequeue fm.  The 2024 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsDownload the 2024 Rubber Cheese Visitor Attraction Website Survey Report

Weirdly enough…a few weeks back I wrote about Ophiucus, the 13th sky zodiac. Today on YouTube, I got a whole bunch of videos about that star sign. So, we're NOT being monitored? The Music Authority Podcast...listen, like, comment, download, share, repeat…heard daily on Podchaser, Deezer, Amazon Music, Audible, Listen Notes, Mixcloud, Player FM, Tune In, Podcast Addict, Cast Box, Radio Public, Pocket Cast, APPLE iTunes, and direct for the source distribution site: *Podcast - https://themusicauthority.transistor.fm/  AND NOW there is a website! TheMusicAuthority.comThe Music Authority Podcast! Special Recorded Network Shows, too! Different than my daily show! Seeing that I'm gone from FB now…Follow me on “X” Jim Prell@TMusicAuthority*Radio Candy Radio Monday Wednesday, & Friday 7PM ET, 4PM PT*Rockin' The KOR Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7PM UK time, 2PM ET, 11AM PT  www.koradio.rocks*Pop Radio UK Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 6PM UK, 1PM ET, 10AM PT! *The Sole Of Indie https://soleofindie.rocks/ Monday Through Friday 6-7PM EST!*AltPhillie.Rocks Sunday, Thursday, & Saturday At 11:00AM ET!February 26, 2025, Wednesday, opening collection…@Orbis 2.0 - TMA SHOW OPEN THEME@Paul Davie & The BFF's - Kiss Me Softly [Half And Half - Originals And Eclectic Covers]@The Gunboat Diplomats - 10 Crazy About You [Fine State Of Affairs]@Bubble Gum Orchestra - My Happy World [Sugar Notes BGO 14]@Elena Rogers - Summer Sun [Opus One]@Freeana - Tribal Woman Rock [Just Be Yourself]@Kris Rodgers & The Dirty Gems - You Don't Know [Headlines] (@Collector's Club Records)@Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah@Kid Gulliver - Boy in a Bubble [Kismet]@Sniff And The Tears - Drivers Seat@The Penetrators - Stop Action [Kings of Basement Rock]@Crosby, Stills & Nash - Dark Star@The Well Wishers – Call It A Day [Spare Parts]@Paul Collins Beat - I've Had Enough [One Night]@Van Duren - The Love That I Love@Daisy House - Something Real [Bon Voyage]@Shoes – Too Late [DIY – American Power Pop 1978-1980] (@Rhino Records)

Louise Edington discusses the astrologY forecast for the week beginning February 23, including Mars stationing direct, Venus going retrograde, and a Pisces New Moon. She highlights the emotional and transformative energies associated with these events, emphasizing the importance of self-care and community support. Louise mentions her upcoming Venus retrograde class, which began on February 23rd, and encourages those struggling financially to reach out for assistance. She also notes significant astrological aspects, such as Mars stationing direct at 17 degrees Cancer and Mercury conjuncting Saturn, which bring clarity and challenges. Louise concludes by pulling tarot cards to provide further guidance for the week, focusing on partnerships, overcoming anxiety, and embracing divine service. #riseuptogether #togetherwerise For more from Louise, subscribe to @cosmicowlastrology on YouTube and check the bell to receive notifications when new content is uploaded. Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE or PAID for daily written updates and more. https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation Follow Louise at her website louiseedington.com. Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicOwlLouiseEdington/ Louise's fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ ///FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY /// FYI I READ EVERY COMMENT AND DELETE INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS /// This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Where are you spending most of your time? Are you planning or doing? That's what we are looking at this week.    You can subscribe to this podcast on: Podbean | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | TUNEIN   Links: Email Me | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Linkedin The Ultimate Productivity Workshop Get Your Copy Of Your Time, Your Way: Time Well Managed, Life Well Lived Subscribe to my Substack  Take The NEW COD Course The Working With… Weekly Newsletter Carl Pullein Learning Centre Carl's YouTube Channel Carl Pullein Coaching Programmes The Working With… Podcast Previous episodes page Script | 358 Hello, and welcome to episode 358 of the Your Time, Your Way Podcast. A podcast to answer all your questions about productivity, time management, self-development and goal planning. My name is Carl Pullein, and I am your host of this show. Podcaster Chris Williamson has recently caused a bit of a stir in the productivity world with the phrase “the productivity rain dance”. Cal Newport picked this up and it's something I've written and spoken about for many years.  If you are obsessing about productivity tools—apps, techniques and systems—you're not doing the work. You're doing the productivity rain dance. It's organising, planning and searching for new tools in the hope that somehow the work will get done.  It won't. And while you are wasting all that time planning, and playing, the work continues to pile up.  This week's question is linked to this in that it's about tools and organising work and I hope, my answer will help you find the balance between collecting, organising and doing.  Before I hand you over to the Mystery Podcast voice for this week's question, I'd like to mention that the first Ultimate Productivity Workshop of 2025 is coming.  On Fridays 14th and 21st March I invite you to spend two hours with me learning how to create a time management and productivity system that's focused on doing the work so you have time for the things you want time for.  In the workshop, we will cover getting control of your calendar and task manager . Then in week two, I will show you some simple techniques to get control of, and more importantly, stay in control of your communications—email, Slack/Teams messages AND the all important daily and weekly planning sessions.  Places are limited so, if you would like to develop a personal productivity system that is focused on doing rather than organising and planning, get yourself registered today. The link to register is in the show notes.  Okay, back to this episode. Let me now hand you over to the Mystery Podcast Voice for this week's question.  This week's question comes from Alastair. Alastair asks, hi Carl. I recently came across your work and wonder how you avoid getting caught up in the wonderful world of productivity apps. I never seem to able to stick to anything and I know I am wasting time.   Hi Alastair, thank you for sending in your question.  I'm not sure you are necessarily wasting time looking for the right tools. If you are at the start of your productivity journey, finding the right tools is inevitable and yes, it can be confusing. There are so many.  However, there comes a point when you need to stop and settle down with a set of tools.  Those tools are: A calendar, a notes app and a task manager.  The good news is the built in tools that comes with your computer will do. You don't need expensive subscriptions to so called AI enabled tools or collaborative project management tools.  What are you trying to do when you decide it's time to get organised and be “productive”?  It's not about getting more work done. That's a bit of a misnomer about productivity. It's about getting the important stuff done and eliminating the less important.  Getting your kids up, dressed, fed and ready for school each morning is important at 7:30 am. Checking email and messages is not. There's a time and place for those messages, but 7:30 am is not the time.  The world we live in today has made communication incredible fast and easy. Forty years ago, the only forms of communication were letters and telephone calls. (Although some offices had fax machines too). If you were not next to a telephone, no one could contact you. And if you were not in the office, you didn't know what surprises were contained in the correspondence waiting for you.  It was therefore easier to compartmentalise your days. Today, it's much more difficult because you can be alerted to problems instantly, and those problems can derail your day very quickly.  The challenge therefore is to be able to quickly sift through all the stuff coming at us and to decide what is important and what is not.  When things are coming at us all day, they appear loud and urgent. But urgent is not necessarily important.  If you have a thousand emails backlogged in your email system and your boss is demanding you send in your employee evaluations by the end of the week, your employee evaluations are the more important task. The backlog will have to wait.  And let's be honest, if someone's been waiting three months for you to reply to their email they're not going to be bothered if they have to wait a further week.  If you consider that scenario for a moment, your productivity tools are not going to help you.  The only thing you need to know is that writing your employee evaluations must be done. Shuffling that task around your productivity tools won't do that for you. You are, in effect, procrastinating. I like the analogy to the rain dance here. A rain dance is performed to persuade God or the gods to bring rain to water the crops. Yet, the dance doesn't produce the rain. You can dance as much as you like, you can wear elaborate costumes and involve other people. None of that will give you what you want—water to feed the crops.  You can download as many productivity tools as you like. You can organise your notes in such a way that finding stuff is quick and easy and you can spend hours curating your notes and tasks so they look pretty. Yet, none of that gets the work done.  Doing the work is the only way the work will get done. So, all you need each day is a list of things you have decided are important and you get done and do them.  For that, you don't need expensive apps. A single sheet of paper would do that.  I've always found it interesting how productive people get their work done. The common thread is they do the work, not organise it.  If you Google Albert Einstein's desk you will see a mess. Papers and books strewn all over the place. If you search for Jeff Bezos' desk from the early days of Amazon, you'll see something very similar.  These guys got a tremendous amount of work done without the need for clean and tidy systems. They got on with doing the work that mattered and cleaned up when they were finished.  Sadly, unproductive people don't achieve very much so we cannot see their workspaces, but I'll bet they were beautifully neat and tidy with bookshelves of neatly organised books and papers lined up perfectly on their desks.  A few years ago I got into watching YouTube videos of minimalist desk set ups. (Weirdly, these videos are still popular!). I remember at the time wondering how they ever got any work done. It must have taken hours to keep their workspace so clean.  The key to all of this is knowing what is important and what is not. This is why I recommend doing two exercises before you begin developing any kind of system.  The first is to establish what your areas of focus are. These eight areas around your family and relationships, career, finances, health and fitness, lifestyle and personal development are important because they define what is important to you as an individual.  The next is to get clear what your core work is. This is the work you are employed to do and directly effects your promotional prospects and ultimately your income.  Being quick to answer your phone, respond to a message or email or being on time to every meeting is not your core work. Well, not unless you work in customer support.  Once you know what your areas of focus are and your core work is, you have a pre-defined set of priorities on which to base your decisions about what you should be doing each day.  For example, one of my areas of focus related to my work (career) is to help as many people as I can become more productive and less stressed. To do that, I produce several pieces of content each week.  Creating and publishing that content is always a priority for me.  I don't need a lot of tools to to do that.  A calendar protects time each week for creating that content—I have twelve hours a week protected for this.  I have a very disorganised list of content ideas in a single note in Evernote—a notes app I've been using for almost 16 years now.  And, of course, I have an app for writing and producing that content.  Are there better calendars, notes apps and writing tools out there? Possibly, but how much faster would I be able to create content with those new tools? Probably no faster because using them would be unfamiliar to me.  The tools I use I've used for over ten years. I know them inside out and they are boring. And that's good because I'm not tempted to organise them, or even look for new apps. They do the job I need them to do and I can focus on creating the content.  If you want to become more productive and get the important things done on time every time, the only way you will do that is to do the work. There are no shortcuts and no productivity tool will do it for you. Only you can do that.  If you need to write a report, open up Microsoft Work or Google Docs and write the first paragraph. If you need to prepare a presentation, open up PowerPoint or Keynote and create the first slide.  If you need to wash your car, go to the car wash centre and wash your car.  If you need to do your taxes, download the documents and write in your name and national insurance number.  Funny how none of those things requires you to add a task into a task manager. You just need to decide when you will do them and do them.  So there you go, Alastair. Focus less on the tools and more on what you need to do to get the job done. You really don't need elaborate apps, complex organisational structures or a minimalist desk.  You just need time protected to get the work done.  Thank you, Alastair for your question and thank you for listening. Don't forget to get yourself registered for the Ultimate Productivity Workshop where will cover many of these concepts (and much more). It just remains for me now to wish you all a very very productive week.   

