The Raven and Top Lobsta take you on a journey through the conspiratorial, the supernatural and the occult. 

The Influencer Industrial Complex w/ Austin Picard

Nephilim Death Squad

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# Comprehensive Summary of "The Influencer Industrial Complex w/ Austin Picard" (Nephilim Death Squad Podcast)

Government Psychological Operations and the Alien Disclosure Narrative: The podcast explores how government intelligence agencies have created a manufactured narrative around aliens and UFO disclosure. Austin Picard points to documents from the 1950s where CIA director Walter Bettle Smith proposed using UFO phenomena for psychological warfare purposes. He argues that Alan Dulles viewed UFOs as a psychological weapon and that the modern disclosure movement is financed by entities like the Rockefellers and Jesuits.

The Death Education Program at Columbine: Austin details the disturbing "death education" curriculum that was implemented at Columbine High School years before the massacre. This program exposed children as young as kindergarten age to death-focused activities, including visiting funeral homes, writing their own obituaries, and suicide notes. Tara Becker, a former student, testified that students were taught that "death was glamorous" and that they would "return to a better life form" after death, leading to suicide ideation.

Pharmaceutical and Mind Control Connections to Mass Shootings: The hosts discuss how pharmaceuticals like SSRIs, Luvox, and amphetamines are frequently connected to mass shooters. Austin notes that Eric Harris was prescribed Luvox (the same antidepressant used by other mass shooters like Adam Lanza and James Holmes). The podcast explores how methamphetamine appears repeatedly in these cases and may "open spiritual doorways" making individuals susceptible to external entities or programming.

The Columbine Shooters' Connections to White Supremacist Organizations: Austin reveals connections between Columbine shooters and local white supremacist organizations through their workplace, Blackjack Pizza. He explains that adult employees at the restaurant had ties to white supremacist groups and methamphetamine trafficking, and helped the shooters acquire weapons. One employee, Nathan Johnson, was later involved in a 2008 assassination plot against Barack Obama.

Ritualistic Timing and Occult Connections: The hosts discuss how mass shootings and traumatic events often coincide with significant dates like Hitler's birthday or the anniversaries of Waco and Ruby Ridge. They suggest these aren't coincidental but may be related to ritual occult practices involving human sacrifice at specific times of the year, designed to harness public emotion and trauma for larger agendas.

The Spiritual and Demonic Dimension of Mind Control: The podcast makes connections between dissociative states induced through trauma-based mind control and demonic possession. Austin references documentation suggesting that "alters" (alternative personalities) created through trauma-based programming can be understood as demonic entities or "gatekeepers" that control access to different parts of the victim's mind, particularly when triggered by specific stimuli.

UFO/Alien Narrative as Spiritual Deception: The hosts argue that the alien narrative is actually a rebranded demonic phenomenon. They discuss how the Book of Enoch (which mentions fallen angels) was verified among the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947-1948, coinciding with the establishment of Israel and the beginning of the UFO craze. They criticize influential figures who dismiss the demonic interpretation of alien encounters, noting that alien abduction experiences closely resemble demonic encounters.

Hollywood Programming and Social Engineering: The conversation covers how entertainment media has been used to program audiences, particularly by promoting narratives that separate children from their parents. David mentions how the Green Day album "American Idiot" with its character St. Jimmy normalized themes of rebellion, suicide, and drug use. They also discuss how shows like "Stranger Things" contain elements that reflect real mind control programs and spiritual realities.

The Influencer Industrial Complex: Austin describes how influential personalities are used to control narratives and set the boundaries of acceptable opinion. They discuss how platforms elevate certain voices to control the flow of information and shape public perception. The hosts express concern about specific influencers who may be undermining important spiritual truths about aliens and disclosure while appearing to be truth-tellers.

The Convergence Toward a New World Order: The hosts suggest that various psychological operations, mind control programs, and spiritual deceptions are converging in our generation toward establishing a new world religion and governance system. Austin quotes Serge Monast's work on Project Blue Beam, describing how technologies would be used to create a massive deception involving simulated religious figures and ultimately lead to a cashless society and totalitarian control.

Mental Health Industry as a Selection Process: The podcast questions the entire mental health industry, suggesting it may function as a selection process to identify individuals susceptible to programming. They discuss how therapists and psychiatric medications might be unwittingly part of a larger system that creates rather than solves mental health problems, with children being particularly targeted through ADHD medications like Adderall.

Historical Nazi and Occult Connections to Modern Programs: The conversation touches on the connections between Nazi occultism, Operation Paperclip, and the establishment of organizations like NASA. They discuss Wernher von Braun's tombstone which references "the firmament" (Psalm 19:1), suggesting he knew about deceptions regarding space. They note how Nazi scientists brought to America were involved in occult practices and may have contacted spiritual entities.

The Importance of Spiritual Discernment Against Deception: The hosts emphasize that understanding these operations requires spiritual discernment. They frame their work as helping viewers see through deceptions, particularly around alien disclosure, which they believe will be "the big deception." They suggest their ultimate purpose is to guide people toward a relationship with God as the answer to these complex deceptions.
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Earth Ancients chronicles the growing (and often suppressed) evidence of known and unknown civilizations, their ruined cities, and artifacts developed from advanced science and technology. Erased from the pages of time, these cultures discovered and charted the heavens, developed earth-centric sciences and unleashed advancements that parallel and, in many cases, surpass our own. Join us and discover our lost history. Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/earth-ancients--2790919/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss">https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/earth-ancients--2790919/support</a>.

Rafael Eissmann: Echoes of an Unknown History

Earth Ancients

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Ruth Rodriguez Sotomayor's Revelations About Pre-Columbian History: Ecuadorian historian Ruth Rodriguez Sotomayor, who passed away in April 2023, dedicated her life to researching pre-Hispanic and pre-diluvian civilizations. Through her work as a librarian in Madrid's Museum of the Americas, she studied and translated ancient symbols and writing systems found on archaeological artifacts, revealing a history that challenges mainstream narratives.

Six Ancient Writing Systems Identified: Rodriguez Sotomayor documented six different ancient writing systems that existed in prehistory: geometric/math or Uri, cuneiform, hieroglyphics (Maya pictographs), phonetic writing (Aztec), and cryptographic writing. Her research suggests these systems were part of complex civilizations that predated currently accepted timelines.

Evidence of White Populations in Ancient Americas: One controversial aspect of Rodriguez's research was her documentation of what she called "white gods" or white populations that existed in pre-Columbian Americas. This aligns with work by other historians like Francisco Moreno, Emeterio Villamindorada, and Arthur Poznazki, who all found evidence of white races in the Americas predating indigenous groups.

The Metal Library of Ecuador: Rodriguez was influenced by her connection with Juan Moritz, a Hungarian researcher who discovered the "Taylor's Case" or metal library in Ecuador. These metal plates or books contained information about ancient civilizations and have been studied by various researchers, including reportedly Neil Armstrong.

Transoceanic Migrations: Rodriguez's research supports the theory that ancient peoples routinely crossed oceans and settled in different parts of the world. She found evidence that Maya were seafaring people who traveled as far as India, explaining why the term "Maya" appears frequently in Hindu culture.

Tiwanaku as a Pre-Diluvian Center: Rodriguez highlighted Bolivia's Tiwanaku as an important pre-diluvian city, possibly dating back 18,000-23,000 years or more. She noted that it was likely an underground city as well, supporting the theory that it has been repeatedly settled by different civilizations throughout millennia.

Manipulation of History Post-1492: Rodriguez argued that history was manipulated after Columbus's arrival in the Americas. Despite archaeological evidence of Chinese, African, and Viking presence in the Americas before Columbus, a political and religious narrative of "discovery" was established to support conquest objectives.

Academic Resistance to Ancient Dating: Rodriguez criticized carbon-14 dating as manipulated and unreliable. She argued that academic institutions resist acknowledging pre-flood civilizations because such findings would contradict established religious and scientific narratives that place modern humans at the center of creation and evolution.

Unpublished Encyclopedia: Rodriguez reportedly compiled a 5-6,000-page encyclopedia about the symbols of ancient white races of the Americas. Though not all her work was published, Raphael Eisman has permission to translate and publish some of her books, which could provide valuable insights into prehistory.

Connection to Hindu Yugas: Rodriguez connected her research to the Hindu concept of yugas, suggesting that the earliest civilizations she studied were part of the Satya and Trita periods (golden and silver ages), representing a much older timeline for human civilization than is conventionally accepted.

Mirror Reading of Artifacts: One intriguing aspect of Rodriguez's methodology was her suggestion that many pre-Columbian artifacts should be viewed with a mirror to reveal their true meaning, similar to Leonardo da Vinci's mirror writing technique.

Importance of Questioning Established History: Both Rodriguez and Eisman emphasize the importance of questioning established historical narratives and considering evidence that doesn't fit conventional timelines. Their work suggests that human civilization is far older and more complex than mainstream archaeology acknowledges.
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Scott Adams discusses the latest happenings in the world through a persuasion filter. Support this podcast: <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-adams00/support" rel="payment">https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-adams00/support</a>

Episode 3038 CWSA 12/06/25

Real Coffee with Scott Adams

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Technical Issues and Setup Challenges: Scott Adams begins the podcast facing multiple technical issues, including broken microphones, printer problems, and back pain preventing him from sitting at his usual desk. He jokes about "everything being broken" as he sets up for the show in a different location than usual.

Corruption in Minnesota and Federal Programs: Adams discusses widespread fraud in Minnesota, including potentially $8 billion stolen in recent years. He also covers alleged fraud in Obamacare subsidies (possibly $21 billion), the Small Business Administration (SBA) starting an audit process, and the DEA (with a former Obama DEA official charged with laundering money for Mexican cartels).

The J6 Pipe Bomber Case Resolution: Adams reports on the resolution of the January 6th pipe bomber investigation, noting that the suspect was a young Black man described as "almost autistic" rather than the MAGA supporter some had initially assumed. Adams suggests there may have been intentional delays in solving the case, with it being quickly resolved after leadership changes.

European Union Decline and Conflict with X/Twitter: Adams discusses a Trump administration document describing Europe's civilizational decline, noting their global GDP share dropped from 25% in 1990 to 14% currently. He criticizes the EU for fining Elon Musk and X/Twitter $140 million over what Adams considers trivial issues, suggesting it's really about controlling free speech.

Media "Hit Pieces" and Alleged Bias: Adams discusses what he calls "hit pieces" by the New York Times against David Sachs and by the Washington Post regarding Pete Hegseth. He suggests these are attempts to target effective people on Trump's side and advises against letting media reporters "spend the day with you" if you're a public figure.

Emerald Robinson's Election Rigging Narrative: Adams spends significant time reading Emerald Robinson's detailed Twitter thread about an alleged plot involving Venezuela, Smartmatic, and Dominion voting machines. The narrative claims that Elon Musk, Patrick Byrne, and Gary Bernstein worked to stop election rigging in 2024 by disabling servers in Serbia. Adams presents this without endorsing it, asking listeners if it "rings true" while noting it's "a hell of a claim."

The Climate Change "Hoax" and DEI Policy Changes: Adams mentions an LA Times opinion piece questioning climate change science and notes that AT&T is scrapping its DEI policies, including training that called racism "a uniquely white trait." Adams connects this to his personal experience facing what he describes as anti-white-male discrimination early in his career.

Trump Administration Immigration Policies: Adams discusses new Trump policies including a $5,000 "apprehension fee" for illegal migrants caught in the country and notes the Supreme Court will take up the case of birthright citizenship. He suggests Trump waiting for the Supreme Court's decision proves he's not an authoritarian.

Epstein Files Controversy: Adams discusses Marjorie Taylor Greene's 60 Minutes appearance where she revealed Trump was "furious" with her for supporting the release of the Epstein files. Adams weighs the ethical dilemma of releasing names that could destroy innocent lives versus the rights of victims to see full disclosure.

Technological Advancements at Tesla: Adams briefly discusses Tesla's new software update that integrates Grok AI into vehicles, allowing users to simply talk to their cars about destinations and have the full self-driving feature engage automatically, which he describes as "wild."
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Everything you need to know about your world in 10 minutes. Go straight to the source with a ten-minute news briefing by Reuters frontline journalists. Join host Kim Vinnell as she takes you around the world every weekday.

Netflix buys Warner Bros, Epstein records and World Cup groups

Reuters World News 

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Netflix's Historic $72 Billion Deal with Warner Bros. Discovery: Netflix has signed one of the biggest deals in media history, acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery's TV film studio and streaming division for $72 billion. The streaming giant beat out competitors Paramount and Comcast, even putting up a nearly $6 billion breakup fee to demonstrate confidence that federal regulators will approve the merger.

Epstein Grand Jury Transcripts to be Unsealed: A federal judge in Florida has approved the unsealing of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking case. These documents could provide more information about Epstein's relationships with prominent political and business figures, including Donald Trump, and have become sought after by both Trump's political opponents and supporters seeking transparency.

2026 World Cup Draw Announced: FIFA has announced the group matchups for the 2026 World Cup, featuring notable first-round groupings. Highlights include tiny Curacao facing four-time champion Germany, the United States playing Paraguay and Australia, and first-time qualifier Jordan drawn against champions Argentina. The draw ceremony also saw FIFA award President Trump its inaugural Peace Prize for "efforts to promote dialogue and peace around the world."

Hepatitis B Vaccination Policy Change for Newborns: A vaccine advisory committee has eliminated the long-standing recommendation that all U.S. newborns receive the hepatitis B shot at birth. The committee, comprised of appointees selected by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after he fired the previous panel of independent experts, voted to make the shot mandatory only for newborns whose mothers tested positive for the virus. Public health experts warn this decision reverses years of progress and could create a concerning template for future vaccine policy changes.

Ukraine's Population Crisis: Ukraine is facing a severe demographic crisis with birth rates plummeting to the world's lowest levels while also experiencing the world's highest death rate. This population decline began in the 1990s following the fall of communism and economic problems, worsened after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, and accelerated after the full-scale invasion in 2022 that prompted many young people to flee the country. The UN predicts Ukraine's population could shrink from nearly 40 million today to as low as 9 million by 2100.

AI Applied to Ancient Jewish Manuscripts: Researchers in Israel are using artificial intelligence to translate and analyze the Cairo Geniza, the world's largest collection of medieval Jewish documents. The collection contains over 400,000 fragile records written in Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, and Yiddish, discovered in Cairo's Ben Ezra synagogue. AI technology could potentially accomplish in a short time what would take experts decades of manual work, allowing researchers to cross-reference names and reconstruct damaged fragments to better understand Jewish history and medieval social networks.
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Motley Fool Money is a daily podcast for stock investors. 
Weekday episodes offer a long-term perspective on business news with The Motley Fool's investment analysts. Weekend shows are a mix of investing classes and longer-form interviews.
The show is hosted by Dylan Lewis, Ricky Mulvey, and Mary Long.

Before the Crisis: How You and Your Relatives Can Prepare for Financial Caregiving

Motley Fool Money

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• Rising Unemployment Concerns: The September employment report showed unemployment rising to 4.4%, the highest since 2021. Private sector employment has declined for five consecutive months outside healthcare and leisure sectors. November saw 32,000 private sector layoffs according to ADP, with small businesses hit hardest. Total announced layoffs for 2025 reached 1.17 million, 54% higher than last year.

• Bond Performance and Cash Management Options: Bonds are having their third-best year in two decades with over 7% returns as interest rates decline. Money market funds hold a record $8 trillion, offering average yields of 3.8% compared to 0.6% for typical savings accounts. While not FDIC insured like bank accounts, they offer varying risk/yield profiles through corporate debt, Treasury, or municipal debt investments.

• Financial Caregiving Challenges: Beth Pinsker, a certified financial planner and author, shared her experience becoming her mother's financial caregiver. Despite being a financial professional with a prepared mother, she had to conduct a "scavenger hunt" to reverse-engineer her mother's entire financial situation when medical issues made her mother unable to manage finances.

• Creating a Financial Roadmap for Others: Having a comprehensive organization system for your finances is crucial when someone needs to take over. This might be a digital "death file" or clearly labeled folders containing important documents. Families where only one person handles finances are particularly vulnerable when that person becomes incapacitated.

• Essential Legal Documents: A durable power of attorney is critical, as financial institutions treat everyone as individuals and won't allow others to act on your behalf without proper documentation. Other important documents include healthcare proxies (allowing someone to make medical decisions), living wills (outlining your medical wishes), and standard wills.

• Institutional Challenges: Even with proper documentation, financial institutions often create obstacles when someone tries to use power of attorney. They may require in-person visits, specific forms, or challenge signatures. Persistence is necessary, which is why close family members typically need to handle these matters rather than hired help.

• Tax Loss Harvesting Strategy: Selling investments that have declined in value in taxable accounts can offset capital gains and up to $3,000 in ordinary income. Despite the S&P 500 being up 18% in 2025, almost 200 stocks in the index are in the red, and three sectors have lost money over the trailing 12 months. This strategy can also help rebalance portfolios while limiting tax consequences.
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Optispan is a vision for what health should be. 

The typical person gives up 10-20 years of quality life in exchange for disability, frailty, and early death. We call this "the lost decade". Time that should be spent with loved ones doing the activities you enjoy are instead spent suffering from multiple diseases and taking a cabinet full of medications that probably do as much harm as good. 

We believe that the current practice of medicine is disease care, not health care. We believe that everyone can get closer to their own optimal healthspan.

The Dangerous Truth About The Peptide Craze (I Tried It)

The Optispan Podcast with Matt Kaeberlein

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- A Critical View of Longevity Conferences: Matt Kaeberlein shares experiences from his recent travels to longevity conferences in Geneva, Chicago, and Mauritius, highlighting the contrast between scientifically rigorous approaches and what he considers more alternative medicine perspectives. While the Geneva conference had a mixed scientific/alternative medicine feel, the Mauritius Longevity Summit was more scientifically grounded.

- The Problem with Direct-to-Consumer Aging Clocks: Matt argues that aging clocks are being misrepresented in consumer applications. While they can be valuable research tools when properly applied, he explains they're actually "a correlation of a correlation to biological age" rather than direct measurements. He criticizes how companies market these tests without providing information about their accuracy, making them essentially useless for individual consumers.

- The Peptide Craze: Matt expresses concern about the exponential rise in peptide use without sufficient evidence. While acknowledging some peptides have proven benefits (like GLP-1 agonists), he criticizes the broader trend where doctors prescribe various peptides without data on efficacy, side effects, or proper safety protocols. He compares this to historical fads in alternative medicine, noting that "by and large, peptides are a fad."

- Three Common Fictions in Longevity: Matt outlines three misconceptions he addresses in his talks: 1) We are close to solving aging (we aren't), 2) Aging has been reversed (it hasn't - we've never made an old person young again), and 3) Biological clocks directly measure biological age (they don't - they're correlative measurements that are often presented deceptively).

- Three Established Facts About Aging: Matt counters with three evidence-based realities: 1) Aging is a modifiable biological process that can be slowed, 2) Targeting aging processes is more effective than treating diseases after they develop, and 3) We already know enough to start having positive impacts on healthspan today through initiatives like the Dog Aging Project and Optispan's approach to healthspan medicine.

- The Need for Evidence-Based Approaches: Throughout his travels, Matt advocates for rigorous scientific standards in longevity medicine. He criticizes the tendency in alternative medicine spaces to rely on anecdotes and case reports rather than statistical data. For practices like stem cell therapies and exosomes, he argues we need proper studies showing efficacy rates and documenting side effects.

- Managing Jet Lag and Fitness While Traveling: Matt shares his practical approach to maintaining fitness and managing jet lag during extensive travel, including early morning workouts and adapting his exercise routine to hotel gym limitations. This highlights his practical, evidence-based approach to personal health maintenance.
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FantasyPros provides hard-hitting fantasy football analysis while keeping you entertained. Get the tips needed to win your league from a trusted network of 100+ experts. Find out who to draft, pick up and start while receiving analysis of the latest news from around the league.

Best NFL Prop Bets For Week 14 (Ep. 1883)

FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

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- Trevor Lawrence Passing Yards: Recommendation to bet on Trevor Lawrence over 220.5 passing yards against the Colts. Lawrence has hit this mark in two of his last three games, and the Colts have allowed this yardage to QBs in seven of their last nine games. The analysis notes Lawrence ranks 10th against man coverage, which the Colts run at the 8th highest rate.

- Kyren Williams Carry Limit: Suggestion to bet under 15.5 carries for Kyren Williams against the Cardinals. Williams has been rotating snaps with Blake Corum, is dealing with an ankle injury, and has only exceeded 16 carries once in his last nine games.

- Chase Brown Receiving Production: Recommendation for Chase Brown over 18.5 receiving yards against the Bills. He has hit this mark in five straight games with 33 targets in his last four games and 6+ receptions in three straight. The Bills have allowed this prop to RBs in six of their last seven games.

- Chase Brown Total Yardage: Additional bet on Chase Brown over 75.5 yards from scrimmage. He's recorded 100+ yards from scrimmage in six straight games, and the Bills have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, allowing 130+ rushing yards per game to running backs.

- Bo Nix Rushing Yards: Recommendation to take Bo Nix over 15.5 rushing yards against the Raiders. Analysis shows Nix has struggled against zone coverage (which he's likely to face) but has a high scramble rate in those situations. He has hit this rushing prop in every road game this season.

- Tua Tagovailoa Interception Prop: Betting on Tua to throw an interception against the Jets. Despite the Jets not having an interception all season, the analysis points to Tua's struggles in cold weather games, his 14 interceptions already this season, and his poor performance against zone coverage.

- Tight End Receiving Yards: Recommendations for Colston Loveland over 32.5 receiving yards against the Packers and Brenton Strange over 41.5 receiving yards against the Colts. Both tight ends have favorable matchups against defenses that struggle against the position.

- Kirk Cousins Limited Passing: Bet on Kirk Cousins under 33.5 pass attempts, as he hasn't reached 34 attempts in any game this season. The Falcons have shown a clear preference to establish the run and limit Cousins' passing attempts.

- Adonai Mitchell Breakout Continuation: Recommendation for Adonai Mitchell over 47.5 receiving yards. He leads all NFL receivers in air yards over the past two weeks (359) and has a 31.1% target share, averaging 9.5 targets per game in that span.

- Touchdown Scorer Bets: Several anytime touchdown scorer recommendations including Jamar Chase, Kyle Manangai, Darren Waller, Blake Corum, and Colston Loveland at various odds, with analysis of their red zone opportunities and matchup advantages.
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Выпуски новостей независимого медиапроекта "Эхо"

Новости: Украинский дрон ударил по НПЗ «Роснефти». Кадыров пообещал «жёсткий ответ» за Грозный-Сити / Вечер, 06.12.2025

Новости | Эхо

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Ukrainian Drone Strike on Rosneft Refinery: Ukrainian drones attacked Russia's largest Rosneft oil refinery in Ryazan for the ninth time this year. The governor of Ryazan confirmed a strike on an "industrial enterprise," claiming no serious damage occurred. The refinery produces various fuels including aviation kerosene for Russia's aerospace forces.

Russian Attacks on Ukrainian Infrastructure: Russian drones and missiles destroyed a railway station in Fastov near Kyiv, injuring three civilians. Additional attacks caused fires in buildings in Dnipro, damaged food warehouses in Lutsk, and struck energy infrastructure in Chernihiv, leading to power outages in parts of Lviv and Odesa regions.

Kadyrov's Threat of Retaliation: Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov promised a "harsh response" following a drone attack on the Grozny-City complex, where several government bodies are located. He warned that Ukrainians would feel the consequences within a week.

Former Serpukhov District Head's Suicide Attempt: Alexander Shestun, the former head of Moscow's Serpukhov District currently imprisoned, reported a suicide attempt in a letter cited by Novaya Gazeta. He attributed his action to the eviction of his elderly parents from their home, which court documents claimed was purchased with illegally obtained funds.

EU and G7 Considering Russian Oil Transport Ban: According to Reuters, the European Union and G7 are discussing potentially replacing the price cap on Russian oil with a complete ban on its maritime transport. This could significantly impact Russia's oil exports, as more than a third is currently transported on Western tankers and through Western companies.
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Timothy Shanahan is a renowned expert on the teaching of literacy. This podcast addresses practical issues in teaching students to read and to read better.

Literacy Charities for 2026

Shanahan on Literacy

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• Annual Literacy Charity Review: Each year, Dr. Timothy Shanahan reviews top-rated literacy charities to help promote higher reading achievement. The recommendations focus on organizations that distribute books to children or support reading education in other ways.

• Selection Criteria for Recommended Charities: All charities on the list must be international, national, or multi-regional in scope; focus primarily on literacy and book distribution; provide services directly to children; demonstrate transparency in reporting; and allocate most donations to fulfilling their mission rather than overhead costs.

• Barbara Bush Foundation: Supports reading mentoring programs for children in grades 1-3, including Read Squad which pairs struggling readers with teen mentors. They've distributed over 600,000 books and helped improve reading skills for more than 41,000 children since 2002.

• Barbershop Books: Creates child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops to engage Black boys with "boy-approved" books. This program focuses on reading identity development by increasing access to male reading role models and providing out-of-school reading opportunities.

• Book Trust: Promotes reading motivation by enabling children to own books through school partnerships. Over 25 years, they've provided more than 10 million books to half a million children, with nearly 50,000 students choosing almost 600,000 books last year alone.

• Books for Africa: Ships containers of books to African schools where many children have never owned a book and classrooms often have just one textbook for 10-20 students. Founded in 1988, they've provided 1.6 million books to children in 31 countries in the past year.

• Children's Literacy Initiative: Provides professional development, coaching, and classroom resources to improve early literacy instruction in high-needs schools. They currently serve more than 250 schools in six states, reaching over 16,000 children, and have helped more than 30,000 teachers improve their literacy instruction over the past 12 years.

• Digital and Global Literacy Support: Organizations like Curious Learning distribute free open-source reading apps in over 40 languages (with 6 million downloads), while International Book Project has shipped nearly 8 million books to 168 countries since 1966.

• Family and Community Reading Programs: Several charities focus on home and community reading, including Raising a Reader (developing family literacy libraries), Reach Out and Read (using pediatric checkups to promote reading), and United Through Reading (connecting military families through recorded read-alouds).

• Large-Scale Distribution Programs: Reading Is Fundamental, the oldest book ownership program, has distributed almost 5 million books this year alone, reaching 91% of U.S. elementary schools and serving 24 million kids. First Book reaches 6.5 million children annually through a network of 600,000 educators.

• Multiple Ways to Support Literacy: Beyond financial donations, Shanahan encourages educators to consider these organizations as potential partners for their schools or resources for families. Many organizations also welcome volunteers who want to contribute their time to support literacy.
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Julia La Roche brings her listeners in-depth conversations with some of the top CEOs, investors, founders, academics, and rising stars in business. Guests on "The Julia La Roche Show" have included Bill Ackman, Ray Dalio, Marc Benioff, Kyle Bass, Hugh Hendry, Nassim Taleb, Nouriel Roubini, David Friedberg, Anthony Scaramucci, Scott Galloway, Brent Johnson, Jim Rickards, Danielle DiMartino Booth, Carol Roth, Neil Howe, Jim Rogers, Jim Bianco, Josh Brown, and many more. Julia always makes the show about the guest, never the host. She speaks less and listens more. She always does her homework.

#314 Chris Whalen: Fed Cutting Rates For Politics, Not Economics

The Julia La Roche Show

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- Kevin Hassett as Next Fed Chair: Chris Whalen believes Kevin Hassett is likely to be the next Federal Reserve Chair under the Trump administration. Hassett is viewed as politically astute with decades of Washington experience, coming from the American Enterprise Institute. While he'll need to work by consensus and balance relationships with other Fed officials, Whalen expects him to be responsive to Trump's desire for lower interest rates.

- The Myth of Fed Independence: Whalen argues that true Federal Reserve independence is impossible given its structural relationship with the Treasury and political appointment process. He notes that historically, Fed chairs have always been influenced by political considerations, citing examples like Paul Volcker delaying inflation fighting to help Ronald Reagan win the 1980 election.

- Upcoming Rate Cut Considerations: With the FOMC meeting approaching, Whalen predicts a quarter-point rate cut, influenced by concerns about potential job market weakness. The Fed is walking a narrow line between maintaining credibility and providing insurance against economic slowdown. He emphasizes that mortgage rates, not Fed funds rates, are the politically significant metric.

- Mortgage Rate Dynamics: Getting mortgage rates down from 6.25% to around 5.5% would significantly impact the housing market and midterm elections. Lenders anticipate rate cuts and may preemptively lower rates to capture market share. A quarter to half-point decline in mortgage rates would substantially increase refinance activity, potentially raising overall mortgage volume from $2 trillion to $2.5-2.75 trillion in 2025.

- K-Shaped Economic Recovery: Whalen sees a divided economy where most sectors are performing well while the bottom quartile continues to struggle. He doesn't anticipate an imminent economic crisis despite warnings about potential treasury market trouble or stock sell-offs, noting that financial stocks have been recovering since mid-November.

- Commercial Real Estate Challenges: The commercial real estate market shows a stark divide - new properties in attractive locations are performing well, while older office buildings face severe devaluations (50-70% in some cases). Repurposing older buildings for residential use is possible but expensive, requiring major modifications like adding light shafts that can reduce usable square footage.

- Private Credit Concerns: Approximately 15% of private equity companies in the US are effectively insolvent, paying debt obligations in kind rather than cash. Whalen warns that public markets exist for important reasons - providing liquidity and information - and private assets should theoretically trade at a discount but haven't been priced that way due to excessive investor interest.

- Bank Preferred Stocks: Major banks are likely to continue buying back their preferred stocks as they no longer need the additional capital. Changes in capital requirements under Fed Vice Chair Mickey Bowman and limited loan demand mean banks would rather repurchase shares than maintain higher-cost preferred securities.

- The 2% Inflation Target Debate: The Fed's 2% inflation target emerged during post-financial crisis fears of deflation. Whalen believes the economy needs some inflation, noting that assets like real estate require 2-3% annual appreciation to function properly. The concern now isn't deflation but rather extreme price increases in areas like housing, food, and healthcare.

- Biggest Market Risk for 2026: Systemic risk typically comes from surprises rather than known issues. While Whalen has some concerns about the commercial credit sector, he notes that third-quarter earnings showed declining credit costs for consumer products like auto loans and credit cards, which doesn't align with recession expectations.
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Welcome to the AI Hustle podcast, your go-to spot for blending the innovative world of artificial intelligence with the gritty hustle of entrepreneurial ventures. Every week, we bring you the latest in AI news, dive into tools that can fuel your side hustle, and chat with the top entrepreneurs who are making it big with a little help from AI. Tune in, get inspired, and discover how you can turn the AI wave into your next revenue adventure!

The Future of AI: Ads in ChatGPT

AI Hustle: Make Money from AI and ChatGPT, Midjourney, NVIDIA, Anthropic, OpenAI

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- ChatGPT's Controversial Ad-Like Pop-ups: A user on X (Twitter) reported seeing what appeared to be ads for Peloton within ChatGPT, specifically a "Find a fitness class" prompt with a "Connect Peloton" button. This sparked concern because it appeared on a paid Pro account, where users don't expect to see advertisements.

- OpenAI's Response to the Controversy: OpenAI claimed this wasn't an ad but rather a suggestion to install Peloton's app as part of their Apps SDK integration. They acknowledged the poor user experience due to the irrelevant placement and promised to iterate on the suggestions and UI.

- Paid vs. Free Services and Ad Expectations: There's a clear consumer expectation that paid services shouldn't contain ads. When users pay for a subscription (especially at $200/month for ChatGPT Pro), they expect an ad-free experience, unlike free platforms like Facebook or Google where ads are expected.

- The Future of AI Monetization: The hosts predict that regardless of this particular incident, OpenAI will eventually incorporate ads into ChatGPT, especially for free users. This appears to be testing the groundwork for future ad placement, similar to how app stores monetize through paid discovery.

- Strategic Partnerships in AI: The integration between apps and AI platforms can be mutually beneficial, with companies like Peloton potentially leveraging ChatGPT to promote "AI-enhanced" offerings while OpenAI gains more functionality and potential revenue streams through partnerships.
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TFTC is a podcast hosted by Marty Bent about Bitcoin. Join Marty, Editor in Chief of "the best newsletter in Bitcoin", as he sits down to discuss Bitcoin with interesting people.

#690: Why Billionaires Shouldn't Give It All Away with Johann Kurtz

TFTC: A Bitcoin Podcast

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• The Culture of Impermanence: Western society has shifted toward a culture that lacks intergenerational continuity of wealth. Many wealthy individuals now choose to donate their fortune to charity rather than passing it to their children, or they lose it through poor stewardship. This is partly due to the separation of wealth from a sense of duty, resulting in the disappearance of 15,300 potential billionaire families over the 20th century.

• From Dominion to Private Property: The shift from the biblical concept of "dominion" (rooted in domus/house, implying stewardship responsibility) to the modern notion of private property has fundamentally changed how wealth is viewed. Unlike dominion, which carried a "burden of rule" and responsibility to those under your care, private property became seen as simply "mine to use as I please" without moral obligations attached.

• Duty and Legacy in Christianity: Christianity once provided a comprehensive moral framework that guided the wealthy in understanding their obligations. The concept of "loving thy neighbor" in Christianity doesn't mean loving everyone equally everywhere, but specifically refers to those in proximity (from Greek "plesion") - emphasizing responsibility to those physically close to you rather than abstract global causes.

• The Ford Foundation Cautionary Tale: The Ford family established their foundation to maintain control of their wealth while avoiding excessive inheritance taxes, but gradually lost control of it. As the board expanded beyond family members, the foundation began funding initiatives completely disconnected from the Ford family's values, demonstrating how philanthropy without dynastic oversight can go awry.

• The Problem with Modern Philanthropy: Today's philanthropic organizations often operate with disconnection from local communities. They attempt to solve systemic problems at a macro level rather than providing direct aid, leading to unintended consequences. True charity historically focused on personal relationships and direct amelioration of suffering rather than abstract systems change.

• Family Structure and Legacy Building: Great families throughout history maintained wealth by instilling values in children from a young age. This includes exposing them to family heroes, engaging them in challenging activities to build discipline, and establishing family rituals that connect generations. Family wealth can be productive when it comes with expectations of stewardship rather than mere inheritance.

• The Lost Infrastructure of Marriage: Previous generations invested heavily in social infrastructure that facilitated marriage and family formation, such as the "marriage season" in Georgian London. Today, young people struggle with relationships partly because older generations have abandoned their responsibility to create and maintain these social institutions.

• Architecture as Legacy: Beautiful, lasting architecture represents a commitment to place and time. The most enduring buildings were built by families who believed their descendants would remain in the same location for generations. Modern architecture's ugliness and cheapness reflects our transient relationship with place and community.

• The Importance of Locality: True charity begins with those physically near you. Distant philanthropy often fails because it lacks understanding of local conditions, as shown by examples of well-intentioned but harmful international aid programs. Robert Lupton's "Focused Community Strategies" offers a better model by embedding within communities for 10+ years.

• The Role of Hard Assets in Legacy: Traditionally, wealth passed down was tied to physical assets like land that required stewardship, creating natural obligations. Today's liquid financial assets are easily squandered. Bitcoin may offer a tool for preserving wealth across generations, but must be paired with a moral framework for deploying that wealth toward meaningful ends rather than simple accumulation.

• The Case for "Nepotism": The modern conception of nepotism misunderstands its historical meaning. Originally referring to corruption through deception, today it's used to criticize any familial preference. Family businesses consistently outperform publicly traded companies due to loyalty, long-term thinking, and accumulated expertise passed through generations.

• A Return to Duty: Building lasting legacies requires reconnecting wealth with responsibility. This means wealth holders taking personal responsibility for their communities, investing in local infrastructure, and viewing their position as one that comes with obligations to those around them rather than just privileges.
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The official podcast of ChessDojo (IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, & GM Jesse Kraai). Most episodes are streamed live to twitch.tv/chessdojolive.

Interested in improving your chess? Welcome to the Dojo! A structured plan to hold yourself accountable to and a group to do it with. - https://chessdojo.club/training 

Follow ChessDojo here:
Website: https://chessdojo.club
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Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com/

EP 176 | Gauri's Path to IM

Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

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Journey to the IM Title: Gauri Shankar recently achieved the International Master title after a decade-long struggle. Originally from Kerala, India, Gauri moved to the Chicago area at age 10 and learned chess at age 6 from his father. After earning his third IM norm in 2015, he spent years trying to reach the required 2400 FIDE rating, at times coming within a single game of crossing the threshold before falling back.

Rating Disparity Challenges: One of Gauri's biggest obstacles was the significant rating disparity between USCF and FIDE ratings in the US chess scene. Players with 2200-2300 USCF ratings often have FIDE ratings of only 2000, creating a mathematical disadvantage where wins against such players barely increase his FIDE rating while losses cost him significantly.

Balancing Chess with Career: Throughout his IM journey, Gauri worked full-time teaching chess to children, which limited his ability to focus on improving his own chess. Since 2015, he's balanced teaching with streaming (since 2019) and content creation, making it difficult to dedicate time to serious chess preparation.

Content Creation Success: Gauri has found significant success as a content creator, particularly with his short-form chess videos. His content has garnered hundreds of millions of views across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, with Jesse Kraai specifically praising his unique, meditative presentation style.

The Breakthrough Moment: Gauri vividly described the tournament where he finally crossed 2400. After a devastating loss where his nervousness caused him to overthink, he faced a grandmaster in the next round knowing only a win would suffice. In a dramatic game featuring multiple sacrifices, he secured victory with just a minute left on his clock, finally achieving the 2400 rating threshold.

Psychological Transformation: After crossing 2400, Gauri experienced a profound psychological shift, playing his best chess ever in subsequent games. He describes feeling as if "chains had disappeared," allowing him to play with complete freedom and confidence without the pressure that had haunted him for years.

The Modern Chess Landscape: The podcast discussion explored how chess improvement has changed in the modern era. While information is more readily available now, the advantage is diminished since everyone has access to the same resources. Success increasingly depends on small margins and factors beyond pure chess knowledge—including psychological resilience, physical well-being, and practical tournament skills.

Chess as Self-Actualization: Gauri views chess as a tool for self-actualization rather than just competition. He believes one's chess performance reflects their overall mental and physical state, with young players having an advantage due to fewer "weights" holding them down. As players age, non-chess factors like sleep quality and stress management become increasingly important.

Path to GM Prospects: Despite achieving the IM title, Gauri acknowledges the tremendous difficulty of reaching grandmaster level while maintaining his teaching and content creation career. He plans to continue playing in norm tournaments but recognizes the need for balance rather than pursuing chess full-time.

Chess Improvement Philosophy: The conversation emphasized the importance of analyzing your own games from a human perspective before using computer assistance. This process helps identify recurring mistakes and builds understanding of positions that suit your personal style, rather than relying solely on computer-recommended approaches that might not match your strengths.
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The latest news from the fastest growing radio news network, FOX News Radio. Listen to the power of FOX News on radio! Updated hourly!

12PM ET 12/06/2025 Newscast

Fox News Hourly Update

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- DC Pipe Bomb Suspect in Court: Brian Cole Jr. appeared in court after being arrested for allegedly planting pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters in 2021. According to sources, he has been speaking with investigators, admitting to planting the devices and expressing doubts about the 2020 election results. The bombs, placed hours before the January 6th Capitol riot, did not detonate.

- Trump's Pennsylvania Campaign Stop: President Trump is visiting Pennsylvania where he's expected to address inflation and economic issues. His campaign is focusing on reminding voters about economic challenges under the Biden administration, while countering Democratic messaging about an "affordability crisis," which Trump has called a "hoax."

- Birthright Citizenship Case: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an expedited appeal of President Trump's case seeking to end birthright citizenship by executive order.

- Immigration Enforcement in New Orleans: Federal agents are conducting "Operation Catahoula Crunch" in New Orleans, with dozens of arrests reported in the first four days, including individuals with violent criminal histories. The operation has sparked protests, with local officials demanding more transparency about who is being detained.

- Congresswoman-ICE Confrontation: Arizona Congresswoman Adila Tagrenjalva has accused ICE agents of pepper-spraying her during a raid in Tucson. ICE Deputy Director Madison Shaheen countered that the congresswoman was interfering with law enforcement operations targeting dangerous criminals.

- Heightened Security at European Christmas Markets: Christmas markets across Europe are opening with increased security measures in response to elevated threat levels. Despite the security adjustments, markets in Germany, France, and other countries remain open and continue to attract significant attendance.
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Join Holly and Tracy as they bring you the greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class in this podcast by iHeartRadio.

SYMHC Classics: Nutcracker

Stuff You Missed in History Class

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Origins of The Nutcracker Ballet: The Nutcracker ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffman's 1816 story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." Hoffman's original German tale was dark and ambiguous, blurring the lines between imagination and reality. In 1844, Alexandre Dumas adapted Hoffman's story into a lighter, more cheerful French version, which later became the foundation for the ballet.

Development of the Ballet: The ballet was commissioned by Russia's Imperial Theaters in the 1890s. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed the music, while Marius Petipa developed the initial choreography notes. Petipa became ill during production, so his assistant Lev Ivanov completed most of the actual choreography. Tchaikovsky struggled with the project, finding the simplified storyline lacking depth compared to his previous ballet, The Sleeping Beauty.

Initial Reception: When The Nutcracker premiered at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg on December 18, 1892, it received mixed reviews. Critics complained that it barely qualified as a ballet, lacked narrative coherence, and featured too many children. While the music was praised, many felt it was wasted on "nonsense." After its initial season, the ballet made only sporadic appearances on Russian stages.

Journey to America: The Nutcracker's music became popular in the West through the Nutcracker Suite before the full ballet arrived. Walt Disney's Fantasia (1940) featured selections from the Nutcracker Suite, helping popularize the music in America. The San Francisco Ballet staged the first U.S. performance of the full ballet in 1944.

George Balanchine's Transformation: In 1954, George Balanchine created a new version for the New York City Ballet featuring Maria Tallchief as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Balanchine, who was born in St. Petersburg and had appeared in productions of The Nutcracker before leaving Russia, drew on this experience for his choreography. His version transformed what Russians had criticized (the childlike elements and lack of complex plot) into what American audiences embraced as wholesome family entertainment.

Television Broadcasts Establish a Tradition: CBS broadcasts of the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker in 1957 and 1958 helped establish it as a Christmas tradition in America. The 1958 broadcast featured an introduction stating that "Christmas Day isn't Christmas without a real old-fashioned story of magic and miracles," cementing the ballet's association with the holiday season.

Modern Impact and Adaptations: The Nutcracker has become an essential financial pillar for ballet companies, often generating about half of their annual ticket revenue. The ballet has proven remarkably adaptable, with numerous reimaginings including Harlem Nutcracker, Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, and versions that address the racial and ethnic stereotypes present in the traditional "national dances" sequences.
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Actionable insights on building wealth from the top experts in money &amp; the markets

Hosted by Adam Taggart Support this podcast: <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thoughtful-money/support" rel="payment">https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thoughtful-money/support</a>

Odds Of A Santa Claus Rally Still Looking Good? | Lance Roberts

Thoughtful Money with Adam Taggart

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Market Outlook for Year-End Rally: Despite recent market volatility, a Santa Claus rally by year-end remains the most likely scenario. Statistical patterns suggest early December might bring some sloppiness due to mutual funds making annual distributions, potentially causing a pullback to the 50-day moving average. However, portfolio managers will likely position themselves with popular tech stocks (Apple, Meta, Nvidia) for year-end reporting, setting up a rally in late December through early January.

2026 Market Concerns: While not predicting a market crash, Lance Roberts sees reasons for caution in 2026. After three consecutive years of 20%+ returns (two standard deviations above the three-year moving average), statistical reversion suggests lower forward returns. Employment data showing slowing growth, manufacturing in contraction, and service sector barely expanding point to an economy returning to a modest 2% growth rate. Investors should expect more volatile, potentially single-digit returns next year.

Risk of a "Lost Decade" Ahead: Current high valuations historically lead to poor long-term returns. While timing is unpredictable in the short term, valuation metrics strongly suggest the next decade will likely deliver much lower returns (1-2% real returns after inflation) than investors have become accustomed to. This environment will require greater emphasis on active management, as passive "buy and hold" strategies may underperform significantly.

The Problem with Missing Bear Markets: Government interventions preventing market corrections (2008, 2012, 2015, 2020) have created a situation similar to California's poor forest management. By not allowing natural market corrections to occur, we've built up excess "fuel" through increased leverage and malinvestment. When a bear market eventually does occur, it will likely be more severe than necessary, but also create significant opportunities for investors who successfully navigate it.

Demographics and Economic Growth: The "3 Ds" - debt, deficits, and demographics - are weighing heavily on economic growth prospects. Falling fertility rates in the U.S. and an aging population create significant headwinds for future growth. This demographic challenge, combined with high debt levels, suggests the U.S. may eventually experience Japan-like economic stagnation without proper immigration policies that attract skilled workers and entrepreneurs.

Japan Carry Trade Status: While Japanese bond yields have risen (10-year yield at 1.93%), they remain well below U.S. yields (around 4%), allowing the carry trade to continue. Though this situation bears watching, it hasn't reached crisis levels. The Japanese economy is in recession, facing the same "3 Ds" problems as the U.S., but more advanced. If the carry trade were to unwind, it would happen suddenly, potentially causing a market correction of 10% or more.

K-Shaped Economy Reality: The divergence between high and low-income households continues to widen. The top 20% of income earners comprise about 50% of consumer spending, with higher income households disproportionately spending on services. While this helps stabilize the job market (as five out of six U.S. jobs are in services), it raises questions about wealth distribution and economic mobility. The wealth gap has been exacerbated by zero interest rate policies, bailouts, and other interventions.

Understanding "Enough" in Investing: Investors often chase returns that exceed what they actually need for financial security, taking on unnecessary risk. Financial planning should focus on determining "enough" - the return needed to reach personal financial goals - and then creating a risk-adjusted plan to achieve it. Being satisfied with 8-10% returns instead of chasing 20% returns can significantly reduce portfolio risk while still exceeding inflation and providing adequate growth.

The Importance of Risk Management: As markets potentially enter a period of higher volatility and lower returns, risk management becomes increasingly critical. This includes proper diversification across non-correlated assets, reducing leverage, and having protection strategies in place. Most investors have become accustomed to being rewarded for taking excessive risk, which creates vulnerability when market conditions change.

China's Ongoing Real Estate Troubles: China's property market continues to face serious challenges, with major developer China Vanke seeking to delay a 2 billion yuan bond repayment. While this may not trigger a global financial crisis similar to the 2008 subprime mortgage collapse, it will likely have significant market impacts, potentially strengthening the U.S. dollar and Treasury bonds as capital seeks safety. China faces severe demographic challenges that will continue to hamper their economic growth.
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Bloomberg News Now is a comprehensive audio report on today's top stories. Listen for the latest news, whenever you want it, covering global business stories around the world.

Illegal Migrants Face 'Apprehension Fee,' US Ukraine Talks, More

Bloomberg News Now

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- Illegal Migrants Face New Fee: The Trump administration has implemented a $5,000 "apprehension fee" for individuals 14 or older who entered the US illegally. Approved under the "One Big Beautiful Bill" act, the fee was implemented in September. For those who don't pay, it becomes a debt owed to the US government.

- Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Progress: Ukrainian officials are continuing talks to find a security framework to end Russia's war. These discussions follow one of the biggest missile and drone attacks in weeks targeting transportation and energy infrastructure. Both sides agree any deal will depend on Russia showing serious commitment to long-term peace.

- Netflix's Major Acquisition: Netflix stock fell about 3% following news of its $72 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. The cash and stock deal plus debt would give Netflix ownership of HBO and Warner's extensive movie and TV library. If the deal fails to gain regulatory approval, Netflix has agreed to a $5.8 billion breakup fee.

- SpaceX Valuation Soaring: SpaceX is reportedly in talks for a share sale that could make it the most valuable U.S. private company, with valuation estimates ranging between $600-800 billion. The company is reportedly looking to launch an IPO late next year.

- Healthcare Changes: Two significant healthcare developments were reported: Affordable Care Act premiums are set to spike as COVID-era tax credits expire at year-end, with a KFF survey showing 60% of enrollees already struggling with costs. Additionally, the CDC vaccine advisory committee voted to end the long-standing recommendation for newborn hepatitis B vaccination.

- Southwest Airlines Financial Challenges: Southwest Airlines has cut its full-year profit target due to higher fuel prices and effects from the government shutdown, which resulted in thousands of canceled flights. The airline now expects earnings of about $500 million before interest and taxes, though it projects better performance next year.

- Policy Changes Under Trump Administration: Several policy shifts were noted, including approval of reduced freight railroad inspection requirements, elimination of free national park admission on MLK Day and Juneteenth (replacing them with former presidents' birthdays and Flag Day), and the expansion of "Trump accounts" for babies, which received a $6.25 billion boost from Michael and Susan Dell.
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WAR ROOM: Pandemic is the first and most comprehensive program to bring the most up to the minute information on the news of the day. Stephen K. Bannon brings medical experts, politicians, business leaders, and those on the front lines for a comprehensive look at the latest news from all and provide their insider insights.

Episode 4979: Corruption In The Brian Cole Case; Israel's Sovereignty

Bannon`s War Room

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FBI Agent and Prosecutor Involvement in Pipe Bomber Case Raises Concerns: Julie Kelly reveals that Jocelyn Valentine, a prosecutor who led cases against Proud Boys after January 6th, is now the lead prosecutor in the Brian Cole Jr. pipe bomb case. Kelly alleges Valentine has a history of problematic tactics including withholding evidence and working closely with judges who were former colleagues. This raises questions about potential conflicts of interest in the prosecution.

Israel's Response to Trump's Peace Plan Implementation: Rabbi Pesach Wolicki discusses concerns about Turkey and Qatar's roles in the Gaza peace process. He argues these nations are Muslim Brotherhood-aligned and not truly moderate Arab states like the UAE or Saudi Arabia. According to Wolicki, they're attempting to circumvent the requirement to disarm Hamas in the first phase of Trump's 20-point plan, potentially allowing Hamas to maintain control under different branding.

The Somali Welfare Fraud Scandal in Minnesota: The podcast highlights what Stephen Miller calls potentially "the single greatest theft of taxpayer dollars through welfare fraud in American history" involving the Somali community in Minnesota. Mike Lindell notes this scandal extends back to at least 2018 when over $100 million in fraud was uncovered, and suggests the current administration will investigate the full extent of the issue.

SpaceX Valuation and Government Contracts: Bannon criticizes Elon Musk's SpaceX, noting its valuation has risen to $800 billion with plans to go public, while being primarily supported by government contracts. He argues this represents crony capitalism rather than true entrepreneurial capitalism, and suggests the American people should own 50% of the company given its reliance on taxpayer funding.

Entrepreneurial Capitalism vs. Crony Capitalism: Throughout the episode, Bannon emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurial capitalism versus what he sees as crony capitalism or corporatism. He argues that every American should be a capitalist with "a stake in the system," contrasting this with the current system which he describes as "a capitalist system with no capitalists."

Trump Administration Staffing Challenges at DOJ: The podcast mentions that the Trump administration is having difficulty staffing the Justice Department because law firms are threatening that lawyers who work for Trump's DOJ "will never get a job in a big law firm." This is portrayed as one reason why potentially problematic officials from previous administrations might still be in positions of power.

Immigration and Cultural Compatibility Concerns: Taj Gill, identified as a former Navy SEAL, discusses his perspective on Afghan and Somali immigration to the US. Bannon and Gill express skepticism about cultural compatibility, with Bannon stating that these cultures "do not fit with Western Christendom" and suggesting immigrants should resettle in Muslim-majority countries instead.
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The day’s top stories from BBC News. Delivered twice a day on weekdays, daily at weekends.

The Happy Pod: My best friend had my baby

Global News Podcast

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A Promise Fulfilled: Best Friend Becomes Surrogate: When Georgia Barrington learned at 15 that she was born without a womb (MRKH Syndrome), her best friend Daisy Hope promised to be her surrogate someday. Years later, after Daisy had her own child (which Georgia helped deliver as a midwife), she made good on her teenage promise. Daisy recently gave birth to Georgia's baby girl, saying "I knew there is no way I would have two children and Georgia wouldn't have any." Both women describe the experience as creating an extraordinary bond.

Gen Z Feminists Reclaim Yodeling Tradition: In Switzerland, young women are transforming the traditionally male-dominated Alpine yodeling culture. Anna Kohlbener, 26, is part of a youth choir that brings a feminist perspective to this ancient form of singing. They carefully select songs with lyrics they agree with, occasionally modifying traditionally sexist content, while still respecting the tradition's heritage. Their goal is to make yodeling more inclusive and connect people through this heartfelt form of expression.

Owl's Miraculous Survival from Cement Mixer: A young great horned owl in Utah had a lucky escape after falling into a concrete mixer at a construction site. After being rescued, veterinarians at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary spent weeks carefully removing hardened concrete from its feathers and body through gentle baths and meticulous cleaning. While the concrete damage affects the owl's ability to fly silently (a crucial hunting skill), veterinarians expect a full recovery and eventual release back into the wild.

"Mother Verite" Sculpture Challenges Postpartum Expectations: A new seven-foot bronze sculpture called "Mother Verite" presents a realistic portrayal of postpartum bodies, showing a woman wearing disposable underwear over a still-swollen belly while cradling a newborn. Created by scanning over 40 real postpartum bodies, the sculpture aims to counter the unrealistic "snapback culture" expectations. First displayed at London's Lindo Wing (famous for royal births), the statue resonated strongly with mothers who appreciated seeing authentic representation of women's bodies after childbirth.

Bringing Education to Bangladesh's River Islands: The organization Friendship is helping bring essential services to approximately 6 million people living on Bangladesh's char islands - temporary land formations created by river sediment. Their education program specifically helps adult women learn to read and write, empowering them against exploitation and providing economic opportunities. The program recently won a portion of the $1.3 million Earthshot Prize for its innovative approach to environmental and social challenges.

Nature Videos Provide Digital Sanctuary: Filmmaker Matt Swack has amassed over 200,000 followers by sharing calming videos of the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty online. What began with a spontaneous recording of a snowy river scene has become a source of comfort for many, particularly older viewers who can no longer experience these environments firsthand. Swack describes how being in nature gives him natural energy and joy, which he's able to share with others through his content.

Lang Lang Harnesses Music's Healing Power: World-renowned pianist Lang Lang runs the "Music Heals" project through his foundation, offering concerts and creative workshops for children facing health challenges or grief. He shared how music has transformed the lives of students with autism who were previously non-communicative but opened up through piano playing. Lang Lang also finds personal healing through music, noting that when he feels impatient or angry, playing Bach or Chopin restores his peace of mind.
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Jump into the world of business acquisitions with hosts Bill D'Alessandro, Mills Snell, Heather Endresen, and Michael Girdley.&nbsp; We review real businesses for sale in each episode, providing expert insights, strategies, and tips to make savvy business moves like the pros. Perfect for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in buying and selling businesses.

How to Find Hidden Specialty Pharmacy Deals – Broker Secrets Explained

Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating

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- Beverly Hills Specialty Pharmacy Overview: A specialty medical pharmacy in Beverly Hills, California with $1.5 million in EBITDA, being sold for $7.1 million (4.75x multiple). The business was established in 1980 and has approximately double the typical EBITDA margins for specialty pharmacies at around 25% versus the industry standard 10-15%.

- Forced Sale Circumstances: The seller has cancer and needs to sell quickly, creating both an opportunity for buyers and potential challenges for due diligence. The seller wishes to stay on as a consultant to grow the specialty business, which could provide continuity but raises questions about long-term stability.

- Regulatory Complexity: A major hurdle for potential buyers is the pharmacy ownership regulations in California. Non-pharmacists may have difficulty purchasing the business, as pharmacy ownership typically requires proper licensing. This may necessitate partnering with an existing pharmacist or bringing one in as a co-owner.

- Strategic Value to Acquirers: The business would make more sense as an add-on acquisition for an existing pharmacy business rather than as a first acquisition. A strategic buyer would understand the business model faster, identify synergies, and potentially be able to pay a higher price than a first-time buyer.

- Pharmacy Industry Differentiation: Unlike standard retail pharmacies, specialty pharmacies focus on compounding custom medications and handling high-margin specialty drugs for conditions like rheumatology, immunization, and pain management. The location in affluent Beverly Hills likely means a patient base with good insurance coverage and ability to pay.

- Due Diligence Requirements: Any buyer would need to investigate the pharmacy's referral sources, insurance reimbursement contracts, and whether they're approved to dispense high-margin specialty drugs. An industry expert should be brought in to evaluate the business beyond standard financial due diligence.

- Market Positioning: The pharmacy's prime Southern California location provides access to 50+ hospitals and a wealthy customer base, positioning it well within the specialty pharmacy market which is reportedly growing rapidly, though the hosts were skeptical about the broker's claim of 700% industry growth.
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