Podcasts about Japanese

Check my website to book your trial session for my Japanese coaching.Takeaways間違った「思い込み」が学習に影響を与える。脳は未来を予測し、その予測に基づいて行動する。信じていることが現実を作るため、ポジティブな思考が必要。固定マインドセットを成長マインドセットに変える必要がある。小さな達成感を記録することで自信を高めることができる。リフレーミングを活用して、挑戦を楽しむことが重要。メタ認知の視点から、自分の思い込みを見直すことが必要。信じていることが本当に正しいかを常に問い直すこと。コミュニティの仲間といっしょに学ぶことで、モチベーションを高めることができる。

Download for Mobile | Podcast Preview | Full Timestamps Older Twitch VODs are now being uploaded to the new channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CastleSuperBeastArchive Coach Cloud805 & The Pre-Boxjam Casuals Extremely Unlucky Hades 2 Patch Timing Watch Me SUE (Grift Dat Soulja Boy) Finish Us: The Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection Story Deus Ex Never Asked For This Business Cucks: Presented by Amazon Unanswered Questions That Should Have Stayed Unanswered Watch live: twitch.tv/castlesuperbeast Go to http://buyraycon.com/superbeast to save on  Raycon audio products sitewide. Go to http://shopify.com/superbeast to sign up for your $1-per-month trial period. Go to http://rocketmoney.com/superbeast to cancel your unwanted subscriptions. Click this link https://www.boot.dev/?promo=CASTLESUPERBEAST and use my code CASTLESUPERBEAST to get 25% off your first payment for boot.dev. Amazon have reportedly cancelled their Lord Of The Rings MMO, again Messy Rockstar Firings Ahead of GTA 6: Accusations from "Gross Misconduct" to Union Busting and Unjust Layoffs Deus Ex's OG art director has seen the remaster: 'Oh, what the f***, No. This did not need to happen' Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Comes Under Fire For Missing "Basic Features" At Launch Souljaboy has dropped the Souljagame Flip for a bit over $400, and it appears to just be the Retroid Flip for double the price. The response from the Retroid social media team is- "I didn't know about this. This is not any kind of official licensing deal. He does not have permission to rebrand our products and sell them as his own. The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is patented in the U.S by ourselves." - Retroid Japan Patent Office rejects Nintendo application relevant to Palworld dispute, cites games like ARK as prior art after third-party submission Nintendo may not be able to recoup legal expenses of Palworld lawsuit even if it wins, Japanese attorney suggests  Concord's sudden shutdown is such a big deal, it's been brought up during UK government debates on video game consumer laws Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves DLC character Chun-Li  The winner of the "Kuaishou FightClub Championship VI - Chengdu" is Hinao from REJECT YOUTH! A 14-year-old with 2 years of gaming experience SonicFox Vs Leffen GRAND FINALS - Dreamhack Atlanta  

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly Motherf*ckers Before the Predator conducts his 2025 theatrical hunt in the Badlands, his animated counterparts are hosting a contest on Hulu where the winner is proclaimed Killer of Killers. How much competition will a Viking mother, an exiled Japanese brother, and an aspiring WWII pilot be for the homicidal aliens once they're ripped away from historical battles and transported to a space arena?  And can the trio overcome their thirst for vengeance and find a way to get back to Earth collaboratively?  If it streams, we can kill it in a podcast review available now!

What if the only way to build unshakable success is to suffer for it every single day? As part of the “Road to the Summit”, a special series ramping up to the 2025 Game Changers Summit this November 12–13, we're revisiting some of the most powerful conversations ever featured at our events. In this encore episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, we're throwing it back to the 2023 Game Changers Summit, where Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan Race, took the stage to unpack what it truly takes to lead with grit, persistence, and purpose.   From cleaning pools for mobsters in Queens to building a global fitness empire that nearly collapsed during the pandemic, Joe's story is a masterclass in resilience. He reveals that doing hard things isn't punishment but preparation, and that embracing discomfort builds the kind of resilience that separates those who survive from those who succeed. Here's what you'll learn: Why embracing adversity every day builds the grit required to win How to find your “why” — and use it to push through the toughest moments What it takes to turn pain, persistence, and purpose into long-term success If you want to build a life that can't be broken, this episode will show you how to earn it. ---- Show Notes: 02:43 – Joe recalls growing up in Queens surrounded by hustlers and mobsters — and the lessons that shaped his early work ethic. 07:26 – The business advice Joe received from a mob boss that taught him the value of showing up early, going above and beyond, and never asking for money. 11:53 – Joe shares how his repeated rejections from Cornell taught him the power of persistence and delayed gratification. 18:46 – The creation of Spartan Race — how Joe turned his passion for endurance and suffering into a global fitness empire. 20:44 – Joe reveals how the pandemic nearly destroyed Spartan, costing $50 million, and why grit kept him from quitting. 25:42 – The story of the Japanese marathon monks and what extreme commitment looks like in practice. 33:48 – Why manufacturing adversity every day — through cold showers, burpees, and hard choices — is the key to building lasting resilience. Links & Resources: Spartan Race Tough Mudder Spartan Up! by Joe De Sena 10 Rules for Resilience by Joe De Sena Joe de Sena ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O'Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. —- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 364. How to Train Your Brain for Unbelievable Success 353. How He Trained His Mind to Never Quit — Using Something You'd Never Guess with James Lawrence 198. A-List Athletes — The Mindsets of Champions

A blind musician is summoned to perform in the darkness. But who is listening? And what terrible price awaits a moment's oversight? Today I read to you one of Lafcadio Hearn's most famous Japanese ghost stories: "Mimi-nashi Hōichi" or "The Earless Hōichi." Please Note: Some of the links are affiliate links (both Amazon and other). This means that at no cost to you, if you use and purchase through them I receive a small compensation. This is paid by the retailer. It also helps support me and my artistic endeavors. Thank you. Follow Uncanny Japan: Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon YouTube Facebook Instagram Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution) Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Credits: Music by Julyan Ray Matsuura About SpectreVision Radio: SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Irish writer, author, thinker John Waters joins war correspondent Michael Yon and Japanese independent journalist Masako Ganaha to discuss the recent protests in Japan, antifa, Vatican killing Ireland, tv being the most poisonous thing, replacement of the indigenous people in western civilization, death jabs, and much more.    Watch Show Rumble- https://rumble.com/v717r0m-demoralization-the-new-strategic-assault-john-waters-michael-yon-and-masako.html YouTube- https://youtu.be/XL6AxBhdMmQ?si=3RIPgmY-GiIp6zBL   Follow Me X- https://x.com/CoffeeandaMike IG- https://www.instagram.com/coffeeandamike/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeandaMike/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@Coffeeandamike Rumble- https://rumble.com/search/all?q=coffee%20and%20a%20mike Substack- https://coffeeandamike.substack.com/ Apple Podcasts- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffee-and-a-mike/id1436799008 Gab- https://gab.com/CoffeeandaMike Locals- https://coffeeandamike.locals.com/ Website- www.coffeeandamike.com Email- info@coffeeandamike.com   Support My Work Venmo- https://www.venmo.com/u/coffeeandamike Paypal- https://www.paypal.com/biz/profile/Coffeeandamike Substack- https://coffeeandamike.substack.com/ Patreon- http://patreon.com/coffeeandamike Locals- https://coffeeandamike.locals.com/ Cash App- https://cash.app/$coffeeandamike Buy Me a Coffee- https://buymeacoffee.com/coffeeandamike Bitcoin- coffeeandamike@strike.me   Mail Check or Money Order- Coffee and a Mike LLC P.O. Box 25383 Scottsdale, AZ 85255-9998   Follow John Substack- https://substack.com/@johnwaters X- https://x.com/johnwaters2024 YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@thescholargypsies/videos Order's John's new book- https://a.co/d/7AOMCK1   Follow Masako X- https://x.com/ganaha_masako Substack- https://substack.com/@masakoganaha   Follow Michael X- https://x.com/Michael_Yon Substack- https://michaelyon.substack.com/   Sponsors Vaulted/Precious Metals- https://vaulted.blbvux.net/coffeeandamike McAlvany Precious Metals- https://mcalvany.com/coffeeandamike/ Independence Ark Natural Farming- https://www.independenceark.com/

This week, Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall welcome their mutual buddy, John McManus to the show to discuss the role of the US Army at Pearl Harbor. Everyone knows what the Navy and Marine Corps did and went through during the Japanese attack on Oahu, but do you know the role of the US Army? Tune in to this episode and you will find out. The guys get into such topics as the Coast Artillery, Army AAA during the raid, individual heroics, attacks on Schofield Barracks and Fort Shafter as well as the role of US Army doctors and nurses in treating the legions of wounded as a result of the attack. Finally, the guys get into a rare "what if" when they discuss what would have happened if the Japanese had actually tried to land on Oahu following the air raid. Interesting to say the least. Check it out! #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf #rodserling #twilightzone #liberation #blacksheep #power #prisoner #prisonerofwar #typhoon #hurricane #weather #iwojima#bullhalsey #ace #p47 #p38 #fighter #fighterpilot #b29 #strategicstudying #tokyo #boeing #incendiary #usa #franklin #okinawa #yamato #kamikaze #Q&A #questions #questionsandanswers #history #jaws #atomicbomb #nuclear #nationalarchives #nara #johnford #hollywood #fdr #president #roosevelt #doolittle #doolittleraid #pearlharborattack #salvaged

Ever wondered why Japan ranks among the healthiest and longest-living nations—without calorie counting or fad diets? In this video, I reveal six powerful Japanese lifestyle habits that naturally support a slim, energized, and long-living body through real food, balance, and mindful living you can start practicing today.GET A CUSTOMIZED WEIGHT LOSS PLAN: Have a free 1-on-1 call with our Expert Nutritionists 

Eze 10:1-11:25, Heb 6:1-20, Ps 105:16-36, Pr 27:1-2

On today's show, Pat and the boys overreact to everything that happened in week 9 of the NFL that saw the league return with it's fastball as 9 of 12 games were decided by a touchdown or less, they go over some overreactions from around the internet, chat about the incredible World Series that saw the Dodgers repeat as champions in extra innings of game 7 in Toronto, and much more. Joining the progrum to wrap up what we saw yesterday and give updates on the plethora of injuries from yesterday, updates as the trade deadline approaches, and a preview of tonight's MNF game. Next, 3x World Series Champion, 3x Cy Young winner, 2014 NL MVP, 11x All-Star, future first ballot Hall of Famer, Clayton Kershaw joins the show to chat about going out on top, why this Dodgers team is so special, his relationship with Shohei Ohtani and the rest of the Japanese players, and more. Later, 12 year NFL veteran, ESPN NFL analyst/QB guru, Dan Orlovsky joins the show to give his biggest takeaway's from week 9, and he previews tonight's MNF game between the Cardinals and Cowboys. Make sure to subscribe to youtube.com/thepatmcafeeshow or watch on ESPN (12-2 EDT), ESPN's Youtube (12-3 EDT), or ESPN+. We appreciate the hell out of all of you, we'll see you tomorrow. Cheers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1. LONDINIUM 91 CE. Seven Warnings, Part I. Gaius and Germanicus, joined by retired centurions, convened at the Friends of History Debating Society to discuss Germanicus's list of seven maxims detailing how empires, specifically the US, engage in self-harm or self-destruction. Gaius offered the example of the emperor deciding Nigeria needs attention due to the killing of Christians, asserting America has no interest whatsoever in this venture. He contrasted this unnecessary entanglement with Rome's historical method of handling threats in its self-interest. Rome, when it decided to win, completely wiped out resisting enemies, as demonstrated by the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and the earlier obliteration of Sepphoris, the capital of Galilee, around 4 BCE. The Romans even renamed Judea to Palestine to deny the populace their historical identity. Germanicus then presented the first four maxims routinely ignored by US war fighters: (1) Never let a foreign power define your interests and objectives—this warning cited historical entanglement examples, including the British in two World Wars and modern manipulation by Ukraine, NATO countries, and Israel; (2) Never let initial success fool you into thinking you're winning—Germanicus noted that this "victory disease" affected the Japanese after Pearl Harbor and the US during the invasion of Iraq and the initial stages of the Ukraine war; (3) The failure chosen now is always better than the failure forced upon you later—this maxim addresses the destructive "stay the course" mentality, exemplified by the Vietnam War, driven by courtiers worried about reputation rather than effectiveness; (4) Judgment of the enemy should not be confirmed by internal biases—this bias leads to disastrous strategy, such as the initial belief that the Japanese could not fly effectively due to poor eyesight, viewing Pearl Harbor as a "freak." NERO

The average price of a new car just crossed $50,000, and the once-affordable $20K car is officially dead.

When Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a category 5 storm, it tore through the country's agricultural center, demolishing crops and killing livestock. Now, as aid flows into the country, concerns are rising about the country's food security moving forward. Also, tens of thousands of people take to the streets in Serbia one year after a deadly railway station disaster killed 16 people, as victims' families still await accountability. And, Afghanistan is hit by a strong earthquake for the second time in two months. Plus, Japanese baseball pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto steals the show during Game 7 of the World Series in Toronto.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The average price of a new car just crossed $50,000, and the once-affordable $20K car is officially dead.

Last time we spoke about the fall of Wuhan. In a country frayed by war, the Yangtze became a pulsing artery, carrying both hunger and hope. Chiang Kai-shek faced a brutal choice: defend Wuhan to the last man, or flood the rivers to buy time. He chose both, setting sullen floodwaters loose along the Yellow River to slow the invaders, a temporary mercy that spared some lives while ripping many from their homes. On the river's banks, a plethora of Chinese forces struggled to unite. The NRA, fractured into rival zones, clung to lines with stubborn grit as Japanese forces poured through Anqing, Jiujiang, and beyond, turning the Yangtze into a deadly corridor. Madang's fortifications withstood bombardment and gas, yet the price was paid in troops and civilians drowned or displaced. Commanders like Xue Yue wrestled stubbornly for every foothold, every bend in the river. The Battle of Wanjialing became a symbol: a desperate, months-long pincer where Chinese divisions finally tightened their cordon and halted the enemy's flow. By autumn, the Japanese pressed onward to seize Tianjiazhen and cut supply lines, while Guangzhou fell to a ruthless blockade. The Fall of Wuhan loomed inevitable, yet the story remained one of fierce endurance against overwhelming odds.   #174 The Changsha Fire Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. In the summer of 1938, amid the upheaval surrounding Chiang Kai-shek, one of his most important alliances came to an end. On June 22, all German advisers to the Nationalist government were summoned back; any who refused would be deemed guilty of high treason. Since World War I, a peculiar bond had tied the German Weimar Republic and China: two fledgling states, both weak and only partially sovereign. Under the Versailles Treaty of 1919, Germany had lost extraterritorial rights on Chinese soil, which paradoxically allowed Berlin to engage with China as an equal partner rather than a traditional colonizer. This made German interests more welcome in business and politics than those of other Western powers. Chiang's military reorganization depended on German officers such as von Seeckt and von Falkenhausen, and Hitler's rise in 1933 had not immediately severed the connection between the two countries. Chiang did not share Nazi ideology with Germany, but he viewed Berlin as a potential ally and pressed to persuade it to side with China rather than Japan as China's principal East Asian, anti-Communist partner. In June 1937, H. H. Kung led a delegation to Berlin, met Hitler, and argued for an alliance with China. Yet the outbreak of war and the Nationalists' retreat to Wuhan convinced Hitler's government to align with Japan, resulting in the recall of all German advisers. Chiang responded with a speech praising von Falkenhausen, insisting that "our friend's enemy is our enemy too," and lauding the German Army's loyalty and ethics as a model for the Chinese forces. He added, "After we have won the War of Resistance, I believe you'll want to come back to the Far East and advise our country again." Von Falkenhausen would later become the governor of Nazi-occupied Belgium, then be lauded after the war for secretly saving many Jewish lives. As the Germans departed, the roof of the train transporting them bore a prominent German flag with a swastika, a prudent precaution given Wuhan's vulnerability to air bombardment. The Japanese were tightening their grip on the city, even as Chinese forces, numbering around 800,000, made a stubborn stand. The Yellow River floods blocked northern access, so the Japanese chose to advance via the Yangtze, aided by roughly nine divisions and the might of the Imperial Navy. The Chinese fought bravely, but their defenses could not withstand the superior technology of the Japanese fleet. The only substantial external aid came from Soviet pilots flying aircraft bought from the USSR as part of Stalin's effort to keep China in the war; between 1938 and 1940, some 2,000 pilots offered their services. From June 24 to 27, Japanese bombers relentlessly pounded the Madang fortress along the Yangtze until it fell. A month later, on July 26, Chinese defenders abandoned Jiujiang, southeast of Wuhan, and its civilian population endured a wave of atrocities at the hands of the invaders. News of Jiujiang's fate stiffened resolve. Chiang delivered a pointed address to his troops on July 31, arguing that Wuhan's defense was essential and that losing the city would split the country into hostile halves, complicating logistics and movement. He warned that Wuhan's defense would also be a spiritual test: "the place has deep revolutionary ties," and public sympathy for China's plight was growing as Japanese atrocities became known. Yet Chiang worried about the behavior of Chinese soldiers. He condemned looting as a suicidal act that would destroy the citizens' trust in the military. Commanders, he warned, must stay at their posts; the memory of the Madang debacle underscored the consequences of cowardice. Unlike Shanghai, Wuhan had shelters, but he cautioned against retreating into them and leaving soldiers exposed. Officers who failed in loyalty could expect no support in return. This pep talk, combined with the belief that the army was making a last stand, may have slowed the Japanese advance along the Yangtze in August. Under General Xue Yue, about 100,000 Chinese troops pushed back the invaders at Huangmei. At Tianjiazhen, thousands fought until the end of September, with poison gas finally forcing Japanese victory. Yet even then, Chinese generals struggled to coordinate. In Xinyang, Li Zongren's Guangxi troops were exhausted; they expected relief from Hu Zongnan's forces, but Hu instead withdrew, allowing Japan to capture the city without a fight. The fall of Xinyang enabled Japanese control of the Ping-Han railway, signaling Wuhan's doom. Chiang again spoke to Wuhan's defenders, balancing encouragement with a grim realism about possible loss. Although Wuhan's international connections were substantial, foreign aid would be unlikely. If evacuation became necessary, the army should have a clear plan, including designated routes. He recalled the disastrous December retreat from Nanjing, where "foreigners and Chinese alike turned it into an empty city." Troops had been tired and outnumbered; Chiang defended the decision to defend Nanjing, insisting the army had sacrificed itself for the capital and Sun Yat-sen's tomb. Were the army to retreat again, he warned, it would be the greatest shame in five thousand years of Chinese history. The loss of Madang was another humiliation. By defending Wuhan, he argued, China could avenge its fallen comrades and cleanse its conscience; otherwise, it could not honor its martyrs. Mao Zedong, observing the situation from his far-off base at Yan'an, agreed strongly that Chiang should not defend Wuhan to the death. He warned in mid-October that if Wuhan could not be defended, the war's trajectory would shift, potentially strengthening the Nationalists–Communists cooperation, deepening popular mobilization, and expanding guerrilla warfare. The defense of Wuhan, Mao argued, should drain the enemy and buy time to advance the broader struggle, not become a doomed stalemate. In a protracted war, some strongholds might be abandoned temporarily to sustain the longer fight. The Japanese Army captured Wuchang and Hankou on 26 October and captured Hanyang on the 27th, which concluded the campaign in Wuhan. The battle had lasted four and a half months and ended with the Nationalist army's voluntary withdrawal. In the battle itself, the Japanese army captured Wuhan's three towns and held the heartland of China, achieving a tactical victory. Yet strategically, Japan failed to meet its objectives. Imperial Headquarters believed that "capturing Hankou and Guangzhou would allow them to dominate China." Consequently, the Imperial Conference planned the Battle of Wuhan to seize Wuhan quickly and compel the Chinese government to surrender. It also decreed that "national forces should be concentrated to achieve the war objectives within a year and end the war against China." According to Yoshiaki Yoshimi and Seiya Matsuno, Hirohito authorized the use of chemical weapons against China by specific orders known as rinsanmei. During the Battle of Wuhan, Prince Kan'in Kotohito transmitted the emperor's orders to deploy toxic gas 375 times between August and October 1938. Another memorandum uncovered by Yoshimi indicates that Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni authorized the use of poison gas against the Chinese on 16 August 1938. A League of Nations resolution adopted on 14 May condemned the Imperial Japanese Army's use of toxic gas. Japan's heavy use of chemical weapons against China was driven by manpower shortages and China's lack of poison gas stockpiles to retaliate. Poison gas was employed at Hankou in the Battle of Wuhan to break Chinese resistance after conventional assaults had failed. Rana Mitter notes that, under General Xue Yue, approximately 100,000 Chinese troops halted Japanese advances at Huangmei, and at the fortress of Tianjiazhen, thousands fought until the end of September, with Japanese victory secured only through the use of poison gas. Chinese generals also struggled with coordination at Xinyang; Li Zongren's Guangxi troops were exhausted, and Hu Zongnan's forces, believed to be coming to relieve them, instead withdrew. Japan subsequently used poison gas against Chinese Muslim forces at the Battle of Wuyuan and the Battle of West Suiyuan. However, the Chinese government did not surrender with the loss of Wuhan and Guangzhou, nor did Japan's invasion end with Wuhan and Guangzhou's capture. After Wuhan fell, the government issued a reaffirmation: "Temporary changes of advance and retreat will not shake our resolve to resist the Japanese invasion," and "the gain or loss of any city will not affect the overall situation of the war." It pledged to "fight with even greater sorrow, greater perseverance, greater steadfastness, greater diligence, and greater courage," dedicating itself to a long, comprehensive war of resistance. In the Japanese-occupied rear areas, large armed anti-Japanese forces grew, and substantial tracts of territory were recovered. As the Japanese army themselves acknowledged, "the restoration of public security in the occupied areas was actually limited to a few kilometers on both sides of the main transportation lines." Thus, the Battle of Wuhan did not merely inflict a further strategic defeat on Japan; it also marked a turning point in Japan's strategic posture, from offense to defense. Due to the Nationalist Army's resolute resistance, Japan mobilized its largest force to date for the attack, about 250,000 personnel, who were replenished four to five times over the battle, for a total of roughly 300,000. The invaders held clear advantages in land, sea, and air power and fought for four and a half months. Yet they failed to annihilate the Nationalist main force, nor did they break the will to resist or the army's combat effectiveness. Instead, the campaign dealt a severe blow to the Japanese Army's vitality. Japanese-cited casualties totaled 4,506 dead and 17,380 wounded for the 11th Army; the 2nd Army suffered 2,300 killed in action, 7,600 wounded, and 900 died of disease. Including casualties across the navy and the air force, the overall toll was about 35,500. By contrast, the Nationalist Government Military Commission's General Staff Department, drawing on unit-level reports, calculated Japanese casualties at 256,000. The discrepancy between Japanese and Nationalist tallies illustrates the inflationary tendencies of each side's reporting. Following Wuhan, a weakened Japanese force confronted an extended front. Unable to mount large-scale strategic offensives, unlike Shanghai, Xuzhou, or Wuhan itself, the Japanese to a greater extent adopted a defensive posture. This transition shifted China's War of Resistance from a strategic defensive phase into a strategic stalemate, while the invaders found themselves caught in a protracted war—a development they most disliked. Consequently, Japan's invasion strategy pivoted: away from primary frontal offensives toward a greater reliance on political inducements with secondary military action, and toward diverting forces to "security" operations behind enemy lines rather than pushing decisive frontal campaigns. Japan, an island nation with limited strategic resources, depended heavily on imports. By the time of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, Japan's gold reserves,including reserves for issuing banknotes, amounted to only about 1.35 billion yen. In effect, Japan's currency reserves constrained the scale of the war from the outset. The country launched its aggression while seeking an early solution to the conflict. To sustain its war of aggression against China, the total value of military supplies imported from overseas in 1937 reached approximately 960 million yen. By June of the following year, for the Battle of Wuhan, even rifles used in training were recalled to outfit the expanding army. The sustained increase in troops also strained domestic labor, food, and energy supplies. By 1939, after Wuhan, Japan's military expenditure had climbed to about 6.156 billion yen, far exceeding national reserves. This stark reality exposed Japan's economic fragility and its inability to guarantee a steady supply of military materiel, increasing pressure on the leadership at the Central Command. The Chief of Staff and the Minister of War lamented the mismatch between outward strength and underlying weakness: "Outwardly strong but weak is a reflection of our country today, and this will not last long." In sum, the Wuhan campaign coincided with a decline in the organization, equipment, and combat effectiveness of the Japanese army compared with before the battle. This erosion of capability helped drive Japan to alter its political and military strategy, shifting toward a method of inflicting pressure on China and attempting to "use China to control China", that is, fighting in ways designed to sustain the broader war effort. Tragically a major element of Chiang Kai-shek's retreat strategy was the age-old "scorched earth" policy. In fact, China originated the phrase and the practice. Shanghai escaped the last-minute torching because of foreigners whose property rights were protected. But in Nanjing, the burning and destruction began with increasing zeal. What could not be moved inland, such as remaining rice stocks, oil in tanks, and other facilities, was to be blown up or devastated. Civilians were told to follow the army inland, to rebuild later behind the natural barrier of Sichuan terrain. Many urban residents complied, but the peasantry did not embrace the plan. The scorched-earth policy served as powerful propaganda for the occupying Japanese army and, even more so, for the Reds. Yet they could hardly have foreseen the propaganda that Changsha would soon supply them. In June, the Changsha Evacuation Guidance Office was established to coordinate land and water evacuation routes. By the end of October, Wuhan's three towns had fallen, and on November 10 the Japanese army captured Yueyang, turning Changsha into the next primary invasion target. Beginning on October 9, Japanese aircraft intensified from sporadic raids on Changsha to large-scale bombing. On October 27, the Changsha Municipal Government urgently evacuated all residents, exempting only able-bodied men, the elderly, the weak, women, and children. The baojia system was mobilized to go door-to-door, enforcing compliance. On November 7, Chiang Kai-shek convened a military meeting at Rongyuan Garden to review the war plan and finalize a "scorched earth war of resistance." Xu Quan, Chief of Staff of the Security Command, drafted the detailed implementation plan. On November 10, Shi Guoji, Chief of Staff of the Security Command, presided over a joint meeting of Changsha's party, government, military, police, and civilian organizations to devise a strategy. The Changsha Destruction Command was immediately established, bringing together district commanders and several arson squads. The command actively prepared arson equipment and stacked flammable materials along major traffic arteries. Chiang decided that the city of Changsha was vulnerable and either gave the impression or the direct order, honestly really depends on the source your reading, to burn the city to the ground to prevent it falling to the enemy. At 9:00 AM on November 12, Chiang Kai-shek telegraphed Zhang Zhizhong: "One hour to arrive, Chairman Zhang, Changsha, confidential. If Changsha falls, the entire city must be burned. Please make thorough preparations in advance and do not delay." And here it seems a game of broken telephone sort of resulted in one of the worst fire disasters of all time. If your asking pro Chiang sources, the message was clearly, put up a defense, once thats fallen, burn the city down before the Japanese enter. Obviously this was to account for getting civilians out safely and so forth. If you read lets call it more modern CPP aligned sources, its the opposite. Chiang intentionally ordering the city to burn down as fast as possible, but in through my research, I think it was a colossal miscommunication. Regardless Zhongzheng Wen, Minister of the Interior, echoed the message. Simultaneously, Lin Wei, Deputy Director of Chiang Kai-shek's Secretariat, instructed Zhang Zhizhong by long-distance telephone: "If Changsha falls, the entire city must be burned." Zhang summoned Feng Ti, Commander of the Provincial Capital Garrison, and Xu Quan, Director of the Provincial Security Bureau, to outline arson procedures. He designated the Garrison Command to shoulder the preparations, with the Security Bureau assisting. At 4:00 PM, Zhang appointed Xu Kun, Commander of the Second Garrison Regiment, as chief commander of the arson operation, with Wang Weining, Captain of the Social Training Corps, and Xu Quan, Chief of Staff of the Garrison Command, as deputies. At 6:00 PM, the Garrison Command held an emergency meeting ordering all government agencies and organizations in the city to be ready for evacuation at any moment. By around 10:15 PM, all urban police posts had withdrawn. Around 2:00 AM (November 13), a false report circulated that "Japanese troops have reached Xinhe" . Firefighters stationed at various locations rushed out with kerosene-fueled devices, burning everything in sight, shops and houses alike. In an instant, Changsha became a sea of flames. The blaze raged for 72 hours. The Hunan Province Anti-Japanese War Loss Statistics, compiled by the Hunan Provincial Government Statistics Office of the Kuomintang, report that the fire inflicted economic losses of more than 1 billion yuan, a sum equivalent to about 1.7 trillion yuan after the victory in the war. This figure represented roughly 43% of Changsha's total economic value at the time. Regarding casualties, contemporary sources provide varying figures. A Xinhua Daily report from November 20, 1938 noted that authorities mobilized manpower to bury more than 600 bodies, though the total number of burned remains could not be precisely counted. A Central News Agency reporter on November 19 stated that in the Xiangyuan fire, more than 2,000 residents could not escape, and most of the bodies had already been buried. There are further claims that in the Changsha Fire, more than 20,000 residents were burned to death. In terms of displacement, Changsha's population before the fire was about 300,000, and by November 12, 90% had been evacuated. After the fire, authorities registered 124,000 victims, including 815 orphans sheltered in Lito and Maosgang.  Building damage constituted the other major dimension of the catastrophe, with the greatest losses occurring to residential houses, shops, schools, factories, government offices, banks, hospitals, newspaper offices, warehouses, and cultural and entertainment venues, as well as numerous historic buildings such as palaces, temples, private gardens, and the former residences of notable figures; among these, residential and commercial structures suffered the most, followed by factories and schools. Inspector Gao Yihan, who conducted a post-fire investigation, observed that the prosperous areas within Changsha's ring road, including Nanzheng Street and Bajiaoting, were almost completely destroyed, and in other major markets only a handful of shops remained, leading to an overall estimate that surviving or stalemated houses were likely less than 20%. Housing and street data from the early post-liberation period reveal that Changsha had more than 1,100 streets and alleys; of these, more than 690 were completely burned and more than 330 had fewer than five surviving houses, accounting for about 29%, with nearly 90% of the city's streets severely damaged. More than 440 streets were not completely destroyed, but among these, over 190 had only one or two houses remaining and over 130 had only three or four houses remaining; about 60 streets, roughly 6% had 30 to 40 surviving houses, around 30 streets, 3% had 11 to 20 houses, 10 streets, 1% had 21 to 30 houses, and three streets ) had more than 30 houses remaining. Housing statistics from 1952 show that 2,538 houses survived the fire, about 6.57% of the city's total housing stock, with private houses totaling 305,800 square meters and public houses 537,900 square meters. By 1956, the surviving area of both private and public housing totaled 843,700 square meters, roughly 12.3% of the city's total housing area at that time. Alongside these losses, all equipment, materials, funds, goods, books, archives, antiques, and cultural relics that had not been moved were also destroyed.  At the time of the Changsha Fire, Zhou Enlai, then Deputy Minister of the Political Department of the Nationalist Government's Military Commission, was in Changsha alongside Ye Jianying, Guo Moruo, and others. On November 12, 1938, Zhou Enlai attended a meeting held by Changsha cultural groups at Changsha Normal School to commemorate Sun Yat-sen's 72nd birthday. Guo Moruo later recalled that Zhou Enlai and Ye Jianying were awakened by the blaze that night; they each carried a suitcase and evacuated to Xiangtan, with Zhou reportedly displaying considerable indignation at the sudden, unprovoked fire. On the 16th, Zhou Enlai rushed back to Changsha and, together with Chen Cheng, Zhang Zhizhong, and others, inspected the disaster. He mobilized personnel from three departments, with Tian Han and Guo Moruo at the forefront, to form the Changsha Fire Aftermath Task Force, which began debris clearance, care for the injured, and the establishment of soup kitchens. A few days later, on the 22nd, the Hunan Provincial Government established the Changsha Fire Temporary Relief Committee to coordinate relief efforts.  On the night of November 16, 1938, Chiang Kai-shek arrived in Changsha and, the next day, ascended Tianxin Pavilion. Sha Wei, head of the Cultural Relics Section of the Changsha Tianxin Pavilion Park Management Office, and a long-time researcher of the pavilion, explained that documentation indicates Chiang Kai-shek, upon seeing the city largely reduced to scorched earth with little left intact, grew visibly angry. After descending from Tianxin Pavilion, Chiang immediately ordered the arrest of Changsha Garrison Commander Feng Ti, Changsha Police Chief Wen Chongfu, and Commander of the Second Garrison Regiment Xu Kun, and arranged a military trial with a two-day deadline. The interrogation began at 7:00 a.m. on November 18. Liang Xiaojin records that Xu Kun and Wen Chongfu insisted their actions followed orders from the Security Command, while Feng Ti admitted negligence and violations of procedure, calling his acts unforgivable. The trial found Feng Ti to be the principal offender, with Wen Chongfu and Xu Kun as accomplices, and sentenced all three to prison terms of varying lengths. The verdict was sent to Chiang Kai-shek for approval, who was deeply dissatisfied and personally annotated the drafts: he asserted that Feng Ti, as the city's security head, was negligent and must be shot immediately; Wen Chongfu, as police chief, disobeyed orders and fled, and must be shot immediately; Xu Kun, for neglect of duty, must be shot immediately. The court then altered the arson charge in the verdict to "insulting his duty and harming the people" in line with Chiang's instructions. Chiang Kai-shek, citing "failure to supervise personnel and precautions," dismissed Zhang from his post, though he remained in office to oversee aftermath operations. Zhang Zhizhong later recalled Chiang Kai-shek's response after addressing the Changsha fire: a pointed admission that the fundamental cause lay not with a single individual but with the collective leadership's mistakes, and that the error must be acknowledged as a collective failure. All eyes now shifted to the new center of resistance, Chongqing, the temporary capital. Chiang's "Free China" no longer meant the whole country; it now encompassed Sichuan, Hunan, and Henan, but not Jiangsu or Zhejiang. The eastern provinces were effectively lost, along with China's major customs revenues, the country's most fertile regions, and its most advanced infrastructure. The center of political gravity moved far to the west, into a country the Nationalists had never controlled, where everything was unfamiliar and unpredictable, from topography and dialects to diets. On the map, it might have seemed that Chiang still ruled much of China, but vast swaths of the north and northwest were sparsely populated; most of China's population lay in the east and south, where Nationalist control was either gone or held only precariously. The combined pressures of events and returning travelers were gradually shifting American attitudes toward the Japanese incident. Europe remained largely indifferent, with Hitler absorbing most attention, but the United States began to worry about developments in the Pacific. Roosevelt initiated a January 1939 appeal to raise a million dollars for Chinese civilians in distress, and the response quickly materialized. While the Chinese did not expect direct intervention, they hoped to deter further American economic cooperation with Japan and to halt Japan's purchases of scrap iron, oil, gasoline, shipping, and, above all, weapons from the United States. Public opinion in America was sufficiently stirred to sustain a campaign against silk stockings, a symbolic gesture of boycott that achieved limited effect; Japan nonetheless continued to procure strategic materials. Within this chorus, the left remained a persistent but often discordant ally to the Nationalists. The Institute of Pacific Relations, sympathetic to communist aims, urged America to act, pressuring policymakers and sounding alarms about China. Yet the party line remained firmly pro-Chiang Kai-shek: the Japanese advance seemed too rapid and threatening to the Reds' interests. Most oil and iron debates stalled; American businessmen resented British trade ties with Japan, and Britain refused to join any mutual cutoff, arguing that the Western powers were not at war with Japan. What occurred in China was still commonly referred to in Western diplomatic circles as "the Incident." Wang Jingwei's would make his final defection, yes in a long ass history of defections. Mr Wang Jingwei had been very busy traveling to Guangzhou, then Northwest to speak with Feng Yuxiang, many telegrams went back and forth. He returned to the Nationalist government showing his face to foreign presses and so forth. While other prominent rivals of Chiang, Li Zongren, Bai Chongxi, and others, rallied when they perceived Japan as a real threat; all did so except Wang Jingwei. Wang, who had long believed himself the natural heir to Sun Yat-sen and who had repeatedly sought to ascend to power, seemed willing to cooperate with Japan if it served his own aims. I will just say it, Wang Jingwei was a rat. He had always been a rat, never changed. Opinions on Chiang Kai-Shek vary, but I think almost everyone can agree Wang Jingwei was one of the worst characters of this time period. Now Wang Jingwei could not distinguish between allies and enemies and was prepared to accept help from whomever offered it, believing he could outmaneuver Tokyo when necessary. Friends in Shanghai and abroad whispered that it was not too late to influence events, arguing that the broader struggle was not merely China versus Japan but a clash between principled leaders and a tyrannical, self-serving clique, Western imperialism's apologists who needed Chiang removed. For a time Wang drifted within the Kuomintang, moving between Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, and Chongqing, maintaining discreet lines of communication with his confidants. The Japanese faced a governance problem typical of conquerors who possess conquered territory: how to rule effectively while continuing the war. They imagined Asia under Japanese-led leadership, an East Asia united by a shared Co-Prosperity Sphere but divided by traditional borders. To sustain this vision, they sought local leaders who could cooperate. The search yielded few viable options; would-be collaborators were soon assassinated, proved incompetent, or proved corrupt. The Japanese concluded it would require more time and education. In the end, Wang Jingwei emerged as a preferred figure. Chongqing, meanwhile, seemed surprised by Wang's ascent. He had moved west to Chengde, then to Kunming, attempted, and failed to win over Yunnan's warlords, and eventually proceeded to Hanoi in Indochina, arriving in Hong Kong by year's end. He sent Chiang Kai-shek a telegram suggesting acceptance of Konoe's terms for peace, which Chungking rejected. In time, Wang would establish his own Kuomintang faction in Shanghai, combining rigorous administration with pervasive secret-police activity characteristic of occupied regimes. By 1940, he would be formally installed as "Chairman of China." But that is a story for another episode.  In the north, the Japanese and the CCP were locked in an uneasy stalemate. Mao's army could make it impossible for the Japanese to hold deep countryside far from the railway lines that enabled mass troop movement into China's interior. Yet the Communists could not defeat the occupiers. In the dark days of October 1938—fifteen months after the war began—one constant remained. Observers (Chinese businessmen, British diplomats, Japanese generals) repeatedly predicted that each new disaster would signal the end of Chinese resistance and force a swift surrender, or at least a negotiated settlement in which the government would accept harsher terms from Tokyo. But even after defenders were expelled from Shanghai, Nanjing, and Wuhan, despite the terrifying might Japan had brought to bear on Chinese resistance, and despite the invader's manpower, technology, and resources, China continued to fight. Yet it fought alone. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. In a land shredded by war, Wuhan burned under brutal sieges, then Changsha followed, a cruel blaze born of orders and miscommunications. Leaders wrestled with retreat, scorched-earth vows, and moral debts as Japanese force and Chinese resilience clashed for months. Mao urged strategy over martyrdom, Wang Jingwei's scheming shadow loomed, and Chongqing rose as the westward beacon. Yet China endured, a stubborn flame refusing to surrender to the coming storm. The war stretched on, unfinished and unyielding.

Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the Japanese film Grave of the Fireflies. This 1998 film was produced by Studio Ghibli and directed by Isao Takahata. It is based on the semi-autobiographical short story of the same … Continue reading →

This week we're nearing the end of our year of Redux and we've saved the best for now! Introducing the winner of our Year of the Ninja, it's Duel to the Death! Duel to the Death is an action-packed martial arts classic where a Chinese swordsman and a Japanese samurai must face off in a deadly duel. As they prepare, they battle assassins and uncover dark conspiracies, leading to an explosive final showdown of honor and skill. We hope you enjoy this episode! If you'd like to unlock bonus episodes from Talking Back every month, then check out our page on Patreon! Check out Tim's Youtube Channel Demo Dash! You can also support Talking Back by sending us a Coffee at Buy Us a Coffee!  Please consider leaving a 5 star rating and review on Apple Podcasts! This helps make our Podcast easier for listeners to find.  Feel free to drop us a line on Social Media at Instagram, and Facebook. Or drop us an email us at talkbackpod@gmail.com. This podcast is part of the BFOP Network 

Join us as we dive into Takashi Miike's cult classic Audition, a chilling fusion of romance and nightmare from 1999. We explore how Miike crafts a deceptively calm setup that unfolds into one of Japanese horror's most infamous knife-edge reveals. We discuss performance masterclass from Ryo Ishibashi and Eihi Shiina, the film's unsettling atmosphere, and its lasting impact on the genre. If you're curious how a slow-burn premise can explode into pure terror, this episode is for you.Where To Watch Audition

Today's story: On a Sunday morning in October, four thieves disguised as construction workers used a ladder truck and power tools to break into the Louvre museum. In just seven minutes, they smashed display cases and escaped with eight priceless pieces of French crown jewelry, including emeralds, sapphires, and pearls once worn by empresses.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/814Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/814 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare for an international move. Whatever your reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed that's right for intermediate English learners: just a little slower than full native speed. You'll improve your English listening, learn new words, and have fun thinking in English.--Did you like this episode? You'll love the full Plain English experience. Join today and unlock the fast (native-speed) version of this episode, translations in the transcripts, how-to video lessons, live conversation calls, and more. Tap/click: PlainEnglish.com/joinHere's where else you can find us: Instagram | YouTube | WhatsApp | EmailMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 146: How Great Leaders Turn Challenges into Puzzles with Radhika Dutt In this, the first episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker engages with guest Radhika, a seasoned advisor and published author, to discuss transformative strategies for family businesses. They delve into the concept of replacing traditional goal setting with a 'puzzle setting and puzzle solving' approach, emphasizing curiosity, adaptability, and collaborative learning. The discussion explores how family businesses can navigate succession, integrate innovative thinking, and balance risk while fostering clear communication and family alignment. This episode offers valuable insights for family business owners and leaders seeking sustainable growth and harmonious leadership transition. ·       00:55 The Old Model of Goal Setting ·       01:49 Guest Introduction: Radhika's Background ·       06:37 The Puzzle Setting Approach ·       07:38 The Importance of Succession Planning ·       16:52 The Problems with KPIs and Target Setting ·       21:48 Shifting from Goals to Puzzles in Business ·       23:44 Implementing Puzzle Solving in Sales ·       28:02 Collaborative Learning and Curiosity ·       33:11 Navigating Family Business Transitions ·       38:54 Balancing Risk in Family Businesses ·       41:24 Learning from Other Industries ·       43:59 Conclusion and Resources Websites: ·       fambizforum.com. ·       www.chrisyonker.com ·       OHLS Toolkit ·       linkedin: @radhika-dutt Radhika's Bio: Radhika Dutt is the author of Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter which has been translated into Chinese and Japanese. The methodology she introduced in her first book is now used in over 40 countries. She is an entrepreneur, speaker, and product leader who has participated in five acquisitions, two of which were companies that she founded. She is currently Advisor on Product Thinking to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (Singapore's central bank and financial regulator), and does consulting and training for organizations ranging from high-tech startups to multinationals on building radical products that create a fundamental change. Radhika has built products in a wide range of industries including broadcast, media and entertainment, telecom, advertising technology, government, consumer apps, robotics, and even wine. She graduated from MIT with an SB and M.Eng in Electrical Engineering, and speaks nine languages. Radhika is now working on her second book – it's about why goals and targets backfire and what actually works.  

Surprise surprise.. The airplane flies at max altitude and speed, but we're not stopping, we're going to space. Mary Yuzovskaya and Philippa Pacho have just finished their sets. It's peak Saturday night. Lasers, smoke, hazy dreams and perfectly tuned F1's, even the trees are buzzing. The forest knows. Knows that a Japanese techno sensei is secretly entering Varden at 02:30 in the cover of darkness. The live set starts out with some form of a soft air raid alarm, but less sharp and ominous. “Is it DJ Nobu?” “Is it Wata Igarashi?” you hear all over the field. DOLTZ is a surprise, and not listed in the program. He continues with an ambient, almost psychedelic sound. Then slowly layering of all the little sounds that circle around the main beat, letting tension build, balancing experimental and driving techno. There are no sudden drops, but periods of pulling back before reintroducing energy to the dance floor. DOLTZ took us with him into what felt like a wormhole. The beat held us steady, but everything around it was spinning, stretching, and folding in on itself. The reactions from the Monument family were as different as they were similar. Some were jumping, some were shaking, others were dancing pirouettes, moving slowly, or standing still. At times, it was like being inside a centrifuge or a washing machine. Not dizzy, but surrounded, as if the sound pressed against the body. His set was a physical experience: immersive, disorienting, yet weirdly grounding at the same time. Friends, step into the rocketship and journey through the wormhole once again. Return to Doltz at Varden. The techno gods were smiling from ear to ear that night. Follow https://soundcloud.com/doltzdeep https://www.instagram.com/doltzdeep/

Durante las próximas cuatro semanas, Cancioneros hará una breve pausa. Volveremos con nuevos episodios el 17 de noviembre. Mientras tanto, estaremos compartiendo nuevamente episodios de nuestras temporadas anteriores. En este episodio de El Cancionero de Kurt, conducido por Albina Cabrera, exploramos la evolución del punk a través de cuatro álbumes icónicos que influyeron profundamente a Kurt Cobain. Comenzamos con Burning Farm de Shonen Knife, banda japonesa que rompió estereotipos y fusionó la energía del punk con melodías pop. Continuamos con Never Mind the Bollocks, Here 's the Sex Pistols, que encapsuló la rebeldía y agitación política de los años 70. Philosophy of the World de The Shaggs, un disco tan único como polémico que sigue siendo un hito del rock alternativo. Finalmente, exploramos My War de Black Flag, una obra que fusionó el punk con elementos de heavy metal y doom, marcando una evolución en el sonido de la banda. Albina te guía por reflexiones y anécdotas que conectan estos álbumes con la cultura rock de América Latina, con testimonios exclusivos de la artista punk Alice Bag, la periodista cultural Suzy Expósito, los directores de La Bestia Radio México, el periodista venezolano Rafael Uzcátegui y el miembro fundador de Los Violadores de Argentina, Sergio Gramática. Agradecimientos especiales: Francisco Carrera, Director de La Bestia Radio México. Mario Rincón, Director de La Bestia Radio México. Suzy Expósito, periodista musical y artista punk con base en Los Ángeles. Ha trabajado en Rolling Stone Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Vogue y más. Rafael Uzcátegui, periodista venezolano. Compilador de los libros "Educación Anterior" sobre el punk en Venezuela y "Mayoría Equivocada" sobre el punk latinoamericano. Alice Bag, artista, activista y fundadora de Bags mítica banda punk con base en Los Ángeles de fines de los 70s. Sergio Gramática, baterista y miembro fundador de Los Violadores, la primera banda punk de alcance masivo en América Latina. Host: Albina CabreraProductora asistente: Gisela Casa MadridEditor: Dusty HenryProductor de audio: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliDirector editorial: Larry Mizell Jr.Apoya este podcast: kexp.org/elsonido For the next few weeks, Cancioneros will be taking a short break. We’ll return with new episodes on November 17th. In the meantime, we’ll be re-sharing episodes from our previous seasons. In this fifth episode of El Cancionero de Kurt, hosted by Albina Cabrera, we explore the evolution of punk through four iconic albums that profoundly influenced Kurt Cobain. We begin with Burning Farm by Shonen Knife, a Japanese band that broke stereotypes and fused punk energy with pop melodies. We continue with Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, which encapsulated the rebellion and political turmoil of the 70s. Philosophy of the World by The Shaggs, an album as unique as it is controversial, remains a milestone of alternative rock. Finally, we delve into My War by Black Flag, a work that fused punk with elements of heavy metal and doom, marking an evolution in the band's sound. Albina guides you through reflections and anecdotes that connect these albums with Latin American rock culture, featuring exclusive testimonies from punk artist Alice Bag, cultural journalist Suzy Exposito, the directors of La Bestia Radio Mexico, Venezuelan journalist Rafael Uzcátegui, and founding member of Los Violadores from Argentina, Sergio Gramática. Special thanks: Francisco Carrera, Director of La Bestia Radio Mexico. Mario Rincón, Director of La Bestia Radio Mexico. Suzy Expósito, music journalist and punk artist based in Los Angeles. She has worked for Rolling Stone Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Vogue, and more. Rafael Uzcátegui is a Venezuelan journalist and the author of the books Educación Anterior about punk in Venezuela and Mayoría Equivocada about Latin American punk. Alice Bag, artist, activist, and founder of Bags, a legendary punk band based in Los Angeles from the late 70s. Sergio Gramática, drummer and founding member of Los Violadores, the first punk band to achieve mass appeal in Latin America. Team:Host: Albina CabreraAssistant Producer: Gisela Casa MadridEditor: Dusty HenryAudio Producer: Roddy NikpourPodcast Manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.Support this podcast: kexp.org/donateSupport the show: http://kexp.org/elsonidoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Japanese Imperial Army managed to take Wuhan but found it difficult to keep up their previous momentum as Chinese defensive efforts and counter-insurgency begin to wear on the Japanese supply line and threaten to reverse their previous gains.Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other online platforms!

Send us a textThe Media Slayers are back for Episode 187. We kick things off with Halloween shenanigans before spiraling straight into social media, parenting, and one wild “assault” story that landed the alleged victim behind bars. Then it's on to Hurricane Melissa (prayers up for Jamaica), a deep dive into the *No Limit vs. Cash Money* Verzuz showdown, and some breaking Starz news — BMF has been cancelled!But wait, there's more: Michael Jackson's still out here breaking records from beyond, a mom discovers her “nonverbal” son is actually fluent in Japanese, Max B's about to touch down, and the crew ranks the best and worst Halloween costumes they saw in the streets.  It's culture, chaos, and comedy, The Media Slayers way. Tune in and catch the madness before it catches you.Support the showhttps://instagram.com/weaintdonepodcast?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Fresh out of the studio and we hit our 500th episode milestone, guest host Yana Fry from Yana TV turns the tables on Bernard Leong, CEO of Dorje AI and host of Analyse Asia, in a special ask-me-anything format. We start with Bernard's journey from finding his first guest to navigating 11 years of podcasting, revealing his 12-word life philosophy: "Learn from everyone, follow no one, observe the patterns, work like hell." Following on, Bernard shares how his theoretical physics background provides the tools on everything from digital transformation to building Dorje AI's vision of reimagining ERP systems. The conversation dives deep into Bernard's pragmatic idealist worldview, product management philosophy and focus on the future. Bernard announces a major rebrand: Analyse Asia is dropping "Asia" to become the Analyse Podcast as it expands to a global audience, marking a new chapter in the show's evolution."For Dorje AI, what great looks like is being able to solve the ERP problem for businesses. It could take five years, ten years, or even two decades — because every technology adoption cycle takes time. We're at the beginning of a massive shift, but many still cling to the old ways of doing things. The one thing I've learned about digital transformation is this: everyone loves transformation, but they hate to change. Everything that people say will happen in two years usually takes five.When I think about Analyse Asia, greatness for me is being able to do an interview without looking at a set of questions — to tease out a guest's story authentically, without prejudice, without being a fanboy. Just getting the story out. If I can do that, that's great. Of course, hitting a million subscribers would be fantastic — that's the next milestone I'm chasing. But for me, it's always: ‘I've reached this milestone — what's next?'When you think about frugality at the highest level, it's not about resources — it's about time. The real measure is how much time you can spend doing what truly matters. That's what great looks like for me: asking, what's the minimum amount of time I can make the maximum impact? Maybe I'll never fully get there. But if we can say we lived this life without regret — that's enough." - Bernard LeongEpisode Highlights:[00:00] Quote of the Day by Bernard Leong[01:00] Introduction: Yana Fry (Guest Host) and Bernard Leong[02:05] Early Days of Analyse Asia Finding first guest was biggest initial challenge[04:30] Looking at Everything from a corporate executive like a theoretical physicist[06:23] Podcast interviews are combinations of science and art[08:19] Pragmatic idealist philosophy shapes Bernard's worldview[10:17] 12 Word Advice: Learn from Everyone, Follow No One, Observe the Patterns & Work like Hell[13:00] Dorje AI solving fundamental ERP ledger problems[16:15] Attacking competitors' strongest strength - Lessons of history from Kublai Khan[21:34] New is Easy and Right is Hard for Product Management[24:00] Audio to video was hardest podcast pivot[29:25] Japanese craftsman approach keeps Bernard going[33:09] Analyse Asia rebranding to Analyse Podcast globally[39:55] Father's 50-year loyalty shaped Bernard's management philosophy[44:00] Asia is diverse cities, not monolithic continent[46:00] Most problems aren't AI problems after questioning[51:00] What does Great Look Like for Dorje AI, Analyse Asia and Bernard Leong?[52:10] ClosingProfile: - Bernard Leong, Host of Analyse Asia Podcast, CEO of Dorje AI https://dorje.ai, Adjunct Associate Professor from NUS Business School & Institute of Systems Science. - Guest Host: Yana Fry from  @yanatvsg  which we highly recommend and subscribe to: https://www.youtube.com/@yanatvsgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanafry/Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. The proper credits for the intro and end music are "Energetic Sports Drive." G. Thomas Craig mixed and edited the episode in both video and audio format.

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Halloween in Japan, US Military Base, healthy phone habits, and more! 日本のハロウィーン、米軍基地、スマホの健全な使い方など！ 2023 marked the first year where Shibuya Halloween was banned. What was this year like and is halloween dead? Send us questions at:  lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/1402788543721508977 Support on ko-fi:  https://ko-fi.com/lazyfluency  

At the end of her mother's life, writer and academic Julietta Singh returns to Winnipeg to say goodbye to her childhood home. As she digs into the history of the house, she uncovers 140 years of forgotten matriarchs and political rebels she never knew. Singh has teamed up with acclaimed filmmaker Chase Joynt and the National Film Board to create a documentary that interweaves Indigenous, Deaf, Japanese and South Asian histories, all connected through the house she grew up in. There's a free showing of the film November 5 at the Chan Centre and a talk by Julietta Singh. We speak with Julietta Singh and Chase Joynt.

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Embracing New Beginnings at Fujisan's Autumn Teahouse Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-03-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 富士山の麓にある小さな村。En: A small village at the foot of Fujisan.Ja: その村には古い木造の茶屋があった。En: In this village, there was an old wooden teahouse.Ja: 秋の空気が冷たく澄んでおり、紅葉が見頃を迎えていた。En: The autumn air was cold and clear, and the autumn leaves were at their peak.Ja: 茶屋の灯りが優しく揺れ、香ばしいお茶の香りが漂っていた。En: The light of the teahouse gently swayed, and the fragrant aroma of tea wafted through the air.Ja: 中では多くの旅行者が一息ついていた。En: Inside, many travelers were taking a moment to breathe.Ja: ある日、ハルトは茶屋の入口に立っていた。En: One day, Haruto stood at the entrance of the teahouse.Ja: 心の痛みを和らげるために、彼は友人のユミと共にここまでやって来たのだった。En: He had come here with his friend Yumi to ease the pain in his heart.Ja: ユミは子供の頃からの彼の友達で、いつも冒険心に溢れていた。En: Yumi was a friend from his childhood, always full of adventure.Ja: 「ハルト、大丈夫？」ユミは心配そうに声をかけた。En: "Haruto, are you okay?" Yumi asked with concern.Ja: 「うん、少しだけ。」とハルトは頷いたが、まだどこか迷っている様子だった。En: "Yeah, just a little," Haruto nodded, although he still seemed somewhat lost.Ja: 彼らは富士山の紅葉を見るためにそこへ来た。En: They had come to see the autumn leaves of Fujisan.Ja: しかし、曇り空が彼らの計画を阻んでいた。En: However, cloudy skies were hindering their plans.Ja: 山のガイド、タケシが近くに立っていた。En: The mountain guide, Takeshi, was standing nearby.Ja: 彼は親切そうで、不思議な過去を持っているようだった。En: He seemed kind and carried an aura of a mysterious past.Ja: 「天気が変わりやすいけど、少し待てば晴れるかも」とタケシは言った。En: "The weather changes easily, but if you wait a little, it might clear up," Takeshi said.Ja: 天気が悪くなると分かっていたが、ハルトはその旅を続けることに決めかねていた。En: Even knowing the weather could get worse, Haruto was hesitant to continue the journey.Ja: ユミとタケシは彼を励ました。En: Yumi and Takeshi encouraged him.Ja: 「諦めないで。きっと素晴らしい景色が見られるよ。」ユミが言った。En: "Don't give up. I'm sure you'll see a wonderful view," Yumi said.Ja: 「そうだ、自然が私たちを裏切ることはあまりない」とタケシも微笑んだ。En: "That's right, nature doesn't betray us often," Takeshi smiled.Ja: しばらくして、突然雲が割れた。En: After a while, the clouds suddenly parted.Ja: 太陽の光が差し込み、目の前に広がる紅葉が美しく輝いていた。En: Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the beautiful autumn leaves spread out before them.Ja: 赤や黄色の葉が風に揺れ、それはまるで絵画のようだった。En: Red and yellow leaves swayed in the wind, looking like a painting.Ja: ハルトはその光景を見て、心が静かに満たされるのを感じた。En: As Haruto watched the scene, he felt his heart quietly fill.Ja: 過去の苦しみから解放されるような気がした。En: It felt as if he were being freed from past suffering.Ja: その時、彼は気づいた。大切なのは過去にしがみつくことではなく、今を生きることだと。En: At that moment, he realized that what was important was not clinging to the past, but living in the now.Ja: ユミとタケシと共に、彼は新たな一歩を踏み出した。En: Together with Yumi and Takeshi, he took a new step forward.Ja: 彼らの友情も、紅葉と共に色濃く輝いていた。En: Their friendship shone vividly, just like the autumn leaves.Ja: こうしてハルトは、過去から解放され、新しい始まりを受け入れることができたのだった。En: In this way, Haruto was able to free himself from the past and embrace a new beginning.Ja: 彼はこれからの自分の人生を前向きに見つめて、生きることの喜びを胸に刻んで帰って行った。En: He went back, looking forward to his future life positively, with the joy of living etched in his heart.Ja: 紅葉がまた来年も鮮やかな彩りを見せてくれることを願いながら。En: Hoping that the autumn leaves would show their vibrant colors again next year. Vocabulary Words:foot: 麓wooden: 木造autumn: 秋fragrant: 香ばしいwafted: 漂っていたease: 和らげるadventure: 冒険心concern: 心配そうhindering: 阻んでいたguide: ガイドmysterious: 不思議なhesitant: 決めかねていたencouraged: 励ましたview: 景色betray: 裏切るilluminating: 輝いていたswayed: 揺れfreed: 解放されるclinging: しがみつくvividly: 色濃くembrace: 受け入れるetched: 刻んでawaiting: 願いながらclear: 澄んでおりscene: 光景breathing: 一息ついていたchildhood: 子供の頃cloudy: 曇りjourney: 旅moment: その時

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Tea Ceremony Triumph: A Tale of Friendship and Festival Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-03-08-38-19-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 体育館には色とりどりの旗が飾られ、中世風の装飾が施されていました。En: The gymnasium was adorned with colorful flags and decorated in a medieval style.Ja: 厚いカーテンが窓を覆い、早秋の柔らかな光が蛍光灯と混ざり合って、独特の雰囲気を作り出しています。En: Thick curtains covered the windows, and the soft early autumn light blended with the fluorescent lamps, creating a unique atmosphere.Ja: 香の香りが漂い、生徒たちは忙しく文化祭の準備をしています。En: The scent of incense lingered, and the students were busily preparing for the cultural festival.Ja: 春樹は日本の伝統的な茶道を発表しようとしています。En: Haruki was planning to present a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.Ja: 彼の茶道は、学校の文化祭の一番の見どころにしたいと思っています。En: He hoped his tea ceremony would become the highlight of the school's cultural festival.Ja: 「頑張って、春樹！」雪と奈央が彼に声をかけます。En: "Do your best, Haruki!" Yuki and Nao called out to him.Ja: 二人は春樹の親友で、文化祭のためにそれぞれの催し物を準備しています。En: The two were Haruki's close friends, each preparing their own events for the festival.Ja: 雪は書道の展示、奈央は素晴らしい物語を語るパフォーマンスを用意していました。En: Yuki was setting up a calligraphy exhibition, while Nao was preparing a performance of storytelling.Ja: 春樹は心の中で不安を感じています。En: Haruki felt a sense of anxiety inside.Ja: 「僕の茶道でみんなに認めてもらえるかな？」と。En: "I wonder if my tea ceremony will be recognized by everyone?" he thought.Ja: 雪と奈央の展示も素晴らしいと評判で、特に雪の書道は人気があります。En: The exhibitions of Yuki and Nao were also reputed to be wonderful, with Yuki's calligraphy being particularly popular.Ja: 茶道を普通に行うだけではもっと競争相手にならないと感じた春樹は、決心しました。En: Feeling that performing a standard tea ceremony would not be enough to stand out among competitors, Haruki made a decision.Ja: 「鎌倉時代の茶文化を再現しよう。それで目立つことができるかもしれない。」En: "I'll recreate the tea culture of the Kamakura era. That might make me stand out."Ja: 茶道のセットを用意するのは大変です。En: Preparing the tea ceremony set was challenging.Ja: 歴史を調べ、新しいアイデアを組み込むために頑張ります。En: He worked hard to incorporate new ideas while researching history.Ja: しかし、いざ発表の日、春樹は悲劇に見舞われます。En: However, on the day of the presentation, Haruki was struck by disaster.Ja: 茶道の道具が突然倒れ、敷物は乱れ、茶碗は転げ落ちます。En: The tea ceremony tools suddenly fell, the mat was disheveled, and the tea bowls toppled over.Ja: 観客たちは驚き、ざわめいています。En: The audience gasped in surprise and murmured among themselves.Ja: 春樹は目を閉じて深呼吸します。En: Haruki closed his eyes and took a deep breath.Ja: 観客の注目が集まる中、彼は頭を働かせます。En: Amidst the audience's attention, he began to think.Ja: すると、雪と奈央が彼の傍に駆け寄ります。En: Then, Yuki and Nao rushed to his side.Ja: 「大丈夫、春樹。私たちが手伝うから。」En: "It's okay, Haruki. We'll help you."Ja: 三人は急いで茶碗を拾い、舞台を整え直し、限られた道具でなんとか茶道を再開します。En: The three quickly picked up the tea bowls, rearranged the stage, and somehow managed to resume the tea ceremony with the limited tools available.Ja: 歴史的な説明を交えつつ、雪は筆を使って、奈央は物語を語り始めます。En: While incorporating historical explanations, Yuki began writing with her brush, and Nao started telling a story.Ja: 茶道は新しい形となり、二人の助けを借りて、審査員や観客に強い印象を与えました。En: The tea ceremony took on a new form, and with the help of his friends, Haruki made a strong impression on the judges and the audience.Ja: 「見事だ、春樹、雪、奈央。」審査員は、その感想を述べ、彼らに高評価を与えました。En: "Excellent work, Haruki, Yuki, Nao," the judges remarked, giving them high praise.Ja: 春樹は胸を張ります。En: Haruki stood tall.Ja: 「実は、友達との協力が一番大切なんだって気づいたんだ。」En: "I realized that working together with friends is the most important thing."Ja: 三人は微笑み合って、体育館を後にしました。En: The three smiled at each other and left the gymnasium.Ja: 秋の冷たい風が吹く中、文化祭の日の思い出は心の中に温かく残りました。En: As the chilly autumn wind blew, the memories of the cultural festival day remained warmly in their hearts.Ja: 春樹は、友達や学校の仲間との絆が新しい始まりであることを実感し、より自信を持って前に進むことができました。En: Haruki felt that the bonds with his friends and schoolmates were a new beginning, allowing him to move forward with greater confidence. Vocabulary Words:adorned: 飾られcurtains: カーテンincense: 香tea ceremony: 茶道highlight: 見どころanxiety: 不安reputed: 評判competitors: 競争相手recreate: 再現challenging: 大変disaster: 悲劇disheveled: 乱れmurmured: ざわめいてamidst: 中でincorporating: 交えつつrearranged: 整え直しimpression: 印象judges: 審査員remarked: 述べconfidence: 自信bonds: 絆decorated: 装飾atmosphere: 雰囲気lingered: 漂いreputed: 評判remarkable: 素晴らしいpresentation: 発表resumed: 再開explanations: 説明performance: パフォーマンス

Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 24 Eve of the New Order In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels.             Earned leadership is a blessing; assigned leadership is a burden   "Am I going to have to spank this little kitty to teach you a lesson?" Rio asked sweetly. Mercy vigorously shook her head in denial. "So you don't want me to do this?" Rio began energetically rubbing her fingers over the moist cunt. I was distracted from the rest of that exchange by Barbie Lynn's recovery. She climbed up my body, cheeks still full of my cum and staring at me with a mischievous hunger. At the moment I thought we were going to mimic the cum-swapping trick Ms. Lane and I had done, she went in another direction. Barbie Lynn leaned forward within inches of Vivian's face. Vivian reacted by pulling away, knocking the back of her skull against the headboard of the bed. "Barbie Lynn, I am not kissing you, and I am certainly not kissing you with Zane's, seed/semen in your mouth," Vivian insisted. Barbie Lynn mumbled something that sounded somewhat like 'but you'll like it' and did her best to look sexy, innocent, and inviting all at once. She would have had me convinced that brushing my teeth with uranium hexafluoride was the best thing for long term dental health too. Barbie Lynn pressed forward, Vivian held her back by putting a hand on each shoulder, and then Barbie Lynn transferred one of Vivian's hands so that it now supported one of Barbie Lynn's dangling tits. Realistically, Vivian was better at Karate than Barbie Lynn and could have blocked/resisted the blow, but Vivian had the ability to be remarkably compliant at the weirdest of times, like right now. Barbie Lynn was really close to doing as promised. "Please don't," Vivian asked softly. Barbie Lynn went one step further; she tapped her forehead to Vivian's forehead, smiled at her, and sat up, ready to swallow at last. "Wait, don't!" Rio cried out. She switched direction so that she was beside Barbie Lynn and they were the ones now actually kissing and letting my semen travel from tongue to tongue. When Rio got her share and then some, she spun rapidly back to Mercy and slapped that girl's thigh, motioning her up on her knees facing Rio. As Mercy reached the appointed position, Rio took her head in both hands and bore into a powerful oral exchange. One blowjob with three recipients, not my normal wake-up routine. That aforementioned bunch of guys is going to crucify me, upside down. Mercy went from slightly hesitant to rather animated in seconds, keeping tight to Rio as Rio tried to withdraw. Mercy's tongue lashed Rio's mouth a few more times before Rio pushed her back. "You like that, my Bang-bunny?" Rio taunted Mercy. "Do you like Zane's cream on your tongue and going down your throat?" "Yes," Mercy responded shyly, "yes, I like it very much." I waited for 'can I have another' and an inappropriate chorus from 'Oliver'. Rio didn't see things that way. She wrapped Mercy up by the waist and kissed her once more. "Okay, but since you are such a lousy cocksucker I am going to make you practice on Zane every night at eleven until you get it right, at least until the end of the semester," Rio scolded Mercy. "If that is what you want!" Mercy beamed. "Lord Jesus, save me," Vivian prayed for sanity to return to the room. "Oh, no, you are not," Barbie Lynn challenged Mercy and Rio's little scheme as she rushed to my rescue. "Not every night, anyway," she added. Maybe not rushing to my rescue after all. "The next lady to lay claim to my sexual favors, I'm going to make French kiss Ms. Marlowe during breakfast at the Dining Hall," I threatened. "Spread the word." "How is that going to work?" Rio snickered. "I don't know, but I've done every other inconceivable thing I've set out to do so why should this be any different?" I gave her a lopsided grin. "Yes, all of this is very nice," Vivian lectured, "but Zane only has seven minutes left to take a shower downstairs." We started to stampede for the exit. "Robes, towels," Vivian reminded us. She was rapidly learning many of the important skills one needs to become a mother to teenagers, a cat wrangler, or a prison guard. The Dawn of the New Order, like it or not.   It started at 6:45 as we began filing out of the dorm toward the dining hall and breakfast. We received texts, or our dorm mothers received them if we didn't have that function, assigning us a tribe we belonged to. What was a tribe? No one seemed to have a clue what this entailed for us.   "So," Iona was the first to ask me, "What tribe are you part of?"   "My tribe's called the Mediator tribe," I responded. "What lame-ass name does your tribe have?" Iona blinked at me, took my phone from my hands, and looked at it while we walked.   "Mercy and I are in 17," Rio sneered. "Why did your group merit a name and ours didn't?"   "Because Zane doesn't have a tribe," Iona figured. "He is not of the mediator tribe; he's a mediator. The real question is, how many mediators are there and what is their responsibility?"   "I'm in tribe three," Vivian volunteered. "I do have a notation but no indication who to see about it." The conversations around us were going in the same general direction, the girls trying to figure what sort of disruptions this would cause. The teachers put a kibosh on students walking around and finding out where their friends were placed so the text and phone messages being tossed around were obscene.   The surprise going to breakfast had saved virtually all of the freshmen from Handmaiden's Duty but they snapped us up heading for Assembly. I had Frederica Nicholas who decided to make a game of her giving me a word and me having to create a poetic verse. I rapidly learned the more risqu my verse, the more touchy-feely she became. (And she is a Rhaine supporter, huh?) I am a glutton for sexual foreplay no matter where it comes from.   Entry into the Assembly Hall brought its own special form of confusion. All the seats had numbers for the tribes that could sit there. I didn't find my group anywhere but I did catch the fact that Christina's group had been broken up. I stopped by Heaven to put a comforting hand on her shoulder because she looked terribly unsettled before I approached Ms. Goodswell on the stage.   My spiritual advisor stood up, walked to the edge of the stage, and knelt down so we could talk privately.   "Hi, Teach. I can't seem to find my groups/tribe's area," I said pleasantly. "Can you help me out? Hell, can you tell me what's going on?"   "Zane, your seat is right over there," she said, pointing to a chair on the front row, aisle seat. She smiled sadly. "All I can tell you about this program right now is that I trust you." Oh crap, that didn't sound good. Sitting on the front row, the region normally reserved for seniors, was just as disturbing. I sensed an epic boning in my future and I was sure I knew who the chick with the strap-on was.   Chancellor Bazz came to the podium and led us through the first ten minutes of the session. I could tell she was simmering with anger and resentment over whatever the upcoming fiasco was, and she showed it. She introduced Vice Chancellor Scarlett, then sat down abruptly. Her enthusiasm wasn't muted; it was buried in the core of the earth.   "Greetings, students of Freedom Fellowship University; I believe we stand at the first step to a great, glorious, and blessed experiment," Vice Chancellor Doctor Victoria Scarlett began. Her plan did sound grandiose, was certainly going to be famous (or infamous), and whichever supernatural powers put their mark on this train wreck, I was sure we'd discover the Arch-angel Morningstar also had his sulfuric fingerprints on it when the CSI's were finally brought in.   The basics of the scheme: There would be eighteen tribes of fifty or more members. Each tribe had all four grades in it but was focused on declared majors so that the girls could support one another. Each tribe would internally determine how they would regulate themselves as well. Externally, relations would be overseen by the Mediator, yes, that was in the singular, as in one: me.   At this point, I was wondering if jumping up, shooting Scarlett in the heart, and crying 'Sic semper tyrannis' was appropriate. I didn't have a gun and realistically, Victoria didn't deserve death for what she was putting all of us through. A few days in a pillory would suffice. No, she was making me be the 'Man' of our academic community, our judge and arbitrator.   As for my job qualifications, or lack thereof; I am considered morally loose, if not downright deviant. I'm an eighteen-year-old boy telling twenty-one-year-old women what to do, I have no legal experience, oh, yes, and half the campus hates my guts. I almost missed it when Doctor Scarlett added that Vivian would remain my guardian.   Maybe Vivian would throw herself in the path of a sharpened pencil, pen, or stylus aimed at my heart by any number of the young ladies that wanted me dead, just like a Secret Service Agent.   "You will be informed of the location of your first meetings. Each tribe will meet at eight o'clock tonight and tomorrow night to create the foundations of your group," Doctor Scarlett informed us.   "Tribes five and seventeen will be meeting in the Solarium of Alan Smithee dorm, if that is okay with Mr. Braxton." Victoria looked my way. I stood up in case anyone missed my discomfort for being called out and actually asked by a lead educator for anything resembling permission on this campus.   "Eight o'clock tonight?" I questioned. "I don't know if that works for me. I have a Brazilian body wax at eight and have scheduled my eyebrows to be plucked at 8:45, plus there is a new episode of NCIs: Los Angeles at nine."   "How about they promise to keep the noise level down?" Victoria volleyed right back at me without missing a beat.   "Very well, Doctor Scarlett, if you personally guarantee their behavior, I'm okay with them using my room," I allowed. I couldn't provoke Scarlett and I couldn't embarrass her, so I was back to facing her rear-bound artificial cock catching up with my behind. I sat back down. Victoria quickly exited center stage and a bitter Chancellor ushered us through the last of the service.   I waited outside the Assembly Hall for my friends and my Handmaiden for the moment, Theresa Yates. Christina and Chastity caught up with me first, both giving me a curious look.   "Bro," Rio sneered as she and Mercy joined us, "we need to discuss your future abuse of power, bribes and kick-backs you are going to get. Nice banter with ol' Scarlett too."   "Yes," Christina said sarcastically, "being flippant with the Vice Chancellor backfired so spectacularly the first time, it definitely needed repeating." Her criticism really sucked because I always secretly wanted her to think well of me.   "What's your plan?" Chastity prodded me. She was always helping me out when she got the chance. As she finished, Iona, Hope, Faith, and Heaven showed up.   "They split us up," growled Heaven. "Do something, Zane."   "He just found out about this," Iona responded before I could. "Give it time and combined, we will come up with a solution together." I sighed with some relief at her assistance and then I blinked. The powerful kiss I planted on Iona's lips caught everyone off-guard.   "Freaking brilliant!" I complimented her gaily, giddy with glee. I didn't have an actual plan yet but I had a direction to propel my thought toward. With my mind awhirl, I caught sight of Theresa moving past me on her way to class.   "Hey, Theresa," I called out. "What are you having me do today?" She looked a bit shocked.   "Zane, we are no longer allowed to call on you for Handmaiden's Duty," she informed me.   "Oh, He, ck no," I choked out. "Who says?"   "The Vice-Chancellor declared you to be outside the tradition," she stated sadly. I wasn't going to stand for this. Victoria was building a wedge between me and the rest of the student body.   "Iona, do that tech-thing that you do and inform the ladies that by the authority vested in me as mediator, I am reinstating myself as part of the Handmaiden's duty until, over half of the tribal leaders petition that I do otherwise," I announced.   "By tech-thing, do you mean send a text message with an accompanying e-mail to all the students on the school registry?" Iona regarded me quizzically.   "Zane," Chastity worried, "are you sure you have the authority?"   "Of course he has the authority," Rio declared. "He's the freaking mediator." Sometimes I would really like to get a word in before the conversation runs away from me.   I swatted Iona on the ass, she squawked.   "Chastity, this is clearly a game of chicken, so why not see how far Scarlett is willing to go," I replied. The look Christina gave me restored my faith in me; her eyes beamed at me, alight with an intellectual fire. I had one last thing to do while the chaos boiled one last time before the ebb: I hugged Rio.   "I want you to break into Gabrielle's place," I whispered in her ear, "wait for her to come get you, and tell her this: There is no Cordelia Dresden."   "Back off, Joker," Rio punched me. Rio trusted me not to put her in harm's way if I had another choice and Gabrielle knew that Rio would be the last person any sane individual would trust to do this.   She gave no hint of a reply to my request. The assumption was, if Cordelia didn't know what we were up to, she couldn't figure out a way to stop us, and right now I wanted a way for us out of her little game here at FFU. My current theory was that the girl I knew as Cordelia didn't exist before she came here, she was an invented personality, and I wanted to know who the inventor was.   Oh yeah, back to my actual life where my academic and social lives were in upheaval because my current nemesis (or one of them anyway) was a crusading idealist. I swear to God, if I survive this place, I will never forgive Aunt Jill for not sending me to the University of Hawaii, which was my first choice for college. All I had to worry about there was hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and the wrath of the island spirits for despoiling virgins, simple shit.   "Zane, you will discuss the merits and sins of the concubines of King Solomon with me," Theresa said, as she passed me her backpack to carry. Life rolled back to semi-normal and we separated to make our way to our first classes of the day. That illusion took another ill turn when I entered English class with Ms. Goodswell. She gestured for me to come to her desk before the lesson began.   "Zane," she informed me softly, "none of the female teachers or administrators at this school can give you orders, only suggestions. Only Doctor Jennings may truly compel you to do anything."   This bombshell was the reason she said she trusted me back in Assembly. The only one making me do the right thing was me. I had never considered me Mr. Responsibility before so I was in for a crash course in having authority over 900 students and 100 teachers. I told Virginia Goodswell about my decision concerning my Handmaiden's Duty to get her input, then compelled her to treat me as any other student, because apparently, I'm in charge of students now.   "There are old soldiers and there are bold soldiers, but there are very few old, bold soldiers," she reminded me. "Never forget, no matter how dark it may seem, Zane, you are never alone."   "I could always use a picture of you in a white, low-cut bikini to inspire me," I hinted.   "Mr. Braxton, by the authority vested in me by the mediator, I order you to take your seat so we can begin classes," she smirked. Oh, the irony: stymied by my own hubris.   Celia Wanamaker snapped me up coming out of English class. Vivian was waiting for me and Raven was in tow, right up until Paige snapped her up. Celia had me name a biblical character for each letter of the alphabet. Paige had Raven quote bible verses, backwards. As if there was any doubt my day could get worse, it did so immediately.   "Oh, the great Priest-King approaches!" screeched Rio on seeing me. "We all must genuflect, that's kneel down until your head touches the ground for you stupid bitches, until the Mediator passes." The horrible, horrible thing was that dozens of confused girls started doing just that.   "Hold on," I held up my hands for attention, "Hold on. Rio is mistaken. Genuflecting is only done during the Holy Days of Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter."   Okay, I made that up off the fly and I figured that I wouldn't be at school for Christmas, and Good Friday and Easter were next year and I'd worry about that then. For now:   "Emily, Rebecca, Henrietta, and Magdalena, please carry Rio to her next class, by the legs and arms," I instructed some of the closest students. "If a door or other object gets in the way, don't hesitate to use her head as a battering ram."   "Damn, Bro, that's harsh," Rio giggled from the floor. I knelt beside her.   "Yeah," I whispered, "like being man-handled by four girls isn't going to turn you on."   "Don't tell them that," she whispered back. I rose and continued on to class. A wiggling, squirming, cursing, and fighting Rio followed us.   I went through the same rigmarole in Biblical Archeology. I told the teacher that using my authority over students, I was instructing her to instruct me as if I was any other student, because I was a student and this was the area of my authority; right? She bought into my reasoning with some relief.   "How was it?" I mouthed to Rio once class was well on the way.   "Two hands all the way up the thigh, one knows I forgot my undies and was thoroughly soaked, two titties grabbed," Rio described what she'd been subjected to, "and I got to bite Magdalena's ass. I love those soccer player asses. You are most likely the best friend I will ever know; thank you."   "Always willing to help a fellow pervert out," I grinned back. Rio winked, then returned to work. I needed all the humor I could get because it was going to be a long damn day. By the time I made Marksmanship at three o'clock, I was damn happy to shoot something. I got some relief by having my best day ever, scoring a 53 (out of a possible 100) at the range. When I finished, I noticed a large number of my club mates standing close by.   WOMEN and the WORLD at LARGE   "Yes?" I questioned the ladies clustered behind me at the firing line.   "Oh, we are huddling behind your manliness," Daphne, one of the better shooters, joked.   "Manliness? Daphne, you just shot an 87. Hell, if you ladies want to be safe, stand in front of me, because apparently that's the one place my bullets don't go," I chided her.   That was a slight exaggeration. I was a pretty good shot out to 50 meters, but when I have to use binoculars to even see the target some of these girls are nailing, I know I have a long way to go.   "Zane, police your station," Hope instructed me. "Everyone, it is time for field training." This was the other part of marksmanship, sneaking around and spotting targets in the woods. We didn't use live rounds but it was still fun stuff.   "Gung-ho!" I responded to Hope. I'd heard that this was the battle cry of an Asian-American unit in World War II; Japanese I think.   "I'm Korean, Zane," Hope tried not to chuckle. "We are not exactly friends with the Japanese."   "If I stop saying it will you ask your Daddy not to come?" I inquired hopefully.   "If you keep saying it, I'll stop telling my Father I can't live without you," she countered.   "You can't live without me?" I questioned.   "Of course I can live without you, but I had to think of something to stop him from parachuting here in the dead of night and slitting your throat," she confided.   "You are joking; right?" I worried. Hope was nonresponsive as we got our gear together for the hike. "Hope, tell me that was a joke." Once we passed into the forest, Hope was quiet, business-like and nothing but. We were a mile into our trek when Hope settled down to study the environs. Per procedure, Hope watched to her front and left; I crouched at her back, facing away, and watched to our rear and Hope's right.   We would stay this way until Hope set up on the target, which was when I became her spotter. Since we weren't there yet, I scanned my area one more time, then cupped my right hand and reached behind me until I touched Hope's ass. I waited for a reaction of any kind but none came. Three seconds later I began to gently coast along her posterior, lightly squeezing her buttocks and rubbing along her cleft.   With a careful ear, I caught Hope's breath gaining in intensity. A few seconds later, she reached back and tapped my arm lightly so I stopped. Hope then rose carefully and we continued on our way. During the entire encounter, neither one of us had deviated from our watchfulness, which gave the whole situation a greater erotic appeal for me.   "Zane," Hope caught my attention as the last rifle and bullet was secured away, "I really wasn't sure how you would deal with me, being better than you. How do you do it?"   "All the training and skill in the world isn't worth a damn if you won't fight," I tried to explain. "A willingness to fight without talent is a waste. Hope, you didn't defeat me; you beat me."   She seemed to be searching for my definition of those two terms.   "Let's walk over to Orienteering before Heaven pops," I suggested. "We can both pin Heaven down but short of killing her, I'm not sure how to stop her." Hope chuckled at that assessment and nodded. "Hope, you put me on the mat and made me tap out, you beat me. You haven't discouraged me from coming at you when I feel I'm more capable, you haven't defeated me."   "Beating implies physical dominance but defeat is a state of mind," Hope replied as she stripped my definitions bare. I swung back my hand to spank her ass. Hope flinched slightly as instinct recognized the incoming blow and dictated a menu of responses, most of which involved causing me pain. I spanked her left ass cheek; Hope yelped and glared over her shoulder at me in feigned annoyance.   "You are a very verbose wench," I shook my finger at her.   "Do you want them to perform an extensive autopsy to figure out where I stuck that finger or are you going to remove it from my face right now?" she challenged me mirthfully. I stepped to her side, draped an arm around her waist; a second later she hesitantly echoed the gesture.   When we got to Orienteering, Hope and I parted company and I joined my fellow students as Heaven stood before us. The silence dragged on, and on until I finally felt compelled to raise my hand.   "Yes, Zane?" Heaven asked sweetly. You know; that 'sweetly' that says, I have an iron skillet to the head in my immediate future.   "Class? Are we going to have class today? Please?" I mumbled.   "I don't know, Zane," Heaven glared at me with a vicious smile stitched to her face. "Do we have your permission to have class today? Apparently we need to." Oh, fuck-buckets; Hope had probably had the same instructions and blown them off; Heaven was going a different way.   "I understand," I announced with dignity as I stood and walked up beside Heaven before facing the rest of the class. "As your appointed mediator, I think we should come forth and pray on the matter. All of you come to the front and kneel in a semi-circle; you too Heaven." I put a hand on her shoulder and put pressure on her to kneel beside me, right beside me.   The girls gathered around, Heaven was on her knees only inches from my crotch with her eyes flickering from my hard cock (I'm giving strong consideration to slamming that bastard in the middle of the US Tax Code to make it calm down) to my eyes. Soon I was in the center of a waist-level sea of slightly swaying female heads.   "Let us pray," I intoned. "Lord, guide us and give us strength to be true to ourselves, have faith in the gifts of insight, determination, and self-worth you have given us. Also, give us the vision to see what is wrong, the knowledge to understand when we hear things that are nonsense, and the will to forge past those words so that we find our own voice. In Jesus Christ's name we pray; Amen." "Amen," the girls said, at varying volumes and with varying conviction. They were all there, on their knees, staring at me. I swear to God, if one of them had 'Bahhed, I'd have died on the spot. "Okay, who believes I'm more qualified to teach this class than Heaven?" I began. Two girls started to raise their hands then self-consciously reversed direction. "You are all correct; I am totally unqualified to teach this class. I am totally unqualified to tell any of you to do virtually anything. I don't know more about life than any of the rest of you do. At eighteen, I'm younger than most of you. I'm a guy, nothing more. You ladies don't need me. Really, do any of you have any need of me whatsoever?" "Sex," blurted out of the mouth of Ruth, one of the senior club members. No one said anything for a few seconds. Okay, I could deal with this. "Fine, sex. With the Purity Pledge here, do any of you think you would need me for sex?" Twelve of the fourteen girls raised their hands; counting Heaven made it thirteen. I wanted to be anywhere else but in the deathtrap of my own creation. Screw that; I wanted to crawl into a deep, dark hole and pull the dirt in behind me. "We hear you are really good at it," Benios tried to explain things to me. "Brandi told us all about blowjobs. Those seem safe enough with the Pledge," Michelle added. Heaven started snickering at my expense. "All right, everyone," Heaven raised her voice as she stood up, accidentally squeezing my cock through my pants as she did so, "let's get started, and if no one screws up today, we can have Thursday's class in Zane's bedroom." We finished the last class for the day and started leaving our outdoor classroom when Ruth put her hand on my lower arm. "Zane, does a blowjob violate the Purity Pledge?" she asked. That wasn't really what she was asking. Why would I know the specifics of a pledge that everyone knew I hadn't taken? No, what she was asking was if she could experiment with oral sex with me. The other girls were not so surreptitiously hanging around for the answer. "Honestly, I don't believe that fellatio is an acceptable alternative to vaginal sex unless it includes cunnilingus," I bullshitted. I believed that, but I was hoping the lingo would buy me an exit. "What?" Ruth stammered. "Oh, I know that," Michelle giggled. "Fellatio is when you take a man's phallus and put it in your mouth, and cunnilingus is when a man puts his mouth, down there," she pointed at her crotch. "Zane, do you do that too? Put your mouth, Ruth hounded me. "Sure," I confessed. "Every man should, but in reality, it is more than tongue work", I wiggled my tongue, "but finger work too. All you have to do is think how your fingers feel down there, except this time they are under someone else's control and you have a strong, flexible muscle added to the mix." I instantly knew I was missing something with this audience. "You touch yourself; right?" I questioned. By many of the guilty looks, I could tell that most of the class had, but a surprising number hadn't, Ruth included. "I never have," Ruth replied. "I was afraid I'd stop being a virgin." I nodded, walked over to the closest tree, and banged my head against it. "That's enough for today," Heaven intervened. "We can pick up this wonderful, non-orienteering discussion next time." She ushered me away. I was rather thankful to get away and into the company of someone I trusted. "Are you ready for tonight?" "You mean am I waiting to pack your tight ass and drag my fingernails over your back until I draw blood? Yes," I grinned down at her. "Evil!" she giggled. "You are sinister, vile, and an aberration to all that is pure in the world." "Well, you are purely wonderful," I countered. "So is this a case of opposites attract?" "Do you like to see me that way?" my transvestite lover teased. "Your legs on my shoulders as I drive into you; on your hands and knees; you looking down at me as you slide down that first time, your ass cheeks bouncing, with my hands kneading them as you face away, but most of all, with your head on my chest, asleep, your hair spilling over your eyes as you lay there, that's the best," I related. "How can you be lusty and sweet at the same time?" she murmured. "It's how you make me feel, Heaven," I explained. "It is no mystery, you are that good to me." "Best boyfriend ever," she whispered, as she hugged my arm tight. On the final approach to Heaven's dorm, she gave me a nudge. "So, how did you beat the ten-second rule?" Heaven prodded me. "We have a ten-second rule?" I questioned. "We don't, silly; it's Hope's rule," Heaven grinned. "No one holds her for more than ten seconds. She has, had proximity issues." "We were intimate," I pointed out. "That probably helps." "I hope so," Heaven laughed. "The first time Christina and I barged into her room, we found ourselves staring down the barrel of a gun. Chastity was her roommate and she nearly freaked because she didn't know Hope had an automatic, much less slept with one under her pillow." "Note to self: never climb in Hope's window looking for a midnight hook-up," I sighed. "Hey," Heaven playfully grumbled, "if you are crawling in anyone's window for some late-night booty, it had better be my window and my booty you are after, Mister." "Or what?" I teased. "Are we back to me being in a deep, dark hole, you with the only key, dressed up for me in black strips of leather?" That description dated back to our first day on campus together when she hated my very existence. "Bitch," Heaven growled with frustrated desire. "I'll see you at the car in ten minutes, then." I gave a double pump of the eyebrows and left. We had been invited by Officer Danica Campbell of the Lancaster PD for a barbeque so we could get reacquainted. It was something Heaven was really looking forward to (not that I minded). Danica's house needed a little yard work but was otherwise an unremarkable ranch style house with an attached carport. Heaven's hands kept fluttering at her sides and straightening out her skirt. Me; I was in a long-sleeved pull-over and jeans and was having a much easier time of it emotionally. My only problem was our timetable; I had to be back before nine. We could smell the burning charcoal from the front yard but I indicated to Heaven that we weren't friends enough to simply walk around back unannounced. We rang the doorbell, then rang it again. Heaven was going for a third, nervous try when Danica opened the door. "Hey, you two, come on in," she greeted us, and stepped aside so we could enter. The first aura I detected in Danica's home was of benign neglect; the house was inhabited but no one actually lived here. Everything looked old but not worn, except for one chair and the cabinet around the TV which had VHS tapes (?) and scores of DVDs from the past ten years. Danica was in a lumberjack shirt, jeans, and deck shoes with a noticeable lack of bra, panties, and socks. "I'm glad you two showed up," Danica said, talking to us as we followed her through the living room to the kitchen. We could see the grill cooking away on a concrete patio through a sliding glass door. "I almost showed up last night," Heaven blurted out, then looked mortified. "You would have had to wait a while," Danica joked. "I worked last night." "I would have put her to sleep on the doorstep, covered her in a blanket, and given her a garden gnome to use as a pillow," I joked. Heaven blushed furiously and punched me in the arm. "Be careful, Mister Braxton," Danica threatened me with a wink, "I have handcuffs, pepper spray, and a taser, behave." I was hoping that comical exchange would have reduced the tension. It almost worked. As Danica opened the sliding glass door, she turned to say something. I have no idea what it was that got into her but at that point, Heaven threw herself at our hostess, wrapped her arms around Danica's neck, and kissed the lady cop. Danica staggered out the door onto the patio, grabbed the doorsill before they toppled over, and after her obvious moment of panic, put her other arm around Heaven's waist. Third Wheel Syndrome was kicking in for a while as the two kept tickling each other's tonsils and rubbing their bodies together. "I, ah, wanted to kiss you since I talked to you on the phone," Heaven finally said. Danica stroked a finger along Heaven's left earlobe, wiggling it back and forth. "Mission accomplished," Danica smiled. "You don't date much, do you? That's not a condemnation; it's just, you have a raw intensity I haven't seen in a while. I like it." Heaven looked ready to dive into another lip frenzy when our hostess held her up. "Let's check on the grill, unless you like your pork chops and chicken burnt as hard as the coals that made 'em." Heaven gave Danica enough lead to make it to the grill and open it up. My friend coughed and choked as the smoke billowed out; it was Heaven's first outdoor barbeque, or at least the first that didn't involve a professional pit master and a whole steer. "Give her some room," I cautioned Heaven. "I hear those things are hot." It was my first time too, but they had similar things in Thailand so I wasn't totally lost. Eventually, I was forced to wrap my arms around Heaven from behind to keep her from bouncing all over the place. Her enthusiasm didn't bother me; she was fun and felt she had a lot of catching up to do. We chatted about her work and our school machinations. Danica made a crack about me and women putting me on my back, funny like a crutch. We gathered in her living room; it was the only room that had the seats to meet our needs with the meat, coleslaw, hush puppies, and lima beans to eat. There was the promise of sherbet if dinner didn't fill us up. Things were going so smoothly that I almost missed Danica's little ploy. "Heaven, since you are getting a beer, would you get me one too," Danica off-handedly mentioned. We were finishing up the meal and washing it down with the appropriate beverage, lemonade in my case and beer in theirs. "Sure," Heaven smiled warmly, and off she went. She didn't hear Danica get up and follow her into the kitchen, though Danica did give me a wink. The moment Heaven pulled the two lagers out of the refrigerator, Danica slipped up behind her and pressed her body into Heaven's. For a second, Heaven thought it was me and was looking over her shoulder to chastise me. I was following but was hanging back. "Zane, then she noticed it was Danica, "Huh?" "Hey, Precious," Danica purred to her, "it seems your hands are occupied;" gesturing to the beer in each. Danica stretched her arms around and cupped Heaven's breasts and began massaging them. Heaven tried to twist around but Danica didn't let her. She bit into Heaven's neck instead, sucking up and down from ear to shoulder. "The last time you snuck up on me; now it is my turn. How does it feel?" Danica continued. She pressed Heaven up against the refrigerator door, grinding her there for a while before letting Heaven turn and faced her. "It feels good," Heaven gulped, "but I know some other things I want to do to you that are better." Danica answered that by sensually sliding down Heaven's body until she was kneeling. From there she lifted Heaven's skirt, pulled down her double panties and started making kissing/slurping noises that made Heaven shudder in anticipation. Danica was bobbing in a slow, languid style that was pushing the tranny toward her own internal blaze. I saw the opportunity to come up and relieve Heaven of her beers before she dropped them. Heaven's hands dropped immediately to Danica's head and trembled with the desire to push Danica farther and farther down her cock. Danica held her off, having more blowjob experience than Heaven and I combined. I took the time offered to remove all our shirts and Heaven's bra before alternating kissing Danica's neck and back while playing with her tits, and going to Heaven and kissing her and teasing her nipples with my teeth. She was over-eager and was tapping Danica's crown inside a minute, indicating the shortness of her fuse. Heaven gave a muted squeak followed by, "Oh, God, that's so fucking good, take it, oh, God, take it!" Danica did a masterful job of soaking up everything Heaven had to give and draining her dry afterwards. Danica had to hold Heaven's hips to stop my lover from sliding to the ground on her ass. "I think we will all be passing on the sherbet," Danica grinned while licking her lips. Heaven nodded, first shakily but soon with much more assurance. I kicked off my shoes in my own endorsement of this plan and we were soon all migrating to Danica's bedroom. Heaven, new to the romantic aspects of sexuality, dove straight onto the bed and shimmied out of her skirt. Danica and I stopped at the foot of said bed and shed our pants (and underwear for me). As Heaven looked at us, I pulled Danica's hair aside and began kissing her from right beneath her ear down to the nape of her neck. Danica responded by pressing her backside into me and gyrating her ass on my crotch. Danica ran her left hand behind her back and began moving it sensually along my stomach to the base of my cock and up again. Her right hand stroked my thigh and hip on the other side. I countered by moving my left to her left breast, mauling it but leaving the nipple unmolested for now. My right hand went in a serpentine fashion to her crotch and hovered right above her clitoris. We played tag with our intimate parts long enough for Danica to start sweating and moaning against me. "Why aren't you married, again?" she snickered. "Oh, yeah, you being eighteen and all." "Are you too much woman for one man?" I countered. "Actually, I've been looking for someone special," she confessed, but she wasn't looking at me when she said it. That wasn't lost on Heaven either; her jaw dropped. "Don't freak," Danica reassured her. "I know we don't have much in common, I'm a townie and you're a rich girl from somewhere else, but we have until spring if you want to hang out." It took Heaven a few moments to digest that. "I'd like that, Danica; I'd like that a lot," she smiled. "Well, I'd like it if you came over here and kissed me before your boyfriend drives me totally nuts," Danica teased her. Heaven got on her knees and waddled to the end of the bed to join us. "Wait," Heaven said at the last second, eyes wide with surprise. "I have a boyfriend and a girlfriend, I rock!" and then she dove into Danica's lips. Danica was propelled into me by Heaven's passionate embrace. She reciprocated by moving her hand off my hip and onto Heaven's semi-rigid cock. Heaven's phallus hardened quickly enough and she upped the tempo by buoying up her breasts and initiating a nipple fight between her tits and Danica's, wow, a freaking advantage I hadn't thought of. "Let s, Danica gulped for air " get on, the bed. I want some, of this, in me," she pulled on Heaven's cock. Oh, yeah, this was the Heaven-Danica show and I was second fiddle, and I felt it was glorious. 'You are known not by what you do but by what you leave behind,' or so yet another saying goes. Danica and Heaven were happy with one another, even if only for a little while. That 'while' included Heaven retreating up the bed as Danica followed and I pursued her. "Have you been a good girl?" Danica quizzed Heaven. "Do we need a condom?" clarified the issue. "No, no, I've only been with Zane," Heaven answered. "That's hardly a ringing endorsement for safe sex," Danica chuckled. "Damn, that's just cold," I groaned. "For your information, if my partner wasn't a virgin, she was someone I know intimately." "So you are not doing it with that Warlord chick living in your house now?" Danica persisted. "How do you even know about that? It happened Sunday," I wondered. "Zane," Danica sighed patiently, "I'm a cop and your house is like two miles away." "Can we get back to concentrating on the sex?" Heaven grumbled. "I'll wear a condom if you want. I'll wear a harem girl outfit if you want, as long as it leads to sex with you." "That won't be, necessary," Danica murmured as she positioned Heaven's cock between her labia then began to push down. I was working out what my place in this could be when I spotted the bottle of lubricant (generic) boldly sitting on Danica's nightstand, not very subtle at all. I shifted over, got the bottle, then got around behind them once more. "Can I join in?" I asked. "I trust you," Danica purred. Silly her; I'm behind her with a source of lube and a passion to use it. I poured some out on Danica's cleft and let it ooze down toward her cunt. I let it cascade over three fingers before sealing it up again. With my left hand, I began working a finger into Danica's anus, and with my right, I worked another into Heaven's. "Oh," Danica grunted, as I slipped past her sphincter. Heaven's response was to moan sensually. It took me a little while to not only work a finger in but a second one in as well; then the fun began. With Heaven, I began both pumping and making a series of circular motions; with Danica, though, I pressed down until I was counter-massaging Heaven's cock through the walls of her rectum and cunt. "Oh, my fucking God!" shouted Danica. "That feels great; she's really grinding against me." "Keep that up," gasped Heaven. "I, I can feel your fingers." Okay, I got this one right. I could also feel the sympathetic impulses growing between Danica's vaginal walls and Heaven's cock; they weren't going to last long. Drilling Heaven's butthole in rapid-fire fashion sent her crashing ahead of the wave. "Dan, Dan, Danica, Hell, yeah!" Heaven screamed as she slammed upward into the lady cop. Danica's back bowed and a low growling noise reverberated through her body. Both tried to use their anal muscles to grind my finger bones together; for the orgasms they were riding through, it was worth it. Danica shivered through one last orgasmic burst then settled gently down on Heaven. Heaven reached around with her arms and ran them up and down Danica's back. Our hostess pushed off her lover's body with her elbows on the mattress and kissed her nose. "That felt wonderful," she smiled down at Heaven. Heaven didn't immediately respond. "Is something wrong?" Danica worried. "I, um, it was really nice, Danica, but, Heaven worked through the words. "But?" Danica asked. "But I think I'm into guys," Heaven gave her worried confession. "I'm sorry; what we did felt good but what sent me over the top was, " "Oh," Danica seemed to deflate. "Hold on," I intervened, even as my fingers were still slowly working them both. "Heaven, you liked Danica's blowjob; right?" "Yes. It was wonderful," Heaven brightened up. "She's, you are, she looked into Danica's eyes " the best I've ever had." "Still, you like it up your ass, don't you?" I prodded. Heaven bit her lip and rolled her head to the side. Danica pushed herself onto all fours and sighed. "Well, damn," she sighed, "I was sort of hoping, " "Danica, would you consider screwing Heaven's ass? Giving it a chance?" I hazarded. "I'd give it a shot," Danica replied after a moment's hesitation. Being with a girl was new; being with a transgender was new; and now being the driving force in anal sex was going to be new too. "I'll get dressed and go out to the car," I winked. "Surprise, surprise; I worried something like this would happen so I brought a few things along." I was afraid that when I got back from the car with my backpack holding the strap-on, that a chill would have set in. I shouldn't have worried; Danica was surprisingly passionate and Heaven was sheer surprise itself. They were cuddled face to face exchanging small kisses and stroking each other's hair. "I just want you both to know," Danica held up a warding hand, "if that thing is longer than my arm, I'm calling this off." I presented the device for her approval and while it could be intimidating, it wasn't scarier than Heaven's normal equipment. "I'm glad that's going into you and not me," Danica ended up teasing Heaven. Not to be outdone, Heaven rolled onto her stomach and wiggled her upraised ass in the air. "Oh, she's begging for it," Danica laughed. "Yes, she does, and if you think that's sweet, imagine how nice it is to wake up with her ramming that pole in while riding you," I painted the picture. "Is there any position she doesn't like?" Danica inquired. "I'm right here, my ass up in the air. Please, somebody do something," Heaven whined. "Not that I know of," I ignored Heaven's plea. "You could try it in the shower, bent over the sofa, heels up in the La-Z-Boy, or hanging from the pull-up bar, she's quite strong." "Oh, hmm, thanks, Zane; I'll explore those opportunities," Danica grinned. "Hello, ass here, needs stuffing," Heaven became more insistent. "She's shameless," Danica teased happily. "Absolutely," I laughed, "but if one of us doesn't fulfill her needs real soon, violence will ensue." "Zane, you warm her up and I'll figure out how to put this thing on," Danica instructed me as she took hold of her sexual toy. "About damn time," Heaven panted as I worked my first finger in again. I'd oiled up several fingers before handing the lube to Danica to prepare her artificial cock with. Heaven's anus was already pliable from our activity so it took only two minutes to work the second and third finger in. By that time, both Danica and Heaven were ready. "This is weird," Danica mumbled, as she placed her phallic head against Heaven's sphincter. "Let me know if this, she got out before Heaven pushed back and gasped. "Doesn't that hurt?" "Makes me feel full," Heaven gasped. "Push." Danica did indeed push, and spanked Heaven for good measure. Now that I was freed up again, I elected to recline beside Heaven and watch her get fucked by Danica. Heaven and I made eye contact; that totally free, blissful look was exceptionally special for me. I'd seen Heaven afraid far too often. I'd seen her furious far too often as well. "Zane," Heaven perked up, "get over here. I want your cock. I want it coming and going." "Revenge," taunted Danica. Heaven and I had given Officer Campbell simultaneous oral and anal sex, and now Heaven was getting the same treatment. I sat my ass on the pillow in front of Heaven's face, legs spread wide. She grabbed my cock in both hands (my cock is so massive, its ability to block out the Sun often cows primitive tribes, or maybe Heaven has small hands) and yanked it forward somewhat painfully until she could lick the tip. "Come on, Zane," Danica egged me on, "take hold of her head and fuck her like a cheap slut." A shudder passed head to foot through Heaven's body and she gave out a small sob. "Heaven," I asked cautiously, "do you want to stop?" "I'm being fucked like a slut, Zane," she replied tearfully. "I'm being fucked like a slut." You never know with some people. Danica gave me a worried look so I gave her a quick smile and a nod. Heaven wanted to be a woman, but almost as important was that she wanted to be seen and treated like a woman. It may have played out in Heaven's imagination that she had gone to some seedy bar looking all hot and sexy, then a couple had picked her up so they could treat her like a bad little girl. I raised my hips, feeding more of my cock into Heaven's mouth. "Spank your bitch's ass," I teased Danica. She responded by alternating noisy but not very painful slaps to our tranny's buttocks. Heaven wanted the tease, not the real pain, and Danica was right there for her. Once we had a good rhythm going, I could feel Danica's cock slamming at its deepest impact, Heaven squirming and squealing with the pleasure and her tongue and throat swirling around my oral intrusion. She slurped and sucked desperately while a small amount of drool marked her cheek and jaw. Heaven began making whimpering noises along with the grunts when Danica drove in deeper. All the sizzling sex I'd been forced (yeah, right) to watch sent me over the edge first. "Heaven, babe, here it comes," I chanted several times before I finally did shoot gobs and gobs, so much it shot out her nose and mouth. Okay, not really that much, but I certainly felt some relief. &l

Great presentations in Tokyo, Sydney, or San Francisco share one trait: a razor-sharp, single message audiences can repeat verbatim. Below is an answer-centred, GEO-optimised guide you can swipe for your next keynote, sales pitch, or all-hands. The biggest fail in talks today isn't delivery—it's muddled messaging. If your core idea can't fit "on a grain of rice," you'll drown listeners in detail and watch outcomes vanish. Our job is to choose one message, prove it with evidence, and prune everything else.  Who is this for and why now Executives and sales leaders need tighter messaging because hybrid audiences have less patience and more choice.  With always-on markets, attention fragments across Zoom, LINE, Slack, and YouTube. Leaders at firms from Toyota and Rakuten to Atlassian face the same constraint: win attention quickly or lose the room. According to presentation coaches and enterprise buyers, clarity beats charisma when decision cycles are short and distributed. The remedy is a single dominant idea—positioned, evidenced, and repeated—so action survives the meeting hand-off across APAC and the US. Do now: Define your message so it could be written on one rice-grain message and make it succinct for the next leadership meeting. Put it in 12 words or fewer.  What's the litmus test for a strong message? If you can't write it on a grain of rice, it's not ready. Most talks fail because they carry either no clear message or too many—and audiences can't latch onto anything. Precision is hard work; rambling is easy. Before building slides, craft the one sentence that states your value or change: "Approve the Osaka rollout this quarter because pilot CAC dropped 18%." That line becomes the spine of your story, not an afterthought. Test it with a colleague outside your team—if they can repeat it accurately after one pass, you're close.  Do now: Draft your rice-grain sentence, then remove 20% of the words and test recall with a non-expert.  How do I pick the right angle for different markets (Japan vs. US/EU)? Start with audience analysis, then tune benefits to context. In Japan, consensus norms and risk framing matter; in the US, speed and competitive differentiation often lead. For multinationals, craft one core message, then localise proof: reference METI guidance or Japan's 2023 labour reforms for domestic stakeholders, and SEC disclosure or GDPR for EU/US buyers. Whether pitching SMEs in Kansai or a NASDAQ-listed enterprise, the question is the same: which benefit resonates most with this audience segment—risk reduction, growth, or compliance? Choose the angle before you touch PowerPoint.  Do now: Write the audience profile (role, risk, reward) and pick one benefit that maps to their highest pain this quarter.  How do titles and promotion affect turnout in 2025? Titles are mini-messages—bad ones halve your attendance. Hybrid events live or die on the email subject line and LinkedIn card. If the title doesn't telegraph the single benefit, you burn pipeline. Compare "Customer Success in 2025" with "Cut Churn 12%: A Playbook from APAC SaaS Renewals." The second mirrors your rice-grain message and triggers self-selection. Leaders frequently blame marketing or timing, when the real culprit is a fuzzy message baked into the title.  Do now: Rewrite your next talk title to include the outcome + timeframe + audience (e.g., "Win Enterprise Renewals in H1 FY2026").  What evidence earns trust in the "Era of Cynicism"? Claims need hard evidence—numbers, names, and cases—not opinions. Treat your talk like a thesis: central proposition up top, then chapters of proof (benchmarks, case studies, pilot metrics, third-party research). Executives will discount adjectives but accept specifics: "Rakuten deployment reduced onboarding from 21 to 14 days" beats "faster onboarding." B2B, consumer, and public-sector audiences vary, but all reward verifiable sources and clear cause-and-effect. Stack your proof in three buckets: data (metrics), authority (laws, frameworks), and example (case).  Do now: Build a 3×3 proof grid (Data/Authority/Example × Market/Function/Timeframe) and attach each item to your single message.  Why do speakers drown talks with "too many benefits," and how do I stop? More benefits dilute impact; pick the strongest and double-down. The "Magic Formula"—context → data → proof → call to action → benefit—works, but presenters keep adding benefits until the original one blurs. In a distracted, mobile-first audience, every extra tangent taxes working memory. Strip supporting points that don't directly prove your main claim. Keep sub-messages subordinate; if they start competing, they're out. In startups and conglomerates alike, restraint reads as confidence.  Do now: Highlight the single, most powerful benefit in your deck; delete lesser benefits that don't strengthen it.  What's the fastest way to improve clarity before delivery? Prune 10% of content—even if it hurts. We're slide hoarders: see a cool graphic, add it; remember a side story, add it. The fix is a hard 10% cut, which forces prioritisation and reveals the true spine of the message. This discipline improves absorption for time-poor executives and buyers across APAC, Europe, and North America. If a slide doesn't prove the rice-grain line, it goes. Quality over quantity wins adoption.  Do now: Run a "10% reduction pass" and read your talk aloud; if the message lands faster, lock the cut list.  Conclusion & Next Steps One message. Fit for audience. Proven with evidence. Ruthlessly pruned. That's how ideas travel from your mouth to their Monday priorities—across languages, time zones, and business cycles.  Next steps for leaders/executives: Write your rice-grain line and title variant. Build a 3×3 proof grid and assign owners to collect evidence by Friday. Cut 10% and rehearse with a cross-functional listener. Track outcomes: decisions taken, next-step commitments, or pipeline created. FAQs What's a "rice-grain" message? It's your core point compressed into ≤12 words—easy to repeat and hard to forget.  How many benefits should I present? One main benefit; others become proof points or get cut.  How much should I cut before delivery? Remove at least 10% to improve clarity and retention.  Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg delivers globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs. He is the author of Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, Japan Presentations Mastery, Japan Leadership Mastery, and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training; Japanese editions include ザ営業 and プレゼンの達人. Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn/X/Facebook and hosts multiple weekly podcasts and YouTube shows including The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show and Japan Business Mastery. 

Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend!   I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of our community's questions that have come in over the past few weeks…   Lynette: I have Celiac Disease and worry about cross-contamination when eating at restaurants or friends' homes. People have suggested taking a gluten digestive enzyme, but I don't want to digest gluten. Is there anything I can take prior to eating that would rid my body of gluten, should I unknowingly come into contact with it? I'm a "silent celiac" so don't experience immediate GI upset, but instead suffer joint pain, headaches, and skin issues afterward. Living gluten-free out in the world is tough, so any suggestions to make things easier and safer are appreciated. Thanks!                                          Anonymous: I received a complimentary bottle of CBD Gummies -- thanks! Are there any contraindications with taking them? I'm thinking about them for my older parents, who are on the typical American old-age pharmaceuticals, including high blood pressure medication, statins, and Gabapentin. Will the gummies help with general aches and pains? Thank you.                                                                                                                                                                                            Sarah: I did labs through Equilife and found that my testosterone and DHEA were significantly low. For reference, I am a 49 year-old perimenopausal female. I started using about 8 mg of DHEA orally daily. (at that point I had 25 mg capsules I was splitting) Within three days of starting I had some longer lasting cystic acne on my face starting to appear. I gave it a few weeks to resolve and then began 25 mg of 7 keto DHEA daily and have had no acne breakouts at all. On my call with my IHP through Equilife to follow up from the labs, I was told that 7 keto DHEA is the same as regular DHEA and is likely just a marketing tool. Can you tell me why I reacted significantly different to the 7 keto DHEA? Several companies, some quite reputable sell it, do you recommend it in my case?                                              Anonymous: Hello, I appreciate the work you do, and would like your input to help me make a purchasing decision. I wanted to buy some Japanese selvedge jeans and notice they contain 2% Polyurethane. I had difficulty establishing whether the use of Polyurethane in clothing is harmful and wanted to know if you could direct me to resources which could provide me with more insight on this topic? Please let me know.                                                                                               Anonymous: I struggle with brain fog and low energy in the afternoons, even though I get enough sleep. Could this be related to blood sugar balance, and if so, what are some easy ways to stabilize it throughout the day?               Thank you for tuning into this weekend's Cabral HouseCalls and be sure to check back tomorrow for our Mindset & Motivation Monday show to get your week started off right! - - - Show Notes and Resources: StephenCabral.com/3558 - - - Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral's Book: The Rain Barrel Effect - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral's Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!  

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3174: Anthony Ongaro introduces a surprisingly effective mindfulness technique borrowed from Japanese train conductors that can sharpen your focus and help you reclaim your attention in everyday moments. By combining small physical gestures with verbal cues, this practice can reduce distraction, strengthen intention, and foster more deliberate choices, even in a world full of digital noise. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.breakthetwitch.com/mindfulness-practice/ Quotes to ponder: "It's better to choose actively and still do it, versus choose passively and regret it." "Pointing and calling has been shown to substantially reduce accidents and improve safety conditions." "When you're making a clear choice, you can more fully enjoy it without feeling any shame or guilt." Episode references: Railway Technical Research Institute: https://www.rtri.or.jp/eng/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dodgers bested the Toronto Blue Jays to become World Series champs, again. The site of a famous Japanese rice cracker brand by Little Tokyo has been transformed into supportive housing. A night time walk along the L.A. River teaches folks why bats are our friends. Plus, more. Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.com Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!Support the show: https://laist.com

One last set of Japanese snacks this week as the You Tried Dat?? gang tastes Cacao Cat Maple Candies alongside two flavors of Shiroi Koibito Chocolate Cookies.  They also discuss an unusual Subway employee before returning, once again, to reading some of the worst posts from Nextdoor. Follow us on Instagram to see pictures of the snacks @youtrieddat.

Sam is back to continue his strange and wonderful habit of only watching every third Picard S3 episode, joined by Sean for his second dalliance with the season.  Barm and Jack remain in the trenches, shell-shocked.  But their spirits are buoyed by one of Levar Burton's most moving performances ever and by realizing Brent Spiner is, somehow, still an actor capable of doing some interesting performances even after being buried under a mountain of Soongs.  They're also enjoying clarifying the story of Mario Sunshine, discussing the Japanese titles of Dominion expansions, imagining a sweet-ass Riker/Tuvok team-up, lamenting Discovery style "drama" and lighting issues, ranking Captain/Admiral's sons, discussing their personal favorite John Wick installments, and exploring their changing attitudes towards Mario 64 levels.  It's just business as usual. 

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3174: Anthony Ongaro introduces a surprisingly effective mindfulness technique borrowed from Japanese train conductors that can sharpen your focus and help you reclaim your attention in everyday moments. By combining small physical gestures with verbal cues, this practice can reduce distraction, strengthen intention, and foster more deliberate choices, even in a world full of digital noise. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.breakthetwitch.com/mindfulness-practice/ Quotes to ponder: "It's better to choose actively and still do it, versus choose passively and regret it." "Pointing and calling has been shown to substantially reduce accidents and improve safety conditions." "When you're making a clear choice, you can more fully enjoy it without feeling any shame or guilt." Episode references: Railway Technical Research Institute: https://www.rtri.or.jp/eng/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eze 3:16-6:14, Heb 4:1-16, Ps 104:24-35, Pr 26:27

Former US ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, reflects on the relevance of the institution. Plus: Portuguese singer Carolina Deslandes on her new album and the Japanese company investigating haunted houses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Robots and Revelations at the Tokyo Science Museum Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-02-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 秋の晴れた日、東京の科学博物館にはたくさんの人々が訪れていました。En: On a sunny autumn day, many people were visiting the Tokyo Museum of Science.Ja: 展示室の明るい照明とインタラクティブなディスプレイの音が、訪れた人々の興味をさらに引き立てます。En: The bright lights in the exhibit rooms and the sounds from the interactive displays further piqued the interest of the visitors.Ja: その中を通る二人の大学生、ユキとハルトは、それぞれ違う期待を胸にしていました。En: Among them were two university students, Yuki and Hiroto, each with their own expectations.Ja: ユキは笑顔で、特別なロボティクスの展示を見て回るのを楽しみにしていました。En: Yuki, smiling, was looking forward to exploring a special robotics exhibit.Ja: 「わあ、ハルト！En: "Wow, Hiroto!Ja: 見て、このロボットは人間のように動けるんだよ！En: Look, this robot can move like a human!"Ja: 」彼女は目を輝かせて話しかけますが、ハルトは少し退屈そうにしています。En: she exclaimed with sparkling eyes, but Hiroto seemed a bit bored.Ja: 「ふーん、それで？En: "Huh, and?"Ja: 」と、彼はあくびをしながら答えました。En: he replied with a yawn.Ja: しかし、ユキは諦めませんでした。En: However, Yuki didn't give up.Ja: 彼女は常に新しいことを学びたいと考えているので、ハルトにも科学の面白さを感じてもらいたかったのです。En: Always eager to learn new things, she wanted Hiroto to also appreciate the wonders of science.Ja: 「次は君の興味を引くものを探してみるね。En: "Next, I'll try to find something that piques your interest."Ja: 」博物館の中を歩き回りながら、ユキはハルトに合いそうな展示を見つけようとしました。En: As they walked around the museum, Yuki tried to find an exhibit that might suit Hiroto.Ja: すると、周りに子供たちが集まるエリアにたどり着きました。En: They arrived at an area surrounded by children.Ja: それはインタラクティブなロボットのデモンストレーションのコーナーでした。En: It was a corner for an interactive robot demonstration.Ja: 「ここにしよう！En: "Let's go here!"Ja: 」ユキはハルトの手を引いてその展示へと向かいました。En: Yuki said, pulling Hiroto towards the exhibit.Ja: そこで、訪問者は小さなロボットを使ってプログラミングを体験することができました。En: There, visitors could experience programming with small robots.Ja: 最初は渋々だったハルトも、次第にその操作に熱中し始めました。En: Though reluctant at first, Hiroto gradually became engrossed in the operation.Ja: 「おお、こんな簡単に動かせるなんて思わなかった！En: "Wow, I didn't think it could be controlled so easily!"Ja: 」その場でハルトは、小さなロボットを動かし、自分のつくったプログラムで壁へのあたりを回避させることができたのです。En: Right there, Hiroto managed to move a small robot and avoid obstacles using a program he created.Ja: 周りの人々も拍手を送り、彼は自然と笑顔になりました。En: People around them applauded, and he naturally began to smile.Ja: 帰るとき、ハルトはユキに向かって言いました。En: On their way out, Hiroto said to Yuki, "Next time, I'd like to see another exhibit.Ja: 「次は別の展示も見てみようかな、ちょっと興味が湧いてきたよ。En: I've gotten a bit interested."Ja: 」ユキは満足そうに微笑みました。En: Yuki smiled contentedly.Ja: 「そうだね！En: "Yeah!Ja: 次はもっと楽しませるよ。En: Next time, I'll make sure it's even more fun."Ja: 」彼女はハルトと並んで博物館を後にしながら、自分の情熱を少しでも共有できた満足感に浸っていました。En: She walked out of the museum alongside Hiroto, basking in the satisfaction of having shared a bit of her passion.Ja: そして二人は、その素晴らしい秋の一日を思い出に、また新しい科学の冒険を求めていくのでした。En: And so, they turned this wonderful autumn day into a cherished memory and set off in search of new scientific adventures.Ja: ユキは相手の興味を考えることの大切さを学び、ハルトは少しオープンマインドになりました。En: Yuki learned the importance of considering others' interests, and Hiroto became a bit more open-minded.Ja: それは、次への訪問を約束する一歩となりました。En: This was a step towards promising another visit. Vocabulary Words:sunny: 晴れたautumn: 秋visitors: 訪れた人々exhibit: 展示interactive: インタラクティブpique: 引き立てるexpectations: 期待forward: 楽しみにrobotics: ロボティクスbored: 退屈yawn: あくびeager: 常にappreciate: 感じてもらいたいwonders: 面白さsuit: 合いそうsurrounded: 集まるdemonstration: デモンストレーションreluctant: 渋々engrossed: 熱中obstacles: 壁へのあたりapplauded: 拍手contentedly: 満足そうにsatisfaction: 満足感passion: 情熱cherished: 思い出adventures: 冒険considering: 考えるopen-minded: オープンマインドpromising: 約束するvisit: 訪問

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Haruto's Celestial Gift: Sparking a Love for Science Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-02-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 秋の柔らかい日差しが、大阪科学館の窓から差し込んでいました。En: The gentle autumn sunlight streamed in through the windows of the Osaka Science Museum.Ja: ハルトは、友達のユミとカズオと一緒に、この賑やかな場所に来ていました。En: Haruto had come to this lively place with his friends Yumi and Kazuo.Ja: 学校の遠足や家族で賑わう中、ハルトの心はひとつの目的に向かっていました。それは、お土産を見つけることでした。En: Amidst the school trips and families making the place bustling, Haruto's mind was set on one purpose: to find a souvenir.Ja: 「何を探してるの、ハルト？」とユミが興味津々に尋ねます。En: "What are you looking for, Haruto?" asked Yumi with curiosity.Ja: 「家族に科学を好きになってもらいたいんだ。でも難しいね。」とハルトはため息をつきました。En: "I want my family to start liking science. But it's tough," Haruto sighed.Ja: 科学に興味がない家族に、どうにかして自分の好きなものを理解してもらおうと、彼は心から願っていたのです。En: He genuinely wished for his family, who had no interest in science, to somehow understand what he loved.Ja: 館内では、様々な展示物が目に飛び込みます。En: Inside the museum, various exhibits caught his eye.Ja: ハルトは、家族にぴったりなものを探しながら、重たい胸を抱えて歩きます。En: Haruto walked around with a heavy heart, searching for something perfect for his family.Ja: 教育的な本や、楽しいおもちゃが並んでいました。En: There were educational books and fun toys lined up.Ja: でもどれも、何かが足りませんでした。En: But each of them seemed to be missing something.Ja: その時、ハルトの目に特別展示コーナーが入ってきました。En: At that moment, Haruto's eyes caught the special exhibition corner.Ja: そこには「限定版 インタラクティブ太陽系モデル」が置かれていました。En: There was a "limited edition interactive solar system model" on display.Ja: ボタンを押すと、惑星が光ったり動いたりします。まるで、本物の宇宙が広がっているようでした。En: Pressing a button would make the planets light up and move, as if a real universe was unfolding before them.Ja: 「これ、すごいね！」とカズオが驚いて言いました。En: "This is amazing!" exclaimed Kazuo in surprise.Ja: 「でも、予算を少しオーバーしちゃうな…」とハルトは悩みます。En: "But it's a bit over the budget..." Haruto pondered.Ja: このモデルは、彼が自分のために使おうと貯めていたお金以上の値段でした。En: The model cost more than the money he had saved up for personal use.Ja: ハルトは、心の中で葛藤しました。En: Haruto had a conflict in his heart.Ja: 教育的なものを選ぶべきか、それともこの興味を引く模型を選ぶべきか。En: Should he choose something educational, or go for this fascinating model?Ja: 時間が流れる中、彼は決断しました。En: As time passed, he made a decision.Ja: 少し考えたのち、ハルトは笑顔でモデルを手に取ります。En: After a little thought, Haruto picked up the model with a smile.Ja: 「これを買うよ。」ハルトは力強く言いました。En: "I'll buy this," Haruto said firmly.Ja: 彼は心の底から、家族がこのモデルを通じて、自分の好きな科学を少しでも理解しようとしてくれることを願いました。En: From the bottom of his heart, he hoped that his family would attempt to understand his love for science through this model.Ja: 彼は、個人的な購入のために貯めていたお金を使うことを決めます。En: He decided to use the money he had saved for personal purchases.Ja: この小さな犠牲がきっと大きな意味を持つと信じて。En: He believed that this small sacrifice would certainly hold great meaning.Ja: 館の外に出ると、秋風が心地よく彼らを包みました。En: As they stepped outside the museum, the autumn breeze pleasantly embraced them.Ja: ハルトは太陽系モデルを大切に抱え、家族と科学を共有できる日を楽しみにしていました。En: Haruto held the solar system model carefully, looking forward to the day he could share science with his family.Ja: 彼は、家族の絆を深めるために、時には自分の物欲を超えて行動することを学んだのです。En: He learned that sometimes, deepening family bonds requires acting beyond his own desires. Vocabulary Words:gentle: 柔らかいsunlight: 日差しstreamed: 差し込んでlively: 賑やかなamidst: 中bustling: 賑わうsouvenir: お土産curiosity: 興味津々genuinely: 心からexhibits: 展示物heavy: 重たいeducational: 教育的lined up: 並んでspecial: 特別limited edition: 限定版interactive: インタラクティブdisplay: 置かれてuniverse: 宇宙exclaimed: 驚いて言いましたpondered: 悩みますconflict: 葛藤fascinating: 興味を引くpassed: 流れるsacrifice: 犠牲meaning: 意味embraced: 包みましたcarefully: 大切にlooking forward: 楽しみにdeepening: 深めるbonds: 絆

Today we jump back 15 years to two back-to-back episodes of the PWTorch Livecast from Oct. 27 and 28, 2010.On the Oct. 27, 2010 episode, PWTorch editor Wade Keller and Pat McNeill continue the discussion this week on the biggest stories including more on the Brock Lesnar-Undertaker angle at the UFC PPV on Saturday, looking ahead to the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, Undertaker's WrestleMania options, the disrespect shown to women on WWE and TNA television, Daniel Bryan's push in WWE, Undertaker out of character, TNA and WWE PPV buys, and more.On the Oct. 28, 2010 episode, PWTorch assistant editor James Caldwell and PWTorch Nostalgia columnist Brian Hoops includes discussion with live callers on tonight's TNA Impact, the change of direction for TNA's top storyline and positives and negatives that could come from it, Hulk Hogan's same ol' video message on "shooting" and "getting real," Dragon Gate USA's live Internet PPV on Friday, a look-ahead to how WWE could book the Royal Rumble, historical perspective on Japanese wrestlers who got over in the U.S. and African-American top stars, health concerns over blood in WWE and concussions in pro wrestling, and much more.Then, in the previously VIP-exclusive Aftershow, they discussed the lack of money-making pro wrestling angles in WWE & TNA right now, how the four-year look at Raw & Impact ratings points to that, Smackdown's ratings, plus a 20 years ago flashback review of the Nov. 1, 1990 Torch Newsletter with WCW Halloween Havoc broken down in detail.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wade-keller-pro-wrestling-podcast--3076978/support.

It's time for Homeroom! The second half of season one of Kiniro Mosaic awaits. Dye your hair blond and talk British!

King Charles stripped his brother Prince Andrew of his last royal title and will evict him from his mansion. The BBC has the full story. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a trade deal that eases tensions over tariffs. The Wall Street Journal’s Lingling Wei explains how Trump is rebuilding the U.S.-China playbook. The World Series and Major League Baseball have been dominated this year by Japanese stars. The Athletic’s Evan Drellich joins to discuss how Japan’s influences go beyond the diamond. Plus, Hurricane Melissa leaves behind mass devastation, Trump caps refugee numbers to the U.S. at a much small figure, and how America failed at daylight saving 50 years ago. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

A few thousand people have arrived at the Tawila refugee camp in Sudan, after escaping harrowing violence in the RSF-controlled city of el-Fasher, many of them unaccompanied children. Also, Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia's smallest economy, joins the ASEAN bloc. And, a 91-year-old Japanese man is the oldest runner at the New York City Marathon. Plus, a look at Halloween and other ghostly traditions around the world.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! Get exclusive Japanese horror merchandise and join the Discord! Sometimes it's not the ghosts or monsters or other supernatural creepies that might be lurking in the dark that you have to fear. Sometimes it's our fellow man… BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Kowabana: 'True' Japanese scary stories from around the internet by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/kowabana

On this week's show we identify the top IMDB user rated original movies per streamer. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Classic TV props fetch $3.17M Netflix feature lets you decide what happens next, live 'High Potential' Is First 10 p.m. Drama to Hit No. 1 For the Fall Since 'ER' in 1999 Other: Explaining the magic yellow first-down line · The 42 Frndly TV Your Smart TV's HDMI Port Is Spying On You! The Last Frontier Top User Rated Original Movies per Streamer Last week we ran down the top streamer's price histories and at one point I (Ara), said that Amazon really didn't have many movies worth watching but since it came included with Prime shipping who cares. So this week I wanted to see what Amazon Original Movies were available and how they rated on IMDB. This did not include TV series like Reacher, Terminalist, etc. I just wanted to see if there was something I was missing. Then I expanded it to all the streamers we talked about last week and thus we created a list of the highest rated original movies from each streamer as rated by viewers on IMDB. Note the list goes from lowest to highest. Paramount+ Hunger Ward (2020) with a rating of 7.1/10. This short documentary, directed by Skye Fitzgerald, explores the Yemeni Civil War's famine through the work of two female health workers at therapeutic feeding centers for malnourished children. It premiered on Paramount+ in 2021 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject. Hulu Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022) with a rating of 7.2/10 based on over 34,000 user votes. Directed by Sophie Hyde and starring Emma Thompson as a widowed retiree exploring her sexuality with a young sex worker (Daryl McCormack), it's a witty and intimate comedy-drama praised for its honest take on aging, desire, and vulnerability. Peacock Psych 3: This Is Gus (2021) with a rating of 7.5/10 based on over 5,500 user votes. This comedy-mystery TV movie, directed by Steve Franks, serves as the third installment in the Psych film series and follows fake psychic detective Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) and his best friend Burton "Gus" Guster (Dulé Hill) as they investigate Gus's bride-to-be's past amid wedding chaos, all while Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) faces career uncertainty. It's praised for its sharp humor, heartfelt moments, and nostalgic callbacks to the original USA Network series. Netflix Marriage Story (2019) with a rating of 7.9/10 (from over 380,000 votes). Directed by Noah Baumbach, this poignant drama follows a stage director (Adam Driver) and his actress wife (Scarlett Johansson) as they navigate a grueling divorce, exploring the emotional toll on their family and creative lives. It received critical acclaim for its sharp screenplay, authentic performances, and raw depiction of marital breakdown, earning six Oscar nominations including Best Picture. Apple TV+ Wolfwalkers (2020) with a rating of 8.0/10 based on over 43,000 user ratings. This animated fantasy adventure, directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, follows a young hunter's daughter who befriends a girl from a wolf-shifting tribe in 17th-century Ireland. It stands out for its hand-drawn animation, themes of friendship and freedom, and cultural folklore elements, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. Amazon Prime The Handmaiden (2016) with a rating of 8.1/10 from nearly 195,000 votes. Directed by Park Chan-wook and adapted from Sarah Waters' novel Fingersmith, this erotic psychological thriller is set in 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea. It follows a con artist, a pickpocket disguised as a handmaiden, and a wealthy heiress in a tale of seduction, betrayal, and revenge told across three perspectives. Amazon Studios acquired U.S. distribution rights after its 2016 Cannes premiere, making it an exclusive Prime Video original. Its high rating comes from praise for its intricate plot, stunning visuals, and strong performances by Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, and Ha Jung-woo. For comparison, other top Amazon originals include Manchester by the Sea (7.8/10), Sound of Metal (7.7/10), and The Big Sick (7.5/10).

All shock collars set to high voltage as we zip through a maze of bloodthirsty killers, Japanese gameshow cliches, and perhaps way too much linguistic back and forth with Maurice Devereaux' low-budget 2001 slasher, $LA$HER$. We're joined by listener and friend of the show, Jake Rubenstein, to discuss the film's ambitious nature (despite its budgetary constraints), director Maurice Devereaux' short-lived filmography, and much, much more!