Podcasts about Wellesley

Agradece a este podcast tantas horas de entretenimiento y disfruta de episodios exclusivos como éste. ¡Apóyale en iVoox! Acceso anticipado para Fans - ** VIDEO EN NUESTRO CANAL DE YOUTUBE **** https://youtube.com/live/mhDQP3LHEJU +++++ Hazte con nuestras camisetas en https://www.bhmshop.app +++++ Hoy José Antonio López Fernández, uno de los historiadores militares más rigurosos de nuestro canal, nos trae un análisis detallado y documentado sobre Francisco López Ballesteros, el teniente general asturiano que se convirtió en uno de los grandes defensores de Andalucía durante la Guerra de la Independencia. Desde su nacimiento en Brea (Aragón) en 1771 hasta su nombramiento como Capitán General de Andalucía en 1812, recorremos su trayectoria: la Guerra del Rosellón, la invasión de Portugal, su papel en Asturias en 1808-1809, la integración en el Ejército de la Izquierda del Marqués de la Romana, la batalla de Alba de Tormes y, sobre todo, sus operaciones en Extremadura y Andalucía. El corazón del episodio está en 1811-1812: • Su nombramiento como Comandante General del Campo de Gibraltar • Los combates de Alcalá de los Gazules y Jimena de la Frontera • El 1er Combate de Bornos (5 de noviembre de 1811) • La heroica defensa del Asedio de Tarifa (noviembre 1811 – enero 1812) frente a las columnas francesas de Leval, Barrois y Pêcheux • La Batalla de Bornos del 1 de junio de 1812 • Y su persecución del Ejército de Soult hasta su negativa a obedecer a Wellesley y su detención en Granada en octubre de 1812 Un relato preciso de unidades, mandos, movimientos y decisiones que nos muestran cómo la tenacidad española, incluso en inferioridad numérica, fue clave en la guerra contra Napoleón. ¿Qué encontrarás en este episodio? • La carrera completa de Ballesteros con datos de primera mano • Desglose táctico del Asedio de Tarifa y las dos batallas de Bornos • Orden de batalla español y francés • Lecciones de liderazgo y estrategia que trascienden el siglo XIX ✅ Suscríbete y activa la campana para no perderte nada. SUSCRÍBETE a @BELLUMARTISHISTORIAMILITAR y @BELLUMARTISACTUALIDADMILITAR para no perderte ningún programa y únete a nuestra comunidad de apasionados por la historia militar, la geopolítica y los conflictos del mundo. Apóyanos para seguir creando contenido riguroso e independiente: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bellumartis PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/bellumartis Bizum: 656 778 825 Síguenos también en redes: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellumartis Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/Bellumartis Bellumartis Historia Militar — Porque entender el pasado es prepararse para el futuro. ¿Qué opinas de la figura de Ballesteros? ¿Quieres que José Antonio vuelva con otro tema de la Guerra de la Independencia? ¡Déjanos tus comentarios, os leemos! #HistoriaMilitar #GuerraDeLaIndependencia #Ballesteros #AsedioDeTarifa #BatallasDeBornos #Bellumartis #JoseAntonioLopezFernandez #PeninsularWar Escucha este episodio completo y accede a todo el contenido exclusivo de BELLUMARTIS PODCAST. Descubre antes que nadie los nuevos episodios, y participa en la comunidad exclusiva de oyentes en https://go.ivoox.com/sq/618669

Julia Regier is a policy and research manager at MIT's Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work, where she focuses on workforce and policy impacts. Her path here was anything but straight, from studying philosophy at Wellesley to an MBA at Yale to translating dense economics research for people who don't speak economics. We talk about what the data shows for workers without college degrees (spoiler: it's not great, and it's been getting worse since 1980), why the self-checkout AI surveillance story is a perfect case study in automation gone wrong, and what it would take to redirect AI development toward something that works for workers, not just around them. We also get into the market failure at the heart of how AI is being built, why a handful of people setting the vision for all of us is a problem, and what policy levers could shift things. Julia also makes the moral case, loud and clear, for a living wage, and we're here for it. Chapters 00:00 - Intro - Felicia and Rachel talk local politics, civic assemblies, and more 20:28 - Welcome Julia! Her Nonlinear Path: Philosophy, Recruiting & Landing at MIT 25:00 - Worker Ownership, Co-ops & Why It's Harder Than It Sounds 29:35 - Job Quality for Workers Without College Degrees: What the Data Shows 37:00 - AI Surveillance, Self-Checkout & the Annoyance Factor 43:45 - Taking the Long View: Policy Impacts & the Case for Investing in Children 49:40 - Who's Setting the Vision for AI (and Why That's a Problem) 54:26 - Pro-Worker AI: Policy Levers That Could Actually Change Course 62:00 - Gender, Diversity & Who's Missing from the Research 65:20 - If You Could Change One Thing + Closing Thoughts Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

Host David Myers welcomes historian Ellen DuBois to discuss her recently published book about the life, legacy, and contradictions of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Ellen emphasizes Stanton's central role in launching the women's suffrage movement alongside Susan B. Anthony and her enduring relevance to modern debates over women's rights, religion, and democracy. Ellen explores Stanton's partnerships with Anthony and Frederick Douglass, her disappointment during Reconstruction when women were excluded from expanded voting rights, and her increasingly controversial critiques of organized Christianity through works like The Woman's Bible. The conversation also confronts Stanton's racist and nativist rhetoric, with Ellen examining how her elite class background and the prejudices of 19th-century America shaped some of her most troubling views. Ellen argues that Stanton's vision of women's equality, bodily autonomy, and expanded democracy remains deeply connected to present-day political struggles over issues such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade, conservative Christian activism, and modern “household voting” proposals.Dr. Ellen DuBois is a Distinguished Research Professor of United States History at UCLA. Ellen earned her B.A. in History from Wellesley and her PhD from Northwestern University. She taught at the University at Buffalo before joining the UCLA faculty until her retirement in 2017. She has published many works, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton: A Revolutionary Life (Hachette 2026), Suffrage: Women's Long Battle for the Vote (Simon & Schuster 2020), Feminism and Suffrage: The Emergence of an Independent Women's Movement in America 1848–1869 (Cornell 1999), and Harriot Stanton Blatch and the Winning of Woman Suffrage (Yale 1997) which won the Joan Kelly Memorial Prize of the American Historical Association. 

Friends, family and loved ones came together to in Wellesley to say goodbye to two children whose lives were taken much too soon. Authorities have released the name of the firefighter killed in a massive fire and explosion Friday morning at a Lumber Mill in Sears-Mont, Maine. A cause that hits close to home for thousands in Massachusetts will be holding a fundraiser today. Stay in "The Loop" with #iHeartRadio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We spoke with Glynn Hawley, Director of Operations for the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), anout the 2026 event, aiming to raise $79 million for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The event on August 1-2 will feature 6,000 riders starting from Holy Cross in Worcester and Boston College in Wellesley.

Looking for a new car? Get ready to pay up. We're seeing record high prices for new vehicles around the country, including here in New England. It's rare to find one that comes in under $30,000, with more luxury vehicles, SUV's, and pickup trucks on the lots than affordable sedans. Why the change, especially when so many Americans are struggling to get by? Nichole spoke with John Marthinsen, Professor of Economics and International Business at Babson College in Wellesley, to get insight and answers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Born and raised in Wellesley, Massachusetts, today's guest has never been afraid to bet on himself. After a few years at the University of New Hampshire, he made a life-changing move at just 20 years old—heading to Chicago to work on the legendary futures trading floor at the Chicago Board of Trade, right in the middle of one of the most intense, high-pressure environments in the country.In 2008, he pivoted and opened his first restaurant back in Wellesley. Like many business owners during the recession, he faced enormous challenges and ultimately sold the restaurant in 2010. Instead of slowing down, he pivoted again.Bobby jumped into real estate and started building an entirely new career from the ground up. Then, in 2016, he and his family relocated to Rockford to raise their young children, which opened the door to the next chapter of his story.In 2017, Bobby joined SupplyCore as their in-house real estate broker. He was in charge of all their local real estate, logistics, warehousing, and property management. He spent three years there and departed in 2020.In 2020, he partnered with Chris Manuel to expand real estate development into residential rehabbing and also took over all property management for CMM & Associates. He spent two years there, leaving in 2022.In the fall of 2022, he decided to go back to selling real estate full-time and joined Dickerson Nieman.And now he has two major projects on North Main Street on Rockford's Northwest side.

State Police mourn a trooper killed in a wrong-way crash in Lynnfield. A Wellesley woman accused of murdering her two children pleads not guilty. The US and Iran appear closer to ending the war. Stay in "The Loop" with WBZ NewsRadio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As much as every student anticipates four or more years of perfect health during their undergraduate studies, life happens. Luckily, illness or injuries don't need to mean an end to your academic journey, especially if you know the right way to take a pause. Amy and Mike invited college advisors Jennifer Stephan and Karen Flood to explain the process of taking a medical leave of absence from college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is a medical leave of absence (MLOA), and how do colleges actually use medical leaves? What is the typical timeline for a leave request? How do you know when a medical leave is the right decision versus trying to push through? How do students return from a medical leave, and what are colleges really looking for in that process? What does a medical leave mean for a student's future? MEET OUR GUESTS Dr. Jennifer Stephan has held a variety of roles at top colleges and universities, including professor, academic dean, and board of admissions member, in addition to serving as a private college counselor, an alumni interviewer for Johns Hopkins University, and a parent of three. She holds a BS degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University, as well as an MS and a PhD in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Jennifer is currently the Dean of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies for the School of Engineering at Tufts University. Prior to joining Tufts in 2016, she spent over two decades serving as a dean and a professor of Computer Science at Wellesley College, where she collaborated with colleagues at MIT, Olin College of Engineering, and Babson College to support students pursuing engineering. While at Wellesley, Jennifer served on the College's Board of Admissions, reading and evaluating approximately one hundred transfer applications each year. Jennifer is also the founder of Lantern College Counseling, a robust college counseling practice where she regularly draws on insights from her experience leading in higher education to help students develop their college lists and shape competitive, authentic applications. Jennifer specializes in STEM, computer science, engineering, undecided, and transfer students. She is a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) and a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). Jennifer appeared on the podcast in episode 620 to discuss ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS AN UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, in episode 541 to discuss NAVIGATING THE COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ADMISSIONS, and in episode 559 for an IEC Profile. Find Jennifer at jennifer@lanterncollege.com or https://www.lanterncollegecounseling.com. Dr. Karen Flood is the founder of Riverside College Coaching, LLC, which provides one-on-one support to help students thrive in college. With deep insider knowledge of universities, Karen supports students in their transition to college-level academics, helping them develop organizational and time-management skills and a stronger sense of self-efficacy.  Before founding Riverside College Coaching, Karen spent three decades at Harvard University as Associate Dean of the Harvard Summer School, a Resident Dean of Harvard College, Director of Undergraduate Studies, First-Year Adviser, and Lecturer. In these roles, she counseled hundreds of students navigating academic and personal difficulties.  Karen has a BA from Yale University and a PhD from Harvard University and has received multiple teaching distinctions at Harvard, including the Jan Thaddeus Teaching Prize. Karen can be reached at karen@riversidecollegecoaching.com. LINKS Medical Leave of Absence in College: What Families Need to Know About Readiness, Documentation, and Return Know Your Rights: Leave of Absence Policies in Higher Education RELATED EPISODES HOW TO PERSIST TO COLLEGE GRADUATION COLLEGE TRANSITIONS AND DISTRESS TOLERANCE MAKING THE MOST OF COLLEGE SUPPORT SYSTEMS ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.  