Louise Edington discusses the current astrology and cosmic events as a peak period of transformation in human consciousness. She highlights the significance of the Venus retrograde, the Venus star point, and the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces). Edington references historical Venus transits in 2004 and 2012, linking them to the Mayan calendar and the ongoing shift in consciousness. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to these changes, integrating universal principles, and working together in community. Key dates include a blood red moon eclipse on March 14, 2025, and the Venus star point on March 22, 2025, coinciding with the moon's maximum declination ON THE SAME DAY. Register for the Venus Journey at https://bit.ly/venusjourney2025 https://www.moontracks.com/moon-declinations.htmlThe Sikh Prayer https://valariekaur.com/2016/11/a-sikh-prayer-for-america-on-november-9th-2016/ Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation For more follow Louise at louiseedington.com or This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textThe conversation I had with Carol on this episode was nothing short of amazing! We dove into her being an amazing mom to her two incredible girls, supporting them in all that they loved! She's an amazing advocate for her daughters and she talks about her daughter that was diagnoised with dyslexia. Weirdly her story with her daughter resembles my dyslexia story very closely! She dreamt of being an author, fought cancer and kicked it in the pants and then shared her story through her writing! She is now an Author and published many books and more to come! This episode is packed full of incredible stories and Carol is a joy to listen to! Tune in and share this episode with everyone you know! Oh and don't forget to go buy her books - links below! Carol's BioA retired 20-year stay-at-home mom, turned empty nester, turned breast cancer survivor, and now a genre-hopping author, Carol Wyllie is the bestselling creator behind a beloved children's book series and two nonfiction works on breast cancer. With a soon-to-be-released young adult fiction novel, she has achieved the lifelong dream of becoming a full-time author, sharing stories that inspire, entertain, and empower readers across all ages.Connect with CarolAuthor PageWebsiteFacebookInstagramTikTokLinks to Carols BooksChemo Pissed Me Off: Buy HereBoobs Are Overrated: Buy HereChildrens Book SeriesMad Dog and Alizard: Buy HereMad Dog and Zat Cat: Buy HereMad Dog and Pup Pub: Buy Here This episodes ad break: Join my email list to: get behind the scenes, special videos, book launch date, book tours, discounts, freebies and so much more!www.kateyfortun.com/thebookStay in the loop with the new Different Ability® product I'll be launching!Sign Up Here!Shop new products here!Places you can reach me at:Website:https://kateyfortun.com/https://kateyfortun.com/podcastInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/kateyfortun/https://www.instagram.com/differentabilitypodcast/

Hope you're hungry, because MS. STELLAR EATS COOKING HERSELF, THE EMMA KULA is on the pod today. Emma is a crucial member of the pigs, because she keeps us fed, (and she keeps us humble as she is currently the hottest pig. Like, we take turns but this is definitely her time to shine). Weirdly enough, I don't think we have EVER given so much advice on this podcast. Emma rly set the tone here and we took the advice thing RLY SERIOUSLY. BONE APPLE TEET!

