Podcast appearances and mentions of William Potter

This week on The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen is joined by Dr. William Potter to explore the escalating risks and eroding norms surrounding nuclear weapons in today's fractured global order. As traditional arms control mechanisms falter and new technologies complicate deterrence, Dr. Potter outlines the mounting dangers of miscalculation, norm erosion, and geopolitical mistrust in nuclear decision-making.Drawing on decades of firsthand experience, from every NPT Review Conference since 1995 to advising the United Nations, Dr. Potter walks us through critical developments including Russia's nuclear signaling, China's evolving posture, and the destabilizing potential of non-state actors. From radiological weapons to AI-enabled crisis simulations, this conversation highlights how fragile the global nuclear architecture has become, and what it will take to rebuild trust and transparency.Dr. William Potter is the Sam Nunn and Richard Lugar Professor of Nonproliferation Studies and Founding Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at MIIS. He has served on the UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters and participated in every major NPT negotiation since 1995. He is the author or editor of over 20 books, including his latest: Death Dust: The Rise, Decline, and Future of Radiological Weapons Programs.Related Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Book: Death Dust: The Rise, Decline, and Future of Radiological Weapons Programs (Stanford Universityi Press, 2023).The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast dives deep into international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.Dominic's 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge. Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!

Tad chats with the Geezer creators, William Potter and Philip Bond!Consider becoming a patron!Support the show

No not that Potter family. William Potter's entire family was massacred in their home in the early 1900s. Outside, his body was found, but the blood splatter tells a very different story. Did William Potter kill his family and then himself, or was there something else entirely happening within this family's home? Watch this podcast episode in video format on Patreon here! Our new Shaken and Disturbed Patreon perks and tiers are live NOW! Help support our show for as little as $5 a month! We now have Sussy Radish stickers and video podcasts available at certain levels! Your support keeps the show running and the bills paid so that we can keep making and publishing new episodes! Sign up for Patreon here: http://patreon.com/shakenanddisturbed Want Shaken and Disturbed merch? T-shirts, pillows, hoodies, phone cases, stickers and more are now available here: Shaken and Disturbed MERCH STORE And if you've already signed up for Patreon, thank you, Mom and Dad love you.

In the third episode of the Nuclear Threats and the War in Ukraine, Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London, and Ms. Sarah Bidgood, Director of the Eurasia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), present a pessimistic view on the future of arms control. The discussion is moderated by CNS founder and director Dr. William Potter. Ms. Bidgood wrote a recent article in Foreign Policy about the real possibility of a new nuclear arms race. https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/03/15/nuclear-arms-control-race-russia-ukraine-america/ Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has set in motion a catastrophic war. The consequences of this war will be both tragic and far-reaching, including concerning nuclear nonproliferation and risk reduction. Consistent with the CNS mission of promoting nonproliferation education and analysis, the Center offers a series of webinars about the nuclear challenges and risks that have arisen as a result of this unfolding crisis. The series focuses on questions such as How is the war affecting the safety and security of Ukraine's civil nuclear energy infrastructure? What is the risk that nuclear weapons could be used in the context of the war in Ukraine? What is the likely impact of the war on the international nonproliferation regime and national decisions to forego nuclear weapons? In a fast-changing landscape with countless unknowns, this series aims to provide timely information about these critical issues and a forum for constructive dialogue.

David, Michael, Devan, and special guest Dave use the star maps from various archaeological cave drawings and travel to LV-223 to talk about and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2012 sort-of Alien prequel "Prometheus."  They discuss what they liked most about the film, what didn't work as well, the many cut and edited scenes that might have improved the film, and how their views of the film may have changed after 10 years.  They also talk a bit about how the 2017 sequel "Alien: Covenant" both succeeded and failed in following up on the narrative, characters, and themes contained in its predecessor.  This is a fun, vibrant discussion about a movie that, for better or worse, has left a lasting impression on many within the Alien fandom.  Once again, thank you so much for listening and supporting our show!  Stay frosty!

In the first webinar in the Nuclear Threats and the War in Ukraine series, Ms. Kateryna Pavlova, Head of International Department and Public Relations, State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management, analyzes how the war is affecting the safety and security of Ukraine's civil nuclear energy infrastructure. Dr. William Potter, Founder Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies at Monterey, moderates the discussion. In a fast-changing landscape with countless unknowns, this series aims to provide timely information about these critical issues and a forum for constructive dialogue.

In their latest OGN, 90s brit pop is celebrated by the Bonds and William Potter, writer and former bassist for the 90s brit pop band Cud. It's hilarious.