Send us Fan MailThough her high-flying literary husband took center-stage, Consuelo de Saint-Exupéry was more than just the metaphorical “rose” in his novella The Little Prince. She was a writer and artist in her own right, with a gift for storytelling that's evidenced in the now out-of-print novel Oppède. Following her death, an undiscovered memoir she wrote about her marriage to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry surfaced among her belongings and was published to great acclaim in 2000 as The Tale of the Rose. Wellesley professor Sara Kippur joins us in conversation to discuss the glittering life and literary merits of this often-overlooked 20th-century figure.Mentioned in this episodeThe Tale of the Rose: The Love Story Behind The Little Prince by Consuelo de Saint-ExupéryOppède or Kingdom of the Rocks by Consuelo de Saint-ExupéryNew York Nouveau: How Postwar French Literature Became American by Sara KippurThe Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-ExupéryJosé VasconcelosEnrique Gomez CarrilloNelly de VogüéAlain VircondeletJosé Martines FructuosoLost Ladies of Lit Episode No. 117 on Zelda FitzgeraldAndré GideAndré BretonOppèdeWebsite with photos of Consuelo's artVarian FryElsa TrioletTropisms by Nathalie SarrauteThe Sea Wall by Marguerite DurasSupport the showFor episodes and show notes, visit: LostLadiesofLit.comSubscribe to our substack newsletter.Follow us on instagram @lostladiesoflit. Email us: Contact — Lost Ladies of Lit Podcast

A Wellesley woman accused of killing her two children is due in court today, President Trump responds to the manifesto of the alleged White House Correspondents shooter, and the Boston Fleet get ready for the playoffs. Stay in "The Loop" with WBZ NewsRadio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two children found dead inside a home in Wellesley last night, The U.S. Military strikes another alleged drug trafficking boat, The world health organization says Algeria has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. Stay in "The Loop" with WBZ NewsRadio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students at Wellesley High School are helping imagine what learning could look like in 2040. In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia talks with Alty and Anaya, two learners from the school's Evolutions (EVOLS) program, about designing future-ready classrooms, visiting innovative schools, and building skills through hands-on, project-based experiences. From CTE-inspired spaces and collaborative learning environments to student voice and public speaking, this conversation offers a powerful look at what happens when young people are invited to help shape the future of education. Outline (0:00) Introduction (3:28) What Is Evolutions? (6:54) School Visits & Inspiration (8:40) Designing the Future of Education (23:31) Student Voice & Changing Education Links Watch the full video here Read the full blog here Wellesley High School Student Presentation  

Former Brigham and Women's doctor Derrick Todd is arraigned on new sexual assault charges. President Trump orders the navy to "shoot and kill" Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Tulip mania returns to Wellesley. Stay in "The Loop" with WBZ NewsRadio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma TulipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hoy vivimos uno de los episodios más especiales de Km 43.David nos cuenta desde dentro cómo fue correr el Boston Marathon, una de las carreras más míticas e históricas del mundo, y cómo esa meta significó mucho más que terminar otros 42 kilómetros: significó cerrar un camino de más de nueve años completando las seis Marathon Majors.Hablamos de la feria del corredor, el ambiente único de la ciudad, la complicada logística del race day, el recorrido desde Hopkinton hasta Boston, el famoso Scream Tunnel de Wellesley, las Newton Hills, Heartbreak Hill y la inolvidable llegada por Boylston Street.Un episodio de emociones, esfuerzo, recuerdos y cierre de etapa.Y sí… Boston está completado.Y sí… ya es Six-Star Finisher.

Part Two is here What does it mean to grandparent on purpose? For Richard and Linda Eyre, the answer has been decades in the making. The bestselling authors of Teaching Your Children Values have evolved with their family, from nine children to 34 grandchildren, and along the way have developed a philosophy of proactive grandparenting that mirrors what good leadership looks like at any stage of life. In this 1st of 2 conversations about Richard Eyre’s new book, The Grandparenting Blueprint:How to Teach Your Grandchildren Life’s Most Important Lessons, we discuss: Why grandparenting is where parenting was 50 years ago — a new frontier for intentional engagement The crucial mindset shift: from manager (the parent’s role) to consultant (the grandparent’s opportunity) Their TEAM framework — Trunk, Ear, Assembler, and Matcher — four roles every grandparent can play regardless of geography or circumstance Grammy Camp, one-on-one grandfather dates, and other practices that create genuine connection across generations The Five-Facet Review: a structured conversation with adult children that turns grandparents into informed, effective supporters How knowing your family roots builds resilience in children — and what research from 9/11 survivors revealed about the power of family stories The four types of grandparents — from disengaged to all-in, and why the all-in approach treats grandparenting like a second career Linda brings warmth, insights and creativity to the grandmothering side of the equation, such as music, art, storytelling, and the precious one-on-one moments that reveal what grandchildren are really thinking. Richard brings his Harvard MBA mindset (and toolkit) to the legacy-building and structured side of grandparenting, including how to give financial help without creating entitlement. This episode is a masterclass on how to cultivate meaningful relationships with intention. It's a powerful reminder that grandparenting, like retirement itself, is far too important to leave to chance. Linda and Richard Eyre join us from Utah. _________________________ For More on Linda & Richard Eyre The Grandparenting Blueprint:How to Teach Your Grandchildren Life’s Most Important Lessons (Amazon) Also available from the publisher at the author’s price (40% off) https://familius.com/book/the-grandparenting-blueprint/ Use the coupon code EYREFRIEND at checkout Website Grandmothering: The Secrets to Making a Difference While Having the Time of Your Life – by Linda Eyre Online Grandparenting 101 Course _________________________ Bio Richard and Linda Eyre are among the most popular speakers in the world on parenting and families. Their clients and audiences range from The Young President's Organization (YPO) and major corporations and associations to a wide array of school, civic, church and community groups. They find it remarkable and gratifying that in every one of the 50+ countries where they have presented, parents have similar hopes, dreams and worries about their children regardless of economic, religious, geographic, and cultural differences. The Eyres are authors of more than 50 books, most of which deal with work/family balance and parenting, and one of which, Teaching Your Children Values, became the only parenting book in more than fifty years  to reach #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In addition to their ongoing work with parents, their latest books are about grandparenting and “Life in Full” for Baby Boomers. Richard and Linda have been frequent guests on national network shows including Oprah, The Today Show, Prime Time Live, 60 Minutes, and Good Morning America; and they once did regular segments on the CBS Early Show. Their parenting website, ValuesParenting.com, provides ideas, guidance and creative programs for families throughout the world. But their most important production is their nine children (“one of every kind”) who, through the years, have helped formulate their ideas for books and speeches. The second generation Eyres and their spouses are an impressive bunch, all with university degrees from the likes of Wellesley, Harvard, Columbia, M.I.T., Stanford, and BYU and all having interrupted their university education to spend up to two years living abroad, studying, doing missionary work and providing humanitarian service. They are also doing their part to expand the importance of family through their own speaking, books, blogs, and websites, and they have presented Richard and Linda with 34 grandchildren. Beyond their speaking engagements, the Eyre's favorite travel projects are humanitarian expeditions to places like Ethiopia, Kenya, Bolivia, India, Romania and Mexico, and the family's Eyrealm Foundation focuses on assisting and strengthening third world families. Richard is a Harvard MBA, president of his own management consulting company (which worked with national political candidates and locally ran campaigns to build Symphony Hall, restore the Capitol Theater, expand the Salt Palace, extend the Central Utah Project and save the Hogle Zoo) and a nationally ranked senior tennis player. He was a mission president for his church in London and a former director of the White House Conference on Parents and Children as well as a candidate for Utah Governor. Linda is a teacher, musician, and co-founder of International JoySchools.com, an in-home, do-it-yourself co-op and program for teaching preschoolers the joys of life. Both Richard and Linda have served on numerous arts, university, and non-profit boards and do a radio show/podcast at BYUradio called Eyres on the Road that is now in its 14th annual season. _____________________________ Retirement Podcast Conversations You May Love Grandparents' Day – Kerry Byrne & Ted Page The Mindful Grandparent – Dr. Shirley Showalter The Art of Relationships with Adult Children – Francine Toder, PhD ______________________________ About The Retirement Wisdom Podcast There are many podcasts on retirement, often hosted by financial advisors with their own financial motives, that cover the money side of the street. This podcast is different. You'll get smarter about the investment decisions you'll make about the most important asset you'll have in retirement: your time. About Retirement Wisdom I help people who are retiring, but aren't quite done yet, discover what's next and build their custom version of their next life. A meaningful retirement doesn't just happen by accident. Schedule a call today to discuss how the Designing Your Life process created by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans can help you make your life in retirement a great one — on your own terms. About Your Podcast Host Joe Casey is an executive coach who helps people design their next life after their primary career and create their version of The Multipurpose Retirement.™ He created his own next chapter after a 26-year career at Merrill Lynch, where he was Senior Vice President and Head of HR for Global Markets & Investment Banking. Joe has earned Master's degrees from the University of Southern California in Gerontology (at age 60), the University of Pennsylvania, and Middlesex University (UK), a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and his coaching certification from Columbia University. In addition to his work with clients, Joe hosts The Retirement Wisdom Podcast, ranked in the top 1% globally in popularity by Listen Notes, with over 2 million downloads. Business Insider recognized Joe as one of 23 innovative coaches who are making a difference. He's the author of Win the Retirement Game: How to Outsmart the 9 Forces Trying to Steal Your Joy. __________________________ Wise Quotes On The Grandparent’s Blueprint “Linda does it by group. So she’ll have her preschool group and then she’ll have her elementary age group and they all get their turn at the Grammy camp. And I’m sitting there, Joe, like, what am I? I mean, what am I doing? This fabulous Grammy is doing all these things with all these kids and I’m just sort of an observer.  And that’s really what led to this new book about these grandfather’s secrets. I thought, well, I want to leave a legacy. There’s certain life lessons I think I’ve learned as a management consultant and all the other things I’ve done in my life. And I want to  somehow condense those concepts into something simple enough that children can understand them. That’s my legacy.” – Richard Eyre — On Listening  “We just recently met with three of our granddaughters. They’re all in university. And so we went down there to meet with them and for breakfast. And it was so fun.  We call them the babes because we have these little separate groups and these are the babes. And it was so fun to be with them. But in one breakfast, we learned more about their life than we could have imagined. And what were the three things you asked? We just said, Look, we just said, while we’re having breakfast, we just want to hear your story. We want to hear your recent story. And they just got going on telling us things. And I thought, if we’d been too specific with our questions, we would have missed part of what they said.  We love to tell stories to grad kids, but what’s really great is having them tell you their story. We’ve found that if we, it sounds funny, but if we pull out a pad or a pen and take a few notes on what they’re saying, they realize we really are paying attention. We really want to know. And they tell their story and they know it’s safe with us.we we know more about them than we would have if we just spent a big family reunion and everybody because we had some one-on-one and not only that we had one-on-ones with little kids.” – Linda Eyre — On Lecturing “But the failure is the lecturing and the other failure I want to mention and I’ve made this more than Linda. Linda is way more sensitive.  I have failed in the sense that I’ve said to some of my own sons or daughters, I think you need to do a little better with this child on such and such. In other words, giving advice that’s unsolicited on parenting to your own children is almost always a mistake. It is. And we found another interesting thing. At one reunion, we did a survey, we had a survey to our adult kids and ask them, you know, do you feel like we’re too involved and not involved enough? Would you like more? Would you like less and all that. And we just saw everybody would just love everything we’ve done.  And then we got a couple of responses like, oops, we have not been very sensitive about this. He comes from a different family with a different mindset. And you really have to be so careful. So we learned so much from that. We backed off, we learned how to ask before we did things and not just blunder into it.” – Richard Eyre __________________________ Watch out for Part Two coming on Thursday on The Secrets section of The Grandparenting Blueprint  

¿Vas a correr en 2026 o tienes la mirada puesta en futuras ediciones? No te pierdas esta guía completa sobre cómo clasificarte, organizar tu viaje, conocer el circuito y, sobre todo, cómo disfrutar del ambiente eléctrico de la ciudad.En este episodio de A Tu Ritmo nos sumergimos de lleno en el maratón más antiguo y legendario del mundo: Boston. De la mano de Pablo Villalobos y Chema Martínez Pastor, desgranamos todo lo que necesitas saber si tienes el sueño de correr desde Hopkinton hasta Boylston Street.Desde los complejos requisitos de marca y los periodos de inscripción, hasta consejos logísticos sobre alojamiento en una ciudad que se encarece durante el fin de semana del maratón. Además, analizamos el recorrido "rompepiernas" de Boston, la famosa Heartbreak Hill y por qué esta prueba es una de las más difíciles de gestionar emocional y físicamente.Momentos destacados:00:00 – Bienvenida al programa y presentación.00:45 – El dilema del huso horario y la conexión con el Maratón de Nueva York.01:23 – Introducción al Maratón de Boston: un evento ultra legendario.02:22 – Bloques del programa: Planificación, viaje y la prueba en sí.03:28 – ¿Por qué Boston no es válido para récords mundiales? El desnivel y el recorrido lineal.04:28 – Historia: La edición 130 y la inspiración en la carrera original de Maratón a Atenas.06:01 – Cómo participar: El proceso de clasificación por marcas y grupos de edad.07:37 – Fechas clave: Periodos de inscripción y validez de las marcas09:40 – Anécdota de Chema: El problema de los nombres y apellidos en la inscripción.10:58 – Nuevas normas: Restricciones a las carreras con excesiva bajada.11:45 – El sistema de "corte" (Cut-off time) y cómo se asignan los dorsales.14:44 – Evolución histórica de los tiempos de corte desde los años 70.16:26 – Logística: Alojamiento en Boston y la importancia de la cancelación gratuita.18:38 – Puntos clave en el mapa: Boylston Street, Boston Common y Cambridge.20:53 – La Feria del Corredor: Horarios, seguridad y material de Adidas.24:47 – Ferias alternativas y apoyo al comercio local.26:52 – Eventos paralelos, tiendas locales (TrackSmith, Rabbit) y entrenamientos.29:27 – Turismo en Boston: Freedom Trail, Quincy Market y la Universidad de Harvard.31:36 – Gastronomía típica: Clam Chowder y Lobster Rolls.36:30 – Día de la carrera: Logística de los autobuses oficiales hacia Hopkinton.40:18 – Reglas de seguridad: La bolsa transparente y qué puedes llevar al autobús.42:09 – Trucos para la salida: Ropa vieja, ponchos y protectores para el barro.44:50 – Análisis del recorrido: Un circuito traicionero de solo cinco curvas.46:39 – Estrategia de carrera: Cómo gestionar las bajadas iniciales para no destruir los cuádriceps.49:24 – El muro de Boston: Las Newton Hills y la temida Heartbreak Hill.50:31 – El "Túnel de los gritos" en Wellesley y la animación de la ciudad.54:31 – El factor clima: De la tormenta de 2016 al calor primaveral.56:42 – La recta final en Boylston Street y el ambiente de meta.57:31 – Post-carrera: La medalla del unicornio, la fiesta oficial y el "Medal Day".58:47 – Despedida y cierre.Canal de Telegram: ⁠⁠https://web.telegram.org/k/#@aturitmochat⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/correaturitmoES⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/correaturitmo/

¿Vas a correr en 2026 o tienes la mirada puesta en futuras ediciones? No te pierdas esta guía completa sobre cómo clasificarte, organizar tu viaje, conocer el circuito y, sobre todo, cómo disfrutar del ambiente eléctrico de la ciudad. En este episodio de A Tu Ritmo nos sumergimos de lleno en el maratón más antiguo y legendario del mundo: Boston. De la mano de Pablo Villalobos y Chema Martínez Pastor, desgranamos todo lo que necesitas saber si tienes el sueño de correr desde Hopkinton hasta Boylston Street. Desde los complejos requisitos de marca y los periodos de inscripción, hasta consejos logísticos sobre alojamiento en una ciudad que se encarece durante el fin de semana del maratón. Además, analizamos el recorrido "rompepiernas" de Boston, la famosa Heartbreak Hill y por qué esta prueba es una de las más difíciles de gestionar emocional y físicamente. Momentos destacados: 00:00 – Bienvenida al programa y presentación. 00:45 – El dilema del huso horario y la conexión con el Maratón de Nueva York. 01:23 – Introducción al Maratón de Boston: un evento ultra legendario.0 2:22 – Bloques del programa: Planificación, viaje y la prueba en sí. 03:28 – ¿Por qué Boston no es válido para récords mundiales? El desnivel y el recorrido lineal. 04:28 – Historia: La edición 130 y la inspiración en la carrera original de Maratón a Atenas. 06:01 – Cómo participar: El proceso de clasificación por marcas y grupos de edad. 07:37 – Fechas clave: Periodos de inscripción y validez de las marcas 09:40 – Anécdota de Chema: El problema de los nombres y apellidos en la inscripción. 10:58 – Nuevas normas: Restricciones a las carreras con excesiva bajada. 11:45 – El sistema de "corte" (Cut-off time) y cómo se asignan los dorsales. 14:44 – Evolución histórica de los tiempos de corte desde los años 70.16:26 – Logística: Alojamiento en Boston y la importancia de la cancelación gratuita. 18:38 – Puntos clave en el mapa: Boylston Street, Boston Common y Cambridge. 20:53 – La Feria del Corredor: Horarios, seguridad y material de Adidas. 24:47 – Ferias alternativas y apoyo al comercio local. 26:52 – Eventos paralelos, tiendas locales (TrackSmith, Rabbit) y entrenamientos. 29:27 – Turismo en Boston: Freedom Trail, Quincy Market y la Universidad de Harvard. 31:36 – Gastronomía típica: Clam Chowder y Lobster Rolls. 36:30 – Día de la carrera: Logística de los autobuses oficiales hacia Hopkinton. 40:18 – Reglas de seguridad: La bolsa transparente y qué puedes llevar al autobús. 42:09 – Trucos para la salida: Ropa vieja, ponchos y protectores para el barro. 44:50 – Análisis del recorrido: Un circuito traicionero de solo cinco curvas. 46:39 – Estrategia de carrera: Cómo gestionar las bajadas iniciales para no destruir los cuádriceps. 49:24 – El muro de Boston: Las Newton Hills y la temida Heartbreak Hill. 50:31 – El "Túnel de los gritos" en Wellesley y la animación de la ciudad. 54:31 – El factor clima: De la tormenta de 2016 al calor primaveral. 56:42 – La recta final en Boylston Street y el ambiente de meta. 57:31 – Post-carrera: La medalla del unicornio, la fiesta oficial y el "Medal Day". 58:47 – Despedida y cierre. Canal de Telegram: ⁠⁠https://web.telegram.org/k/#@aturitmochat⁠⁠ FB: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/correaturitmoES⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/correaturitmo/

Visit us at Network2020.org. Three weeks into 2026, the United States removed a foreign head of state by force, threatened to take territory from a NATO ally, and backed a crackdown in Iran. Since this conversation was recorded in late January, the Supreme Court has struck down the president's sweeping tariffs, U.S. and Israeli strikes have killed Iran's supreme leader, and Europe has begun the largest military buildup since the Cold War.How dead is the U.S.-led rules-based order? What, if anything, might replace it? Will the emerging international system be shaped by cooperation or by competition and conflict? What roles will major powers — including China, the EU, and the BRICS — play in what comes next? And will the United States continue to act as a global enforcer, or has it become something else entirely?Join us for a discussion featuring Professor Amitav Acharya, UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance, and Distinguished Professor at the School of International Service at American University, and author of The Once and Future World Order: Why Global Civilization Will Survive the Decline of the West; Professor Daniel Drezner, Academic Dean and Distinguished Professor of International Politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University; and Professor Stacie Goddard, the Betty Freyhof Johnson '44 Professor of Political Science and Associate Provost for Wellesley in the World at Wellesley College. Together.Music by StudioKolomna from Pixabay.

Show Notes Mike Freiling was born in San Francisco. His interest in poetry was first kindled in the mid-‘60's, when he attended high school near the Haight Ashbury district, and attended readings by American Beat poets Gary Snyder, Allen Ginsberg, and Lenore Kandel. Freiling attended University of San Francisco and MIT and helped co-found MIT's literary magazine Rune. He studied poetry under David Ferry at Wellesley. After receiving his PhD, he was named a Luce Scholar with an appointment to Kyoto University, In 2014, Freiling returned to Kyoto where he and his wife Satsuki Takikawa co-translated They Never Asked, an anthology of senryu poetry written by Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II. Today we're going to talk about his translation of the 100 Poems From Old Japan published by Tuttle in 2025, some 46 years after Freiling's first draft.   The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press. Podcast host Amy Chavez is author of The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. and Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan.The Books on Asia website posts book reviews, podcast episodes and episode Show Notes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service. Subscribe to the Books on Asia newsletter to receive news of the latest new book releases, reviews and podcast episodes.

Arthur Wellesley war einer der besten Generäle der britischen Geschichte. Wer er war und wie er die Herrschaft einer Legende beendete, darum geht es heute.Unterstütze unseren Podcast gerne mit einem Einkauf auf www.godsrage.com – Nahrungsergänzungsmittel wie Whey oder Kreatin für wahre Krieger. Außerdem gibt es den besten Merch, damit du Flagge zeigen kannst! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After providing some key taper advice, we welcomed back a very special guest, Darren Sapper (Julie's husband), who has spectated the Boston Marathon ten times.Darren provides guidance on getting to the spectating spots and how to navigate Boston while with kids.We appreciate Darren's support of the podcast and our running and coaching pursuits. Thanks to Darren for joining us.Darren's coordinates for spectating spots:Mile 6.5 in Framingham: 16 Concord St, Framingham, MA 01702 (north side of the route, runner's left)Mile 13 in Wellesley: 13 Central St, Wellesley, MA 02482 (north side of the route, runner's left)Mile 20 in Newton: 638 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA 02459 (south side of the route, runner's right)Join us for our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

One of the benefits of my marathon training is that, most weekends, I get to jog over the Newton and Wellesley hills with my running buddy, John, who happens to be a financial advisor. Over the course of three hours we solve the problems of the world, reviewing them with dour pessimism at the start of our run and assessing them with breezy optimism later on, as the running endorphins kick in.

Abby Glassenberg is the co-founder and president of Craft Industry Alliance, the trade association for the crafts industry. The organization has over 2,000 members in all different sectors. She's also a sewing pattern designer, teacher, and journalist. Abby lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts with her husband, three children, and a rescue dog named Steve. You can reach Abby at https://abby@craftindustryalliance.org/   Abby is on Instagram

In this episode we answer emails from Optimus Bill, Mark and Ryan.  We discuss donor advised fund sponsor Daffy and a strips fund portfolio substitution, the challenges of figuring out accumulation without getting caught up in chasing shiny objects and magic investing buttons, and discuss commercial risk parity funds and why they probably won't work for your goals.  Errata:  I said "Mark" when I meant "Michael"  Mauboussin.And THEN we our go through our weekly and monthly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.Links:Fairfax CASA Donation Page:  Donate - Fairfax CASAFather McKenna Center Donation Page:  Donate - Father McKenna CenterCatching Up To FI Podcast with Daffy:  A Donor-Advised Fund For You (Daffy): Democratizing Philanthropy for Everyone | Adam Nash | 200White Coat Investor Article:  150 Investment Portfolio Examples | White Coat InvestorInfinite Loops Podcast with Jim O'Shaughnessy and Cliff Asness:  Surviving the Meme Stock Bubble | Cliff AsnessETF Slop Video:  The Rise of ETF SlopSample Portfolio Idea for Mark:  https://testfol.io/?s=flOaQQOXaH4Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:A community gift turns into a movement: we celebrate more than $13,000 raised for Fairfax CASA and announce a surprise $20,000 match, then open the books on how donor-advised funds make generosity simpler, cheaper, and more strategic. From flat-fee platforms to custom portfolios and social giving, we share how to build a micro-foundation that aligns your values with long-term impact.Then we zoom out to the decisions that actually move the needle. Forget the hunt for a magic fund—macro allocation drives results. For savers 20-plus years from retirement, we unpack a clean, high-conviction approach: 100% equities with a two-fund core that pairs large-cap growth with small-cap value for balanced offense. We explain why investors underperform their own holdings, how to avoid shiny-object drift, and the simple rules that keep compounding on track.Curious about adding more “oomph” without reckless leverage? We walk through using Treasury Strips like ZROZ to amplify bond duration and free space for equities or gold. We also answer a big question: do risk parity ETFs solve the problem? They exist, but most are built for elegant theory, not your actual goals—be it maximum accumulation or higher safe withdrawal rates. For families who want one-ticket simplicity, we highlight how long-standing workhorses like Vanguard Wellington or Wellesley can deliver steady spending without complex overlays or buckets.We close with a brisk market recap, why alternatives like managed futures can shine during turbulence, and the habit that consistently wins: do nothing when your plan is sound. Support the show

(DR. TONY MARTIN) On the truth about the Transatlantic Slavery Complex & 'The Jewish Onslaught... Dispatches from the Wellesley Battlefront / ALTERNATIVE FORUM CANADA

Keep your eyes open and don't be afraid of life. If you want to age gracefully, stay busy, positive, and connected. -Dede Ulbrich This week, we meet Dede Ulbrich, a beautiful 86-year-old woman whose secret to staying young is laughter, love, and connection.   The granddaughter of former New Hampshire Governor Francis P. Murphy and founder of WMUR radio and television stations, Dede was raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, where her big, Irish family believed in the glory of hard work and having fun.  In this interview, Dede recalls that men returning from World War II and Vietnam were changed forever, and she was determined to live her life to the fullest. As a friend and former colleague of political consultant and White House special assistant Kenny O'Donnell, Dede attended the Inaugural Ball for President John F. Kennedy and later experienced the horror of losing her favorite president to an assassin's bullet in Dallas. Years later, as the single mother of three sons, Dede rebuilt her life after divorce, taking a job selling running shoes at the Nike store in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Identified as a talented salesperson, she was recruited by company executives to join their elite marketing team.  Dede climbed the corporate ladder in a man's world with zero hesitation, creating relationships with Olympic runners like Joan Benoit Samuelson.  A runner herself, she later met and married her second husband, Dick Ulbrich, DMD, experiencing the joy of finding love the second time around. Known affectionately as“Doc”, her husband built a lasting friendship with a gardener from Weston, Massachusetts named Nelson McNutt, who lived to be 105, leaving his entire estate in gratitude to the couple.  www.nelsonsgarden.com.  Filled with the kind of wisdom that can only come from a life well lived, Dede says,“Life is good. Always look for the beauty in life.  Keep searching for the things that make you happy.”   For 25 minutes of inspiration, just hit that download button. #gratitude #age #kennedyassasination #nelsonsgarden

We all walk through different seasons of life, and Father Dave welcomes Sister Colleen Gibson to discuss accompanying those in times of grief. Sister Colleen belongs to the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, and co-hosts the "Beyond the Habit" podcast. She currently serves as the Coordinator of Pastoral Care at St. John-St. Paul Catholic Collaborative in Wellesley, MA, where among many things she helps run a bereavement ministry called "Seasons of Hope."  

How do we place a value on the things we keep and pass down? Objects can be timeless and multi-generational or they can be a burden to bear. Jack Russell Weinstein and his guest, Wellesley philosophy professor Erich Hatala Matthes explore the question, why should we save for posterity?

Visit us at Network2020.org. Since the end of World War II, the global order has been shaped largely by a Western liberal system led by the United States. Yet, recent developments, from the release of the U.S. National Security Strategy to the January capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces have underscored what many observers of international affairs argue is the end of that liberal, rules-based order. At the same time, rapid technological advancement and the rise of other powers, particularly China, further complicate the picture, dispersing power, shifting economic and political ties, and, in some cases invigorating and redirecting global institutions. How dead is the U.S.-led rules-based order? What, if anything, might replace it? And what might such a transition look like? Will the emerging international system be relatively peaceful and cooperative, or defined by heightened competition and conflict? What roles will major powers play in shaping a new order or disorder or is reform of the existing rules-based system still possible? Finally, will the United States continue to act as a global enforcer, or retreat into a more unilateral and unpredictable role?Join us for a panel discussion featuring Professor Amitav Acharya, UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance, and Distinguished Professor at the School of International Service at American University, and author of The Once and Future World Order: Why Global Civilization Will Survive the Decline of the West; Professor Daniel Drezner, Academic Dean and Distinguished Professor of International Politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University; and Professor Stacie Goddard, the Betty Freyhof Johnson '44 Professor of Political Science and Associate Provost for Wellesley in the World at Wellesley College. Together, they will explore these questions and assess what the future may hold for the international order.Music by Alex_Kizenkov from Pixabay.

(00:00)(18:50.79) PHIL PERRY covers the New England Patriots on NBC Sports Boston and joins the show.(32:01.11) THE STACK (Brought to you by our friends at Colonial Volkswagen in Medford, Wellesley and Westborough)Please note: Timecodes may shift by a few minutes due to inserted ads. Because of copyright restrictions, portions—or entire segments—may not be included in the podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode we answer emails from Midwest Nice, Ron and Stefan.  We discuss helping a cautious parent with a high-fee advisor, what services are actually worth paying for in their case, how to invest home-sale proceeds for a 5–10 year horizon, where to learn beyond basic indexing without losing the plot, the McKenna Man portfolio, and best approaches to try to beat the market (beyond don't try).  Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page:  Donate - Father McKenna CenterExcess Returns Channel: Excess Returns - YouTubeTacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse Video:  Tacoma Bridge Collapse: The Wobbliest Bridge in the World? (1940) | British PathéStefan's Sparkline Capital Article:  Buffett's Intangible MoatsBen Felix Video On Leverage:  Investing With Leverage (Borrowing to Invest, Leveraged ETFs) (youtube.com)Book List:Ashvin Chhabra:  "The Aspirational Investor"J. David Stein:  "Money For The Rest of Us"Michael Mauboussin:  "More Than You Know" and "Think Twice"Antti Ilmanen:  "Expected Returns" and "Investing Amid Low Expected Returns"Andrew Lo:  "In Pursuit of the Perfect Portfolio"Ed Thorpe:  "A Man For All Markets"Larry Swedroe:  "Your Complete Guide to Factor Investing"Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:Ever tried to help a parent who's financially fine but glued to a “nice” advisor and a vague plan? We dig into the real-world tactics that preserve relationships while improving outcomes—think gentle on-ramps like scam protection, account alerts, and sharing your own planning choices. The goal isn't to win a debate; it's to earn access, reduce avoidable taxes, and align risk with comfort, especially when pensions and Social Security already cover spending.From there, we get specific about value. If an advisor stays, the highest-return work for many retirees is tax strategy, asset location, and simplification—not performance theater. We talk practical setups like Wellington or Wellesley for low-cost balance, when a deferred QLAC can be a comfort hedge, and why generating more income than you need can backfire at tax time. For listeners sitting on house-sale proceeds with a 5–10 year window, we unpack why hoarding cash invites erosion and why a golden ratio–style mix can cap drawdowns to a few years while keeping growth and inflation resilience alive.Curious investors also get a roadmap for learning beyond slogans. We highlight factor tilts with quality screens, institutional-grade thinkers like Ilmanen, Lo, and Mauboussin, and the simple truth that outperformance usually comes from concentration or leverage—so position sizing and behavior matter more than hot takes. We challenge the myth that a cap-weight index buys the “whole economy,” and we favor building like engineers: learn from failures, control volatility, and design for the stress you'll actually feel.If this helped you rethink fees, timelines, or tilts, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more DIY investors can find these tools.Support the show

In this episode of the Daily Mastermind, host George Wright III is joined by Michael Barbarita, founder of Next Step CFO. They discuss the importance of combining financial strategies with business strategies to drive success. Michael shares insights from his 40 years of experience, including his failures and successes. Key topics include the conversion formula for sales, the critical five numbers for financial clarity, and the seven essential steps to drive 80% of business revenue. Michael emphasizes the importance of adaptability and innovation in today's fast-changing market.01:25 Michael's Journey: Successes and Failures03:21 The Birth of Next Step CFO04:48 Core Business Strategies and Conversion Formula14:25 The Critical Five Numbers for Business Decisions16:53 Adaptability and Innovation in Business25:25 Seven Steps to Drive RevenueYou have GREATNESS inside you. I BELIEVE in You. Let's Make Today the Day You Unleash Your Potential!George Wright IIICEO, The Daily Mastermind | Evolution X_________________________________________________________P.S. Whenever you're ready, here are ways I can help you…Get to know me:1. Subscribe to The Daily Mastermind Podcast- daily inspiration, motivation, education2. Follow me on social media Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin | TikTok | Youtube3. Grow Your Authority and Personal Brand with a FREE Interview in a Top Global Magazine HERE.About Michael Barbarita:Michael Barbarita has owned and operated retail, manufacturing, and service companies for over 30 years. One of the retail companies he operated, called “Ski Town USA,” grew from $2.5 million to $8.0 million in less than 5 years. One of the products he manufactured was “Cookies To Scoop Frozen Cookie Dough,” which was featured on the QVC Home Shopping Network and was selected as one of the top 20 products in the State of Massachusetts in 1997. He has sat on the Board of Directors of 5 different companies and was a Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for a large specialty retailer, as well as for all of his previously owned companies. Michael has been involved in the structuring of leveraged buyouts, has experience in owning both commercial and residential investment real estate, exporting and doing business on a global scale, and is an award-winning public speaker and Published Co-author with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.Connect with Michael Barbarita: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextstepcfo/Website: https://www.nextstepcfo.net/Show: Powerful Business Strategies: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... | https://www.powerfulbusinessstrategie...YouTube: / michaelbarbarita

Cars could be returning to a section of Auckland's Queen Street, under a new proposal. Auckland Transport wants to let cars return to the section between Wellesley and Wakefield Street from between 7pm and 7am. Private vehicles were banned from the area in 2022. Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck says it's a sensible proposal, and she explained that the area has been negatively affected by the change. "Last year, the foot traffic was down 36 percent on 2019 in that area - and the spending was down 57 percent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JoAnne’s Christmas Curse: Part 1 The Merry Misadventures of the Christmas Cursed. Based on a post by Todd 1 72, in 2 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. The Curse. JoAnne forced her way brusquely through the dense crowd toward the Thai place on the corner. Lord, she hated holiday shopping; screaming brats, the jarring sounds of ringing bells, the constant fucking "gimme, gimme, gimme" of the damn "charity" workers. As if they weren't really there to guilt you into forking over the goddamn money. And all these fucking people just kept on bumping against her, wrinkling her $2000 black skirt and jacket power suit. Didn't they have somewhere to be, didn't people work anymore? Just as she broke free of the crowd, she half-ran-into and half-plowed-over a diminutive blonde girl in some kind of Christmas outfit, sending packages skittering across the frozen ground and knocking the mini-skirted kid on her ass. Great, what the fuck was a kid doing out in the middle of the day anyway; JoAnne stopped. From the size of her boobs, this was no kid; a midget? Crap, they used something else now, like small person or some shit. The blonde glared at her through her skewed hair while she straightened her tilted elf hat for a second, then caught herself and smiled, although, honestly, it looked a little more like she was gritting her teeth. "Merry Christmas, huh?" JoAnne rolled her eyes and started to walk on. "Hey! Aren't you going to help me get all this shit picked up?" JoAnne looked over her shoulder at the flustered little blonde. "Fuck off, I'm busy" and pushed her way into the Restaurant. Finding her way to her usual seat, as she brushed her short, platinum blonde hair back, she sat and pointed at the waitress who immediately ran to the kitchen to get her order started and get her a damn drink. JoAnne pulled out her blackberry and started to pull up her emails; about 10 seconds later her system froze. Shit. The chair across from her pulled out. Without looking up, JoAnne growled. "I don't need any company, and I need space to work. Fuck off." Even with her cold demeanor, her pale skin, white blonde hair and blue eyes drew more attention than she'd ever wanted. Nothing happened. When she looked up, the tiny honey blonde from outside was leaning back in the chair, staring at her with her arms crossed under her outsized boobs. She looked a like a distinctly adult-oriented version of an elf; long blonde hair, pointy ears, a micro-miniskirt and a huge rack that barely stayed in her costume. Despite the rosy cheeks and turned up nose, though, the twinkle in her eyes looked extremely icy. JoAnne sighed. Oh well, if the little bitch wanted to be a problem, she'd have her thrown out. She started to look around for a waiter, then realized nobody was moving. Nobody at all. Inside or in the vast crowd outside. No sound. Everything was frozen. She looked back at the girl, who slowly arched her left eyebrow in an overly dramatic fashion. "Look Sister, I'd tell you not to do anything stupid, but that would be wasted effort. You can't do anything, you're stuck in that chair until I say otherwise. Elf. Christmas. Magic. Bitch." JoAnne started to protest, but her mouth simply froze as the Elf raised her hand. "Don't bother. This isn't a dream. You didn't fall and hit your head. You haven't even had a drink today yet. And it sure as fuck-all wasn't that nasty bran concoction you had for breakfast. On your salary you eat sawdust for breakfast? Fuck, eat a good breakfast and spend five more minutes on the damn elliptical." She waved her hand and JoAnne found she could speak again. "Look if you want an apology;” The Elf cut her off again "It wouldn't be sincere and you wouldn't learn a god damn thing. Don't bullshit me, Baby, I'm a whole lot older than I look. Besides, I have your file." She leaned back, reached two fingers into her ample cleavage and pulled out an ornate, gilt edged scroll, untied it and began to read over it: "Let's see; JoAnne Steadmann, age 32. No personal relationships. Wow, that sucks. You seem to have a severe case of Greed, brought on by a Self-Centered Nature and a Lack of Human Empathy, which seems to have developed around puberty;” Her voice trailed off as she read more. Then: "Damn!? You're Frigid? No Orgasms? No wonder you're a grade-A Bitch! Hell, I wouldn't wish that on anyone! Got your cherry popped in High School, but didn't enjoy it at all. And you didn't even experiment at Wellesley? Damn that's like the lickety-slit capitol of the world. You missed out on a whole lot of the sweet stuff there, Baby." JoAnne just glared at her. Whatever the hell this was about, the little blonde bitch had no right digging into her personal life. "On the bright side you're not entirely freaked out by this, and that's rarer than you think. Too many people have lost belief in Christmas magic; they can lose it completely when shit like this happens. You're pretty enough in platinum-blonde-career bitch sort of way. And, according to Records Division, you never developed any real sex aversions, so that's good;” Shaking her head, the Elf hastily re-rolled the scroll, tucked it back between her oversized boobs, then leaned forward looking intently into JoAnne's eyes. "I can fix this; but I have to follow the rules. I'm not allowed to just go around helping humanity; free will and all that shit. But I can inflict a Christmas lesson on you because you denied the True Meaning of Christmas. You were rude. To an Elf. Within the Fortnight of Christmas." JoAnne leaned back in shock. "Is this going to be one of those ghosts things? I;” The Elf shook her head "Ghosts wouldn't help you at all." She paused. "God, I love that one, it's a classic but it won't work here. I am giving you the gift of Lust. I am removing most of your inhibitions; the sexual ones anyway and 'cursing' you so that at least once a day until Midnight on Christmas Eve, you're going to find yourself in a situation that ends up in sex of some kind or other. Nothing dangerous, nothing that will destroy your life. You may end up feeling a little used and a bit humiliated, but you'll like it. Besides, a little humility would do you a lot of good, Sunshine." JoAnne felt her anger flare "Nobody uses;” And just as quickly found herself muted as the Elf stood up. "Alright, let's get this show on the road, I've got some fucking Joy to spread by the end of the day. Gimme the panties, you won't be needing them." JoAnne tried to resist, but found herself standing, reaching under her skirt and pulling off her black silk underwear and handing them over. She watched in disgust as the little Elf held them up to her nose and breathed in deeply. The Elf shook her head sadly and looked at JoAnne. "Nothing. Just Fabric softener and soap. You really are Frigid. I'm fixing that right now." She stepped over to JoAnne and reached up under her skirt. JoAnne felt the Elf's very warm hand cup her crotch. The Elf looked her in the eye "Damn. Closed up tighter than a bank vault." She rubbed her palm back and forth for a second. "Ah, there it is!" JoAnne's knees nearly gave out and she almost fell to the ground as she felt something hot surge through her whole body, but the Elf steadied her and guided her back into her seat. As Joanne watched, the Elf licked her fingertips delicately. "Much better." "That was your First Orgasm. It's been sort of stuck in the gate for a damn long time. It was a little weak from the time attenuation, so the next time it will feel better." JoAnne stiffened. "Buh, better?" "More powerful, longer." JoAnne couldn't even imagine that. The Elf continued on without really noticing JoAnne's reaction. "Here's the deal, you get a little something every day, each day gets a little more extreme and a little more intense. I've used this one a lot; it was practically standard in Vicki's day; Queen Victoria. It will be a real experience, but you can handle it. Still, if it gets to be too much, call my name three times; its 'Holly Mistletoe" and I'll pop in to help. If you really need it." Suddenly, with a sound like a balloon popping in reverse, Holly was gone and everything was in motion. The waitress rushed up with her drink; which she drank in one gulp, and her food arrived almost immediately. She managed to catch her breath and tried to act normal, although she just didn't have it in her to bitch at the waitress for being too slow like she usually did. She even caught herself leaving a much larger tip than usual. She must be shaken up. The Tattoo. JoAnne slipped into her desk; the walk back had been weird. She'd been so damn conscious of not wearing any underwear, and she normally never thought about; that. And she felt almost feverishly warm, with everybody bumping into her. She kept wondering if they somehow knew she was panty-less. Worse yet, she guiltily realized she kind of liked the idea. She had practically run by her new red-headed secretary and locked herself in the office. She started to buzz the secretary. With a start she realized she couldn't remember her secretary's name. She had just gotten rid of Samantha, the brunette; JoAnne never kept a secretary very long. She was concerned about secretaries learning too much about her; shuffling them back into the secretarial pool after 6 weeks or two big deals. What was the name of the name of the new one; thin, red hair, pixie cut, pointy nose; Lori? No. Lisa? No. Lil; Lillian. That was it. She punched the intercom on her phone. "Lillian, could you bring me a glass of water please?" A somewhat puzzled, "Yes, Ma'am," came back. Which made sense, after all, JoAnne never asked for anything, she ordered things, and she never, ever said please. Lillian quietly and efficiently brought her the water, then stepped out. As she left JoAnne watched her ass sway under her cream colored skirt. It was awfully perky and cute. JoAnne squeaked. She never, ever thought about things like that. She felt warmth growing between her thighs, more and more intense, like an itch that needed a scratch, but much, much more; personal. She shifted and tried to concentrate on work, but the only emails she had were autoreplies informing her that the recipients would be back after Christmas break. A curious tingling was growing just above her privates. She frantically pulled her skirt up and looked down. All her pubic hair was gone, except for a neatly trimmed patch just above her cunt in the shape of a holly leaf. Even more of a shock, just to the left of it was a tiny incredibly intricate tattoo of a mistletoe ball on crossed candy canes. She could just make out the words "Christmas Magic. Bitch." woven into the mistletoe. Shit. Shit. Shit. How the hell do you explain that to your gynecologist? Maybe it was one of those stick on tattoos, she could just rub it. The second she started rubbing, she knew she'd made a mistake. The feeling shot over her like arcs of electricity; she felt her lips go numb, her legs began to shake and her nipples grew achingly hard; she could make out the tips through the fabric of her blouse. She wanted to stop, she really did, but she couldn't; her fingers were playing with her lips and clit almost instantly. Without stopping, she managed to pull her skirt up around her waist and pull open her jacket and shirt. She couldn't get the fucking bra off, but while she massaged her clit she reached inside the bra and began to pinch and tweak her rock hard nipples. She was so wet that her fingers slipped inside without her even realizing it. First one, then a second. She felt her orgasm hit like a train, then a second, then a third, leaving her gasping, barely able to move in her slowly rotating chair. After a few minutes she rearranged herself into some semblance of order, although her shirt and her jacket were each missing a button. No surprise there. Still, she felt better than could ever remember feeling; relaxed, warm and comfortable. She managed to make it through the next few hours, before she decided to leave. Lillian was watching her curiously; not too surprising since she never left before 5:00. JoAnne heard herself say, "Go ahead and take a couple hours, you probably have some Christmas shopping to do or something." That got a warm smile and a "Thank you". The rest of the evening was normal, although she did finger herself; just a little; in the shower. The Package. The next morning, as JoAnne dressed for work, a number of things became obvious. First off, most of her clothing was missing; not one bra or panty was in the condominium. Even the bra she'd had on yesterday had disappeared from the hamper. There was a card sitting on the kitchen island; from Holly; advising her that she would "get those Manhattan Career Bitch costumes back later" if she still wanted them. All her severe black suits were gone as well; they were replaced with very expensive looking red silk suits of a similar type with slightly shorter skirts and sheer white silk blouses with decidedly more "decisive" necklines. Her shoes had changed too; color and about an inch more heel, although they proved surprisingly comfortable. The morning passed fairly productively; with only a couple of odd glances from Lillian. To be on the safe side, she decided to order lunch in the office, but it was almost two in the afternoon before anything happened. Lillian buzzed: "Miss, there's a bike messenger with a package; he says I can't sign for it." "Send him in." A tall, muscular, dark haired guy with a small, brightly colored box walked in. "Sorry, instructions were explicit, you'll have to sign for it." JoAnne sighed and reached for the box; as soon as she touched it, one end popped open and something fell out onto the desk. A vibrator. An enormous, brightly colored vibrator. And of course it hit right on the on/off button. She and the messenger watched it buzz around in a circle on her desktop for a long second before she grabbed it and fumbled it off. "I, uh, this friend;” "No problem. Short blonde woman; she looked like a joker, all dressed up like an elf. Had a hell of a smirk. I figured it was some kind of practical joke." JoAnne watched his firm ass as he left. Lillian followed her gaze as he walked out. "Just want to bite that and hang on." Instead of admonishing her to be more professional, JoAnne found herself nodding and smiling like an idiot. She suddenly caught herself, then hastily shut the door and retreated to her office. The vibrator stared at her from the center of her desk. It was red and white striped, of course. About 8 inches long, had little gumdrop-like rubber nobs all over it and a bullet like tip of gold metal. She decided to stick it in a desk drawer. Another mistake. As soon as she picked it up, the tingling between her thighs began again, and she couldn't physically put the vibrator down. She reached with her empty hand and clicked the intercom on the phone. "Lillian. Hold my calls." "Yes, Miss." There was something in Lillian's voice, but JoAnne realized she didn't have time to deal with it; the tingling was so intense it was almost painful; and she felt like she was suffocating in her suit; it seemed like her clothes were lined with lead weights. She fumbled her skirt off and opened her blouse and shirt, exposing her tits to the cool office air. Her nipples were standing out like fucking spikes and she could feel wetness between her thighs. Good Lord. Her pussy was absolutely dripping. JoAnne clicked on the vibrator and began to run the tip over her excited nipples. She moaned loudly; it was a damn good thing the office was soundproof. Fuck, that felt amazing. She licked her fingers and got her nipples really wet so they stiffened even more with the cold and the vibrator. Damn, how long could they get? Her breath was coming in short pants as she slumped in the chair, and hooked each leg over a chair arm, spreading herself wide open. "Fah-Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Pinching her nipples with her free hand she ran the vibrator all over her inner thighs, eliciting more hot juice from an already wide open and steaming pussy. When she couldn't wait any longer, she began to run the tip of the vibrator over her pussy lips; she planned to do it for a while, but when the tip hit her swollen clit, she spilled over into orgasm, screaming as quietly as she could. "Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes!" As the spasms died away she meant to put the vibrator down and get dressed but her hands seemed to have minds of their own, her free hand spread her pussy lips wide open while she danced the vibrator in and out, just an inch or so; then she plunged it into the gaping hole, screaming loudly as the orgasms exploded through her. Even then, as she pulled the wet shaft out of herself, her hand seemed to slip and the tip slipped down below her cunt, resting against her asshole. The vibrations felt good. Surprisingly good; almost; she felt another orgasm building. This time she did it; she began to frantically rub her clit with her free hand while she gently pushed the tip of the vibrator into her ass. By the time this orgasm settled, she realized had three fingers up her twat and had shoved the vibrator into her ass almost four inches. Still though, she felt in command enough to stop. She switched off the vibrator and shakily dressed herself, thanking God for soundproofing. After she caught her breath, she dropped the vibrator into her purse and clicked the intercom. "Lillian, you, uh, can resume forwarding my calls." "Yes, Miss." Very definitely a smile in her voice. Fuck her, all she could do would be to spread rumors, and if she did she would be back in the secretarial pool without the executive bonus pay. The rest of the day passed quietly and she decided that on her way out she would feel out if Lillian was going to say anything. As she stepped out the door she watched the cute redhead suppress a wicked little smile. "Lillian, I thought it would be a good idea;” Lillian intercepted the thought "...to remind me that secretaries do not discuss their bosses activities with anyone at all. It's in the confidentiality agreement we sign when we get sent up from the pool." At first JoAnne was appalled that Lillian would cut in like that, but she decided to try to be nice; a very different tack for her. "Umm, yeah. I just didn't want any rumors to, you know, start." Lillian smiled mischievously. "I won't say anything to anyone, but maybe next time you might want to completely shut your blinds. And maybe turn off the intercom. Luckily, I was on headset. I don't mind sharing, yesterday sounded great. Today sounded exquisite and looked even better; but if you want privacy;” JoAnne stared at the communication window to the office; it was open nearly a foot. She was sure it had been closed yesterday; and she was the only one with a remote for it. Even the intercom could only be turned on from inside the office. She must have left it on when she; she began to turn bright red, then raced from the office. The Glass Elevator. The next day was Saturday, her only real day off this week; Sunday was a teleconference with Japan from the office, so she had to go in. She stayed burrowed into her bed almost until noon; she just couldn't figure out what to do about the office. If she stayed in her apartment, she might end up masturbating, but at least she would be doing it without an audience. Just the thought of Lillian listening to her and watching her made her feel; uncomfortable, but somehow it didn't feel as bad as it should have, which worried her even more. She finally had to get out of bed to pee; and of course, her pajamas had disappeared overnight. She went to put on a robe at least, but the only thing in the apartment was a red skirt and white shirt combo that looked like they might be made of tissue paper, and a dark red overcoat, a bit too warm for the apartment, but suitable for the snow outside. And of course, red fuck-me shoes. After a moment of irritation she pulled on the skirt and shirt; she might as well have been walking around topless for all the shirt covered her tits, and the skirt was about one centimeter below her ass cheeks. She went over to the refrigerator; not one stick of food. Damn. Her phone battery was dead; she'd apparently forgotten to plug it in. By the time she lifted the receiver on her house phone, she wasn't surprised to find the line dead. She sat down in her easy chair and turned on the TV. She would just wait it out; the phone line would be back soon. Four hours later, with her stomach complaining, and only cooking shows on, she gave up. If she just zipped downstairs, she could grab some food at one of the trendy-take out joints and be back up in fifteen minutes. She looked in the mirror. A class A slut stared back at her; nipples obvious through the shirt, skirt so short it should be illegal. Looked kind of yummy in a way though. She grabbed the bulky wool overcoat and buttoned it completely. Key card. Wallet. She headed out. The internal elevators were out, so she took the glass elevator on the outside of the building; she could see the whole city; the crowds of people looking up at the elevator as it came down. It didn't take long to get her Cuban sandwich and head back. Which was good, the coat was a little warm, even with snowy weather. As she neared the elevator, she heard a familiar voice. "Trying to hide, today?" JoAnne whirled. Holly was perched on a concrete stanchion toying with an oversize Santa hat. JoAnne started to speak, but a wave of Holly's hand cut her off mute. "Take the hat, you'll need it." JoAnne grabbed the hat; and with the same odd reverse pop, Holly simply vanished. JoAnne sprinted for the elevator; this couldn't be good. Get home. Get home. Get; The now familiar tingling almost overwhelmed her, as the elevator door closed. JoAnne jammed the oversize hat on her head and slipped a hand inside the overcoat to push the skirt up and found; nothing. No skirt, no shirt; her clothes had evaporated. She couldn't stop to fight it; she began fingering herself furiously, three fingers slipping into her hole almost instantly. As the elevator crept up, she realized her coat was evaporating like smoke. She felt tears form as the elevator ground to a halt just three floors up; she was fully visible to the crowd. A crazy naked woman, masturbating in an elevator, wearing nothing but a hat! A hat, she was relieved to note, that obscured her hair and face completely. People were stopping to stare; to her horror, she realized she liked it; hell, she loved it! A middle-aged man pulled out a cell phone and snapped her picture as she managed to fit a fourth finger up her gaping pussy. Hot cunt juice flowed over JoAnne’s hand; she began to cum, over, and over; thinking about all those people watching her. At some point, the elevator began to move upward; just in time as an old lady dragged the building's doorman around to see. Snow thickened around the building, obscuring the ascending elevator. It stopped a floor below hers and refused to move further. She grabbed her purse and food and crept up the stairs; the security camera lights were dark; probably thanks to Holly. JoAnne managed to slip into her apartment, although she had had to hide in the stairwell while three people walked by. Once in her apartment, she collapsed on the bed, just in time to hear her email ping on the computer. She almost ignored it, but the timing. The email was from NaughtyList@northpole.org; and it was a video entitled; "Mystery woman puts on Christmas show." With a sinking heart, she opened the file and watched herself masturbating in front of hundreds of men and women, wearing just a Santa hat. According to the file, nearly 500,000 people had watched the video. Half a million people watching her? This time, she was pretty sure it wasn't Elf magic, but either way, she spent the next hour with her new vibrator buried in her pussy, pumping it like a jack hammer. She wasn't sure how many orgasms she had; one helluva lot. She managed to eat her food, then sank into a deep sleep. Video Tele Conference. Sunday morning, JoAnne woke late, and ended up rushing to the office; the red outfits were miraculously back, although she noticed the skirts were shorter. She decided on a businesslike demeanor. Ignore everything with Lillian. Blame it on medication; if she had to. By the time she arrived, a harassed-looking Lillian was already there, clicking cables into position. "Thank god you're here. The main video teleconference is down, so I'd setting up your desk so you can have both slides and video feed. The partners have called three times already. We are good on this end, but Japan is having problems with dual video. They will be able to hear you, but only see the slides and the video, not you. The partners will be listening in on the phone." JoAnne slipped into her chair, just in time to hear the chime of the video teleconference, coming on line. "Mister Nakamura;” her foot kicked a cable and the video feed went dark. She signaled to Lillian while she continued her spiel. Lillian looked under the desk, grabbed some tape and crawled under. After a few mumbled curses from Lillian, the video feed from Japan came back on. JoAnne started to push her chair back, to let Lillian out, but the video flickered again and she felt Lillian pull her back. A few seconds later, Lillian pushed a note into her hand. "Your chair hooked on cables, if you push back, lose whole Video Tele Conference." JoAnne finished her spiel, then turned on the 40 minute auto presentation, and muted her own audio. "Okay, it's on autopilot. And mute." Lillian pushed her head up on JoAnne's thigh and eyed the control critically "Good, it really is on mute. You haven't had a good track record with mute lately, just wanted to check. The chair clipped a wire, I will replace it tomorrow; but don't try to push back right now, or the Video Conference will go down for good, I wouldn't be able to reroute without a whole new set of cables. You seem stressed." JoAnne sighed. "You have no idea." "I can fix that." JoAnne started to respond, but Lillian's meaning became clear as she spread JoAnne's knees apart and began to settle in between them. JoAnne tried to resist, but her thighs seemed to drift even further apart on their own, and she even lifted as Lillian unzipped her skirt and slid it off. JoAnne stopped even trying to resist, just leaning back and letting Lillian's quick and talented tongue slide her up one orgasm after another. Lillian had slid her own clothes off and was fingering herself as she ate JoAnne. Lillian seemed to orgasm in time with her. After a few minutes, JoAnne heard Lillian's fingers pumping in and out of her hot wet tunnel. All too soon, the auto-play pinged and JoAnne had to return to her speech, although Lillian continued tonguing her gently throughout. The response to the presentation was more than good; the order from Japan was at least three times larger than she had anticipated in her best case scenario, so it was no surprise when the partners called her, and told her to come on down to the office. After one more good cum, she untangled herself from the desk, the chair, and Lillian. "Look, I have to go down there;” Lillian smiled cheerfully, but with a wicked edge "It's okay; I have to go to a family thing anyway. At least now it will be easier to put up with. By the way, I love your ‘lawn and landscaping’; and that is the cutest little tattoo; I never heard you like Christmas that much." She gave JoAnne a warm kiss; which tasted of candy canes. As JoAnne Walked out, she could hear Lillian putting things up; and whistling a cheery Christmas tune. The meeting with the partners went particularly well; and Robert, the older brother; commented that he had never seen her more relaxed and in control. That night she fell asleep, wondering what it would be like to return the favor to Lillian; while she used her now-indispensable vibrator on herself. Hard Dictation. The next morning, in the shower, JoAnne realized her little tuft of designer pubic hair hadn't grown out at all; in fact, it looked kind of, well, glittery, like gold glitter along the edges of the naughty holly leaf. All the red clothes were still there, although the skirts seemed even shorter, and there were little emerald holly pins on each lapel. As she picked up her purse, she found a small scroll on top. In shining gilt letters it said: "Sometimes it is better to give, than receive. Be sure to give a Lil' something." JoAnne actually smiled at the blunt hint, as if she hadn't been thinking about Lillian already. She was waking up hornier every damn morning. Still though, the office was mayhem; frantic arrangements to make sure the Japan orders were completed on time, after action reports and a hasty lunch meeting with the partners combined to keep her from even talking to Lillian for more than a second or two, and that about work. Just as she sat down at her desk from the lunch meeting, the intercom buzzed. "Messenger service again, Miss." "Send him in." The same bike messenger walked in, carrying another Holiday package. Even though she knew the package would pop open, she didn't bother to try to stop it. She had a suspicion that if she tried to stop the Elf curse, it would up the ante. He held the box over the desk, and suddenly the bottom flaps dropped open, of their own doing. This time, the packages contents hit the desk with a thud, and didn't move. Some kind of black leather belt contraption, attached to a huge candy-cane striped dildo. She rolled her eyes "My friend is a little;” "Smart ass? Yeah, the little blonde chick, in some kind of Christmas elf get up; kept giggling to herself." "Just like last time" JoAnne presumed. "I'll take your word on that." As he left, JoAnne watched his muscular ass, and puzzled over his words. He'd been there, how often? To vibrators falling out of packages, anyway? After he left, she grinned wickedly; give a Lil' something? She had just the thing. She tucked it into her top drawer. Then cleared the top of her desk off completely. "Lillian? I need you to come in; and take dictation for me." "Yes, Miss Steadmann." Lillian entered. "Your schedule is cleared until tomorrow morning, Miss JoAnne. Both your afternoon appointments just called in and cancelled." JoAnne glanced at the closed office door. Locked, and the blinds were fully closed. She stood up and looked out the office window into the flurries. "Lillian, we need to talk about a performance reward." "Actually, I'm maxed out this year; I was on the CBN team earlier this year. I can't get any more cash awards until next year. JoAnne turned around and backed Lillian up against the desk. "That isn't exactly what I had in mind." Pinning Lillian against the desk, Joanne kissed her hungrily, forcing her tongue into Lillian's mouth. She had Lillian's skirt unzipped and dropped to the floor and her blouse and bra off in seconds. She gently pressed Lillian back until the blonde girl was lying back on the desk, clad in only a mint green thong. JoAnne slid the thong down Lillian's long legs, eyeing Lillian's obviously wet cunt, with its little topping of strawberry blonde hair. Without thinking, she brought the panties to her face and breathed in deeply. They were filled with a musky, heady scent that made her mouth water. She looked right into Lillian's eyes and said, "Aren't you just a horny little thing!" Lillian let her legs fall open. "You have no idea;” "I can fix that." She dropped the thong onto the skirt and slid in between Lillian's creamy thighs, dropping her own skirt and jacket as she did so. She didn't hesitate at all; her mouth closed over Lillian's swollen pink pussy and she began to tongue and suck with abandon. She must have been doing something right, because Lillian's sighs turned to moans; then outright screams of ecstasy. JoAnne also fingered herself to orgasm, and only after Lillian had practically passed out, did she let up. Lillian breathed heavily, "God, that was fucking fantastic!" JoAnne reached into her drawer, and pulled out the strap-on dildo; and slipped the straps on while Lillian watched wide-eyed. "Your reward isn't over; yet." Despite the very thick size of the rubber red and white, spiral–striped cock, Lillian was so wet, it slipped into her easily. JoAnne began to thrust slowly in and out. "You like that?" Lillian breathed in deeply, then brought her legs up around JoAnne’s ass, "Yes. But; you can do it harder if you want." JoAnne thrust deeper and faster. Lillian hissed and grabbed JoAnne's tits, in a tight grip. "God, yes. Harder; please; harder" JoAnne began to really pump hard, Lillian seemed to have no problem taking in the big fake cock. "Fuck. Yeah. Give it to me. Harder. Harder. Harder!" JoAnne began to slam it into her as hard as she could. Lillian began to make a weird keening sound. "Don't fucking stop. Oh fuck. Don't stop. Please don't stop!" Just as JoAnne was sure her legs were going to give out, Lillian's eyes shot open, and she arched her back and screamed incredibly loud. JoAnne felt a huge gush of hot pussy juice squirt around the dildo and drench her. Lillian collapsed so suddenly she slid off the giant dildo. "Holy. Shit." As JoAnne slid the strap-on off, Lillian rolled over onto her stomach obviously trying to marshal the strength to get up. JoAnne eyed her perky ass; particularly the little pink asshole. She was almost ready to reach for the strap-on when the phone rang. Lillian grabbed the phone without getting up. "JoAnne Steadmann's office. Lillian speaking. Uh huh, yes;” As Lillian talked on the phone, JoAnne reached down and parted her ass cheeks. She knew she shouldn't but she just couldn't resist bending over and tonguing the little pink rosebud. Lillian squirmed, but didn't try to get away; in fact she brought her knees up a little to help JoAnne. After she had the little pink asshole dripping with saliva, she continued tonguing while gently inserted her forefinger and began to pump it gently in and out. Lillian was slowly thrusting her ass back on the finger and into her face while talking on the phone. But as soon as she finished the phone call, she came up on all fours and began fucking her ass back against JoAnne's face and finger, grinding until she came. This time when they broke apart, she slid to the other side of the desk, eyeing JoAnne warily, but with a wide smile. "Okay, you're just plain kinky. And something about you just turns my inner slut on full power. Still, we have to stop; you have a meeting in 30 minutes. You'd better wash your face and get dressed." Scowling and smiling at the same time, JoAnne struggled into her clothes as did Lillian. Still, Lillian was absolutely glowing, and walking a little slowly, which made JoAnne smile. The meeting lasted until well after business closing, so Lillian was gone when she went back to get her purse and coat. But the mint green thong was carefully arranged in the middle of JoAnne's desk; with a candy cane sitting on it. To be continued in part 2. Based on a post by Todd 1 72, in 2 parts, for Literotica.

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society's annual Festival of Trees is underway in Wellesley. From sparkling holiday trees to model trains, there's a little something for everyone, even down to the hot chocolate and s'mores keeping you warm as you wander through the Garden at Elm Bank! Allison Dush, the Director of Programs and Education at the Society, talks with Nichole about this family-friendly holiday event that serves as the Society's biggest fundraiser of the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Questions? Comments?A listener's nightmare 401(k) story sparks a deep dive into how small employers can delay, misuse, or even lose employee retirement contributions before they ever reach the plan custodian. Don and Tom explain the Department of Labor's weak enforcement, why small plans are most vulnerable, and what workers must do to protect themselves. Then the show tackles backdoor Roth timing rules, Social Security “worst-case” planning, the appeal (or lack of) of mid-cap ETFs, and how to unwind a hodgepodge portfolio without triggering massive tax bills.:04 When employers steal 401(k) contributions before depositing them1:42 The WSJ case: three-year hunt for missing contributions3:02 Why small employers are the highest-risk group5:02 DOL enforcement loopholes and the “administratively feasible” dodge7:04 What to do if your contributions never show up8:09 Fidelity bonds, audits, and how recovery really works9:39 Big-company plans vs. small plans10:36 Inside the Amazon layoff notice fiasco11:54 Listener question: timing a backdoor Roth in 2026 for the 2025 tax year13:40 The Form 8606 trap and pro-rata consequences15:03 Listener question: Should you assume Social Security cuts in your plan?16:41 Why benefits probably won't be cut—even though the system needs fixing18:04 Listener question: Should anyone buy a mid-cap ETF?18:46 Why good portfolios already own plenty of mid-caps19:36 Listener question: Fixing 20 years of hodgepodge-itis at age 7221:22 Taxes, capital gains, and the slow cleanup strategy23:52 Why Wellington and Wellesley don't fit a modern portfolio25:20 Personal banter: vacations, spending guilt, and sci-fiLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A listener's nightmare 401(k) story sparks a deep dive into how small employers can delay, misuse, or even lose employee retirement contributions before they ever reach the plan custodian. Don and Tom explain the Department of Labor's weak enforcement, why small plans are most vulnerable, and what workers must do to protect themselves. Then the show tackles backdoor Roth timing rules, Social Security “worst-case” planning, the appeal (or lack of) of mid-cap ETFs, and how to unwind a hodgepodge portfolio without triggering massive tax bills. :04 When employers steal 401(k) contributions before depositing them 1:42 The WSJ case: three-year hunt for missing contributions 3:02 Why small employers are the highest-risk group 5:02 DOL enforcement loopholes and the “administratively feasible” dodge 7:04 What to do if your contributions never show up 8:09 Fidelity bonds, audits, and how recovery really works 9:39 Big-company plans vs. small plans 10:36 Inside the Amazon layoff notice fiasco 11:54 Listener question: timing a backdoor Roth in 2026 for the 2025 tax year 13:40 The Form 8606 trap and pro-rata consequences 15:03 Listener question: Should you assume Social Security cuts in your plan? 16:41 Why benefits probably won't be cut—even though the system needs fixing 18:04 Listener question: Should anyone buy a mid-cap ETF? 18:46 Why good portfolios already own plenty of mid-caps 19:36 Listener question: Fixing 20 years of hodgepodge-itis at age 72 21:22 Taxes, capital gains, and the slow cleanup strategy 23:52 Why Wellington and Wellesley don't fit a modern portfolio 25:20 Personal banter: vacations, spending guilt, and sci-fi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when two powerful women—one a psychologist devoted to leadership transformation and the other a CEO who grew up in a family-run business—join forces to rethink what it means to lead? They discover the "Sixth Level" of Leadership! On this episode of On the Brink, Stacy Feiner, PsyD and Rachel Wallis Andreasson, MBA invite us to imagine leadership not as a position of power, but as a practice rooted in purpose, connection and care. The Birth of the Sixth Level Stacy Feiner, a high-performance psychologist and coach, has long focused on helping family and mid-market companies unlock the emotional dynamics that drive sustainable success. Her fascination with human potential began early—her mother introduced her to the groundbreaking Self-in-Relation theory at Wellesley's Stone Center, which challenged male-centered models of psychology and placed women's experiences at the center of understanding human behavior. From that foundation grew The Sixth Level: Capitalize on the Power of Women's Psychology for Sustainable Leadership, co-authored with Rachel Wallis Andreasson, Kathy Overbeke, DBA, and Jack Harris, PhD. The book expands on the belief that women's relational intelligence—empathy, collaboration, and the ethic of care—is not a deviation from leadership excellence but its evolution. From Gas Station to $2 Billion Company Rachel Wallis Andreasson's story grounds those ideas in lived experience. The daughter of a gas-station owner on Route 66, she watched her father grow one small shop into a company now approaching $2 billion in annual sales. He modeled three values that remain central to her leadership: a strong work ethic, genuine care for people, and shared ownership through open communication. "When my dad walked into one of our stores," she recalls, "he didn't just check the numbers—he asked employees for their opinions. And then he used their ideas." Rachel worked for her family business for 24 years, rising to CEO and overseeing more than 1,100 employees. She is most proud of the cultural integration of the largest and most strategic acquisition of the company's history. Rachel builds cultures where people feel seen, heard, and trusted. Her philosophy mirrors her father's wisdom—lead by example, connect with authenticity, and invite others to own the company's success. The Four Core Differentiators of Sixth-Level Leadership At the heart of The Sixth Level are four principles that originate in women's social-psychology and form the basis of transformational leadership: Mutuality — Two-way empathy and shared purpose that align people behind a common vision. Ingenuity — Creative problem-solving that benefits the collective, not just the individual. Justness — Inclusion, accountability and equity built on transparency and trust. Intrinsic Motivation — Leading from within, not for external reward or authority. These are not soft skills—they are strategic capabilities that strengthen performance, retention, and resilience. "Accountability," Feiner explains, "doesn't start at the end of a project. It begins at the beginning, as a promise we make to each other to achieve success together." A Story of Transformation One of the book's most vivid case studies features Lisa, president of a rural Missouri hospital. Stepping into her role during the height of COVID-19, she found a demoralized staff, fragmented teams, and exhausted caregivers. Instead of imposing control, Lisa began by listening. She conducted open "snack-cart sessions" with employees, asking questions, sharing food, and gathering stories. From those conversations came a rallying cry—One Heart, One Team. Lisa modeled the change she wanted to see, shadowing every department, empowering cross-functional collaboration, and celebrating ingenuity at every level. The results were astonishing: record financial performance, unprecedented patient-satisfaction scores, and a palpable sense of unity across the hospital. "Transformation," says Andreasson, "is tangible. When you walk into that hospital today, you feel the caring culture. You feel 'One Heart, One Team.' " Beyond Self-Awareness to Relational Awareness Feiner believes traditional leadership training—often built on male norms—emphasizes self-control and individual performance. The Sixth Level expands that frame to relational awareness: how leaders build trust, reciprocity, and shared accountability. "We've been taught that leadership is about dominance and hierarchy," she says. "But sustainable success comes from mutuality—the capacity to care for others while driving results. Everyone can learn it. It's a human capability." A Model for All Leaders Although the book is rooted in women's social-psychology, both authors stress it is not for women only. Men thrive in Sixth Level environments too. "Command-and-control cultures haven't served anyone," Feiner notes. "When we bring the full picture—empathetic and analytical thinking together—we create workplaces where everyone can flourish." Andreasson agrees: "Culture is the secret weapon. The Sixth Level isn't a theory—it's a roadmap for building engaged teams, inclusive organizations, and caring communities." Rethinking What Leadership Looks Like As I reflected at the end of the conversation, the Sixth Level calls us to re-imagine leadership "not as power, but as purpose, connection, and deep relational intelligence." It's an invitation for all leaders—men and women alike—to claim a model that validates empathy, communication, and community as powerful drivers of performance. Perhaps the truest measure of success is what both Feiner and Andreasson have modeled themselves: leading with heart, lifting others, and proving that when we care for people, performance naturally follows. Connect with me: Website: www.simonassociates.net Email: info@simonassociates.net Learn more about our books here: Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success

Divorces come in several stages – physical, financial, legal, and emotional. The latter might be the hardest if ever to achieve. As one reporter learns with a slap in the face.November 1933, opera singer Mary McCormic and Prince Serge Mdivani are officially divorced. But when Mdivani biographer Grace Williams tries to expose the terms of the settlement, Grace faces Mary's wrath.Other people and subjects include:Prince Alexis Mdivani, Princess Barbara Hutton Mdivani, Louise Van Alen – formerly Princess Mdivani, Prince David Mdivani, Mae Murray – formerly Princess Mdivani, Princess Nina Mdivani Huberich, Princess Roussadana “Roussie” Mdivani Sert, Pola Negri – formerly Princess Mdivani, Samuel “Sam” Insull, Michael Luddy, city editor, photographer, William K. Vanderbilt III, Virginia “Birdie” Graham Fair Vanderbilt, William K. Vanderbilt II, Brooke Hart, Northwest Mounty, slap, million dollar lawsuit, Faust opera, taxi, secondhand automobile, United Airlines, Assistance League Tea Room, Cocoanut Grove, Hollywood club, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times building, Liberty Magazine, Pacific Shore Oil Company, pawnshop, Los Angeles, Paris, New York, Omaha, Detroit, Arkansas, Texas, evolution of sources, tracking down information, The Mdivani Saga by David Gigauri, Poor Little Rich Girl by David Heymann, secret unnamed source, “Who Cares” by Serge Mdivani as told to Grace Williams” unpublished manuscript, UCLA, Georgian website, Georgian community, Wikipedia, Joseph Stalin, Harry Sinclair, Teapot Dome Scandal, Washington D.C. social leader, Alabama, British ancestry, Duke of Wellington ancestor, Wellesley ancestor, Clark Gable, “Rhea / Ria” Maria Franklin Prentiss Lucas Langham, Carole Lombard, Gone With The Wind, Joan Crawford, Francois Tone, factual consistency, overplaying connections, 5 Los Angeles Times buildings, Mirror Building, 2 granite castles, Art Deco by Gordon Kaufman, new mid-century in El Segundo, Gutzon Borglum's bronze eagle sculpture, bomb explosion, fire proof, bomb proof, earthquake proof, anti-union, American labor movement, John “J.J.” McNamara, James Barnabas “J.B.” McNamara, Clarence Darrow, Vanderbilt Cup motor racing, Crime of the Century, one of deadliest criminal acts in United States, deadliest crime to go to trial in California, tragedies, humanity, yesterday's news, Will Smith, Chris Rock, 2022 Academy Awards, retrospectives of Mary McCormic slap, Ventura County Star, Tampa Times, Morning Call reprint, Louvre jewel heist, jewel history,…--Extra Notes / Call to Action:Fellow podcasters @WhatsHerNameWhat's Her Name Podcast by Dr. Katie Nelson and Olivia Meiklehttps://whatshernamepodcast.com/https://pod.link/1320638747Goodpods ranks As The Money Burns in Top 8 Indie Documentary PodcastsBest Documentary Podcasts [2025] Top 8 Shows - Goodpods#4 in the Top 100 Indie Documentary Weekly chart#8 in the Top 100 Indie Documentary Monthly chart#15 in the Top 100 Indie History Weekly chart#18 in the Top 100 Indie History Monthly chart#25 in the Top 100 Indie Society & Culture Weekly chartgoodpods.app.link/4PeLmbBvAqbThe Mdivani Saga by David Gigaurihttps://www.amazon.com/Book-9781835740736-David-Gigauri/dp/1835740731https://www.instagram.com/mdivanisaga/The Silver Swan: The Search for Doris Duke by Sally Binghamhttps://www.amazon.com/Silver-Swan-Search-Doris-Duke-ebook/dp/B078X21PDTShare, like, subscribe--Archival Music provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, www.pastperfect.com.Opening Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance BandsSection 1 Music: Organ Grinder's Swing by Jack Payne, Album The Great British Dance BandsSection 2 Music: Umtcha, Umtcha, Da Da Da by The Rhythmic Eight, Album Fascinating Rhythm – Great Hits of the 20sSection 3 Music: Turkish Towel by The Savoy Havana Band, Album Fascinating RhythmEnd Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands--https://asthemoneyburns.com/X / TW / IG – @asthemoneyburnsX / Twitter – https://x.com/asthemoneyburnsInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/asthemoneyburns/Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/asthemoneyburns/

Today we're going back a few years to talk about the most British man in the world. If you asked AI to design you an English noble, Arthur Wellesley is exactly who you would get back. Which makes you want to hate him. Then he does some stuff that makes you want to hate him more. Then he does some really dope shit and you don't know what to think anymore. So join us in the confusion, and enjoy!

Today on the Brick & Wonder podcast we sat down with custom home builder and industry thought leader Nick Schiffer and James Robb, co-founder of Madera, specialists in hardwood finishes.Recorded at 45 White Oak, an ambitious home Nick has developed and built in Wellesley, Massachusetts, this candid conversation explores how to have challenging conversations with clients, the ups and downs of business ventures that don't yet pencil, and their goal of productizing their practices to create more seamless client experiences.This episode is brought to you by Reilly Architectural, known for their custom windows and doors, and Madera, specialists in handcrafted wood floors and Seamless Wood Design® solutions.

Dr. MARTIN ROSEN is an internationally renowned chiropractor, educator, and author with over four decades of experience in SOT® Chiropractic, Pediatrics, Cranial Adjusting, Chiropractic Philosophy, and Practice Management. A summa cum laude graduate of Life Chiropractic College in 1981, Dr. Rosen has dedicated his career to mastering the art and science of chiropractic and sharing his clinical expertise with practitioners and students around the world. Since 1982, Dr. Rosen has maintained a thriving family-oriented, neurologically based chiropractic practice in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Known for his authentic approach and unwavering commitment to excellence, he has earned a longstanding reputation for outstanding patient-centered care. His deep dedication to advancing chiropractic led him to begin teaching in 1979, and since then, he has educated thousands of chiropractors, healthcare professionals, and students through seminars, online courses, research publications, guest lectures, and hands-on workshops. His influence extends across the chiropractic profession through his roles as, certified SOT® Instructor, Peak Potential Institute co-founder and instructor, a former instructor with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), member of the post-graduate faculty at several chiropractic colleges, consulting member of the Committee for Chiropractic Practice, and editorial board member of the Asian-Pacific Journal of Chiropractic. An accomplished author, Dr. Rosen has written and contributed to numerous texts and publications, including Pediatric Chiropractic Care, The Pediatric SOT® Spinal and Cranial Adjusting Manuals, the Pediatric Participant Guide for SOT®, and multiple chapters on SOT® in the second and third editions of Chiropractic Pediatrics. His work has also been featured in a wide range of articles, podcasts, and published research papers. Together with his wife, Dr. NANCY WATSON, Dr. Rosen co-founded the Peak Potential Institute, offering premier educational programs and tools for chiropractors, healthcare providers, and parents. Their most recent book, 2nd Edition It's All in the Head, brings awareness to early childhood developmental challenges and empowers parents to recognize and respond to potential concerns before they become entrenched. Through books, seminars, interviews, and video-based instruction, Peak Potential Institute offers a comprehensive platform to support healthcare education and elevate pediatric care. As parents of two daughters and partners in both life and work, Drs. Rosen and Watson have combined their 80+ years of clinical, teaching, and parenting experience to deliver a unique perspective that blends science, philosophy, and heart. Their mission is to elevate chiropractic care and educate professionals and families with knowledge, insight, and practical tools for optimal health. Dr. Rosen's info: Website: https://www.drmartinrosen.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/drmartinrosen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMartinRosen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MartyRosenDC Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Visit http://drlaurabrayton.com/podcasts/ for show notes and available downloads. © 2014 - 2025 Dr. Laura Brayton

Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years. Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run, smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices. A true-crime story that sounds like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.https://amzn.to/3TMQu4xBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

My Conversation with Jocelyn begins at about 30 mins Stand Up is a daily podcast that I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 700 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Check out StandUpwithPete.com to learn more Buy Purposeful Warrior Learn More about Jocelyn   Jocelyn Benson is a transformational leader who never backs down from big fights. From her early years investigating extremist groups, to making Michigan's motor vehicle department a national model for government efficiency, Jocelyn has defied preconceived notions of what is possible in public service. A fearless advocate for Michigan, Jocelyn will bring accountability, people-driven solutions and a progressive vision for Michigan's future to make our state the best place to be a kid, raise a kid, stay, and call home. The daughter of two special education teachers and raised in a working-class family, her parents instilled the values of hard work, opportunity, and serving others. She took those values with her when, as a student at Wellesley College, she was the first college student ever to be elected to the governing body for the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts. After college, Jocelyn went to Alabama to investigate undercover domestic terrorist cells that had emerged following the Oklahoma City bombing, then to the United Kingdom where she studied the international links of modern, white supremacist and neo-Nazi movements, and finally to Detroit, where she continued her commitment of service and civil rights through a clerkship with the Honorable Damon J. Keith.  At 35 she was appointed dean of Wayne State University Law School, making her the youngest woman to lead an accredited law school in American history. As Dean she raised significant funds to ensure all students could pay for their education, lowered costs by freezing tuition and expanding scholarships, and built a team rooted in honesty, integrity, and service of people. As a result Wayne Law became one of the country's leading law schools. When Jocelyn became Secretary of State in 2019, she got to work on day 1 to make life easier for every Michigander. Under her leadership, operations at the Secretary of State's Office drastically improved, and the department went from having some of the longest wait times in the country to a model for state services. She eliminated wait times, created over 150 self-service stations to serve Michiganders in every corner of the state, all while implementing initiatives to make Michigan's elections the most secure and accessible in the nation. And, in the face of threats to both herself and her colleagues, Jocelyn oversaw two of the highest turnout and most transparent elections in the state's history. Jocelyn knows firsthand that the government only works well if it works for the people. Join us Monday's and Thursday's at 8EST for our Bi Weekly Happy Hour Hangout's !  Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube  Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page All things Jon Carroll  Follow and Support Pete Coe Buy Ava's Art  Hire DJ Monzyk to build your website or help you with Marketing Gift a Subscription https://www.patreon.com/PeteDominick/gift

Over the next two months (give or take) I'd like to do something different. The Cul de Sac is a novel I've been working on for the last six or so years and I've come to realize that there is no better place to share it than right here, where we all adore strange little towns, quirky neighbors and demonic infestation. So let's head to Woodland Hills, a fictional town just a hop skip and a jump from Wellesley. After suffering a harrowing break in, Mae is desperate to leave her apartment in the city. Her husband, Tom, is dead set on a fixer-upper in a snobby little New England town just outside of Boston. The neighbors are fabulously quirky, the house has potential, and Mae is too traumatized to pay attention to the red flags lining their path to the cul de sac. Told several chapters at a time, the story begins right here May 13th.

Listen to this episode commercial free at https://angryplanetpod.comGreat power competition has gotten old for President Donald Trump—never one for a fair fight. He's looking for a little great power collusion instead, dividing the world with his best buds, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. This kind of thing isn't new, though, Stacie Goddard, a professor at Wellesley, tells us, in fact it's the 1800s on repeat. Well, look how that turned out… World War I, anybody?BTW, check out her terrific article on this in Foreign Affairs magazine.Welcome to the Concert of EuropeThe post-Napoleon partyA taxonomy of aspirational GermansRetvrnStrong men, weak worldGovernment by MafiaWhat becomes of the “middle powers”?The era of aging dictatorsThe long breakdownEmpire without ickinessTurns out might does, in fact, make rightThe Rise and Fall of Great-Power CompetitionThe Concert of EuropeSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.