Podcasts about World War II

In November 1932, Germany was a republic. By the spring of 1933, it was a dictatorship. How did it all happen so quickly? Fascination with Adolf Hitler requires no news peg, but I've been particularly interested in understanding the story of Hitler's rise, because in the past few months, several prominent podcast hosts—including Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson—have mainstreamed revisionist histories of the Nazi regime and WWII. These new histories often soften Hitler's antisemitism and treat him as a man of limited ambition; a guy who just wanted to give Germans a bit more living room, who was pulled into a continental war by Winston Churchill. The best book that I've read that makes use of the trove of documentation on the subject is 'Hitler's People,' by the historian Richard Evans, who is today's guest. Evans is the author of a famous three-volume history of Hitler—'The Coming of the Third Reich,' 'The Third Reich in Power,' and 'The Third Reich at War'_—_and he is widely considered the most comprehensive historian of Nazi Germany in the world. His new book distills his multi-thousand-page history into an elegant 100-page synthesis of Hitler's life, followed by profiles of his most important advisers. The end of the book is particularly interesting, as it profiles ordinary Germans of the time, for the purpose of explaining how normal, non-psychopathic people found themselves involved in a regime so brutal that it's become a synonym for evil. If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek Thompson Guest: Richard Evans Producer: Devon Baroldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During the Second World War, a promise by President Roosevelt to provide supplies to nationalist China led to the creation of an ill-fated air supply route from India, across a perilous stretch of the Himalayan foothills known as 'the hump'. Caroline Alexander tells Elinor Evans about the young American pilots who braved the world's most dangerous skies, facing deadly weather, jungle crashes, and psychological collapse. (Ad) Caroline Alexander is the author of Skies of Thunder: The Deadly World War II Mission Over the Roof of the World (Bonnier Books, 2025). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/skies-of-thunder/caroline-alexander/9781804189870. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the aftermath of World War Two, Ferdinand Porsche is arrested for war crimes. As the fate of his company hangs in the balance, only Ferdinand's son can liberate his father from behind bars and resurrect the family business.Be the first to know about Wondery's newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Business Movers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/business-movers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the special edition Bruce Lee Foundation takeover of the Bruce Lee Podcast for the month of May, Shannon is honored to welcome Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi to the show. Everyone knows Kristi as a champion on the ice, but in her years since winning gold she has also become a devoted author, philanthropist, and lifelong advocate for youth literacy. Born in California to Japanese-American parents, Kristi's mother was born in a WWII internment camp while her grandfather served as a U.S. Army lieutenant. Kristi's journey reflects strength across generations and  is one of legacy and service. Kristi shares how a treasured Dorothy Hamill doll ignited her early passion for skating, and what it felt like to meet her idol moments before the biggest performance of her life. She also reflects on her touring years with Stars On Ice. Kristi opens up about the values her parents instilled in her around service and gratitude—and how those principles ultimately led her to found Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream, a nonprofit dedicated to early literacy and family engagement. Through her foundation, Kristi is helping ensure that children in underserved communities not only have access to high-quality books, but also the support needed to build a lifelong love of reading. Finally, Kristi opens up about a new passion she's been engaged in, and it's VERY Bruce Lee of her! Join Shannon and get to know how Kristi is continuing to shape an inspiring legacy that continues across generations! Show notes and more episodes at Brucelee.com/Podcast  Connect with Kristi…. Website:  www.alwaysdream.org Instagram: @kristiyamaguchi | @alwaysdream Facebook: Kristi Yamaguchi | Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream X: @kristiyamaguchi

In this episode of *History of the Second World War*, delve into the pivotal moment during the Battle of Britain as Britain grapples with the decision to reject German negotiations, leaving its fate hanging in the balance. Explore the high-stakes strategies employed by the Royal Air Force, from cutting-edge communication systems to coded orders like "scramble" and "vector 180 angels 10," which shaped the course of the conflict. With gripping insights into leadership, resilience, and the fog of war, this episode reveals how Britain's defiance became a turning point in the fight against Nazi Germany. Don't miss the behind-the-scenes look at the chaos and courage that defined this historic battle! Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is hard for Americans to imagine not being No. 1. The US has been the leading industrial, economic and military power since the end of WWII. But now America confronts a challenger that appears to be bigger, faster and more ambitious. That challenger is China. The PRC now manufactures one third of the world's cars, sixty percent of EVs, seventy percent of batteries and utterly dominates battery supply chains. How did Chinese companies get so powerful so quickly? What can America and the West learn from China's rapid ascendancy? And what can we do to compete going forward?  Joining me today on the Driving wWith Dunne podcast is Kyle Chan, author of the widely read and highly respected newsletter, High Capacity. Kyle reveals China's secret superpowers – many of which might appear surprisingly ordinary. But they're not. 

Long before women had a seat at the table in medicine, Dr. Zaruhi Kavaljian carved out a space of her own. She was the first Armenian women to become a physician—an educator, trailblazer, and advocate for women's health and empowerment. From earning her medical degree at a time when few women even attended university, to shaping the future of public health and mentoring generations of students, Dr. Kavaljian's legacy is one of courage, compassion, and unwavering determination. Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance Send us a Hoe of History request: homancepodcast@gmail.com

Today's message is really about taking the long view. The human attention span is short, like really, really short. Between the world wars, Winston Churchill warned Europe that Hitler was a threat to the continent at least, but people ignored him. And then when the Nazis turned violent, the people turned to Churchill as their prime minister. Having led the country through another costly war to preserve freedom, Churchill was defeated for reelection in the last days of World War II. It's like the people had forgotten his priceless contribution to world peace. He knew the war would take a long time and that it would be costly, and the people wanted to avoid thinking about it, and even later wanted it over quickly. And that's rarely how life works. Churchill returned as Prime Minister in the 1950s, but his experiences show that people mostly want short-term solutions. Working for the long goal is rarely popular. Jeremiah 15:15 says, “Lord, you understand. Remember me and care for me, avenge me on my persecutors. You are longsuffering. Do not take me away. Think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.” Here God is reminding us that often, we're required to stay in it for the long haul. Nowhere is this more true than in the pursuits of peace and contentment. That kind of thing is not built quickly, and not surprisingly too many people don't stay with it, and they stumble along looking for solutions in the wrong places.If you're in a bad place today, you're going to have to start with basic steps. Talk to Jesus and tell Him you're struggling. Maybe you have a vague sense of depression and just can't locate the direct cause. Take the example of people who did understand the source of true happiness, and were committed to seeing it through no matter how long it took. Abraham knew the value of prayer, and he waited for decades to have a son. Hannah was also unable to have children, but she prayed and stayed faithful, and eventually, God gave her a child and she felt fulfilled. Joseph spent years in exile in prison because of his brothers' actions, but his faith didn't waver. He actually found his contentment in the middle of these trials, and eventually, God restored his family, and all he had lost.  If you're depressed or ground down from money worries, or facing some other huge challenge—go to God right now and tell Him you need peace for your soul. Tell him you fully trust Him and will wait with as much patience and faith as you can. It's then you start the clock ticking on your difficult circumstances, and while you wait, your heart will be at rest. Let's pray. Father, thank you for the good gifts that we already have. Help us be grateful for those things that sustain life. We fully trust you to bring about our delivery from life's circumstances at precisely the moment you have chosen. Sustain our spirits on this journey, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.  Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

American universities are where people go to learn and teach. They're also where research and development happens. Over the past eight decades, universities have received billions in federal dollars to help that happen. Those dollars have contributed to innovations like: Drone technology. Inhalable Covid vaccines. Google search code.The Trump administration is cutting or threatening to cut federal funding for research. Federal funding for all kinds of science is at its lowest level in decades.Today on the show: when did the government start funding research at universities? And will massive cuts mean the end of universities as we know them?We hear from the man who first pushed the government to fund university research and we talk to the chancellor of a big research school, Washington University in St. Louis. He opens up his books to show us how his school gets funded and what it would mean if that funding went away.This episode is part of our series Pax Americana, about how the Trump administration and others are challenging a set of post-World War II policies that placed the U.S. at the center of the economic universe. Listen to our episode about the reign of the dollar.Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.Listen free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Manchester. Lancaster. Lincoln. Lancastrian. York. Tudor. Shackleton...To most, this is simply a list of obscure names. But to some, these are the beloved branches of a family tree of bombers, airborne early warning, and maritime reconnaissance aircraft that extends from World War II well into the Cold War.On this episode, Mr. Graham Barber explains the Avro Lancaster family tree, culminating in the Shackleton (AEW2 WR963) being restored and frequently started to keep the legacy of these magnificent British aircraft alive and well.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Founder and President of The World War II Foundation, Tim Gray, joins Martha to discuss the new documentary "Miles, Morale and Memories: Bob Hope and World War II." The film follows Bob Hope's incredible efforts to cheer up U.S. troops during World War II. His travels led him to many dangerous, remote locations, but he remained committed to entertaining soldiers and providing them a brief reprieve from the war--a tradition Hope would carry through Korea and Vietnam as well.  Tim explains why Bob's legacy has led to other great entertainers carrying on his tradition.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's one of the oldest sins in the world, and yet somehow still the most unthinkable: the exploitation of children by the powerful. And if recent revelations are even half true, America isn't just tolerating it — we may be systematizing it.In 1885, a British journalist exposed a hidden network of child brothels in London's West End — a story so horrific it was dubbed The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon. The outcry shook Parliament. A generation later, the Japanese Empire trafficked over 200,000 young women — many underage — as “comfort women” for its soldiers in World War II.This evil isn't new. It's old. It's persistent. And it always hides behind institutions that claim to serve the weak.Today, figures like RFK Jr. are alleging that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has served not as a barrier to trafficking, but as a facilitator. Meanwhile, Sean “Diddy” Combs faces a mounting storm of accusations — not just from the media, but from over 80 civil litigants, some of whom were underage at the time of the alleged abuse.The world calls it conspiracy. But what if it's just exposure?This episode is brought to you by our premier sponsors, Armored Republic and Reece Fund, as well as our Patreon members and donors. You can join our Patreon at patreon.com/rightresponseministries or donate at rightresponseministries.com/donate.Today's episode isn't about shock. It's about responsibility. If these things are happening — in our agencies, in our courts, and in our entertainment industry — then we demand justice. As Christians we are called to expose the deeds of darkness, so today, we must name the evil, and refuse to look away.MINISTRY SPONSORS: Reece Fund. Christian Capital. Boldly Deployed https://www.reecefund.com/ Private Family Banking How to Connect with Private Family Banking: FREE 20-MINUTE COURSE Email: chuck@privatefamilybanking.com FREE e-book: How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Schedule a FREE Discovery Call $4.99 Multi-Generational Wealth Guide Western Front Books. Publishing for men on the right. Not churchy. Christian. https://www.WesternFrontBooks.com/ Mid State Accounting Need help with bookkeeping, tax returns, or fractional CFO services? Call Kailee Smith at 573‑889‑7278 or visit: https://www.midstateaccounting.net Mention the Right Response podcast and get 10% off your first three months. Kingsmen Caps Carry the Crown with Kingsmen Caps — premium headwear made for those who honor Christ as King. https://kingsmencaps.com Squirrelly Joes Coffee – Caffeinating The Modern Reformation Get a free bag of coffee (just pay shipping): https://squirrellyjoes.com/rightresponse

After World War II, nuclear power was heralded as the future of energy. Then the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 marked a turning point and solidified opposition. In two decades, a dozen U.S. reactors have closed and only three have come online. But the site of America’s worst nuclear accident may now be the site of its rebirth. William Brangham reports for our series, Tipping Point. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The 1983 revolution in Grenada was a major moment of the Cold War era ... and writer Zilla Jones grew up hearing stories about its connection to her own family. She transports readers back to that time in her debut novel, The World So Wide. It follows a Canadian opera singer named Felicity who is caught up in the military coup and placed under house arrest. What unfolds next is a saga that spans decades and reflects on race, love, belonging and revolution. Zilla joins Mattea Roach to talk about why opera is at the centre of the story, her work as a lawyer and the power of art as protest.If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Nnedi Okorafor: Bringing a writer to life in Death of the Author Jack Wang: Reimagining the lost stories of Chinese Canadians during WWII

The Superhero Show Show #586STAS - Silver Sable and the Wild Pack Silver Sable and the Wild Pack in Spider-Man: Their Animated Debut ExplainedThis week on The Superhero Show Show, our panel breaks down the thrilling first chapter of the epic arc “Six Forgotten Warriors” from Spider-Man: The Animated Series. The headline? The long-anticipated animated debut of Silver Sable and the Wild Pack—and they don't disappoint.The podcast crew examines how Silver Sable is portrayed in this episode as a strategic and lethal leader, commanding a paramilitary group that blurs the line between villainy and justice. Unlike her comic book roots where she sometimes teams up with Spider-Man, here she and the Wild Pack create immediate tension. We explore how her presence introduces a new geopolitical layer to the show, raising questions about loyalty, legacy, and hidden agendas.The Insidious Six: Return of the Animated MenaceIt wouldn't be a classic Spider-Man arc without some familiar foes. The Insidious Six (a renamed version of the Sinister Six due to broadcast standards) rear their heads again in this episode. The team breaks down how this crew—featuring Doctor Octopus, Chameleon, and others—adds to the episode's high-stakes narrative.We debate which versions of the team have made the biggest impact across media and whether this particular incarnation holds up. Plus, how do they stack up next to new players like Silver Sable and her Wild Pack?Aunt May: Clues from the PastSpider-Man's beloved Aunt May isn't just a background character this time. In Six Forgotten Warriors Chapter 1, she reacts strongly to certain names and locations, hinting at a mysterious past connection to the episode's central storyline.Our hosts dive into the theory that Aunt May may have more ties to the titular “forgotten warriors” than Peter knows. Could she be the key to understanding why these long-lost heroes are returning—and how Peter is connected to them?Who Is Keene Marlow? Marvel's Hidden War HeroOne of the episode's most intriguing reveals is the introduction of Keene Marlow, a war-era super-soldier whose history may go deeper than the show lets on. Comic fans might recognize the name as one of several pseudonyms tied to golden-age characters like the Destroyer.We explore the possibilities: Is Keene Marlow Marvel's way of retconning an alternate Captain America? What does his appearance say about the legacy of WWII-era heroes in the Spider-Man animated universe? And how could he be linked to both Silver Sable's mission and Aunt May's hidden past?Comic Lore Spotlight: Silver Sable and the Wild Pack OriginsFor listeners unfamiliar with her comic roots, Silver Sable first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #265 (1985). She leads the Wild Pack, a team of elite mercenaries working for her company, Silver Sable International. Often straddling the line between anti-hero and hired gun, Sable has teamed up with Spider-Man, Captain America, and others when their goals align.In the animated series, her portrayal is just as complex—neither villain nor traditional hero—making her debut a perfect match for the morally gray atmosphere of Six Forgotten Warriors.FAQ: Silver Sable and the Wild Pack in Spider-ManWho is Silver Sable in Spider-Man: The Animated Series?She is portrayed

Send us a textIn this episode, we get real about the counterfeit comforts we each reach for when life feels too heavy—whether that's emotional eating, perfectionism, scrolling, or even throwing ourselves into ministry. We open up about how our personal stories shaped these patterns. Heidi shares how growing up with alcoholic parents taught her to cope through control and performance, while Christina talks about how her mom's trauma from WWII in Germany created a legacy of anxiety and over-functioning in her own life. These habits may look harmless, but they often mask a deeper ache we're trying to numb.We also talk about how family history and cultural messages feed these false comforts and how even “good” things—like spiritual routines—can become a way to avoid real connection with God. But there's hope. Scripture invites us to bring our struggles into the light and let God meet us in the very places we tend to hide. Instead of running from discomfort, we're learning to pause and invite God in—right in the middle of our mess. Tune in and join us as we unpack the beginning of this healing journey.Support the showLearn more about our Revelation Within Community: https://www.revelationwithin.org

This week on The Broski Report, Fearless Leader Brittany Broski returns to the tried and true topic of WWII, continues her obsession with Jack O'Connell, and shares media she's been interested in as of late. 

Dave and Chuck the Freak talk about National Sun Screen Day, woman with Vitamin D deficiency due to overuse of sun screen cracked bone in sleep, French cashier speaks with English accent since having tonsil surgery, US treasury will stop making new pennies soon, if you saw a fly on a spider web would you help it?, Rowan’s grad party, guy found dead body in his pool, man died while teaching teen to drive, man survived gator attack and was then shot and killed by police, more New Orleans inmates captured, more shark sightings than usual, parents leave kids alone in car so they can gamble, person who won $680k on $7 slot machine bet, President of France landed and Vietnam and was slapped by wife, all you can eat Chick Fil A, NBA and NHL playoffs, ice hockey world championship, Conor McGregor might buy OnlyFans, grandson of NASCAR CEO is behind motorcycle speeding YouTube channel, Michael Strahan’s pet pig was eaten, Britney Spears scolded for lighting cigarette on flight, record setting Memorial Day box office weekend, ceiling collapsed during screening of Final Destination, Phil Robinson of Duck Dynasty died, family says Metallica saved their life, old man farting in line causes a fight, update on Checkers shooting from last week, man pulled over for DUI with infant in car, drunk man kicking pole in public, man gets fired for not wearing pants during Zoom, passengers screaming when plane hit by sandstorm, kindergarten student brought Jell-O shots to school, kid brough WWII hand grenade to school, trend has guys calling their buddies to say good night, Dave’s sun burn, duck is terrorizing neighborhood, truck blew up while driving down road, toddler recovering after being bit twice by rattlesnake, kid smuggled lizards over from Italy, black bear fell from tree it was napping in, USA swears the most, cargo ship came ashore several feet from man’s seaside home in Norway, and more!

7/8: Cassino '44: The Brutal Battle for Rome Hardcover – November 12, 2024 by  James Holland  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Cassino-44-Brutal-Battle-Rome/dp/080216384X As the new year of 1944 began in Italy, the Allied army's momentum had ground to a halt just south of the vaunted German Gustav Line of defense, far short of their initial objective of liberating Rome by Christmas. The fighting up the Italian peninsula had been brutal—rugged terrain, fierce resistance, terrible weather. While Allied leaders in London prepared for the cross-Channel invasion of France later that spring, the war in the West hinged in Italy. As bestselling historian James Holland relates in his seminal concluding volume on the Italy Campaign, the next five months saw two of World War II's most famous battles—the four ferocious assaults on Monte Cassino and the fraught landing northwest in the marshes at Anzio—culminating at last in the liberation of Rome on June 4, merely two days before D-Day. Based on twenty years of research, Cassino '44 offers perspectives and conclusions that differ from the standard narrative. Holland elevates the narrative of war, chronicling the dramatic events primarily through in-the-moment letters and diaries of those who were therel 1944 ITALY 269/67TH        

6/8: Cassino '44: The Brutal Battle for Rome Hardcover – November 12, 2024 by  James Holland  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Cassino-44-Brutal-Battle-Rome/dp/080216384X As the new year of 1944 began in Italy, the Allied army's momentum had ground to a halt just south of the vaunted German Gustav Line of defense, far short of their initial objective of liberating Rome by Christmas. The fighting up the Italian peninsula had been brutal—rugged terrain, fierce resistance, terrible weather. While Allied leaders in London prepared for the cross-Channel invasion of France later that spring, the war in the West hinged in Italy. As bestselling historian James Holland relates in his seminal concluding volume on the Italy Campaign, the next five months saw two of World War II's most famous battles—the four ferocious assaults on Monte Cassino and the fraught landing northwest in the marshes at Anzio—culminating at last in the liberation of Rome on June 4, merely two days before D-Day. Based on twenty years of research, Cassino '44 offers perspectives and conclusions that differ from the standard narrative. Holland elevates the narrative of war, chronicling the dramatic events primarily through in-the-moment letters and diaries of those who were therel 1944 5TH DIVISION ITALY

8/8: Cassino '44: The Brutal Battle for Rome Hardcover – November 12, 2024 by  James Holland  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Cassino-44-Brutal-Battle-Rome/dp/080216384X As the new year of 1944 began in Italy, the Allied army's momentum had ground to a halt just south of the vaunted German Gustav Line of defense, far short of their initial objective of liberating Rome by Christmas. The fighting up the Italian peninsula had been brutal—rugged terrain, fierce resistance, terrible weather. While Allied leaders in London prepared for the cross-Channel invasion of France later that spring, the war in the West hinged in Italy. As bestselling historian James Holland relates in his seminal concluding volume on the Italy Campaign, the next five months saw two of World War II's most famous battles—the four ferocious assaults on Monte Cassino and the fraught landing northwest in the marshes at Anzio—culminating at last in the liberation of Rome on June 4, merely two days before D-Day. Based on twenty years of research, Cassino '44 offers perspectives and conclusions that differ from the standard narrative. Holland elevates the narrative of war, chronicling the dramatic events primarily through in-the-moment letters and diaries of those who were therel 1944 GURKAS OF 4TH INDIAN DIVISION ITALY

4/8: Cassino '44: The Brutal Battle for Rome Hardcover – November 12, 2024 by  James Holland  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Cassino-44-Brutal-Battle-Rome/dp/080216384X As the new year of 1944 began in Italy, the Allied army's momentum had ground to a halt just south of the vaunted German Gustav Line of defense, far short of their initial objective of liberating Rome by Christmas. The fighting up the Italian peninsula had been brutal—rugged terrain, fierce resistance, terrible weather. While Allied leaders in London prepared for the cross-Channel invasion of France later that spring, the war in the West hinged in Italy. As bestselling historian James Holland relates in his seminal concluding volume on the Italy Campaign, the next five months saw two of World War II's most famous battles—the four ferocious assaults on Monte Cassino and the fraught landing northwest in the marshes at Anzio—culminating at last in the liberation of Rome on June 4, merely two days before D-Day. Based on twenty years of research, Cassino '44 offers perspectives and conclusions that differ from the standard narrative. Holland elevates the narrative of war, chronicling the dramatic events primarily through in-the-moment letters and diaries of those who were therel OCTOBER 1943. ITALY

3/8: Cassino '44: The Brutal Battle for Rome Hardcover – November 12, 2024 by  James Holland  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Cassino-44-Brutal-Battle-Rome/dp/080216384X As the new year of 1944 began in Italy, the Allied army's momentum had ground to a halt just south of the vaunted German Gustav Line of defense, far short of their initial objective of liberating Rome by Christmas. The fighting up the Italian peninsula had been brutal—rugged terrain, fierce resistance, terrible weather. While Allied leaders in London prepared for the cross-Channel invasion of France later that spring, the war in the West hinged in Italy. As bestselling historian James Holland relates in his seminal concluding volume on the Italy Campaign, the next five months saw two of World War II's most famous battles—the four ferocious assaults on Monte Cassino and the fraught landing northwest in the marshes at Anzio—culminating at last in the liberation of Rome on June 4, merely two days before D-Day. Based on twenty years of research, Cassino '44 offers perspectives and conclusions that differ from the standard narrative. Holland elevates the narrative of war, chronicling the dramatic events primarily through in-the-moment letters and diaries of those who were therel 19433 MULES BETTER IN THE MUD.

2/8: Cassino '44: The Brutal Battle for Rome Hardcover – November 12, 2024 by  James Holland  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Cassino-44-Brutal-Battle-Rome/dp/080216384X As the new year of 1944 began in Italy, the Allied army's momentum had ground to a halt just south of the vaunted German Gustav Line of defense, far short of their initial objective of liberating Rome by Christmas. The fighting up the Italian peninsula had been brutal—rugged terrain, fierce resistance, terrible weather. While Allied leaders in London prepared for the cross-Channel invasion of France later that spring, the war in the West hinged in Italy. As bestselling historian James Holland relates in his seminal concluding volume on the Italy Campaign, the next five months saw two of World War II's most famous battles—the four ferocious assaults on Monte Cassino and the fraught landing northwest in the marshes at Anzio—culminating at last in the liberation of Rome on June 4, merely two days before D-Day. Based on twenty years of research, Cassino '44 offers perspectives and conclusions that differ from the standard narrative. Holland elevates the narrative of war, chronicling the dramatic events primarily through in-the-moment letters and diaries of those who were therel 1943 2ND CAMERONIANS 5TH DIVISION, ITALY

1/8: Cassino '44: The Brutal Battle for Rome Hardcover – November 12, 2024 by  James Holland  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Cassino-44-Brutal-Battle-Rome/dp/080216384X As the new year of 1944 began in Italy, the Allied army's momentum had ground to a halt just south of the vaunted German Gustav Line of defense, far short of their initial objective of liberating Rome by Christmas. The fighting up the Italian peninsula had been brutal—rugged terrain, fierce resistance, terrible weather. While Allied leaders in London prepared for the cross-Channel invasion of France later that spring, the war in the West hinged in Italy. As bestselling historian James Holland relates in his seminal concluding volume on the Italy Campaign, the next five months saw two of World War II's most famous battles—the four ferocious assaults on Monte Cassino and the fraught landing northwest in the marshes at Anzio—culminating at last in the liberation of Rome on June 4, merely two days before D-Day. Based on twenty years of research, Cassino '44 offers perspectives and conclusions that differ from the standard narrative. Holland elevates the narrative of war, chronicling the dramatic events primarily through in-the-moment letters and diaries of those who were therel 1943 CALDARI ITALY

5/8: Cassino '44: The Brutal Battle for Rome Hardcover – November 12, 2024 by  James Holland  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Cassino-44-Brutal-Battle-Rome/dp/080216384X As the new year of 1944 began in Italy, the Allied army's momentum had ground to a halt just south of the vaunted German Gustav Line of defense, far short of their initial objective of liberating Rome by Christmas. The fighting up the Italian peninsula had been brutal—rugged terrain, fierce resistance, terrible weather. While Allied leaders in London prepared for the cross-Channel invasion of France later that spring, the war in the West hinged in Italy. As bestselling historian James Holland relates in his seminal concluding volume on the Italy Campaign, the next five months saw two of World War II's most famous battles—the four ferocious assaults on Monte Cassino and the fraught landing northwest in the marshes at Anzio—culminating at last in the liberation of Rome on June 4, merely two days before D-Day. Based on twenty years of research, Cassino '44 offers perspectives and conclusions that differ from the standard narrative. Holland elevates the narrative of war, chronicling the dramatic events primarily through in-the-moment letters and diaries of those who were therel 1944 ITALY

In this series, Jeff and Andy look at historical events that took place on this day.Today in history, the “Commodore” is born, one of the greatest college basketball players passes away, and a miracle in World War II occurs.This series is brought to you by the great Boss Shot Shells.

That We Might Live Free A Memorial Day Tribute | Arete Coach™ Podcast with Severin Sorensen. A Special tribute featuring Jay Stringham (posthumously), Irving Ray Stringham Jr., and the Stringham family legacy. In this special Memorial Day edition of the Arete Coach™ Podcast, host Severin Sorensen departs from his usual exploration of executive coaching to deliver a solemn tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Titled “That We Might Live Free,” this episode reflects on the true meaning of Memorial Day, honors the story of WWII aviator Irving Ray Stringham Jr., and shares a sacred poem—A Soldier's Last Prayer—written by his younger brother Jay Thorral Stringham. Rather than featuring a conventional guest, this episode centers on a heartfelt tribute to Irving Ray Stringham Jr., a WWII aviator who gave his life over the skies of Germany, and Jay Thorral Stringham, his younger brother and the only survivor among five friends from their neighborhood who went to war together. Haunted by loss and moved by a deep sense of reverence, Jay channeled his grief and gratitude into a poem titled “A Soldier's Last Prayer.” The poem, delivered in this episode, is a poignant reflection of a soldier's internal dialogue on the eve of battle—capturing a blend of fear, faith, sacrifice, and hope. The host received this poem from Jay's daughter, Dolly Hicks, who entrusted its legacy to be shared and remembered. With permission from the family, Severin transforms this heartfelt poem into three powerful musical renditions, each offering a different lens on sacrifice, remembrance, and devotion. This is not a performance—this is an offering. A moment of remembrance. A promise to never forget. Featuring: Historical reflections and family storiesThree musical interpretations of A Soldier's Last PrayerQuotes from JFK, Reagan, Lincoln, Patton, and moreA call to live with gratitude, purpose, and honor

The Trends Journal is a weekly magazine analyzing global current events forming future trends. Our mission is to present Facts and Truth over fear and propaganda to help subscribers prepare for What's Next in these increasingly turbulent times. To access our premium content, subscribe to the Trends Journal: https://trendsjournal.com/subscribe Follow Gerald Celente on Twitter: http://twitter.com/geraldcelente Follow Gerald Celente on Facebook: http://facebook.com/gcelente Follow Gerald Celente on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geraldcelentetrends Follow Gerald Celente on Gab: http://gab.com/geraldcelente Copyright © 2025 Trends Research Institute. All rights reserved.

In this episode of the Success is a Choice podcast, our guest is Larry Elder (radio personality, author, and former candidate for California Governor and U.S. President).   Twitter - @LarryElder Website - LarryElder.com Facebook - Facebook.com/TakeBackThisCountry Instagram - @LarryElderShow YouTube - youtube.com/@LarryElderHighlights Freedom Chat - Freedomchat.com/elder Larry Elder covers a lot of ground in this conversation including ... Thoughts on racism, social justice, and oppression Police and black America Controlling what you can control Having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ... and much more!!! The "Sage from South Central" is a New York Times best-selling author, award-winning documentary filmmaker, and one of the best-known media figures in America today. His flagship daily radio program, “The Larry Elder Show,” was heard every weekday in all 50 states and on more than 300 stations. Larry was voted one of the "The Top 25 Most Influential Talk-Radio Hosts" by NewsMax magazine in 2008. He also won a Los Angeles area Emmy. Larry was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, and his family's story represents every bit of the American Dream. His father was born in Athens, Georgia, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, and moved to California to open his own restaurant—Elder's Snack Bar. Larry's mother, originally from Huntsville, Alabama, was a clerical worker for the U.S. Department of War (now the U.S. Department of Defense) and raised three boys as a stay-at-home mom. Larry ultimately received a bachelor's degree from Brown University and his law degree from the University of Michigan. After running for Governor of California in 2021 and securing millions of votes, Larry announced his presidency for U.S. President. He's also produced the documentaries "Uncle Tom" and "Uncle Tom II".  Some of his books include "Dear Father, Dear Son", "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America", "A Lot Like Me: A Father and Son's Journey to Reconcilliation", and "As Goes California". Episode Timestamps: 1:30 - Deciding what to wear when speaking 2:15 - Larry's tough background 8:00 - Hard work 10:15 - Racism his father faced 12:00 - Message to educators, coaches, and parents 14:00 - Black Lives Matter 18:20 - Debating Mom regularly on his radio show 22:20 - Childhood friend losing a scholarship because he was a "coach killer" 25:20 - How to be a success in life 26:30 - Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame - - - - Each week, the SUCCESS IS A CHOICE podcasting network brings you leadership expert Jamy Bechler and guest experts who provide valuable insights, tips, and guidance on how to maximize your potential, build a stronger culture, develop good leadership, create a healthy vision, optimize results, and inspire those around you. - - - -  Please follow Jamy on Twitter @CoachBechler for positive insights and tips on leadership, success, culture, and teamwork. Check out our virtual sessions for parents, coaches, students, and administrators at FreeLeadershipWorkshop.com. These sessions are free and cover a variety of topics. - - - -  The Success is a Choice podcast network is made possible by TheLeadershipPlaybook.com. Great teams have great teammates and everyone can be a person of influence. Whether you're a coach, athletic director, or athlete, you can benefit from this program and now you can get 25% off the price when you use the coupon code CHOICE at checkout. Build a stronger culture today with better teammates and more positive leaders.  If you like quotes, then you'll want to check out Jamy Bechler's new book "The Coach's Bulletin Board". It contains thousands of insights, thoughts, and quotes are contained in this book. Please visit JamyBechler.com/BulletinBoardBook to get your signed copy. - - - -  Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a quick review on iTunes.  Ratings and reviews are the lifeblood of a podcast. This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. Thanks again for listening and remember that “Success is a choice. What choice will you make today?” - - - -  Jamy Bechler is the author of 9 books including "The Captain" and "The Bus Trip", host of the "Success is a Choice Podcast", professional speaker, and trains organizations on creating championship cultures. He previously spent 20 years as a college basketball coach and administrator.  TheLeadershipPlaybook.com is Bechler's online program that helps athletes become better teammates and more positive leaders while strengthening a team's culture. As a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, Bechler has worked with businesses and teams, including the NBA. Follow him on Twitter at @CoachBechler. To connect with him via email or find out about his services, please contact speaking@CoachBechler.com. You can also subscribe to his insights on success and leadership by visiting JamyBechler.com/newsletter.

As promised, this week Seth and Jon Parshall take a dive into the world of WWII archival footage from the US National Archives. The team focuses their attention on a few reels of footage from the early part of the Pacific War, namely, captured Japanese footage from Hong Kong, and the Pearl Harbor attack. The guys go through the shots step by step and Jon pours his knowledge of Kido Butai into the talk while interpreting some of the most famous shots taken by Japanese photographers during the attack. The guys go through the Japanese aerial footage frame by frame and pick out the exact moments of torpedo strikes on battleship row--really getting into the weeds. Following that, Sthe guys take a look at the infamous footage of USS Arizona (BB-39) exploding, again, going frame by frame to examine her utter destruction. Finally, Seth takes the wheel and takes you guys through some grainy, but arguably the most historic archival reel of the entire attack-pinpointing scenes showing the destruction of USS Shaw, USS Nevada's sortie out of the harbor, Nevada firing her AAA batteries at Japanese aircraft and an almost step by step set of shots showing USS California's sinking. For reference, the reels we discuss are: 242-299r2, 242mid290, 428npc21950, and 428npc1730  This is the first of many attempts at something new, so bear with us as we navigate a new format. We will be doing this sort of thing every few weeks in addition to our normal programming.   #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf #rodserling #twilightzone #liberation #blacksheep #power #prisoner #prisonerofwar #typhoon #hurricane #weather #iwojima#bullhalsey #ace #p47 #p38 #fighter #fighterpilot #b29 #strategicstudying #tokyo #boeing #incendiary #usa #franklin #okinawa #yamato #kamikaze #Q&A #questions #questionsandanswers #history #jaws #atomicbomb #nuclear #nationalarchives #nara

Joseph Fielding Smith, a towering figure in the 20th-century Latter-day Saint landscape, is often remembered as a theologian and Church leader. But his long tenure as Church Historian also positioned him as a key interpreter of Mormon history, an area where his approach offers a fascinating case study in the relationship between faith, perspective, and the writing of the past. Our recent discussion drawing from the sources explored this complex legacy, highlighting Smith's contributions alongside critical insights into the nature of historical objectivity and bias. https://youtu.be/EyAoFsz9mn0 Church Historian When Joseph Fielding Smith became Church Historian, he faced the significant challenge of organizing sprawling, uncatalogued collections. He initiated processes that professionalized the church archives, particularly after World War II, by creating finding aids, dividing materials into collections, making lists, and microfilming documents. However, from the perspective of a professional academic historian, Smith's method of engaging with historical sources differed markedly. He treated certain documents, like the Bible and those produced by figures he considered revelators such as Joseph Smith Jr. and Joseph F. Smith, as entirely reliable and didn't subject them to critical interrogation. This lack of "suspicion of sources"—the practice of asking who wrote a document, when, and what biases they might have—is highlighted as a key distinction between Smith and professional academics. His influential book, Essentials in Church History, exemplifies this approach, treating "official LDS sources" uncritically, yet it became a foundational text shaping LDS understanding of their history for decades. This brings us to a core concept in academic historical study: the non-existence of "objective history." Writing academic history itself is considered a bias. The aim for professional historians is not to eliminate bias, which is seen as impossible, but rather to be acutely aware of bias—both in the sources they use and in their own perspectives—and to account for it in their work. This requires adhering to methods and principles developed over generations of scholarship. Mature scholarship involves being frank about one's own point of view and how it might influence interpretations. Trying to pretend one is objective is seen as a mistake. Richard Bushman is presented as an example of a scholar who openly discusses his background and how it might shape his work. RLDS Polygamy Skeptics The sources also reveal how bias can influence not just conclusions, but the very questions a historian thinks to ask—or doesn't ask. While "motivated reasoning" (steering sources to a predetermined conclusion) exists, it might be less common than bias manifesting in the kinds of questions that arise from a historian's background and positionality. The discussion used the example of Richard and Pamela Price's hypothesis regarding the influence of Cochranites on the Quorum of the Twelve and the practice of polygamy. While the Prices found evidence of contact between the groups, they reportedly don't account for the significant chronological gap between this contact and the public announcement of polygamy. This failure to ask about or explain this gap is suggested as stemming from their predisposition to believe the Quorum of the Twelve were the originators of polygamy. Most Influential Writer Joseph Fielding Smith was a prolific writer. Beyond Essentials in Church History, other notable works include The Way to Perfection, a narrative history of humanity from pre-existence to afterlife, where he explicitly stated his views on race. He also authored Man His Origin and Destiny (1954), which he considered his most important book, responding to higher criticism of the Bible and the theory of evolution. Perhaps his most widely read work during his lifetime was his "My Question" column in the Improvement Era church magazine,

Send us a textLet's go sub hunting! Alexander Rose returns to talk his book Phantom Fleet: The Hunt for Nazi Submarine U-505 and World War II's Most Daring Heist!Buy Phantom FleetCheck out Alex's websiteSupport the show

Grab some peanuts or Cracker Jacks and join Aaron & Rob as they kick of season 7 of the podcast with more "Four Seasons of Film Fun!"  For this year's Spring entry, they round the bases on the 1992 period sports dramedy A League Of Their Own, directed by Penny Marshall and starring Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Lori Petty, Rosie O'Donnell, Jon Lovitz, and Bill Pullman. Based around true events, the film is a charmingly bittersweet look at women taking on a more active role with society during WWII, and in many ways, being able to make choices on their own for the first time. 

Why bother getting involved in the affairs of other countries in the first place? Well, because it doesn't just benefit them - it also makes the country that we live in possible.

Trump continues to wrestle with the US Constitution he swore to uphold; Bob in Maurepas respectfully disagrees; Trump really thought Putin was his friend; America got great after WWII by giving other countries a hand up; Which is worse, "SCUM" or "basket of deplorables?

Welcome back to our Podcast. and in this episode, we are going to explore the mysterious junction between human potential and the human predicament. Today, we're diving into an idea that may sting a little at first, but, if we look closely, it might also open a hidden door to hope. It involves the unfortunate observation that while human technology, what we do, has evolved at an astonishing pace, human consciousness, who we actually are, has lagged significantly behind. Our ability to split atoms, utilize instant global communications, and code digital realities has raced ahead at lightning speed, fueling our Modern Times. But our capacity for empathy, humility, compassion and having the capacity to be able to live a peaceful, and meaningful life looks much more like we're still stuck the Middle Ages. Which brings us to the content of this episode called “Spears and Switchblades: One Stubborn Species.” To help bring the basic idea into focus, we're going to compare two of the most iconic love tragedies ever put on the stage: William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and its mid-20th century musical reincarnation, West Side Story. Though separated by more than 350 years, these two narratives—one set in Renaissance Verona and the other in 1950s New York City—are mirrors reflecting the same fundamental human flaws. Jealousy. Tribalism. Miscommunication , Stubborness and Pride, among many others. All of which are run by an emotional impulsivity that can turn love into war, and beauty into ashes. So, the first question that we want to explore is: have we grown at all in the past 400 years? Or have we simply become more sophisticated in the weaponry that we have developed in order to kill each other more efficiently? Let's start with the core human dynamics that drive both plays, because even though they are separated by centuries, their basic human flaws remain exactly the same. In Romeo and Juliet, two teenagers fall in love across the boundary of a family feud. The Montagues and Capulets have nursed a blood vendetta for so long that no one even remembers how it started. And it doesn't matter anymore. They just plain hate each other. And its consequences are clear: violence in the streets, death, heartbreak, and ultimately, a double suicide. What are the dominant negative human traits here? Hatred passed down like an heirloom Honor culture run amok Impetuous emotion overpowering reason A lack of inner stillness or reflection, overcome by rage Fast forward 400 years to West Side Story, and we meet Tony and Maria, two lovers from opposing street gangs: the Jets, composed mostly of white working-class youths, and the Sharks, made up of Puerto Rican immigrants. Once again, love blossoms in hostile soil, and once again, the terrible price of primal tribal hatred is death. Different clothes, different slang, different soundtrack. Same madness. And this is the bottom line of the issue. Totally different external world, everything has changed, as well it should. After all, four hundred years have gone by and the situation facing the teenagers living in the streets of New York City would be absolutely unimaginable to the kids running around in the late 1500's.  Completely different on the outside – yet the inner madness remains exactly the same. And the ramifications of this imbalance are immense. Let's compare the outer worlds of these two stories: Romeo and Juliet takes place in late 16th-century Verona. It's a world without electricity, medicine as we know it, or organized police. Family ruled everything. Honor was a matter of life and death. Raw emotions emerged dramatically and physically. And the sword was both symbol and solution. West Side Story unfolds in 1950s Manhattan, post-WWII. Televisions had entered the living room. Jet engines had conquered the sky. The UN had been formed, civil rights movements were stirring. Science had given us vaccines, electricity, and refrigeration. And yet... disputes were still settled with violence. In this case, the weapon of choice was the switch blade. Anger and tribal pride still led to bloodshed. And the beauty of love still ended in the tragedy funerals. So, what changed? The world around us got faster, smarter and ever-more connected. But the world inside us? Pretty much the same old garbage pail. And one of the primary central drivers in both stories is basic tribalism—the instinct to form in-groups and out-groups. The name of the game is us-versus-them. In Romeo and Juliet, the tribes are defined by blood. In West Side Story, by race and ethnicity. In both, the borders are irrational and absolute. This human trait is ancient, seemingly almost hardwired into our survival code. We evolved in small tribes where loyalty equaled life, and strangers equaled threat. But now we live in megacities, online echo chambers where we're still addicted to tribalism. We divide ourselves by politics, religion, race, nationality, gender identity, and more—often with a sense of inner hostility that's far more emotional than rational. In both plays, the pride of belonging to an in-crowd becomes a major fuse. Tybalt's stone cold sense of us and them, along with an ego based identification with personal honor won't let him ignore Romeo's presence at the Capulet ball. Four hundred years later, Bernardo's defense-based sense of belonging to the Sharks won't let him see Tony as anything but another American self-entitled Jet. In both cases, primal tribal dignity demands a serious and significant attack against the perceived enemy. So, the basic recipe for tragedy that spans the centuries remains the same: paranoid pride, mixed with anger and fear, driven by impulse and untampered by any wisdom or understanding turns into a violent weapon of darkness and death. In a certain sense, what happened to us over the years isn't evolution at all. It's just plain repetition Unfortunately, of course this didn't end in the late 1950's. Far from it. While we've vastly upgraded our weaponry, we've also developed more subtle, yet powerful ways to threaten and hurt each other, like social media shaming for example,  where it becomes pretty easy to ruin someone's life just by pressing a few buttons. In the time between William Shakespeare and Leonard Bernstein, humans invented calculus, steam engines, telegraphs, airplanes, televisions, and atomic bombs. We mapped the human genome. We put men on the moon. But we still haven't figured out what we're really all about. Oh, we all know how to chase things, but are these things that we've been programmed to chase real, or they just illusions? Maybe we're just addicted to chasing, itself. In that regard, we've all heard about the tendency of dogs to chase cars. But there are two key aspects to that particular pursuit. One – the dog can never really catch the car. It is much too fast for it. And secondly – what happens if the dog actually does catch the car and we all know the answer to that – nothing. The dog can't do anything if and when it catches the car. It's the same way for us. We're just running after things on the outside, oblivious to who we really are and what we are really made of, not to mention what can actually make us truly happy and satisfied. And all of this goes on while we continue to improve our technology by leaps and bounds. Yet, we still don't know how to disagree without resorting to violence. We still haven't universally adopted the idea that every human being, regardless of their identity, has intrinsic value. We still raise children who feel unloved, unheard, or unsafe. We're still driven by fear disguised as pride. We still confuse dominance with dignity. And we still kill the thing we love because we don't know how to hold it. And the bottom line of it all is basically defending the inherent illusion of our ego selves, which is still at the basic foundation of our inner C-Suite. As such, we still confuse noise with strength. And we still take most the good things in our life for granted, which is truly tragic. Like Joni Mitchell sang in a seemingly earlier age, “Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone.” As it all continues to spiral further, in so many ways, the message to us is crystal clear – It's time to wake up and grow up. Romeo and Juliet loved across a line they weren't supposed to cross. Tony and Maria did it too. Their love was a shining light in the midst of all this darkness. Even though everything seemed to be against them, they knew what they had. And we knew it too. And despite what we knew it was that they were facing, we all rooted for them, because something about the higher thing in life, the Better Angels of Our Nature, speaks to the deepest part of our intelligence, both in our hearts and in our minds. We have more tools than ever to connect across cultures, to educate, to innovate, to heal. And yet, we still face the same old demons. But here's the good news: we are capable of change. Unlike the characters in those plays, our story isn't written yet. We are not locked in a script. We can choose awareness. We can choose evolution. The keynote to both of these tragedies is that it is time to individually bring our inner light to our own inner darkness. The Wisdom of the Ages as well as modern brain science tell us that we do have the power to protect this light from the winds of hate, fear and pride, and that we can, and essentially must, cultivate the inner skills of patience, compassion, empathy, and yes - courage. NeuroHarmonics: Inner Technology for a New Humanity That's what the NeuroHarmonic Method is all about: cultivating the inner circuitry to match the brilliance of our outer inventions. It's not just about brainwaves or affirmations or even spirituality. It's about training the nervous system to return to equilibrium, to respond rather than react, to perceive the human being behind the mask, and ultimately to shift from emotional immaturity to presence. From the rage of vengeance to an intuitive sense grace. But this is a path toward real evolution that can only be travelled one person at a time. Because the world won't evolve until we do it individually. Not really. So here we are, somewhere between Shakespeare's Verona and the 21st century, still caught in the drama. But I hate to tell you that the Bard didn't invent this particular tale. The truth is, it stands atop a mountain of ancient stories echoing the same theme—love thwarted by fate, culture, or conflict. And this motif is not unique to the Renaissance or even to Western civilization. The same basic story can be found in the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, Babylon, ancient Egypt, Persia, and India. Indeed, it's one of the most enduring themes in human storytelling. And the deeper you dig, the further back you go, the more you realize: the tragedy of love versus society and the battle of light versus darkness is as old as storytelling itself. But maybe, just maybe, we're ready to write a different ending. One where love doesn't die. One where pride yields to peace. One where technology finally partners with wisdom. Let's imagine a future version of West Side Story, maybe 400 years from now. What would it take for that version not to be a tragedy? Maybe the gangs might still exist, but their interchange would consist of words instead of weapons. Maybe love would not be hidden in the shadows, but declared in daylight. Maybe reconciliation would be taught in schools, right alongside science and math. Maybe forgiveness would be considered a mark of strength, not weakness. Consciousness evolution would be about not just developing new tools, but new tendencies, moving us from: From reaction to reflection From judgment to curiosity From pride to presence From tribalism to universalism It means valuing not just intelligence, but wisdom. This all represents something to look forward to and welcome into our lives in the here and now, as much as we are able. And if we're not able to yet, at least we can make our intentions known to ourselves. Well, this will be the end of this episode. As always, keep your eyes, mind and heart open, and let's get together in the next one.

In this moving Memorial Day special, Marine veteran and author Andrew Biggio joins Morning Wire to share unforgettable stories from his seven-year journey documenting the last living World War II veterans. Through emotional reunions, battlefield pilgrimages, and the symbolic power of a single M1 rifle, Biggio preserves the fading voices of the Greatest Generation reflecting how their strength, sacrifice, and resilience continue to shape his own life. Get the facts first on Morning Wire.Get 15% off your Lumen at Lumen.me/WIRE

This Memorial Day we take a moment to remember the 350,000+ American women who served in uniform during the war, in every service branch, in every combat theater, and in nearly two-thirds of the available military occupations at the time. Their service ranged from critical support roles flying planes across the country, drawing maps to help men get through Normandy, codebreaking, and building & maintaining the behind-the-scenes infrastructural work that made the heroics possible. Sharon is joined by CIA military analyst, WWII expert, and debut author, Lena Andrews, to unveil the scale and scope of what women in uniform contributed during WWII.  Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

GGACP marks Memorial Day 2025 with this ENCORE presentation of a favorite episode, as producer, broadcaster and World War II veteran Sonny Fox discusses his life-changing experience as a prisoner of war, his years as host of the beloved children's show “Wonderama” and his memories of the notorious quiz show scandals of the 1950s. Also: Sonny hosts “The $64,000 Challenge,” gets cut from “The Nutty Professor,” takes a stand for Jack Gilford and looks back on his friendship with Robert F. Kennedy. PLUS: Allen Funt! “The Movie Game”! Mickey Rooney holds out! Patty Duke spills the beans! And Jack Klugman steps in for Bogie! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Tony Brueski digs into the eerie legacy of the Catalina Casino—an architectural marvel and cultural hotspot with a shadowy side. From the dazzling dances of the 1930s to the mysterious whispers in its silent theater rows, this island landmark may hold more than just memories.  Tony explores eyewitness accounts, historic connections to World War II, and theories ranging from residual hauntings to environmental illusions. With glowing chandeliers above and chilling stories below, we uncover whether Catalina's most glamorous building is also its most haunted.

For many Americans, Memorial Day holds multiple meanings—the arrival of summer and its seasonal delights can sometimes overshadow its true significance, yet ceremonies and parades across the nation honor our nation's fallen heroes. For families of those fallen, Memorial Day is not contained to just one day. Bonnie Carroll is a retired Air Force Reserve Major and founder of the TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), and she joins the Rundown to share how her organization supports grieving military families year-round. This Memorial Day, we commemorate eighty years since the end of World War II and remember the sacrifices made for freedom. Robert Edsel, author of Remember Us: American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and Forever Promise Forged in World War Two, joins to discuss his new book and what the holiday means for Americans. Plus, commentary from retired Navy SEAL and host of FOX Nation's, "The Unsung of Arlington," Mike Sarraille. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Newly released documents show the Biden administration branded opponents of COVID mandates as “domestic violent extremists,” raising fresh concerns about the weaponization of intelligence agencies. Tulsi Gabbard blasts the administration for targeting everyday Americans, while Joe Rogan shares a staggering study claiming mRNA shots caused more deaths than WWI, WWII, and Vietnam combined. Plus, a flashback to Biden labelling Trump supporters as domestic threats — was this all part of a broader strategy? http://www.1775coffee.com/BRAND Get your 1775 Coffee starter kit worth $200 for only $99. The initial launch is only 1,000 units - get it while you can. Go to http://rumble.com/premium/brand and use code BRAND to save $10 on your annual subscription

On this Memorial Day, we turn to the life and legacy of Yukio Kawamoto. The Japanese-American World War II veteran served his country under almost unthinkable circumstances and then spent a lifetime building bridges between the two cultures he called his own. Amna Nawaz has the story for our ongoing series, Race Matters. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As President Donald Trump said he's delaying some tariffs, we'll tell you how the duties could make some of your Memorial Day event shopping more expensive. House Speaker Mike Johnson has been defending Trump's domestic policy bill as it faces concerns in the Senate. A doctor in Gaza has lost 9 of her 10 children in a strike. The bodies of four World War II soldiers have been returned to their hometowns. Plus, we'll look at what's in store for the American penny after it stops being minted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  Last time we spoke about the Xi'an Incident. In December 1936, tensions in China erupted as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek faced a revolt led by his commanders, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng. Disillusioned by Chiang's focus on battling communists instead of the Japanese invaders, the generals swiftly captured him in a coup. Confined in Xi'an, Chiang initially resisted their demands for a united front against Japan but eventually engaged in negotiation with Zhang and the Chinese Communist Party. As public sentiment shifted against him, Chiang's predicament led to urgent discussions, culminating in an unexpected alliance with the communists. This pact aimed to consolidate Chinese resistance against Japanese aggression, marking a critical turning point in the Second Sino-Japanese War. By December 26, Chiang was released, and this uneasy collaboration set the stage for a more unified front against a common enemy, though underlying tensions remained between the factions.   #152 China Prepares for War Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Before we jump into the Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945, which I honestly have no idea how long will take us, I thought it would be a good idea to dedicate two episodes to how both China and Japan prepared themselves for war.  Going all the way back to the 1910s, Chinese intellectuals began to view an outright conflict between Japan and China was inevitable. In the discussions about China's strategic options, Jiang Fangzhen pioneered a strategy of protracted warfare, a concept that would later shape China's approach during the Sino-Japanese War. Having studied in Japan during his youth, Jiang developed a keen understanding of the Japanese government and military. As early as 1917, he predicted that China and Japan would become embroiled in a long-term conflict, with the battleground likely to be west of the Peiping–Wuhan and Guangzhou–Wuhan railways. In his work titled "Guofang Lun" or “On National Defense”, Jiang reiterated the importance of protracted warfare as a means to thwart Japan's aspirations for a swift victory. He argued that China should leverage its vast population and extensive territory to extend the conflict, gradually wearing down Japanese strength and turning the situation to its advantage. Jiang recommended that China not focus on defending its coastal regions but instead confront the enemy west of the Peking–Wuhan Railway.   Chiang Kai-shek would eventually come to share Jiang's belief that “the longer the war drags on, the more advantageous it will be for China.” Despite significant public criticism, both the Nationalist government and General Zhang Xueliang, decided against military resistance when Japan invaded Manchuria in September 1931 and attacked Shanghai in 1932. Chiang was particularly hesitant to engage Japan directly, as he was also dealing with a Communist insurgency in central China. He feared that Chinese forces would suffer quick defeat, predicting that Japan would capture key coastal areas and critical infrastructure within just three days, crippling China by dismantling its military and economic lifelines. Following the invasion of North China Chiang was forced to adopt a firmer stance. The Nationalist government proposed a dual strategy of pursuing peace and security while simultaneously preparing for war. If peace proved impossible, China would mobilize its resources for ultimate victory through prolonged conflict. This approach was formalized in the National Defense Plan, which China adopted by prioritizing protracted warfare as its core strategy. After the Sino-Japanese clash in Shanghai on January 28, 1932, the Military Affairs Commission devised a plan that divided China into four defense areas along with a preparation area. While some troops were assigned local security, commanders were directed to concentrate their remaining forces for potential confrontations with Japan. That year, the Military Affairs Commission issued General Defense Guidelines that outlined two strategic responses to a potential Japanese invasion. The first, conservative approach focused on maintaining key positions and utilizing protracted warfare to impede the enemy. The second strategy advocated for decisive battles in key regions to thwart Japan's ambitions and protect China's territorial integrity, prioritizing disengagement from Japanese forces along the Yangtze River and coastline. In August 1935, German military adviser General Alexander von Falkenhausen provided recommendations to Chiang Kai-shek based on his predictions of Japanese advance routes into China. He identified three main routes: one from northern Hebei to Zhengzhou, the second from Shandong toward Xuzhou, and the third crossing the Yangtze River to Nanjing and onwards to Wuhan. He suggested treating the Yangtze River as the primary combat zone and highlighted Sichuan as a possible retreat area. Taking all of this into consideration. in 1936, a draft of a new National Defense Plan divided the country into four zones: a war zone, a defense zone, an internal security zone, and a preparation area. The war zone encompassed ten provinces and established strategies for retreating to predetermined defensive positions when necessary, with Sichuan designated as the main base for the war. In January 1937, the Chinese General Staff Department introduced its annual War Plan, outlining three possible military conflict regions between China and Japan. It proposed two main strategies: Proposal A emphasized sustained combat and retreat to fortified positions if the situation became unfavorable, aiming to eventually go on the offensive against Japan. Proposal B focused on repelling Japanese invasions along the coast and from the north, prioritizing counter offensives against Japanese units stationed near key locations. To prepare, the NRA completed several critical projects outlined in its plans, establishing military supply depots in Nanjing, Bengbu, Xinyang, Huayin, Nanchang, and Wuchang to manage logistics for supplies across various strategic railways. These depots were equipped to sustain the military, with ample ammunition and provisions, including 60 million rounds of small-arms ammunition and food for hundreds of thousands. Despite these preparations, not all projects were completed by the time war broke out in July 1937. In contrast to the Japanese military's tactics, Chinese forces prioritized defensive strategies. For example, at the Mount Lushan Military Officer Training Camp in July 1934, Chiang Kai-shek outlined four possible approaches against Japan, favoring a defense-as-offense strategy. Other options included building fortifications, tenaciously defending key positions, and employing guerrilla warfare through irregular forces to constrain enemy advances. Chiang stressed the importance of national mobilization for the war effort.  There was a significant disparity in equipment between the Japanese and Chinese armies. To give you an idea, each Japanese division included a mechanized group featuring thirty-nine light military vehicles and 21 light armored cars, supplemented by 6,000–7,000 horses, 200–300 automobiles, and specialized troops such as poison gas teams. In contrast, Nationalist divisions lacked any of these capabilities, a typical nationalist division theoretically had an armored regiment, but this unit was equipped with fewer than 72 armored vehicles. Another major weakness of the Nationalist forces was their insufficient artillery. In 1936, a division was officially assigned one artillery battalion, which was divided into three batteries totaling twelve guns. It also included a mechanized cannon company with four direct-fire weapons. By comparison, a Japanese division boasted four infantry regiments and one mountain artillery or field artillery regiment, with each artillery regiment comprising three field artillery battalions and one howitzer battalion. The infantry regiment itself included a mountain artillery section with four mountain guns, while the infantry battalion had one Type 70 mountain gun section with two guns. In total, a Japanese division possessed sixty-four artillery pieces of various calibers, four times the number of a Chinese division and of significantly higher quality. In reality, in 1936, twelve of the twenty elite Chinese “reformed divisions” still lacked artillery battalions. The ordnance available in the “reformed divisions” mostly consisted of the outdated Type 60 mountain gun. Nationwide, very few of the 200 divisions were equipped with any artillery, and those that did often used obsolete field artillery pieces or mountain artillery provided to local forces. Some units even relied on trench mortars as a makeshift solution. The artillery weapons came from various countries, but they frequently lacked necessary observation and signal components, and were often low on ammunition. The majority of mountain guns and field artillery were of the Type 75, which, while capable of providing fire support, had limited range and inflicted minimal damage. To give you an idea of the striking inadequacy of the Chinese artillery, during the Shanghai fighting in 1937, the mountain artillery of the Guangxi 21st Army Group could only reach targets within 1,200 yards, while Japanese field artillery had an effective range of 8,000 yards. Chinese-made mountain artillery suffered due to inferior steel-making technology; the gun shields were constructed from low-quality steel, and the barrels often overheated after firing just a few rounds, increasing the risk of explosions. Additionally, the equipment of local forces varied greatly in quality. In fact, some local units had superior equipment compared to Nationalist units. For example, before the Sino-Japanese War, troops from Yunnan were equipped with French antitank guns and heavy machine guns, which were better than the German water-cooled machine guns used by the Nationalist forces. However, the majority of local troops relied on inferior equipment; the 122nd Division under Wang Mingzhang from Sichuan, noted for its brave defense of Tengxian County during the Xuzhou Battle, was armed with locally produced light and heavy machine guns that frequently malfunctioned, and their Type 79 rifles, also made in Sichuan, were often outdated, with some dating back to the Qing Dynasty. These weapons had limited range and sometimes malfunctioned after fewer than one hundred rounds. Now before the war, both Nationalist and local forces acquired weaponry from diverse foreign and domestic sources. Even domestically produced weapons lacked standardization, with those made in Hanyang and Manchuria differing in design and specifications. Arms manufactured in Germany, France, Russia, Japan, and Italy were similarly inconsistent. Consequently, even within a single unit, the lack of uniformity created significant logistical challenges, undermining combat effectiveness, particularly in the early stages of the war. Despite Nationalist ordnance factories producing over three million rounds of small-arms ammunition daily, the incompatibility of ammunition and weapons diminished the usable quantity of ammunition. Chinese communications infrastructure was inadequate. In the Nationalist army, signal units were integrated into engineering units, leading to low-quality radio communications. In emergencies, telegrams could remain undelivered for days, and orders often had to be dispatched via postal services. By 1937, the entire country boasted only 3,000 military vehicles, necessitating heavy reliance on horses and mules for transport. To effectively equip twenty Nationalist divisions, 10,647 horses and 20,688 mules were needed, but by the end of 1935, only 6,206 horses and 4,351 mules were available. A statistic from 1936 indicated a 5 percent mortality rate among military horses, with some units experiencing a rate as high as 10 percent. The distribution of weaponry led to disputes during army reorganization efforts following the Northern Expedition. Although Chiang Kai-shek's forces were part of the regular army, the quality of their equipment varied significantly. Domestic production of weapons was limited, and imports could not close the gap. Priority was given to small arms; through army reorganization, Chiang aimed to diminish the influence of forces less loyal to him. Nationalist army staff officers observed that troops loyal to Chiang received the best weapons. Northwest and Northeast forces, having cultivated good relations with the KMT, were similarly better equipped, while Shanxi troops received inferior supplies. Troops associated with the Guangxi Clique were given even poorer quality weapons due to their leaders' stronger political ambitions. Troops regarded as “bandit forces,” such as those led by Shi Yousan, Li Hongchang, and Sun Dianying, were naturally assigned the least effective weaponry. This unequal distribution of arms increased some local forces' inclination to align with the KMT while alienating others, which inadvertently led to additional turmoil in the aftermath of the Northern Expedition. Logistical accounting within the Nationalist military was severely lacking. Military expenditures accounted for a significant portion of government spending, roughly 65.48 % in 1937, with personnel costs being the largest component. However, military units prioritized boosting their own resources over accurate accounting. Surpluses were not returned but rather utilized to reward military officers and soldiers for merits in battle, care for the wounded, or to create a reserve. Conversely, if deficits arose, troops would resort to “living off vacancies,” a practice in which they would fail to report desertions promptly and would falsely claim new soldiers had arrived. Military leaders typically appointed their most trusted subordinates to serve as accountants and logistic officers. As the war commenced, these issues became readily apparent. During the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, frontline soldiers sometimes went days without food and went months without pay. Wounded soldiers and civilians had to search tirelessly for medical treatment, and when main forces relocated, they often abandoned grain, ammunition, weapons, and petroleum along the way. General Chen Cheng, the commander in chief during the Battle of Shanghai, noted, “This phenomenon clearly revealed our inability to supply frontline troops, indicating that China remains a backward country with poor management.” Many logistical shortcomings severely impacted troop morale and combat effectiveness. In a 1933 speech, Chiang Kai-shek acknowledged that poor food, inadequate clothing, and ineffective logistics contributed to widespread desertion. Soldiers were further demoralized by reduced or embezzled salaries. A lack of professional medical staff and equipment hampered healthcare efforts, leading to high disease and mortality rates. According to official statistics from 1936, approximately 10 percent of soldiers fell ill annually, with a mortality rate as high as 5 percent. Japanese military authorities reported that one in three wounded Japanese soldiers died, while a Dutch military officer present during the early stages of the Sino-Japanese War observed that one in every two wounded Nationalist soldiers perished. Due to inadequate equipment and limited transport options, Nationalist forces were compelled to recruit farmers and rent vehicles, as they lacked essential facilities such as tents. This reliance on local resources inevitably led to frequent conflicts between military personnel and civilians. China is clearly a vast nation with an extensive coastline, requiring the construction of several significant fortresses during the modern era. These included Wusong, Jiangyin, Zhenjiang, Jiangning, and Wuhan along the Yangtze River, as well as Zhenhai, Humen, and Changzhou along the seacoast. Except for the Wuhan fortress, built in 1929-1930, all other fortifications were established during the late Qing Dynasty and featured uncovered cannon batteries. These fortresses suffered from inadequate maintenance, and many of their components had become outdated and irreplaceable, rendering them militarily negligible. Following the January 1932 Shanghai Incident, the Japanese military destroyed the Wusong forts, leaving the entrance to the Yangtze River completely unfortified. Consequently, there were no defenses along the coastline from Jiangsu to Shandong, allowing the Japanese to land freely. In December 1932, the Military Affairs Commission established a fortress group tasked with constructing fortresses and defensive installations, seeking assistance from German military advisers. After the North China Incident in 1935, the Nationalist government accelerated the construction of defensive structures in line with national war planning, focusing particularly on Nanjing. The Nationalists prioritized building fortifications along the seacoast and the Yellow River, followed by key regions north of the Yellow River. The government also ordered a significant quantity of heavy artillery from Germany. This included several dozen pieces of flat-fire antiaircraft and dual-purpose heavy artillery, which were installed at fortifications in Jiangyin, Zhenjiang, Nanjing, and Wuhan. By the summer of 1937, the construction of nine fortified positions was complete: Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Jiangyin, Ningbo, Humen, Mawei, Xiamen , Nantong, and Lianyungang. In total, China had established 41 forts and equipped them with 273 fortress cannons. Some defensive installations were poorly managed, with many units assigned to their perimeters lacking training and access to proper maps. The barbette positions in the fortresses were not well concealed and could hardly store sufficient ammunition. Troops stationed at these fortresses received little training. Despite these shortcomings, the fortresses and fortifications were not entirely ineffective. They bolstered Chinese positions along the defense line stretching from Cangxian County to Baoding and from Dexian County to Shijiazhuang, as well as in southern Shandong.  Before the war, China's political and economic center was situated along the seacoast and the Yangtze River. As Japanese influence expanded, the Nationalist government was compelled to establish bases in China's inner regions, very similar to how the USSR pulled back its industry further west after Operation barbarossa.The Japanese attack on Shanghai in 1932 prompted the Nationalists to relocate their capital to Luoyang. On March 5, during the Second Plenary Session of the KMT's Fourth Congress, the Western Capital Preparation Committee was formed to plan for the potential relocation of all governmental bodies to Xi'an in the event of full-scale war. In February 1933, the Central Political Conference approved the Northwest Development Bill, and in February 1934, the National Economic Commission set up a northwestern branch to oversee development projects in the region. On October 18, 1934, Chiang Kai-shek traveled to Lanzhou, recording in his diary that “Northwest China has abundant resources. Japan and Russia are poised to bully us. Yet, if we strengthen ourselves and develop northwest China to the fullest extent, we can turn it into a base for China's revival.” Interestingly, it was Sichuan, rather than the northwest, that became China's rear base during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War. In October 1934, the Communist army evacuated its Soviet base in southern China, initiating the Long March that would ultimately end in the northwest. By this time, Chiang Kai-shek had decided to designate Sichuan as the last stronghold for China. In January 1935, the Nanchang Field Headquarters of the Military Affairs Commission, responsible for combatting the Communists and serving as the supreme military and political authority over most provinces along the Yangtze River and central China, dispatched a special advisory group to Chongqing. Following this, the Nationalist army advanced into Sichuan. On February 10, the Nationalists appointed a new provincial government in Sichuan, effectively ending the province's long-standing regionalism. On March 2, Chiang traveled to Chongqing, where he delivered a speech underscoring that “Sichuan should serve as the base for China's revival.” He stated that he was in Sichuan to oversee efforts against the Communist army and to unify the provincial administration.  After the Xinhai revolution, the Republic of China was still suing the Qing Dynasty's conscription system. However, once in power, the Nationalist government sought to establish a national military service program. In 1933, it enacted a military service law, which began implementation in 1936. This law categorized military service into two branches: service in the Nationalist army and in territorial citizen army units. Men aged eighteen to forty-five were expected to serve in the territorial units if they did not enlist in the Nationalist army. The territorial service was structured into three phases: active service lasting two to three years, first reserves for six years, and second reserves until the age of forty-five. The Ministry of Military Affairs divided China into sixty divisional conscription headquarters, initially establishing these headquarters in the six provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, and Hubei. By December 1936, approximately 50,000 new soldiers had been drafted. The military service law disproportionately favored the middle and upper classes. Government personnel were exempt from enlistment, allowing privileged families to register their children with government agencies. Similarly, students in middle and higher education were excused from service, while youth from poorer backgrounds often felt compelled to enlist due to financial constraints that limited their educational opportunities. Village and town leaders were responsible for executing the recruitment process and frequently conspired with army recruiters. Recruitment principles often favored wealthier families, with guidelines stating that one son should be drafted for every three sons, two for five sons, but no drafts if there was only one son. Wealthy families could secure exemptions for all their male children, while poor families might see their only son conscripted if they were unable to provide the requisite bribe. Town and village heads wielded significant power in recruitment. This new recruitment system also created numerous money-making opportunities. Military personnel assigned to escort draftees to their units would often allow draftees to escape for a fee. Additionally, draftees could monetize their service by agreeing to serve as substitutes for others. For some, being drafted became an occupation. For example, in 1936, 600 individuals were drafted in the Wuhu area of Anhui province, and accounts from regional administrators indicated that every draftee had either been traded, replaced, or seized. Beginning in 1929, the Nationalist government also instituted military training for high school students and older individuals. Students were required to participate in one theoretical class and one practical class each week, totaling three hours. Starting in 1934, students had to complete a three-month military training program before graduating. Graduates of military academies were employed as military instructors. By the end of 1936, over 237,000 high school students had undergone military training. This student military training was overseen by the Society for the Implementation of the Three People's Principles of Sun Yat-sen, which also provided political education and sometimes gathered information on students' political beliefs.  Although the Nationalists made significant efforts to improve the military training of both officers and troops, they inherited deep-seated challenges that they were unable to completely overcome. A lack of facilities, outdated training manuals, low regard for military instructors, and the ongoing influence of regionalism and warlordism hindered progress. The Japanese would also later exploit these shortcomings of the Nationalist army. The Central Military Academy, which evolved from the Whampoa Military Academy established in 1923 in Guangzhou to train officers for the Northern Expedition, became the primary training institution for junior military officers. The academy offered a basic course, lasting eighteen months, which included general education, specialized training in various subjects, and field practice. This was followed by a two-year cadet training program focused on developing the skills necessary for junior military officers. Seventeen classes were admitted before the outbreak of war. Admission to the academy was highly competitive, with military officers receiving attractive salaries. For instance, in 1935, the academy received 10,000 applications for the twelfth class, but only 7% were accepted. Upon graduation, cadets were typically assigned to divisions within the Nationalist army loyal to Chiang Kai-shek. Their training, influenced by German advisors, resulted in a high-quality cadre. In modern China, most sergeants were veterans. While some units provided training for sergeants, a lack of formal education led to their diminished status. Truly qualified sergeants were rare. During his tenure as Minister of Military Training, General Bai Chongxi proposed establishing a sergeant school and creating a professional noncommissioned officer system; however, the Ministry of Military Affairs opposed this on financial grounds. While commanding officers enjoyed rapid promotions, military instructors did not. Furthermore, there was no system for transferring instructors to field commands or assigning commanders to military academies for extended periods. Despite minor updates to cover modern warfare concepts such as tank warfare and machine guns, Qing Dynasty military manuals were still in use at the Central Military Academy at the start of the war. Yeah, 1937 they were still rocking the old Qing books. Following the establishment of the Ministry of Military Training, a bureau for military translation was set up to evaluate existing course materials and translate military manuals, but its contributions were limited. Another significant shortcoming of military instruction focused on theory at the expense of practical application.  To enhance the quality of military officers, the Nationalist army instituted specialized schools for artillery, infantry, transport, engineering, and signals starting in 1931. These institutions were considered to have high-quality administrators and facilities. The Nationalists adopted German military training models, replacing the previously used Japanese models. They appointed German advisors to oversee instructor training at military academies and established three instructional divisions. By the onset of the Sino-Japanese War, 15,000 students had graduated from programs with a German military influence, resulting in the creation of about fifty combat divisions from these instructional units. However, the progress of other Nationalist army units was limited because their training was not aligned with contemporary battlefield realities. Before World War I, troops operated in close formations due to limited firepower. The widespread introduction of machine guns after World War I necessitated a shift to dispersed formations. Although a new drill manual issued by the Ministry of Military Training in 1935 introduced small-group tactics, few units adopted these methods. General Chen Cheng highlighted another underlying issue in 1938, commenting on the outmoded focus on parade ground drills and formal military manners. He noted, “We have paid too much attention to stereotypical formality and procedures of no practical use. Sometimes, even though soldiers could not get a haircut or take a bath for several months, their camps had to be in order. They underwent intensive training in close-order drill but learned little about gun handling, marksmanship, or maneuvering. This was inappropriate in peacetime, yet we continued this practice even after the Sino-Japanese War started, even using it on highly educated youth.” In contrast, the Communist army simplified training, emphasizing two essential skills: live-fire exercises and physical endurance, which significantly enhanced troop effectiveness in the challenging terrain characteristic of the Sino-Japanese War. Ultimately, the Nationalist army's training did not reach all soldiers. Only about half of all combat soldiers received adequate training, while the rest were neglected. According to statistics from the time, there were approximately five million military personnel during the Sino-Japanese War, with three million serving in logistics. Most of these logistics personnel had received little training, leading to disastrous consequences for overall combat effectiveness. As warfare has become more complex, the role of highly trained staff officers has become increasingly important. Napoleon developed operational plans close to the front and communicated orders via courier. During World War I, military commanders collected information at their headquarters and utilized telephones and automobiles to relay orders to the front lines. In World War II, with the battlefield expanding to include land, sea, and air, senior commanders often made decisions from headquarters far from the action, relying on a significant number of staff officers with specialized skills to keep them informed. In China, however, the staff officer system was underdeveloped. By 1937, only about 2,000 commanders and staff officers had received training. Prior to the Sino-Japanese War, most commanders managed staff work themselves, with staff officers serving primarily as military secretaries who drafted orders, reports, and maps. Many staff officers had no formal military training, and as a whole, the branch lacked respect, causing the most talented officers to avoid serving in it. The situation was even more dire for staff officer departments within local forces. For example, in March 1937, Liu Ziqing, a graduate of the Whampoa Military Academy, was appointed as the director of political instruction in the Forty-fourth Army, a unit under Sichuan warlord Liu Xiang. Liu Ziqing's account illustrates the dysfunction within the ranks: “The commander in chief was not supposed to manage the army and even did not know its whereabouts... But he could appoint relatives and former subordinates—who were officials and businessmen as well—to the army. Each month they would receive a small stipend. At headquarters, there was a long table and two rows of chairs. Around ten o'clock in the morning, senior officers signed in to indicate their presence. Those with other business would leave, while the remaining officers sat down to leisurely discuss star actresses, fortune-telling, business projects, mah-jongg, and opium. Occasionally they would touch on national affairs, chat about news articles, or share local gossip. In the afternoons, they primarily played mah-jongg, held banquets, and visited madams. Most mornings, the commander usually presided over these activities, and at first, I reported for duty as well. But I soon realized it was a waste of time and came very rarely. At headquarters, most staff members wore long gowns or Western-style suits, while military uniforms were a rare sight.” Most senior military personnel were trained at the Baoding Military Academy during the early republic. 2/3rds of commanders in chief, 37 %of army commanders, and 20 % of division commanders were Baoding graduates. Higher-ranking officers were more likely to have launched their careers there. In contrast, only 10 % of division commanders and a few army commanders were graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy. Additionally, commanders trained in local military schools and those with combat experience accounted for 1/3rd of all commanders. While the prevalence of civil war provided opportunities for rapid promotion, it also hindered officers' ability to update their training or gain experience in different military branches. German advisors expressed their concerns to Chiang Kai-shek, emphasizing that officers should first serve in junior roles before taking command. During one battle in 1938, Chiang noted, “Our commanders in chief are equivalent only to our enemy's regiment commanders, and our army and division commanders are only as competent as our enemy's battalion and company commanders.” Despite not viewing high-ranking Japanese officers as great strategists, Nationalist officers respected them as highly competent, diligent, and professional commanders who rarely made critical errors. The infantry was the primary component of the Nationalist army, with middle and junior infantry officers constituting over 80 %of all army officers. A 1936 registry of military officers listed 1,105 colonels and 2,159 lieutenant colonels within the infantry, demonstrating a significant outnumbering of Baoding graduates at ranks below lieutenant colonel. However, the quality of middle and junior infantry officers declined during the Sino-Japanese War; by 1944, only 27.3 % of these officers were from formal military academies, while those promoted from the ranks increased to 28.1 %. In 1937, 80 % of officers in an ordinary infantry battalion were military academy graduates, but this percentage dropped to 20 % during the war. Its hard to tell how educated soldiers were before the war, but it is generally believed that most were illiterate. In 1929, sociologist Tao Menghe surveyed 946 soldiers from a Shanxi garrison brigade and found that only 13 percent could compose a letter independently, while the rest had either never learned to read or were unable to write. In contrast, in August 1938, General Feng Yuxiang found that 80 percent of a regiment in Hunan were literate. Regardless, during the Sino-Japanese War, the quality of recruits steadily declined. More than 90 percent of soldiers were illiterate, and few possessed any basic scientific knowledge, which hindered their ability to master their weapons. On the battlefield, they heavily relied on middle and junior officers for guidance.  In autumn 1933, General Hans von Seeckt, the architect of the post World War I German army, visited China at the personal invitation of Chiang Kai-shek. In his recommendations for military reform, he identified China's greatest problem as its excessively large forces drawn from diverse backgrounds. He stated, “At present, the most pressing goal is to... establish a small, well-equipped army with high morale and combat effectiveness to replace the numerous poorly armed and trained forces.” He suggested forming an army of sixty divisions and recommended the establishment of a training regiment for military officers to equip them with the skills needed for modern warfare. Chiang Kai-shek accepted von Seeckt's proposals, and on January 26, 1935, he convened a National Military Reorganization Conference in Nanjing. On March 1, the Army Reorganization Bureau was established in Wuchang, under the leadership of General Chen Cheng. In the same month, General Alexander von Falkenhausen took charge of the German Military Advisors Group. Before war broke out, around nineteen divisions, roughly 300,000 troops received training from German advisors and were equipped with German-style weapons. At the onset of the Sino-Japanese War, the forces stemming from the First Army of the National Revolutionary Army and the Whampoa cadets, who had fought in the Northern Expedition, held the highest reputation and were referred to as the “core central forces” by the Japanese. Other notable forces included the Guangxi Army, Northwestern Army, Northeastern Army, some Uyghur units, the Guangdong Army, and the Shanxi Army. In contrast, provincial forces such as the Yunnan Army and Sichuan Army were viewed less favorably. Nationalist forces were generally far inferior to those of the Japanese enemy. In 1937, General He Yingqin noted that Nationalist forces had failed to prevail in 1932 and 1933, even when outnumbering the Japanese by 4-1.  In November 1937, during a national defense conference, Chiang Kai-shek stated, "In recent years we have worked hard, prepared actively, and achieved national unification. By the time of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, we were in a better domestic situation and had improved military preparedness compared to before. Since 1935, our strength has doubled. It increased by more than two to three times since January 1932 or September 1931 [when Japan attacked Shanghai and Mukden]. If peace had been achievable, we should have delayed the war for two or three years. Given an additional three years, our defensive capabilities would have been drastically different... Now, if we merely compare the military strength of China and Japan, we are certainly inferior." However, such assessments were overly optimistic, as Chiang failed to recognize that Japan's military capabilities would not have stagnated. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek certainly was dealt a difficult hand of cards for the upcoming poker match he was to play. Yet the Chinese were resilient and they had to be for the absolute horror that would be inflicted upon them from 1937-1945. Until this point, their enemies had been far more lenient, the Empire of Japan would show no mercy.

Join us this week for a meaningful introspection: Can Freemasonry Prevent War? We're diving into a piece written right after WWII and thinking about the ideas one Brother has to offer on the idea. Serious questions are asked—are the answers there? Thanks for listening, and have a meaningful Memorial Day and an awesome week! Links: Memorial Day and Freemasonry http://www.midnightfreemasons.org/2023/05/memorial-day-and-its-masonic-history.html San Antonio Esoteric Summit www.EsotericTexas.com San Antonio Esoteric Summit – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566473288239 San Antonio Esoteric Summit Tickets! tinyurl.com/4wvkjpaf Skull and Crown Ltd. www.skullandcrownltd.com Craftsman+ FB Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftsmanplus/ WCY Podcast YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/WhenceCameYou Ancient Modern Initiation: Special Edition http://www.wcypodcast.com/the-Shop The Master's Word- A Short Treatise on the Word, the Light, and the Self - Autographed https://wcypodcast.com/the-shop Get the new book! How to Charter a Lodge: https://wcypodcast.com/the-shop Truth Quantum https://truthquantum.com Our Patreon www.patreon.com/wcypodcast Support the show on Paypal https://wcypodcast.com/support-the-show Get some swag! https://wcypodcast.com/the-shop Get the book! http://a.co/5rtYr2r

On this episode, Tony Brueski digs into the eerie legacy of the Catalina Casino—an architectural marvel and cultural hotspot with a shadowy side. From the dazzling dances of the 1930s to the mysterious whispers in its silent theater rows, this island landmark may hold more than just memories.  Tony explores eyewitness accounts, historic connections to World War II, and theories ranging from residual hauntings to environmental illusions. With glowing chandeliers above and chilling stories below, we uncover whether Catalina's most glamorous building is also its most haunted.