We have two beautiful CBAC stories for you on the podcast this week! Today's episode is with our friend, Melanie. Her first unexpected Cesarean was in April 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a very lonely and traumatic experience. Melanie found healing through a birth trauma therapist who helped her process her story and prepare for her second birth with a strong mindset. She took charge of what she could while making peace with what she couldn't control. Unfortunately, many things out of her control did happen, and Melanie faced another Cesarean. All of the healing work paid off though, as Melanie was not traumatized but empowered instead. “Birth stays with you forever. It's not something you ‘move on from'. My first birth was 5 years ago and still barrels me over from time to time. Likewise, the pride I feel in how I advocated for myself during my second birth continually gives me strength.”IMG_6660 (1) - Melanie Doyle.jpgCBAC Support - The VBAC Link CommunityBirth Story MedicineNeeded WebsiteHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Meagan: This is actually the week that we are kicking off CBAC week. This week you'll hear two CBAC stories. If you haven't caught on yet, every month we have one week with a couple episodes that is a more specialized episode. So if you're looking for CBAC stories, this is your week, and we have our friend, Melanie, with us today.Hello everybody, it's Meagan. I have my friend, Melanie, with us today. Melanie is a 31-year-old mama of two who had two C-sections. While she struggles with birth trauma from her second birth, an emergency C section, it was still quite healing, she said. I love that you're talking about that. You still struggled with this, but it can still be healing. That was how I was. I wanted a VBAC with my second birth. I really, really, really wanted a VBAC, but it didn't happen. It didn't go as planned, and I had a CBAC. I walked down to that or and I had that second C-section, and it was not what I wanted. There was still trauma involved and lots of feelings, but it was still one of the most healing experiences for me. Weirdly enough, I think it's what he needed. I needed that to help me heal from birth one and birth two.So let's talk a little bit about CBAC, and how it can be as a mom who is wanting a VBAC and it doesn't go as planned. Do you have anything to say on that?Melanie: Sure. Thanks, Meagan. Yeah, I have a lot of things to say on that. Honestly, like you, I wanted the VBAC. I did all of the things to try to get that VBAC. I did the yoga and the teas and the stretching and the chiropractor, and the acupuncture. I did it all, and it didn't happen. It wasn't meant to be.I guess I'll get more into that when I dive into my story. But the CBAC was healing because even though I didn't get the outcome I wanted, I was much more empowered throughout the whole process than I was in that first birth. Through a lot of healing and therapy, I realized that it was that empowerment piece that caused a lot of the trauma from my first birth. It wasn't the C-section itself. That wasn't what instigated all of those feelings and all that hurt, but the way I was made to feel, the way I was treated the doubts and insecurities that were planted in me from that experience that took away my power. Even though I did not get that outcome in my CBAC, it undid a lot of that in a way. I was able to of regain some strength and some autonomy. That's lasted a lot longer. I think in this kind of healing journey, it's still hard sometimes. I still feel like I'm just barreled over by the grief that's wrapped up in both of those births. Even though I have two wonderful, beautiful, healthy children, it doesn't all disappear, but it did help me regain a lot of confidence in my ability to advocate for myself and know what I'm capable of.Meagan: Yeah, I love that you pointed out that, that it was a more empowering experience, and you felt more empowered. I really think that along these journeys, if we can be educated and feel empowered, even if it doesn't go the exact way we want it, and that doesn't even just mean Cesarean and VBAC. I didn't want an epidural, and I got an epidural. I didn't want Pitocin. I got Pitocin.Melanie: Right.Meagan: There are all these different things that can happen that we didn't want. But if we can feel empowered and involved and educated and like we are making the decisions too, and sometimes we can't make them. Sometimes our babies make the decisions, and that's frustrating. That's hard. It's like, well, what could I have done? And we go down these real big spiraled, spaces. But if we can really feel empowered along the way, even though we still might not agree with wanting, the outcome of what we wanted, we can feel empowered and have more healing to come.I wanted to talk more about that too, because we see this happen in the VBAC group where it's like, "Hey guys, thank you so much for being with me along this journey. This group has been amazing. However, I feel like I just have to leave now. I can't be here. I don't feel welcome here because I ended in a Cesarean." One, Women of Strength, I want you to know you are always welcome. You are always welcome. And you are incredible. You do. You were not less than anybody else just because you've had a Cesarean. And two, we actually have a CBAC group. I wanted to point that out to any mamas who have maybe gone for the VBAC route or even decided not to VBAC and wanted to have a Cesarean to go into that CBAC group. It is so, so special. It is led and run mainly by the very own Paige on our VBAC team, who is incredible. I just love that group so much. It creates this just abundant amount of love and support that I think everyone deserves. I don't want you to feel alone because I know. I was one of them. When I had my CBAC I was like, I can't keep seeing these people have these VBACs. I wanted a VBAC. I didn't get a VBAC. There were so many feelings, and I didn't feel welcome there. It wasn't even because they didn't make me feel welcome. I just didn't categorize myself as qualified to be in that group. Yeah, so check out The CBAC Link Community on our Facebook and know that Women of Strength, you are incredible. Whether you have a vaginal birth or not, you are incredible. Melanie: Okay, you guys, we're gonna dive into Melanie's stories, I should say. There are two. There are two stories. So, yeah, let's start with birth number one.Melanie: Goodness. So my first birth, my daughter, who is about 4.5 now, was born in April 2020. So it was right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown which really set the scene in the most terrible of ways, as many of listeners probably remember, especially for anyone who had a baby during that period. I mean, it was so challenging those final weeks of my pregnancy. Every doctor's appointment I would go to alone. There was just new bad news being delivered to me about the restrictions that were being put in place. And I was very depressed. It was a heartbreaking time. Those final weeks of my pregnancy, I imagined nesting and being cozy with my husband before we had our first baby, and it was just all kind of ripped away like so much was during that period of time. I became really disassociated from my pregnancy and the joy that was meant to be coming. If someone had approached me on the street and said, "We can get that baby out now," I probably would have said, "Sure." I was really in a place of not caring, I guess, about what happened. I was just so desperate for this baby to be born before the restrictions got worse and before my husband wouldn't be allowed to be at the birth. So I was disassociated, I think, is the only way I can describe it. And then, of course, I went overdue because my kids don't come on time. This will be a recurring thing.Meagan: And with your first baby, that is also very common. Just saying. A lot of people carry over that 40-week mark, right?Meagan: Yeah. They don't tell you that when you get the handbook at the beginning of the pregnancy. I was overdue and was desperate to be induced. I went into this prior to the pandemic and everything, being pretty knowledgeable. I had attended a birth before. I had seen things go wrong and had originally had ideas about what I wanted my birth to be like. But at that point, I really was just desperate. The induction started really well. They placed Cervadil, and it kickstarted things like rapid-fire. It worked super well for me and I thought, "Okay, this might still be okay despite the induction. Despite all this, this might still go fine." Given the COVID-19 restrictions at the time, my husband wasn't allowed in with me until I progressed to a certain degree in my labor.Meagan: Wait, what? Melanie: Yeah. Meagan: Not at all until you progress to a certain point?Melanie: So around 7 centimeters, they were going to give him a call.Meagan: What was the difference of you being there at one point over the other?Melanie: Oh, it was tragic. So he waited in the car in the parking lot.Meagan: Oh, poor thing. Poor you. Melanie: So I was alone. And it was terrible. My contractions just came on so super fast because of the Cervadil. I started dilating really quickly and I thought, "Okay, they're going to get him in here. It's going to be okay." It Wasn't. I started to panic. I had not wanted an epidural, but I was obviously experiencing a lot of pain. They got the Cervadil out because of how I was reacting to it. The nurse asked if I wanted an epidural, and I said, "No, I'm okay for now. I'm coping." I waited a while longer, and I was still alone. They still hadn't called my husband, and I just couldn't do it alone anymore. The nurse talked me into the epidural, and I didn't want it, but I felt a little pressured. Yeah, pressured. That's the word. And again, in looking back on that, I recognize that a lot of the birthing people on the floor at that time were also alone. The nurses did what they could in those situations. But, yeah. I still hold a little bit of resentment, I guess, for those moments where I was my most vulnerable and by myself.Meagan: Yeah, understandably. That makes sense.Melanie: Yeah. So I got the epidural. My husband was allowed in shortly after, and things were still okay. I was still progressing fine. Then labor just stalled, which is the start of many stories. So we waited through the night. At some point, they started Pitocin. I was moving in all these ways. I should say that my doctor is a saint among humans. She's incredible. She was on with me all night. She did everything she could. She wasn't on when I first got admitted, but she came on later in the night, and she was phenomenal. She did everything she could to get things going again. And then her shift ended the next day, and somebody else came in. By that time, I had that pesky little cervical lip. My baby's head was OT. She couldn't make that last. I was 9 centimeters, but she couldn't get that last turn because of the tilt. I was swelling. There was meconium. Her heart rate was doing some wonky things, and off to the OR we went. I was okay with it initially.It felt like, "Okay, this is what happens." It was fine, really. I had a pleasant Cesarean experience. I wasn't nauseous. My husband was able to be there with me for the birth, and I had a lovely surgeon, so it was okay. I felt okay for the most part afterward.But again, because of the COVID-19 restrictions, my husband was only permitted to stay two hours after the birth. She was asked to leave and not allowed back until we were released. It was just me and my beautiful baby girl who was 8lbs, 9oz alone for 2.5 days after I was just recovering from major surgery.Meagan: Wow.Melanie: Those first few days were challenging. Breastfeeding was a disaster. A had terrible edema from all the fluids during the C-section. I was huge trying to breastfeed. I was just so puffed up. Everything was impossible. And again, because all the birthing people on the floor were without their partners, the nurses were run ragged. It was very difficult to receive care, to put it politely. I think honestly, a lot of the trauma that I have from that time came from my hospital stay afterward and how I was treated or how I felt kind of neglected and was again alone, in some of the most formative times of my motherhood experience. Meagan: Yeah. Melanie: So that was that really. That was my first birth. As the days progressed, and I got home and I just felt so defeated by and let down by how I was treated and not even how I was treated by people but by the situation. I mean, a lot of it was beyond anyone's control.Meagan: Yeah, that time, I have a lot of feelings. I was not a, mom birthing, but I was a doula supporting couples and saw a lot of really stupid stuff to say that didn't make sense at all. But everyone was so restricted and rules were changing literally by the day and even by the hour. Right?Melanie: Yeah.The hospital I gave birth that has since it kind of acknowledged that they took it a little too far. Laboring people shouldn't be alone. Who would have thought?Meagan: Women in labor should not feel deserted. Yeah.Meagan: So some of that was nice to hear but it was just a little too late for my own benefit. The more that all settled with me, and when we had our first baby, we didn't know down the road if we wanted more kids. I'm an only child. I love being an only child. So I thought, maybe a family of three is fine. But I remember sitting with my doctor at one of our follow-up appointments, and I just broke down by the whole experience and I was like, "I can't do that again. Regardless if I want to. I just can't." She was crushed by that. She just couldn't let me Live with that feeling. "If you don't want more kids, great. You don't. You do you. But that, that can't be how we leave you." So she recommended a therapist to me who has become one of the most dearest people in my life. She's also a doula. And all of her therapy practice focuses on birth trauma, infertility, infant loss, and things of that nature. She was a godsend once we decided that we were ready to have a second baby. I don't think I could have done any of the rest without her. So then moving on to my second birth, it took a while to come around to being ready for that. After that first experience, there was a lot of therapy and a lot of trying to recognize that what I went through wasn't my own fault.Meagan: Yes.Melanie: There was nothing. The choices I made and giving in to the epidural, that wasn't a moral failing on my part. Being alone wasn't that I was not deserving of care, it was just the situation of the time. So a lot of that took some time to reckon with. And then as I began, I knew right away that I was going to try for the VBAC.My doctor was, "Yeah, of course. If you want to 100%." She felt because I did labor so well once we finally got things going, she was pretty confident that things might go okay for me the second time. So she was a great support. But once I started looking into a lot of the VBAC literature in the VBAC world, there were so many pockets of it that I really struggled with. Some of the language around how we can prepare was really off-putting to me. It felt like if you know enough and if you do enough, you'll be okay. It just felt really focused on blaming people for whatever went wrong the first time, if you had known more, if you had advocated for yourself more, if you had breathed more or meditated more, things would have gone better. So I really tried to avoid some of that in preparing for my second birth. I was really focused on the things I could control. My doula/therapist/friend really helped me with a lot of that. A lot of what we focused on and preparing for that second baby was focusing on things that would be true regardless of how that birth happened.  