Podcasts about Wolcott

In this episode of Car Con Carne, James VanOsdol welcomes Josh Chicoine, the creative force behind Cult Canyon, to discuss the release of the debut album, Smoke Tricks. The conversation delves into the evolution of Josh's musical projects, from the raw energy of the M's and the acoustic harmonies of Cloudbirds to the collaborative and sophisticated sound of Cult Canyon. Key Highlights: The Making of Smoke Tricks: Josh explains how the album, initially inspired by string arrangements recorded in 2019, was brought to life through a grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). Creative Collaborations: The album features contributions from talented musicians like Alison Chesley, Susan Voelz, and Dave Max Crawford, as well as backup vocals from Melissa Busch-Wolford and Lindsay Weinberg. DIY Spirit: Josh shares his experiences with the DIY approach to music, from producing and promoting records to filming music videos with a GoPro and a vintage VHS filter. The Influence of Chicago: The city of Chicago serves as a backdrop for the album, with Josh reflecting on his relationship with the city and the local music scene. Second Hand News: Josh and James discuss his involvement in the Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Second Hand News, and the transgenerational appeal of the legendary band's music. Album Information: Item Details Artist Cult Canyon Album Title Smoke Tricks Release Date March 13, 2026 Label Rattleback Records Release Show The Hideout, March 14, 2026 This episode is brought to you by Exploding House Printing. Based in Hermosa, they specialize in screen printing, embroidery, and custom merch for bands and brands. Visit explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote. Episode Transcript (Note: Auto-generated transcript; errors are possible) James VanOsdol: This right here is Car Con Carne. Car Con Carne is a Q101 podcast. I'm James VanOsdol. Car Con Carne is brought to you by Exploding House Printing. They’re based in Hermosa and they specialize in screen printing, embroidery, and custom merch for bands and brands. Check them out on explodinghouseprinting.com. Get a quote, see all the people, businesses, bands, and brands that they’ve worked with. Explodinghouseprinting.com. (Theme song plays) James VanOsdol: So, after the Golden Line EP a few years ago, Cult Canyon is set to release its debut album, Smoke Tricks, on March 13th. The album will be released on lovely vinyl via Rattleback Records and the release will be celebrated with a live show at The Hideout the following night. Josh Chicoine, whose creative resume is deep, impressive, and familiar, joins me in the car on a rainy, dreary, just kind of shitty transitional winter-into-spring night. Josh Chicoine: Muck, winter mix. James VanOsdol: Let’s talk about Cult Canyon. We’re here, the album’s almost out as we’re sitting here talking about it. Josh Chicoine: It is. James VanOsdol: A lot of us came to know you from your time with the M’s earlier this century. Have you metaphorically moved from the garage to the living room with these projects? Josh Chicoine: It feels like I have. I mean, there was definitely a lot of garage influences happening with the M's. Certainly a DIY spirit. James VanOsdol: That kind of raw immediacy. Josh Chicoine: Yeah, I think we were trying to—well, it was of the time too. So this was the early 2000s, there was a lot of that stuff rolling around. And we kind of fit into that mix and just wanted to bring our own little flavor, which is heavily melodic, a lot of singing, a lot of gang vocals, which is one of my favorite things to do. And still, I guess, pop ethos, you know? Major and minor chords, nothing crazy. But yeah, we got done with that and I started a three-piece singing group called Cloudbirds and did that for about three years with a couple of guys that were in the M’s also, Joey King and Glenn Russell. And that was definitely in the living room. That was acoustic guitars, sometimes we had electric, but mostly acoustic music and three-part harmonies and very folky. And it was a real welcome relief, I’d say, to almost 10 years of loud guitars and bashing drums and shouting vocals. James VanOsdol: You weren’t pounding kids anymore. Josh Chicoine: We were not. We were not, and we kind of got started late anyway. So by the time 2009 rolled around, I was probably in my mid-30s, early 30s, everybody was kind of getting into their 30s. So being on the road was just awful. I think I was about ready to have my first child. And so yeah, the whole kind of idea shifted. And so we just couldn’t sustain that. So being in a singing group and just three guys, a lot easier to organize practices and singing some sweet melodies and harmonies, and that was more my style. And I kind of chased that for a little while, and then I had a new band called Sabres and I tried to do the rock thing again in 2014 and self-released that record, put a lot of time into that record. And it was another big record. And I found out I was just really tired. The DIY thing is that you have to do it yourself. So that means producing the record, promoting the record, getting all the artwork together, getting five people—now more grown people—to get together for any rehearsal, any show. I thought it was going to maybe be a bit easier, but it just wasn't. It wasn't easy, so I had to put that down. James VanOsdol: DIY is hard. We’re doing DIY right now in a car on urban radio in 2026. I do it in my car with a couple of cheap—see how the world has shifted for us both. Josh Chicoine: It has. I might say for the better. James VanOsdol: One would argue or could argue that, yeah. We’re our own bosses. Josh Chicoine: I think so. Yeah, there you go. James VanOsdol: You’re the CEO of Cult Canyon. Josh Chicoine: I am the CEO of Cult Canyon. I have a lot of contributors and collaborators, which I’m very thankful for. James VanOsdol: Let’s talk about some of them. Alison Chesley is a contributor. Josh Chicoine: She is. She is actually appearing on the latest record. To go back to the Golden Line EP in 2019, so right before COVID, I released an EP called Josh Chicoine and it was called Dream Believers. And I was imagining this trajectory where the next bunch of songs would include a string quartet. And so in 2019, early 2019, I recorded three songs including with Susan Voelz, who’s a good friend also. James VanOsdol: She’s delightful. Josh Chicoine: Yeah, she’s delightful, she’s an old friend, she’s a great contributor, what a great spirit. And with her and a few other string players. And then COVID came, so I sat on this thing. And I sat on this thing for quite a while because part of the DIY situation that we’re in now is that there’s so much noise and there’s so many competing avenues for attention, including your couch doing nothing. That’s a big one. James VanOsdol: Yeah. Josh Chicoine: Yeah, so I sat on it and I didn’t know what I was going to do. And so I applied for a grant. It was really the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events here in Chicago, they have an individual artist program, DCASE. James VanOsdol: DCASE. Shout out to DCASE. Josh Chicoine: They have a grant program every year, and I applied and I said, you know, I’m coming back into making things and this is what I want to do. I want to make a rock record in the city of Chicago using Chicago musicians out of Chicago studios. And that was really the kind of impetus to be like, okay, what do I want this Cult Canyon thing to be? And so that’s when I looked back at those Golden Line songs, which are really lush string arrangements done by our good friend Dave Max Crawford of Poi Dog Pondering and the Total Pro Horns. And he does a fantastic job. I’ve been collaborating with him since the M’s, he did a lot of those string arrangements and horn arrangements and stuff, so he’s really adept and really tasteful. And so I was just like, why not bring it into everything that I’m doing and make Cult Canyon more of a catch-all and a place where, for one, I can do what I want and I can do it with others that I want to do it with, people that I love. And yeah, Alison Chesley, I met her through Susan because playing with quartets, you end up having a large stable of artists because people are busy or they want more money than you want to give them or can give them on any given night. So I was able to meet and reach out to a bunch of string players and continually find new ones in town that can fill a role for a time. And happily, Alison is on this record on a tune called Good Bad Habits. James VanOsdol: I love it. And the album sounds great. Now, we’re recording this right before it comes out, like I said. The album is Smoke Tricks. We’ve had—we, the public—have experienced some of it already. Real Sublime is a single. You shot a video for this one. Josh Chicoine: I did. James VanOsdol: Was that your house you shot it in? Josh Chicoine: That was at my house, yeah. James VanOsdol: Very tastefully appointed. Josh Chicoine: Thank you. That’s all due to my wife. James VanOsdol: You’ve got you in a convertible on the lakefront. Josh Chicoine: That’s my buddy Al’s ‘67 Oldsmobile. James VanOsdol: That’s badass. Josh Chicoine: Pretty badass. We all need a buddy like Al. Al’s the best. James VanOsdol: Convertible on the drive, clearly different time of year from when we’re recording this. Josh Chicoine: Yeah. James VanOsdol: And is that the lake you jumped into or did you shoot that— Josh Chicoine: Yeah, jumped into the lake. Another good friend of mine is a Great Lake jumper, Dan O’Conor. James VanOsdol: He’s a celebrated Great Lake jumper. Josh Chicoine: They continually celebrate Great Lake jumper. I think he did it for five years straight every day. And yeah, so I started going out there and doing that. So it wasn’t so far afield to imagine, because what are videos now? I don’t even know what they are. But for this one, it was like, all right, Al, let’s get in a car, let’s drive around. I got this GoPro, I’ll stick it to your car, drive around, and then let’s go to the lake and let’s jump in the lake. James VanOsdol: So it doesn’t necessarily tie back to the lyrics or the theme? Josh Chicoine: I don’t think so. I mean, but maybe somebody sees something that I don’t. I think that’s part of my MO, at least, is to leave enough fog to allow for some interpretation. But yeah, this is more of kind of a performance, roll around, get some good footage, put a 1989 VHS filter on it and make it look cool and get it out. James VanOsdol: And you’re a fan of film and what can be done with movies. Josh Chicoine: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I love film, I love movies, I love music movies. For eight years I was the co-founder and director of the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival. And we were all over the place throughout the city. And we would show movies from all over the world, like 33 countries usually were represented each year. And that was just, for me, was fascinating to figure out how to build something like that that could last and to raise money for it, you know, practicing all these adult skills that being in a van in a band on tour you’re not really practicing too much. James VanOsdol: Do you miss doing CIMMfest? Josh Chicoine: There’s a lot of it that I do. I really miss just the people and the spirit. I mean, we had an incredible group of volunteers that would come every year and really they were the ones that were able to activate this thing. And so I loved sitting around and dreaming, I loved building marketing materials, if only because then I could have something to go and take to people that I knew and a network that I was building. And I thought it was really a cool thing for the city and it really got me in touch with a lot of old friends and made so many new friends and it kept me—this was right after the M’s, and the M’s were kind of media darlings and played a lot of shows and, you know, I knew a lot of club owners and I knew publicists and I knew all that network. So it kind of allowed me personally to stay connected to that world. And coming out of there, that’s what my kind of career goals were. I was just like, okay, I want to stay in this world, I want to stay connected to these people. So it was my friend Ilko Davidov, who’s a Bulgarian filmmaker, and it was his concept. And I was just sort of the right person that was able to come and hoodwink a bunch of people into coming on board and giving me a bunch of money and being able to try to make this thing into a sustainable institution. We never quite got there. It’s always resource-light and operations-heavy. And never quite got there, but still just some great memories and really happy and really proud of what we were able to build. James VanOsdol: Thinking about film and music and making short music films, I’ve wondered this out loud on this podcast before, but I feel like this is a golden moment. This is the time for artists to explore that side of things. I mean, it’s not like the 1980s when I grew up, when videos were bankrolled by record labels and there were millions of dollars. Like, you grabbed a GoPro, you sit it on the dash—like, this is a real opportunity for creative expression, I think. I just don’t know if enough independent artists are taking advantage of it. Josh Chicoine: I mean, if you look at—I’ll have to disagree, I feel like, you know, the barriers are down and people now, everybody’s got a pretty decent camera in their pocket at all times. Since the barriers are down and since everybody’s got a camera, you can do whatever you want, put it up there, and not going to say it’s good, most of it’s not, most of it’s schlock. But you at least have the opportunity to make something that’s decent and the technology affords it. You don't even need to be great at editing. You can cobble stuff together. You really can. I mean, I use a really cheap editing software. James VanOsdol: Can I ask? Josh Chicoine: It’s called CapCut. And the same company, I can’t remember what they’re called, the TikTok corporation, ByteDance. It’s a ByteDance product. And I got it because it was cheap and another friend of mine was using it. And he was making some cool stuff, so I was just like, all right, I’m just going to dive in and start doing stuff. And so that’s what I did. James VanOsdol: That’s DIY. Roll up your sleeves, let’s get to it. Josh Chicoine: Yeah, it’s just—I had spent CIMMfest was so much about favors and so much about waiting for favors from people that you were either getting a deep discount from or not paying at all. And I know the pain, you know? And it’s real. So if you have any kind of means by which you can get a hold of this stuff, then it’s just about putting the work in and, you know, time is mine to give or throw away. So, yeah, it’s just sort of—I keep getting better and better, I mean other people can be the judge of that, but I feel pretty good about what I’ve been able to do with hardly any resources. James VanOsdol: It’s pretty cool. Josh Chicoine: Yeah, it’s pretty cool. James VanOsdol: All right, going back to this album Smoke Tricks again, available on March 13th. Bitter Birdies is how we begin. If you listen close, actually you don’t even need to listen that closely, there are dogs barking at the beginning of the song. Josh Chicoine: Yeah, Ralfy. James VanOsdol: I was going to ask. Josh