Guests:Sarah Bidgood is Director of the Eurasia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.Usha Sahay is Senior Editor at POLITICO Magazine, where she focuses on foreign affairs and global issues. She is also the host of “A Most Terrible Weapon,” a podcast produced by War on the Rocks about the dawn of the nuclear age. Previously, she was Managing Editor of War on the Rocks.International Security Article:This podcast is based on Samuel Meyer, Sarah Bidgood, and William C. Potter, “Death Dust: The Little-Known Story of U.S. and Soviet Pursuit of Radiological Weapons,” International Security, Vol. 45, No. 2 (Fall 2020), pp. 51– 94.Related Readings:Alex Wellerstein, “Death Dust, 1941,” Restricted Data: The Nuclear Secrecy Blog, March 7, 2014. Usha Sahay, “A Most Terrible Weapon,” War on the Rocks, 2020. Sarah Bidgood, Sam Meyer, and William Potter, “It's Time to Prohibit Radiological Weapons,” European Leadership Network, February 1, 2021. Kyle Mizokami, “Russia Is Still Testing Its Terrifying Apocalypse Torpedo,” Popular Mechanics, April 14, 2021.Originally released on June 22, 2021.

William Potter will judge the terrier group when the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show returns this weekend. He explains what goes into a judge's assessment, and how he really feels about “Best in Show”

CAST in order of appearance: Amy Meilander as Welsh Captain, William Potter as Salisbury. Curated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Zoë Goslin as Richard II, William Potter as John of Gaunt, Mike Marcou as Henry Bolingbroke, Zoe Burke as Thomas Mowbray. Curated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: William Potter as John of Gaunt, Amy Meilander as Duchess of Gloucester Curated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: William Potter as John of Gaunt, Caryl Farkas as Duke of York, Nazlah Black as Queen Isabel & Willoughby, Zoë Goslin as Richard II, Stephen Wagener Bennett as Northumberland, Mairi Chanel as Ross. Curated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Stephen Wagener Bennett as Lord Marshal, Mairi Chanel as Lord Aumerle, Zoë Goslin as Richard II, Zoe Burke as Thomas Mowbray & 1st Herald, Mike Marcou as Henry Bolingbroke, William Potter as John of Gaunt & 2nd Herald. Curated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

CAST in order of appearance: Zoë Goslin as Richard II, Mairi Chanel as Lord Aumerle, Nazlah Black as Bishop of Carlisle, William Potter as Salisbury, Stephen Wagener Bennett as Sir Stephen Scroop. Curated, edited, and with music composed and performed by Ariana Karp.

And so ends our most lyrical history of Richard II. Among many things, our group talked about the emotional importance of the relationship between Queen Isabel and Richard, fierce Shakespearean mothers, the family impact of civil strife, and Richard devastating and beautiful prison speech in Act V. Our cast of Nazlah Black, Zoe Burke, Mairi Chanel, Caryl Farkas, Zoë Goslin, Mike Marcou, Amy Meilander, & William Potter, facilitated by Ariana Karp, concludes their exploration of Richard II. You can catch the full radio play of Richard II with this group on Thursday, February 11, 2021 on the Radio Shakespeare Lab podcast.

And now we arrive at the firestorm that is Act IV of Richard II! Among many things, our cast discussed the political potency of the abdication/deposition scene, the comedy gold of ‘the gloves’, ascending and descending imagery, and Richard playing on the edge of a knife with his powerful language and status-taking actions. Our cast of Nazlah Black, Zoe Burke, Mairi Chanel, Caryl Farkas, Zoë Goslin, Mike Marcou, Amy Meilander, & William Potter, facilitated by Ariana Karp, continues their exploration of Richard II.

We move on to the pivotal Act III, steeping ourselves in class tensions, water and fire imagery, and marveling at how Richard gains linguistic power as he loses his political power. Our cast of Stephen Wagener Bennett, Nazlah Black, Zoe Burke, Mairi Chanel, Caryl Farkas, Zoë Goslin, Mike Marcou, Amy Meilander, & William Potter, facilitated by Ariana Karp, continues their exploration of Richard II. Here is a link with information on the Elizabethan philosophy of the four humors that we briefly discussed - check it out for more information! https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/shakespeare/fourhumors.html

Join us as we continue our exploration of Richard with our Act II discussion. We note the foreshadowing of Richard’s end as both the symbol of the setting sun and the association with the music of the spheres. We look at John of Gaunt’s descriptive metaphors of England and how he makes the land ‘holy.’ We also talk about the mirroring of the different factions of noblemen and the Duke of York’s frustration and indecision. Listen to our cast: Stephen Bennet, Nazlah Black, Zoe Burke, Mairi Chanel, Caryl Farkas, Zoë Goslin, Mike Marcou, Amy Meilander, & William Potter, facilitated by Ariana Karp discuss Act II. Also here is a link to Hans Holbein the Younger’s painting “The Ambassadors.” https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/hans-holbein-the-younger-the-ambassadors

And we begin our second play, the lyrical Richard II! Join us with a brand new group of actors as we work through Act I of Richard II. (A warning that there is a graphic description of the punishment for treason during Elizabethan times near the beginning of the podcast.) We familiarize ourselves with the complex circumstances that happen before the play starts, the dizzying number of titles of many of the characters, and the whims of King Richard. Our cast for this project includes: Stephen Bennet, Nazlah Black, Zoe Burke, Mairi Chanel, Caryl Farkas, Zoë Goslin, Mike Marcou, Amy Meilander, & William Potter, facilitated by Ariana Karp.

Today I'll talk about the difference between gourds and squash. We'll also celebrate the man whose philanthropy made the Arnold Arboretum possible. We’ll recognize the painter who said flowers made him paint freely. We salute the English author who gave us a lovely poem called The Garden Year. We Grow That Garden Library™ with a cookbook from two chefs who teach authentic, seasonal cooking with ingredients from your garden in the most delicious and perfect ways possible. And then we’ll wrap things up with the English naturalist who campaigned and won Green Spaces for England and her work lead to the National Trust.   Subscribe Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart To listen to the show while you're at home, just ask Alexa or Google to “Play the latest episode of The Daily Gardener Podcast.” And she will. It's just that easy.   The Daily Gardener Friday Newsletter Sign up for the FREE Friday Newsletter featuring: A personal update from me Garden-related items for your calendar The Grow That Garden Library™ featured books for the week Gardener gift ideas Garden-inspired recipes Exclusive updates regarding the show and more. Plus, each week, one lucky subscriber wins a book from the Grow That Garden Library™ bookshelf.   Gardener Greetings Send your garden pics, stories, birthday wishes, and so forth to Jennifer@theDailyGardener.org.   Curated News The Same Mobile Protein Governs Seed Size And Inflorescence Structure | Botany One | Hugh Dickinson   Facebook Group If you'd like to check out my curated news articles and blog posts for yourself, you're in luck because I share all of it with the Listener Community in the Free Facebook Group - The Daily Gardener Community.   So, there’s no need to take notes or search for links. The next time you're on Facebook, search for Daily Gardener Community, where you’d search for a friend… and request to join. I'd love to meet you in the group.   Important Events December 3, 1492   On this day, Christopher Columbus noted in his diary: "I climbed a mountain and came to level ground, which was sown with many different crops and gourds." The gourds Columbus was referring to were actually squashes that were turned into utensils. Many people confuse gourds and squash. So here’s a little gourd and squash trivia to keep your knowledge of gourds and squash sharp. Gourds and squash are members of the Cucurbitaceae ("coo-kur-bi-TAY-see-ee") plant family, including over 700 species. Both squash and gourds are fruits because they are part of the flower that contains the seeds, and like grapes, they grow on a vine. The fruits of gourds, squashes, and pumpkins are berries known as a pepo (“pee-poh”). Loofahs are a type of gourd, and they come from the inside of a gourd. Pumpkin is a squash. And while most gourds are not suitable to eat, squash has a mild taste and is delicious. The main difference between summer squash and winter squash is how long they can be stored. Summer squashes are soft-skinned, they're harvested in the summer, and they need to be eaten quickly (i.e., zucchini and yellow crookneck squash). Winter squashes are hard-shelled squashes that can be stored for months (i.e., acorn squash). Here’s a little gourd joke: What vegetable keeps your garden safe? A security gourd. Lastly, if you enjoy puns, gourd puns abound on the internet, and they are truly the worst puns. "You’d butternut forget to grow gourds… because they’re ‘gourd’geous!"   December 3, 1868 Today is the anniversary of the death of the wealthy businessman, philanthropist, and botanist James Arnold. James is the namesake for Harvard's Arnold Arboretum - the very first arboretum in the United States. James was born to a Quaker family in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1807, James married Sarah Rotch. Had James not married Sarah, there would have probably never been an Arnold Arboretum. Sarah's father was part of an exceptionally wealthy whaling family, and James eventually became a partner in his father-in-law's business. James used his wealth to buy an 11-acre estate in New Bedford, Massachusetts. As Quakers, James, and Sarah focused less on making their home ostentatious and more on developing their gardens. Together James and Sarah searched for interesting plants and trees for their home gardens during their many trips to Europe. And history tells us that the Arnold property was so stunning that the gardens were open to the public on Sundays. In 1857, even the writer Herman Melville visited the garden. The Unitarian minister, William Potter, called the Arnold estate, "...the most conspicuous among all our homes for culture, for hospitality, for charity." As both James and Sarah loved gardening and plants, their friends included many naturalists of their time: John James Audubon, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Bronson Alcott (Louisa May Alcott’s father). When James died in 1868, as part of his will, he left $100,000 in the hands of three trustees: Francis Parker, John James Dixwell, and George Emerson. Emerson and Dixwell personally knew Asa Gray at Harvard, and they also knew that Harvard needed a Botanic Garden. James Arnold’s trustees included a bodacious mission for the Arboretum: to collect every kind of tree and shrub that would grow outdoors in Massachusetts. By 1873, Charles Sprague Sargent was hired to be the director of the Arnold Arboretum - a position he would hold for over four decades. And James Arnold’s gift and Charles Sprague Sargent’s leadership created the world-class arboretum we enjoy today.   December 3, 1919 Today is the anniversary of the death of the impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Pierre-Auguste Renoir said, when he was painting flowers, he was able to paint, “freely and boldly without the mental effort, he made with a model.” He also said, “If you paint the leaf on a tree without using a model, your imagination will only supply you with a few leaves… But nature offers you millions, all on the same tree. … The artist who paints only what is in his mind must very soon repeat himself.” It was Renoir who said, “What seems most significant to me about [Impressionism] is that we have freed painting from the importance of the subject. I am at liberty to paint flowers and call them flowers, without their needing to tell a story.” And speaking of stories, there's a little-known story about Renoir. For many years, he hung a sign on his garden gate which read, "No Renoirs sold here. Beware the dog."   Unearthed Words January brings the snow, Makes our feet and fingers glow. February brings the rain, Thaws the frozen lake again. March brings breezes, loud and shrill, To stir the dancing daffodil. April brings the primrose sweet, Scatters daisies at our feet. May brings flocks of pretty lambs Skipping by their fleecy dams. June brings tulips, lilies, roses, Fills the children’s hands with posies. Hot July brings cooling showers, Apricots and gillyflowers. August brings the sheaves of corn, Then the harvest home is borne. Warm September brings the fruit; Sportsmen then begin to shoot. Fresh October brings the pheasant; Then to gather nuts is pleasant. Dull November brings the blast; Then the leaves are whirling fast. Chill December brings the sleet, Blazing fire and Christmas treat. — Sara Coleridge, English author, The Garden Year   Grow That Garden Library Earth to Table by Jeff Crump and Bettina Schormann This book came out in 2018, and the subtitle is Cooking with Good Ingredients Through the Seasons. In this book, Slow Food advocates and accomplished chefs Jeff Crump and Bettina Schormann create approachable everyday recipes with the garden harvest. This book was a 2018 Winner for Excellence in Book Design - which is a feature that readers will notice right away when they get this cookbook. By advocating for a seasonal approach to cooking, Jeff and Bettina show you how to seek out the freshest ingredients for your prep table and dining table. Earth to Table Every Day features 140 wholesome, effortless, everyday recipes. I love Jeff and Bettina’s cookbook because they infuse their book with brilliant stories and gorgeous photography that makes their recipes compelling and memorable. My favorites include Arugula and Fennel Salad, Mushroom Tarts, Creamy Hummus with Fried Chickpeas, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Apple Bacon Pizza, Rhubarb Upside Down Cake, Chocolate Brownies, and Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake. This book is 288 pages of authentic, seasonal cooking from two chefs dedicated to making and using ingredients from the garden in the most delicious and perfect ways possible. You can get a copy of Earth to Table by Jeff Crump and Bettina Schormann and support the show using the Amazon Link in today's Show Notes for around $18   Today’s Botanic Spark Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart December 3, 1838 Today is the birthday of the English activist, conservationist, and naturalist Octavia Hill. From the time she was 13 years old, Octavia worked to make life better for the working class. As Octavia matured, she crystalized her advocacy. And one of Octavia’s most passionate causes was getting access to nature for all of the folks living in large cities like London. Historical records tell us that Octavia was a small woman, she didn’t care a lick for fashion, and she had beautiful brown eyes. She was also an exceptional speaker and persuasive advocate, as is evident by a comment the Bishop of London made after meeting with Octavia, "She spoke for half an hour … I never had such a beating in all my life." In 1884, Octavia's sister and fellow activist Miranda Hill remarked, “It has come to the point when two peers and a cabinet minister call and consult her in one week.” Octavia’s work to save green spaces throughout England led to the establishment of the National Trust. It was Octavia Hill who said, “The need of quiet, the need of air, the need of exercise, and, I believe, the sight of sky and of things growing, are human needs, common to all…” And finally, gardeners will chuckle at this little passage from a letter Octavia wrote to her sister, Gertrude, on October 22, 1852: “Oh, Gertrude! I am so happy, so very very happy. I wish you were with me. You would so love all my beautiful things... I have a little room, all to myself. When anything is wrong or unjust downstairs, I have only to come up into my own little room, and it is so still... I usually have some flowers, for the ladies are very kind in bringing me them. I have a few poor little plants that I am fond of. Then I have eleven dear little snails. They are such darlings.”   Thanks for listening to The Daily Gardener. And remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."

E ai cruzeirense, tudo bem com vc? Neste podcast vou falar sobre o Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, mais especificamente análises pré e pós jogos. Irei tentar também comentar acontecimentos diários do clube. O Cruzeiro, no dia 06/11/2020, viaja à Ribeirão Preto, em jogo válido pela 20ª (vigésima) rodada, do Campeonato Brasileiro Série B. Jogo em que vamos buscar mais 3 pontos fora de casa, apesar de todas as dificuldades. Destaco também a cautela que temos que ter com o simulador e a falta de exatidão do futebol. Digo também sobre as questões do jogo ser mental e o tanto que isso pode interferir. No episódio de hoje eu tratei sobre a chega de William Potter e a ida do Maurício para o Internacional. Rafael Luiz foi diagnosticado com COVID-19 e será desfalque. Daniel Guedes foi liberado para acertar com o time do Goiás. Thiago retorna ao sub-20. Zagueiro Paulo renova com o Cruzeiro, importante demais essa renovção, espero que o Deivid não faça burrada. Felipão impõem regras em prol de melhor harmonia da equipe. O "Novo Estatuto" do clube, que pouco visa torcedores e mantém privilégios bizonhos a quem derrubou o clube, mas esse eu fico devendo uma melhor leitura. E ai, curtiu o episódio? Compartilhe com a galera e vamos crescendo juntos! Se cuidem pessoal! Abraços! Músicas usadas de fundo: Nós somos loucos - versão da Banda Scarcéus/ Um gigante incontestado - voz da arquibancada/ Hoje Cruzeiro, não podemos perder - TFC/ Cruzeiro olê olê olê - voz da arquibancada/ Uma cerveja por favor - voz da arquibancada/ Hoje larguei tudo pra te ver - voz da arquibancada/ Dalê Dalê, Cruzeiro até morrer - voz, Jéssica Lima (Instagram - @jessicalimaoficial_)/ Ah ser Cruzeiro é bom demais - TFC. Minhas redes sociais: Twitter pessoal: @pedrohlo93 Twitter da coleção/podcast: @VaralCeleste Instagram pessoal: @pedro_zoso Instagram da coleção/podcast: @varalceleste

This episode in our long awaited sovereign citizens series begins with William Potter Gale, the anti-Semitic and racist Christian Identity minister who would go on to found the Posse Comitatus, the direct ideological forebears of contemporary sovereign citizens. We cover his life from the immigration of his Jewish father to the United States to his yearly habit of lying about his military service and liver problems while in the army. We end on the first inklings of his posse comitatus legalistic mumbo jumbo inspired by the mere thought of black kids going to school. For links to our Patreon page, merch store, and Discord server, head on over to nonedarecallitordinary.com

We talk to one of the owners of Shark Pit Jiu Jitsu William Potter. William is a renaissance man that learns something new. We talk about the importance of Jiu Jitsu in your everyday life! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

"The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts." Neal examines the introductory scene of Lawrence in the map room in Cairo. The scene takes place almost entirely in one shot and is a masterclass in introducing a character and in blocking actors within the frame.

Cud special with William Potter with David Eastaugh Cud are a British indie rock band formed in Leeds, England in 1987. The original line up included vocalist Carl Puttnam, guitarist/keyboardist Mike Dunphy, bassist William Potter, and drummer Steve Goodwin. In June 1987 they recorded a Peel Session and the band signed with Reception Records who released their first single "Mind the Gap". Two further 12" EPs followed in 1988 on Nightshift and Ediesta Records. Following extensive touring and positive press the band signed to Imaginary Records in 1989. Following three albums (one of which Elvis Belt was a compilation of previously released singles) on Imaginary the band signed with A&M Records in 1991. Although two singles broke into the UK Top 40 and they released two further LPs the band's fortunes declined and the band broke up in early 1995. The band reformed in 2006 to support the release of a greatest hits album with Felix Frey replacing Dunphy on guitar. When guitarist Mike Dunphy later rejoined, drummer Steve Goodwin decided to stop touring and was replaced by Gogs Byrn. The band continue to tour and attend Indie rock festivals such as the Shiiine On weekender.

I thought I'd start today's show off with a quote by Beverley Nichols from his book, Sunlight on the Lawn: “Why do insurance companies, when they want to describe an act of God, invariably pick on something which sounds much more like an act of the Devil? One would think that God was exclusively concerned in making hurricanes, smallpox, thunderbolts, and dry rot. They seem to forget that He also manufactures rainbows, apple-blossom, and Siamese kittens. However, that is, perhaps, a diversion.” This quote by Nichols came to mind when I heard the wondrous story about the little tomato plant that had sprouted on a piling by the Brooklyn Bridge. It made the Nightly News after the story was first published by the New York Times on Wednesday along with a photo taken by a passerby, Matthew Frey. Paddle-boarding between Pier 1 and 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Frey saw the leaves first. His incredible image of a lone tomato plant growing straight up with no supports and with one perfectly red little tomato was heartwarming. It reminded me of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree but with only one red ornament hanging proudly in the middle of the plant. Frey, who is 54, told the times:  “I’m used to seeing things grow here, but nothing as special as that... Things like that just make me happy.” Beverley Nichols would have loved seeing the little tomato plant that could. To him, it would have been heaven sent - a little gift to us all from above.     Brevities #OTD On this day in 1513, James IV of Scotland, along with other Flowers of the Forest, were killed in the battle of Flodden.   The Scottish army led by James, was taking advantage of Henry VIII's absence in France but they were resoundingly crushed by an army organized by Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's 1st wife. It was the largest battle ever fought between England & Scotland, and it was a devastating defeat for the Scots who remembered   the pain of an estimated 12,000 dead sons of Scotland in an old Scottish folksong called “The Flowers of the Forest.” There are many variations of the lyrics that have surfaced over the years. One of the oldest verses ends this way: "'The Flowers of the Forest that fought at the foremost, The prime of the land are cold in the clay'" In 1765, the socialite Alison Cockburn wrote her own lyrics to the Flowers of the Forest. Here's the first verse: I've seen the smiling Of fortune beguiling, I've tasted her pleasures And felt her decay; Sweet is her blessing, And kind her caressing, But now they are fled And fled far away.     #OTD  Today is the anniversary of the death of the botanist and the incomparable botanical illustrator Georg Dionysius Ehret who died on this day in 1770.   Ehret was born in Heidelberg, Germany to Ferdinand Christian Ehret, who was a gardener and also had a talent for drawing. He taught his son both skills- gardening and drawing - before he died. Ehret made his way to Regensburg. There, he met an apothecary who hired him to draw of specimens from his herbarium and garden. Ehret earnestly took on the job; drawing over 500 pieces in one year. Taking advantage of his young employee, the apothecary fired Ehret and told him he should have completed 1,000 drawings and was fired. It was basically his way of avoiding paying Ehret. After this dreadful experience, Ehret made his way to England and worked at the major botanical gardens - Including Chelsea Physic. Isaac Rand, the first director of the Chelsea Physic Garden in London, told Ehret to paint the rare plants in the garden. The uniqueness of the specimens added to the demand for Ehret's work. As a result, Ehret was on friendly terms with the plant collectors and naturalists of his time.  Chelsea was formative professionally and personally for Ehret; He married the head gardener's sister-in-law, Susanna Kennet.  In The Art of Botanical Illustration, Wilfrid Blunt noted that, “By the middle of the century he had become a popular figure in London society: the highest nobility in England clamored to receive instruction from him,”    Indeed, the wealthiest woman in England, Margaret Cavendish Bentinck, (the Duchess of Portland) gladly retained Ehret as a drawing instructor. Struck by the luminescence of his work, and ultimately she would buy over 300 of his paintings. In 1737,  Ehret was hired to draw by Sir Charles Wager, First Lord of the Admiralty.  In August of that year, Wagner's personal garden is where Ehret first observed the Magnolia grandiflora flowering. The bloom was so inspiring that Ehret walked for an hour each way, from Chelsea to Wagner's house (in Fulham), to see and sketch every stage of the Magnolia grandiflora;  from bud to full flower. Ehret's work provided the world with the first Magnolia to be illustrated in England. Beyond his work in England, Ehret traveled throughout Europe in pursuit of his craft. He  met Linnaeus in Holland when he was visiting the botanical garden in Leiden.  Linnaeus taught Ehret exactly how he wanted plants to be dissected and drawn. By this time, Ehret felt that his drawings were already aligned with Linnaeus, but the calibration didn't hurt; Ehret's work made it possible for Linnaeus to show the differences between plants for his books. When Linnaeus released his catalog of rare plants, "Hortus Cliffortianus," in 1737, it featured 20 meticulous plates made by Ehret. As a result of partnering with Linnaeus, Ehret understood plant structure on a level that rivaled most botanists. Ehret's style of drawing is referred to as the Linnaean style. Ehret's father could have never predicted the impact of teaching his son both gardening and drawing; but the two skills had come together in Ehret in a very special way. One expert wrote that, "[Ehret] was the greatest artist illustrator that Linnaeus had."   Today, Ehret's work is difficult to source. Given the rarity of an Ehret drawing, they are expensive to acquire; pieces generally start around $1k (if you can find one.) Just this year, the NYBG organized an exhibit called, "Georg Ehret: The Greatest Botanical Artist of the 1700s.” They featured 48 Ehret watercolors and engravings.   #OTD   Today is the birthday of James Arnold who was born on this day in 1781 and who was the namesake for Harvard's Arnold Arboretum. The Arnold Arboretum was the very first arboretum in the United States. Arnold was born to a Quaker family in Providence Rhode, Island. In 1807, Arnold married Sarah Rotch. Had Arnold not married Sarah, there would have probably never been an Arnold Arboretum. Sarah's father was part of a wealthy whaling family. Through his marriage to Sarah, Arnold eventually became a partner in his father-in-law's business. Arnold used his wealth to buy an 11-acre estate. There he built a mansion and installed beautiful gardens and lawns. The property was so stunning, that the Arnolds opened their gardens to the public on Sundays. It was a rare opportunity. The Unitarian minister, William Potter, called the Arnold estate, "a home the most conspicuous among all our homes for culture, for hospitality, for charity."   John Quincy Adams was a guest of the Arnolds in 1835 and 1843.  When Arnold died in 1868, he had outlived both his wife and daughter. As part of his will, he left $100,000 in the hands of threetrustees: Francis Parker, John James Dixwell, and George Emerson. Emerson and Dixwell were essential to the founding of the Arboretum because they personally knew Asa Gray at Harvard and they also knew that Harvard wanted a Botanic Garden. When the arrangements for the arboretum were finally settled, the instructions were to collect every kind of tree and shrub that would grow outdoors in Massachusetts.  In 1873, Charles Sprague Sargent was hired to be the Arnold Arboretum director - a position he would hold for over four decades. His vision combined with the stability provided by his long leadership, established a solid foundation for the Arnold Arboretum. With the gift from James Arnold, the Arboretum had the means; and with the leadership of Sargent, it had the expertise. Both were needed to create the world-class arboretum we enjoy today.     Unearthed Words This week I'm going to do a special tribute to the author Beverley Nichols, who was born on this day in 1898.  Nichols is remembered for his writing and his love of gardening and cats. Nichols wrote over 60 books - but he is best remembered for his gardening books. In 1932, Nichol's wrote Down the Garden Path. It became an instant best seller on both sides of the Atlantic. In the book, Nichols wrote about his 1928 purchase of a weekend retreat; a thatched cottage in the village of Glatton. Nichols knew nothing about gardening when he bought the cottage, so he shared every discovery and disaster in his books. Based on the positive response to his first book, Nichols wrote two more books on his Glatton experiences. The second book   was “A Thatched Roof” (released in 1933) and the third was “A Village in a Valley” (released in 1934). The books are referred to as “The Glatton Trilogy” or “The Allways Chronicles.” Here are some excerpts from Nichol's first book, Down the Garden Path: “...a cyclamen that looks like a flight of butterflies, frozen for a single, exquisite moment in the white heart of Time...” “It was not till I experimented with seeds plucked straight from a growing plant that I had my first success...the first thrill of creation...the first taste of blood. This, surely, must be akin to the pride of paternity...indeed, many soured bachelors would wager that it must be almost as wonderful to see the first tiny crinkled leaves of one's first plant as to see the tiny crinkled face of one's first child.” “I had never ‘taken a cutting’ before… .Do you not realize that the whole thing is miraculous? It is exactly as though you were to cut off your wife’s leg, stick it in the lawn, and be greeted on the following day by an entirely new woman, sprung from the leg, advancing across the lawn to meet you.”      Today's book recommendation: The Proven Winners Garden Book by Ruth Rogers Clausen and Thomas Christopher   This book is the ultimate gardening guide for all reader levels. It is super easy to read with excellent, clear instructions. Proven Winners is known as the #1 Plant Brand - and just like their quality plants, this book does not disappoint. In this book you get three awesome things. First, Garden Plans. But, not just any garden plan; Simple Garden Plans. Plans for attracting pollinators, plans for creating the most fragrant garden, plans for an entertaining garden, and so on. Second, Clausen and Christopher have put together dozens of recipes for beautiful containers. Just like a cookbook, these recipes are proven and they are geared toward providing curb appeal, color, texture and pizzazz to everything from small spaces to the average home lot. Finally, this guide offers really helpful lessons on how to buy the best plants and also on maintenance; the aspect of gardening so many struggle with. If you are a new gardener, this book will be your bible for getting started in the right way, maximizing your effort,  avoiding hours of research on plants and design; helping  you achieve stunning results in a single season.   Today's Garden Chore Start saving seeds and make cuttings of the plants you want to increase for next year.  Focus on your top performers and sentimental favorites in order to cultivate even better stock next year. Stay active in your garden now - don't leave the best of this year's garden to history.       Something Sweet  Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart On this day in 1903, the Akron Beacon Journal out of Akron, Ohio announced Carnation Day.  Here's what it said: "The Anniversary of President McKinley's Death Will be Noted by the Wearing of His Favorite Flower by Akron Citizens. Next Monday will be the second anniversary of the death of President McKinley, and has been called "Red Carnation day," in honor of his favorite flower. President McKinley was shot by Leon Czolgosz, in the Temple of Music at the Buffalo exposition, September 6, 1901. The shooting occurred late in the afternoon and inside of an hour, every man, woman, and child within reach of the telegraph instrument heard the sorrowful news, and were sending up prayers for the recovery of the president. After the shooting, President McKinley was taken to the home of John G. Milburn, president of the exposition company, where he lingered; while hopeful and then depressing bulletins were issued from his bedside, until finally on September 14, he passed from life. Last year the president's favorite flower was worn by hundreds in this city, and it is expected that next Monday will see nearly every one wearing the flower that usually adorned the lapel of the third martyr president."     Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."

Today's episode of Being Jim Davis was sponsored by William Potter, Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. We don't know for a fact that he has killed Christopher Walken to wear his skin as a suit. Your hosts for today's episode: Jon Gibson, Christopher Winter, Andy Dahaus-Mann (sp?) Today's strip Become a Patron! Or visit these other fine internet URLs: BJD Homepage | BJD Twitter | BJD Facebook Page | Pitchdrop Network Homepage

A Bay Area native, William Potter grew up always wanting to become a teacher. He accomplished his dream when he graduated from San Francisco State University, obtaining his B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Education. Currently, William is the Physical Education Teacher at Serendipity School in Belmont, California. William has been teaching Elementary and Middle School Physical Education since 2002.

This week, we decide to talk about Matthew's favorite topic, the movies! And it's definitely not because we couldn't come up with another idea. There's Guardians of the Galaxy, Fast and Furious, Alien, and probably more things also. And Matthew probably sounds like a movie snob the whole time but he swears he isn't. (He is.) Then, it's time for the anticlimax you've all been waiting for: the long, rambly grand finale of William Potter, where we discuss the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2! Wild stuff. Prometheus - Meet David: https://youtu.be/qgJs7uluwlU For more info, episodes, and various other Awkward Pauses links, visit www.AwkwardPausesPod.com/

This episode, we touch on Avatar, Reba, plurals, and probably a ton of other stuff. Plus, a brand new, way-too-long edition of William Potter, where we discuss "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." And yes, it's true. This is our last episode for a while. But never fear because we have a brand new podcast in its place! Visit http://www.AwkwardPausesPod.com/ to find out more! • www.SurvivingTheCloneWars.com • Follow us on Twitter: goo.gl/zKPdGn • Like us on Facebook: goo.gl/iFsjpw

The Monterey Institute's Irvine Auditorium was at capacity on the evening of April 20 when Nabil Fahmy, former Egyptian Ambassador to the U.S. and nonresident chair of the Middle East Nonproliferation Project at the Monterey Institute's James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) spoke about the wave of change sweeping across the Middle East. The event was moderated by to CNS Deputy Director Dr. Patricia Lewis. Public interest in the event was high, with a broad cross-section of students, faculty and local community members in attendance. Ambassador Fahmy shared his experiences as a firsthand witness to the Tahrir Square revolution and his insights about the road ahead. He spoke in particular of his observations about the role of women and youth in demanding political change in Egypt and his hopes for the future of his country. "We were very pleased to welcome Ambassador Fahmy for this timely and important lecture on the implications of recent events in the Middle East for the U.S. and the rest of the world," commented Monterey Institute President Dr. Sunder Ramaswamy. "Nabil Fahmy has been a great friend of CNS and MIIS for many years and is in a unique position to offer his personal insights into current trends in Egypt and the Middle East," added CNS Director Dr. William Potter.

Ambassador James Goodby, Hoover Institution, Stanford University is a guest lecturer at the "U.S.-Russian START Plus Arms Control Simulation" at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Ambassador Goodby talks about his involvement with various U.S.-Russian nuclear negotiations, including the Start I treaty between 1981 and 1983, and the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program. The class, taught by Dr. William Potter, Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, is a simulation of U.S.-Russian strategic arms reduction talks. Students assume the role of U.S. and Russian arms control officials in charge of negotiating a follow-up accord to the current START Treaty which will expire in December 2009.

Ambassador James Goodby, Hoover Institution, Stanford University is a guest lecturer at the "U.S.-Russian START Plus Arms Control Simulation" at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Ambassador Goodby talks about his involvement with various U.S.-Russian nuclear negotiations, including the Start I treaty between 1981 and 1983, and the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program. The class, taught by Dr. William Potter, Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, is a simulation of U.S.-Russian strategic arms reduction talks. Students assume the role of U.S. and Russian arms control officials in charge of negotiating a follow-up accord to the current START Treaty which will expire in December 2009.

Dr. William Potter, director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies talks with the ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States, Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, about U.S.-Russian relations, including prospects for nuclear arms control, NATO expansion, and the Iranian nuclear program.