I became really into this series of affirmations. That is not my thing. I'm not into that normally, but they became very treasured to me and still kind of are. I really prioritized creating ones for myself that would be true regardless of what happened. It wasn't about birthing my baby vaginally because that might not happen. I knew that going in. It was more about acknowledging that my body is strong and capable. That's true regardless of what happens. So those sort of sentiments really echoed through my whole pregnancy and leading up to the birth. For the most part, I had a pretty uneventful pregnancy except for the fact that in my 20-week anatomy scan ultrasound, they discovered that my placenta was low. It was partially covering my cervix. My doctor was great. She was like, "Yeah, don't worry about it. It'll move. We're not going to worry about that until we have to. That often happens. We're not going to let that slow us down right now".So that was fine. And then later in my third trimester, I was measuring gigantic. I'm a very small person. I'm barely 5 feet. I'm petite, and I grow big babies. I was measuring quite large. We re-screened for gestational diabetes. I had a weird borderline response. I was doing these funny diet things and trying to get that under control, but I was still measuring pretty large. But again, my doctor wasn't really discouraging about that. "I know people have big babies. The bony pelvis, it moves, don't worry about it." So I still felt pretty good, and I kind of loved the idea of tiny little me having this huge baby. it seemed like I'd be pretty proud of it. But I had to have a follow-up ultrasound to check on the placement of my placenta to see if it had moved enough. And it did. Fortunately, it seemed like it was in the clear. My doctor, who was lovely, indicated that this was not a growth scan. We were just checking the placenta. But of course, the maternal-fetal unit loved to check the size of that baby. So of course, he was huge. They were trying to really say, "Are you sure you still want to do this? Because he's going to be quite a large boy and all that." I mostly tuned that out. I was like, "Yeah, I know. No big deal. I know I can't do anything about that. That's not within my control at this point. I'm 32 weeks pregnant." We carried on as normal. At this point, I was going crazy. I was walking so much. I was seeing the chiropractor. I was doing prenatal yoga. I was curb-stepping everywhere. I lost my mind a little bit in terms of all the preparation I was trying to do trying to get everything right. I became super obsessed with the baby's positioning just knowing positioning had factored into my first birth. I don't think I lied on my right side for months. Basically, I was just really focused on trying to keep things where they should be. Get that baby low and in the right angle. It became a bit of an obsession, but also the thing I'd look back on in a really positive way. I got really good at feeling where he was trying to pick out a spine and what way he was facing. And in retrospect, it made me feel a lot closer to him than I had with my daughter in some ways when I was pregnant. I became very in tune to his movements.Meagan: Yeah.Melanie: So I look back on that and I'm thankful. But yeah. So things were fine. I was growing a big baby, but all seemed well. I felt like I had a great team who supported me and were progressing the way we wanted to. We kind of expected this baby would also be "late" just given my first was. So we kind of prepared for that. We talked about the ways we could induce if needed or how long I wanted to wait until an induction.At the hospital near me, it is standard of practice to be automatically booked for an induction one week past your due date. You get that letter in the mail regardless of whether you want it or not. So as my due date approached, I got that letter. I called my doctor. She canceled that. That was not our plan. We were going to wait and see. So she was great in terms of letting me make the call, I'll say. But at a week past, or I guess just a little over, I did have to have a biophysical. That was the condition which for me turning down the induction was to have the biophysical. And again, my doctor was great. She gave me the heads up that like, "It's pretty easy to fail these and you're 41+ weeks over too." So she was advocating for me that we were not going to jump the gun here. But it was the requirement of their unit to have that. So I went in for my biophysical at 41 and change. I can't remember the exact day. And lo and behold, we failed. I think we had a 6 out of 10. His heart rate didn't do the right things in the right order or whatever the scoring is. I can't recall. And he also didn't score for the seeing the breathing movements. I knew just from my own reading that a score of 6 was a gray area. I wasn't too worried about it. But the staff in the maternal field was like "Oh, well, you're having this baby today." I was like, "Well, no, I'm not. This is not my plan." I know they see the worst cases. That is their space, but I already had the conversation with my doctor so I felt pretty well-informed. I knew that I was not ready yet. I also knew that my doctor was on call that day.So I did go up to labor and delivery which is what they had recommended. She did another biophysical up there and then did a third non-stress test. I also failed the second biophysical but the non-stress test turned out okay. We needed some time, a bit of a walk, some water, and things seemed okay. So I went home and waited for another couple of days. At this point we were, we were really cooking. We were looking at 42 weeks. I did agree to have the induction on a Thursday. I was disappointed that we were going to have to have the induction. I forgot to mention this. I wasn't followed by an obstetrician during my pregnancy. I was with a family practice group. We don't have midwives in the area where I live, but we do have a family practice group who have delivery privileges but they can't perform Cesareans, obviously. So I was followed by this lovely GP who would have delivered had my babies been born vaginally. Because I had to transfer temporarily to the obstetrics unit for the induction, I knew I was going to  encounter some more pushback than I had faced to date with my current doctor because she was so lovely and supportive. I went in and prepared for that. And the OB on that day of my induction was quite-- I don't know how to put it politely. He was very blunt. I don't think he thought I was an overly smart person to be looking at 42 weeks still insisting on trying to have this very large baby vaginally. But to his credit, he respected my autonomy and was like, "Yeah, sure, we'll give it a shot. I think it's the wrong call, but it's your call to make." So I have a love/hate relationship with him to some extent. So they did another non-stress test and things looked okay. And then I think he left and a resident came in to start the induction. I was a little dilated, so they were going to try the Foley, which they had initially some trouble getting in. It was the worst pain I've ever been in that didn't compare it all to labor on my first. But that Foley was like, whew. As soon as the resident got it in, all hell broke loose. My husband was by my shoulder and just turned white as a ghost. The resident looks up and she's like, "I think that's a little more blood than we would expect." Meanwhile, I can just see it pouring onto her shoes. I'm just hemorrhaging. Meagan: Whoa. Melanie: I'm hemorrhaging. So she runs out. There's a nurse there trying to mop things up and I'm still holding whatever sort of contraption they used to hold the Foley in. The OB comes in with an ultrasound machine. They're, of course, fearing my placenta is beginning to rupture or whatever. So he's checking the ultrasound. The heart rate monitors plummet. The baby's heart rate drops into the 60s. The room fills with people and I'm petrified. I'm just shocked. The OB's trying to move me and trying to get the Foley out. It felt like an hour. I'm sure it was only a minute that the heart rate recovered, but the decision is made like, "We're going to the OR." They didn't know what the source of the bleeding was. I was still hemorrhaging. I asked the OB like, "Can I just talk to my husband for a minute?" And he said "No, we don't have time. We're going."So we go to the OR and it was really quick. It was so much faster than my first birth. I don't even think the terror really caught on to me until later when they finally gave me the baby and the OB ensured me, "Oh yeah, no. He wasn't without oxygen for any extent. He checked out okay. He's fine." And I'm not sure it hit me that that was ever in doubt that it could have gone a way that he wouldn't have been fine. So it was a lot. It was a lot. To say it wasn't what we were expected would be an understatement. To say I didn't get my VBAC was an understatement because it just became a conversation of so many greater things. Fortunately, my doctor happened to be in the hospital, and she took care of us. We only stayed there for a day. Fortunately, that was the main thing on my birth plan that regardless of what happened, to get me out of the hospital as quickly as possible. So we were released the next day. The baby was fine, and I was fine. We were all healthy. There was no great source of the bleeding outside of that they suspected that my placenta was still a little too low compared to how it showed on the scans from in my third trimester. So when they inserted the Foley, things shifted enough that it tore a teensy bit or something, and hence the blood, but not enough to cause damage to me or my son. But that, the proximity of my placenta to my cervix wasn't quite clear on that ultrasound in my third trimester. So, yeah, that's my birth story.Meagan: Oh my gosh. Oh, my gosh. You know, birth sometimes can unfold in those really wonky, unexpected ways. And like, I have questions too. Like, could they have torn your cervix from placing the Foley? Could the Foley have nicked your placenta if it was too low inside? Right? There are all of these questions, and we tend to go that way, wanting to know the answers, but sometimes we just don't know the answer. We've talked about this a long time ago in our radical acceptance. Julie and I did a radical acceptance episode, which if you haven't checked that episode our, I really highly suggest listeners check it out because sometimes there is not an answer. The answer is unknown and it will remain unknown. Sometimes not knowing the answer can consume us, and it can leave the trauma, the doubt, the fear, and all the feelings that come with. Sometimes that means we have to let it go. We're not getting the answer. We just not getting the answer. Letting it go helps us grow, helps us heal, helps us move on to that next stage.And when I say move on, I don't mean just ignore it, wipe it out, or it never happened. It's accepting that it happened. Accept that where we were then is where we were. We made the decisions we made with the information that we were given, and now we're moving on. You did the best thing you could do for your baby by saying, like, "Okay, yeah." And like you said, it didn't even happen or occur to you until later that, "Wait, my baby couldn't have been okay?" I'm sure that sat really heavily.Melanie: Oh, my gosh. Yeah, hugely. Right? It was. It all happened so quickly. There was so much blood. Again, you're on your back. You can't really see well, but when you see it just as when the resident leaves the room, and t's on her shoes. I'm not okay. There's a problem there right now, right? Yeah. And, you know, my son was big. He was 9 pounds, 15 ounces. I don't think his size had anything to do with this part of the conversation, but in my mind, I think I've somehow accepted that I think he was going to be born via Cesarean regardless of what happened in my first birth. My placenta was low right from the start. That was a known thing that I was going to deal with, C-section or not. I know there's obviously some evidence to show that the way placenta can attach can be influenced by previous C-section scars, of course. But, I think that's how I've been able to make peace with a lot of that. It was just always going to be this way for him. I don't know. Because I was empowered through some of the decisions I made, and because I felt genuinely supported by the people around me, except for maybe that kind of cranky OB besides him, it's much easier to come to terms with what happened. And in a lot of ways, even though, my second birth is the much scarier of the two situations, I don't have nearly as much trauma associated with it. It was a crappy birth. I'll be frank about it. But it is what it is. It was scary, but it's not what keeps me up at night sometimes still, like that first birth where I felt disempowered and disenfranchised and ignored and neglected. That is the lasting problem. While I've done a lot to overcome that, I think it just goes to show how we treat people in these moments can really have a lasting impact. It's not just about the physical pain, the physical trauma, and the health emergencies that cause trauma. It can be a lot of the emotional harm as well.Meagan: I love that you pointed that out and you mentioned this along the way with some of your prep you're like, "I am not the affirmation type. It's not my thing. I don't connect to it." But you did. I think affirmations are so powerful whether or not you are an affirmation person or not. I really think having those on your side can be impactful. Like you said, you're like, "I still kind of like, hold on to them and cherish them today."Melanie: I really do. I have a list of them on my notes app on my phone. They're the same ones. They were the ones I wrote when I was pregnant with my second baby. Sometimes when I'm having a bit of a bad day or when you see another one of those photos, like the people you referenced earlier who don't associate with the VBAC groups anymore, they don't see themselves every now and then, when a photo of a super strong, awesome person with their fist up in the air celebrating their VBAC. Some of those will just hit me the wrong way one day. I'll go back to those affirmations and remind myself that my body is strong and accomplished and whatever I need to hear that day. They do have a long-lasting impact. Another one that got me through a lot was, "I'm strong enough to face what comes." Whatever that is.Meagan: Strong enough to face what comes. I love that. Yeah.Melanie: Yeah, it's been a bit of a journey. My kids are 4 and 2 now. We're not sure if we're done.Meagan: Yeah.Melanie: But despite all of these experiences, I would still 100% go for another VBAC.Meagan: Yeah.So I was going to ask you that too. Do you feel at this point that you would rather just do Cesareans? Would you have said, "Looking back, I just wish I would have scheduled it at 40 weeks, or are you feeling pretty content and empowered with the choices that you made?"Melanie: That's a great question. I think about it a lot. I'm fairly positive I wouldn't have just scheduled the C-section. And partially because despite being alone for part of my labor with my first birth, I kind of loved labor. Before I got the epidural, I have never felt so strong and so awesome in my whole entire life. I was like, "I am woman. Hear me roar." Maybe that is just in retrospect, but I also have a couple of selfies from those few hours. I'm enjoying a lot of it. So when I was preparing for my second birth even knowing that maybe this will end up in a C-section, I kept thinking, "Oh, well, at least I'll get to labor again. I'll have that. That would be great." And I didn't. I didn't get any of that. I'm not turned away from that. I'd be very much open to trying again. I think if we were to have another, I would not do all the things I became so obsessed with making sure I was getting 12,000 steps or whatever it was, and the curb-walking and the squats. I did so many squats, and I ate so many dates. I would just let go of a lot of that because I think a lot of that was the pressure of, "You need to do everything you can to get this right." And I don't have that pressure on me anymore. Maybe because I'm older than I was then, or because I was maybe foolish. I think I know a little more, but I think I would just. Let's just try. Let's see what happens.Melanie: Yeah.Meagan: You know, I want to talk a little bit about that. You talked about how you did things that you could control, but then you also focused on how you went down that path of-- I call it obsession. The path of obsession.Melanie: It was.Meagan: I was once on the path of obsession as well with my second, my second that I wanted to VBAC that went Cesarean. I ate the dates. I drank the tea. I did all the things too, and then it didn't unfold exactly how I wanted it. I don't think the things that I did or the things that I didn't do, as far as the prep goes, really impacted as much as I didn't choose the right provider. But with my second, I let go of some of the things, but then hyper-obsessed with some of the other things. I didn't sit on a couch for nine months. I sat in a car really, really straight up paying attention to my sway back and my pelvis.But I did the things that I could control that felt right for me. I went to a chiropractor. That made me feel better. I was like, "All I can do is go and hope for the best. Right?" I drank my tea. I let go of the dates. I couldn't eat another date for a very long time. I do now. I actually add them to oatmeal and things, but I couldn't even stomach a date. There were things that I did and I didn't do. So try not to go down the path of obsession because I think sometimes it takes away from our pregnancy. Do all the things that you can do within your control that feel right. So eat well. Hydrate well. Get a good prenatal. Process your birth. Process your past birth. Know what you want. Hire a doula if you want to doula. Find your right supportive provider. But also, if it's too much and you need to be like, "You know what? I'm going to do what I can over here, and I'm just going to let it unfold over here," I don't think there's any shame in that. I don't think anyone should be like, "Well, but you're not doing x, y, z." Yeah, I'm not because right now it doesn't feel right. It doesn't feel right. Melanie: That's exactly right. I think I was just so afraid if my birth didn't go well, if I would think that, "Oh, there's something else I could have tried." That was, I think, my mindset in preparing for that second birth. But I'm glad you mentioned the feeling right because I did actually give up the acupuncture at 40 weeks because I hated it. I hated going. I didn't like the way it made me feel. It made me groggy. I felt like I was sleepwalking.Meagan: Not right.Melanie: Not right, but yes, letting that go. But again,  initially, I felt guilty for it. Almost like I'm not doing everything I could. But sometimes we need to let that go if it doesn't feel right for us.Meagan: Yeah, I agree.So really quickly, to wrap this up, we asked for a secret lesson, and then we asked for your tips. I wanted to read what you wrote. When I said, "What is a secret lesson or something no one really talks about that you wish that you would have known ahead of time when preparing for birth?" Your answer was, "Birth stays with you forever. It's not something you just move on from." Like we were just saying, it isn't. It's not just something that you move on from and you forget about it. It's just gone. It's not. It really does stick with you, and it can impact future births. So know that that's a thing, and you need to work through that if you have trauma. She says, "My first birth was nearly five years ago, and the trauma still barrels over her." Likewise, the pride that you feel and how you advocated for yourself during your second birth continuously gives you strength. So I love that secret lesson. I think it's very empowering.And then when I asked, "What is your best tip for someone preparing for VBAC?" There's a lot here, and I'm just going to read exactly what you wrote because so it's all so good. And you also kind of talked about it within your story, but I just wanted to write what you wrote. It says, "Preparing for a baby and birth is a mental, emotional and cognitive journey, not just physical. I did so much work with the support of a wonderful doctor, doula, therapist and partner that all helped me cope with this birth. I did chiropractic care, pelvic floor PT, acupuncture, yoga, massage, but it was the mental work and preparation that I did that really made the difference." And then you said, "If someone is into affirmations, find or create some that will be true regardless of whatever happens." Again, pointing out what you said earlier. I think it's important to note. Women of Strength, you can prep. You could do everything, and sometimes when I think we do everything and then they don't unfold exactly how we think, "We did everything. And it sucked. It failed me." It's not true. You did everything that felt right for you, and you have to embrace that and congratulate yourself for that and say, "I did what I could." But I love that you talked about the affirmations that can stay true. I love that so much. Your body is strong. No matter how you birth your baby, your body is strong. So, there's something that you did through therapy and healing that I would love to talk on before we go. Is there any way you could dive into that a little bit?Melanie: Yeah, sure. So it's a practice called birth story medicine. I'm not an expert in it by any means, but it is the train of schooling that my therapist, who's also a doula, specializes in with birthing people who have birth trauma. It's really a part of a birth story. Listening. So having someone reciprocate in the dialogue of your birth story, really similar to what goes on in this podcast in a lot of ways, where you are being heard when you tell your birth story. But through that process, over months and months of the telling and retelling of my birth story, particularly that first birth, my therapist was able to really help me get to a place of re-seeing it. That's when I began to re-see my role in that. It really centers around this idea that through discussion and through sharing, that can be the medicine we need to heal emotionally. So it's again, not always about those physical scars we're left with, but emotionally what we carry and giving value to those, having those be heard in a space where they're not often heard. When we go into a hospital or a birth center, we don't always create space or are not always given the space to have those feelings and that trauma heard. That birth story medicine approach really helped me re-see my experience for my first birth.I love that you talk about this. We actually have something similar in our VBAC course when it comes to mental and physical prep because I think that's honestly where our course starts as mental and physical prep. I truly believe that's where this journey starts. But I talk about the senses. So when we are processing our birth or going through this birth medicine journey, I suggest doing things where you write your birth story. Physically write it. Read it, so you're seeing it. So you're physically doing the action. Now you're seeing it and you're reading it. Okay? Read it out loud to someone so you're hearing it being said and someone else is hearing it. Receive validation. Okay?Really walk through those five senses because I truly believe that it helps you heal. But hearing it, seeing it, writing it, being validated. I guess it's not even the five senses. We can't smell our birth, but we talk about that like taking yourself back, putting yourself in that feeling, hearing those sounds, smelling the smells and processing those is so empowering. It's a little different, but kind of similar. I love it. I love that so much. Is it birth medicine? Is that what you're calling it?Melanie: Birth story medicine. I can't remember the woman who wrote the book quite literally, but I recommend everyone check it out.Meagan: We're going to find it, and put it in the show notes. Birth story medicine. Here we go.Okay, really quickly before we go, will you give us two or three affirmations that really stuck with you if you have them? If not, no worries.Melanie: Oh, sure. I still do. So one that I don't hold on to as much now, but it was really important to me leading up to that second birth, especially given my first was, "I am not responsible for starting labor when it starts." I tried, but I had to remind myself, "I am not responsible for starting labor." Another one was, "My baby will be born. I will birth my baby."Meagan: Yes.Melanie: However that happens, I will birth my baby. The final one may be that again, I think because of the trauma I had from my first birth during the pandemic was, "I am not alone. My baby is with me."Meagan: Love those so much.Melanie: Oh no, I'm very emotional.Meagan: I'm sorry. I did not mean to make you emotional, but I really thank you so much for all of those and for your words. I am so happy that you were able to come through on the other side of this experience with the mindset that you have. I know it's not easy. I know it hasn't been easy. The journey is really a journey and like you said, it sticks with you forever. I will never forget all three of my births.As of the day of this very recording, my daughter turned 13 yesterday. My first C-section was 13 years ago yesterday. Let me tell you, I reflected deeply. I had a lot of emotions. I cried. I smiled. I had so many feelings that it, literally makes me emotional thinking about it right now. But you guys, I was amazing back then. I didn't fail. I didn't fail. I think that's just so important that we know that no matter how our baby is born, we are going to be with our baby. Our babies will be with us, and we didn't fail. We did the best we could, and you were incredible.Melanie: Thanks, Meagan. You too. ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Last week, to a lot of online reaction, not all of it good, we spoke to Kelly Wanser from Silver Lining, a non profit that advocates for research in this area. Not everyone was happy we talked about the subject. Understandably people are concerned, with good reason. Humanity doesn't have a great track record of avoiding being reckless or selfish and making decisions here in the so called global north that will definitely hurt other people — but we do it anyway.Whether it's like small island states that will go under the waves in our lifetimes because of. These effects and at the International Court of Justice hearing lawyers for big nations basically saying, “oh, well, that's sad Sorry about that. I don't think we can do about it though But here here's some tickets to get some immigration for a couple thousand of you anyway to come to Australia but in exchange, we're gonna need your fishing rights and Mineral rights for the undersea stuff.”Or telling India and China, “sorry. No, you cannot have the standard of living that fossil fuels enabled The West to have.” Weirdly, not everyone is super excited with that kind of trade off.So if we're going to feel obliged to look seriously at SRM - which is not the same as endorsing it - at the very least there should be ground rules: Insisting that the science done by and for researchers in the global south should be given privileged position in conversations about whether to do that research, about how to weigh potential costs and benefits, how to govern any of that stuff, how to even talk about it. Because places like Latin America, or South Africa, or Pakistan tend to have communities least able to cope with any potential negative outcomes. Andy Parker, Founder and CEO of the Degrees Initiative based in Bristol in the UK, has doing exactly that for 16 years - we think it made for an interesting chat.And in May, Degrees Initiative is convening the world's largest conference to date on SRM, in Cape Town, South Africa. It might well reset the global conversation on the science, the economics, and the geopolitics of SRM.If you're enjoying these conversations, do please share it, leave a rating and review on the platform of your choice, and send us feedback here at wickedproblems.earth.00:49 Current Climate Challenges and Innovations01:39 Global Perspectives on Climate Science05:14 The Ethics of Solar Geoengineering10:05 Interview with Andy Parker19:22 The Degrees Initiative and Global South23:45 Potential Risks and Considerations of SRM26:32 Potential Side Effects of Not Using SRM26:57 Security Implications and Uncertainties27:40 Degrees Initiative: Research and Support28:40 Fictional Scenarios and Real Concerns30:03 Termination Shock and Climate Impact37:01 Governance Challenges of SRM40:22 Mainstream Media and SRM Discourse43:15 Popular Culture's Take on SRM45:50 Final Thoughts and Future Directions48:34 Conclusion and Contact Information Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Jeffrey Flier is a distinguished service professor and Higginson Professor of Physiology and Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is the former dean of Harvard Medical School. We talked about the recent (and sudden) change in NIH funding. First a note on Professor Flier. He is not a normal medical school dean. He is active online. He speaks candidly, often critically. He and Vinay wrote together in STAT news during the pandemic. It was a great honor to talk with him for 47 minutes about the NIH news. Here is the Tweet that went crazy viral Friday afternoon. I had only a superficial understanding of grant funding. It turns out that every time a scientist earns an award, the institution receives extra funding known as indirect costs. The extra funds are given to support the infrastructure of the research center. Weirdly, as you will hear, some of the biggest research centers earn the highest percentages of indirect funds. The controversy stems from the sudden and massive cut in these indirect costs. It is an understatement to call the online reaction polarized. It was totally utterly hyper-polarized. Here is Elon Musk. Richard EbrightThere is absolutely no defensible basis for non-uniform indirect cost rates and absolutely no defensible basis for >=60% indirect costs. The previous system was a colossal fraud.Micheal Eisen It's like saying you're going to save money on a football team by cutting all the linemen.Anil Makam Whoa. Better accountability was needed where these expenses went, but this is draconian cut. Many institutions will struggle to support scientific infrastructure.C. Michael Gibson Woah…The government used to pay academic institutions 60% + on top of the costs of research grant to cover “Indirect costs.” That number just dropped to 15%. The viability of US academic medical centers & research is at risk.And of course Vinay Prasad, who also wrote Ten Things to Know about the NIH change. Good! This was the greatest slush fund ever created. It made researchers with NIH dollars invincible. Universities shielding them at all costs, even when research was fraudulent. This money was used to support initiatives, which Americans rejected, like DEI training & admin bloat.Sensible Medicine is a reader-supported publication. This is a free post but please consider becoming a paid subscriber as we aim to remain free of advertising support Here are some quotes I received via email from unnamed NIH funded researchers: A lot of the indirects go to admins who are increasingly important for grant submission process because it is unnecessarily cumbersome. I've been on 3 NIH funded grants. All from the same team. Each one was sillier than the prior.Another person—from the Southern US I submitted an R01 a few months ago and it's difficult to navigate everything alone without admin support. The process for grant submission could be improved a lot And there should be more focus on important questions and more clinical trials.Another—from the MidwestUnless I wanted to study goofy BS, I realized my chances were hopeless. So the only other option was to stay and truly advance in the academy was to align with industry. And yet another from the MidwestThis overhead reduction is long overdue. Universities have been eating at the free buffet for a long time. They will, however, quickly figure out ways to take money away from researchers. I expect that lab space rent, personnel fees, and supply costs that the universities charge the investigators will become much higher in the coming year.Lastly, the US government wants to keep the additional indirect costs, I get that. Universities will find ways to bridge the gap by taking more money from investigators. The initial pain will be at the administrator level, but early investigators will bear the brunt of this in the coming 1-2 years. It's not a great time to be in academic medicine, esp as an investigator reliant on grants. Thank you for your support. Thank you Professor Flier. JMM This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sensible-med.com/subscribe

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Today witnesses the extreme hype of US employment data. Today's data also has annual benchmark revisions, which will confuse the headlines. Weirdly, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has cancelled all briefings explaining data. This is not necessarily helpful as data becomes more complex, inaccurate, and misunderstood. It has also fueled disquiet that the new US administration might politicize the way data is calculated (survey responses are already partisan).

Orcs have been removed completely from the new Dungeons & Dragons Monster's Manual? This after years of activists calling orcs "racist." Weirdly enough, goblins and kobolds are still included. Isn't that kinda racist? We talk about how silly Wizards of the Coast is with 5e and beyond.

Louise Edington discusses the Astrology of the Leo Full Moon on February 12, 2025, emphasizing its significance in the 9 year of the cycle and the 5/14 universal day, symbolizing change. The moon is at 24 degrees Leo, highlighting heart and joy, while the sun in Aquarius focuses on the nervous system. The chart features a fixed T-square with Uranus, Ceres, and Mercury, urging radical changes. Key astrological elements include Neptune-North Node conjunction, Chiron in Aries, and the upcoming Venus retrograde. Louise stresses self-care, regulation of the nervous system, and the importance of courage and bravery during this period. Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation For more from Louise, follow Louise at louiseedington.com or https://www.facebook.com/WildWomanUnleashed/ My fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

The Drive explained why they hate the Pro Bowl, but the fact is it rates surprisingly well on TV.

Is the Fraternal Order of policing regretting their decision to endorse Donald Trump for President yet? Weirdly, I'll bet Trump didn't expect this from his pardon...Plus - you will be surprised how Trump decided on a blanket pardon. Trump signs an executive order asserting that all American men are actually, legally women. With these people, the stupid goes all the way down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

She rises to guide you through the cosmic shifts as Louise Edington shares the astrological forecast for the week of January 26, 2025. Highlights include the moon in Sagittarius squaring the nodes, Mars retrograde and out of bounds, and a dynamic trapeze pattern with Pallas Athena, Mars, and Venus. The week ends with a new moon in Aquarius and Uranus stationing direct, signaling major changes ahead. For more from Louise, subscribe to this channel and check the bell to receive notifications when new content is uploaded. Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE or PAID for daily written updates and more. https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedingtonWork with the Cosmic Owl:Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultationFollow Louise at her website louiseedington.com.Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicOwlLouiseEdington/Louise's fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com////FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY /// FYI I READ EVERY COMMENT AND DELETE INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS /// This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Louise Edington discusses the week ahead astrology forecast, starting January 19th, highlighting key transits and their implications. She mentions her "Life-Changing Venus Retrograde Journey" class, see link below. Key events include the conjunction of Venus and Saturn on January 18, which may bring clarity and transformation. Mars remains out of bounds until April 7, adding eccentric energy. Mercury goes back in bounds on January 20, coinciding with Trump's inauguration. The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20, marking a new cycle. Venus will retrograde on January 28, influencing relationships and structures. The week is marked by significant astrological aspects, including Mercury's sextile with Saturn and Venus, and the Sun's conjunction with Pluto at 01 degrees Aries. Louise advises preparation for potential disruptions and emphasizes the importance of love and justice.Register for the Quantum Astrology Gathering https://bit.ly/quantumastrologygatheringRegister for the Venus Retrograde Heroine's Journey https://bit.ly/venusjourney2025Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation For more from Louise, subscribe to this channel and check the bell to receive notifications AND/OR follow Louise at louiseedington.com or https://www.facebook.com/WildWomanUnleashed/ My fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Hear us out as we tell you who we think are WEIRDLY attractive.

After Jack Smith released his final report on Donald Trump's insurrection, Trump erupted, gloating over the failure to prosecute him. Meanwhile, Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, MAGA hero Pete Hegseth, had some alarming moments at his confirmation hearing, and the MAGA cheerleading for him hints at ugly times ahead. Take this all together and Trump and MAGA look invincible right now. So we talked to historian Julian Zelizer, author of a good piece in The New Republic that reminds us that George W. Bush looked formidable in 2004, only to see the tide turn dramatically two years later. Zelizer discusses his new book, In Defense of Partisanship, and explains why Trump-MAGA's grip on power may prove fragile, especially if Democrats fight them effectively. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Jack Smith released his final report on Donald Trump's insurrection, Trump erupted, gloating over the failure to prosecute him. Meanwhile, Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, MAGA hero Pete Hegseth, had some alarming moments at his confirmation hearing, and the MAGA cheerleading for him hints at ugly times ahead. Take this all together and Trump and MAGA look invincible right now. So we talked to historian Julian Zelizer, author of a good piece in The New Republic that reminds us that George W. Bush looked formidable in 2004, only to see the tide turn dramatically two years later. Zelizer discusses his new book, In Defense of Partisanship, and explains why Trump-MAGA's grip on power may prove fragile, especially if Democrats fight them effectively. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Jack Smith released his final report on Donald Trump's insurrection, Trump erupted, gloating over the failure to prosecute him. Meanwhile, Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, MAGA hero Pete Hegseth, had some alarming moments at his confirmation hearing, and the MAGA cheerleading for him hints at ugly times ahead. Take this all together and Trump and MAGA look invincible right now. So we talked to historian Julian Zelizer, author of a good piece in The New Republic that reminds us that George W. Bush looked formidable in 2004, only to see the tide turn dramatically two years later. Zelizer discusses his new book, In Defense of Partisanship, and explains why Trump-MAGA's grip on power may prove fragile, especially if Democrats fight them effectively. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00 - It's been awhile! Let's play another edition of NFL True or False?14:07 - Moser has a surprisingly existential take on last night's Nuggets loss.36:38 - We're having fun with the game shows today, so let's make a Fact Checker game show. 

300 episodes is quite a milestone, luckily we forgot to talk about that because we recorded this on January 6th and we had to be a little silly ok? That's what being a patriot is all about. This is the first episode of our new high concept season: Westdeutschland, aber Riesling ist verboten - "Western Gemany, but Riesling is forbidden," where we discuss German Wines without the crutch of riesling. Weirdly enough, this episode is all about riesling, but it's the kind of thing that makes sense if you listen to it enough and also if you join the patreon.   ////LIST////  Weiser Kunsteler, Mosel trocken, 'Trabener Gaispfad, ' 2022 //Weingut Seckinger, Pfalz, ‘KIESELBERG WURZELECHT' 2020////Support the show

No matter where you spend your time, online or off, you've encountered some form of therapy speak. Maybe it comes from a friend who loves processing their therapy with others; maybe it suffuses your TikTok FYP; maybe your friends or family members have been using it to try and describe how they're trying to foster and maintain healthy relationships; or maybe you've just been keeping up on the latest celebrity gossip. It's everywhere — and as you'll find in this episode, tracing its proliferation will lead you in so many fascinating (and complex!) directions. I'll be real: I knew this episode would be interesting; I didn't know it would be this interesting. As soon as I heard about the new podcast Bad Therapist — cohosted by psychotherapist Ash Compton and New Yorker journalist Rachel Monroe — I knew they'd be the perfect people to help answer all of your questions about therapy speak. This is complicated s**t! We're talking about language that is often super useful to people… but can also be weaponized (GAH, THERAPY SPEAK) to inoculate those using it from critique. Weirdly, I feel like it's the perfect New Year's Day episode? I can't wait to hear your thoughts about all of it. Join the ranks of paid subscribers and get bonus content, access to the discussion threads, ad-free episodes, and the knowledge that you're supporting an indie pod trying to make its way in the world. If you're already a subscriber-- thank you! Join us in the discussion thread for this episode! Got a question or idea for a future episode? Let us know here. To hear more, visit culturestudypod.substack.com

Louise Edington discusses the Astrology of the Capricorn New Moon on December 30th at 5:26 PM Eastern, highlighting its significance at nine degrees and its conjunction with Centaur Pholus. She notes the ongoing T-square and kite patterns, emphasizing the completion phase and spiritual growth associated with the number nine. Louise also addresses the fixed T-square involving Mars, Pluto, and Creatrix Haumea, indicating significant change and the need for integrity. The new moon is conjunct Pallas Athena, symbolizing strategic justice, and is in a wide square with Black Moon Lilith, emphasizing fairness and equality. Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation For more from Louise, subscribe to this channel and check the bell to receive notifications Follow Louise at her website louiseedington.com. Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicOwlLouiseEdington/ Louise's fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Louise Edington discusses the astrology forecast for the week starting Sunday, December 15, highlighting a Super Moon in Gemini and Mercury stationing direct. She mentions recent news about Nancy Pelosi's injury and potential SEC indictment of Elon Musk. Edington details the astrological aspects, including the moon out of bounds, the full moon at 23 degrees Gemini, and Mercury's direct station at 6 degrees Sagittarius. She explains the significance of Luna maximum and the impact of these astrological events on truth-telling, leadership, and collective needs. Edington also touches on the upcoming winter solstice and the moon's movement through the signs, emphasizing the week's potential for significant revelations and changes. Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation For more from Louise, subscribe to this channel and check the bell to receive notifications AND/OR follow Louise at louiseedington.com or https://www.facebook.com/WildWomanUnleashed/ My fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Stupidity personified by NFL Head Coach. Cigar industry legend Jose Seijas passes away; and Jaguar emulates Bud Light going weirdly woke. Cigar Selection: Volition America by Gurkha

Louise Edington discusses the astrological week ahead, emphasizing the significance of the new moon in Sagittarius and the subsequent square with Saturn, which could bring clarity and patience. She highlights the retrograde of Mercury and the stationing of Mars and Neptune, indicating potential revelations and challenges. Key aspects include Mercury's trine with Chiron, Jupiter's square with Nessus, and Venus's sextile with Neptune. The week culminates with a cazimi of Mercury, potentially revealing significant truths. Louise encourages using tools like muscle testing to discern true information and emphasizes the importance of speaking one's truth. Louise also gives a shout out to @ProfessionalAquarian and @TarotPolitics for their amazing work. And also @JessicaDenson07 for news. Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation For more from Louise, subscribe to this channel and check the bell to receive notifications AND/OR follow Louise at louiseedington.com or https://www.facebook.com/WildWomanUnleashed/ My fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Louise Edington discusses the astrology and impacts of Mercury retrograde and the Cazimi event, which is conjunct the Uranus nodes, affecting North America and how the mention of the map line caused anxiety. Mea Culpa. She explains the significance of mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) and their ability to adapt to change. Edington highlights key astrological events in December, including a Sagittarius new moon, mutable Mercury aspects, and the influence of Jupiter and Neptune. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and mind magic to navigate these chaotic times, urging people to focus on their inner truth and respond with integrity. Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE or PAID for daily written updates and more. https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation For more from Louise, subscribe to this channel and check the bell to receive notifications Follow Louise at her website louiseedington.com. Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicOwlLouiseEdington/ Louise's fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Louise Edington discusses the astrology of and the significance of December 5-7, highlighting the conjunction of Mercury and the Sun (Cazimi) at 14 degrees Sagittarius, coinciding with the North Node of Uranus and retrograde Jupiter, and square Saturn and Nessus in Pisces. This alignment, known as a mutable T-square, is expected to bring radical changes and breakthroughs. Edington also mentions the impact of Mars stationing retrograde on the North Node of the USA and the conjunction of Venus and Ceres with Pluto and Neptune at zero degrees Aquarius PLUS Neptune stationing Direct square to the Galactic Center. She emphasizes the potential for MAJOR shifts in information, truth, and perception, and encourages viewers to prepare for significant changes. Join the Mercurial Mind Magic Class https://www.louiseedington.com/mercurial-mind-magic-reveal-your-inner-vision Subscribe to Louise's Substack blog for FREE or PAID for daily written updates and more. https://cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/ Check out Louise's Amazon store for books and other products I love and recommend! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cosmicowlastrology-louiseedington Work with the Cosmic Owl: Book a consultation. https://bookme.name/louiseedington/astrology-consultation For more from Louise, subscribe to this channel and check the bell to receive notifications Follow Louise at her website louiseedington.com. Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicOwlLouiseEdington/ Louise's fave numerology resource is http://numerology-thenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

After Matt Gaetz abruptly withdrew from consideration as Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, Trump seemed uncharacteristically muted. Intriguingly, he accepted this outcome without once trying to crack the whip on the Senate Republicans who apparently blocked Gaetz's nomination—which is doubly strange, as MAGA personalities were furiously urging Trump to use recess appointments to put the Senate GOP in its place. What really happened among Republicans here? We talked to Congressional scholar Norman Ornstein, who brilliantly explains what's really driving the key GOP senators to watch going forward—and whether we'll see real resistance among them to Trump's future authoritarian excesses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices