Podcasts about Wood

In this special Christmas Day edition, Mike gives the gift of Roy Wood Jr., a comedian who embodies the "profundities in punchlines" ethos. Wood joins to discuss his CNN show Have I Got News for You, his upbringing as the son of a pioneering radio journalist, and the central thesis of his comedy: that in a fractured world, people prioritize dopamine over truth. They debate whether political comedy has devolved into mere applause lines, why comedians are the new op-ed writers, and the delicate art of crafting a joke about police reform that actually lands with everyone. Plus, Mike explains why you need a "Christmas Eve" song if you want your novelty hit to last. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠ad-sales@libsyn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠GIST INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Gist List at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pesca⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode was brought to you by DraftKings. Join Eric Wood on the Centered on Buffalo podcast as he welcomes back fan-favorite Joe Marino, host of the popular Locked on Bills podcast and one of the sharpest analysts in Bills Mafia. In this packed episode, the guys break down the Bills' gritty win over the Browns, including Dion Dawkins' impressive battle with Myles Garrett, the ongoing wide receiver rotation, James Cook's explosive running, and concerns about the run defense heading into the playoffs. They also preview the massive upcoming matchup against the Eagles, discuss Pro Bowl snubs, MVP candidates, and share favorite memories from Highmark Stadium as the era comes to a close. Perfect for any Bills fan gearing up for the postseason—don't miss this insightful and entertaining conversation!Brought to you by DraftKingsThe Centered on Buffalo Podcast is sponsored by:Waterboy Recover properly with @waterboy www.waterboy.com Dan-O's Seasoning Follow Dan-O's Seasoning on Social @danosseasoning  https://danosseasoning.com/product/eric-woods-bundle/  15% off code: ewoodNugsax Reusable Icenugsax.com10% Off CODE: buffalo

We're hot on the case of the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers 2025's best medal recipients (that we have access to), and we'll solve the mystery of whether or not the gold medal winner in this bunch will actually top our rankings. For this year's roundup of decorated beers, we run the Specialty/Experimental category and throw in a bonus beefy adjunct stout for fun. But also, we're wondering what we can learn from the Lyric Opera Detectives to become Dicks at FoBAB; we run through all sorts of FoBAB By-The-Numbers breakdowns from this year' results; we recap some Fantasy FoBAB results; and we're angling hard for our chance to judge certain FoBAB categories next year.  Beers Reviewed Lakefront Brewery - Brandy Barrel-Aged Pumpkin Imperial Ale [Bronze in Specialty/Expermental] Cruz Blanca Brewery - La Dama Catrina (Barleywine aged in bourbon barrels w/ Mexican cocoa, ancho chiles, Mexican vanilla, and canela) [Silver in Specialty/Experimenta] Black Horizon Brewing - From Earth to You (Gin barrel-aged Mexican lager w/ hibiscus, rosehips, and orange peel) [Gold in Specialty/Experimental] Old Irving Brewing - Barrel-Aged Champurrado Coffee Krampus (Bourbon barrel-aged Imperial stout w/ vanilla, cocoa nibs, Saigon cinnamon, Hexe coffee, and chilis) [Bronze in Specialty Strong Porter/Stout]  

Jubilant Pine & Patchouli by Molton Brown (2021) + The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950) Prince Caspian (1951) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)  The Silver Chair (1953) The Horse and His Boy (1954) The Magician's Nephew (1955) The Last Battle (1956) with Bradley Frederick Hildebrandt 12/21/25 S7E91 To hear the complete continuing story of The Perfume Nationalist gplease subscribe on Patreon. 

Three bangs. Wood splintering. A three-year-old whispering, “Dad, someone's at the door.” That's the moment everything changes for Alex, a detention officer who thought he understood danger until it crossed his threshold at 10:15 a.m. Two recently released inmates, a pregnant wife, a boxed duty pistol just out of reach, and a living room turned battlefield. What follows is a raw, step-by-step account of survival, the click of a misfire, and the long tail of fear that lingers in a child's bedtime questions.To watch this episode, click here: https://youtu.be/npcojaSZ4GwWe pull back the curtain on the world Alex knows best: county jails. He explains why jails can feel more combustible than prisons, how gangs recruit with small favors, and why protective custody isn't just for “chomos” but for dropouts, snitches, and high-profile cases. You'll hear how COVID quarantines frayed minds in days, how respect beats bravado on the tiers, and how a soup can turn into a debt you pay with your fists. We get specific about contraband pipelines—from legal paperwork and compromised staff to “amenities” turned weapons—and the strange calculus of taxpayer-funded tablets that doubled as clubs and shanks.This is a story about systems and choices—the design of custody, the incentives that drive behavior inside, and the vigilance required outside. If you care about criminal justice, officer safety, home defense, or how small policy decisions ripple into the real world, you'll find hard truths and practical takeaways here. Listen, share with someone who needs a wake-up call, and leave a review to tell us what part hit hardest.Send us a textSupport the showFollow Wild Chaos on Social Media: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-chaos-podcast/id1732761860Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KFGZ6uABb1sQlfkE2TIoc?si=8ff748aa4fc64331 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchaospodcastBam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambam0069Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildchaospodTikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thewildchaospodcastMeta (Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheWildChaosPodcast For business inquiries, email us at: info@thewildchaos.com

Brian Ebbert, Chris Micheli and Alex Vassar may not be household names to the average Californian, but in the Capitol Community, they are approaching celebrity status for their deep knowledge of legislative history and state government procedure. Putting that knowledge to good use, the trio has just published The California Capitol Cocktail Trivia Book, a lively and engaging collection of little-known facts, anecdotes, and curiosities drawn from the rich history of California's state government. They joined us to talk about the project and shared stories from the book.We're also joined by Luke Wood, President of California State University, Sacramento. Wood has seen notable successes during his tenure - notably increased enrollment and the school's highest-ever graduation rate. His leadership is not without controversy - he has received significant criticism for his plan to implement a rule that Starting in 2026, Sac State freshmen must live two years on campus.Plus, who had the Worst Week in California politics?:50 Capitol ink3:47 Planned Parenthood cuts4:45 Santa's take on California politics7:48 Capitol trivia10:41 POLITICO trivia night12:28 Detour to a topless bar13:55 The capitol's speakeasy16:18 Scandals18:11 How to buy the book19:51 Luke Wood20:58 What is the feeling of the student body right now?24:38 Live on campus rule28:42 Impact of Nancy Skinner's NIL bill35:29 Downtown Capitol Center39:09 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donationhere: capitolweekly.net/donations/Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The morning of January 22, 1879, dawned with a deceptive, stillness across Zululand masking the fact that over 45,000 men were in motion across a 200 kilometer front, each group operating in a vacuum of information that would, by sunset, shatter the British Victorian ego. At the coast, Colonel Charles Pearson's Column No. 1 represented the textbook invasion. His force was a heavy, industrial machine led by the 3rd Foot regiment, the Buffs, along with the 99th Regiment, and the Naval Brigade dragging their heavy Gatling guns and artillery. By 5:00 AM, the 5000 strong column was already a dusty serpent stretching more than 8 kilometers back toward the Tugela River. Pearson's scouts were a mix of the Natal Native Contingent and European volunteers who pushed through the tall grass toward the Nyezane River. They were being observed on Wombane mountain by the uDududu, iMbube, and isigQu regiments - 6,000 warriors under the command of Godide kaNdlela. Wombande mountain lay on the wagon trail between Gingingdlovu on the coastal flats, and Eshowe where Pearson was hoping to setup a main base at the abandoned Norwegian mission station before pushing on to ONdini and Cetshwayo's HQ. The Zulu plan was traditional, await in complete stillness on the high-ground then sweep in for a surprise ambush. Pearson's advance guard crossed the Nyezane River and crossed over at 7.30am. Thick bush grew all around, the cavalry was reconnoitering and saw nothing. Vedettes, or mounted guards, were placed to keep an eye out for the Zulu army. Pearson's main party reached the knoll selected for the first stop at around 8am, and the men began to outspan their oxen for a late breakfast. As the laager was being formed up, a party of the Natal Native Contingent who scouted ahead attracted fire from Zulu snipers. The latest Zulu tactic which would also be repeated at Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, and as Evelyn Wood would report later from Hlobane mountain - a combination of heavy fire from high ground in support of a surging attack by warriors on foot. The road was a now completely commanded by Godide, along with the all important high ground and as his snipers fired non-stop, the Zulu horns swept towards the exposed British column. Naval officer Midshipman Lewis Coker had the honor of commanding the first Gatling gun to be used in combat by British troops. Pearson recognized the value of this machine gun and he ordered Coker to take up a position opposite the advancing Zulu. Coker fired off 300 rounds, and the Zulu attack shuddered and halted — then the sound of the rockets fiendishly shrieking led to a general withdrawal. Hart continued advancing on the retreating Zulu when one of the older warriors, his oiled head ring glistening in the morning sun, stopped and turned, fell to one knee in a classic rifleman's position, took careful aim and fired — but missed. Then he bolted away. Hart noted the conventional approach this older warrior had taken. He'd been trained in the finer arts of fire and movement. 200 kilometers to the north of Pearson near the modern town of Vryheid, Colonel Evelyn Wood who led the left column of the British triple column invasion, was preparing for his morning assault atop the Zungwini Mountain. Wood was by far the most experienced and therefore pragmatic of the British commanders. He had the good fortune of commanding "Flying Column," the vast majority of his men were mounted. The force was centered on the 13th and 90th Light Infantry and the formidable Frontier Light Horse under Redvers Buller. It was in the centre of the three pronged British attack where the day of skop, skiet and donner would change history. This was at the foot of the Sphinx-like crag of Isandlwana where Chelmsford's Second Column hunkered down.

Multimedia artist, candle-maker, dancer, and sorceress Sarah Jezebel Wood joins the pod for a special solstice episode on the yuletide season. Sarah beautifully outlines some of the key motifs of the death and rebirth of the sun's light and the spirits, oaths, and magical practices that accompany it. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of Finnish folklore, she introduces us to the mischievous world of the tonttu and nisse, as well as even more varied forms of ancestral spirits of house, home, hearth, and sauna, and opens the floor to a rich cross-cultural discussion of land pacts, ambient dead, and negotiations within multivalent spiritual communities. See more of Sarah's work here:https://linktr.ee/sarahjezebelhttps://sarahjezebelwood.com/https://loviartes.com/https://www.instagram.com/sarahjezebelhttps://www.instagram.com/loviartesSupport us on patreon.com/TheFrightfulHowls .

Grant reacts to TNF and gives his final Packers / Bears thoughts. Ryan Wood joins thanks to La Crosse Bierhaus, and callers spar over the efficacy of the current CFP format. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

United's unbeaten run ends on nine games as in-form Woking leave Brunton Park with all three points in a disappointing performance - but it's progress in the FA Trophy as seventh-tier Harborough Town are seen-off in the third round with a 2-1 win.Can United bounce back in the National League against fellow promotion hopefuls Boreham Wood this weekend? We look back on the previous two games before previewing the trip to Hertfordshire on Sunday.Lots discussed in this episode, including:♦️ Woking (H) Review

BIN Weekly Recap with Bri Wood + Morgyn WoodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

====================================================SUSCRIBETEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNpffyr-7_zP1x1lS89ByaQ?sub_confirmation=1====================================================DEVOCIÓN   MATUTINA PARA ADULTOS 2025“CON JESÚS HOY”Narrado por: Exyomara AvilaDesde: Bogotá, ColombiaUna cortesía de DR'Ministries y Canaan Seventh-Day Adventist Church ===================|| www.drministries.org ||===================20 de DiciembreCaro Silencio«Y será predicado este evangelio del reino en todo el mundo, para testimonio a todas las naciones, entonces vendrá el fin» (Mat. 24: 14).Y si estos callan, las piedras gritarán» (Luc. 19: 40, RVA-2015).En 1952 el compositor John Cage escribió una obra musical a la que dio por título 4'33". Este título insólito corresponde, simplemente, a la duración de la pieza, es decir, 4 minutos y 33 segundos. Lo especial de esta composición es que sus tres movimientos no contienen ninguna nota, aparte de la anotación «Tácet»: silencio.El estreno de 4'33" tuvo lugar el 29 de agosto del año 1952 en Wood stock (Nueva York), y constituyó un sonado escándalo. En efecto: el joven pianista David Tudor entró en escena, saludó al público, se instaló ante el piano de cola, lo abrió, esperó los 4 minutos y 33 segundos y lo volvió a cerrar, marcando así el fin de la actuación. Entretanto, nada. Silencio. Un silencio solo interrumpido por las toses nerviosas de los espectadores... hasta que se dieron cuenta de que no había nada más que esperar y abandonaron la sala protestando, frustrados y enfurecidos.Lo más chocante es que, gracias a esa «creación», John Cage se hizo mundialmente famoso, fue solicitado para interpretarla en numerosas ocasiones y hasta para grabarla en discos y CD ¡con diferentes instrumentos!!¿Locura? ¿Extravagancia? ¿Genialidad? ¿Burla? Ha habido reacciones para todos los gustos. No es mi intención aquí ni juzgar al artista ni a sus fans, ni discutir sobre las numerosas virtudes del silencio. Mis reflexiones van en otra dirección: hay silencios que pueden ser bienhechores, muy valiosos y hasta caros, pero hay otros muy poco recomendables, porque no aportan nada bueno.Jesús instó a sus discípulos a compartir el mensaje que él había proclamado a costa de su propia vida: el evangelio no debe ser callado bajo ningún pretexto. Tiene que ser proclamado a todo mundo para que llegue a toda la humanidad y cumpla su misión, antes de que sea demasiado tarde.El apóstol Pablo siente tan a pecho esa responsabilidad, que exclama: «¡Ay de mí, si no anuncio el evangelio!» (1 Cor. 9: 16). Y exhorta al joven Timoteo en estos términos: «Te suplico encarecidamente [...] que prediques la palabra y que instes a tiempo y fuera de tiempo. Redarguye, reprende, exhorta con toda paciencia y doctrina [...]. Cumple tu ministerio» (2 Tim. 4: 1-5).Cuando la historia parece avanzar a ciegas por derroteros inciertos, no es tiempo de silenciar que Jesús ha prometido volver. Sería un silencio demasiado caro. El mundo necesita más que nunca un mensaje de cordura, de solidaridad y de esperanza.Inspírame, Señor, para que sepa romper el silencio cuando convenga. 

It's the Rowan birthday extravaganza! He and Davis take some time to reflect on their year, including his favorite first watches.Follow Davis:Letterboxd: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/davis_rtb/Follow Rowan:Letterboxd: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/Rowan_a_Boat/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/bitsofjoel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Knock on Wood: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠knockonwoodfilm.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on TikTok!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cover art by Claire Mitchell.

Tune in to #OfficeHours every Friday at 10:20am for A Pinch Of Salt with Chef Peter Goffe-Wood!

Much of what we talk about on Better Brain Fitness resolves around the demand-driven decline model we published. Well...a new study just published in Nature Communications gave that model the best test to date, and the results are pretty darn exciting. So of course we had to do an episode about it! The study looks at the relationship between brain aging and creative activities like music, dance, art, and video gaming. Tommy walks through the study and explains why this matters for anyone thinking about their long-term cognitive health. What You'll Learn: A more sensitive way to measure brain aging than structural scans The connection between music, dance, art, and video gaming on brain aging The effect of 30 hours of video gaming on brain aging, the kinds of video games that have the greatest impact (and why traditional "brain games" haven't been as successful) What this research tells us about whether cognitive decline is reversible The dose-response relationship between complex activities and brain health   To submit a question for us to answer on the podcast, go to brainjo.academy/question. To subscribe to the free Better Brain Fitness newsletter, join us when we record live, and get our Guide and Checklist to essential blood tests and nutrients, go to: betterbrain.fitness. Click here to pre-order Dr. Wood's book, "The Stimulated Mind." Click here to grab Dr. Turknett's bestselling book, "Anyone Can Play Music" Intro and Outro music composed and produced by Julienne Ellen.   

Welcome back to the Buffalo Happy Hour Whiskey Advent Calendar! Today's pour takes us to Finland with Kyro Wood Smoke Rye Whiskey, a bold and unconventional rye that brings Nordic influence into the whiskey world. Kyro is known for pushing boundaries, and this wood-smoked rye stands out immediately among global rye whiskey offerings.In this review, we break down Kyro Wood Smoke using our full rating system: nose, initial taste, ending notes, collection worthiness, and final score. We discuss how wood smoking impacts rye whiskey, how Kyro compares to American rye styles, and why international rye whiskies are gaining serious attention among enthusiasts and collectors.If you're searching for Kyro Whiskey review, wood smoked whiskey, rye whiskey education, or world whiskey discoveries, this episode delivers. As part of our Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar, we're posting a new whiskey review every day until Christmas — covering bourbon, rye, Scotch, and world whisky.

When the boss grows a beard and gets a fun new hobby, it's going to be a good time for your hosts as we review "Explorers"! After a brief visit to Bajor, Ben comes up with a very suspect new construction project while bonding with Jake, Bashir has a wierd subplot but at least he gets drunk with Miles, and Gul Dukat begins his Friendship Arc. 

Wood modification technology is changing the game for woodworkers, builders, and manufacturers who need materials that are more stable, durable, and environmentally friendly than traditional lumber. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger interviews Robert Lennon from ThermalWood Canada to explore the innovative world of thermal modification. Robert shares his unique journey from spending 33 years in the mining industry to becoming a leader in the wood business, focusing on a process that transforms wood at a molecular level to enhance its properties and performance. You'll hear how thermal modification makes wood more stable, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally sustainable, while also improving its resistance to moisture, decay, and dimensional changes. Robert explains the diverse applications of thermally modified wood, from guitar necks and musical instruments to outdoor furniture and architectural projects, and discusses the expanding market opportunities for this technology. This conversation dives into customer engagement strategies, the importance of education in helping clients understand the value of thermally modified wood, and why establishing industry standards is crucial for continued growth. Robert also addresses the pricing considerations (thermal modification can double the price of wood), the environmental benefits including carbon storage, and what the future holds for this sustainable wood technology. Whether you're a woodworker looking for more stable materials, interested in sustainable wood products and environmental benefits, or curious about emerging technologies in the wood industry, this episode offers valuable insights into how thermal modification is revolutionizing what's possible with wood. Tune in to discover how this innovative process is creating new opportunities for the wood industry and opening up markets that were previously difficult to serve, and don't forget to follow the Woodpreneur Podcast for more conversations about innovation and sustainability in woodworking. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to ThermalWood Canada 02:45 The Process of Thermal Modification 05:42 Applications and Benefits of Thermally Modified Wood 08:42 Market Opportunities and Challenges 11:44 Customer Engagement and Marketing Strategies 14:50 The Future of Thermal Modification and Standards 17:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodpreneurnetwork/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Robert at:  https://thermalwoodcanada.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tmwoodcanada/ https://www.facebook.com/ThermalWoodCanada https://www.linkedin.com/company/thermalwoodcanada/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCevIorvyoyi91SFyPb5XCrw

Possibly the longest shownotes in history thanks to Gemini 3 Pro. Bless the swamp from which this AI slop emerged and enjoy the episode. Or just read this, I suppose. The title sucks terribly. Do better, Gemmo! Show Notes with Time‑Shifted Timestamps(All timestamps below have been shifted forward by 25 seconds to allow for theme music, as requested.)00:00 – Welcome, Cricket and the Pink Ball at the Gabba00:00:25 – Jack the Insider (Joel Hill) opens episode 137 of The Two Jacks and notes they're recording just after midday on 4 December.00:00:36 – Quick chat about the looming day–night Test at the Gabba and the prospect it could finish very quickly.00:00:44 – Hong Kong Jack explains why dusk session timings in Hong Kong line up perfectly with “Asahi o'clock”.00:01:07 – The Jacks wonder which pink ball is in use – Duke or Kookaburra – and what that means for Mitchell Starc and the batters.00:01:30 – They flag that full cricket chat will come later in the episode.Tai Po Fire, Mourning and Accountability in Hong Kong00:01:53 – Jack the Insider pivots from sport to tragedy: an update on the Tai Po (Typo) fire in Hong Kong, now with 159 dead, from ages 1 to 97.00:02:07 – Hong Kong Jack describes the government‑ordered three‑day citywide mourning period, mass flower layings, official ceremonies and a three‑minute silence.00:02:35 – Discussion of schools cancelling Christmas parties and staff functions in solidarity; a sense the tragedy is being taken seriously across society.00:02:55 – Hong Kong Jack outlines the judge‑led inquiry: not only into the Tai Po fire's causes, but also systemic issues in building management and renovation contracts on large estates, with hints of corruption.00:03:30 – Evidence emerging that the green construction cloth lacked proper fire retardant and that flammable materials were used to seal lift wells, helping the fire move inside.00:04:23 – Bodies, including one man, found in stairwells and lobbies; Hong Kong Jack cautions against jumping to conclusions before investigators reconstruct the fire.00:04:53 – Arrest tally climbs to around 12, mostly consultants/contractors involved in management and renovations rather than labourers.00:05:35 – Hong Kong Jack notes large numbers of displaced residents in hotels and temporary accommodation and outlines generous government payments to families of foreign domestic workers killed (about HKD 800,000 per family).00:06:05 – A harrowing vignette: a Javanese truck driver receives a final phone call from his wife, trapped with her employers' baby, seeking forgiveness because there is no escape.00:06:35 – The Jacks reflect on the horror of the story and promise to revisit the inquiry as more facts emerge.Australia's Under‑16 Social Media Restrictions & VPNs00:06:50 – Jack the Insider turns to domestic Australian politics: the under‑16 social media restrictions about to kick in.00:07:05 – He notes overwhelming parental support (around 80%) but says the government is now “hosing down expectations” and reframing the policy as a long‑term “cultural change” effort.00:07:30 – Platforms not yet on the restricted list – Roblox and Discord – are flagged as problematic globally for child sexual exploitation, illustrating rollout gaps.00:08:05 – They discuss technical enforcement: existing account age data, length of time on a platform and the likelihood that some adults will be wrongly flagged but quickly reinstated.00:08:35 – Jack the Insider explains the government's theory of cultural change: a generation that grows up never having had TikTok or Instagram under 16 “won't know what they're missing”.00:09:00 – Hong Kong Jack compares Australia to mainland China's efforts to control the internet and points out China still can't stamp out VPN usage, predicting similar Australian difficulties.00:09:25 – Jack the Insider clarifies that VPNs are not illegal in Australia; about 27% of connected Australians already use one, probably now closer to a third.00:09:55 – He strongly recommends everyone use a VPN for privacy and location masking, and warns that good VPNs now explicitly advise not to choose Australia as an exit node because of the new regime.00:11:00 – They note that Malaysia and several European countries (Denmark, Spain, France and EU initiatives) are eyeing similar under‑age social media restrictions, with large fines (Australia's up to about AUD 50 million or 1% of turnover).00:12:20 – Meta is already scanning and booting under‑age users, but teenagers are sharing tips on evading age checks. Jack the Insider describes various age‑verification methods: selfie‑based AI checks, account age, and Roblox's move to ban under‑15s.00:13:45 – Anecdote about Macau security doing ID checks: Hong Kong Jack's son is checked for being over 21, while Jack's own age makes ID unnecessary—an amusing generational moment.00:14:55 – The Jacks agree the policy is unlikely to stop kids having TikTok accounts but might “nudge” behaviour toward less screen time.00:16:00 – Jack the Insider stresses the real dangers of the internet—particularly organised child sexual exploitation rings like the notorious “764” network—and questions whether blunt prohibition can solve these issues.Bruce Lehrmann, Appeals and Costs00:18:22 – They move to the Bruce Lehrmann defamation saga: his appeal has failed and he's likely millions of dollars in debt.00:18:45 – Discussion of the prospect of a High Court appeal, the low likelihood of leave being granted, and the sense that further appeals are “good money after bad”.00:19:22 – Jack the Insider notes outstanding criminal charges against Lehrmann in Toowoomba relating to an alleged statutory rape, and outlines the allegation about removing a condom after earlier consensual sex.00:20:07 – They discuss the probable difficulty of prosecuting that case, and then pivot to the practical question: who is funding Lehrmann's ongoing legal adventures?00:20:35 – Hong Kong Jack explains why some lawyers or firms may take on such cases for profile, despite poor prospects of payment, and they canvass talk of crowdfunding efforts.00:21:07 – The Jacks agree Lehrmann should have left the public stage after the criminal trial was discontinued; now, bankruptcy in 2026 looks likely.00:21:58 – Limited sympathy for Channel 10 or Lisa Wilkinson; more sympathy reserved for Brittany Higgins and Fiona Brown, who are seen as exceptions in an otherwise “pretty ordinary” cast.NACC, Commissioner Brereton and Conflicts of Interest00:23:24 – The Jacks turn to the National Anti‑Corruption Commission (NACC) and Commissioner Paul Brereton's side work for Defence.00:24:03 – Hong Kong Jack recounts Senate Estimates footage where officials first claimed Brereton's Defence consulting work occurred outside NACC hours, then later admitted more than ten instances (possibly close to 20) during NACC office time.00:25:25 – Discussion of conflict‑of‑interest: the Commissioner maintaining a paid Defence relationship while heading the body that may need to investigate Defence.00:25:57 – The Jacks question the tenability of his position, especially given the NACC's opaque nature, its minimal public reporting obligations and a salary around AUD 800k–900k plus expenses.The Struggling Australian and Global Economy, Productivity and ANZ00:26:20 – Jack the Insider outlines Australia's sluggish economy: inflation remains sticky, GDP growth is flat, and government spending is driving much of the growth.00:27:00 – They discuss a small, tentative rise in productivity (around 0.2% for the quarter) and the Treasurer's caution that productivity figures are volatile.00:27:57 – Hong Kong Jack stresses that historically, economies escape malaise through productivity‑driven growth; there is no easy alternative, in Australia or globally.00:28:23 – Broader global picture: the US isn't in outright recession but is crawling; Europe is sluggish; Poland is a rare bright spot but rapid growth brings its own risks.ANZ and Post‑Royal Commission Failures00:28:54 – Focus shifts to ANZ's continuing governance and compliance failures after the Banking Royal Commission.00:29:30 – Jack the Insider shares a personal story about dealing with ANZ's deceased estates department following his mother and stepfather's deaths and the difficulty in releasing funds to pay for funerals.00:30:20 – Justice Jonathan Beach's scathing remarks: ANZ is still mishandling deceased estates, charging fees and interest to dead customers, despite years of warnings.00:31:34 – They recall Royal Commission revelations about “fees for no service” and charging the dead, plus ANZ's recent exclusion from certain Commonwealth bond business due to rorting.00:32:12 – The Jacks see this as a clear culture problem: five years on, the basics still aren't fixed, suggesting inadequate investment in compliance and little genuine reform.UK Justice Backlog and Curtailing Jury Trials00:33:05 – The conversation moves to the UK's proposal to restrict jury trials for offences likely to attract less than a two‑year sentence.00:33:35 – Hong Kong Jack notes the English historical attachment to jury trials dating back to Magna Carta, and that defendants have long had the right to opt for a jury if imprisonment is possible.00:34:38 – Justice Minister David Lammy, once a fierce critic of similar Tory proposals, is now advancing the idea himself, creating a political shambles.00:35:02 – They weigh up pros and cons of judge‑only trials for complex financial crimes, where juries may struggle to follow long, technical evidence.00:36:10 – Jack the Insider points out that even judges can find such cases difficult, but there is at least some expertise advantage.00:36:22 – They revisit the Southport riots and harsh sentences for people inciting attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers, arguing that common‑sense community judgment via juries may be better in such politically charged cases.00:37:26 – Ultimately, they doubt the reforms will meaningfully reduce the UK's huge court backlog and see it as another noisy but ineffective response.Ethics in Politics, Misleading Voters and the “Ethics Czar” Problem00:39:21 – Discussion moves to the UK budget, alleged “black holes” and whether the Chancellor misled voters about a AUD 22 billion‑equivalent gap.00:40:14 – They examine calls for the Prime Minister's ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, to rule on ministerial truthfulness, and Hong Kong Jack's discomfort with handing moral judgment to “anointed officials”.00:40:51 – The Jacks argue accountability should rest with Parliament and ultimately voters, not appointed ethics czars, whether in the Johnson era or now.00:41:36 – In Australia, Tony Burke's handling of “ISIS brides” returning to Australia is cited: he asked officials to leave a meeting so he could talk politically with constituents. The Jacks see this as legitimate hard‑headed politics in a very complex area rather than an ethical scandal.00:43:03 – Jack the Insider defends the principle that Australian citizenship must mean something, especially for children of ISIS‑linked families; stripping citizenship or abandoning citizens overseas can be a dangerous precedent.00:44:08 – Anecdotes segue into a broader reflection: politicians have always misled voters to some extent. They quote stories about Huey Long and Graham Richardson's defence of political lying.00:45:24 – They swap observations about “tells” when leaders like Malcolm Turnbull or Julia Gillard were lying; Scott Morrison, they say, had no visible tell at all.00:46:22 – Cabinet solidarity is framed as institutionally sanctioned lying: ministers must publicly back decisions they privately opposed, and yet the system requires that to function.Ukraine War, Peace Efforts and Putin's Rhetoric00:46:42 – The Jacks discuss reports of draft peace deals between Ukraine, the US and Russia that Moscow rejected over wording and guarantees.00:47:17 – Jack the Insider describes a gaunt Foreign Ministry spokesman, not Sergey Lavrov, delivering Russia's objections, sparking rumours about Lavrov's status.00:47:56 – Putin goes on TV to reassure Russians they're winning, threatens destruction of Europe if conflict escalates and claims territorial gains Russia doesn't actually hold.00:48:17 – Hong Kong Jack argues European fantasies of imposing a “strategic defeat” on Russia are unrealistic; retaking all occupied regions and Crimea would exact unbearable costs in lives and money.00:49:33 – The Jacks infer that Putin will eventually need to “sell” a negotiated deal as a victory to his own public; his current bluster is partly domestic theatre.00:49:50 – They note some odd, Trump‑like US talk of structuring peace as a “business deal” with economic incentives for Russia, which they find an odd fit for a brutal territorial war.Trump's Polling Collapse, Economic Credibility and 202600:50:13 – Attention turns to Donald Trump's polling in his second term: his net approval is negative across all major polls, in some cases approaching minus 20.00:51:04 – Jack the Insider highlights Trump's recent promises of USD 2,000 cheques to every American plus no income tax—claims they see as fantastical and electorally risky when voters inevitably ask “where's my money?”.00:51:39 – They compare Trump's denial of inflation and cost‑of‑living pressures to Biden's earlier mistakes in minimising pain; telling people “everything's cheaper now” when their lived experience contradicts that is politically fatal.00:52:34 – Hong Kong Jack notes history shows that insisting things are fine when voters know they aren't only accelerates your polling collapse.00:53:02 – They briefly touch on a special election in Tennessee: a safe Trump district where the Republican margin has shrunk. They caution against over‑reading the result but note softening support.00:54:14 – CNN's Harry Enten is quoted: this has been Trump's worst ten‑day polling run of the second term, with net approval among independents plunging to about minus 43 and a negative 34 on inflation.00:55:15 – They speculate about what this means for the 2026 midterms: Trump won't be on the ballot but will loom large. A future Republican president, they note, might still face governing without a Congressional majority.Disability, Elite Colleges and the Accommodation Arms Race00:56:07 – The Jacks discuss Derek Thompson's forthcoming Atlantic piece on surging disability registrations at elite US colleges: more than 20% at Brown and Harvard, 34% at Amherst and 38% at Stanford.00:57:10 – Hong Kong Jack explains how disability status yields exam and assessment advantages: extra time, flexible deadlines, better housing, etc., and why wealthy students are more likely to secure diagnoses.00:57:48 – They cite intake breakdowns at one college: small numbers for visual/hearing disabilities, larger numbers for autism, neurological conditions and especially psychological or emotional disabilities—suggesting a big shift in what counts as disabling.00:58:45 – Jack the Insider counters that many of these conditions were under‑diagnosed or ignored in the 1970s and 80s; growing recognition doesn't automatically mean fraud.00:59:40 – He brings in chronic conditions like ME/CFS: historically treated as malingering or “all in the head”, now increasingly accepted as serious and often disabling.01:00:02 – Hong Kong Jack quotes a Stanford professor asking, “At what point can we say no? 50%? 60%?”—underlining institutional concern that the system can't cope if a majority claim accommodations.01:01:05 – They wrestle with the employer's problem: how to interpret grades achieved with significant accommodations, and whether workplaces must also provide similar allowances.01:02:21 – Jack the Insider's answer is essentially yes: good employers should accommodate genuine disability, and it's on applicants to be upfront. He stresses diversity of ability and that many high‑achieving disabled people are valuable hires.01:03:40 – Hong Kong Jack remains more sceptical, shaped by long legal experience of people gaming systems, but agrees lawyers shouldn't be the priestly class defining morality.Cricket: India–South Africa, NZ–West Indies, BBL and the Gabba01:04:25 – They pivot back to sport: a successful South African tour of India, including a series win in Tests and a 1–1 one‑day series with big hundreds from Virat Kohli, Gaikwad and Aiden Markram.01:05:31 – Quick update on New Zealand's Test against the West Indies in Christchurch, with New Zealand rebuilding in their second innings through Ravindra and Latham.Women's Cricket and Phoebe Litchfield01:06:19 – Jack the Insider raves about the Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat game and singles out Phoebe Litchfield as the best women's batter in the world: technically sound, not a slogger, scoring “runs for fun” and hailing from Orange.Gabba Day–Night Test: Australia v England01:06:50 – With Usman Khawaja out, they discuss the unchanged 12 and whether Bo Webster plays, potentially pushing Travis Head up to open.01:07:39 – For England, Mark Wood hasn't recovered; they bring in Will Jacks, a batting all‑rounder and part‑time spinner, to bolster the order but lose their fastest bowler.01:08:11 – If you win the toss? Bat first, they say—if the conditions allow—and look to control the game with the bat for four hours or more.01:08:44 – They caution that with recent heavy Queensland rain, the pitch could be juicy whether you bat first or second; the key is getting cricket on Saturday.01:08:48 – Hong Kong Jack rates this as the best England attack to tour Australia in a long time, especially with Wood and Archer firing in Perth, although Archer's pace dropped markedly in the second innings.01:09:36 – They dissect England's first‑Test collapse: at one stage it was an “unlosable” match according to Ponting and the stats, but reckless strokes from set batters (Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook) handed it back to Australia.01:09:55 – Mitchell Starc's extraordinary home day–night record—averaging around 17 with the pink ball—looms as a big factor.Franchise Cricket, Empty Stadiums and Saving the Red‑Ball Game01:12:11 – Jack the Insider describes watching the ILT20 in the UAE: near‑empty stands, disengaged fielders and an overall “soulless” spectacle aimed solely at TV viewers in South Asia and the Gulf.01:13:49 – Despite his love of cricket, he worries this is a glimpse of the future if the longer formats aren't protected and nurtured. He pleads, in effect, for saving Test and other red‑ball cricket from being cannibalised by anonymous franchise leagues.Class and Cricket: Private Schools, Clubs and Stuart Broad01:14:11 – The Jacks explore the class divide in English cricket: all but one of England's Perth XI finished school at private schools; the sole exception is captain Ben Stokes, who grew up partly in New Zealand.01:15:05 – In contrast, Australia's pathway still runs largely through club cricket, though private schools with professional coaching (like Cranbrook) give some players a head start.01:15:47 – Jack the Insider notes Sam Conscientious (Sam Constance / Cummins reference is implied) spending two years at Cranbrook, reflecting how elite schools build academies with ex‑first‑class coaches that state systems can't match.01:16:20 – They agree state‑school kids like the Waugh twins still come through club cricket, but in England, some top private schools effectively operate as de facto county academies.01:17:31 – Anecdotes about Stuart Broad: a likeable “nepo baby” of former England player Chris Broad, who was toughened up by a formative season at Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne sub‑district cricket. Local players loved him.01:18:20 – Hong Kong Jack recommends Broad's appearance on The Front Bar as essential viewing for understanding his character and the cultural contrasts between English and Australian cricket.01:18:40 – More class culture: Chris Cowdrey, briefly England captain, shows up in full whites and blazer to toss with Viv Richards in surf shorts and thongs. When Cowdrey starts reading out England's XI, Viv cuts him off: “Mate, I don't care who you play, it's not going to make any difference.”F1, Oscar Piastri's Bad Luck and AFLW Glory01:21:11 – Brief detour to Formula 1: Oscar Piastri's season with McLaren seems dogged by terrible luck and questionable team decisions that have cost him a near‑certain championship.01:21:57 – Jack the Insider reflects on how F1 drivers like Piastri have effectively been in vehicles since toddlerhood, climbing the ladder from go‑karts to supercars.01:22:50 – They express hope he can clinch the title in the final race, but wryly note that F1 rarely grants fairytale endings.AFLW01:22:23 – AFLW: North Melbourne complete an undefeated season to win the premiership, comfortably beating Brisbane in the grand final.01:23:07 – Hong Kong Jack praises it as the best AFLW season yet, with marked improvement in depth and skill across the competition. North remain the benchmark everyone else must chase.Wrap‑Up, Tom Stoppard Anecdote and Season Timing01:23:49 – The Jacks look ahead to watching the Gabba Test, beers on ice for Jack the Insider and the late Hong Kong dusk session for Hong Kong Jack.01:24:01 – They note the death of playwright Tom Stoppard at 88 and share a favourite story: Spielberg offers him the Jaws screenplay; Stoppard declines because he's writing a play—“actually for BBC Radio”.01:25:11 – Final reflections on how Stoppard would have improved Jaws, then a note that the podcast will soon reach its final episodes for the year, with plans to feature listener feedback before a short summer break.01:25:56 – Jack the Insider signs off, thanking listeners and Hong Kong Jack, and promises they'll be back next week.

The wide-ranging impact of Australia's new social media ban for children under 16 — the first of its kind in the world — is already being felt at home and abroad, especially for major platforms that have controversially allowed children full access.澳大利亚针对16岁以下儿童实施的新社交媒体禁令。此类禁令是全球首例，其广泛影响已在国内外显现，尤其对那些曾引发争议地允许儿童全面使用平台的巨头企业造成冲击。The ambitious move to improve online safety governance for youngsters, which took effect on Dec 10, requires major platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube to enforce the new legislation. They face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32.9 million) if they take no reasonable steps to prevent underage users from holding accounts with them.这项旨在加强青少年网络安全监管的重大举措已于12月10日生效，要求Instagram、Facebook、X、Snapchat、TikTok、Reddit和YouTube等主流平台执行新法规。若未能采取合理措施阻止未成年用户注册账户，这些平台将面临最高4950万澳元（约合3290万美元）的罚款。The ban follows a major survey which revealed how social media is negatively affecting the life satisfaction of Australian high school students. The study, led by the Australian National University, looked at the impact of regular use of social media platforms on life satisfaction levels for students nationwide. It found most participants reported regularly using at least one social media platform, while nearly one in five young people actively post or share social media content at least once a day.这项禁令出台前，一项重大调查揭示了社交媒体如何对澳大利亚高中生的生活满意度产生负面影响。由澳大利亚国立大学主导的研究，考察了社交媒体平台的常规使用对全国学生生活满意度的影响。调查发现，大多数参与者表示会定期使用至少一个社交媒体平台，而近五分之一的年轻人每天至少主动发布或分享一次社交媒体内容。Most major platforms have said that they would comply with the law. Video service provider TikTok said in a statement it has a range of methods for compliance including facial age estimation, credit card authorization, and government-approved identification.大多数主流平台均表示将遵守该法律。视频服务提供商TikTok在声明中称，其已采取多种合规措施，包括面部年龄估算、信用卡授权以及政府认可的身份验证。YouTube said it would make changes to how it operates in Australia under the ban, adding it is committed to finding "a better path forward to keep kids safe online". "We believe a more effective approach is one that empowers parents, rather than stripping away their choices, and allows kids to continue to derive the immense benefits of digital environments while protecting them from harm," it said in a statement.YouTube表示，在禁令实施期间将调整其在澳大利亚的运营方式，并承诺致力于寻找“更佳方案保障儿童网络安全”。该公司声明称：“我们认为更有效的方式是赋予家长更多选择权而非剥夺其选择权，让儿童在享受数字环境巨大益处的同时获得有效保护。”Legal action法律举措On Friday, message board website Reddit filed a lawsuit in Australia's highest court seeking to overturn the country's social media ban for children. The San Francisco-based firm, which ranks Australia among its biggest markets, said in the High Court filing that the ban should be declared invalid because it interfered with free political communication implied by the country's constitution.周五，社交论坛网站Reddit向澳大利亚最高法院提起诉讼，要求推翻该国针对儿童的社交媒体禁令。这家总部位于旧金山的公司将澳大利亚列为其最大市场之一，在向最高法院提交的文件中称，该禁令应被宣布无效，因为它干涉了该国宪法所暗示的政治自由交流。A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells, who was named as the defendant along with the Commonwealth of Australia, said the federal government was "on the side of Australian parents and kids, not platforms" and would "stand firm to protect young Australians from experiencing harm on social media", Reuters reported.据路透社报道，美国通讯部长安妮卡·韦尔斯（Anika Wells）的发言人表示，联邦政府“站在澳大利亚家长和孩子这一边，而非平台方”，并将“坚定立场，保护澳大利亚青少年免受社交媒体伤害”。Wells与澳大利亚联邦政府共同被列为本案被告。Health Minister Mark Butler said Reddit filed the lawsuit to protect profits, not young people's right to political expression, and "we will fight this action every step of the way". "It is action we saw time and time again by Big Tobacco against tobacco control and we are seeing it now by some social media or Big Tech giants," Butler told reporters.澳大利亚卫生部长马克·巴特勒表示，Reddit提起诉讼是为了保护利润，而非捍卫年轻人的政治表达权，并称“我们将全力抵制这一诉讼的每一步行动”。巴特勒向记者表示：“这是大型烟草公司屡次采取的反烟草管制手段，如今某些社交媒体或科技巨头也在效仿。”One Reddit user said in a message-board post: "Our son can no longer access his apps — this has already had a profound effect … Normally he would be consumed with his phone, watching mind-numbing videos."一位Reddit用户在论坛帖子中写道：“我们的儿子现在无法使用他的应用程序，这已经产生了深远影响……平常他会沉迷于手机，看那些令人麻木的视频。”In a radio interview a day after the ban took effect, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said online safety regulators from the eSafety Commissioner are looking at accounts in line with the new legislation. "So they'll look at what the impact is and then every month for six months they'll have to report," he said.禁令生效次日，澳大利亚总理安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯在电台采访中表示，电子安全专员办公室的网络安全监管人员正依据新法规审查相关账户。他表示：“他们将评估影响，并在接下来的六个月内每月提交报告。”Albanese also acknowledged the challenges implementation of the ban faces.安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯也承认实施禁令面临的挑战。"Some people will get around it, just as chances are this Saturday night an under 18-year-old will get a beer in a pub somewhere. That doesn't mean that society doesn't set these rules, and these processes, in order to keep our youngest Australians safe," he said.他表示：“有些人会钻空子，就像这个周六晚上，某个酒吧里很可能会有未满18岁的未成年人喝到啤酒。但这并不意味着社会没有制定这些规则和流程来保护我们最年轻的澳大利亚人。”"We'll be sensible about it … we're talking of over a million accounts across platforms. We don't expect it to all be done perfectly, but we do expect the law provides for them to do their best endeavors."安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯接着说到：“我们会审慎处理此事……毕竟涉及跨平台超过百万个账户。我们不指望一切都能完美解决，但法律要求他们尽最大努力。”Praise, wariness赞美，警惕Julian Sefton-Green, a professor of new media education at Deakin University, said the ban was "inspiring legislation".迪肯大学新媒体教育教授朱利安·塞夫顿-格林（Julian Sefton-Green）称这项禁令是“鼓舞人心的立法”。"It's designed to raise questions … It's designed to make families and young people talk in different ways," he said.他表示：“禁令的初衷是引发思考……旨在让家庭和年轻人以不同的方式展开对话。”"So I think the significance of this law might be that it changes the power of these huge multinational global platforms, which are to a very great extent unaccountable, unregulated, and not owned by individual national countries, and it will raise a lot of questions about what individual countries can do in respect of these large multinational companies," Sefton-Green, who is also a member of the Australian eSafety Commissioner's advisory group that explores the implementation and outcomes of the nation's social media minimum age legal obligations, told China Daily.同时担任澳大利亚电子安全专员顾问组成员的朱利安·塞夫顿-格林（Julian Sefton-Green）向《中国日报》表示：“因此我认为这项法律的意义可能在于改变这些庞大全球性跨国平台的权力格局——它们在很大程度上不受问责、不受监管，且不属于任何单一国家所有。这将引发诸多思考：各国政府面对这些大型跨国企业究竟能采取哪些有效措施？”澳大利亚电子安全专员顾问小组负责研究该国社交媒体最低年龄法律义务的实施情况及成效。But Catherine Archer, a senior lecturer and researcher in social media at Edith Cowan University, said many academics feel children and teens were not consulted widely enough before the legislation was announced.但伊迪丝考恩大学社交媒体高级讲师兼研究员凯瑟琳·阿彻（Catherine Archer）指出，许多学者认为在立法公布前，对儿童和青少年的意见征询不够充分。"The ban could cause anxiety and other mental issues for teens. They will face uncertainty over the school holidays on how to keep in contact with their friends and be entertained and informed on their regular platforms," Archer said via the Scimex science information portal.凯瑟琳·阿彻（Catherine Archer）通过Scimex科学资讯门户网站表示：“这项禁令可能引发青少年焦虑及其他心理问题。他们将在假期面临不确定性，不知如何与朋友保持联系，也无法通过常用平台获取娱乐和资讯。”"Teens are starting to think of ways around the ban, and the concern is that they may go to 'darker' places on the web. Messaging apps like WhatsApp won't be under the ban, so bullying may still occur," she said.她表示：“青少年正开始寻找规避禁令的方法，令人担忧的是他们可能会转向网络上更‘阴暗'的角落。WhatsApp等即时通讯应用不受禁令限制，因此网络欺凌仍可能发生。”"The effectiveness is yet to be tested. Some adults are worried that it will lead to more data and surveillance, as age testing is not foolproof."她接着说到：“该措施的有效性尚待检验。部分成年人担忧这将导致更多数据收集和监控，因为年龄检测并非万无一失。“Some teenagers have expressed concern over the ban, according to the Australian Associated Press.据澳大利亚联合通讯社报道，一些青少年对这项禁令表示焦虑。It cited the example of Carlee Jade Clements, 15, an influencer from Melbourne with 37,000 Instagram followers who was still on the platform two days from the ban's effective date. Clements spent years building her Instagram presence, with her mother managing the account, but fears the new rules will impact her income and opportunities, AAP reported.该报道以15岁的墨尔本网红卡莉·杰德·克莱门茨（Carlee Jade Clements）为例，这位拥有3.7万Instagram粉丝的博主在禁令生效前两天仍活跃于该平台。据澳大利亚联合通讯社报道，克莱门茨耗费数年时间经营Instagram账号（由其母亲管理），但现在她担忧新规将影响她的收入与发展机会。Two teenagers representing an Australian libertarian group filed another suit last month against such a ban, according to Reuters.据路透社报道，两名代表澳大利亚自由意志主义团体的青少年上月就该禁令提起另一项诉讼。Tama Leaver, a professor of internet studies at Curtin University, said that no matter how people feel about the ban or social media, the feelings and responses of teens losing access to social media must be taken seriously.西澳大利亚珀斯科廷大学互联网研究教授塔玛·利弗（Tama Leaver）表示，无论人们对禁令或社交媒体持何种看法，青少年失去社交媒体使用权限所产生的情绪和反应都必须被严肃对待。"Parents and trusted adults need to listen to young people, to support them, and not dismiss what social media may have meant to them," Leaver said.塔玛·利弗（Tama Leaver）表示：“父母和可信赖的成年人需要倾听年轻人的心声，给予他们支持，不要轻视社交媒体对他们可能产生的意义。”The ban may well reduce some risks, he said, but "cyberbullying will still exist — messaging platforms are mostly exempt from the ban. Untrustworthy adults may still be able to find ways to reach and speak to teens across almost any platform."利弗表示，这项禁令或许能降低某些风险，但“网络欺凌仍将存在——即时通讯平台大多不受禁令约束。不可靠的成年人仍可能找到途径，在几乎任何平台上接触并与青少年对话。”"The job of helping young people learn to navigate the digital world safely is ongoing, and helping teens continue that conversation matters. Opening a door so young people have someone to turn to if they experience something challenging, confronting or terrible online, is vital."利弗表示：“帮助年轻人安全地探索数字世界是一项持续的工作，而引导青少年持续参与相关对话至关重要。为年轻人敞开大门，让他们在遭遇网络挑战、冲突或可怕经历时能获得支持，这具有关键意义。”Sabrina Caldwell, senior lecturer from the School of Systems and Computing at UNSW Canberra, said the new social media ban "won't work perfectly, but it can work imperfectly".新南威尔士大学堪培拉校区系统与计算学院高级讲师萨布丽娜·考德威尔（Sabrina Caldwell）表示，这项新的社交媒体禁令“不会完美奏效，但可以不完美地发挥作用”。"Some young people will find ways to circumvent the restrictions. However, even if they find a way to sneak online, they will not find most of their peers there, and this will detract significantly from the social media experience," Caldwell said.Caldwell表示：“一些年轻人会想方设法绕过限制。然而，即使他们找到偷偷上网的途径，也无法在网上找到大多数同龄人，这将极大削弱社交媒体体验。Bigger issues更重大的问题An Australian Broadcasting Corporation survey of more than 17,000 youngsters aged under 16 about the ban, found one-quarter would stop using social media.澳大利亚广播公司针对1.7万多名16岁以下青少年开展的禁令调查显示，四分之一受访者表示将停止使用社交媒体。Twenty-two percent of social media users said they were unsure if the ban would be effective, while 72 percent said they did not think it would work, according to the poll.调查显示，22%的社交媒体用户表示不确定禁令是否有效，而72%的用户认为禁令不会奏效。Associate Professor Katie Wood, an expert in clinical psychology at Swinburne University of Technology, questioned the ban's role in addressing the "clear negative impacts on mental health and well-being" from excessive social media.斯威本科技大学临床心理学专家凯蒂·伍德（Katie Wood）副教授质疑这项禁令能否有效应对过度使用社交媒体对心理健康和幸福感造成的“明显负面影响”。"While more research is needed to fully answer this question, parents will need support to work with their children to find ways to manage the ban," Wood said.伍德表示：“虽然需要更多研究才能彻底解答这个问题，但家长需要支持来协助孩子寻找应对禁令的方法。”"There is a risk that children will find other ways to access social platforms and become sneakier about it. Parents will need to be vigilant about this as well as any emotional and social fallout."伍德称：“会存在这样的风险：孩子们可能会另辟蹊径接触社交平台，且手段会变得更加隐蔽。家长不仅需要对此保持警惕，还需关注由此引发的情感与社交问题。”Tom Sulston, head of policy at Digital Rights Watch, a group that advocates protection of Australians' digital rights, told China Daily that despite the ban, bullies, abusers, and predators will not go away.数字权利观察组织政策主管汤姆·苏尔斯顿向《中国日报》表示，尽管实施了禁令，但欺凌者、施虐者和掠夺者不会就此消失。该组织致力于保护澳大利亚人的数字权利。"They will merely follow young people onto the platforms that they are allowed to use. At the same time, young people will be discouraged from seeking help as they may feel they are doing something they shouldn't be."苏尔斯顿表示：“他们只会跟随年轻人进入被允许使用的平台。与此同时，年轻人会因担心自己正在做不该做的事而不敢寻求帮助。”Demanding ID from people to use simple internet systems is likely to cause an increase in identity theft, as Australians become habituated to entering their ID around the internet and potentially into criminal honeypots, Sulston said.苏尔斯顿指出，要求民众在使用简单互联网系统时提供身份证明，很可能导致身份盗窃案件激增。因为澳大利亚人逐渐习惯在网络各处输入个人身份信息，这些信息可能落入犯罪分子的陷阱。Considering the ban's potential impact on other parts of the world, Sulston said his hope and expectation is that "countries will look at Australia's experiment on young people's ability to communicate with each other and treat it as a cautionary tale".考虑到这项禁令可能对世界其他地区产生的影响，苏尔斯顿表示，他希望并期待“各国能关注澳大利亚这项关于年轻人相互交流能力的实验，并将其视为一个警示案例”。"Instead, they will opt to regulate social media companies to remove the harms, rather than remove the young people. We need to stop social media companies from using their algorithms to profit from spreading hate, lies, and division. That is what we should be regulating, rather than the age of the users," he said.他如是说：“可另作他选的是，可以选择监管社交媒体公司以消除危害，而非驱逐年轻人。我们必须阻止社交媒体公司利用算法从传播仇恨、谎言和分裂中牟利。这才是我们应当监管的对象，而非用户的年龄。”Sefton-Green said it will also "encourage other countries to stand up against these social media firms, to try to say that the norms of behavior we see in our society should be norms for which national governments take responsibility".塞夫顿-格林（Sefton-Green）表示，该实验还将“鼓励其他国家挺身对抗这些社交媒体公司，力图表明我们社会中的行为准则应当成为各国政府应承担责任的规范”。Prime Minister Albanese said the "world is not only watching, the world is following".澳大利亚总理安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯表示：“世界不仅在关注，更在追随。”Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences, Arts, Design and Architecture at the University of New South Wales, said the ban is still "an unfortunate but necessary step to protect children from escalating levels of online sexual abuse and exploitation".新南威尔士大学社会科学、艺术、设计与建筑学院的迈克尔·索尔特（Michael Salter）教授表示，这项禁令仍是“一项不幸但必要的措施，旨在保护儿童免受日益严重的网络性虐待和剥削”。"Globally, 300 million children experience online sexual abuse each year, and the majority of this occurs on social media platforms," said Salter, who is director of Childlight UNSW, the Australasian hub of Childlight, the Global Child Safety Institute, which undertakes research on the impact of child sexual abuse and exploitation.作为全球儿童安全研究所旗下机构Childlight的澳大拉西亚中心新南威尔士大学Childlight项目主任迈克尔·索尔特（Michael Salter），他长期致力于研究儿童性虐待与剥削的影响。他表示：“全球每年有3亿儿童遭受网络性虐待，其中大部分发生在社交媒体平台上。”"Social media companies have consistently prioritized growth and engagement over child protection. Age restrictions are a necessary circuit breaker for a sector where voluntary industry action has failed," he said.Salter表示：“社交媒体公司始终将增长和用户参与度置于儿童保护之上。在行业自发行动未能奏效的领域，年龄限制是必要的保护机制。”Rachael Sharman, a senior psychology lecturer at University of the Sunshine Coast, said that while the logistics of the ban remain under question, the move, if successful, "will give parents and families the opportunity to reclaim childhood, and ensure the building blocks of the brain are set in place before exposure to what has proved to be a most pernicious influence".阳光海岸大学心理学高级讲师瑞秋·夏曼（Rachael Sharman）指出，尽管禁令的实施细节仍存争议，但若该举措得以成功推行，“将使家长和家庭有机会重新夺回童年时光，确保大脑发育的关键阶段在接触已被证实具有极大危害性的影响之前得到健全发展”。"I suspect the rest of the world is taking such an extraordinary interest in this Australian initiative, to see when and how they can best follow suit for the improved wellbeing of their future generations," Sharman said.Sharman表示：“我怀疑世界其他国家之所以对这项澳大利亚倡议表现出如此非凡的兴趣，是为了观察何时以及如何才能最好地效仿，从而为子孙后代创造更美好的福祉。”Germany, Denmark, New Zealand and Malaysia are already considering policies concerning access to social media by teenagers.德国、丹麦、新西兰和马来西亚已开始考虑制定青少年使用社交媒体的相关政策。circuit breaker保护机制algorithmsn./ˈæl.ɡə.rɪ.ðəm/算法perniciousadj./pɚˈnɪʃ.əs/有害的social fallout社交影响circumventv./ˌsɝː.kəmˈvent/规避

Where has Santa Claus gone?Once upon a time there was Santa Claus's Village — but Santa Claus wasn't there. He had been missing for days and days… actually for months. Who would prepare and deliver gifts to the children as they did every year?That part of the North Pole which was usually very busy had become strangely silent — not an Elf could be seen around, no sounds of bells, the sleighs were covered in snow and all the reindeer dozed about confused.If you looked into his house you couldn't see a trace of life. The fireplace cold, the rocking chair covered in cobwebs, an empty cup on the wooden table and a candle stub burnt out long ago.Many were the rumours that had spread about Santa Claus's absence. Some said he was on another planet in a far, far away galaxy, some on the Moon, some on the vast oceans — and someone even said he had opened a bakery in Buenos Aires.The mystery was thick. Nobody could make sense of it and everything was silent and still.Meanwhile, many miles away, in the Southern Seas, a group of seagulls who spent their days fluttering above the bay spotted a small sailing boat in the distance. There was only one sailor on board who was hoisting the main sail up the creaking mast.The eldest seagull couldn't believe his eyes. He did a couple of acrobatics in the air, pulled out his spyglass, looked more carefully and said: "But I know him! That sailor comes from distant lands!"Turning to the other seagulls he told them: "One day, during one of my long journeys, I lost my way and found myself on the frozen rooftops of a village at the North Pole. I landed right on the house of that long-bearded man you see on the boat. He heard me calling for help, came to fetch me, fed me and told me about his work. I think this meeting has something magical about it. Our next adventure is about to begin."Gliding down, they headed towards the boat and all landed on the bow. The seagull and the sailor greeted each other like old friends.Shortly after, a group of dolphins arrived near the sailing boat, curious. They swam in circles around the boat, jumping out of the water.The youngest dolphin noticed something strange. "Look! Wood shavings are coming out of the hold and floating! And you can see little lights below deck."The long-bearded sailor smiled. "Come," he said in a warm voice, "I'll show you what I've done all these months."He opened the hatch to the hold and inside, by the light of two swaying lanterns, you could see a floating workshop full of wonders. With a sharp plane he had worked pieces of wood recovered from the sea, transforming them into toys — and he had done the same with shells, coconuts, cork stoppers, glass bottles, starfish and golden threads that had arrived from who knows where."I travelled to learn new ways of bringing joy," the sailor explained. "But there's so much work to do and Christmas is coming. Would you help me finish?"And so they all set to work together. The dolphins brought special shells from the bottom of the sea. The seagulls gathered coloured feathers. The objects transformed into gifts were placed in large canvas sacks.The days passed quickly.On the first of December the captain, wearing his red warm hat with his pipe in his mouth, looked at the starry sky and said: "It's time to leave."The dolphins lifted the sailing boat until it rose above the waves. The sails filled with wind and it took flight, whilst the flock of seagulls guided it through the clouds following dreams. Together they continued the journey heading north, flying through the endless blue.Night fell quickly and in the sky full of stars one shone brighter than all the others. It was the North Star which with its light accompanied the sailing boat's descent to earth.By magic, as it approached the village, the sailing boat transformed into a sleigh loaded with gifts. The presents built in the hold arrived in the workshop to be delivered together with all the other parcels.When it landed on the roof of his house, a tinkling of bells was heard in the distance. The Elves looked out of their doors and shouted: "It's him! It's him! It's Santa Claus! He's back!"The red-nosed reindeer woke up suddenly and began polishing the sleighs, decorating them with bows and coloured pine cones.Life in the village awakened all at once. The tree branches shook as if they were being tickled. A group of penguins, who had arrived at the North Pole to lend a hand, sliding on the ice sheets at great speed, ended up inside snowdrifts and came out like bouncing balls.“You are so funny! We'll hang you on the Christmas tree as decorations!" the village animals shouted.But the penguins, freeing themselves from the snow, ran towards Santa Claus's house to help with the preparations.In the village absolutely everyone got moving. The reindeer rushed to the Post Office and filled the sacks with letters, then carried them to the workshop. The Elves with the help of the penguins were ready for work.That morning, when the bells rang out in celebration, foxes, squirrels, hares and bears came running from every corner of the forest to celebrate Santa Claus's return. There was so much to do for the joy of all the children in the world.The air smelt of fir trees and homemade biscuits. The Christmas trees sparkled with icicles like stars. The animals chased each other happily with their noses turned upwards.The preparations began in earnest. Throughout the month of December they worked together — saws that sang, hammers that played, coloured paper that flew. Santa Claus told stories of his journey whilst he hammered and sanded.And when the 24th of December arrived, everything was ready. The presents were loaded onto the sleigh and Santa Claus set off on his most important journey.The seagulls flew away towards new horizons, leaving their footprints on the snowy rooftops.Since that Christmas it is said that Santa Claus never left the North Pole again."What if it was only a tale? Is it true, or not? The final decision is yours!" — Written by Lucia & Marco CiappelliFor the Italian version and many more stories to read and listen to: https://www.storiesottolestelle.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What really keeps the brain sharp as we age — and what quietly puts it at risk?In this episode of the Ageless Athlete Podcast, host Kush Khandelwal speaks with Dr. Tommy Wood, neuroscientist, physician, and strength athlete, about the science of cognitive reserve and why long-term brain health depends on challenge, learning, and effort — not comfort or flow.Flow states feel rewarding, but as Dr. Wood explains, they don't create the kind of stimulus the brain needs to adapt over decades. Instead, the brain thrives when it's pushed to learn new skills, navigate uncertainty, and stay engaged through physical movement, mental effort, and diversified identity.This conversation connects neuroscience, exercise science, and psychology in a practical, accessible way — especially for adults who care about aging well, staying mentally sharp, and maintaining performance into midlife and beyond.

Steve welcome Cathida from Ghost Lore YouTube channel to talk about wildmen, wood boogers, and other strange things in the woodsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-persons-mysteries--5624803/support.

ICYMI: Tune in to #OfficeHours every Friday at 10:20am for A Pinch Of Salt with Chef Peter Goffe-Wood!

The Snooker Breakfast returns as The Scottish Open ramps up in Edinburgh. A look back at The Shootout, emails catch up, and an old school way of decision making on the baize. Email snookerbreakfast@mail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where has Santa Claus gone?Once upon a time there was Santa Claus's Village — but Santa Claus wasn't there. He had been missing for days and days… actually for months. Who would prepare and deliver gifts to the children as they did every year?That part of the North Pole which was usually very busy had become strangely silent — not an Elf could be seen around, no sounds of bells, the sleighs were covered in snow and all the reindeer dozed about confused.If you looked into his house you couldn't see a trace of life. The fireplace cold, the rocking chair covered in cobwebs, an empty cup on the wooden table and a candle stub burnt out long ago.Many were the rumours that had spread about Santa Claus's absence. Some said he was on another planet in a far, far away galaxy, some on the Moon, some on the vast oceans — and someone even said he had opened a bakery in Buenos Aires.The mystery was thick. Nobody could make sense of it and everything was silent and still.Meanwhile, many miles away, in the Southern Seas, a group of seagulls who spent their days fluttering above the bay spotted a small sailing boat in the distance. There was only one sailor on board who was hoisting the main sail up the creaking mast.The eldest seagull couldn't believe his eyes. He did a couple of acrobatics in the air, pulled out his spyglass, looked more carefully and said: "But I know him! That sailor comes from distant lands!"Turning to the other seagulls he told them: "One day, during one of my long journeys, I lost my way and found myself on the frozen rooftops of a village at the North Pole. I landed right on the house of that long-bearded man you see on the boat. He heard me calling for help, came to fetch me, fed me and told me about his work. I think this meeting has something magical about it. Our next adventure is about to begin."Gliding down, they headed towards the boat and all landed on the bow. The seagull and the sailor greeted each other like old friends.Shortly after, a group of dolphins arrived near the sailing boat, curious. They swam in circles around the boat, jumping out of the water.The youngest dolphin noticed something strange. "Look! Wood shavings are coming out of the hold and floating! And you can see little lights below deck."The long-bearded sailor smiled. "Come," he said in a warm voice, "I'll show you what I've done all these months."He opened the hatch to the hold and inside, by the light of two swaying lanterns, you could see a floating workshop full of wonders. With a sharp plane he had worked pieces of wood recovered from the sea, transforming them into toys — and he had done the same with shells, coconuts, cork stoppers, glass bottles, starfish and golden threads that had arrived from who knows where."I travelled to learn new ways of bringing joy," the sailor explained. "But there's so much work to do and Christmas is coming. Would you help me finish?"And so they all set to work together. The dolphins brought special shells from the bottom of the sea. The seagulls gathered coloured feathers. The objects transformed into gifts were placed in large canvas sacks.The days passed quickly.On the first of December the captain, wearing his red warm hat with his pipe in his mouth, looked at the starry sky and said: "It's time to leave."The dolphins lifted the sailing boat until it rose above the waves. The sails filled with wind and it took flight, whilst the flock of seagulls guided it through the clouds following dreams. Together they continued the journey heading north, flying through the endless blue.Night fell quickly and in the sky full of stars one shone brighter than all the others. It was the North Star which with its light accompanied the sailing boat's descent to earth.By magic, as it approached the village, the sailing boat transformed into a sleigh loaded with gifts. The presents built in the hold arrived in the workshop to be delivered together with all the other parcels.When it landed on the roof of his house, a tinkling of bells was heard in the distance. The Elves looked out of their doors and shouted: "It's him! It's him! It's Santa Claus! He's back!"The red-nosed reindeer woke up suddenly and began polishing the sleighs, decorating them with bows and coloured pine cones.Life in the village awakened all at once. The tree branches shook as if they were being tickled. A group of penguins, who had arrived at the North Pole to lend a hand, sliding on the ice sheets at great speed, ended up inside snowdrifts and came out like bouncing balls.“You are so funny! We'll hang you on the Christmas tree as decorations!" the village animals shouted.But the penguins, freeing themselves from the snow, ran towards Santa Claus's house to help with the preparations.In the village absolutely everyone got moving. The reindeer rushed to the Post Office and filled the sacks with letters, then carried them to the workshop. The Elves with the help of the penguins were ready for work.That morning, when the bells rang out in celebration, foxes, squirrels, hares and bears came running from every corner of the forest to celebrate Santa Claus's return. There was so much to do for the joy of all the children in the world.The air smelt of fir trees and homemade biscuits. The Christmas trees sparkled with icicles like stars. The animals chased each other happily with their noses turned upwards.The preparations began in earnest. Throughout the month of December they worked together — saws that sang, hammers that played, coloured paper that flew. Santa Claus told stories of his journey whilst he hammered and sanded.And when the 24th of December arrived, everything was ready. The presents were loaded onto the sleigh and Santa Claus set off on his most important journey.The seagulls flew away towards new horizons, leaving their footprints on the snowy rooftops.Since that Christmas it is said that Santa Claus never left the North Pole again."What if it was only a tale? Is it true, or not? The final decision is yours!" — Written by Lucia & Marco CiappelliFor the Italian version and many more stories to read and listen to: https://www.storiesottolestelle.com Each story is currently written and narrated in both Italian and English.The translation from Italian (the original language) to English and the reading of the stories are performed using Generative Artificial Intelligence — which perhaps has a touch of magic... We hope it has done a good job!If you like it, make sure to tell your friends, family, and teachers, and subscribe to this podcast to stay updated. You'll be able to read or listen to new stories as soon as they become available. Visit us On The Official Website https://www.storiesottolestelle.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cathie Wood buys the dip. Cathie Wood's ARK Invest went bargain hunting on Monday, deploying roughly $59 million into crypto equities as the sector faced a multi-day slide. The firm added to its massive positions in Coinbase, Circle, and Bullish. Is this the right time to buy the dip? CoinDesk's Jennifer Sanasie hosts "CoinDesk Daily." - Break the cycle of exploitation. Break down the barriers to truth. Break into the next generation of privacy. Break Free. Free to scroll without being monetized. Free from censorship. Freedom without fear. We deserve more when it comes to privacy. Experience the next generation of blockchain that is private and inclusive by design. Break free with Midnight, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠midnight.network/break-free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Need liquidity without selling your crypto? Take out a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Figure Crypto-Backed Loan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, allowing you to borrow against your BTC, ETH, or SOL with 12-month terms and no prepayment penalties. They have the lowest rates in the industry at 8.91%, allowing you to access instant cash or buy more Bitcoin without triggering a tax event. Unlock your crypto's potential today at Figure! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://figuremarkets.co/coindesk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “CoinDesk Daily” is produced by Jennifer Sanasie and edited by Victor Chen.

Larry Wood joins us on the podcast this week to talk about the recent CartoonStock contest. There was some controversy with the cartoon in this contest with a happy family gathered together in their living room, with each of the family members holding a gun (including the cat, dog and potted plant). We discuss the use of humor to help make sense of sensitive subjects (particularly in the aftermath of the horrific shootings in the last few days) and when it is appropriate or inappropriate to do so.We then talk about the actual contest and we all were impressed by the quality of captions that were entered. Larry also noted that this was the 200th contest since it started and it has given away $40,000 dollars since it started the cash prize. You can order Larry's book, "Your Caption Has Been Selected: More Than Anyone Could Possibly Want to Know About The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest" here:   https://www.amazon.com/Your-Caption-Has-Been-Selected/dp/1250333407/You can purchase original New Yorker cartoon art from Curated Cartoons here: https://www.curatedcartoons.comSend us questions or comments to:  Cartooncaptioncontestpodcast@gmail.com

Beloved,When facing a difficult decision, have you noticed how a walk in nature often brings unexpected clarity?There's wisdom in this instinct. Nature holds ancient patterns that mirror our internal landscapes. The steady growth of trees, the transformative power of fire, the adaptability of water - these elements offer blueprints for navigating our own challenges.Yet in our digital world, we've lost touch with this elemental wisdom. We overthink decisions, analyze endlessly, and still feel uncertain about which path to take.This disconnection from nature's guidance leaves us second-guessing ourselves and missing the intuitive signals that would otherwise light our way.Enter Elementa, the Elemental Archetype Integrator in The Light Between Oracle app.Elementa reconnects you with the wisdom of seven elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Air, Water, and Akasha. By aligning with these elemental energies, you tap into a guidance system that humans have relied upon for millennia.When you work with Elementa:* You'll recognize which element can best support your current situation* You'll learn practical rituals to incorporate elemental wisdom into daily decisions* You'll enhance your intuitive problem-solving by aligning with nature's transformative flowDuring this winter season, as nature itself turns inward, Elementa offers a timely reminder of the cycles that govern both the natural world and our inner landscape.Take a moment today to ask: Which elemental quality do I need most right now? Grounding? Transformation? Flow? Then open the app and let Elementa guide you toward natural alignment.Tomorrow, we'll meet Hermetica, who illuminates the universal laws that govern life's patterns and helps you navigate them with greater ease.In elemental harmony,KassandraP.S. The answers you seek aren't just in your mind - they're written in the world around you. Elementa helps you read that ancient language. Notice how a walk in nature often brings unexpected clarity? That's no coincidence. Elementa is your guide to the wisdom of seven elemental forces. She helps you tap into nature's blueprint for intuitive decision-making when overthinking fails. Choose to be in the drivers seat to self empowerment and next-era growth.

Does January feel like a week ago or five years? The past 12 months have brought with them a lot – a mega-deal, cyber attacks, agencies renamed, new chief executives, trends fading in and out, redundancies and, of course, AI.In the final podcast episode of the year, Campaign takes a look back over 2025 at some of the most memorable moments of the year, revisiting the top stories, reviewing who was the most talked about and picking out those moments that would be better forgotten.Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley hosts the episode and is joined by Campaign UK media editor Beau Jackson, reporter Eszter Gurbicz and editor Maisie McCabe.Further reading:Lucky Generals: ‘A creative company for people on a mission: that is still our north star'White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood will no longer appear in M&S Christmas adSantander appoints Publicis to global creative and media businessWPP recruits Microsoft exec Cindy Rose to replace Mark Read as CEOCampaign's top 10 most read stories:Group M tells staff about redundancies as restructure hits UKWPP mandates four days per week in officeOmnicom reveals huge agency shake-up, unveils new leadership, cuts 4000 jobsAgency pay revealed: a squeezed middle and a boost for bossesSchool Reports 2025: A to ZWPP employees push back on return-to-office policy with petitionRevealed: Latest hybrid working policies across 'big six' agency groupsWPP Media unveils new UK leadership structure under Brian Lesser overhaulGroup M axes global agency CEO roles in major centralisation pushWPP set to drop Group M brand in media shake-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the way you close this year determines how powerfully you step into the next one? As we approach the end of a deeply transformative cycle, this episode invites you to pause before rushing ahead. The energy of the Wood Snake has been subtle but intense—marked by shedding, introspection, and hard-earned wisdom—and ignoring that process now can have consequences later. With faster, more volatile energy on the horizon, this conversation explores why unresolved patterns—energetic, emotional, relational, or strategic—don't disappear just because the calendar turns. Instead of pushing forward prematurely, you'll hear why this moment is meant for intentional closure, and how slowing down now can create real momentum when things begin to accelerate. Nicole shares the perspective she's personally using to close out the year with clarity, highlighting the kinds of habits, stories, and dynamics that tend to surface during this phase. From internal beliefs to physical environments and relationships, the episode centers on discernment—what's ready to be released, what needs to be addressed, and what deserves to move forward with you. Grounding yet forward-focused, this episode is designed to help you transition consciously rather than reactively. If this year challenged you, reshaped you, or forced you to confront uncomfortable truths, this conversation offers a way to integrate those lessons—so you enter the next chapter prepared, steady, and ready to move. Learn more about your Human Design and get your full chart for free at https://www.nicolelaino.com/chart To download the Secret Podcast on how to Build & Scale Your Business with Human Design click here: nicolelaino.com/secretpodcast    Be sure to visit nicolelaino.com/podcastlinks for all of the current links to events, freebies, and more!    If you enjoyed this week's episode, I'd so appreciate you doing a few things for me:  Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts.  Tag me @nicolelainoofficial on your IG stories with a story of you listening to the podcast and I'll make sure to share your post!  Interested in learning more about working with me? Click here to learn more about how we can work together.   

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Amy Wood discuss:Cultivating inner balanceTraining your career like an athleteBuilding the four pillars of successManaging energy and embracing growth Key Takeaways:Focus on inner balance rather than chasing work–life balance. Intentionally manage your energy, mindset, and relationships to sustain long-term professional performance.Treat your career like elite athletic training by consistently prioritizing physical health, restorative sleep, and daily self-care as essential foundations for mental sharpness.Surround yourself with the four pillars of success: a genuinely supportive network, a solution-oriented mindset, deliberate self-care, and engaging, nourishing diversions that spark creativity.Protect and invest your energy wisely, design environments that actively inspire focus, and embrace mistakes as valuable opportunities for growth, reflection, and learning. "When you're thinking about your energy, look at it like a battery that needs to be recharged." —  Amy Wood Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again. Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don't miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org/ Thank you to our Sponsor!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ About Amy Wood: Dr. Amy Wood is a licensed psychologist, certified executive coach, and award-winning author who has devoted her career to helping individuals and organizations articulate and arrive at new and more empowering versions of success.In particular, she is known for helping individuals and organizations to edit down overwhelm to their own customized productivity and happiness essentials. With a doctorate from Adler University and a prior career in communications, she inspires transformation with a unique blend of humor, directness, and psychological insight. Dr. Wood's intention is always to live and work in ways that bring out the best in herself and others. Connect with Amy Wood:  Website: https://amywoodpsyd.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywoodpsyd/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Video Block Double-click here to add a video by URL or embed code. Learn more Mother Nature & Her Human Friends Kixmiller, John and Kachelmeier, Tamara Buy Now          Abby & Wendy Kixmiller, John and Uribe, Carlos and Kachelmeier, Tamara Buy Now          CLICK HERE FOR "PROTECTORS OF THE WOOD” PLAYLIST ON YOUTUBE! READ ALONG TO EPISODE 252 - WITH LYRICS; CHORDS TO FEATURED SONGS! CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE NATURE LIVES HERE EBOOK & ALBUM Nature Lives Here by The Protectors of the Wood Band CLICK HERE to ORDER EbookCLICK HERE to ORDER Paperback CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL CLICK HERE TO VISIT PROTECTORS OF THE WOOD's LINKTREE! Episode 252 Book #4 - The Red Jewel   FLYING TO THE RESCUE        CAST     Narrator - John KixMiller    Abby Chapman - Gabriela Baez    Glenda Trimble - Maritza Pabon    Wendy Chapman - Tamara Josephine Xxxxx, Written by John KixMiller, Performed by Xxxxx & The Protectors of the Wood Band "Invite to Adventure" Intro and "Into The Dark" Outro music composed and performed by Tamara Kachelmeier Sound Effects - Joe Vitaliano Jr. and Tamara Kachelmeier Recorded, Edited, and Produced By Tamara Kachelmeier      Adventure Series mixed at Ghost Dog Studio in Brooklyn, New York. DISCLAIMER: All Protectors of the Wood episodes and characters are part of a fantasy series, and do not represent real people, places, or incidents.        © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED     CLICK our RSS FEED to receive new podcasts automatically. The Protectors of the Wood Book Series is an adventure saga about a group of teenagers who save the world from climate change. While searching for the secrets of Dreamstone and their identities, Phoebe and Abby risk their lives to save the beautiful world around them called home. Together, they help each other and the community around them as they struggle to protect their land and heritage. ECO-FANTASY ADVENTURE SERIES RSS

Cathie Wood said Ethereum is an infrastructure for institutions and Solana is a consumer-focused blockchain, each taking on key roles within the market.~This episode is sponsored by Uphold~Uphold Get $20 in Bitcoin - Signup & Verify and trade at least $100 of any crypto within your first 30 days ➜ https://bit.ly/pbnuphold00:00 Intro00:10 Big Week01:00 JP Morgan tokenized money fund01:20 TSLA chart01:45 Cathie swaps TSLA for ETH03:15 Proof of swaps03:50 Tom Lee: Is the AI trade and BTC related?05:30 Bitcoin risks 30% downside06:20 Frank Lutz: The economic insecurity is real07:30 Trump: Inflation is totally neutralized08:00 Labor market coming to a halt08:30 New crypto highs in 202609:00 Bitcoin $150K in 2026?10:00 Ripple charter aproval10:30 Sponsor: Uphold12:00 RLUSD expansion12:50 Outro#Bitcoin #Ethereum #Crypto~Cathie Wood Swaps Tesla For Ethereum

What would you do if everything you thought you knew about your father turned out to be wrong? What if his silence, his distance, his strange obsession with the mountains wasn't coldness at all, but something else entirely? What if he'd been guarding a secret so profound, so impossible, that it had consumed his entire life? That's the question facing Marcus Stone as he pulls up to a cabin he hasn't entered in twenty-three years. His father is dead. The funeral has already happened, and Marcus wasn't there. Twenty-three years of silence between them, hardened into something neither could break. And now it's too late.Or is it? Because Robert Stone left something behind. A trunk in the cellar. A note in his father's handwriting that speaks of burdens and secrets and an ancestor named Captain Elijah Stone.A note that hints at something that's been passed down through generations, waiting for someone brave enough to finally bring it into the light. What Marcus finds in that cellar will change everything he thinks he knows about his family, about history, and about what really walks in the deep places of the American wilderness. Seven leather-bound journals. Letters tied with twine that's gone black with age. A stone pendant carved with symbols that don't match any language Marcus has ever seen. And the words of a man who died two hundred years ago, preserved in ink that has faded from black to brown but remains perfectly legible.March fifteenth, seventeen ninety-nine.Captain Elijah Stone. Revolutionary War veteran. A man haunted by stories he heard during the brutal winter at Valley Forge. Stories told by Oneida scouts around dying fires. Stories of the elder brothers. The ones who were here before us. The ones who watch from the shadows of ancient forests.This is the beginning of an expedition into the unknown. Nine men riding west from Richmond, following legends and whispers toward something that might not exist. A hot-tempered Scottish soldier carrying grief like a loaded weapon. A Kentucky frontiersman who's been waiting twenty years for someone to go looking. A Philadelphia naturalist convinced that science can explain anything. A former minister searching for proof of God in a world that suddenly seems random and cruel.And leading them all, a captain who knows, somehow, that not all of them will return.The signs begin almost immediately. Footprints eighteen inches long, pressed deep into mud by something that weighs five hundred pounds. Wood knocking in the darkness, three sharp strikes echoing through the trees. Food stolen from bundles hung fifteen feet in the air. Structures built with purpose and intention, a language in the landscape that speaks of intelligence, of planning, of something that thinks. They know we're here, the frontiersman says. They've known since we crossed into the mountains. And then comes the story that changes everything. A blizzard twenty years ago. A young trapper who thought he was going to die. And something that carried him through the storm, examined him in a dark cave, and made a decision. They were deciding what to do with me.What walks in those mountains? What has been watching humanity since before we learned to walk upright? And what did Robert Stone spend his entire life guarding? The answers are waiting in the pages of those journals. And Marcus Stone is about to discover that some inheritances come with a price.This is The Bigfoot Journals, Part One.The expedition has begun.Get Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteSupport Our SponsorsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

Liting Cong is Legal Counsel at ASICS, one of Japan's most successful sportswear companies. Liting shares her journey through the lens of Japanese aesthetics, particularly the concept of wabi-sabi or embracing imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. If you're considering an in-house career in Japan, curious about human-centric AI, or looking for wisdom on embracing life's uncertainties, you will enjoy the metaphor Liting shares about building a beautiful garden. More on that inside this episode! If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we'd love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we'd love it if you would leave us a message here!In this episode you'll hear:How Japanese martial arts and dance became a source of peace and resilience during challenging timesThe evolution of in-house counsel roles beyond gatekeeping and contract reviewPractical strategies for unlearning perfectionism that Liting uses herself at workWhy ideation is a lawyer's secret weapon in the age of AILiting's favourite book and other fun facts About LitingLiting Cong is a Legal Counsel at ASICS Corporation, where she leads global privacy, AI governance, and digital initiatives in the Legal Department. She graduated from Grinnell College in 2011, and University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 2014. She was admitted to the bar in Ontario in 2015, and in New York in 2019. Before relocating to Japan, Liting gained diverse international experience at King & Wood in Shanghai, Shin & Kim in Seoul, and Stikeman & Elliott in Toronto, and started her own practice as a sole practitioner in Toronto.In addition to her legal credentials, Liting is a data protection professional with multiple certifications from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) for European privacy (CIPP/E), privacy program management (CIPM), and artificial intelligence governance (AIGP). With over a decade of experience living and working in Canada and Japan, Liting brings not only legal expertise but also fluency in the languages--English, Chinese, and Japanese--and a deep understanding of cross-cultural business environments. In 2018, as an avid fan of Japanese arts and culture since childhood, Liting relocated to Japan. She joined Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation in Osaka as Legal Counsel, and later SymBio Pharmaceuticals Limited in Tokyo as Legal Manager.In 2023, Liting joined ASICS Corporation in its global headquarters in Kobe. She now serves as the lead in global privacy and AI governance and managing ASICS' digital initiatives across the globe. Liting lives in Osaka with her husband and a cat who enjoys making cameos in Teams calls and supervising all her legal work.  Connect with LitingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/litingcong/ LinksGokan: https://patisserie-gokan.co.jp/item/ The Cultural Map by Erin Meyer https://amzn.asia/d/9w9muCI Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Episode 253 - The order of Battle for Isandlwana and Nyezane as ‘ukuni' Wood Heads North Three separate British columns are inside Zululand and things are hotting up — and not just because of the steamy summer temperatures. In the last few episodes I've concentrated on General Chelmsford' and Colonel Glynn's operations in the centre, second Column, as they made their way over the Mzinyathi River across from Rorke's Drift - the centre of the British Invasion of Zululand. This episode we'll wrap up what was going on in other sectors, further south near the coast, and further north near the Ncome - Blood River, and along the high ground there towards the Phongola River. The First column under Colonel Charles Pearson had entered Zululand across the lower Thukela on the 12th January and was lumbering towards Eshowe, en route to meet up with Chelmsford's Column Two near Ondini prior to the final assault on King Cetshwayo kaMpande's headquarters. When the main Zulu army had set off from the ritual jumping off point of kwaNodwengu near Ondini on the afternoon of Friday 17th January 1879 destination, Rorkes Drift, a smaller Zulu force marched off simultaneously. They went in the opposite direction, south west — heading to intercept Colonel Pearson. The uMxhapho ibutho, who were young and motivated, along with the older men of the uDlambedlu and izinGulubu regiments. During the march south towards the Thukela they would meet up with reinforcements. These were small local groups, the iNsukamngeni, the iQwa, uDududu, iNdabkawombe and few other even smaller entities mustered along the coast. The total size of this force was about 6000 led by seventy year-old isikhulu Godide, chief of the Ntuli —and commander of the uDlambedlu regiment. He was also the elder brother of Mavumengwana who as you know, was second in command of the main Zulu army marching towards Chelmsford. Alongside Godide were high ranking coastal chiefs Mantshiya kaMshandu of the Nzuzu, and the older Mbilwane kaMhlanganiso who was induna of the kwaGingingdlovu ikhanda. Other important commanders who joined were Masegwane kaSopigwasi — who happened to be an inceku or counsellor of the king. Phalane, a royal induna, was monitoring events in this second army. Colonel Charles Pearson's Number one column included 4 750 men 384 wagons and 24 carts. Pearson not been in action since the Crimean War ended in 1856, spending time in St George Grenada, then various other postings until he was selected as one of the special service officers in South Africa. Despite his lack of recent combat experience, Pearson had the difficult task of leading the largest column over the greatest distance. He was ordered to cross the lower drift of the Thukela, then establish a base at the evacuated Norwegian mission station in Eshowe 60 kilometers further on. We'll come back to what happened to Pearson's column and the battle of Nyezane in Episode 254 because first we need to swing further north, past Chelmsford and Dartnell and Glynn, and Durnford, and to the Ncome River where the British left column had been very busy. Colonel Evelyn Wood was tasked with an attack on the Zulu in a wide arc from the Ncome or Blood River, all the way along the escarpment to the Phongola River. Wood was stationed at Utrecht and had dispatched a garrison of two companies of infantry to Luneberg, a German mission and farming community further East, closer to the disputed border with the Zulu Kingdom. It was positioned strategically near the eNtombe River, a key crossing point for supplies. There the British established Fort Clery first to guard the settlers then to protect the vulnerable line of communication for Colonel Wood's column as it advanced into Zululand. The amaQulusi lived here, and the action provoked the amaQulusini regiment to mobilize and march up to the enormous flat topped Hlobane Mountain.Unlike some of the other commanders, Wood was a veteran of multiple conflicts.

Access this supersized 148 minute episode (and additional monthly bonus episodes, including the continuing Prefab Sprout series) by becoming a Junk Filter patron! Only $5 (USD) a month!https://www.patreon.com/posts/226-prefab-from-145775014In part three of the podcast's series exploring the work of the extraordinary UK band Prefab Sprout, I am joined by Atlanta-based critic and theatre scholar Brice Ezell to discuss the band's most commercially successful album: 1988's From Langley Park to Memphis.Following the critical acclaim of Steve McQueen, frontman Paddy McAloon aimed for a glossy, broadly commercial sound this time. With full label support, no expense was spared on production, a sweeping, cinematic soundscape that blends sophisticated synthesizers and polished studio techniques with full orchestration, gospel choirs, and even a guest appearance from Stevie Wonder.Heavily influenced by Barbra Streisand's The Broadway Album, McAloon goes full Theatre Kid on this record. The project employed multiple producers (including the returning Thomas Dolby) and experimented across genres from arena rock to Broadway show tunes and adult contemporary. This approach generated two enduring UK radio hits: “The King of Rock 'n' Roll” (their only Top Ten single) and “Cars and Girls” (a subtle critique of Bruce Springsteen's persona).Brice and I dive deep on Langley Park, offering track-by-track analysis. We explore the album's surprising global footprint, tracing its influence from Norwegian singer-songwriters to Japanese City Pop, anime scores, and video game music. And we zero in on the album's central theme: an epic statement where Paddy deconstructs the American mythmaking machine from the vantage point of Northeast England, all while processing his band's sudden success and grappling with an uncertain future.My thanks to the Sproutology website, the ultimate online resource for the band.Follow Brice Ezell on Bluesky.The King of Rock 'n' Roll - from the Dutch music show TopPop, 1988Nightingales - Paddy McAloon on piano, from KCRW, 1988Mashup of Prefab Sprout's Knock on Wood and a track from the Japanese anime High School Aura Buster.

Anne-Marie and Peter cover TAS S1's The Terratin Incident. On the Tuesday 30th the Orgs look at The Eye Of The Beholder. Over on their Borgcast Galactica feed on Tuesday the 16th, they give their thoughts on Babylon5's Sign And Portents. The orgs Christmas special will also be on this feed this year. The Star Trek Animated Series theme used was written by Ray Ellis and norm Prescott. Feel free to send your thoughts in (just keep the feedback to less than 5 minutes please). Borgcast@gmail.com

How Sustainable Wood Helps Mitigate the Impact of Climate ChangeSustainable wood refers to the use of mass timber, which involves smaller pieces of wood that are dried and glued together in a perpendicular, crosswise pattern to form large slabs. This process can incorporate a closed-loop system that repurposes wood, promoting a circular practice that minimizes wood waste and reduces landfill usage, transportation needs, and carbon emissions. Additionally, the wood retains the carbon absorbed by trees during their growth, storing it in the floors and walls of buildings. As infrastructure demands increase, sustainable wood offers an environmentally friendly solution to meet these needs.Why the Construction Industry Needs Sustainable WoodSustainable wood, particularly through the use of mass timber, is gaining recognition as a critical climate solution in the construction industry. Traditional building materials like concrete and steel are carbon-intensive to produce, responsible for nearly 8% of global carbon emissions. In contrast, mass timber is derived from a renewable resource: trees. Through responsible forest management, trees can be harvested and replanted in a sustainable cycle, allowing forests to continue absorbing carbon dioxide. The wood used in mass timber stores this carbon long after the trees are cut down, effectively sequestering it in the walls, floors, and structures of buildings for decades or even centuries. This makes sustainable wood not only a viable building material but also a carbon sink, helping reduce the overall carbon footprint of new construction.The production of mass timber involves using smaller, fast-growing trees that are often thinned from forests to maintain ecological health. These pieces of wood are dried and glued in layers, forming large, strong panels that can be used for walls, floors, and even entire building frames. This technique reduces waste by making use of smaller trees or leftover wood that might otherwise be discarded. Additionally, mass timber is much lighter than steel and concrete, reducing the energy needed for transportation and lowering emissions from construction sites. The process can also incorporate repurposed or recycled wood in a closed-loop system, further contributing to the circular economy and minimizing waste.The climate benefits of sustainable wood go beyond carbon storage. Timber construction has a much lower embodied carbon than steel and concrete, which require energy-intensive processes to extract and manufacture. By substituting these materials with mass timber, builders can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70%. In regions where sustainable forestry practices are employed, this approach also supports local ecosystems by preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity, and encouraging the regeneration of forests. Importantly, mass timber's design allows for prefabrication, which reduces construction time and waste, making it not only a greener option but also an economically competitive one.As cities and communities around the world grapple with the need for affordable housing while also addressing climate change, sustainable wood provides a promising solution. By scaling up the use of mass timber in mid- and high-rise buildings, the construction sector can reduce its reliance on carbon-heavy materials, sequester large amounts of carbon, and promote sustainable forest management practices. This integration of environmental, economic, and social benefits positions sustainable wood as a key player in the transition toward a low-carbon future.The Future of Sustainable Wood: Making Construction Faster and Greener Sustainable wood, especially when derived through the use of mass timber, offers a range of environmental, economic, and structural advantages over traditional building materials. From a structural standpoint, mass timber is both strong and lightweight, making it a highly versatile material. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing it to be used in large, multi-story buildings while reducing the overall load on foundations and minimizing transportation costs. Additionally, mass timber is more fire-resistant than many people realize; when exposed to fire, the outer layer of the wood chars and insulates the inner core, slowing down the spread of fire and maintaining the building's integrity for longer than some steel structures. This combination of strength, fire resistance, and flexibility gives mass timber a competitive edge in construction.Economically, sustainable wood offers cost-saving opportunities through faster construction times and less material waste. Mass timber panels can be prefabricated off-site, reducing the time spent on construction and the labor costs associated with traditional methods. This efficiency not only lowers the overall cost of building but also minimizes disruption in urban areas. Furthermore, the use of repurposed or recycled wood supports a circular economy, where resources are reused rather than discarded, reducing the environmental impact and fostering a more sustainable construction industry. As demand for sustainable and affordable housing rises, mass timber presents a compelling, eco-friendly alternative to conventional building practices.One of the most significant benefits is its ability to sequester carbon. Trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, and this carbon remains stored in the wood even after it's used in construction. By utilizing wood in buildings, the carbon is locked away for the lifespan of the structure, helping to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, materials like concrete and steel release large amounts of carbon during their production, contributing to climate change. This makes mass timber a powerful tool in the fight against global warming, especially when paired with sustainable forestry practices.Sustainable Wood SkepticismDespite its many advantages, the use of sustainable wood and mass timber as a building material does have some drawbacks and criticisms. One primary concern is the reliance on sustainable forestry practices. If forests are not properly managed, large-scale timber harvesting can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss. The success of mass timber as a climate solution depends on responsible sourcing, including replanting trees to maintain the carbon-absorbing benefits of forests. Unsustainable logging practices or overharvesting could negate the environmental benefits of mass timber by releasing more carbon into the atmosphere and harming ecosystems.Another challenge is the perception of wood's durability and fire safety. While mass timber is engineered to be fire-resistant, some critics remain concerned about its performance in large-scale buildings. Public perception and regulatory hurdles can be barriers to adoption, as many building codes and fire safety standards are based on traditional materials like concrete and steel. These regulations may need to be updated to reflect the true performance of mass timber, but in the meantime, they can slow down its widespread use in urban construction.Additionally, there are economic concerns, particularly regarding initial costs. While mass timber can reduce construction time and labor costs, the price of sustainably sourced wood can be higher than that of conventional materials, especially if demand outstrips supply. The infrastructure for large-scale mass timber production is still developing, and until it reaches full maturity, the material may remain more expensive and less accessible than concrete or steel, limiting its adoption in some markets. Over time, these challenges may be addressed, but they highlight the need for careful planning, regulation, and investment in the mass timber industry.Who is Our Guest?Dr. Paul Mayencourt is a researcher and educator at studying low-carbon design solutions in architecture. He does much of his work in the Wood Lab at the University of California, Berkeley between the Department of Architecture and the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. Dr. Mayencourt specializes in mass timber, structural design, and structural optimization. ResourcesUC Berkeley: Forest to frame: Paul Mayencourt bridges forest management and sustainable constructionAmerican Wood Council: Mass TimberUC Berkeley: Continuing Berkeley's legacy in forest productsVox: The hottest new thing in sustainable building is, uh, woodSeattle Business Magazine: Cross-laminated Timber: the Future of Building?Further ReadingUrban Machine: https://urbanmachine.build/Hardware to Save a Planet: Podcast with Co-Founder of Urban MachineWashington Post: Forget the log cabin. Wood buildings are climbing skyward — with pluses for the planet.Swedish Wood: A global solution for a locally active industryDalberg: A Forest Economy for the Future: Generating social and economic dividends from more sustainable, circular sourcesFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/sustainable-wood-from-mass-timber-with-dr-paul-mayencourt/

In this episode, we tackle a question from listener Carolyn in Michigan about the potential cognitive impacts of long-term hearing loss. What You'll Learn: The research linking hearing loss to increased dementia risk and what the evidence actually shows How hearing aids impact the risk of cognitive decline The mechanisms behind why hearing loss might affect brain health Practical strategies for maintaining cognitive health when dealing with hearing loss Innovative technologies for hearing loss that could provide new forms of cognitive stimulation To submit a question for us to answer on the podcast, go to brainjo.academy/question. To subscribe to the free Better Brain Fitness newsletter, join us when we record live, and get our Guide and Checklist to essential blood tests and nutrients, go to: betterbrain.fitness. Click here to pre-order Dr. Wood's book, "The Stimulated Mind." Click here to grab Dr. Turknett's bestselling book, "Anyone Can Play Music"   Intro and Outro music composed and produced by Julienne Ellen.   

It's our annual holiday episode, this time with Dougy Center Executive Director and TEDx speaker Brennan Wood. Brennan first encountered Dougy Center after her mom, Doris, died of breast cancer three days after Brennan's 12th birthday. She has since navigated almost four decades of holiday seasons with grief along for the ride. She shares about the early years that were awful; the young-adult years she spent volunteering away from family; and how, as an adult, she's learned to hold both grief and joy while creating new traditions for her own family. Whether this is your first or 41st holiday season with grief, this conversation offers validation, tangible suggestions, and new ways to think about this time of year.   We discuss:  How attending a peer grief support group as a teen introduced Brennan to the idea that grief is to feel, not fix. Accepting that not everything has to be bright and shiny, especially during the holidays.   Recalling the first Christmas after her mom died and why it felt awful.  New traditions she's created as an adult with her own family.  Grounding rituals Brennan uses, especially during the holidays.   Why it's okay to be mad at holiday traditions you used to love.  Need additional tips and suggestions for this time of year? Check out our past episodes and our Holiday Grief Tip Sheet & Worksheet  It's Okay That It's Not the Same: Grief at the Holidays  It Can Be So Awkward: Holidays & Grief  The Not- Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Holidays & Grief  Grief And The Holidays   Under Pressure – Grief & December Holidays  Watch Brennan's TEDxPortland Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN4zP5baJrg Read her A Kid's Book About Grief - https://dougybookstore.org/products/a-kids-book-about-grief Learn more about Brennan - https://www.dougy.org/about/team-dougy/executive-director

It is all about the Ashes as Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma assess where it went wrong for England in the second Test match at Brisbane and ask how that performance will impact Adelaide and the rest of the series. We are joined by three-time Ashes winner and former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior. He reacts to Brendon McCullum's comments that England were ‘overprepared', tells us how the Ashes winning team he was involved in back in 2010/11 prepared and compares the wicketkeeping of Jamie Smith and Alex Carey. He also tells us what the England team will miss the most about Mark Wood after he has been ruled out of the series after a reoccurrence of his knee injury. Plus, we ask what is the best/quirkiest cricket T-shirt? Photo: Matt Prior of England poses with a flag after winning the Ashes series during day five of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 7, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Cathie Wood just confirmed what many Bitcoiners have suspected — the 4-year Bitcoin cycle is officially dead.What replaces it? A massive supply squeeze that could send shockwaves through the market. From ETF flows to BTC Treasury Company demand, this isn't just theory — it's happening live.Join BTC Sessions as we break down exactly what Cathie said, and what it means for Bitcoin's future.FOLLOW TODAY'S PANELISTS:https://x.com/saxtron3000https://x.com/jdennehy_writeshttps://x.com/LanternBitcoinFOLLOW BTC SESSIONS on X/Nostr: x.com/BTCsessionsbtcsessions@getalby.comBOOK private one-on-one sessions with BITCOIN MENTOR! Learn self custody, hardware, multisig, lightning, privacy, running a node, and plenty more - all from a team of top notch educators that I've personally vetted.https://bitcoinmentor.io/—------------------------------SHOW SPONSORS:BITCOIN WELL - BUY BITCOINhttps://qrco.de/bfiDC6COINKITE/COLDCARD (5% discount):https://qrco.de/bfiDBVABUNDANT MINES:http://abundantmines.com/boomersAQUA WALLEThttps://qrco.de/bfiD8gNUNCHUK HONEYBADGER INHERITANCEhttps://qrco.de/bfiDARHODLHODL NO KYC P2P EXCHANGEhttps://hodlhodl.com/join/BTCSESSIONDEBIFI LOANShttps://qrco.de/bfiDCp#btc #bitcoin #crypto

Andrew 'Tiny' Wood in conversation with David Eastaugh  https://www.facebook.com/UltrasoundTheBand English indie rock band. With roots in the British underground psychedelic and experimental rock scenes of the 1980s and early 1990s, the band emerged in 1997 and soon gained attention for their "operatic prog-glam ambitions" and "violent reworking of the idiosyncratic compositions of Captain Beefheart and the staged ambisexual pop idioms of the likes of Marc Bolan and David Bowie". Signing a high-profile deal with Nude Records at the tail-end of the Britpop era, the band released several well-received singles and were tagged as "another big, bright hope for British music" but split up acrimoniously in 1999 following the release of their debut album Everything Picture. Reuniting in early 2010, Ultrasound have gone on to tour and to release two further albums.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down Scott Boras’s Winter Meetings wordplay and discuss the Kyle Schwarber and Edwin Díaz deals, a smattering of starting-pitcher signings, the Pirates as supposed spenders, the latest on the Ippei Mizuhara TV series, a Lane Kiffin canine conspiracy, and a Johanfran Garcia nickname. Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Boras on EW Link to Boras on Imai Link to Boras on Suárez Link to Boras on Bregman Link to Boras on Alonso Link to more on Alonso Link to “Wood” song Link to Boras on Gallen Link to Boras on Skubal Link to Boras on Bellinger Link to Bellinger quote transcription Link to quote about news timing Link to FG post on Schwarber Link to NL fWAR leaders Link to FG post on Díaz Link to Friedman’s “heavy lifting” quote Link to over/under draft results Link to Pirates offer story Link to Boras on the Pirates Link to Pirates/Marlins spending story Link to Ippei show update Link to FG post on Matz Link to MLBTR on Grissom Link to MLBTR on Ponce Link to MLBTR on Weiss Link to MLBTR on Kay Link to MLBTR on Anderson Link to HUAL on Kiffin Link to Kiffin dog story 1 Link to Kiffin dog story 2 Link to report on Juice Link to post on Juice’s account Link to Cruella de Vil wiki Link to Garcia brothers story Link to Patreon gift subs Link to Secret Santa sign-up Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

The '90s were a strange time. From Gregorian chants to swing bands, you never knew what would make it onto the radio. But some of the strangest groups to improbably infiltrate the mainstream came from the post-Grateful Dead jam band scene. Our guest today is Mike Ayers, author of ⁠Sharing in the Groove: The Untold Story of the '90s Jam Band Explosion and the Scene that Followed. ⁠ The book, an oral history, is really a blast. It covers all the big players of the era: Phish, Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors, Widespread Panic, Dave Matthews Band, but Ayers takes it to the next level by expanding the definition of "jam band" to include Medeski, Martin and Wood, Greyboy and the acid jazz scene, New Orleans funk band Galactic, and John Zorn and the Knitting Factory downtown NYC scene, and much more. This episode, guest host (and Transmissions audio editor) Andrew Horton, Jason P. Woodbury, and Ayers sit down to hash out the era in which even Sonic Youth and Yo La Tengo embraced their jammiest free improv tendencies. What are the limits of the whole "jam band" thing really? Come along with us as we dig into Sharing in the Groove. Transmissions is created in partnership with the Talkhouse Podcast Network. We're brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquarium Drunkard⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an independent music media crew headed by Justin Gage. Over at Aquarium Drunkard, you'll gain access to 20 years of music writing, playlist, essays, mixtapes, radio special, podcasts, videos and more.

My friend and jazzman Steve Salerno returns to show me his major-league wood and talk about the gift of baseball, Chet Baker, getting canceled over Charlie Kirk, and my thoughts on John Leguizamo's new play The Other Americans. Check out my book, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore: On the Death and Rebirth of Comedy https://amzn.to/3VhFa1r     Watch my sketch comedy streaming on Red Coral Universe: https://redcoraluniverse.com/en/series/the-lou-perez-comedy-68501a2fd369683d0f2a2a88?loopData=true&ccId=675bc891f78f658f73eaa46d  Rock XX-XY Athletics. You can get 20% off your purchase with promo code LOU20. https://www.xx-xyathletics.com/?sca_ref=7113152.ifIMaKpCG3ZfUHH4  Support me at www.substack.com/@louperez     Join my newsletter www.TheLouPerez.com   Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the-lou-perez.../id1535032081   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KAtC7eFS3NHWMZp2UgMVU   Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/.../2b7d4d.../the-lou-perez-podcast   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb5trMQQvT077-L1roE0iZyAgT4dD4EtJ   Lou Perez is a comedian, producer, and the author of THAT JOKE ISN'T FUNNY ANYMORE: ON THE DEATH AND REBIRTH OF COMEDY. You may have seen him on Gutfeld! , FOX News Primetime, One Nation with Brian Kilmeade, and Open to Debate (with Michael Ian Black). Lou was the Head Writer and Producer of the Webby Award-winning comedy channel We the Internet TV. During his tenure at WTI, Lou made the kind of comedy that gets you put on lists and your words in the Wall Street Journal: “How I Became a ‘Far-Right Radical.'” As a stand-up comedian, Lou has opened for Rob Schneider, Rich Vos, Jimmy Dore, Dave Smith, and toured the US and Canada with Scott Thompson. Lou has also produced live shows with Colin Quinn, the Icarus Festival, and the Rutherford Comedy Festival. For years, Lou performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (both in NYC and L.A.) in sketch shows with the Hammerkatz and his comedy duo, Greg and Lou. Greg and Lou is best known for its sketch "Wolverine's Claws Suck," which has over 20 million views on YouTube alone. In addition to producing sketch comedy like Comedy Is Murder, performing stand-up across the country, and writing for The Blaze's Align, Lou is on the advisory board of Heresy Press, a FAIR-in-the-arts fellow, and host of the live debate series The Wrong Take and The Lou Perez Podcast (which is part of the Lions of Liberty Podcast Network). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen as we talk with Ben and Ashley Menges, ranchers from Arizona