Chicoine: It’s my doggie. James VanOsdol: And you were aware when you were recording the dog was part of it, right? Josh Chicoine: Yeah, well, my producer, my co-producer on this was Todd Rittmann and Todd Rittmann was in US Maple. I don’t know if you remember that band. Affiliated with Cheer-Accident, of course. James VanOsdol: Of course, always interesting. Josh Chicoine: Yes. Now he’s in Dead Rider, for everybody out there who’s watching, check out Dead Rider. Yeah, he’s fascinating, he’s got a great little studio called Shy Diamond Studio down in Logan, just north of Fullerton. And, you know, him and I kind of cobbled this thing together. And I never expected that the piano tracks were the final. So I would just make demos at my house and then I would send them to Todd and I’d be like, “Here’s what I’m thinking for this song,” and then we would try and fit it in somehow. And he was just—he’s like a maestro. He was just like, “I love it, you’re never taking away the dog’s bark. We’re keeping it in there 100%.” So I was like, “All right, let’s go.” Piano sounded fine, sounded good, it’s my piano in my living room. I loved it, and that’s my boy Ralfy. So he’s my spirit animal and I’m glad he’s on the record too. James VanOsdol: Good boy, Ralfy. Josh Chicoine: He’s a very good boy. James VanOsdol: On this song, I know you want people to interpret songs as, you know, as any artist would suggest, like you want to feel a connection, right? But you do mention “stuck here in Chicago” in that song. Were you feeling—do you feel a weird relationship with the city? Josh Chicoine: I think I love Chicago. It’s my favorite city. It’s especially my favorite city to come back to. I don’t know if you’ve ever leave for like a little while, but when you come back, it’s just like—ah. Especially when you’re driving back home and like you catch that first glimpse of the skyline. That is a moment. It’s real. So, I mean, when I got that grant from DCASE, it was like, “Oh no, now I got to write a record.” They called your bluff. Every time for me, at least, I decide to write a record, I have to figure out how to write a record again. And that—it’s like a lot of introspection and a lot of like, “Who am I now? What am I going to write about now?” And it takes a long—it took me a long time. And Bitter Birdies kind of came about based upon that piano that opens it up. I had that piece for a long time, but sort of like lyrically I wasn’t quite sure. And my wife and I are going to be married 25 years in June. James VanOsdol: Congratulations, that’s a big milestone. Josh Chicoine: Thank you. It’s been wonderful. But seven years into our relationship, there was a breakup. Post-college, I mean I was dating her since I was 19. I’ve known her for a long time. So yeah, moved to Chicago, joined a band, you know, our lives were diverging. And so we broke up. And she went—she quit her job, she was like working at a financial firm downtown. I was in a band, so you can see divergence. For sure. But yeah, she quit her job, she went on walkabout in Europe for six months. And I took myself back to that time. And that time was sort of very freeing and very fun at the beginning, and then the longing just really set in and, you know, the longer my notes and messages would go to her, the shorter and shorter that they came back to me. So it appeared like she was moving on and there was something really heart-wrenching about that for me. So yeah, that song was about that. So, you know, she was having this really great experience and seeing all new things and new people and I was here stuck in Chicago. So I was living in a loft space where Salvage One is now off of Hubbard, between Wood and Wolcott. With these crazy artist people and there were raves and I was making a bunch of music. So it was just like this Kevin Bacon Quicksilver life that I was living. And I just started to really miss her, no matter what I was just like, “What if she came back here and she lived with me in this hovel and we could do this together?” And that’s sort of the kind of emotional impulse that I felt from writing that and wanting to get out of it, you know, wanting to get out of that space. So nothing against Chicago, I love Chicago, but you know there’s definitely moments where you’re just like, “Okay, get me out of here.” James VanOsdol: Write what you know. Josh Chicoine: That’s I think what I came back to and when I was confronted with that idea and I keep a quote book and Louise Bourgeois said that, “If you’re not writing about yourself, then it doesn’t mean anything.” And I’m parsing—I’m screwing that quote up, but I really took that to heart. So I was like, “Okay, well then I am going to write about myself and my experiences because it’s all that I have really that I could feel a connection with.” Oh, it’s okay up there. I got an ambulance. Ambulance, police car, normal stuff. Stuck in Chicago. Here we are. James VanOsdol: Run Red Lights, which I don’t recommend. I mean, I recommend the song. Who’s doing the backup vocals on that? Josh Chicoine: Yeah, so that’s my friend Melissa and Lindsay. Melissa Busch-Wolford and Lindsay Weinberg. And they play with me in a Fleetwood Mac tribute band called Second Hand News. James VanOsdol: Good segue. I was going to ask about that. Because the backup vocals have a really nice texture in that song in particular. Josh Chicoine: Thanks. James VanOsdol: And that actually dovetails perfectly to the question about working and being part of Second Hand News because you play with those harmonies which are magical. Clearly you bring some of that back to Cult Canyon. Josh Chicoine: Yeah, I think it for me it’s always sort of been there. You can hear it in the M’s, you can hear it if you listen to Sabres, you can hear it there too. Certainly with Cloudbirds it was very much about the harmonies. And yeah, as I started to enter into this promo world of Cult Canyon, I was just trying to like think about things that were a common thread. And harmonies, singing—that’s how I kind of come up with ideas. I just kind of start with the voice, have something on the guitar that’s fine. I’m a mediocre guitar player but it’s really about voice and vocals. And so when I started playing in Second Hand News, you know, I had never been in a band with women before. I’ve played music with women before, but not in a band. So it was sort of like, “Oh, this whole another resource that I would love to bring into this project.” And they were so game and, you know, they brought their whole selves to it and I think it really shows in the recording. James VanOsdol: I love it. Since we’re on the topic of Fleetwood Mac, Tusk. Misunderstood classic or big awful mess? Josh Chicoine: Can it be both? Depends on which side you’re on, yeah. I was really naive about Tusk and I had it in my record collection just from a bunch of records that somebody gave me. And I think at one point the—because there’s two record sleeves in it—they both got kind of separated. So all of a sudden I had four record sleeves separated and I was like, “Wait a minute, this is a quadruple album? This is crazy.” But it wasn’t. There’s a record sleeve that hides another record sleeve that has the record in it. That’s how much money and wasteful money that they had. Because that’s coming off Rumours. Like, they could do whatever they wanted. Lindsey Buckingham could do whatever he wanted. And he really did. He really did. And some of it, you know, it could be argued that he shouldn’t have done it, but we still play a bunch of jams off of there. The title track to me is still one of the coolest songs of the 1970s. Super cool. I mean, there’s a lot on there that are really unheralded. Think About Me is another really good one that we love to play. James VanOsdol: Sara’s on that too, right? Josh Chicoine: Oh God, I’m going to get killed by my bandmates. Sara’s on there, yeah, it’s on there. Let’s say yeah, when no one’s looking it up. But yeah, we play Sara all the time and it’s like seven minutes long and the audience loves it and Melissa crushes it. And yeah, those are just really fun songs to play. And the audiences are crazy. It’s like there’s 18-year-olds there. James VanOsdol: I was going to say. Josh Chicoine: There’s 88-year-olds there. James VanOsdol: It’s one of those bands that is transgenerational. My daughter, who’s heading towards 21, Stevie Nicks is probably a top five artist for her. For her birthday a few years ago I took her to see Stevie Nicks at the United Center and it was this magical night for her. Like, we walked out of the United Center and she said, “I only cried three times.” I’m like, “What do you mean you cried?” “Well, you know, during Gold Dust Woman and... oh gosh, what else did she cry during? Dreams, Rhiannon, and Landslide.” Of course, classics. But I mean it is interesting how maybe millennials didn’t give a shit, but suddenly like Gen Z is full on board with Stevie Nicks. Josh Chicoine: I take it back to that dude who was on the skateboard chugging cranberry juice and all of a sudden Dreams became something. But it just feels like it’s cyclical. It keeps coming back, those songs are just so classic. Timeless, absolutely timeless. And the recordings of them were amazing. So it just seems like they’re just not going to go away, which is great for Second Hand News. Yeah, I mean we played the Metro a couple weeks ago. That’s amazing. James VanOsdol: That’s nuts. Josh Chicoine: Yeah. I love it. James VanOsdol: And to your point, like all ages get into it. That’s something you don’t get to experience necessarily in the M’s or Cult Canyon. Josh Chicoine: It’s different. Yeah, it’s different for sure. And I think that we—I’ve been told this by a lot of audience members after the show and they’re just like glowing coming out after scream-singing at us for two hours. And they just say like, “You bring so much joy.” And I really feel that. Like, we do. I mean the band is killer. And so the band in Second Hand News, the guitar player, bassist, drummer, Mike, Mike, and Dan, they play in Cult Canyon too. So they’re the ones who are the backing band on this Cult Canyon record. So I just was just enamored with this whole group and just because we had such good times together on stage and in front of giant crowds and harmonizing and singing and playing those classic songs. So it was just kind of a natural little pivot to bring them into my songwriting and I was really happy that they did. James VanOsdol: I love that. So Rattleback Records, easily a favorite record store of mine. Josh Chicoine: Mm-hmm. James VanOsdol: Releasing the album on vinyl. How important was it for you to have this as a record, as an LP? Josh Chicoine: It was critical for me. I think one of the things—so I released the Sabres record in 2014. And it kind of, like many, many, many, many, many records out there, it just kind of gets—it’s like, “Okay, it’s out there,” and then you tell your friends and then it just doesn’t really go anywhere. James VanOsdol: And that ambitious ordering of 500 records turns into, “Okay, we’re still sitting on 250.” Josh Chicoine: I have a lot of CDs. Let’s put it to you that way. Hit me up if you want a CD by Sabres. I’ll just give it to you. It’s got—anyway. Yeah, so I think I was determined to at least try and make a stink with this Cult Canyon record. And I really liked it. And so one of the first things I did was I talked to my friends in the AM Slingers, who are another Rattleback band and they’re friends of mine too. And I knew that Paul over at Rattleback had put out a 7-inch of theirs. And by put out, I mean he paid for it. So he facilitated the production and then, you know, created a connection between the band and the record store. Really love that idea, you know? It’s going to be DIY anyway, it’s all about building community bit by bit by bit. So I was introduced to Paul kind of—I don’t even remember when, it’s probably a year ago now, if not more. And he was really intrigued and I sent him a bunch of songs including the Golden Line EP, which he really loved. And that just gave me a lot of confidence, and so I took this Smoke Tricks record and I was like, “I’m really looking for somebody to help me out with this.” And he was game and continues to be game. James VanOsdol: I love that. Josh Chicoine: It was his dream to have a boutique record store. And that happened, and then it was his dream to have a boutique little tiny record label. So that happened. James VanOsdol: I’ve never been in that store, by the way, where it hasn’t been busy. Josh Chicoine: Oh good. James VanOsdol: No, I mean I love going there. Like, they’ve got one of the best, I think, mixes of new and used and their prices are very reasonable. Josh Chicoine: I agree. I agree. Yeah, they have a lot of cool chotchkies around, good t-shirt collection. It’s like a proper record store. James VanOsdol: And I mean if you’re one of those budget-bin divers like there’s dollar records, you’ll hurt your knees going through them, but I mean there’s occasionally gold to find in there. Josh Chicoine: I agree. It’s everywhere. James VanOsdol: But yeah, it’s a cool place, I mean right over there on Clark Street. And I love just that kind of brand extension for Rattleback. Like it makes so much sense. Josh Chicoine: I love that. I love that for Paul, I love that we were able to become a part of that and we’re putting on a showcase of Rattleback Records artists May 29th at the Burlington. James VanOsdol: Nice. Which for the record, one of the loudest rooms in Chicago. Josh Chicoine: That’s right. We’ll do what we can, but I mean it’s hard, it’s like a lot of hard flat surfaces and they didn’t do any soundproofing or nothing. So, yeah. James VanOsdol: That’s good. That’s part of its charm. Josh Chicoine: It’s part of the charm. Yeah, yeah, you know what you’re getting into when you go back there. Just bring earplugs, what’s the big deal? James VanOsdol: Just bring ear—that’s—if you bring earplugs, you’re good. Josh Chicoine: Yeah, that’s right. James VanOsdol: But if you go deaf, I mean who better to go deaf from? Josh Chicoine: Yeah, that’s a badge of honor. It’s a badge of honor. I mean it’s not a good recommendation, I would say. But if you want good earplugs, just go to Sensaphonics down there on Milwaukee Avenue. Shout out. Yesterday was National Hearing Day and I got myself fitted for a new pair of earplugs. James VanOsdol: Smart. Josh Chicoine: And it basically—it’s no joke. No, it’s no joke if you listen to a lot of live music. It basically just turns the volume down. The clarity is still there versus sticking toilet paper in your ears or those foam things. James VanOsdol: Exactly what they feel like. Or those like pool noodles shrunk down. Josh Chicoine: Yeah, that’s right. They’re good if you want to sleep. If you’re like on tour and everybody else snores in your hotel room, then those are really effective. James VanOsdol: For sure. All right, so Smoke Tricks is the album. It’s awesome. It comes out on March 13th. The Hideout is the release show on March 14th. And onward and upward. What a great record, you really did it. Josh Chicoine: Thanks, man. I really appreciate it. That was nice talking to you. Are we done? Is this the wrap? James VanOsdol: This is the wrap. Josh Chicoine: All right, love it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Shames – A Legendary Documentary Photographer (Part 2)

