Pete Quiñones has hosted his show, The Pete Quiñones Show (formerly titled Free Man Beyond the Wall), since July 2017 and has concentrated on topics pertaining to liberation from the Progressive influence that has taken over Western governments. His current focus is on historical revisionism and how "local politics and activism" can help mitigate Progressive influence while starting to build what comes next. Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-pete-quinones-show--6071361/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss">https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-pete-quinones-show--6071361/support</a>.

Pete Reads Ryszard Legutko's 'Demon in Democracy' - Complete

The Pete Quiñones Show

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This is Pete Quiñones's complete reading of Ryszard Legutko's "The Demon in Democracy: Totalitarian Temptations in Free Societies," a book that profoundly influenced his thinking about the similarities between communism and liberal democracy.

The Central Thesis: Legutko, a Polish philosopher who lived under communism, argues that liberal democracy and communism share striking similarities in their approach to history, politics, ideology, and human nature. Both systems promise utopian futures, politicize all aspects of life, rely on egalitarianism, and work to destroy traditional institutions and communities.

Historical Determinism in Both Systems: Both communism and liberal democracy view history as moving inevitably in one direction—toward their respective systems as the final stage of human political development. Communism claimed to represent the end of class struggle, while liberal democracy presents itself as the ultimate realization of freedom and equality. This shared belief in historical inevitability makes both systems resistant to criticism and alternative perspectives.

The Paradox of Politicization: Despite promising to reduce politics' role in human life, both systems actually intensify politicization on an unprecedented scale. Liberal democracy, like communism, extends political concerns into family life, education, art, language, and even intimate personal matters. The personal becomes political in both systems, leaving no space for genuine privacy or non-political existence.

Egalitarianism as Despotism: The pursuit of equality in both systems leads paradoxically to increased state power and control. To enforce equality across all sectors of society requires extensive governmental authority that can stamp out any threats to egalitarian principles. This creates a despotic dynamic where achieving equality necessitates violating equality through concentrated power.

The Destruction of Communities: Both systems view traditional communities—families, churches, villages, voluntary associations—with suspicion and hostility. These organic social structures are seen as obstacles to progress that must be reformed or eliminated. Communism destroyed them through revolutionary violence; liberal democracy undermines them through evolutionary legal and cultural changes.

Utopian Aspirations: Legutko challenges the common view that utopias are merely impractical fantasies. Both systems function as practical utopias—comprehensive solutions to all fundamental political problems that promise final answers. Liberal democracy's "utopia of utopias" claims to provide space for all ways of life while actually imposing its own ideological uniformity.

The Role of Ideology: Both systems rely heavily on ideology to organize consciousness and create new identities for atomized individuals. The ideological man exhibits both extreme suspicion of traditional ideas and unwavering enthusiasm for the new orthodoxy. This combination produces extraordinary self-righteousness and intolerance toward dissent, whether in communist or liberal democratic contexts.

Language and Newspeak: Both systems corrupt language to serve political ends. Under communism, terms like "working class" and "socialist progress" became mandatory political declarations rather than descriptive terms. In liberal democracy, concepts like "tolerance," "diversity," "rights," and "discrimination" function similarly—as political weapons that preclude genuine debate and enforce ideological conformity.

The Mainstream and Acceptable Opinion: Liberal democracy has created a "mainstream" political culture that functions like communist party orthodoxy. Those outside the mainstream are dismissed as extremists or fascists. The European Union exemplifies this tendency, with unelected bureaucrats enforcing ideological conformity across nations while claiming to represent democracy and diversity.

Sexual Revolution as Political Weapon: The politicization of sex and sexuality in liberal democracy represents the most extreme form of making everything political. What was promised as liberation has become a tool for dismantling traditional family structures and moral frameworks. This echoes communist attempts to restructure intimate life according to ideological imperatives.

The Fate of Christianity: Both systems are fundamentally hostile to Christianity, viewing it as an obstacle to their utopian projects. Communism attacked religion brutally and directly; liberal democracy undermines it through legal restrictions, cultural marginalization, and pressure to conform to progressive orthodoxy. The "separation of church and state" becomes a weapon to eliminate Christian influence from public life.

The Problem of Dignity: The concept of dignity has been corrupted in liberal democracy. Traditionally, dignity was something earned through virtuous behavior and implied obligations. Modern liberal democracy treats dignity as an inherent entitlement requiring no moral achievement, leading to an explosion of arbitrary "rights" claims divorced from any conception of the common good.

Intellectual Conformity: Intellectuals, artists, and academics in both systems exhibit remarkable herd-like behavior despite claiming independence. They eagerly police ideological boundaries, denounce heretics, and compete to prove their progressive credentials. The lumpen intellectuals of liberal democracy resemble their communist counterparts in dogmatism and vulgarity.

The Illusion of Neutrality: Liberal democracy claims to be ideologically neutral, providing a framework where different views can compete. In reality, it imposes its own substantive vision while claiming merely to enforce formal rules. This allows it to marginalize alternatives while denying it is doing so, making its ideological control more insidious than communism's overt propaganda.

The European Union as Exemplar: The EU represents liberal democracy's totalitarian tendencies in concentrated form—unelected bureaucrats, no meaningful opposition, forced ratification of treaties, punishment of dissenting nations, and aggressive promotion of progressive ideology. It combines the worst aspects of communist central planning with liberal democratic rhetoric.

Churchill's Misunderstood Quote: The famous saying that "democracy is the worst form of government except all the others" has been twisted from skeptical observation into uncritical celebration. This rhetorical sleight-of-hand exemplifies how liberal democracy immunizes itself against criticism by claiming any alternative would be worse.

Post-Communist Disappointment: Legutko describes the profound disappointment of Eastern Europeans after 1989. They expected liberation to restore traditional institutions and national cultures, but instead encountered a new wave of ideological conformity from liberal democracy that in some ways proved more suffocating than what they had escaped.

The Mediocrity of Modern Man: Both systems are built on and reinforce human mediocrity. Rather than elevating people through cultivation of virtue and excellence, they celebrate commonness and reduce all higher aspirations to the lowest common denominator. This produces the "satisfied man" who believes he possesses the entirety of human experience while actually living in profound poverty of spirit.

Coercion to Freedom: Following Rousseau, both systems practice "coercion to freedom"—forcing people to be free according to the system's definition of freedom. This Orwellian dynamic is evident in liberal democracy's aggressive promotion of abortion rights, homosexual marriage, feminist ideology, and other progressive causes as exercises in liberation that brook no dissent.

The Impossibility of Retreat: Once social hierarchies, traditions, and communities are destroyed in the name of equality and progress, they cannot simply be restored. The damage is irreversible. This makes the choice between systems more consequential than advocates of "reform" acknowledge—there is no going back to what was lost.

The Future of Barbarism: Legutko concludes pessimistically that modern man may have reached his final form—a post-cultural barbarism that mistakes vulgarity for authenticity and conformity for independence. Unless the current view of human nature is recognized as inadequate, no genuine alternative to the liberal democratic/communist vision can emerge, and further changes will only be for the worse.

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Applied self-exploration. The Art of Accomplishment reflects a unique way of relating in business, personal and internal life that leads to more connection and satisfying relationships, awakening your ability to create the life you want with ease and joy. Joe Hudson, a coach sought after by the world’s top companies and performers, partners with wingsuit-flying adventurer and entrepreneur Brett Kistler to examine practical tools for self-exploration that you can readily apply to meaningfully transform your life. Hear Joe and Brett conduct powerful coaching sessions and unpack epiphanies with business leaders, world-class performers, and a community dedicated to self-discovery.

How I Learned To Stop Fighting Myself

The Art of Accomplishment

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Joe's Early Self-Abusive Inner Critic: Joe describes having an extremely brutal and self-abusive voice in his head for years, where there was no way to win or do anything right. This critical inner dialogue was relentless, constantly telling him he was wrong or bad no matter what he did, creating a daily experience of psychological torment that persisted well into his mid-twenties.

The Rebellious Black Sheep Identity: Growing up as the family rebel and black sheep, Joe deliberately rejected mainstream culture, authority, and conventional paths. This manifested in exploring alternative spiritual traditions like Buddhism and Taoism when they were still taboo, dressing neutrally to blend in anywhere, and actively seeking experiences that would prove he was different from and above "acceptable" society.

Collecting Human Experiences: Throughout his twenties, Joe's primary drive was gathering as many diverse human experiences as possible—from hitchhiking with strangers from Uruguay to cowboy bars, hanging out with homeless people and billionaires in the same day, working brutal jobs like butchering fish in Alaska for 16 hours daily, and visiting various Native American tribes. This quest stemmed from a deep fascination with understanding humanity at its core.

Cultural Displacement and Human Essence: Having lived in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Wales, England, and Switzerland during his formative years (including leaving Iran during the revolution), Joe witnessed how much of what people consider "right" or "wrong" is purely cultural. This cross-cultural exposure fueled his investigation into what is essentially human versus what is merely cultural conditioning.

The Meditation Breakthrough and Path Recognition: At age 26, during a meditation retreat, Joe had an eight-second experience of oneness that marked a clear turning point. Before this, he was unconsciously exploring; after, he recognized he was "on a path" trying to get back to that state. Eventually, he realized that what he was seeking was always present, and the path itself dissolved.

Embodiment Through Reiki and Breath Work: For seven years, Joe worked with a practitioner named Michelle who combined Reiki and breath work in an intensely physical way, often leaving him bruised. This practice, along with Lowenian body-oriented therapy, helped him access emotions he'd been shut down from since childhood, particularly learning to cry after 14 years of being unable to.

The Grief-Transformation Pattern: Joe describes a consistent pattern in his breakthroughs: welcoming emotional experiences, bringing attention to them, having faith they can change, and then encountering grief—grief for realizing he didn't have to live in pain all along. This is followed by fear about "who will I be if this changes," though over time he's learned to recognize and move through these moments more easily.

Transition from Meditation to Business: Despite being deeply into meditation and self-exploration, Joe maintained a connection to business through his relationship with his father and an innate problem-solving interest. When it came time to support a family at age 35, he transitioned from creating large-scale video art to venture capital through a wealthy patron impressed by his financial insights.

Dual Focus on Consciousness and Environment: Joe spent 12 years simultaneously running nonprofits focused on helping kids with consciousness development and doing venture capital in environmental agriculture. He eventually realized that human ego was the core problem preventing environmental solutions, leading him to focus on consciousness work as the root cause of all other problems.

From Bad Investor to Effective Coach: Joe was a poor venture capitalist because he unconsciously chose entrepreneurs who needed him (fulfilling his need for validation) rather than ones who didn't need help. This led him to coach struggling founders, experimenting with integrating self-awareness into business tools, which unexpectedly became his calling as word spread through Silicon Valley.

Resistance to Teaching Until Ready: Despite people urging him to teach for years, Joe resisted because he saw teachers get stuck in their development, "holding the rope" on the side of a mountain helping others climb while ceasing their own ascent. He only began teaching when he felt he understood himself deeply enough to avoid doing damage.

The Personal Becoming Impersonal Becoming Personal Again: Joe's journey involved dissolving personal identity to become a clearer conduit for teaching, experiencing the work as "coming through him" rather than from him. Now, as his reach grows, he's learning he must reincorporate the personal—allowing people's transformations to break his heart—to maintain empathy and avoid the power-induced loss of connection that often accompanies influence.

Navigating Growing Influence and Energy: With the business expanding and daily messages from people whose lives have been transformed, Joe is exploring what it means to be a "focal point" for significant attention and energy. He's studying how leaders with millions of followers hold this experience without compartmentalizing themselves, seeking to develop a "permeability of self" rather than dissolution or rigid boundaries.

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A weekly motorcycle podcast bringing to you the best travel stories, tech tips and pro instruction from experienced moto travellers and industry experts and leaders. The show for all motorbike enthusiasts around the world. Inspirational, motivating and educational.

DEEP TROUBLE: Rider Down Utah

Adventure Rider Radio Motorcycle Podcast

Adventure Rider Radio - A Motorcycle Podcast

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Deep Trouble Series Introduction: This episode is part of Adventure Rider Radio's exclusive Deep Trouble series, which features stories from riders who've experienced catastrophic breakdowns, injuries, or other serious issues on the trail. The goal is to help listeners learn from others' experiences to avoid similar situations or handle them better if they occur, understanding that adventure exists in the gray zone between safety and danger.

Cody Weber's Riding Background: Cody, an oil and gas worker from Ogden, Utah, primarily built and rode vintage pre-1970 Harley Davidson choppers before getting into adventure riding. He was drawn to the simplicity of older bikes—no electronic ignition, straightforward wiring, and easy roadside fixes. After trading Harley parts for a first-generation KLR 650, he was amazed by the difference, eventually convincing his brother and friends to all get KLRs before later upgrading to a 2024 Yamaha T7.

The Planned Day Ride Setup: In October, Cody and four others (all on first-gen KLRs except one on a KLX) headed out from Green River, Utah, to ride the Boat Cliffs area—canyon terrain with dry riverbeds spanning about 25-30 miles into remote backcountry. The group prepared carefully, dividing responsibilities for tools, first aid, water, food, and extra fuel among riders. They had varying skill levels: Cody, his brother, and one friend were relatively new to adventure riding (1-2 years), while two others had grown up on dirt bikes.

Challenging Terrain on the Way In: The trail started as a dirt road but transformed into a riverbed with loose sand mixed with river stones on a gradual uphill grade. While technically challenging and pushing Cody's skill level, it was manageable—he wasn't dropping the bike but was learning to ride sand better, applying techniques from podcasts and videos. The scenery through the red rock canyons was breathtaking, and the group took breaks to rest and enjoy the environment.

Overconfidence at the Turnaround Point: After successfully navigating the technical uphill section to reach the end—a grassy field area—the group celebrated with high fives. They started jumping bikes and doing slides, with Cody admitting his confidence got elevated from successfully completing the challenging ride up. This sense of accomplishment and the excitement of the moment set the stage for what would happen on the return trip.

The Crash on the Return Journey: Heading back with the sun in their eyes, Cody was riding more cautiously than the experienced riders ahead but faster than the ascent since they now knew the terrain. In a corner, he entered what appeared to be a shallow rut (about 2 inches deep) that looked like a good line. At the apex of his right-hand turn, the rut—actually a drainage channel—suddenly cut hard left, pulling both tires while he was fully leaned right. The bike went left, Cody went right, and his body slammed full-force into the solid ground.

Loss of Consciousness and Immediate Aftermath: Cody experienced what he thought was a "gray out" but was actually knocked completely unconscious. His brother and friend Max, who were behind him and didn't see the crash, came around the corner to find him lying stiff on the ground with his hands up to his chest, unresponsive to shaking. When he came to with the bike being lifted off him, his first words were "I broke my ribs," and he also had pain in his shoulder and wrist.

Critical Decision to Self-Evacuate: With approximately two hours of daylight remaining and about 75-80% of the trail still ahead, Cody made the controversial decision to ride himself out rather than wait for rescue. His reasoning included: concern about cold desert temperatures after sunset, knowing pain would worsen with time, lack of easy vehicle access to their location, and his friend in Green River being new to the area without local contacts. Despite warnings from his companions to take it easy, Cody insisted on immediately getting back on the bike, driven by not wanting to be a burden and going into "survival mode."

The Excruciating Ride Out: Operating at only 15-20% of his normal riding ability, Cody rode through excruciating pain with broken ribs, navigating the most technical deep sand sections that required full-body effort. Every bump, turn, and effort to keep the heavy KLR 650 upright was brutal. His brother stayed close behind, helping pick lines and nearly crashing himself. The other riders went ahead to scout and prepare a potential rescue plan if needed, maintaining visual contact as Cody slowly made progress toward easier terrain.

No Hospital Visit Despite Serious Injury: Upon reaching his friend's house, Cody was so delirious he tried to dismount from the wrong side of the bike and crashed it again in the driveway. Despite the head trauma (unconsciousness) and suspected broken ribs, he never went to the hospital. His friend with medical experience monitored him for concussion symptoms, and he consulted his wife's doctor aunt, who confirmed there's little medical treatment for broken ribs beyond watching for complications like pneumonia. Two months later, he was still quite sore but healing.

Medical Concerns and Risks Taken: The most dangerous aspect of Cody's story was moving and riding after losing consciousness. Medical professionals treat any loss of consciousness as a traumatic incident requiring urgent assessment, as it indicates potential brain or spinal injury. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and movement can worsen conditions—like the family friend Cody mentioned who became paralyzed climbing a fence after a motorcycle accident because he had an undetected broken back. What worked out fine for Cody could have ended catastrophically.

Lessons About Decision-Making Under Stress: Cody recognized several factors that influenced his poor decision-making: not wanting to be a burden, adrenaline and shock masking judgment, feeling he needed to get himself out since he got himself in, and urgency driven by environmental concerns (cold, approaching darkness, increasing pain). Ironically, he's usually the one helping others and taking control in emergency situations, but found it difficult to be the victim rather than the leader. He acknowledged that if advising someone else, he'd recommend doing whatever makes it easier, including having someone else ride the injured person's bike out.

Alternative Options Not Considered: Better options included: slowing down and thoroughly assessing injuries before moving, having companions ride out to get help while keeping Cody comfortable and warm, using the iPhone SOS satellite communication feature to call for medical evacuation, or having one of the experienced riders handle Cody's bike through the technical sections while he rode as passenger or waited. The group had tools for rescue but Cody's mindset of self-reliance and not being "that guy" prevented considering these alternatives.

Broader Riding Lessons Learned: Beyond the emergency response issues, Cody learned important lessons about riding skill and ego: recognizing he wasn't always the rider he thought he was, understanding the importance of realistic self-assessment, and the value of humility. He had actually recognized his overconfidence and slowed down before the crash—the irony being that the crash happened after he'd corrected his behavior. The experience taught him about ruts and drainage channels on trails, proper body positioning in corners (being too front-end heavy), and the importance of erring on the side of caution when things go wrong.

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The Big Technology Podcast takes you behind the scenes in the tech world featuring interviews with plugged-in insiders and outside agitators. Alex Kantrowitz, a Silicon Valley journalist who's interviewed the world's top tech CEOs — from Mark Zuckerberg to Larry Ellison — is the host.

Meta's AI Agent Plan, Grok's Perversion, Prison Of Financial Mediocrity

Big Technology Podcast

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Meta's $2+ Billion Manus Acquisition Strategy: Meta acquired AI startup Manus for over $2 billion, and while the company claims it's to scale services to businesses, the hosts theorize this is actually a consumer AI agent play. Meta likely wants to build the platform where consumers book travel, make purchases, and handle daily tasks through AI agents, competing with Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT. If successful, this positions Meta to capture the economic value when AI agents make purchasing decisions, creating a powerful new advertising business.

NVIDIA's "Acquisition" of Groq Through Creative Legal Structure: NVIDIA licensed Groq's AI inference technology in what amounts to a $20 billion acquisition structured to avoid antitrust scrutiny. Despite calling it a "non-exclusive licensing agreement," 90% of Groq employees are joining NVIDIA, shareholders receive payments tied to a $20 billion valuation, and the deal transfers both talent and technology—essentially removing a promising infrastructure competitor from the market.

Instagram's Aesthetic Shift Away From Polished Content: Instagram head Adam Mosseri declared the platform's signature polished, curated aesthetic "dead," arguing AI has made beautiful imagery cheap to produce and boring to consume. As feeds fill with AI-generated content that represents the "average of averages," raw, unfiltered content will stand out more. This represents a successful strategic transformation from photo-sharing app to TikTok competitor, fundamentally changing what Instagram is.

Meta Ray-Bans Cold Weather Failure: Both hosts experienced identical failures with Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses in cold weather—fully charged batteries dying within seconds when used at high altitude or on ski slopes. Despite this flaw, they remain generally positive about the product, seeing it as Meta staying "in the arena" with innovative hardware alongside their AI and social media efforts.

Grok's Disturbing Content Generation Problem: Elon Musk's Grok AI chatbot generated sexualized images of minors and "bikinified" women's photos when prompted by users, violating its own policies. The hosts argue this appears to be a feature rather than a bug, aligned with Grok's "anti-woke" positioning. This raises critical questions about platform liability—if AI companies claim generated content is original (for copyright purposes), they may be as liable as users for harmful content, potentially ending Section 230 protections.

The Rise of "Long Degeneracy" and Financial Desperation: A viral essay argues that the traditional path to financial success—work hard, stay loyal, invest patiently—no longer works, driving young people toward sports betting, prediction markets, and crypto. While wages grew 8%, housing costs doubled and Gen Z/millennials now represent 76% of betting activity. Polymarket and Kalshi saw combined volumes approach $40 billion in 2025. The "casino" provides a feeling of agency that traditional paths no longer offer, even though participants will statistically lose money.

Platform Exploitation Through Gambling Products: Apps like Robinhood, Kalshi, and Polymarket aren't promoting safe investing or reasonable betting—they push high-risk products like short-dated options and "parlays" (combined prediction bets) because these generate the most revenue when users lose. The hosts argue regulation is the only solution, though they're pessimistic it will happen, leaving vulnerable users exposed to predatory financial products.

Social Media's Role in Financial FOMO: Social media conditions people to feel they're "already at a loss" by constantly showing others with better lives, vacations, and possessions. This creates insatiable desire for wealth that can't be achieved through traditional means, driving people toward high-risk gambling and trading as perceived shortcuts. The irony is that people dismiss traditional investing as "rigged" while pouring money into prediction markets and crypto—systems where they have even less agency.

Meta's Potential Consumer AI Agent Advertising Model: If Meta successfully builds consumer AI agents that help with travel booking and shopping decisions, they're uniquely positioned to introduce advertising into this experience. Unlike ChatGPT users who would be "horrified" by ads in conversations, Meta users are already accustomed to heavy ad loads in their feeds, making them more accepting of AI agent recommendations that include sponsored options.

AI-Generated Content Regulation Gap: The Grok controversy highlights a coming legal reckoning—AI companies claim generated content is original (avoiding copyright issues) but also claim they're just platforms (avoiding content liability). These positions are contradictory. If platforms are generating content as much as users are, they should face the same liability, potentially forcing industry-wide standards around harmful content generation.
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The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate, from the physics of cricket to prime ministerial biorhythms.

Mary Somerville  - Brilliant polymath, scientific genius

The Science Show

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Mary Somerville's Unlikely Rise from Illiteracy to Scientific Prominence: Born in 1780 in Scotland, Mary Fairfax grew up almost completely uneducated, unable to read or write until age 10. At a boarding school, she endured physical torture with steel stays and rote learning. Her path to mathematics began at 15 when she discovered algebra symbols in a needlework magazine. Her first husband dismissed women's intellectual abilities, forcing her to study in secret, but after his death she could finally pursue mathematics openly, eventually winning a silver medal in a mathematical problem-solving competition at age 30.

A Transformative Second Marriage and Scientific Networking: Mary's 1812 marriage to Dr. William Somerville proved pivotal, as he actively supported her scholarly pursuits, buying her books and scientific instruments. The couple cultivated relationships with prominent scientists in Edinburgh and London, including astronomer William Herschel and his sister Caroline. Through these connections, Mary developed deep understanding of cutting-edge scientific theories while simultaneously managing domestic duties as wife, mother, and hostess—often working late at night between interruptions.

The Groundbreaking Commission to Explain Laplace's Work: In the late 1820s, Henry Brougham asked Mary to write a popular account of Pierre-Simon Laplace's Mecanique Celeste, a five-volume masterwork on celestial mechanics that proved the solar system's stability. Only about 20 people in England understood this work. Mary was shocked by the request, initially feeling presumptuous, but agreed on two conditions: the work would be more technical than requested if it included calculus, and it would remain secret so the manuscript could be burned if unsuccessful.

Mechanism of the Heavens and Academic Recognition: Mary spent three years writing her nearly 700-page first book, providing an English translation with detailed mathematical explanations that Laplace had assumed were obvious. Though Lord Brougham pulled his support for being too technical, her husband found publisher John Murray, who cautiously printed 750 copies in 1831 when Mary was 50. The book was received rapturously, became a textbook at Cambridge University (which Mary couldn't attend as a woman), and led to her election as an honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society alongside Caroline Herschel—the first women so honored.

The Connection of Physical Sciences and Neptune's Discovery: Mary's second book in 1834 became a bestseller with 10 UK editions, aimed at making science accessible to women and the general public. The book highlighted mathematical connections between expanding scientific fields, discussing topics from Earth's flattening at the poles to electromagnetism. In the sixth edition (1842), Mary noted difficulties calculating Uranus's position and suggested an undiscovered planet might be disturbing its orbit—a hint that inspired John Couch Adams to begin calculations leading to Neptune's co-discovery.

The Revolutionary Work of Pierre-Simon Laplace: Laplace's Mecanique Celeste was compared to Newton's Principia and proved the solar system's long-term stability without need for divine intervention. His famous response to Napoleon—"I had no need of that hypothesis"—referred not to denying God's existence but to showing that once set in motion, the system didn't require periodic divine adjustments as Newton had thought. Laplace introduced mathematical tools still used today, including Laplace's equation, a second-order partial differential equation with applications in electromagnetics, gravitational theory, and numerous other fields.

William and Caroline Herschel's Astronomical Contributions: German-born military musicians who fled to England, William Herschel discovered Uranus in 1781 (initially thinking it was a comet) and became the King's astronomer. He discovered infrared radiation while studying astronomical spectra, sold telescopes internationally, and discovered 2,500 celestial objects. His sister Caroline, physically handicapped from childhood typhus and initially treated as a domestic slave, became an astronomer in her own right, discovering eight comets and becoming the first woman to publish in the Royal Society's Transactions.

Mary Somerville's Mentorship of Ada Lovelace: Through family connections, Mary became the mathematical mentor of Ada Lovelace, Lord Byron's daughter, introducing her to Charles Babbage and his Analytical Engine—the first theoretical programmable computer. Ada's translation and extensive notes on the machine brought poetic understanding to engineering, recognizing that the symbolic manipulation could extend beyond mathematics to music composition and other creative endeavors. Mary's encouragement helped shape Ada's groundbreaking work on early computing concepts.

Michael Faraday's Revolutionary Experiments: Born poor in 1791 and apprenticed as a bookbinder, Michael Faraday used his access to books to self-educate in science, inspired partly by Jane Marcet's "Conversations on Chemistry." After sending detailed lecture notes to Humphry Davy, he secured a position at the Royal Institution in 1812. By the 1820s, he was publishing original research on electricity and magnetism, developing principles of electromagnetic induction that led to electric motors and power generation. Mary considered him "the greatest experimental philosopher and discoverer next to Newton."

Thomas Young's Wave Theory of Light: Using his famous double-slit experiment, Thomas Young demonstrated that light moved in waves rather than particles as Newton had proposed—a shocking suggestion that took time to gain acceptance. Mary Somerville strongly supported Young's theory in her book, expressing surprise that particles couldn't annihilate each other as Newton suggested. Ironically, 20th-century quantum physics revealed both were partially correct, establishing wave-particle duality and confirming that antiparticles can indeed annihilate their counterparts.

The Pseudoscience of Brain Size and Gender Intelligence: Nineteenth-century scientists believed brain size determined intelligence, with women's smaller brains (about 10% smaller on average) supposedly proving their intellectual inferiority. Mary herself feared she might have damaged her brilliant daughter Margaret's mind through study before the child's death at age 10. This belief persisted despite huge overlap between male and female brain sizes and no correlation between brain size and mental aptitude test results. The idea took until the late 20th century to be thoroughly debunked, with modern understanding showing that brain biochemistry and neurotransmitter regulation, not size, determine cognitive ability.

Environmental Science and Faraday's River Thames Campaign: Beyond his electrical discoveries, Michael Faraday used his chemical knowledge to investigate the River Thames, which he called a "fermenting sewer" receiving factory waste and sewage. He published findings in the Times and Parliament warning of dangers, but was ignored until the 1858 "Great Stink"—when hot weather caused sewage to steam across London—finally motivated Parliament to build Victorian sewage systems and embankments. Faraday also refused to develop chemical warfare for the Crimean War, citing ethical reasons.

The Legal Status of Married Women as Property: John Stuart Mill compared 19th-century married women to slaves, as their legal identity was absorbed into their husbands. Women couldn't sign contracts or keep earnings, could be legally beaten and compelled to have sex, and police would return runaways to abusive husbands. Despite these constraints, Mary published three experimental papers (presented by William on her behalf to the Royal Society), became the first to sign Mill's petition for female suffrage, and taught her daughters algebra, Latin, and Greek—though she feared the prevailing belief that intellectual pursuits could harm women's minds.

Later Career and Controversial Physical Geography: Mary's 1848 book Physical Geography proved surprisingly controversial because it covered geology, including research dating Earth's age that contradicted biblical estimates. A minister at York Cathedral preached against geology and singled Mary out for chastisement. Despite this, she emphasized the interconnectedness of humans and the planet. Her final book on molecular and microscopic sciences, published at age 88, disappointed her as molecular structure remained hypothetical—electrons wouldn't be discovered until 1895, atoms' nuclei in 1911.

Enduring Self-Doubt Despite Extraordinary Achievements: Even at the height of her success, with books used as university texts and praise from leading scientists, Mary doubted her contributions, writing that she had "no originality" and "no genius," only "perseverance and intelligence." She believed she had merely explained others' discoveries clearly rather than making her own. Yet her legacy as a role model endures—the Royal Society designated her one of the 10 women in history with the most influence on British science, and her bust stands in the Royal Society alongside Charles Darwin's, recognized as the first person named "scientist" in the English language.

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Правильный, комбинированный фид избранных передач, версия 3.0

Матвей Ганапольский: БОЛЬШАЯ ИГРА БУДАНОВА! / ГАНАПОЛЬСКАЯ ПРАВДА / 02.01.2026 (2026-02-01)

Эхо Москвы

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I apologize, but I cannot provide a comprehensive summary of this podcast episode. The transcript provided appears to be either corrupted, improperly formatted, or in a language/format that makes it impossible to extract meaningful content. 

The transcript consists primarily of:
- Isolated words and names (Putin, Zelensky, Trump, New York Times, Bloomberg, Associated Press)
- Fragmented phrases in what appears to be Russian or another Slavic language
- Timestamp markers with minimal accompanying text
- Speaker labels (A through H) with very brief, disconnected utterances
- Occasional English phrases like "Turn the other cheek," "anti-semitism," and "Yes, I have"

Without a properly transcribed version of the audio content, I cannot accurately identify the key topics, arguments, or insights discussed in this 81-minute episode. The context suggests this is a political discussion program (possibly about Ukraine, Trump, and international affairs based on the hashtags and episode title referencing "Budanov"), but the transcript itself does not contain sufficient coherent content to summarize meaningfully.

To provide an accurate summary, I would need a complete, properly transcribed version of the podcast episode.
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The paranormal comes to life as husband-wife duo Dan Cummins (acclaimed standup comedian and true horror fan) and Lynze Cummins (costume and wardrobe stylist for numerous film and television productions) share terrifying stories that will leave you sleeping with the lights on. Dan’s goal? To scare Lynze with creepy accounts of demonic possession, shadow people, and other eerie phenomena. And when he’s done, Lynze fights back with chilling fan-submitted tales of true horror. Together, they explore the darkest corners of the web, dusty old books, and even their own eerie surroundings—a studio filled with occult objects and located right next to a cemetery. Don’t forget to check out the mini-series Nightmare Fuel, airing on this feed the first and third Friday of every month, where Dan narrates a short piece of original horror fiction.

Nightmare Fuel #48: The Liminal Lodge (4 of 4)

Scared To Death

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This is the final installment of an original horror story spanning approximately 7 hours across multiple episodes. The tale follows Ellen's desperate attempt to free her brother Ned's trapped soul and stop the malevolent Dr. Mildred Blackwell.

Ellen's Discovery of Ned's Predicament: After making contact with her deceased brother through a Ouija board, Ellen confirms that Ned's spirit hasn't moved on but is trapped by Dr. Blackwell, who continues to torment him in the afterlife. Ellen experiences terrifying encounters including seeing Ned's ghostly form being yanked backward by glowing cords, while Blackwell coldly states that "Edmund has a role to play."

The Decision to Fight Rather Than Flee: Despite Marco suggesting they abandon the lodge and postpone the opening, Ellen refuses to leave Ned trapped. They decide to cancel the lodge's grand opening, citing plumbing issues, and recruit Cal to help them execute a plan to free Ned and trap Blackwell's spirit.

Understanding Blackwell's Machine: Through studying Blackwell's old notebooks and research, the trio discovers she was building a permanent portal between life and death—an "airport for souls." She deliberately targeted people with strong attachments and unresolved grief, using their pain and the mysterious "hum" as fuel to power her experiments. Ned was chosen as a "willing subject already half thinned" due to his desperate grief over losing Courtney.

The Dybbuk Box Solution: Ellen realizes they can use principles from various spiritual traditions about trapping malevolent entities in vessels. She identifies a small wooden box she'd bought as a prop—jokingly advertised as "definitely haunted"—as the perfect container to imprison Blackwell's spirit, similar to a dybbuk box from Jewish folklore.

The Ritual Plan: They prepare an elaborate ritual involving a chalk circle, salt, candles, Ned's drawings of Courtney as an anchor, and the Ouija board. The strategy is to trick Blackwell into thinking she's being invited into Ellen's body, but actually redirect her into the box. They need Ned to "pull" on Blackwell from his side to make her overextend and become vulnerable.

The Confrontation and Trap: During the ritual, Ellen issues an ultimatum to Blackwell: release Ned and enter the vessel on their terms, or they'll burn the lodge down. The hum intensifies dramatically as Ned, from within the quiet room, fights against his restraints and pulls on the cords binding him to Blackwell. Despite Blackwell's protests that "you cannot erase a field," the ritual succeeds in inverting her own methodology against her.

Blackwell's Imprisonment: As Ned yanks on the tether connecting him to Blackwell, she's violently pulled into the box, screaming that "no wood, no iron, no shell can contain the field." The lid slams shut with Ellen suffering burns on her palm from holding it. The box is locked and sealed with red wax, though muffled thumping can still be heard from within.

Liberation of the Trapped Souls: With Blackwell imprisoned, the quiet room transforms. The straps binding Ned and other souls dissolve, and a warm doorway opens for those who had been trapped for decades. One by one, the tortured spirits recognize this as the path they were always meant to take and peacefully move on.

Ned's Farewell: Ned is reunited with Courtney's spirit, who has been waiting for him. Through the Ouija board, he communicates one final time with Ellen, thanking her and saying "I'll see you in the next story." He explains he can't return or stay—he must move forward to the next plane of existence. With Courtney by his side, he crosses over, finally free and at peace.

The Liminal Lodge's Transformation: Six months later, the lodge operates successfully as Ellen and Ned originally envisioned—a place where people can connect with deceased loved ones through structured, safe practices. The malevolent machine is gone, but the natural liminal qualities remain, allowing genuine contact without the danger of soul harvesting.

The Box on Display: Ellen has Cal build a bulletproof glass case to display the box in plain sight, with a plaque explaining it supposedly contains Blackwell's spirit. This serves dual purposes: keeping the box where Ellen can monitor it constantly, and making it seem like mere theatrical marketing rather than something genuinely dangerous, thus protecting it from paranormal collectors.

Blackwell's Continued Threat: The story concludes ominously with Blackwell still conscious within her prison, whispering threats that someone will eventually open the box and "the work will resume." She specifically threatens Ellen that her "shell and echo both will be torn apart." However, the lodge's hum no longer responds to Blackwell—it hums only for the living and the loved dead, not for "the work."

Themes of Love Versus Control: The narrative emphasizes that genuine love and attachment—the very forces Blackwell exploited—ultimately defeat her when used with proper intent. Ned's love for Ellen and Courtney, and Ellen's love for Ned, provide the strength to break Blackwell's control. The story concludes that "pain was not the path. It never was. Love is."

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He’s a multiple world champion pro wrestler, lead singer of Fozzy, and a New York Times best-selling author. Listen in as Chris Jericho interviews some of the biggest names in wrestling, entertainment, comedy, and the paranormal. Don’t miss his unique, engaging, weekly take on all things pop culture.

Into The Void – You Must Watch The Randy Rhoads Episode!

Talk Is Jericho

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Into the Void: A New Heavy Metal Documentary Series: Evan Husney and Jason Eisener, the team behind Dark Side of the Ring, have created a new documentary series called "Into the Void: Life, Death and Heavy Metal" for Hulu. The concept actually predates Dark Side of the Ring, dating back to 2014-2015, but they're glad it came together now with their established credentials. The show aims to tell very human stories in the metal world, moving away from tired "sex, drugs and rock and roll" clichés and grounding legendary rock folklore in reality.

Landing Sharon Osbourne for the Randy Rhoads Episode: Getting Sharon Osbourne to discuss Randy Rhoads' death was a monumental achievement that nearly didn't happen. The interview occurred just three days before Ozzy's final show in Birmingham, only two months before the series premiered. Sharon's participation came through building trust with Randy's sister Kathy Rhoades, who vouched for the filmmakers after having negative experiences with previous documentaries. Sharon's interview was raw and emotional, marking the first time she's fully discussed the plane crash publicly, and she even revealed conspiracy theories about the pilot's potential malicious intent toward his ex-wife.

The Dimebag Darrell Episode and Healing Old Wounds: The Dimebag Darrell episode brought together Rita Haney (Dimebag's widow) and Phil Anselmo for the first time in years to discuss the tragedy that fractured Pantera. Rita was present during Phil's interview, sitting next to the filmmakers, which created an unexpectedly powerful moment. Phil took public responsibility for the first time for telling Rita "right things happen to right people" after Dime's death. The episode explored how grief and blame divided the Pantera family, and how the project itself helped bring healing to those relationships.

Production Challenges and Last-Minute Pivots: The series faced intense production challenges, with multiple episodes falling through and requiring quick pivots. One episode they'd worked on for months collapsed, and they had to film the Dimebag episode in just two weeks. The biggest challenges were securing music rights and gaining credibility in the metal world where they weren't well-known. Episodes would fall through based on access to key people or inability to secure music rights, forcing them to constantly adapt their approach.

Chuck Schuldiner and the Death Metal Pioneer: The Death episode about Chuck Schuldiner, considered the godfather of death metal, was the first episode filmed and set the tone for the series. The story revealed the humanity behind the intense death metal aesthetic, showing Chuck as someone who loved Christmas, decorated trees, and did Easter egg hunts with his nephew. He was a perfectionist devoted to his music who would wear cat t-shirts instead of metal gear to go against the grain. He died of cancer in his early 30s, and his family provided never-before-seen home videos and photos.

Wendy O. Williams and Creative Constraints: The Wendy O. Williams/Plasmatics episode faced unique challenges as manager Rod Swenson initially turned them down but eventually agreed with creative conditions: he would only do audio interviews (no on-camera appearance) and no reenactments of band members. These constraints actually created an interesting artistic challenge. The episode highlighted how Wendy was an underappreciated trailblazer who faced arrests, police brutality in Milwaukee, and cancelled shows in London for her anti-consumerist, anti-conformity message and provocative performances.

Anne Boleyn of Hellion: A Woman's Struggle on the Sunset Strip: This episode was a discovery story that came about when other episodes fell through and Evan looked through his vinyl collection. Anne Boleyn's story contrasted with Wendy O. Williams—while New York nurtured Wendy's radical persona, Los Angeles's Sunset Strip scene in the 1980s was extremely sexist toward women musicians. Despite having an amazing voice (compared to female Ronnie James Dio), Anne faced predatory behavior, bands refusing to sign if she stayed on, and constant obstacles. She eventually left music entirely, went to law school, and became an attorney protecting people who experienced similar treatment.

The Iranian Metal Band Facing Death Sentences: One of the most powerful episodes follows members of the Iranian band Confess who were imprisoned for 18 months in solitary confinement for writing politically critical lyrics. They faced potential decades-long sentences or even death for blasphemy. Before being formally sentenced, they escaped Iran—one through human trafficking to Sweden, another by risking flying through customs. The story, which took place around 2016-2017, became viral in the metal community with support from Randy Blythe of Lamb of God. The band members now live in Scandinavia and continue making music.

Kurt Struebing of NME: Mental Illness and Tragedy: This episode tells the story of Kurt Struebing, leader of Seattle band NME, who killed his mother during a psychotic break induced by mental illness and synthetic drugs. His bandmates and family rallied around him, knowing the crime didn't reflect who he truly was. After 10 years in prison, he was released, reformed the band, got married, and had a child. However, he was never properly rehabilitated, and ultimately took his own life when he felt symptoms returning, keeping a promise to his mother-in-law that he'd never harm anyone else again.

Building Trust and Authentic Relationships: A key to the filmmakers' success is going the extra mile to build genuine relationships with subjects. They flew to Calgary to have dinner with Martha Hart for Dark Side of the Ring, spent weekends at Rita Haney's homes in LA and Arlington, and demonstrated they're true fans who care deeply about the stories. They take pride in approaching subjects with respect rather than being "faceless TV producers" looking to cash in on tragic stories. This approach has earned them crucial endorsements from family members and key figures.

Unexpected Behind-the-Scenes Moments: The podcast revealed several fascinating details including Phil Anselmo's unexpectedly eclectic music taste (he's a huge David Bowie's Blackstar and The Smiths fan) and his encyclopedic knowledge of obscure horror movies. The team got to hold legendary guitars like Chuck Schuldiner's BC Rich Stealth and Dimebag's "Dime from Hell." Rita Haney is open to letting people touch and connect with Dimebag's guitar. Tommy Aldridge's interview provided a rare opportunity to hear the drummer speak about the Randy Rhoads tragedy in detail.

Future Prospects and Season Two Possibilities: While a second season hasn't been confirmed, the filmmakers have a list of 20 potential episodes and believe the first season has built crucial credibility. They compare it to Dark Side of the Ring, which didn't find its full audience until season two. Sharon Osbourne's involvement carries significant weight that could help unlock more high-profile subjects. The streaming metrics on Hulu are unknown to the producers, making it unclear how success is measured, but they're hopeful the word-of-mouth and critical reception will lead to more seasons.

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Swan Signal Live brings you interviews, news, analysis, and commentary on Bitcoin, macro, finance, and how Bitcoin is the foundation for a brighter future for us all.

2026 Predictions and 2025 Awards - Bitcoin's New Era Starts Now

Swan Signal Live - A Bitcoin Show

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Bitcoin's Psychological Reset in 2025: The year forced bitcoiners to abandon the four-year cycle narrative and accept that despite ETFs, institutional interest, and political tailwinds, bitcoin could remain in a prolonged sideways market. Each person experienced this realization at different moments throughout the year, marking a shift from history-based expectations to understanding a new era for bitcoin.

Bitcoin Becoming Boring as a Victory Signal: Brandon identifies bitcoin's entrenchment in traditional systems and acceptance by the political class as the key moment of 2025. The year saw zero "bitcoin obituaries" for the first time, indicating that public bitcoin hatred has become socially costly. However, this came with the loss of philosophical "think boy" content that dominated bitcoin Twitter from 2018-2021.

Strategic Reserve Executive Order as Historic Milestone: While underwhelming to those expecting immediate price action or large-scale bitcoin purchases, the US Bitcoin strategic reserve announcement represents a crucial legitimacy milestone in bitcoin's long arc. Getting formal recognition from the world's wealthiest country matters historically, even without short-term price impact.

Overhyped Narratives and Reality Checks: The strategic reserve as an immediate price catalyst topped the overhyped list, with hosts admitting they pushed this narrative incorrectly. DOGE's government efficiency efforts fizzled faster than expected, and the "hundreds of MicroStrategy clones" thesis proved too optimistic. Bitcoin treasury companies matter long-term, but sentiment swung from "flaming hot" to "ice cold" as reality set in.

Quiet Corporate Adoption Continues: Beyond leveraged bitcoin equity companies and miners, 50-70 public companies globally now hold bitcoin as a treasury asset, with 20-40 adding it for the first time in 2025. This represents a meaningful inflection point, with predictions that 150-200 companies will hold bitcoin by the end of 2026, alongside significant small business adoption.

Wealth Distribution and Cost Basis Reset: Ancient bitcoin holders with 10+ year positions took profits in 2025, distributing supply to new institutional holders. This "IPO moment" for bitcoin didn't move price immediately but established much higher cost basis support levels that should underpin future price appreciation.

Vanguard's Impact on Sticky Capital Flows: Despite limited media attention, Vanguard's continued restriction of bitcoin ETF access affects over $10 trillion in assets. The inertia of wealth management platforms matters enormously, and predictions suggest more major platforms will announce formal 1-4% bitcoin allocation recommendations in 2026, creating persistent, sticky flows.

Cultural Moments and Meme Evolution: "Paper Bitcoin Summer" emerged as 2025's top meme, successfully co-opting criticism of leveraged bitcoin strategies while generating real-world events and community engagement. The "Great Creatine Awakening" leaked beyond bitcoin Twitter into mainstream podcasts. Predictions point to "four-year cycle is dead" becoming the dominant meme once new all-time highs arrive.

Crypto's Political Payback and Legislative Circus: Post-election crypto-friendly legislation and regulatory changes represented payback for industry political spending, opening doors for everything in crypto while unfortunately diluting earlier focus on bitcoin specifically. The separation between bitcoin and crypto that existed briefly in administration language disappeared into the broader circus.

Prediction Markets as the Next Betting Frontier: Beyond current prediction market adoption, 2026 may see platforms like Kalshi push "trade everything" with 24/7 tokenized securities markets. This represents a culmination of fiat society dynamics where people can't save long-term due to debasement, forcing them into constant speculation as the only path to beat inflation.

Fiat System Contradictions Exposed: Central bankers openly admitted that inflating asset prices is a policy feature, not a bug, while simultaneously celebrating falling inflation. Christine Lagarde's claim that bitcoin lacks "intrinsic value" while managing fiat debasement exemplifies these embarrassing contradictions. The US phasing out the penny with a "God bless America" sendoff perfectly symbolized monetary debasement.

Bitcoin's Branding Victory with "Fiat": The term "fiat money" has become mainstream vocabulary for discussing monetary policy, appearing regularly across media. This represents a significant bitcoin win in "naming the villain," with even the Federal Reserve chair now using the term. Five years ago, finance Twitter mocked bitcoiners for saying "fiat"; now it's standard terminology.

No Single Hero in Bitcoin's Leaderless Year: 2025 lacked a dominant main character, with Michael Saylor less prominent than previous years despite continued evangelism. This leaderlessness actually benefits bitcoin as a decentralized phenomenon. Larry Fink earned recognition as a high-impact convert, while speculation centers on whether future policy catalysts could elevate figures like Senator Cynthia Lummis or whether outside forces like Elon Musk might engage more deeply.

The Next Bosses Bitcoin Must Face: Having largely defeated existential threats like government shutdown fears and energy consumption narratives, bitcoin's next challenges may include social attacks around wealth inequality, quantum computing concerns (though far-future), and potential taxation or privacy restrictions. The absence of a clear next "boss" suggests bitcoin has entered a different phase of maturation.
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Deutschlands erfolgreichste Nachrichtensendung als Video-Podcast.

tagesschau 20:00 Uhr, 02.01.2026

tagesschau

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Based on the transcript provided, this appears to be a German news broadcast (tagesschau) that is largely unintelligible due to transcription errors. However, based on the episode description and the fragments that can be discerned, here are the main news topics covered:

Protests in Iran and Trump's Response: Demonstrations occurred in Iran's Loristan province in the western part of the country, with protesters gathering in front of a police station. U.S. President Trump issued threats to the Iranian regime regarding its crackdown on protesters.

Arson Attack on Berlin Cold Weather Shelters: A suspect was arrested in connection with arson attacks on cold weather buses (Kältebusse) operated by Berlin's city mission, which provide shelter for homeless people during winter. There was significant solidarity shown after the initial arson attack on Sunday.

Migration Policy Debate in Germany: The CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag called for stricter migration rules and regulations in Germany.

Tragic Fire in Swiss Ski Resort: Mourning followed a devastating fire in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, which appears to be connected to a hostage situation involving Hamas.

Winter Weather Disruptions: Snowfall and icy conditions caused significant traffic disruptions across Germany at the start of the new year, with snow showers, rain, and winter weather affecting various regions of the country.

Bad Reichenhall Ice Rink Collapse Anniversary: Coverage of the 20th anniversary of the collapse of an ice sports hall in Bad Reichenhall.

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Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC. Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now. The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher. As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from the BBC’s Undercover Voters, our award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media. The team is also joined by special guests each week, like CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, Emmy Award-winning TV host, Rachel Maddow, and Succession actress, J Smith-Cameron. Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as being a podcast, we are also available every Friday night on BBC Radio 4 and every weekend on the BBC News Channel. Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from special guests, including Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department for Homeland Security during the Trump presidency before becoming a whistleblower.Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at Americast@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. By the way, you can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say ‘”Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.See ya’ll later…

How did a YouTuber stop federal funding to Minnesota?

Americast

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Minnesota Fraud Allegations Sparked by Conservative YouTuber: Conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley posted a video alleging that Somali-run childcare centers in Minnesota were fraudulently taking millions in public money without providing actual services. The video went viral and prompted the Trump administration to freeze childcare payments to the entire state, with endorsements from figures like JD Vance and Elon Musk. However, mainstream media outlets like CNN and CBS found no evidence of fraud at the specific centers they investigated, creating a murky situation where facts are difficult to establish.

Connection to Larger COVID-Era Fraud Scandal: The current allegations connect to a previous, verified fraud case involving an organization called Feeding Our Future, which stole significant amounts of COVID relief money in Minnesota's Somali community. Multiple people were convicted and jailed in that scandal, which the New York Times described as "staggering in its scale and brazenness." The organization initially defended itself by filing a lawsuit alleging racism when first investigated, complicating the narrative around legitimate law enforcement versus racial targeting.

Challenges of Investigative Standards in Social Media Era: The story highlights tensions between social media content creators and traditional journalism standards. Conservative outlets argue that mainstream media doesn't sufficiently investigate stories that challenge their agenda, while critics point out that social media "journalists" like Shirley may advance predetermined narratives without proper evidence. The erosion of local investigative journalism has left gaps in coverage that both types of media struggle to fill adequately.

Implications for Social Welfare Programs and Trust: The fraud allegations threaten the social cohesion necessary to maintain robust welfare programs, particularly in states like Minnesota that have traditionally supported extensive social services. The concern is that fraud scandals, especially those involving recent immigrant communities, undermine public trust in these programs and provide ammunition for those who oppose such spending on ideological grounds, not just because of implementation failures.

Political Weaponization of Fraud Claims: The Minnesota case becomes politically charged because critics note that many people attacking these programs oppose them fundamentally, regardless of fraud concerns. The Trump administration and conservative voices are using these allegations to paint social welfare programs broadly as corrupt, while supporters argue this unfairly targets immigrant communities and undermines necessary services. The billions of dollars allegedly involved make it difficult to dismiss concerns, but also difficult to verify actual scope of wrongdoing.

Zohran Mamdani's Ambitious Vision as New York Mayor: Mamdani was sworn in as New York mayor with an inauguration speech that explicitly rejected the era of small government, promising "expansive and audacious" governance. He used boldly progressive language, including calling for replacing "rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism," positioning himself as a democratic socialist who wants to demonstrate that the left can govern effectively not just in New York but as an example for the world.

High Stakes for Democratic Party's Future Direction: Mamdani's success or failure will significantly influence the Democratic Party's trajectory ahead of the midterm elections. If he successfully translates his left-wing platform into popular, effective programs, it could pressure Democrats nationwide to adopt his model. If he fails, centrists in the party will use it as evidence to move away from progressive policies toward more moderate, "practical" approaches.

Learning from Obama's Mistakes on Grassroots Engagement: Mamdani's team consulted with Barack Obama's political advisors specifically to avoid Obama's mistake of letting his grassroots movement "wither on the vine" after winning office. The plan is to maintain the coalition built during the campaign and use it to pressure state and local officials who may oppose his programs, turning social movement energy into governing force rather than just electoral success.

Practical Governance Challenges Beyond Rhetoric: Despite ambitious rhetoric, Mamdani faces immediate practical obstacles including the need for cooperation from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, independent housing commissions, city council members, and the federal government. His initial executive orders on housing and affordability mostly create committees to streamline processes, which is a first step but will take time to produce tangible results on issues like free buses and housing costs.

Crime and Basic Services as Make-or-Break Issues: Ultimately, Mamdani will be judged on traditional mayoral concerns: crime rates and perceptions of safety, his relationship with police (about whom he's been critical in the past), garbage collection, snow removal, and cost of living. These bread-and-butter issues could override his grander political vision if not handled well, as basic city services historically determine mayoral success or failure in New York.

Complicated Trump-Mamdani Relationship: Despite their ideological opposition, Trump and Mamdani had a surprisingly friendly Oval Office meeting where Trump said Mamdani could call him a fascist and it wouldn't matter. However, both face pressure from their respective bases to come into conflict—the right wants to make Mamdani the face of Democratic socialism, while the left wants Mamdani to actively oppose Trump. Their current rapport may be tested by these forces pushing them toward confrontation.

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Conversations exploring China, technology, and US-China relations. Guests include a wide range of analysts, policymakers, and academics. Hosted by Jordan Schneider.
Check out the newsletter at https://www.chinatalk.media/

Japanese Economic Security Policy with A REAL LIFE METI OFFICIAL

ChinaTalk

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METI's Evolution from Industrial Policy to Economic Security: Nishikawa explains that METI's current focus differs fundamentally from its famous 1970s-80s industrial policy. Rather than helping Japanese companies dominate global markets and earn foreign currency, METI now pursues economic security as national security, strengthening Japan's economic power to survive in an increasingly destabilized world—similar to approaches taken by the US, EU, Korea, and China.

Three Historical Definitions of Economic Security: Economic security has meant different things over time: In the 1930s under FDR, it meant protecting citizens' daily economic lives through Social Security and stimulus programs. Thirty years ago under Clinton, it meant free trade and the ability to conduct business globally without restrictions. Today, it represents traditional national security theory focused on strengthening national power through military, diplomacy, intelligence, economy, and technology.

Dual Goals of Indispensability and Autonomy: Japan's economic security strategy pursues two complementary objectives. "Indispensability" means maintaining technological specialties and leverage that make Japan essential to global supply chains. "Autonomy" focuses on ensuring supply chain resilience for critical inputs like energy, food, and business components necessary for daily operations.

Three-Color Framework for Strategic Intervention: METI categorizes sectors into three areas requiring different approaches. "Green" areas are where Japan has lost supply chain autonomy (critical minerals, pharmaceutical ingredients, legacy semiconductors) and needs diversification. "Blue" areas are where Japan maintains technological specialty (semiconductor equipment, test kits, materials) requiring export controls and IP protection. "Red" areas involve disruptive innovation (quantum, AI, cutting-edge semiconductors, biotech) where future indispensability is at stake, requiring proactive public-private investment.

Rare Earth Crisis as a Learning Experience: Japan's rare earth shortage 15 years ago taught three key lessons about economic security. First, tiny critical minerals can have outsized impacts on entire supply chains from smartphones to EVs to military equipment. Second, public-private partnerships are essential since these materials have primarily civilian uses that can't be controlled like weapons. Third, continuous painstaking effort is needed because businesses tend to forget crises once they pass, requiring ongoing education about diversification necessity.

Carrots Over Sticks for Business Engagement: METI uses both bottom-up and top-down approaches to encourage business cooperation. Bottom-up involves providing detailed case studies to practical and top-level staff for continuous learning. Top-down involves asking CEOs and boards to integrate geopolitical considerations into business decisions, similar to how companies now factor ESG issues into governance—not just learning about risks but reflecting them in daily decisions.

Protection Plus Promotion Strategy: Rather than viewing economic security as purely regulatory burden, METI frames it as opportunity by combining protective measures (export controls, investment screening, research security) with promotional support (R&D funding, innovation subsidies). This approach aligns government goals with business profit motives, encouraging innovation and expansion in strategic areas that simultaneously serve national security interests.

Country-Agnostic Export Controls Philosophy: Japan's export control framework is country-agnostic, focusing on preventing misuse rather than banning exports. For semiconductors, Japan scrutinizes end-users and end-uses through licensing rather than blanket bans. This reflects Japan's view that civilian use should be permitted and acknowledges that global semiconductor supply chains require international cooperation—no single country can achieve semiconductor goals alone.

Run Faster Strategy for Technology Leadership: Export controls alone cannot address disruptive innovation challenges. METI combines controls on existing technologies with aggressive subsidies and support for innovation in AI, quantum computing, and cutting-edge semiconductors. This "run faster" approach aims to maintain technological superiority through continuous advancement rather than solely defensive measures.

US-Japan Partnership as Foundation: The "Golden Age" agreement between Presidents Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi focuses on collaboration in AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, shipbuilding, and critical minerals. This builds on earlier agreements and Prime Minister Takaichi's November strategy identifying 17 strategic sectors. The partnership reflects that neither country can achieve indispensability and autonomy alone—examples include TSMC's investment in Kyushu and Rapidus foundry involving US-Japan-European cooperation.

Global Community Building Through Forums: Nishikawa emphasizes creating an "economic security community" (avoiding the term "mafia" he initially used) bringing together government, academia, and business globally. The December Economic Security Global Forum represents an effort to build networks comparable to traditional hard security communities, recognizing that good intelligence for economic security comes from businesses and researchers rather than just government sources.

Strength Over Coercion Philosophy: Japan's approach focuses on strengthening its own capabilities rather than weaponizing dependencies or attacking others' economic power. Nishikawa personally advocates that maintaining technological superiority and supply chain autonomy enables better relationships and freer trade—the two goals don't contradict but reinforce each other. Japan explicitly rejects using its indispensability for economic statecraft or coercion.

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Tech News Briefing is your guide to what people in tech are talking about. Every weekday, we’ll bring you breaking tech news and scoops from the pros at the Wall Street Journal, insight into new innovations and policy debates, tips from our personal tech team, and exclusive interviews with movers and shakers in the industry. Hosted by Zoe Thomas

TNB Tech Minute: Rivian’s Production And Delivery Numbers Decline

WSJ Tech News Briefing

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Since this is a very brief news update podcast (approximately 2 minutes), here is a concise summary of the key points:

Rivian's Q1 2025 Production and Deliveries Drop: The electric vehicle maker produced just under 11,000 vehicles in its first quarter, down from over 12,000 in Q4 2024, and delivered over 4,000 fewer vehicles. The decline followed the expiration of a key federal tax credit for EVs, though the company stated these numbers were in line with expectations.

Mixed Start for Tech Stocks in 2025: Semiconductor and AI stocks showed strength with companies like Nvidia, Intel, and Micron rallying, while Tesla shares fell after posting another annual drop in deliveries, reflecting uneven performance across the tech sector.

Bitcoin's Significant Decline from Peak: Bitcoin is trading around $90,000, having retreated more than 30% from its October peak above $126,000. The cryptocurrency fell on an annual basis for the first time since 2022, with digital assets losing more than $1 trillion in market value during the fourth quarter.

Crypto Underperforms Traditional Markets: The cryptocurrency sector's fourth quarter slump contrasts sharply with Wall Street's performance, where all three major stock indexes posted double-digit annual returns, highlighting diverging fortunes between digital assets and traditional equities.
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Based in Toronto, Steve Dangle, Adam Wylde, and Jesse Blake merge the minutia of hockey conversation with the very best of pop culture.

Fossils | January 2, 2026

The Steve Dangle Podcast

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This is a pre-recorded questions episode where Steve Dangle, Adam Wylde, and Jesse Blake answer various questions from listeners and questions they wrote for each other, covering topics from personal habits to hockey predictions.

Arrest Scenarios and Personal Quirks: The hosts discuss what people would assume they were arrested for. Steve thinks he'd be arrested for a noise complaint due to his loud podcast recording, with road rage and public streaking due to Leafs-induced mania also suggested as possibilities.

The Great Christmas Tree Debate: A passionate discussion emerges about real versus artificial Christmas trees. Jesse strongly advocates for fake trees citing cost-effectiveness and convenience, while both Steve and Adam are overruled by their wives who insist on real trees despite the hassle, expense, allergens, potential ticks, and pine needles everywhere.

Time Travel and Historical Moments: When asked about using a time machine, Adam struggles to pick a historical moment, eventually settling on watching a historical battle from a safe distance. The discussion touches on how people used to picnic near battlefields as entertainment.

Leafs Cup Window and the Ovechkin Parallel: Jesse draws a compelling comparison between Auston Matthews and Alexander Ovechkin, noting how Ovechkin endured years of playoff disappointment before finally winning the Cup at age 34. This suggests the Leafs still have a legitimate championship window over the next 5-7 years, with Steve potentially being 45-46 when they finally win.

Time Magazine Person of the Year Analysis: The hosts review Time's Person of the Year selections since 2000. Adam picks "You" (2006) as least deserving and Donald Trump (2016) as most deserving based on his outsized impact on news cycles and culture, regardless of one's political views.

Cringiest Hobbies and Personal Embarrassments: Steve reveals his cringiest hobby was fossil hunting, where he'd walk to the beach on Christmas Day with his dog Iggy and bang open rocks looking for fossils. The hosts also discuss Adam's gray hair and unwanted public comments about their appearances.

Zombie Apocalypse Survival: The group debates who would survive longest in a zombie apocalypse. They settle on Adam (Maddie) as most likely due to her youth and resourcefulness, while Steve admits his morning routine limitations would be a major handicap.

Dream Podcast Guests: Adam struggles to identify a dream guest, eventually suggesting Auston Matthews if he dropped his media facade, or former Leaf Darcy Tucker. The hosts acknowledge their show works best as conversation rather than traditional interviews.

Gary Bettman's Immortal Tenure: In a darkly humorous discussion, the hosts predict that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman (currently 73) will remain involved with the league until his death, meaning Steve and Adam will likely be around 50 years old before Bettman fully retires from hockey.

The Most Profitable Leafs Outcome: They acknowledge that from a pure business perspective, the most profitable scenario would be the Leafs making the Stanley Cup Final, getting reverse swept, and losing Game 7 at home in blowout fashion—maximizing content opportunities. However, they'd gladly sacrifice those views for a straightforward championship run.

Life Theme Songs and Personal Habits: When asked about life theme songs, Steve jokes about Adam's being "Cat's in the Cradle" due to always leaving his son Leo for hockey events, while Steve's irrational fears include not saying "I love you" every time and constantly worrying about slamming his fingers in doors.

Morning Show Hell: Adam and Steve bond over the misery of morning radio shifts, describing the disorienting experience of finishing work at 9 AM in blinding sunlight, the unavoidable afternoon crashes, and how the schedule wreaks havoc on both fitness and mental health.

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Wake up each day as host Ryan Schlipp dives deep into the latest Green Bay Packers news and insights on the Packernet Podcast. Your leader in Packer news and Packers notes 365 days per year. The coverage ranges from day to day Packers information, to NFL news and NFL draft coverage. You won't find find a better Packers-centric NFL podcast anywhere.

Packers Total Access : 😡 Micah Parsons BLASTS Jerry Jones & Cowboys Over Disrespect to Him and Trevon Diggs! + Malik Willis Market Value

Packernet Podcast: Daily Green Bay Packers Podcast

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Micah Parsons Defends Trevon Diggs Against Cowboys Fans: After the Packers signed Trevon Diggs, Cowboys fans and media began publicly criticizing him using Pro Football Focus grades and statistics. Micah Parsons quote-tweeted these negative posts, questioning why there's a need to publicly disrespect someone who's no longer with the team, stating "He's in a better situation right now. Trust me, Rose gonna be great again." This sparked significant backlash from Cowboys fans against Parsons.

Jerry Jones' Contract Negotiation Tactics Exposed: Parsons revealed that Jerry Jones "slandered my name to the Cowboys media and national media for months" during contract negotiations. Jones attempted to negotiate directly with Parsons, bypassing his agent, which violated standard NFL protocol. Former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant confirmed this was a pattern, sharing his own experience where Jones tried the same tactic with him, leading Bryant to ask Jones if he could cover him on the field, highlighting the absurdity of a player negotiating against the owner directly.

Dallas Run Defense Collapsed Without Parsons: Despite Cowboys fans claiming the defense would improve without Parsons' supposed poor run defense, the reality proved otherwise. Dallas finished 27th in run defense allowing 4.7 yards per carry, with the last three games being even worse at 4.8 yards per carry. Their overall defense ranked dead last in the NFL at 490 points per play allowed, and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus admitted things changed drastically when they lost Parsons.

Trevon Diggs' Positive Transition to Green Bay: Diggs expressed gratitude for a fresh start in Green Bay and interest in making it long-term. Despite concerns about his 2024 performance, multiple connections exist between Diggs and the Packers organization, including his best friend Micah Parsons, former Alabama teammate Xavier McKinney, fellow Alabama alum Josh Jacobs, and secondary coach Derrick Ansley who recruited him at Alabama and switched him from wide receiver to cornerback. His humble and intelligent demeanor in his first media session impressed observers who expected cockiness.

The Cowboys' Toxic Organizational Culture: Beyond contract disputes, reports revealed Jerry Jones was charging fans for facility tours while players were actively working out in the weight room, with fans literally watching them through glass windows. This business-first mentality has plagued every head coach under Jones' ownership, from firing Tom Landry to conflicts with Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer, Bill Parcells, and a series of "yes men" coaches who couldn't succeed despite talented rosters including the Tony Romo era.

Malik Willis Emerges as Top Free Agent Quarterback: ESPN analyst Mina Kimes praised Willis' combination of elite athleticism and deep ball accuracy, noting he went 11-for-12 for 177 yards against single-high coverage versus the Ravens. She highlighted that his ability to attack outside the numbers while also threatening defenses with his rushing makes him highly valuable. Teams mentioned as potential suitors include the Vikings, Steelers, Rams, Dolphins, Falcons, and Cardinals.

Malik Willis' Market Value Uncertainty: While his previous contract averaged $1.2 million annually, comparisons to other free agent quarterbacks suggest his value could range from $5-15 million per year. Projected market values show Daniel Jones at $44.5 million, Aaron Rodgers at $10.4 million, and Russell Wilson at $5.8 million. The hosts believe Willis has surpassed all current free agent quarterbacks in demonstrated ability and is arguably worth more than veteran options like Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor, Zach Wilson, Marcus Mariota, and potentially Daniel Jones.

Matt LaFleur's Quarterback Development Track Record: The discussion highlighted LaFleur's consistent success developing quarterbacks throughout his career: RG3 won Rookie of the Year, Matt Ryan won MVP, Jared Goff reached the Super Bowl, Aaron Rodgers won back-to-back MVPs, and Jordan Love became an MVP candidate. This track record suggests Willis' development is partly system-driven, which could affect his market value as teams question whether he can succeed outside Green Bay's offensive scheme.

Low-Risk Signing of Trevon Diggs: The Packers signed Diggs for less than $500,000 with zero guaranteed money and no draft capital given up. If he returns next year, the cap hit would be $15 million with no guarantees, making it an easily cuttable contract. This represents a completely risk-free move for Green Bay, allowing them to see if they get the All-Pro version of Diggs or his struggling 2024 version without significant financial consequences.

Vikings Game as Essentially Preseason: The hosts confirmed multiple starters will sit out the Week 18 game against Minnesota as the Packers prepare for the playoffs. The focus will be on getting young players snaps, keeping everyone healthy, and possibly giving Trevon Diggs some playing time to familiarize him with the defense. Quarterback coach Tom Clements noted Jordan Love has a "hungry" look in his eyes heading into the playoffs despite the team's injury challenges.

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Locked On NFL podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for all of the National Football League. Hosted by podcasters around the Locked On NFL channel, Kevin Oestreicher, Luke Braun, Ross Jackson, Tony Wiggins, James Rapien, Tyler Rowland, Alex Clancy, Your Boy Q and Christopher Carter, the Locked On NFL podcast will get you your daily NFL fix with expert, local analysis, rumors, opinions, breaking news, special guests, and coverage of all aspects of the NFL. The Locked On NFL podcast takes you beyond the scoreboard for the inside scoops on the biggest stories from within board rooms and locker rooms all over the NFL. The Locked On NFL podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

RESURGENCE: How San Francisco 49ers IGNORE Setbacks and EMERGE as Super Bowl Favorites

Locked On NFL – Daily Podcast On The National Football League

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49ers Overcome Setbacks to Emerge as Super Bowl Contenders: Despite catastrophic draft mistakes (passing on Patrick Mahomes for Solomon Thomas, trading multiple first-round picks for bust Trey Lance) and losing two Hall of Fame players to injury, the 49ers are positioned to potentially host all their playoff games. Kyle Shanahan's offense scores on roughly 8 of 10 possessions, and Brock Purdy has proven noticeably better than backup Mac Jones, demonstrating the team's ability to thrive through adversity rather than just survive it.

Offensive Firepower vs. Defense-First Championships: The podcast argues the NFL may be moving away from defense-driven championships like the Trent Dilfer Ravens or Von Miller Broncos. While defense can win moments in games, teams now need offenses that can consistently outscore opponents throughout a playoff run. The 49ers exemplify this new formula, though Jacksonville is mentioned as one of the few remaining balanced teams.

Todd Bowles' Job Security Despite Coordinator Exodus: Tampa Bay's Todd Bowles faces potential firing if the Buccaneers miss the playoffs after a 6-2 start, but his reputation as a "leader of men" and the difficulty of replacing three consecutive head-coach-caliber offensive coordinators (Leftwich, Canales, and Cohen) may save his job. The coordinators' departures represent both a testament to Bowles' hiring ability and a challenge to maintain continuity.

Ravens-Steelers Rivalry Delivers Playoff-Atmosphere Regular Season Finale: The NFL gets a marquee matchup as the final regular season game, with head coaches Tomlin and Harbaugh having faced each other more than any current coaches except Hallis and Lambo. The Steelers' biggest concern is DK Metcalf's suspension, as he's their only receiver who can beat man coverage—exactly what Cleveland used to beat them and what Baltimore will likely replicate.

Lamar Jackson's Teammates Defend His Warrior Mentality: Kyle Hamilton and Mark Andrews publicly defended Lamar Jackson against critics, with Hamilton emphasizing Jackson practices what he preaches and only sits when physically unable to play. The concern for Pittsburgh is whether Jackson, coming off a rest period, returns to MVP form just as the playoffs begin.

Derrick Henry's Birthday Game Could Decide AFC North: The Steelers-Ravens matchup will likely come down to running games, with Derrick Henry celebrating his birthday on game day. The Steelers' offense struggles against man coverage without DK Metcalf, potentially forcing them to rely on their ground game and hoping the defense creates short fields.

Carolina Panthers' Cultural Transformation Under Dave Canales: Owner David Tepper appears to have learned patience after years of instability, allowing Dave Canales to build a culture reminiscent of the early Legion of Boom Seahawks. The Panthers, once considered among the league's worst teams, are now competing for the NFC South title, demonstrating how hiring the right players for a specific scheme can overcome talent deficits.

New NFL Owners Learning to Navigate League Dynamics: The discussion highlights how new owners like David Tepper struggle initially because running an NFL franchise requires different skills than building business empires. Established owners sometimes take advantage of newer ones, and the key lesson is patience—something Jacksonville's Shad Khan exemplifies, though some criticize him for being too patient.

NFC South Tiebreaker Scenarios Favor Carolina: If three teams finish 8-9 (Panthers, Falcons, Bucks), Carolina wins the division based on head-to-head records—they split with Tampa and swept Atlanta for a 3-1 divisional record. The Panthers need to beat Tampa rather than relying on Atlanta to lose to New Orleans.

Week 18 Game Picks and Playoff Implications: Key predictions include Panthers over Buccaneers (Tampa's collapse continues), 49ers over Seahawks (Seattle's offense regressed to "B unit" status), Jaguars over Titans (Jacksonville secures AFC South and three-seed), and Ravens over Steelers (Pittsburgh's passing game can't compensate for DK Metcalf's absence). Several teams are resting starters, including the Bills likely sitting Josh Allen to protect his injured foot.
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The Robertsons are unashamed of their Christian faith and want to share the Gospel with everyone, from new believers to longtime followers of Jesus. Phil, Al, Jase, Zach, and their special guests go beyond the four walls of the church to share God's Word and study the Bible with you. Pour a glass of tea, and experience fun and inspiring stories of faith and family, straight from West Monroe, Louisiana.

Ep 1239 | The Robertsons’ Best Advice for Avoiding Pornography

Unashamed with the Robertson Family

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David's Heart and Tragic Fall: The episode examines the paradox of David being called "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14) despite his serious moral failures. The discussion emphasizes that David's special status came not from moral perfection but from his willingness to repent, contrasting him with Saul. The hosts note that God looks at the heart rather than outward appearance, yet even great men with good hearts remain deeply flawed.

The Political and Spiritual Cannot Be Separated: The group discusses how David's reclaiming of his wife Michal illustrates that political and personal decisions are intertwined in Scripture. They argue against modern tendencies to separate politics from spirituality, noting that Christ's kingdom has implications for all of life. The danger lies in either using Christianity to advance political goals or suggesting Christians shouldn't engage in politics at all.

Idleness as the Root of Sexual Sin: The primary lesson from 2 Samuel 11 is that David's affair with Bathsheba didn't begin with lust—it started when he abdicated his responsibility by staying home instead of going to war with his men. The hosts emphasize that sexual sin typically begins with idleness, boredom, and abandoning God-given responsibilities, making men particularly vulnerable when they're not productively engaged.

Progressive Nature of Sin: The discussion highlights how David had multiple opportunities to stop his downward spiral but instead made one bad decision after another. From seeing Bathsheba to inquiring about her to committing adultery to orchestrating murder, each sin led to the next. The hosts share a testimony about "Jersey Joe," whose life changed when he chose to click on their podcast instead of continuing to view pornography.

God's Covenant Faithfulness Despite Human Failure: The episode emphasizes that David's story reveals the gospel message—that God's covenant holds even when leaders and believers fail dramatically. Referencing 2 Samuel 7, where God promises to build a house for David rather than David building one for God, the hosts explain this points forward to Jesus as the eternal king who ensures the unshakable kingdom depends on God's faithfulness, not human performance.

The Offense, Not Defense, of the Kingdom: Using Matthew 12:43-45 about the empty house, the hosts argue that Christian life isn't about defensively keeping sin out but actively pursuing God's purposes. They explain that when Jesus said the gates of hell won't prevail against the church, it positions hell as defending while the kingdom advances offensively—the opposite of how David acted when he retreated into idleness.

Consequences Despite Forgiveness: While emphasizing God's grace and David's eventual repentance (to be explored further in Psalm 51), the discussion acknowledges that David faced severe consequences for his actions. His kingdom fell apart, generational curses emerged, and even his mighty men like Uriah the Hittite (a foreigner who remained faithful) highlighted David's failure by contrast.

Modern Application to Christian Leadership: The hosts discuss how David's story applies to contemporary Christian leaders who experience public falls from grace, mentioning Ravi Zacharias specifically. They emphasize the need for ongoing accountability even when leaders feel called by God, warning against the assumption that being in a God-ordained position means every action is sanctioned.
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Locked On A’s podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Oakland A’s and Major League Baseball. Hosted by Wayne Coy, Locked On A’s podcast provides you daily insightful analysis of one of the youngest rosters in all of MLB to their upcoming move to Las Vegas. Locked On A’s takes you beyond the scoreboard for the inside scoops on the biggest stories from within the A’s locker room and all over MLB.  Locked On A’s podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

CHESS, NOT CHECKERS: Examining the A's Off Season

Locked On A's - Daily Podcast On The Oakland Athletics

Locked On A's - Daily Podcast On The Athletics

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The A's Offseason Strategy Was About Long-Term Planning, Not Headlines: The Athletics approached this offseason with a deliberate, patient strategy rather than making splashy moves. The front office focused on building a sustainable foundation through connected, purposeful moves that signal their confidence in the rebuild's direction. This represents a shift from past winters, as the team finally appears ready to move beyond "rebuild talk" and start competing.

Tyler Soderstrom Extension Signals Identity and Commitment: The Soderstrom extension (approximately $12.5 million per year over seven years) receives an A grade and represents more than just keeping one player. It's the first time in years the A's have invested in their young core, creating excitement among the fan base and establishing a new organizational identity. The team is projected to have Soderstrom, Rooker, and Lawrence Butler all under contract through 2030, suggesting a genuine commitment to building around homegrown talent.

Jeff McNeil Trade Provides Versatility With Minimal Risk: The McNeil trade earns a B grade as a smart, low-risk move. While McNeil has been declining statistically, he won a batting championship and received MVP votes just a few years ago. The A's acquired him for essentially nothing on a one-year deal at $10.5 million (with the Mets covering most of the salary). There's a team option for 2027 at $17 million with a $2 million buyout that the Mets would pay, making it an all-upside situation.

Mark Leiter Jr. Signing Adds Bullpen Stability: The one-year, $2.85 million signing of veteran reliever Mark Leiter Jr. receives a C grade as an average but necessary move. While not exciting, it represents a clear upgrade over Osvaldo Bido and adds experience to a bullpen that was dominant in the second half of last season. The question remains whether that bullpen performance is sustainable.

Jacob Wilson Extension Expected to Be Next Domino: A Wilson extension is viewed as inevitable and would likely come within the next one to two months before the season starts. The projected deal would be around $10 million per year over seven years (7 years, $77 million with incentives). Wilson hit over .300 with 14 home runs despite missing time due to injury, and while he's not a prototypical power hitter, he represents a throwback style of play that gives the team identity.

Overall Offseason Grade Depends on Wilson Extension: If the A's extend Wilson, the offseason receives a B grade as a solid, productive winter. Without a Wilson extension, it drops to a C as merely average. The team extended one core player, added versatility with McNeil, and stabilized the bullpen with Leiter, but there were missed opportunities to make more significant improvements.

Missed Opportunities in Relief Pitching Market: The A's passed on several relief pitchers who could have improved the roster, including Gregory Soto and Tyler Moll (who signed with the Giants for one year, $10 million). The reluctance to add more bullpen depth raises questions about whether management believes last season's second-half performance is sustainable or if they're taking unnecessary risks.

Starting Rotation Questions Remain Unanswered: The projected rotation includes Severino, Springs, Jacob Lopez, and Luis Morales, with the fifth spot likely going to Gunner Hoglin. While serviceable, this isn't a championship-caliber rotation. Veterans like Chris Bassett were discussed but would cost approximately $15.5 million in market value, potentially $19 million with the Sacramento tax, which seems beyond what the A's are willing to spend.

2026 Win Projection: 84 Wins and Wild Card Contention: The roster projects to a 90-win team offensively but only a 78-win team pitching-wise, averaging out to 84-78 overall. This should put them in the hunt for a wild card spot in September, though they're unlikely to compete with Seattle for the AL West title. The Mariners, who won the division with average starting pitching last year, are viewed as the AL's best team and potential 100-game winners.

Roster Competition and Playing Time Battles Ahead: Jeff McNeil will likely start at second base, with Max Muncy at third. This creates competition among Brett Harris, Darell Hernaiz, and Zach Gelof for playing time. Gelof, despite offensive struggles, remains valuable for his Gold Glove-caliber defense at shortstop. The flexibility of Harris and Hernaiz to play multiple positions gives them an advantage over the position-limited Gelof.

Bullpen Sustainability Is the Biggest Question Mark: After the Mason Miller trade, the bullpen was the best in baseball for 50-60 games, with players like Ferguson, Michael Kelly, Sterner, Leiter Jr., Hogan, Harris, and Perkins suddenly becoming lights out. The critical unknown is whether this performance can be sustained over a full season, as many of these arms had not shown this level of dominance before.

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There’s more news and less comprehension today than any historical period that didn’t involve literal witch trials, and trying to stay on top of it all can feel like playing a game of telephone with 30 people, except everyone’s speaking at the same time and like a third of them are openly racist for some reason. From Cracked co-founder Jack O’Brien, THE DAILY ZEITGEIST is stepping into that fray with some of the funniest and smartest comedic and journalistic minds around. Jack and co-host Miles Gray spend up to an hour every weekday sorting through the events and stories driving the headlines, to help you find the signal in the noise, with a few laughs thrown in for free.

Top 10 of 2025: #1 Coldplay RUINS Lives! Unabomber Humble Brag! 07.18.25

The Daily Zeitgeist

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Kiss Cam Affair at Coldplay Concert Goes Viral: The episode opens with discussion of a CEO and HR chief caught in a compromising situation at a Coldplay concert when the kiss cam landed on them. Tech startup Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and newly-hired Chief People Officer were filmed frantically ducking and covering when they appeared on the jumbotron together, with Chris Martin even commenting "having an affair" during his between-song banter. The hosts analyze similar "caught with side piece" videos from sporting events and discuss how their corporate crisis management instincts completely backfired.

Regional Accent Comedy and Philly Dialect Riffs: The hosts engage in extended comedy bits about making up fake Philadelphia accent pronunciations like "radiator" (radiator), "mermaid" (Martin), and various other absurdist takes on regional dialects. This leads to discussions about actual regional pronunciation quirks like "warsh" for "wash" and "milk" for "milk."

Underrated Lint Rollers as Fashion Savers: Guest Blake Wexler argues that lint brushes are underrated tools that can take someone from looking "completely disheveled" to stylish with minimal effort, particularly for dog owners wearing dark clothing. The hosts joke about this being presented like a revolutionary discovery.

Convertibles Are Overrated: Wexler criticizes convertibles as impractical vehicles that expose drivers to sunburn, flying hats, and weather issues. The hosts discuss how convertibles only really make sense in California's climate and joke about various convertible-related hazards including trailing hair and bugs.

Trump's Epstein Document Meltdown: The episode covers Trump's increasingly desperate attempts to distract from the Epstein files fallout, including false claims about convincing Coca-Cola to switch from high fructose corn syrup to cane sugar. Coca-Cola quickly refuted this claim.

Trump's Fabricated Unabomber Story: Trump told a bizarre story at an AI event claiming his uncle taught Ted Kaczynski at MIT and that Kaczynski was a "seriously good" student. Fact-checkers revealed almost every detail was false - his uncle had different degrees than claimed, wasn't the longest-serving professor, and never taught Kaczynski who attended Harvard and University of Michigan, not MIT.

Eerie Connection to Epstein's Own Lies: The hosts note that Jeffrey Epstein also falsely claimed to have studied with the Unabomber at UCLA, making Trump's recycling of a similar fabricated story particularly strange and disturbing given the timing with the Epstein documents release.

Alex Jones Worries Trump Support Is Becoming Cult-Like: Even conspiracy theorist Alex Jones expressed concern about Trump acting like he's running a cult, telling supporters not to question him. Jones compared Trump's behavior to papal infallibility and worried about the authoritarian direction.

Annabelle Doll Tour Organizer Found Dead: A paranormal investigator touring with the supposedly possessed Annabelle doll was found dead in his hotel room. The hosts discuss the dubious origins of the Annabelle doll mythology created by Ed and Lorraine Warren, subjects of The Conjuring movies.

Warren Occult Museum Exposed as Fraud: Analysis of video footage from the Warren's occult museum reveals it contains obvious store-bought items like plastic Halloween decorations alongside supposedly haunted artifacts. Ed Warren was a known fraudster and sexual predator who moved a 15-year-old into his house.

Ridiculous "Haunted" Doll Safety Protocols: The Warrens claimed the Annabelle doll was so dangerous they had to avoid highways and sprinkle it with holy water while transporting it, despite having it displayed in a simple glass case with no warnings in their museum. Paranormal investigator Zak Bagans claimed touching the doll sent him to the hospital.

Book of Shadows Revealed as Barnes & Noble Purchase: A skeptic who visited the Warren museum reported that their "Book of Shadows" was actually the Simon Necronomicon, a well-known literary hoax that could be purchased at any bookstore, further exposing their con artist operation.

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I am here to give you back your future. Human flourishing in the coming post-liberal West. The hour is late, and Moloch is within the gates. Foundationalism. Reality-focused writings, often on history and politics.

The Age of Extraction: How Tech Platforms Conquered the Economy and Threaten Our Future Prosperity (Tim Wu)

The Worthy House (Charles Haywood)

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Tim Wu's Prescient Warnings on Economic Concentration: Tim Wu has spent 20 years warning about the dangers of concentrated economic power, distinguishing himself from mere redistributionists by advocating for a genuinely stronger society. Despite his intelligence and nuanced approach, his message has largely been ignored by Americans who benefit from debt-driven consumption and a fake GDP propped up by a handful of dominant entities.

The Promise and Betrayal of Internet Platforms: Early internet platforms like the Agora or medieval marketplaces were supposed to democratize economic opportunity by reducing transaction friction and enabling anyone with talent to reach customers directly. The expectation was that these platforms would decentralize power and hand it to ordinary people, allowing direct monetization of skills through tools like early blogging platforms and online marketplaces.

The Critical Difference: Lack of Regulation: Unlike historical platforms that were heavily regulated (medieval marketplaces by local lords, financial markets by modern governments), internet platforms faced zero regulation from the start. Congress assumed competition would force self-regulation, marking a dramatic departure from the aggressive antitrust enforcement that had governed American business from the late 19th century through the 1980s, when the Chicago School of non-enforcement became dominant.

The IBM and AT&T Precedents: Rigorous antitrust enforcement created the foundation for America's software dominance. IBM was forced to open its mainframe platforms to third-party software developers, while AT&T was required to allow other traffic on its network and prohibited from electronic publishing. These government interventions, not free markets, created the conditions for a thriving, competitive software industry that European subsidized closed systems could never match.

The Transition from Openness to Extraction: During the 2000s golden age, platforms like Google, Amazon, and Facebook were largely open and focused on growth and improvement. However, they gradually shifted to maximizing revenue through advertising and related monetization while eliminating competition through acquisitions that would never have been permitted in earlier eras. Facebook went from allowing businesses to operate without paying anything to extracting nearly all value for itself.

Platform Monopolization Through Acquisition and Manipulation: Google purchased competitors like Waze, YouTube, and DoubleClick; Facebook acquired Instagram and numerous others; Amazon didn't buy competitors but made merchants completely dependent, then raised fees from 20% to as high as 70% of revenue while stealing proprietary information to create competing products. Amazon now generates $56 billion in advertising revenue by deliberately making the buying experience worse through manipulated search results.

The Reality of Diseconomies of Scale: Beyond a certain point, firm growth no longer produces efficiency but simply the capacity to bully and eliminate competition. Google spends $30 billion annually to lock competitors out of distribution channels, such as paying Apple to require its search engine. This scale allows platforms to engage in "enshittification"—deliberately degrading their services to maximize extraction while users remain trapped by switching costs and dependency.

Data Collection as a Tool of Control: Platforms accumulate and monetize vast amounts of user data to maintain loyalty and attention. Examples include Roku requiring credit card information despite no subscription fees, solely to precisely identify users and collect granular viewing data for sale. Roku's financials reveal $3.2 billion in platform revenue with $1.9 billion gross profit, while device revenue of $590 million produces negative $2 million gross profit—the devices are loss leaders for data extraction.

Private Equity as Platform Extraction in Traditional Industries: Beyond technology, platformization through private equity roll-ups is destroying healthcare and housing. Vast pools of artificially cheap money (unavailable to small businesses) are used to buy physician practices and single-family homes, then services are reduced, prices raised, and formerly independent professionals become dependent employees. Credit card companies function similarly, levying a 3-4% private tax on every transaction compared to Europe's 0.30% cap.

The Path to Social Fragility and Democratic Failure: Wu argues that economic monopolization leads to extraction, creating a large class of losers—consumers paying more, workers paid less, and small businesses driven out. This generates mass resentment and inequality, leading to democratic failure when elected governments prove unable or unwilling to respond meaningfully to majority concerns, potentially opening the door to strongman politics.

The Ignored Danger: Ideological Capture of Platforms: Wu completely overlooks that centralized platforms controlling information and social interaction have been ideologically captured by the left. With the sole exception of X, every major platform aggressively censors and deplatforms conservatives: Google manipulates search results and email delivery, Facebook and Twitter censor right-leaning content, Wikipedia ensures exclusively left perspectives, and all AI platforms except Grok are programmed to spread left doctrine while banning dissent.

Coordinated Platform Warfare Against Political Opposition: The most stunning example of ideological platform power was the January 2021 coordinated destruction of Parler, when every major tech platform simultaneously acted to eliminate this social network perceived as threatening left dominance. These platforms also volunteered to assist in political terror against January 6th protesters by turning over bank, hotel, and search records to authorities.

Wu's Solutions: Antitrust Enforcement and Common Carrier Status: Wu advocates for a return to aggressive antitrust enforcement, including laws limiting any firm to 5% of a defined market subject to forcible breakup, and treating all platforms as common carriers that cannot discriminate—which would include banning political discrimination. These solutions could address both inequality and ideological abuse, though Wu acknowledges Congress is too corrupt to implement them, meaning real change may only come after sufficient societal turmoil.

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