Rise and shine, Woodland! The heat wave has officially split, leaving us in a pristine winter wonderland. Watch your step on those icy driveways—maybe don't go skating on the Naugatuck River! Or Matthies Pond either.Over at the news desk, things are getting heavy. The SS United States is heading to Florida to become a funky coral reef. Meanwhile, Bitcoin and gold are dropping like a bad habit, but Sony is raking in the yen. Can you dig it? In China, Draco Malfoy is the new mascot for the Year of the Horse, and Saudi Arabia is handing out passports to camels!Back at the ranch, show some love to your school counselors. The puzzle challenge has everyone buggin'—1,000 pieces is a lot, man! Big props to the cheer squad for snagging third place at Wolcott. And look for those pyramids, tumbling, and jumps taking them straight into the upcoming competitions like the NVL championship on February 21st.Don't forget Senior Night for basketball. Keep those Chromebooks charged, bring in that PB&J for DECA, and stay groovy, Woodland

Search continues for attacker who seriously injured woman Beacon Police Chief Tom Figlia on Jan. 30 released a statement updating the community on the investigation of an attack two weeks earlier near the intersection of Wolcott and Tioronda avenues. It is unusual for police to comment publicly on investigations, but the chief said he had been responding to residents' questions individually and decided to issue a statement because of the volume of inquiries. A day after the Jan. 14 assault, Figlia said the suspect was a white male wearing a black jacket or coat (not a puffy coat), a black knit hat and blue pants or jeans. He was described as possibly being in his 30s or 40s, approximately 5-foot-11 with a medium build and a "very close" brown beard. Figlia's 800-word statement said he did not see requests for information about the assault "as unreasonable in any way." He said the department "has been working nonstop to investigate and solve this case. We have spent untold hours poring over evidence because the absolute best thing we can do for this community is to solve it." He said that while investigations in novels and TV shows are solved quickly, in reality, "oftentimes it takes weeks, months or even sometimes years to go through mountains of potential evidence or to get forensic testing back." He cited the conviction last year of a Philadelphia man in a May 2022 murder in Beacon. "As a lifelong Beacon resident and parent of a young woman myself, I understand how upsetting this incident has been to everyone in our community," Figlia wrote. "While I wish that I could share more, I always have to be extremely careful not to contaminate investigations or release information that could be harmful to victims." He described the investigation as "complex" and asked for patience. After the morning attack, the victim was found unconscious, and first responders determined she had been seriously assaulted. Sargent Elementary School, which is nearby, was placed on a lockout until police said they were confident the attacker had left the area. The victim's name has not been released, but police said at the time that she was in stable condition. Police asked residents citywide to check doorbell or security cameras for footage that captured anyone fitting that description. The department has increased patrols since the attack, and Figlia asked residents to be vigilant. In public, it is usually best "to reduce personal distractions and limitations to peripheral vision as much as possible," he wrote. "At home, we always encourage you to double-check that every one of your doors and windows is locked if you want them locked. We find this to be a very common oversight. "Trust your instincts," Figlia wrote. "If something or someplace does not feel right or safe, it is OK to believe yourself." He advised residents to report any suspicious or dangerous activity or individuals. The assault came up during the City Council's Monday (Feb. 2) meeting when Beacon resident Jessica Eriksmoen, who lives near the site of the attack, addressed city leaders' response and what the community "still needs from its elected officials." Calling the attack a "sexual assault," although police have not used that language, Eriksmoen cited a 2024 Tulane University survey of 3,300 adults in which 82 percent of the female respondents said they had experienced harassment (e.g., catcalls, stalking, unwanted touching) or assault in their lifetimes. Thirty-two percent of the women said they had experienced sexual harassment or assault in the past year. The Police Department's statement on the day of the attack was "vague and confusing," Eriksmoen said, and by the time it was released, "residents had already heard detailed, credible reports of the brutal assault." Nineteen days later, there have been no public statements from Mayor Lee Kyriacou or council members and "that silence has had real consequences," she said, including for her teenage daughter, who does not fee...

Department seeks white male who attacked woman The Beacon Police Department on Thursday (Jan. 15) released a description of a suspect in the Wednesday assault of a woman near the intersection of Wolcott and Tioronda avenues. Police asked residents citywide to check doorbell or security cameras for footage taken Wednesday that captured a white male wearing a black jacket or coat (not a puffy coat), a black knit hat and blue pants or jeans. The suspect is described as possibly being in his 30s or 40s, approximately 5-foot-11 with a medium build and a "very close" brown beard. Anyone with footage of an individual fitting that description, or most of the description, should call the Beacon Police Department at 845-831-4111. The department received a call Wednesday morning from Dutchess County 911 to assist fire and EMS personnel that had responded to a report of an unconscious woman near Tioronda and Wolcott. Upon arrival, Police Chief Tom Figlia said that officers determined there was reason to believe the woman had been "seriously assaulted." Nearby Sargent Elementary School was placed on a lockout until the area could be searched. The area around the school was searched, but no suspect was found. By then, officers told school officials that they were confident the suspect had left the area. The victim, whose name was not released, is in stable condition, police said. In a statement on Thursday, Figlia addressed online criticism that the department had not previously released enough information. "We do not take the public's concerns lightly at all," he said. "Had it been appropriate to release this information earlier, we would have." He asked residents to understand that in the investigation of some traumatic assaults, "it is not even appropriate to fully take a statement from a victim until time has passed." "It would therefore be irresponsible for us to prematurely release information which we, objectively, could not rely on," Figlia said. Police must "balance the public's need to know with the victim's privacy and the potential to compromise an investigation and/or prosecution. The department is continuing to devote its full resources to this investigation and is receiving assistance from other agencies, as well."

Weather & The "Magic" of BlanketsWhile New England is serving up its usual mix of freezing rain and 50-degree weekend forecasts, the hosts took a moment to appreciate the "magical quality" of blankets. Apparently, pulling a sheet over your head provides total protection from scary house creaks, though unfortunately, it offers zero protection from your morning alarm.The Great Exam ConfusionAttention students: Excerpts confirm that exams are officially next week!. There seems to be a school-wide state of denial, with both students and teachers thinking they had more time because of the late January 5th return from break. If you're looking ahead to next semester, registration is open for cool classes like Zoology, Sports Broadcast, and Creative Writing (CWI)—the latter of which was pitched as a course that "might be good, might be bad".Pop Culture & "Rich People Problems"In the news, Paramount and Warner Brothers are embroiled in a "hostile takeover" drama that the crew dubbed #richpeopleproblems. Looking ahead to 2026, get ready for a "period drama" explosion; the trend is shifting toward historical interior design, meaning your grandmother's dining room set and harpsichords are about to be very cool again. Also, Dave Filoni is officially the future president of Lucasfilm, much to the hosts' approval.Sports & Trivia• Basketball Domination: The boys' basketball team is making history, steamrolling their competition with a recent 106-45 victory. The girls' team also secured a solid win over Wolcott.• Mascot Trivia: After some guessing (and a hint about "some sort of bug"), the crew identified the East Hartford mascot as the Hornets.• State Secrets: Did you know Connecticut's state insect is the Praying Mantis?. There is also a heated debate brewing over whether the "state pizza topping" should be New Haven-style clams.Final RemindersThe show is on a quest for 1,000 Instagram followers so they can go live on the platform, and they are looking for mascot suggestions—the current frontrunner is "Cuppy," a broken morning coffee cup. Finally, don't leave your Chromebooks in the car, charge them up, and start studying!.----------------------------------------------------------------Understanding the Exam Schedule: Think of this school year's January schedule like a shortened runway; because the "plane" (the semester) started late after the holiday break, you have much less time to gain speed before you hit the "takeoff" point of exams.

12/9/25: Hadley School Super Anne McKenzie: AI in schools. Kim Wolcott from Racial Justice Rising: Kwanza in Greenfield. Nation Mag Defense Corr Michale Klare: the National Security Strategy & Ukraine. Duke Goldman w/ Robert Fitts: “In the Japanese Ballpark-- Behind the Scenes…”

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Rachel Gignac talks to Jesse Wolcott, assistant director of information technology at Royal Farms. They speak at C-StoreTEC, where Wolcott was part of a session on artificial intelligence (AI) strategy in convenience stores. Wolcott shares how Baltimore-based Royal Farms is leveraging AI, challenges with implementation and goals.

Joining me this week On The Virg is the newest inductee in the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame, former PGA Tour player and owner of Greystone Golf Course in Dickson, TN, Bob Wolcott. We discuss his journey in the game that lead him to this amazing accomplishment. What he has learned through the game, how the game has created such a tight bond with his sons, and how golf trains perseverance that is invaluable when it comes to embracing the challenges of life.

Tomlin and Decker use Halloween to dress as new father, Kenan Collins. And Abby Vance dressed as Tomlin (as seen in the cover image).It's Halloween and looks like a good night for it. Especially since this life has been proved not to be a computer simulation. Another museum gets robbed and a new museum opens in Egypt. Football notches another win (68-0) at Wolcott. And the GIRLS SWIM AND DIVE TEAM TAKE THE NVL!

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DO6fzl7DKF3/The allergens include almonds, sesame, and certain food dyes. The affected cookies include Italian Mixed Vanilla Cookies, Italian Sesame Cookies, Vanilla Chocolate Dipped Cookies, Vanilla with Apricot Jam Cookies, Toasted Almond & Cherry Biscotti, and Vanilla Cookies with Raspberry Peach Jam.These recalled cookies were sold at Big Y stores in Connecticut and Springfield, Massachusetts; Stop and Shop stores in Connecticut; and all Nardelli's Connecticut stores with a Nardelli's label.  The other Connecticut stores include: Labonne's Supermarkets in Watertown and Prospect; Adam's Markets in Milford and Watertown; Highland Park Markets in Glastonbury, Manchester, and Farmington; Price Chopper in Newington, Bristol, and Middletown; T+K Supermarket in East Haven; Kensington Market in Kensington; Public Market of Newington; Raggozzino's in Plantsville; Lewis Farms in Southington; Durham Market in Durham; Liuzzi Gourmet Food Market in North Haven; Cappetta in West Haven; Roma Importing Market in Shelton; Walsh Market in Wolcott; Tops Market in Plantsville; The Local Gourmet in Southbury; CT Fresh Fruit and Produce in Wallingford; Wayside Market in Waterbury; Jimmy's Store in Torrington; La Molisana Sausage in Waterbury; New Fairfield Food Center Market in New Fairfield; Pat's IGA in Wolcott; Watertown Meat Center in Watertown; Tommy's Place and Market in Bristol; Cavallo's Deli and Imported Italian Food in Waterbury; and La Strega Italian Deli in Middlebury.Return these cookies to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact Gina Marie Bakery at 1-203-596-8007.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gina-marie-bakery-waterbury-issues-recall-cookies-due-undeclared-almonds-sesame-and-food-dyes#ginamarie #cookies #allergens #almonds #sesame #foodcoloring #recall

Discussing new research that shows a growing number of kids and teenagers in Vermont are struggling with mental health issues. Plus, Gov. Scott disputes Trump administration claims that Vermont is illegally providing a safe haven for undocumented immigrants, hundreds of acres of land has been permanently conserved as a community forest in Wolcott, twelve of the fifteen positions being eliminated at Bennington College are union roles, the state health department says Burlington's insurance plan will provide enough coverage for the city to house a proposed overdose prevention center, and a volunteer-led effort will help connect neighbors with local farmers in Jericho and Underhill. 

Rob Wolcott visited the Messy Times studios to talk about the great book he co-authored recently, called Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life.What if you could have whatever you want, produced and provided immediately and affordably no matter how customized—with minimal environmental impact? Products, services, and experiences on demand. Just-in-time anything, anywhere, anytime. This radical change is underway, as digital technologies push the production and provision of value ever closer to the moment of demand.Robert C. Wolcott is cofounder and chair of The World Innovation Network (TWIN Global). He is adjunct professor of innovation at the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, and adjunct professor of executive education at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. His books include Grow from Within: Mastering Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation (with Michael J. Lippitz, 2009). Wolcott is an active venture investor in more than thirty companies, many of which are leading the Proximity revolution.

Matt Wolcott didn't grow up in Tennessee—and he didn't know a soul when he got there. But in just a year, he went from the “new guy” handing out business cards at gas stations to being the go-to name for storm shelters and mowing tough terrain. His story's not about luck—it's about hustle, follow-through, and solving real problems when others bail.Takeaways:✅Matt wore his company shirts everywhere—even got in trouble at his old job for it. Branding doesn't stop after hours.✅He calls back every missed call—telemarketer or not. Most don't leave voicemails, and that quick reply often wins the job.✅He turned a simple mower attachment for his mini-excavator into a niche that competitors couldn't touch.✅He sold 15 storm shelters in under 6 weeks—some from his recliner, thanks to $10 Facebook ads and quick customer responses.✅Built partnerships with other contractors to offload jobs outside his scope—keeps the customer happy, and the phone ringing.Why It Matters:If you're a contractor looking to stand out in a crowded market, this episode shows how being reliable, visible, and responsive is sometimes all it takes to win.Links:

In the latest installment of our periodic series on class we hear from Ralph Rockwell in Wolcott. Plus, officials urge caution while swimming after three recent drownings, Vermont employment levels haven't returned to pre-pandemic levels, a bridge in Franklin County will be out of commission for the next two months, and why this is a great year for strawberries.  

"What class are you?" is a periodic series that explores everyday lives inside the American class system. In this episode, reporter Erica Heilman talks with Wolcott resident Ralph Rockwell about the importance of supporting his church and his fears about having enough money at the end of his life.

Forsaking Her Own MercyIn 3 parts, By SDes. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. ·        “They that observe lying vanities, forsake their own mercy.” Jonah 2:8As he sat in the waiting room, Jeff tried to keep some spark of hope alive. Sarah obviously had feelings for him. The way she returned his kiss left no doubt about that. The problem was getting past the wall she had built up over the years. She had evidently made up her mind that she would be better off without him, or maybe she thought he would be better off without her. Either way, he resolved to not give up without a fight.A pleasant looking young woman sitting behind a desk caught his attention. "Doctor Wolcott will see you now."Jeff walked through the door and the doctor rose to greet him. "Jeff, you are looking well, how can I help you.""Paige told me to talk to you. She said you helped Sarah through her recovery and have stayed close with her over the years."The doctor frowned, "Jeff, I can't talk to you about what I discussed with a patient. You understand that, right?"Jeff met the doctor's gaze firmly. "I'm not asking you to betray any privilege, but I need to find some way to get through to Sarah. If you're as close to her as Paige said, you have to have an idea of how to help me. She hasn't been your patient for years. There has to be something you can tell me. I am crazy about her and from what her family says, she feels the same way about me. She just won't give me the chance to get close to her."Dr. Wolcott sat quietly, trying to choose his words carefully. "Well, I can talk to you in general about the way trauma victims feel. The victim of a sexual assault can have a wide variety of reactions. Some become insatiable with their desires, trying to fill a void in their emotions with the act of sex. Some even crave degrading acts because they feel unworthy of anything better.""Some," and he paused looking directly at Jeff to indicate his meaning without saying it aloud, "retreat into themselves. They are afraid of being rejected to the point of making themselves miserable rather than risk being hurt. Some part of their behavior can be attributed to the guilt they feel.""Guilt?" Jeff asked uncertainly. "How could she; they feel guilty about something they couldn't control?""Control is a matter of perspective, son. In some victim's minds, they continue to question if they made all the right choices. If they had done something differently, could they have avoided what happened? Everyone in their life is exposed to their trauma, so sometimes they feel like they're responsible for everyone's pain, in a way. This is incredibly difficult to cope with, and it's why therapy can be so important.""In Sarah's case, she has a permanent reminder of the event because of her scar. Every time she meets someone new, she knows the first thing they notice is something that is tied into the most traumatic event of her life. To be honest, I think she uses it as an excuse to keep men at a distance. She hates it, but it's also part of her defenses.""Okay," Jeff responded, "so that explains why she hasn't dated much, but what about me. She already knows I care about her and that she cares about me. What happened to her doesn't change the way I feel about her, I already know the real Sarah and she's wonderful."The doctor nodded his agreement. "She is a remarkable young woman, but in a way, you are more of a threat to her than anyone." He paused as Jeff shot him a confused look. "She knows you had feelings for her before you found out about her past. Now that you know, I'm sure she's afraid you might reject her. She's probably also worried about you being too nice to walk away, even though you might want to. I wouldn't be surprised at all if she has talked herself into believing that your pursuit is based on pity, which would be even more devastating to her.""So let me get this straight," Jeff said, starting to get angry. "If I blow her off, it's because I'm a jerk. If I try to get her to see me, it's because I'm still a jerk, but don't want to look like a bad guy? How the hell do I deal with that?""Exactly," Dr. Wolcott answered cryptically. "How do you deal with that?""Great, now you sound like a shrink," Jeff answered, clearly frustrated."Jeff, I can't tell you any magic words to make things better. If I knew them, I would have used them with her seven years ago. She is such a special young woman that it kills me to not be able to help her. I watch her every week, wondering if there is something I could think of; "With a swift movement, Jeff's head jerked up to look at the doctor. "What do you mean, every week?"This time it was the doctor's turn to look confused. "She volunteers here every Monday and Friday in the children's ward. She has for years. I would have thought her family would have told you that."He was surprised by Jeff abruptly rising and heading for the door. "Sorry doc, I've got to go."The children Prevail on SarahSarah walked into the hospital lost in her thoughts. It was the first time back since her last night with Jeff. She had missed three of her volunteer dates in a row and wasn't going to miss another, no matter what. Some days it was like the kids were her reason for getting out of bed. People often complimented her on how caring she was, spending time with sick children. The truth was, her time with the kids did as much for her as it did for them.She had taken two days off work after her encounter with Jeff. It was so unsettling that she had no idea how to begin to deal with it yet. Part of her wished he had never come looking for her because of all the emotions it had stirred up. Part of her wished he wouldn't have left. She sat by the window of her apartment for hours, hoping he'd come back, wondering if she could have forced herself to talk to him. Jeff was a very good man, this was incredibly unfair to him and she knew it. How could he have any idea what she wanted when she didn't know herself?Paige had tried to help, but Sarah had been angry with her sister for interfering and let her know it. She knew Jeff would find out her secrets eventually, but Paige had related the details from last Tuesday's conversation. Her sister had given up far too much information, then tried to defend it by telling Sarah how much Jeff cared."It doesn't matter. It's my life not yours!" she had said heatedly.Although Paige had called every day, Sarah refused to talk to her. She loved her sister and knew Paige meant well, but this wasn't the kind of situation that called for an 18-year-old who thought she knew everything. As she walked down the hallway, Sarah thought again about what her younger sister had been through and what could have happened.She shook her head as she approached the door. I've got to call her tonight and apologize, she thought. She loves me and is just trying to do what she thinks is right. Sarah even flirted with the idea of calling Jeff to apologize. She just couldn't imagine what she could say.As she entered the rec room, she knew immediately something was going on. The kids were standing around with conspiratorial looks on their faces. She put it out of her mind as several of the younger ones ran up to her."Sarah," cried Jessie, a little girl who was her favorite. She had been injured in a fire and even after several skin grafts, still had terrible scars. Jessie's mom had told Sarah how much her visits had meant because the little girl identified with the caring woman who had her own scar.She hugged Jessie and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "How are you, little angel?""Good," said the seven year-old. "I missed you. Where have you been?""I'm so sorry I missed the last few visits. I wasn't feeling very well. I'm better now, so I promise I won't miss any more, all right?"Jessie smiled and said mischievously, Okay, but you owe me a promise."Sarah looked at her with an amused expression. Okay Jessie, I owe you a promise.""Anything I want?""Yes, I promise, anything you ask me." She laughed at Jessie's persistence. She expected to be making a trip to the cafeteria for a candy bar any second now."Well," said the child shyly, "one of the boys here likes you." Sarah looked around the room quickly, noticing flowers on one of the tables. "He was scared to tell you, so he bought you flowers and asked me to do it because we're friends. He wants a kiss from you and wants to tell you something. Remember, you promised."Sarah was on the verge of laughing over the precocious child's demands. She tried to keep a straight face, not wanting to hurt any of the boys' feelings. The oldest child in the room looked to be eleven or twelve. It would be terrible to make any of them feel like she was making fun of them."Yes Jessie, I promise I'll give him a kiss for the nice flowers and I'll talk to him. So who is it?" she asked, still looking around the room.Jessie smiled wide, and pointed behind Sarah. "It's him," she yelled, jumping up and down; excited to have succeeded at her mission.Sarah turned and felt her knees go weak as she saw Jeff standing with a bouquet of her favorite roses."Hi Sarah, how about that kiss?" he said as all the kids began cheering.She blushed as she looked around in embarrassment. She saw Jessie smiling with glee and knew she had no way out.Sarah watched motionless as Jeff walked up to her. "You tricked me," she hissed."You didn't give me any choice. Now are you going to let the kids down or are you going to kiss me?"She leaned forward to give him a peck on the lips, but he caught her and pulled her against him. He kept his lips pressed against hers, tilting his head so he could kiss her more deeply. She felt herself losing control again, just like at the grocery store when the loud, "Oh," of the children broke them out of their moment."That was nice," Jeff said in awe."Yes," Sarah replied, still struggling to hold her emotions in check. "That just leaves the talk.""We can talk later. Right now I have a lot of troublemakers to thank." He turned away from her and gave Jessie a hug and a kiss on the cheek.Sarah watched him, feeling caught in a whirlwind. As she watched him playing with the children, seemingly without a care in the world, she thought again about how amazing he was. She knew how strongly she felt for him, but didn't know how to begin to gauge his feelings for her. She had spent such a long time building the wall to protect herself, she wondered if it was possible to let down her guard and trust someone. The one thing she was sure of was that if there was anyone she would ever be able to trust, it would be this man.A Battle within Sarah's heartSarah drove, unable to organize her thoughts. Seven years of protecting herself and not allowing anyone inside had left her unprepared to change. It scared her more than she could face. Jeff already had the power to hurt her more than any man since the attack. If she let him in further, she couldn't imagine how intense it would get.This is crazy, I've only known him four weeks, she thought. Twice she had talked herself out of going to his place, but couldn't seem to make herself dial the phone. It was like the scene at her apartment, but reversed. Now she was afraid something would happen and he would change his mind. It was a fear she wasn't used to and it hit her hard.She found a parking space close to his apartment and reluctantly got out of her car. As she slowly walked to the door, Sarah nervously fidgeted with her hair and clothes, trying to make sure she looked her best before he answered the door.When he opened the door, Jeff looked at her with open admiration. "Wow, you look amazing."Sarah felt embarrassed, but accepted the compliment. Jeff asked her to come inside and offered her a seat on the couch. He went to the kitchen for drinks, then sat next to her. He suddenly was at a loss about what to say, so they sipped their wine in an awkward silence. Finally Sarah couldn't take it and spoke up, her voice sounding surprisingly brittle."So how did you work that out today? I didn't realize working with kids was one of your specialties. That was kind of a dirty trick."Jeff replied evenly, "I told you before, you didn't give me any choice. I'm not going to apologize. I would have done anything to get you to talk to me. Are you upset?""No," she admitted, unable to suppress a smile. "I thought it was; original. How did you know about me working with the kids?""I'm not going to tell you all my secrets," he replied cryptically. His mood abruptly lightened. "I've been spending all my free time with them since Tuesday. I was surprised. It was a lot of fun and they seemed to like me too. When I told them about my plan, they all wanted to help, especially Jessie. You're really close to her, aren't you?"She nodded, "How did you like your new start?" When she saw Jeff's confused expression, she continued. "You told me in the hospital that you wanted to do something more important with your life. I can't think of anything more important than caring for those kids, even if you did it with an ulterior motive.""Well, I had a great time with them. I'll be happy to go with you every week," he paused, "if you want me to."Sarah nodded, feeling more comfortable. "Listen Jeff, I have to apologize about not coming to the hospital at the end. I didn't know how to handle what would happen when you could see again, so I ran away." She looked away, "I guess I've been doing that for a while."He took her hand. "So my question is, are you ready to stop running? I don't want to push you to talk about anything until you're ready, but I want you to know you can trust me. I don't know what else I can do to make you see that I'm right where I want to be and I'm not going anywhere."Sarah sat quietly for a moment. "I can think of one thing," she said quietly, unable to look him in the eyes. "That night at the hospital, I did something I've never even considered doing before. It made me want more." He could hear her voice start to break. "The only memory I have about sex was a terrible one. I want to have good a memory with someone I care about."Jeff put a finger under her chin and tilted her head up so he could look her in the eyes. "Sarah, I don't just care about you, I love you."He moved in to touch his lips against hers. He kissed her lightly, moving his lips across her cheek, her ear, then her neck. Finally, he returned to her lips, kissing her more passionately. He felt her lips part and gently began teasing them with his tongue, encouraging her to reciprocate. As his fingers gently caressed her cheek, his thumb softly traced the scar, causing her to blush. She pushed at his hand, uncomfortable with the contact.He broke their kiss, and began leaving a trail of kisses along the only blemish to her features, trying to let her know he wasn't going to avoid it. After a moment, she gave up protesting and allowed him to proceed the way he wanted. When his hand moved from her face to her side, eventually rubbing the side of her breast through her blouse, she made a small involuntarily jump.Jeff hesitated, reminding himself to be careful with her. "Let's go to my room, Ok?"Sarah nodded her consent and followed as he led her down the hallway. When they reached his bedroom, he watched her reactions closely. She still appeared to be nervous, although she tried to appear confident.They sat on the edge of the bed and resumed kissing for several minutes. Jeff ran his hands softly up and down her back, the touches slowly wearing down her anxiousness. When he thought she was ready, Jeff kneeled on the floor in front of her and began unbuttoning her blouse.Sarah felt confused, she was uneasy, but every time his hands touched her shirt they would graze her breasts, causing a fluttering deep in her stomach that was building. She felt the button just above her bra give way and Jeff leaned in to kiss her between her breasts. She arched her back as she felt his lips touch her like no man ever had. Although he was clean shaven, she could feel the stubble on his chin rubbing against her sensitive skin. She was so lost in the sensation, she didn't notice he had finished with her buttons, only realizing how exposed she was as he pulled her blouse from her jeans.She felt the nervousness giving way to the excitement he was causing. He gently caressed her over her bra. Sarah took a sudden, deep breath as she felt the front clasp give way and the material slide across her sensitive nipples. She pulled him close, thrilling at his warmth.That immediately gave way to frustration when he briefly grazed her breast again with his lips, only to skip down to her stomach. He gently pushed her back until she was lying flat on the bed, then ran his hands down her legs until he reached her feet. He quickly pulled off her shoes before moving back up to her jeans.Jeff paused for a moment, letting his hands run up and down the outside of her thighs. He reveled in her reactions to his touch. For a moment, he stopped worrying about what she might be thinking and realized just how lucky he was to be with an angel like this. The fact that she still was partially dressed added to her allure. He ran his hands over her stomach, settling on the snap of her jeans, which gave way with a pop that startled her causing another small jump. He again reminded himself to go slowly until she was ready.He moved to her stomach, kissing and running his tongue teasingly around her navel to distract her. It caused her discomfort to grow until it felt like she was riding a roller coaster. It didn't keep her from noticing his hands working on her zipper. She felt it begin to slowly creep down, imagining she could hear every metal tooth click as his fingers worked the slider down. When he grabbed her jeans with both hands and began inching them down her hips, she nervously lifted slightly off of the bed to help.She could feel her anxiety growing, thinking about him looking at her in just her panties. Sarah knew she was already wet, she could feel her underwear sticking to her outer lips and felt a little awkward. Even though she wanted this more than ever, part of her was glad he hadn't tried to undress her completely.When Jeff pulled her jeans the rest of the way off, he urged her to turn onto her stomach. Moving his lips up her legs, he used his tongue to leave wet kisses up her calves. Reaching her knee, he lingered at the sensitive spot, watching her tense and grab at the bed sheet with her hands. After a moment, he worked his way up the inside of her thigh, tenderly kissing every inch and began to feel her shake.&

Sponging off the HeroIn 3 parts, By SDes. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. At five o'clock the next day, Sarah didn't come. It was crushing to Jeff, although a part of him expected it. He sat quietly, hoping she'd show up and pretend he hadn't screwed everything up. He knew it probably wouldn't work. He had put her in an impossible position and nothing she did would satisfy both of them. If she tried to apologize, he'd feel like a cripple. If she said she wanted to go out with him, he knew it would be out of sympathy. If she still said no, he'd be too embarrassed to act the same around her. He felt lonelier than he ever had in his life.He drifted off to sleep while thinking about his situation. He was awakened some time later by the feeling of a wet sponge moving on his chest. As he woke, he grumbled about wanting to do this later."Sorry, it's time for your bath," came the hushed reply.Jeff was startled at what he thought he heard, then decided it was just his imagination. He relaxed, hoping this would be over quickly. He wasn't in the mood for the normal small talk the nurses made, trying to make sponge baths less uncomfortable for the recipient.He sat still, wondering why this felt different tonight. The way the wet cloth dragged across his chest, slowing at his nipples, made him a little uncomfortable. Whether it was intentional or not, he was getting turned on. He had been lying there for more than three weeks without any chance for a normal sexual release. As he felt the soft cloth slide down his stomach, his erection became uncomfortably hard. It wasn't the first time he'd had this problem.He tried to joke, "Sorry, I; uh think I've been here alone a little too long."The nurse just shushed him and kept at her work.She seemed to be dwelling on more sensitive spots of his body than normal and the whole thing was definitely moving slower. He was really getting agitated about his condition, but tried to relax and focus on something else. That changed when he felt her slip his covers lower and run the fabric slowly down his erection. He knew this was completely inappropriate."Listen, I'm sorry but;""Just be quiet and let me enjoy myself," he heard Sarah scold.Jeff tried to push himself up, "Sarah?"She pushed firmly against his shoulder so he would lay back down. "Listen buddy, I had to bribe the nurse to let me give you your bath, so I want my money's worth, all right?"He felt a flood of emotions. After believing he had ruined everything, there wasn't any way for him to process what was happening. He wanted her so badly, but this sudden turnaround was stunning. He couldn't imagine what could have happened to trigger this.Sarah was trapped in her own emotional confusion. She never intended it to go this far, she wanted to tease him a little and then apologize for the way she acted yesterday. It was supposed to be a little joke. As she ran the rag across the scar on his chest, she couldn't help thinking about how he got it, and the irony of her being the one to lose control over a guy. That was normally something her little sister would do.There was something about Jeff that she couldn't get out of her system. It was something she never could have anticipated and something she thought she'd never feel again. The more she tried to keep her feelings about him in check, the more completely out of control she felt.The touching started something tingling inside her that quickly became a rush of emotions she just wasn't equipped to deal with. She watched his body with a detached fascination, the damp cloth leaving a glistening trail across his muscles as she moved it down his chest to his stomach. When she reached his waist, she noticed him becoming erect; it was impossible to ignore under the flimsy hospital garment. Then she did something so foreign to her character, that before tonight she would have sworn it was impossible. On an impulse, she found herself moving the cloth lower, using her free hand to pull his gown and blanket out of the way so she could touch him.The fabric grazed his sensitive skin along with the tips of her fingers. Her skin brushing against his warm flesh caused a surge to run through her body, making her to lose what was left of her will. Jeff spoke, almost breaking the spell she seemed to be under, but she told him to be still, unable to bring herself to stop touching him. The wall that normally protected her was nowhere in sight. The only thing she could think about was trying to bring him pleasure.Jeff had given up trying to understand what was going on. Sarah's touches felt so amazing that he pushed everything else out of his mind. There was an unexpected consequence to his condition. Without being able to see what was going on, he found that her every touch seemed far more intense than normal.He could feel her leisurely dragging the rag up and down the underside of his shaft. The fingers of her other hand slowly stroked a spot on his chest. She moved the wet cloth down and let it travel lower, then back again. His hips came off the bed as the pleasure was almost more than he could take."You better not move too much or you'll pull out your stitches. I'd like to see you explain that to the doctor."He heard her softly chuckle at the idea of that meeting. Although the thought was amusing, he couldn't concentrate on anything except her delicate touches. He felt her fingernail softly trail around the head of his penis. It was an unusual sensation. He couldn't remember a woman touching him quite like that. There was an awkward, almost innocent quality to her caresses."Are you sure this is what you want?" Jeff asked, suddenly afraid that if she went too far, it could push her away again. "I don't want you to; oh shit," he groaned, as he felt her warm breath.It caused him to break out in goose bumps and he grabbed the edges of the bed. She continued teasing him, making the experience even more erotic. He kept flexing his fingers, balling his hands into fists anticipating her mouth touching him. For what seemed like an eternity, he felt like he was undergoing sort of wonderful torture, his body desperate to find release.When the touch finally came, it was so soft and quick, he thought he imagined it. He held his breath, afraid he might miss it a second time, trying to almost will it to happen again. When it did, he couldn't remember ever feeling that aroused. It was soft, leaving a wet feeling on his shaft. She started dragging her tongue up the length like he was a Popsicle."Oh Sarah," he moaned, "that feels so good."His hips lifted slightly off the bed, and she took his reaction as encouragement, beginning to make small biting motions up and down the underside. When she reached the tip, she tentatively took it in her mouth, sliding down an inch or two, then grabbing the base with one hand. Jeff put his hands on her shoulders, resisting the urge to pull down, instead stroking softly.He began to move a hand up her neck when she reached out and stopped him. "Uh, uh," she mumbled, returning his hand to the bed.He took the hint and let her continue what she was doing. It seemed like her confidence was growing because she was becoming more aggressive. Her hand began stroking him and she moved her mouth down a little further. She let his cock fall from her lips and returned to the earlier technique of licking and biting his shaft. Her mouth moved up and down the entire length, letting her tongue dart out, touching every inch of the underside of his erection.The sensation was too much for him and Jeff cried out, "Sarah, I'm cumming."She continued the same motions, pushing her mouth harder against him. Jeff closed his mouth tightly to avoid yelling as he came, feeling his cum shoot onto his chest. His body jerked hard, followed by trembling that seemed to go on forever. As his breathing settled into a regular rhythm, he felt the cloth she was using move across his chest. He assumed Sarah was cleaning him up. With a last, deliberate lick that drew another shudder from him, she moved up his body, kissing him lightly on the lips.She laid down against him, with her head on his shoulder. They sat together silently for a short time. Finally Jeff couldn't take the uncomfortable silence."Sarah," he spoke softly, "That was wonderful. I just don't understand what happened. You said; well, you know," he trailed off, unable to find words to express his feelings.He heard her take a deep breath, knowing she wasn't sure what to say. Whether she was looking for the right words, or the right lie, he couldn't tell."Jeff, I don't know how to explain it. I wanted you to know how I really feel about you. I guess I got a little carried away. I hope you don't mind," she finished with a chuckle. She kissed him on the cheek, then pulled away.Jeff couldn't see her smile, but he could tell it was there. "I guess that wasn't the worst surprise I've ever had."He tried to sound jovial and confident, but couldn't shake his confusion. He had no idea where this left them and was afraid to ask. The last thing he wanted was to make things awkward again. They held each other quietly until she excused herself to go to the bathroom.Slowly, he sat up while she was gone. His chest still hurt, but it was better. He leaned back and relaxed, trying to figure out his next move. He didn't want to say the words, even in his own head, but he knew exactly how he felt about her. She seemed to feel the same, but there was something wrong. Was she afraid this was some sort of Florence Nightingale crush? If that's what she thought it was, how did her actions make sense?"I need to stop being a pussy and just be myself," he quietly scolded himself."What's that Jeff?" he heard her voice back in the room."I was just annoyed with myself because of putting you in that position yesterday. I'm sorry. I like you, but it wasn't fair for me to put you on the spot. I'm glad you came back tonight." He paused, then added with a smile, "Part of me is extremely glad." He hoped she'd take his jest as a sign that he wouldn't push the issue of them dating, at least for now."Well, I'm glad I came back too," she said, kissing him on the cheek. "Things are still complicated for me, but I wanted you to know I do care deeply for you. I just got a little carried away. I never imagined myself doing something like that," she continued, her tone betraying her sincere surprise.There was an uncomfortable silence as they each tried to think of what to say next.Jeff decided it would be best to take the pressure off of her. "How about if we just listen to the new album you got me?""That would be nice," she said gratefully.His considerate gesture reminded her of just how special Jeff was. She thought he'd want to talk about things between them which frightened her, because she had no answers. Like always, he seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. There simply wasn't a frame of reference for her to deal with his insight and compassion.She sat next to him and resisted the urge to hold his hand. They talked quietly about nothing for the rest of the night. When she left, she still wasn't sure if she did the right thing, but was happy about it anyway. She wondered if he'd ever understand just how nervous she had been.Interrogations"Hi Jeff, I was wondering if you'd like some company," an unfamiliar voice said, rousing him from his thoughts about what to say to Sarah today."Well, I guess," Jeff said cautiously. "Who are you?""My name is Don Williams. I'm a police officer. I was there the night you were in the fight.""Are you the officer Paige told me about; the one who saved me?" he said hopefully."I don't know if ‘saved' is the right word," Don said humbly. "I was just in the right place at the right time.""Paige told me that you held me together with your bare hands until the paramedics got there. I'd say saved is exactly the right word," Jeff said gratefully."okay then, you're welcome," the policeman conceded. "I just wanted to make sure you were all right and see if there was anything you needed.""Um," Jeff stammered, "I was wondering; about the fight in the alley, no one has talked to me about that yet. I was kind of nervous, is everything all right?""Jeez," Don said laughing, "you think anyone is looking to charge you for what happened? I've had friends asking me if the story was really true. You're a; ""Hero, I know," Jeff interrupted, with frustration evident in his voice. "Seriously, if she had gotten hurt or worse, nobody would be calling me a hero, they'd be saying I was a stupid-assed vigilante. I'm lucky as hell things turned out as well as they did.""I guess," came the reply. "I thought you showed a hell of a lot of guts going in there. Everybody knows you called 9 1 1 first, and tried to talk your way out of it. Nobody thinks you were being a hot dog, if that's what you're worried about."Jeff visibly relaxed and the two men slipped into an easy conversation. An hour later when Don announced he had to leave, Jeff felt disappointed. For the first time since the alley, he actually felt on even footing with someone. He was in awe of the stories Don had shared. There was little about being a policeman that Jeff had really understood.When he stood up to go, Jeff asked, "So you're sure I'm not going to be in any trouble?""Those guys were human trash with a long record. If you hadn't stepped in, everyone knows that girl was going to have something horrible happen to her. Trust me, you don't have anything to worry about."When Don left, Jeff realized he felt much more at ease about things. At the same time, he knew there was something that had been bothering him for a while. His talk with Don had brought into focus exactly why it had been upsetting him. The problem now was figuring out if there was anything he could do to change it.A Life of PurposeJeff was deep in thought. Sarah had been there a little more than an hour, but he wasn't in a good mood despite her presence. "Are you okay?" she asked."I don't know," he said honestly. "It's just one of those days. I'm not sure why, but I've been trying to sort things out.""What sort of things?" Sarah asked nervously."Don't worry," he said, trying to reassure her. "It's about me." He thought carefully before continuing. "Sarah, why don't you ever talk about what happened in the alley?"Sarah was caught off guard. She stammered a reply, "I; I just thought you'd talk about it if you wanted to.""Okay, let's say I want to. Do you buy into all this 'hero' nonsense?""What you did for Paige was the most unselfish thing I've ever seen," she said firmly. "You were lucky to come out of it alive. If that's not being a hero, I don't know what is.""I want to say something, but I don't want you to get the wrong idea." He paused, trying to collect his thoughts, "I don't think I'm a hero and in some ways I'm ashamed of myself." When he was greeted with shocked silence, Jeff continued."Firemen run into burning buildings, the police protect people daily, soldiers risk their lives. That doesn't even count the people who take care of the sick, feed the hungry," he paused, looking frustrated. "You know what I mean."Sarah had no idea where he was going with this. "So what are you saying, you have to save people a lot to be special?"Jeff shook his head. "No, I'm saying people are defined by their actions." He paused, trying to collect his thoughts. "Sarah, do you believe in redemption?""Sure, don't you?""I don't know. I'm thirty and barely have anything to show for it. I haven't done any of the things I wanted to when I was growing up. Now I'm so up to my ears in bills that I'm just trying to make it to the next paycheck. I get a chance to help somebody one time and everybody's kissing my ass like I cured cancer. Anybody would have done the same thing. I was just in the right place at the right time."Sarah was indignant, "No they wouldn't have done the same thing!" Jeff was surprised to hear her voice breaking and could tell she was beginning to cry. The intensity of her reaction caught him off guard."If you haven't done enough in your life up to now, then change it when you get out of here. Don't you ever let me hear you put down what you did for Paige. Did you ever think maybe you were in that alley for a reason?"Jeff was sorry she was upset and didn't want to antagonize her, but he also couldn't let it go. "What, you mean some 'master plan'? Come on, do you really buy that? Why would I get to wipe away a whole life of mediocrity with one good deed?"She touched his face gently, trying to soften her tone. "What about that deed? Have you considered that she could have died if you hadn't helped her? You want redemption, try thinking about her life after that if she had survived." She paused and Jeff could hear a quiet sob."Nobody's saying you get a free pass for life because of what happened, but you damn well better believe we are all grateful for what you did. You know, I've been here getting to know you for a month and you are a very good person. I'm not sure why you doubt yourself, but I don't."Jeff sat quietly, trying to absorb what she said. Sarah was the only person who told him what she thought without trying to soften it. He respected her opinion highly. "Maybe you're right, but it's just so overwhelming. I'm really happy she's all right and I don't regret anything I did. I just feel like the media, your family, the hospital staff; it's just so much to deal with. How many times can you listen to someone say thank you or tell you how wonderful you are before you just don't know what to say back?"

 One brave deed holds the key to unlocking a scarred heart.In 3 parts, By SDes. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Chicago StreetsJeff walked out of the bar deep in thought. He would be thirty years old in just two weeks and had very little to show for it. There was a decent job, a string of short relationships and a lot of bills. He never thought his life would have turned out like this. He was smart, athletic and well educated. Although he wasn't every girl's dream, he was attractive by most standards and had his share of relationships with desirable women.Unfortunately, none of the relationships had lasted more than a few months. At this point he was starting to worry that it was a trend without an end in sight. He considered himself a good guy and had always wanted a family. It was beginning to make him doubt himself and his future.He was having a lousy Friday night. It was midnight and he was walking out of the bars alone; again. At least since it wasn't cloudy the moon lit up the streets and made it seem a little less depressing than it should have been. It all made him wonder if things would ever turn around.As he turned the corner, he noticed the street was a little more deserted than usual. He attributed it to everyone still being in the bars having a good time, or on their way home to have a better one.As he walked past the alley on the East side of the intersection, a noise attracted Jeff's attention. He peered into the darkness between the two buildings and his heart stopped. There was a young woman struggling with two men. They were dressed in jeans and torn shirts. Both wore the same color bandanas making Jeff suspect they were in a gang. It would have been normal for the neighborhood. The crime was getting worse in that section of the city and he wondered why the hell she was there alone at that time of night.He was quiet as he tried to decide what the situation was before doing something stupid. From her struggles, he was almost certain this wasn't some kind of game. After a few moments, his eyes adjusted and he could see she was a petite brunette, about five feet tall, thin and well dressed. But what Jeff noticed most was that she was drop dead gorgeous.Confident that this was a real attack, he pulled out his cell phone and stepped back away from the alley."911," a woman's voice answered. "Please state your emergency.""I'm on the corner of Superior and Wabash. There's a woman being attacked in the alley by a couple of thugs. Please hurry!""Sir, I have officers on the way. Please wait for them and don't get involved."A muffled scream put an end to that thought for Jeff. He cautiously glanced around the edge of the building and saw that the girl was being held from behind by one man as the other ripped her shirt. He reached a hand inside to cup one of her breasts and Jeff couldn't stop himself from walking toward them.He set the phone down on a garbage can so the operator might be able to hear some of what was happening."Hey, what's going on?" he demanded.The man in front of the girl whirled around to face him, "You need to mind your own business. We're all friends here." The girl moaned through the hand the punk in back had put over her mouth.Jeff quickly did the math on the situation. If neither man had a gun, he was confident he had a chance. The alley was wide enough for him to maneuver, giving him the room he'd need to deal with two men at once. He hoped for an element of surprise on his side, because he didn't appear to be an imposing opponent. At under six feet tall and about one hundred, eighty-five pounds, he wasn't going to frighten anyone based on his imposing image.What they didn't know was the years of martial arts training he went through in his mid-twenties and the tournament fights he participated in. He wasn't overconfident; his teachers had thoroughly taught him the need to have the proper amount of respect for an adversary. Any fight can be lost if you slip, turn an ankle, miss a punch, or make any one of a hundred other mistakes that can happen in the heat of the moment. Also, he had to hope neither of the hoods was holding any surprises for him.No matter what, Jeff couldn't let them hurt this girl. Her eyes pleaded with him for help and he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't try to protect her. When he refused to move, the man in front of her showed him the knife in his hand. His partner holding the girl nodded and said, "Take him."Jeff tried to appear unnerved, hoping he could still avoid a fight. "Listen, nobody has to get hurt here. Just let her go and we'll head the other way."The man with the knife sneered and said, "Only one of us is going to get hurt. You should've kept walking."Jeff saw the man tense as he moved forward. He swung the knife in a wide arc, keeping it around chest level. Jeff smoothly stepped inside and blocked the thug's arm with both hands. His right hand flashed out quickly and caught the attacker in the cheek with the back of his fist. Jeff continued his movement, stepping under the man's arm, grabbing his wrist and turning it in.The punk dropped the knife with a whine and Jeff finished the move he had practiced thousands of times with a roundhouse kick to the ribs. As the man doubled over in pain, Jeff stepped in and finished him off with an elbow strike to the nose. He was rewarded with a loud breaking sound and a cry of pain as the man dropped to the ground.Jeff stepped back and looked at the man holding the girl. Now that he was closer, he could make out her condition. She had been roughed up a little, with her face showing several cuts and scratches. He still hoped to get out of this without any more violence. It was possible the girl could get hurt in the melee or that he could lose, putting her in even more jeopardy than before.Martial Tactics"I'm telling you, let her go and we'll walk. You can get your friend and go your own way. Neither of us wants to get hurt, just let her go." Jeff considered telling him about the call to the police, but worried that the piece of shit might panic and hurt the girl, or decide his only option was to take her hostage.The man looked like he was considering the offer, but suddenly threw her into some garbage cans against the brick wall. She fell to the ground in a heap. The thug stepped quickly toward Jeff, hoping to catch him off guard. Jeff retreated a couple of steps, trying to get a clue about this man's proficiency with a knife. The first one was sloppy and easy, but he wasn't about to make any assumptions. Jeff guessed the man was about six feet tall, two hundred pounds. His height gave him a little advantage, especially while using a knife.As he stepped forward, Jeff made a dangerous gamble. He quickly slid his back foot up to his front one, raising his knee high. The man fell for it and raised his hands to protect his face, putting too much weight on his front leg. Jeff brought his left leg down with all his force, catching the other man just on the inside of his knee. The joint gave way with a sickening thud, bending to an impossible angle. As the man hit the ground with a scream, Jeff stepped back to keep from getting hit with a frantic swing from the prone attacker.He was trying to decide what to do about the man who was still a potential threat when he heard startled cry, "Look out!"He looked up and saw the girl staring past him with a fear in her eyes. He realized something bad was about to happen, so guessed a direction and spun quickly while stepping away. Unfortunately he guessed wrong and felt an explosion across his chest. The pain hit him a fraction of a second later. He took another step back as he realized he was facing a new adversary. This one must have come from the street. He was wielding the knife the first man had dropped.Jeff was afraid to bring his hand to his chest. He knew the wound was bad and didn't want anything to distract him from the man in front of him. There couldn't be any more mistakes or he knew he wouldn't be walking out of the alley again. The new man made small motions with the knife, waiting for Jeff to commit himself or for the loss of blood to take its toll. When Jeff felt a wave of dizziness hit him, he decided to act immediately. If he waited much longer, it wouldn't matter anyway.He stepped forward and threw a quick jab that missed badly. This gave his opponent an opening and he moved in with a stab aimed at Jeff's chest.This was what Jeff had been hoping for and he twisted, bringing his left arm across to push the knife wide of its target. This kept his right arm free and he brought it across, hitting the man as hard as he could across the bridge of the nose. It caused his assailant to stumble back into some other trash cans, where he fell hard. Unfortunately due to his injury, Jeff now lacked the strength to cause the kind of damage he had earlier. He knew the man wouldn't stay down and didn't believe he'd be able to finish him off.Where are the fucking police? he thought angrily.His momentary distraction was the second mistake he had hoped to avoid. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a quick flash, then felt the side of his head erupt in pain. The force of the blow spun him into the wall. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog. When he looked up, he realized he could no longer focus. There were no more options. The fight was over and he had lost. He faced the man who had just hit him, his first opponent, who had used Jeff's distraction with the others to recover enough to get to his feet and hit him with a pipe he found lying on the ground.The first punch he learned in his martial arts training was a unique one. The teacher wanted to reinforce how dangerous fighting could be in order to discourage students from being too eager to get into trouble. He chose to show them how to turn their hand on an angle and strike the target with the bone just below the base of the index finger. The blow was supposed to catch the opponent in the windpipe, which would stun virtually anyone. The thing that made the class understand how serious it could be was when the teacher explained that hitting your opponent in the wrong spot could be fatal. You could collapse his windpipe or cause him to bleed into his lungs. It was a lesson Jeff never forgot, causing him to avoid fights at all costs.Now it was all he had left. He stepped in and punched as hard as he could, ignoring the throbbing pain in his chest. Whether it was skill or just dumb luck, he struck the man exactly where he intended. He was rewarded with a strangled cry as the man stumbled back to the wall and fell. Jeff staggered as he was hit with another wave of dizziness. He also realized it was becoming impossible to focus his eyes at all.He heard a trash can fall and knew that the man who cut him was getting back up. There were no more tricks to play, so he quickly considered his last action. He decided to give the girl as much of a chance as possible; the police had to be close. He stumbled toward her and fell.He pulled himself on top of her, covering her body with his and whispered, "The police are on the way, you just have to stay away from them a few more minutes."He marveled at how hard he must have been hit. He heard a ringing in his head and it was rising in intensity. He couldn't shut out the noise as he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness. Suddenly the alley was filled with blinding light, then everything went blackLights OutThe noise was no longer a loud ringing sound. Instead it was a soft, repetitive tone. Jeff slowly realized he was hearing the sounds of machines operating quietly. It was completely dark and he wondered if he was still in the alley. Suddenly he remembered the girl. He tried to sit up, but only got his head off of the pillow before the pain overtook him. He groaned loudly, his head falling back down."Don't move," he heard a soft female voice say. He felt a warm hand on his shoulder, gently restraining him. "Sarah, get the doctor, he's awake."Jeff heard the sound of footsteps, followed by a doorknob being turned. As he heard the door click shut, the voice returned. "Don't be afraid. You're in the hospital. Everything's okay now, you just need to relax. Your sister was here but she had to leave to pick up her kids. She'll be back in a couple of hours."He felt a wave of nausea sweep over him as he tried to think. "Who are you?"The high-pitched voice answered, "My name is Paige. You saved me in the alley." He heard her sniff, trying to hold back tears. "I can't believe you did that. It was the bravest thing I've ever seen."Jeff felt a pair of soft hands grasp his. He tried to joke. "It wasn't that brave. Trust me, I was scared out of my mind." He wondered why she didn't just turn on the light.He felt her pull his hand up to her face and she dragged her cheek across it. "Trust me, you don't know what scared is. I; I don't know how to thank you. I'm just glad you're all right. When I saw all the blood, I was afraid; " her voice trailed off. Jeff knew he had been extremely lucky.He was getting frustrated by only being able to hear her voice. He remembered how beautiful she was and wanted a chance to see her. "Paige, would you turn on the light. It would be nice to actually meet you face to face."She hesitated, "Jeff, the lights are on."" So we believe once the swelling goes down, your sight will return. I'm sorry but there are no guarantees."Jeff laid there in shock as he listened to the doctor trying to sound encouraging without promising anything. The hit he took in the head from the pipe had given him a concussion. It had caused hemorrhaging and swelling that was putting pressure against his optic nerve. The temporary part was what scared him, nobody was sure if it would be OK in a week, a month, a year, or maybe never. The doctors considered surgery, but because it could be risky, preferred using medication and time to deal with it for now.They had his eyes bandaged, even though the vision loss was total at this point. There had been some improvement in the three days he had been hospitalized, but not enough to be sure he would make a full recovery. The doctor let him know that if he didn't make significant improvement in the next few days, they would have to consider surgery to relieve the pressure.The blood loss from the chest wound almost killed him, but turned out to be far less serious than the concussion. The cut wasn't too deep, so there wasn't severe muscle damage. The doctor warned him not to try saving any more damsels in distress for a while, but said he would make a full recovery in a relatively short period of time. They thought his condition would keep him there for two or three weeks, if there were no complications from the head injury. After explaining everything that had happened and what to expect, he excused himself. He motioned for Jeff's sister Katy to follow him out of the room.When they got back to his office, the doctor explained everything that was involved with Jeff's injury and his recovery. "Covering the eyes is not essential, but in a case like this there are a few good reasons to consider it. First, he will have complete blindness for a short time and his sight will gradually recover as the swelling recedes. Without the bandages, he will constantly strain to try and see, which can cause severe migraines.""Second, I want him to completely rest with as little stress as possible. The injury to his chest will force him to be immobile, so he'll be here anyway. There's no reason for him to do anything but heal. Third, I'm concerned about the potential for depression. If he sees little or no progress day after day, his chances of slipping into a depressed state will be increased. My best guess would be, we're looking at about three weeks for significant progress, although we'll need to monitor him closely to have a better idea."Katy listened intently and considered everything he said. "I'll go with your recommendations. I know my brother, he isn't known for being patient. It would be best to force him to rest and give him no other options.""Good, then assuming we can treat this without surgery, we should know a lot more in a week or so. We'll keep a close watch on his progress and I'll let you know if there are any changes in his condition."When Katy left with the doctor, Paige took Jeff's hand. "Your sister will be back in just a minute." Her voice became thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry this has happened to you. It's all my fault."Jeff could hear her sobbing. Even though he felt overwhelmed at his situation, the thought of the beautiful young girl blaming herself for his condition was too much."Paige, please don't. If you start crying, then I'll start crying, then the nurse has to come change my bandages."He was rewarded with melodic laughter as she was caught between sniffling and laughing. He also picked up a noise from the far side of the room. It distracted him for a moment, but he decided his mind was playing tricks on him.Jeff started to feel a little uncomfortable. Here he was, sitting with a young woman he didn't know and had no idea what to say to her. "Can you tell me what happened after I passed out?"Paige took a second to gather herself. "While you were telling me the police were on the way, I started hearing the sirens. The guy who hurt you with the knife tried to run, but when he got to the end of the alley, the police cars pulled in front and hit their flood lights. He tried running past us toward the other end, but there was a fence he couldn't get over. You injured the other one's knee so badly, he never got off the ground. He gave up without a fight.""What about the third guy?" Jeff said, remembering the strike he used."The paramedics got there right after the police and did that thing where they cut open the throat so he could breathe; ""You mean a tracheotomy.""Yeah, that's it. They said you collapsed his airway. I guess it was pretty close." Noting Jeff's troubled frown, she added, "Everyone knew it wasn't your fault, you just did what you had to. You were already hurt so badly, I can't believe you were able to do that to him. I wanted to help, but I just couldn't make myself get up. I'm sorry.""Don't be sorry. There's nothing you could have done and if you had gotten hurt I would have felt like it was my fault for barging in there and starting the fight. I want you to know that when I saw what was happening, I called the cops and then thought about what I was going to do before trying to help. I don't want you to think I just ran in there like it was some cowboy movie.I knew it could be dangerous for you if I did the wrong thing, so I tried to come up with a smart way to handle it. When I saw them; " he paused because he didn't want to upset her, "getting more physical with you, I just couldn't wait any more. Are you all right?"Paige answered immediately, "I had a few cuts and bruises, but it wasn't a big deal. It scared me a lot, but my family's been here since it happened. I just fine; thanks to you."She paused for a moment, "Anyway, there was one cop who pulled you off of me. When he saw how badly you were bleeding, he didn't hesitate. He dropped down beside you and put pressure on the cut to stop the bleeding and keep you alive. He refused to move until the paramedics got to you and took over. He's stopped by several times, checking to see if you were going to be OK."She paused, not sure if she should tell him the rest. "You know, you're famous now." Paige paused to see his confused expression. "You've been in the papers, the radio and the TV. You're a hero."Jeff felt himself blush, "Well I don't feel like a hero, I feel like I got hit by a truck. I'm just glad you're OK; " Jeff trailed off as the drugs pushed him back into unconsciousness. Paige sat there holding his hand for several minutes. When she was sure he was out, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek."My hero," she said quietly. She looked over at the far end of the room, "Didn't I tell you he was perfect?"Jeff felt himself coming around again. He had drifted in and out of consciousness all day. The drugs were wearing off a little and he could feel his chest throbbing. He moaned and tried to move to alleviate the pain."Are you all right?" he heard Paige ask. "Do you want me to call the nurse?""I'm just a little sore, don't worry about it. What time is it?"

A domestic dispute turned deadly in Wolcott resulting in the deaths of three family members. We spoke with Police Chief Edward Stephens about the latest on the investigation and the many questions still unanswered. Image Credit: Getty Images

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast:  https://smartsocial.com/contactTo learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation:  https://smartsocial.com/coaching#registerJoin our next live event:  https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/appLearn the top 150 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/online-activitiesUltimate Guide To Child Sex Trafficking

In this episode, Bob Wolcott, a former professional golfer, sits down to discuss the intersection of faith and golf. He shares his journey from the professional golf circuit to a life centered on faith, reflecting on the lessons the game has taught him about perseverance, humility, and trust in God.   To learn more, visit www.fhu.edu/dearchurch That's https://www.fhu.edu/dearchurch   Visit https://crc.edu/home/lectureship/ for more information   “Like a Morning Cloud”... April 13th-16th on the beautiful campus of Crowley's Ridge College AND online at YouTube.com/@CRCPioneers.     Connect with Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearchurch_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564673680147 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DearChurch   Website: https://www.rippleoflight.org/ ROL Facebook: http://facebook.com/rippleoflight ROL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rippleoflight ROL YouTube: http://youtube.com/rippleoflight ROL Rumble: http://rumble.com/rippleoflight   Have a question? Email Chris at chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com.   #DearChurchPodcast #ChristianPodcast #MinistryLeadership #ChurchLife #BobWolcott #FaithAndGolf #GolfLife #SpiritualJourney #golf

Texas Rangers SS Sebastian Wolcott joins the Nation live from Texas Rangers Spring Training Clubhouse; GBAG of the DAY full 920 Wed, 26 Feb 2025 01:34:44 +0000 TcZ6Y8i2iLyPmBavwcSXrTWqISv8vCTk mlb,texas rangers,sports GBag Nation mlb,texas rangers,sports Texas Rangers SS Sebastian Wolcott joins the Nation live from Texas Rangers Spring Training Clubhouse; GBAG of the DAY The G-Bag Nation - Weekdays 10am-3pm 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports False

1st hour of the G-Bag Nation: Top Sports Stories at 2pm; Texas Rangers SS Sebastian Wolcott joins the Nation; GBAG of the DAY; Around the Rim full 2584 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 23:24:21 +0000 mpThBX6dzIUhflsVcDvEqbHaQ3iNTM6e sports GBag Nation sports 1st hour of the G-Bag Nation: Top Sports Stories at 2pm; Texas Rangers SS Sebastian Wolcott joins the Nation; GBAG of the DAY; Around the Rim The G-Bag Nation - Weekdays 10am-3pm 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports

On today's broadcast of HOPE Talks we are joined by Nate Riddle and Melissa Wolcott. Nate serves as the Executive Director of Valley Open Doors and Melissa serves as the Development Director for Valley Open Doors. They join us today to share about how Open Doors is ministering to the unhoused in our community. For more information on Valley Open Doors, you can visit their website https://www.valleyopendoors.org We pray that today's broadcast will be a half hour of hope for your life!We would love to hear your feedback on HOPE Talks! Below is the link to a short survey! https://forms.office.com/Pages/DesignPageV2.aspx?prevorigin=shell&origin=NeoPortalPage&subpage=design&id=rMtAr_aDl02Dki0XlUrGIhYk-WuZPbRHkFKyO4BJJKdURTIyS1JBNU1TSjRYQjA3VVo5RlNPT0dSWS4u

Last week's Reboot Chronicles episode helped people and companies determine where to invest—especially since President Trump announced approximately $1 trillion in AI and infrastructure investments in the U.S. On this episode we look ahead to where CEO's need to invest to better prepare for the challenging demands and technology opportunities they will face in the second half of this decade. Rob Wolcott, founder of Clareo, the Kellogg Innovation Network, and Twin Global is a thought leader, strategist, and C-suite advisor who has spent decades helping companies see beyond their immediate horizons. Watch or listen in as Rob takes us on a journey through the growth and innovation issues organizations are facing in our upside-down tech-enabled industries, which are pushing leaders to embrace a vision with proximity, adaptability…and even serendipity.

Episode 133.2: Karaoke Parties, New Olympic Events, Scent Kits, Wolcott Rickhouse Bourbon, Ear Pubes, Neuticles, and Vixen Distilled Wine

Are you prepared to embrace a future defined by proximity? Rob Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff say we are in the digital age which is fundamentally different from the industrial age. They join Kevin to discuss the concept of proximity equals zero (P=0) – the compression of value closer to moments of demand - and how this is changing the way we work and live. They share how proximity connects with work and how we eat and provide real-world examples from Domino's Pizza's tech-driven customer experience to controlled environment agriculture revolutionizing food production. Further, they provide advice to leaders on leveraging proximity to break down barriers, prioritize opportunities, and align technology with unmet needs. Listen For 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Remarkable Leadership Podcast Overview 01:06 Flexible Leadership Book Promo 01:43 Guest Introduction: Rob Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff 03:01 Origins of the Book "Proximity" 08:08 What is Proximity? 12:07 Proximity and How We Work 15:57 Future of Work and Proximity 19:16 Proximity and How We Eat 24:31 Controlled Environment Agriculture and Vertical Farming 26:00 Proximity and Leadership: Next Steps for Leaders 28:50 Investment Opportunities in Proximity 31:10 What Rob and Kaihan Do for Fun 32:51 Book Recommendations from Rob and Kaihan 34:03 Closing Remarks Their Story: Robert C. Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff are the authors of Proximity: How Creating Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life. Rob is the co-founder and chair of The World Innovation Network (TWIN Global). He is an adjunct professor of innovation at the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, and an adjunct professor of executive education at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. His books include Grow from Within: Mastering Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation (with Michael J. Lippitz, 2009). Wolcott is an active venture investor in nearly thirty companies, many of which are leading the Proximity revolution. Kaihan Krippendorff founded Outthinker Networks, a global think tank, and a professional speaker. His books include Driving Innovation from Within: A Guide for Internal Entrepreneurs (Columbia, 2019). A former McKinsey consultant, he is a strategic adviser to numerous leading corporations. Book Recommendations Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life by Robert C. Wolcott, Kaihan Krippendorff  The Founding of New England by James Truslow Adams Data Rules: Reinventing the Market Economy (Acting with Technology) by Cristina Alaimo, Jannis Kallinikos  For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be by Marcus Collins  Like this? How to Navigate the Future with Margaret Heffernan How the Future Works with Brian Elliott The Forces Reshaping the Workplace with Phil Simon Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group   Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes    Podcast Better! Sign up with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free! Use promo code: RLP  

Nicky Wolcott from the Washington Post on the Hayfield football controversy

What if true wealth isn't just about accumulating assets, but about living a life of choice and purpose? Dr. Felecia Froe and wealth strategist Dave Wolcott explore how alternative investment strategies can unlock freedom in all areas of life. Wolcott shares insights on building passive income and viewing wealth as a tool to achieve financial goals and deeper personal fulfillment. Ready to align your finances with the life you want? Listen in to discover a blueprint for holistic wealth that empowers you to live intentionally and freely. 00:00 - Redefining Wealth: A Journey Beyond Traditional Investing 5:05 - Discovering the Power of Passive Income 10:48 - The Holistic Wealth Strategy Explained  15:51 - Wealth Building for High-Impact Professions  21:16 - Diversifying with Non-Traditional Investments  27:36 - Taking the First Steps Towards Holistic Wealth   Connect with Dave! Website: http://www.pantheoninvest.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-wolcott-863306/   Be the Boss of Your Own Money and Own Your Future. Connect with us and Discover Investment Strategies Designed to make a Difference. Website: https://moneywithmission.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moneywithmission   Key Quotes: “At some point, adding another zero to your balance sheet doesn't change your life. True wealth is about freedom in all areas.” - Dave Wolcott   "Entrepreneurship is about asking questions—breaking out of conventional advice and exploring what's possible." - Dave Wolcott

Send us a textIn this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin welcomes Rob Wolcott, co-founder of TWIN Global and author, and Tom Bianculli, CTO of Zebra Technologies, for a discussion on the transformative concept of proximity as outlined in Wolcott's book, Proximity. This concept—envisioning an “anything, anywhere, anytime” world—is about bringing resources closer to the point of demand. With Zebra's innovations in visibility and data, the discussion dives into how proximity influences supply chain efficiencies, warehouse operations, and future possibilities in technology.Sign up for Warehouse Wisdom Wednesdays right here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

Discussions with the two candidates vying for secretary of state. Plus, health care premiums for Vermont schools will rise by double digits for a third straight year, Wolcott is getting its first-ever town sewer system, the Vermont National Guard releases an F-35 noise mitigation plan, some 500 extremely rare and valuable comic books owned by a late Vermont comic book store owner are set to go up for auction, and we preview game one of the World Series between the LA Dodgers and NY Yankees in our weekly sports report.

Send us a textIn this high-energy episode of The Conviction of a Leader, host Beau Vincent sits down with Jeremy Wolcott to unpack his incredible journey from the world of retail to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Jeremy opens up about the real challenges of launching and managing businesses, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the grit and resilience it takes to build something from the ground up.Throughout the conversation, Jeremy shares valuable leadership lessons, including how to handle stress, foster trust in business relationships, and, most importantly, hire for cultural fit over experience. He dives deep into how one wrong hire can shake the foundation of your company culture and why creating a fun, positive work environment is essential for long-term success.Jeremy's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is pure gold—he emphasizes the need for planning, being proactive, and embracing leadership with confidence. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable insights, personal stories, and the kind of wisdom that can only come from someone who's walked the walk.Tune in to hear Jeremy's unfiltered take on entrepreneurship, leadership, and why building a great company is about more than just profits—it's about creating a culture where people thrive!Find more on Beau and hiring Beau: http://www.theconvictionofaleader.com/Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@TheConvictionOfALeaderConnect on Social!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beau.vincent.7https://www.facebook.com/theconvictionofaleaderInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beaubvinny/https://www.instagram.com/theconvictionofaleader/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beau-vincent-a4912a61/Make $50,000 up to $100,000, with health benefits, matching 3% IRA, Paid Time Off all while working with my insurance agency from your home! Apply now! https://app.idealtraits.com/career/Vincent-Family-Agency/273152vieNEED A QUOTE? If you live in Ohio or Indiana, we can help! Give us a call 1-330-249-3977takeawaysJeremy transitioned from retail to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of passion in work.Handling stress is crucibeau@craigwigginscoaching.com

Discover how proximity is transforming the way businesses create value in real time! In this insightful episode, we sit down with Rob Wolcott, author of Proximity, to explore how digital technologies are moving us towards a future where products, services, and experiences are tailored to your exact needs—right when you need them.Rob shares fascinating stories from industries already benefiting from proximity and offers a vision for the future of leadership, business strategy, and innovation in this fast-evolving space. Get ready for a deep dive into the proximity revolution and how it's reshaping the way we work, live, and lead!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------JOIN THE MOVEMENT:GLLG Company Website: https://www.glennllopis.com/Age Of Personalization Website: https://ageofpersonalization.com/Contact Us: https://www.glennllopis.com/contact-us/Email Us: sandy@glennllopisgroup.comFOLLOW GLENN LLOPIS:LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3tnBmP9Instagram: https://bit.ly/3fcziRVFacebook: https://bit.ly/33sCg1KTwitter: https://bit.ly/3HVT14B

In this episode of FYI, Brett Winton, ARK's Chief Futurist, engages in a compelling conversation with Rob Wolcott, author of Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs Will Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life. They explore how digital technologies are pushing production and value creation closer to the moment of demand, reshaping industries from manufacturing to healthcare. Rob discusses the concept of proximity and its implications for business strategy, resilience, and customization, offering insights into the future of technology and its impact on our daily lives."In the future, all content will be produced in real time for an audience of one." - Rob WolcottKey Points From This Episode:Introduction to Rob Wolcott and his book, Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs Will Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life.The fundamental differences between digital and industrial-age technologies.How proximity can predict the future direction of industries.The impact of proximity on manufacturing, including the role of additive manufacturing.The role of AI in enhancing proximity by providing real-time, customized content.The implications of proximity for healthcare, particularly in early diagnosis and personalized treatments.Discussion on the economic and strategic benefits of reshoring and localized production.The potential societal effects of increased atomization through technology.The role of humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles in a proximate world.Predictions on how proximity will continue to evolve and influence various sectors.

Kelly sits down with Robert Wolcott, adjunct professor of innovation at the Booth School of Business and adjunct professor of executive education at the Kellogg School of Management and Kaihan Krippendorff CEO of Outthinker Networks to talk about their new book: “Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society and Daily Life.”  “People want […]

There is a “Proximity Revolution” sweeping through every industry. Have you considered what this means for your business? Simply put, we can move even closer to on-demand customer fulfillment in ways we could have only imagined before. This is *Proximity* and is a game changer for any forward-thinking leader. In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive, I explored this idea with Rob Wolcott, an esteemed expert in innovation strategy and co-founder of Twin Global. Rob founded the seeds of his groundbreaking concept, *Proximity*, during a tech conference in 2014. Frustrated by repetitive and superficial presentations, he pondered a profound question: what fundamentally distinguishes the digital era from the industrial age? Driven by this curiosity, Wolcott embarked on a quest to explore the deeper implications of digital transformation. Ready to learn what it takes to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology? Then don't miss this enlightening interview! 

     The Proximity Revolution: Transforming Industries and Daily Life   In this episode, we delve into the proximity revolution with authors Rob C. Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff. The discussion centers on how digital technologies are expediting the production and delivery of customized products, services, and experiences, vastly transforming industries from agriculture to healthcare. The concept of 'proximity' shows promise in improving sustainability, optimizing supply chains, and enhancing customer personalization through innovations like vertical farming and on-demand 3D printing.    The conversation also explores the strategic implications of this shift for businesses, highlighting the importance of visionary thinking and practical applications. Tune in to discover how proximity is poised to reshape our world and what leaders can do to navigate these changes effectively.   00:00 Introduction to the Proximity Revolution 01:02 Meet the Authors: Rob C. Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff 02:25 Defining Proximity: Anything, Anywhere, Anytime 03:28 Real-World Examples: Coca Cola Freestyle and Vertical Farms 06:09 Proximity in Agriculture: From Dubai to Your Dinner Table 09:52 The Role of Technology in Proximity 11:15 Proximity in Food Supply Chains: Efficiency and Sustainability 12:50 Innovative Solutions: Haier's Peking Duck Challenge 16:34 Moment of Use and Controlled Environment Agriculture 22:54 Case Study: Interstellar Lab and Growing Food on Mars 26:38 Why Proximity? The Drivers Behind the Trend 27:00 The Shift in Global Conditions and Technology 28:04 The Rise of Small Footprint Production 28:42 Digital Proximity and Generative AI 29:28 Geopolitical and Climate Drivers 30:16 The Digital Customer and Predictive Analytics 30:53 Domino's Pizza: A Case Study in Proximity 33:26 Healthcare Revolution: Medicines on Demand 34:52 On Demand Pharmaceuticals: A Game Changer 37:37 Future of Healthcare: Predictive Monitoring 42:53 Proximity Strategies for Businesses 49:01 Investing in Proximity Innovations 51:09 Conclusion and Where to Find More 52:09 Bonus Episode on Proximity in Action with Dr Ian McCabe  

Rob Sampson is here to promote the need to fix the state's election laws so questionable election practices, like those that lead to bad results in Bridgeport, can be curbed. Rob is the state senator from Wolcott. Then we welcome broadcaster Jim Watkins for his weekly visit and a discussion on Justin Timberlake and other big news stories.

My guest today is Rob Wolcott, Co-Founder & Chairman of TWIN Global. Rob is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Booth, and an Adjunct Professor in Executive Education at the Kellogg School of Management. He serves on the advisory board for the Open Innovation Lab of Norway; H-Farm, the leading digital innovation ecosystem in Italy. Wolcott is also a managing partner with Clareo, an innovation strategy consultancy serving senior executives at global corporations such as Exelon, BHP, Griffith Foods, Zurich Insurance, Owens Corning and others. The topic is his co-authored book Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life. In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss: Entrepreneurship vs traditional jobs Optionality and portfolio careers Digital technologies and proximity concept Innovation in supply chains Technological advancements Concentration of power in large platforms Role of dystopias and human behavior Preventive healthcare and technology Cultured meat and sustainability Jump in! --- I'm MICHAEL COVEL, the host of TREND FOLLOWING RADIO, and I'm proud to have delivered 10+ million podcast listens since 2012. Investments, economics, psychology, politics, decision-making, human behavior, entrepreneurship and trend following are all passionately explored and debated on my show. To start? I'd like to give you a great piece of advice you can use in your life and trading journey… cut your losses! You will find much more about that philosophy here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/trend/ You can watch a free video here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/video/ Can't get enough of this episode? You can choose from my thousand plus episodes here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/podcast My social media platforms: Twitter: @covel Facebook: @trendfollowing LinkedIn: @covel Instagram: @mikecovel Hope you enjoy my never-ending podcast conversation!

In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Robert Wolcott, a renowned expert on innovation and the co-author of Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life.  In the conversation, Rob Wolcott shares his groundbreaking insights on how digital technologies are revolutionizing industries and reshaping the future of work, healthcare, and beyond.Through engaging anecdotes and thought-provoking examples, Wolcott illustrates how the concept of "proximity" is driving a shift towards a more decentralized and responsive economy, where capabilities can be compressed into smaller packages and distributed closer to the moment and place of need. He explores the implications of this shift for leaders and organizations, offering practical advice on how to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by this new era of rapid change and uncertainty.Wolcott also goes into the role of leadership in fostering innovation and adaptability, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions, crafting exploratory challenges, and empowering teams to find solutions. He shares invaluable insights on how leaders can cultivate a culture of continuous learning and iteration, embracing an agile approach to strategy and decision-making.Actionable Takeaways:- Discover how the concept of "proximity" is transforming industries and unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.- You'll learn the key skills and mindsets leaders need to navigate an increasingly volatile and uncertain business landscape.- Hear how to craft exploratory challenges that empower your teams to find innovative solutions and drive breakthrough results.- Gain insights into the future of healthcare and how AI is shifting the focus from curing to preventing disease.- Explore the potential of space and virtual reality as the two horizons of the 21st century and what they mean for your business.- Learn how to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and iteration, embracing an agile approach to strategy and decision-making.- Discover practical advice on how to keep up with rapid advancements and stay ahead of the curve in an age of exponential change.Connect with Robert WolcottProximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life Robert Wolcott LinkedIn Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

"I have a thing that I call ‘Cat Story Time' and I sit down with the cats and I tell them my version of the events, and tell them sort of what I know." This episode features Chaz Wolcott who played the magical Mr. Mistoffelees on the US National Tour 5 of CATS and has been the director and choreographer for multiple regional productions of the show. Hear Chaz share how he booked the show multiple times with perfect timing, his experience on tour, and how he tells the story when he's directing a regional production. Plus, Chaz and Mike go deep into ideas for how to reinvent a regional production. Check out Chaz on Social Media: @dancinchaz Check out Chaz's website: www.chazwolcott.com Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a Text Message.Rolling In The Netherdeep Ep 79Lair of the Dragon Part 2After following Wolcott into a cave, the Favoured Few are confronted by a mythical bull like guardian.Watch us live on Wednesdays 4:30 Eastern/1:30 Pacific on Twitch!Severed Sons proudly supports Tabletop News , your official stop for all things Tabletop! Thanks to Critical Role for helping us build worlds of adventure!Ron Murphy – DM, @ron88keysRBDMLaphus Prismawing - Jaiden Ramirez, @foxtrotfalloutOrgoth Skullcrusher - Bill Roper, @billroperNorth Star Maedrick - Jaime R. Bishop, @steelcladvicarFollow us on Twitter at @SeveredSonsDnD or on Instagram!Join our Discord! Join our Patreon!Now, you can support us through the Buzzsprout website too!Give us a review on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, Spotify,  GoodPods or on our Twitter page and we'll read it on the air.  Keep on rolling! Support the Show.

Rolling In The Netherdeep Ep 78Lair of the DragonAfter being exiled from the city, Wolcott the Red has disappeared and the Favoured Few must discover what is evil scheme could be!Watch us live on Wednesdays 4:30 Eastern/1:30 Pacific on Twitch!Severed Sons proudly supports Tabletop News , your official stop for all things Tabletop! Thanks to Critical Role for helping us build worlds of adventure!Ron Murphy – DM, @ron88keysRBDMLaphus Prismawing - Jaiden Ramirez, @foxtrotfalloutOrgoth Skullcrusher - Bill Roper, @billroperNorth Star Maedrick - Jaime R. Bishop, @steelcladvicarFollow us on Twitter at @SeveredSonsDnD or on Instagram!Join our Discord! Join our Patreon!Now, you can support us through the Buzzsprout website too!Give us a review on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, Spotify,  GoodPods or on our Twitter page and we'll read it on the air.  Keep on rolling! Support the Show.

Every religion holds to essential doctrines that make them distinct and identifiable from every other belief system. Christianity is no different. David Wolcott and I examine Progressive Christianity and their denial of the essential doctrines of the faith. Does this mean those who say they're progressive Christians are not Christian? We also talk about why many Christians today identify with moralistic therapeutic deism as their worldview, and their dependence on emotionalism.    Contact David at www.thedavidwolcott.com   Find Shanda www.shandafulbright.com Instagram and Facebook: @shandafulbright Email: hello@shandafulbright.com Resources: www.shandafulbright.com/links YouTube: @shandafulbright Baseline Apologetics: shandafulbright.com/shop

Join us on the latest episode of Passive Investing from Left Field, featuring special guest Dave Wolcott.This eye-opening episode takes you beyond the usual 401(k) as Dave reveals his journey from the Marine Corps to mastering real estate investing. Get ready to rethink financial freedom as you learn about the importance of mindset, relationships, and repositioning assets for maximum growth.Whether you're keen to diversify your investments or interested in the mechanics of infinite banking, tune in and transform your financial narrative.  About Dave Wolcott  Dave Wolcott started his career serving the country as a Captain in the Marine Corps. In 2000 he and his wife won the baby lottery having triplets which inspired him to challenge the traditional financial planning advice of Wall Street. He then started an obsessive journey to understand how the top one percent were building their wealth.A serial entrepreneur at heart, Dave spent the next 20 years building several businesses, investing in alternative assets and creating The Pantheon Holistic Wealth Strategy: the playbook to becoming ultra-wealthy and having not only freedom of money, but freedom of purpose, time and relationship.Today, Dave is the Founder and CEO of Pantheon Investments and is more passionate than ever about helping entrepreneurs build wealth by passively investing in superior real estate and alternative assets that provide predictable cash flow, tax efficiency, and upside potential as a reliable alternative to the volatility of the stock market. Dave is the author of “The Holistic Wealth Strategy”, A Framework for Building Real Wealth and Living an Extraordinary Life and is also the host of the top rated “Wealth Strategy Secrets of the Ultra-Wealthy” podcast.   Here are some power takeaways from today's conversation:02:23 His real estate journey06:23 Achieving money, purpose, time, and relationship09:28 Relationship freedom11:43 The holistic wealth strategy14:05 Asset repositioning16:57 What do I do now21:12 Phase 2 of his wealth strategy23:44 Phase 3 of the wealth strategy26:39 Liquidity29:00 Velocity33:05 Building a massive passive income37:00 Merchant cash advances39:38 Podcast recommendations40:32 Contact Dave40:43 Thank you for watching This show is for entertainment purposes only. Nothing said on the show should be considered financial advice. Before making any decisions, consult a professional. This show is copyrighted by Passive Investing from Left Field and Left Field Investors. Written permissions must be granted before syndication or rebroadcasting.       Contact the guest:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-wolcott-863306/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/pantheoninvest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PantheonInvest Podcast Recommendations:Ben Greenfield Fitness: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/The Walker Webcast - https://www.walkerdunlop.com/webcasts/Advertising Partners:Left Field Investors - BEC - https://www.leftfieldinvestors.com/bec/Tribevest - https://www.tribevest.com/Rise48 - https://rise48.com/Vyzer - https://vyzer.co/

When faced with a challenging situation, what would you do if failure was not an option? It takes courage to take major leaps in life, but not taking action can lead to failure. In this episode, Dave Wolcott shares how he pivoted when he woke up in an unexpected scenario, going from having one child to having four children overnight. Discover how he quickly decided to change his financial situation to support his growing family. If you need inspiration to pursue your financial goals, this episode with Russ, Joey, and Dave is a must-listen. Top three things you will learn: Holistic Wealth Strategy from DaveHow to break free from the Wall Street mindsetHow to take positive action when faced with a difficult situationAbout Our Guest:Dave Wolcott is a serial entrepreneur, former Marine Captain, and the author of Holistic Wealth Strategy: A Framework for Building Legacy Wealth and Unlimited Freedom to Live an Extraordinary Life. He is the host of “Wealth Strategy Secrets of The Ultra-Wealthy.” Dave is also an active and passive investor in over 3,200 doors, 400 self-storage units, 160 oil wells, and Merchant Cash Advance assets with a combined value of over $2.5 billion across the US.Connect with Dave Wolcott:Website - https://holisticwealthstrategy.comJoin the Inner Circle LIVE: https://go.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/inner-circle-livePromo Code: PODCASTFree Financial Strategy Call: https://www.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/freecallApply to Join the Passive Income Mastermind:https://www.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/wwws-passive-income-mastermindJoin the Community:https://www.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/communityTurn Active Income Into Passive Income:https://go.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/pios Take the Financial Freedom Analyzer:https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/quizDiscover Your Path to Financial Freedom: https://www.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/passportKnow Your Investor DNA:https://go.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/investordnaInvest with The Land Geek:https://www.thelandgeek.com/Invest with Your Friends and Family: