Tired of the culture war? This is that podcast that’s too liberal for conservatives, too conservative for liberals. We seek to follow the lamb, not the donkey or elephant.

Are the Gospels Reliable? What History Actually Tells Us

Truth Over Tribe: Christian Takes on Culture, News & Politics

Not Just Sunday: Christian Life, Following Jesus, & Daily Discipleship

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Who Wrote the Gospels and How Do We Know?: Matthew and John were two of Jesus's original 12 disciples and eyewitnesses to his ministry. Matthew was a tax collector who Jesus called to follow him. John was a fisherman, brother of James, and part of Jesus's inner circle along with Peter and James. Mark and Luke were not original disciples but were closely associated with the apostles—Mark with Peter (who called him his "son"), and Luke with Paul. Luke was a physician who conducted careful research and investigation. The early church consistently attributed these names to the Gospels, with manuscripts from as early as 125 AD bearing their names.

Dating the Gospels Within the Eyewitness Era: All four Gospels were written between 45-100 AD, placing them within the lifetime of people who knew Jesus or witnessed his ministry. Mark was likely written first around 45 AD, while John was written last around 100 AD. This timing is crucial because the authors wrote during a period when eyewitnesses could have corrected false claims. A key example is the discovery of manuscript P52 from John's Gospel dated to 125 AD, which overturned previous scholarly claims that John was written in the 200s—showing how archaeological evidence continues to support earlier dating.

Original Audiences and Regional Focus: While the Gospels were ultimately written for all Christians, each appeared to target specific communities with particular needs. Mark, associated with Rome where Peter was martyred, presents Jesus as a suffering servant to encourage persecuted Christians. Matthew has a distinctly Jewish character, explaining how Jesus went from being Israel's savior to the world's savior. Though written for regional audiences initially, the Gospels were rapidly copied and spread widely throughout the early church, with Gospel writers appearing to have access to each other's work.

Geographic Accuracy Confirms Eyewitness Testimony: The Gospels mention 26 different towns, all of which have been verified by scholars as real places that existed in the correct locations during the first century. This precision would be nearly impossible for someone writing even 100 years later to achieve, especially after Rome destroyed much of the region in 70 AD and reconfigured it. Additionally, the Gospels use local terminology—Matthew, Mark, and John (who grew up in the region) call the Sea of Galilee a "sea," while Luke (who didn't grow up there and had seen larger bodies of water) correctly calls it a lake.

Name Frequency Matches Census Data: The names used in the Gospels match census data from Jesus's time and region with remarkable accuracy. The most popular names in first-century Israel—Simon, Joseph, Lazarus, Judas, John, Jesus—are exactly the names most frequently used in the Gospels. Furthermore, the Gospels use "disambiguation" (adding descriptive markers) for common names like Simon (Simon Peter, Simon the Zealot, Simon of Cyrene, Simon the Leper, Simon the Pharisee, Simon the Magician) while not needing such markers for less common names—exactly as people in that culture would have spoken.

The Telephone Game Myth Debunked by Manuscript Evidence: Critics compare biblical transmission to the telephone game, suggesting corruption over time. However, manuscript evidence proves otherwise. The New Testament has over 5,366 ancient copies with only a 50-year gap between original writing and earliest manuscripts (225 years for the complete New Testament). Compare this to other ancient texts like Plato (1,300-year gap, only 7 copies) or the Iliad (400-year gap, 643 copies). Where variants exist, they're minor scribal errors like missing dots on letters, and the abundance of manuscripts allows scholars to identify and correct these errors.

External Non-Christian Sources Confirm the Gospel Narrative: Multiple non-Christian historians from Jesus's era corroborate key Gospel events. Josephus, a Jewish general and historian (37-100 AD), wrote about Jesus being condemned by Pilate, dying by crucifixion, and his disciples claiming he rose three days later. Thallus, a Samaritan historian (5-60 AD), chronicled Jesus's crucifixion and the accompanying darkness. Tacitus, a Roman senator (56-117 AD), affirmed Jesus died in Judea under Pilate and his followers faced persecution. These independent sources verify the basic Gospel storyline from outside the Christian community.

Archaeological Discoveries Continuously Validate Gospel Details: When critics claim lack of archaeological evidence disproves Gospel accounts, they commit the logical fallacy that "absence of evidence is evidence of absence"—especially problematic since only 2% of material from Jesus's world exists today. Repeatedly, archaeological discoveries have vindicated Gospel accounts: a coin and statue confirmed Luke's census under Quirinius, excavations found the Pool of Bethesda mentioned in John 5, and a 1961 limestone block discovery proved Pontius Pilate's existence (showing he ruled under Tiberius Caesar, exactly as Luke stated). No archaeological evidence has ever contradicted the Gospels.

Reading the Bible Requires the Mind God Gave Us: Being a not-just-Sunday Christian means using our whole mind to study Scripture deeply, not leaving Bible study only for Sundays. The hosts share a story about a church member named Parker Smith who, after experiencing healing and spiritual transformation during COVID, asked "Can you tell me how to read my Bible?"—demonstrating that when God's Spirit works powerfully in someone, developing a hunger for God's Word is one of the most natural responses, even if understanding it requires effort and study.

The Ultimate Goal Is Knowing Jesus: All this historical and textual study serves one purpose: helping readers know Jesus better. The Gospels aren't primarily academic documents to master but pathways to encounter the living Christ. Jesus is described as "everything"—the one who makes sense of the world, who never fails, who is our shield, rock, defender, hope, and truth. Understanding the historical reliability, authorship, and context of the Gospels isn't about academic achievement but about removing barriers that prevent people from meeting and following Jesus more fully through these sacred texts.

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POST Wrestling&#39;s John Pollock &amp; Wai Ting review WWE Raw, AEW Dynamite and discuss the latest in pro wrestling news with their network of contributors. http://www.postwrestling.com

Dave Meltzer talks Major Pro Wrestling Stories of 2025 | POST Interview

POST Wrestling

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Hulk Hogan's Death and Media Coverage: The death of Hulk Hogan was the biggest wrestling story of 2025, generating unprecedented media attention comparable only to the Chris Benoit tragedy in 2007. Surprisingly, mainstream coverage was more balanced than expected, addressing both Hogan's contributions to wrestling and controversies from the last decade, including the sex tape scandal and racist remarks. Many in media who grew up with Hogan as childhood heroes provided extensive coverage, though the last significant public appearance was at the Republican Convention rather than in wrestling.

2025 as a Pivotal Year in Wrestling History: The year featured numerous industry-changing events including the Netflix WWE deal, Warner Bros. Discovery negotiations, CMLL's attendance surge, and Hiroshi Tanahashi's retirement. Wrestling Observer Newsletter issues expanded from typical 18-page publications to routinely 24-30 pages due to increased news volume. The streaming-to-television transition affected all of media, creating a tumultuous period with long-term implications extending well beyond 2025.

Netflix Documentary Concerns: The upcoming Netflix documentary on Hulk Hogan raises red flags due to WWE's heavy involvement, contrasting with their minimal promotion of the Mr. McMahon documentary. Unlike the McMahon series which interviewed diverse sources for balance, the Hogan documentary appears to only feature people "within the kingdom," suggesting a potentially whitewashed perspective. The challenge of creating the documentary without fresh Vince McMahon interviews, given potential memory issues, also poses difficulties.

Tony Khan's Strategic Pivot: AEW's 2025 saw Tony Khan deliberately avoid negative headlines by refusing to take bait on head-to-head competition with WWE, adopting a "kill them with kindness" approach. This strategic shift improved public perception of AEW, which had been viewed as a "loser organization" for some time. The company survived major head-to-head battles better than expected, with All Out not being demolished by WrestleMania and their Texas event succeeding against two WWE shows.

AEW's Business Metrics and Perception: While television ratings declined for both WWE and AEW throughout 2025, AEW's decline was less severe than expected given the shift to streaming. Attendance showed slight growth, and the overall perception of the company improved significantly. The existence of AEW has doubled salaries for WWE talent through competition, with wrestlers having more well-paying jobs and better schedules than the 2001-2018 period when no real U.S. competition existed.

CMLL's Unprecedented Success: CMLL experienced a record-breaking year with historic sellout numbers at Arena Mexico, surpassing all previous attendance records. More Americans attended wrestling at Arena Mexico than at any U.S. arena, with 30% of Friday crowds being international tourists (3,000-5,000 people per show). Despite this success, CMLL maintains conservative booking with older leadership and refuses to run stadium shows, remaining committed to Arena Mexico as their traditional home.

CMLL's U.S. Market Barriers: CMLL struggles to penetrate the American market due to accessibility issues, particularly their $35 monthly subscription price that doesn't include big shows live. The company doesn't market merchandise in the United States despite having colorful, marketable masks and costumes. Interest peaked in June 2025 when AEW ran a show at Arena Mexico, exposing American audiences to Mistico and the venue, but CMLL hasn't capitalized on this momentum.

WWE's First Year on Netflix: The Netflix move produced disappointing initial viewership numbers, falling below expectations that U.S. and international audiences would match or exceed cable numbers. The first 2-3 months felt like special "happenings" with enthusiastic crowds, but the shows eventually normalized to feeling like regular Monday Night Raw episodes. Netflix's subsequent sports negotiations revealed they prefer premium events over weekly programming, suggesting potential dissatisfaction with the WWE arrangement requiring 52 weeks of multiple shows.

Netflix vs. ESPN Programming Philosophy: Netflix negotiations with boxing, MMA, and baseball consistently emphasized wanting only 2-3 premium annual events rather than weekly content, contrasting with their WWE deal requiring year-round programming. This suggests Netflix learned from the WWE experiment that their platform should focus on highest-level content only. ESPN's sports service model better facilitates regular weekly programming, making them potentially more suitable for ongoing wrestling content.

Wrestle Kingdom 20's Critical Importance: The January show represents New Japan's most important event in decades as Hiroshi Tanahashi's retirement and the debut of the post-Tanahashi era. With only a 100-minute network window, the show serves as an audition for future business direction. Tremendous pressure falls on Aaron Wolf, though his appearances in various angles that "stiffed" dampened initial excitement about him as Tanahashi's replacement.

New Japan's Path Forward with Yota Tsuji: The likely direction for New Japan in 2026 centers on Yota Tsuji as the new ace, potentially building toward a major match with Kazuchika Okada. New Japan should strengthen AEW relationships to bring international stars like Okada, Jon Moxley, or MJF to put Tsuji over on big shows, as beating domestic opponents like Uemura and Goto won't be sufficient. These losses wouldn't hurt AEW's business while significantly helping their New Japan partnership.

Muhammad Ali Reform Act's Industry Impact: The Ali Reform Act represents a major underreported story affecting combat sports. MMA fighters recognize the threat more than boxers, understanding how free enterprise historically drove high boxing salaries. Politicians approving changes don't fully comprehend implications for boxing economics beyond benefiting surviving promoters. The situation parallels how wrestling territories seemed permanent until suddenly changing in 1984-85, with boxing's promotional structure facing similar disruption.

Wrestling History's Notable Deaths: Beyond Hulk Hogan, 2025 saw significant New Japan history pass away including Hachiji Shinma, Salman Hashimikov, and Karl Gotch's protégé Roland Bock. Bock's 1970s matches with Antonio Inoki and Andre the Giant represented a fascinating "work shoot" style ahead of its time, predating UWF by years. These matches, viewed differently with modern eyes, reveal how perceptions of realism in 1970s-80s Japanese wrestling differed from reality.

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The Anxiety Guy Podcast is the only resource you need to begin lessening and eventually ending your struggles with generalized anxiety disorder, hypochondria, and depression.  Dennis Simsek takes you through the life of a former professional tennis player, who struggled with and eventually ended his 6 year struggle with panic disorder and health anxiety. Within those 6 years a dream was reached, a child was born, and suicide was being contemplated. This podcast exists so that you don't make the same crucial mistakes when it comes to stress and anxiety, that thousands of other people around the world are making. Change begins today...

If You Do One Thing for Anxiety Symptoms in 2026, Make It This

The Anxiety Guy Podcast

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Understanding Anxiety Symptoms as Open Loops: Symptoms aren't random physical manifestations but rather unanswered questions from the subconscious mind. The body creates danger signals when it hasn't received conscious answers to underlying concerns. For example, throat tightness may relate to fear of speaking up, while headaches often connect to overthinking and overwhelm. Rather than treating symptoms as problems to eliminate, they should be viewed as communication from your inner protector seeking resolution.

The Morning Dump Practice: A daily three-step technique designed to release what no longer serves you each morning. This involves verbalizing feelings out loud rather than suppressing them, creating a ritual space to process anxiety at the start of each day. The practice helps reorganize core beliefs at the deepest level and prevents symptoms from continuing to manifest and travel throughout the body.

Step One - Acknowledge Without Fear: When symptoms arise in the morning, acknowledge them as coming from your inner protector or lower self rather than something to follow or fear. The approach is to notice the symptom with compassion, saying "I hear you, I see you, I am with you" rather than becoming frantic or trying to immediately find solutions. This creates a different relationship with symptoms based on acceptance rather than avoidance.

Step Two - Reframe the Underlying Fear: Identify what fear is connected to the symptom and consciously provide a new perspective. For instance, if chest tightness relates to fear of meeting people, the reframe becomes "It is safe to meet people where I am." Verbalize this reframe out loud to your body, speaking passionately about letting go of old patterns and trauma. This sends clear messages to the unconscious body that new perspectives are available.

Step Three - Release and Relax Behind Symptoms: After acknowledging and reframing, let go of the symptom and move on with your day. The goal isn't to relax the symptom itself but to relax behind it—maintaining a watchful awareness while knowing symptoms aren't physically dangerous. This involves trusting that you've already sent the message to your body and whatever happens next is manageable.

Moving Away from Suppression: The core problem many anxiety sufferers face is suppressing symptoms through googling, taking supplements, or trying various elimination strategies. When suppressed, symptoms inevitably return repeatedly. The morning dump addresses this by providing answers out loud to the unconscious mind, preventing the continuous cycle of the body "screaming" for attention and resolution.

Trusting Intuition Over Logic: Rather than rigidly trying to logically find exact answers to what the body is asking, trust your intuition about what you've been holding onto. This shift moves you toward spontaneity, flexibility, and trusting inner wisdom rather than questioning every answer that arises. It's about becoming less rigid in how you approach life and healing.

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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.

VEGAS VIBES RISING: Ron Futrell takes you inside the Vegas Buzz around the A's

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

Locked On A's - Daily Podcast On The Athletics

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Tyler Soderstrom Extension Signals Franchise Shift: The A's signed Tyler Soderstrom to a long-term extension and announced it at their Las Vegas Experience Center, marking a historic departure from their traditional approach. By 2030, the team will have three players—Brent Rooker ($21M), Soderstrom ($12M), and Lawrence Butler ($16M)—all under guaranteed contracts, something the franchise has never done before. This represents a fundamental identity change for an organization historically known for trading away talent rather than locking it up.

Vegas Already Views the Team as Theirs: Despite technically still being in Sacramento for now, the A's organization already sees itself as the Las Vegas Athletics. Holding the extension announcement at the Experience Center rather than in Sacramento was an intentional message about the team's commitment to Vegas. Ron Futrell, who covered the event, noted this signaled the franchise is doubling down on its Vegas future beyond just words.

Owner John Fisher's Different Vegas Persona: John Fisher has been notably more accessible and engaging with media in Las Vegas compared to his reclusive reputation in Oakland. Futrell has interviewed Fisher multiple times and found him personable and approachable, even having casual conversations in men's rooms and Fisher playfully putting an A's helmet on him during a live broadcast. Fisher has consistently promised to spend money to make the team competitive in Vegas and is now following through.

Oakland Situation Was Financially Untenable: The fundamental reason Fisher didn't invest in payroll in Oakland was the revenue situation at the Oakland Coliseum, which Futrell described as a "money pit" that couldn't generate the income needed to support competitive salaries. The stadium situation in Oakland was not going to change regardless of efforts from either side, making the move to Vegas essential for the franchise's financial viability.

Multiple Revenue Streams Beyond Tickets and TV: The Las Vegas stadium will generate income through diverse sources beyond traditional baseball revenue. The surrounding Tropicana site (34 acres total, with 9 for the stadium) will feature shopping, restaurants, and entertainment venues similar to LA Live, with the A's controlling much of that revenue alongside Bally's. The 33,000-seat capacity creates a perfect mid-sized venue for concerts and events year-round that are too large for T-Mobile Arena but too small for Allegiant Stadium.

Stadium Ownership Structure Explained: John Fisher is investing approximately $1.5-2 billion to build a stadium he won't actually own—it will be owned by the Stadium Authority and technically by the people of Clark County, Nevada, similar to the Raiders' Allegiant Stadium arrangement. Fisher operates under a 30-year lease and receives revenue from stadium operations, concessions, and events, but doesn't hold the deed to the property.

National Finals Rodeo Potential Venue: There's speculation that the new baseball stadium could become the home of the National Finals Rodeo, which currently takes place at Thomas & Mack Center for 10 days each December during a traditionally slow period for Las Vegas. This would represent another significant year-round revenue source for the stadium and the organization.

Raiders' Valuation Proves Vegas Market Value: The Raiders' franchise value has nearly doubled or tripled since moving to Las Vegas according to Forbes valuations, demonstrating the financial potential of the Vegas market. This growth happened despite the team's on-field struggles, suggesting the A's could see similar appreciation if they field a competitive product.

Baseball Better Cultural Fit Than NFL for Vegas: Unlike the NFL's once-per-week model, baseball's 81 home games make it a better fit for Las Vegas's entertainment culture. The comparison is made to UNLV's Runnin' Rebels basketball in the late 1980s under Jerry Tarkanian, which united the city in a way no sport has since except for the Vegas Golden Knights. Baseball has the potential to create that same community unifying effect with 81 opportunities per season.

Young Talent Core Unmatched in Baseball: The consensus is that no team in Major League Baseball currently has better young position player talent than the Athletics, with players like Soderstrom, Butler, Rooker, and prospects like Jacob Wilson, Nick Kurtz, and Denzel Clark. The primary need is pitching development, but the offensive foundation is elite and locked in for the long term.

Manager Mark Kotsay's Pedigree: Mark Kotsay is considered arguably the greatest college baseball player ever to play, coming from Cal State Fullerton. His track record developing young talent with the A's shows optimism for the team's competitiveness, and there's hope he remains the manager when the team arrives in Vegas. The organization also has strong Triple-A leadership with Aviators manager Fran Reardon.

Vegas Community Engagement Already Underway: The A's have been quietly building community connections in Las Vegas through sponsoring blood drives, community baseball programs, and open days for little leagues. These efforts, combined with the public Soderstrom extension announcement, demonstrate the organization is actively working to establish roots in the community before the official move.

Two-Year Timeline to Contention: The expectation is that within two years, the A's will be a well-oiled machine ready to compete in the AL West. While they may not win the division immediately, they should be in contention, and by the time they move into their new Vegas stadium, they'll have a proven, exciting young core that the community can rally behind from day one.

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A pacy round-up of the day’s main news stories, anchored from London by a Monocle editor. The show features informed reporting, prescient business analysis and invaluable industry reports covering everything from technology to aviation and retail to media.

Tyler Brûlé is joined by Benjamin Smith to discuss efficiency and sustainability at Air France-KLM

The Briefing

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Brand Identity and Service Excellence: Air France maintains exceptional standards through leveraging France's natural affinity for professional service. With 98% of cabin crew being French, the airline capitalizes on the country's cultural strengths in gastronomy, luxury, and fashion, combined with a historical connection to aviation technology. This "Made in France" positioning creates genuine pride among both employees and customers, making brand consistency easier to maintain than at competitors.

La Premiere First Class Innovation: The relaunch of Air France's first class product has exceeded expectations, featuring a softer, more private approach than competitors who emphasize enclosed suites. The four-seat cabin prioritizes intimacy over volume, with exclusive ground facilities at CDG including private check-in, spa, and restaurant. The strategy focuses on creating a private jet experience, and success has led to plans for 50% expansion of the product across the fleet.

Strategic Route Expansion: Air France is adding La Premiere service to Boston, Houston, Atlanta (leveraging Delta partnership), and Tel Aviv, with plans for additional Asian destinations including Hong Kong. The airline focuses on high-GDP cities where premium customers justify the significant infrastructure investment, prioritizing profitable routes over simple network expansion.

Competing Against Gulf Carriers: Smith views Middle Eastern carriers as state-supported entities rather than traditional competitors, describing them as "countries" rather than companies. Air France positions itself to be the clear number one in Europe (currently ranked 8th globally, up from 26th) while competing selectively with Gulf carriers on major routes where nonstop service provides advantages over connecting through Dubai or Doha.

Uneven Playing Field Challenges: European carriers face significant disadvantages including inability to overfly Russia (adding fuel costs and crew time), higher taxes, stricter environmental mandates, and operational restrictions. Chinese carriers particularly benefit from Russian overflight rights. Smith advocates constantly for "level playing field" with European authorities, though acknowledges solutions are unlikely in the near term.

Hub Strategy and Local vs. Connection Traffic: Unlike Amsterdam (85-90% connection traffic), Paris CDG operates with 45-50% connecting passengers, benefiting from France being the world's number one tourism destination with over 100 million annual visitors. Local customers are typically more profitable than connecting passengers, and Air France prioritizes premium local traffic while strategically using connections to support routes.

Amsterdam Schiphol Noise Restrictions: The most challenging operational jurisdiction currently, driven by residential pressure for noise reduction. Air France is accelerating fleet renewal with next-generation aircraft that produce 50% less noise, while working with Dutch politicians to find balanced solutions between community concerns and business requirements.

Paris CDG Infrastructure Limitations: Unlike purpose-built hub airports, CDG's seven terminal buildings weren't designed for connections, creating challenges with the makeshift structure requiring buses between terminals. Air France works with airport authority to improve connectivity while focusing on premium point-of-origin and destination traffic from Paris, which better suits the infrastructure.

Customer Loyalty and National Pride: French customers demonstrate extraordinary loyalty to Air France beyond typical airline relationships, with unprecedented pride in the national carrier. This patriotic connection, which Smith considers stronger than any airline he's experienced in 35 years in aviation, provides an invaluable brand asset that manifests at every customer touchpoint.

Fleet Modernization Priorities: Air France desires an Airbus A220 stretch variant and eagerly awaits the 777-9X certification, having been the launch customer for the 777-300ER. The airline has deep expertise with the GE90 engine through its CDG maintenance partnership, positioning it to operate the 777X more efficiently than competitors once available.

Supersonic Travel Prospects: While acknowledging market demand for faster travel and existing technology, Smith sees supersonic commercial aviation as a mid-term rather than short-term possibility. The Concorde's economics (fuel consumption, noise, required ticket prices) remain challenging, and eastbound timing advantages were limited compared to westbound routes.

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Cases to watch in 2026: Pam Hupp and Kouri Richins. Plus, home burglars going high-tech

Dateline NBC

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Pam Hupp's Murder Trial Set for August 2026: After 14 years, Pam Hupp will finally stand trial for the 2011 stabbing death of her friend Betsy Faria. Prosecutors allege Hupp killed Betsy for money after arranging to become the beneficiary of her life insurance policies, which Hupp claimed was because Betsy didn't trust her husband Russ to distribute the funds properly. Russ was initially convicted of the murder based largely on Pam's testimony but was later acquitted upon retrial. The case against Pam relies heavily on electronic evidence, including suspicious phone calls that place her at or near the crime scene despite her claims of being 30 minutes away.

The Louis Gumpenberger Connection: Pam Hupp is already serving life in prison for the 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger, which she claimed was self-defense. Investigators found that Pam had posed as a Dateline producer to lure Gumpenberger, a man with a brain injury, to her home and then murdered him in an apparent attempt to frame Russ Faria for his own wife's murder and redirect suspicion away from herself.

Defense Strategy Focuses on Lack of DNA Evidence: Pam Hupp's defense team is particularly interested in DNA analysis from the murder weapon used to kill Betsy. The crime lab found DNA from an unknown male and the victim on the knife, but not from Pam Hupp. The defense has been working to access lab reports and DNA analysis conducted by the state, suggesting this will be a key component of their trial strategy.

Key Witness Recants in Kouri Richins Case: The Utah mom accused of poisoning her husband Eric with a lethal dose of fentanyl faces a potentially significant development as her February 2026 trial approaches. Robert Crozier, who allegedly told detectives he sold fentanyl to Richins' housekeeper around the time of Eric's death, has now recanted in a sworn affidavit, claiming he was detoxing from drugs during his original interview and doesn't remember giving it. The defense argues this undermines the prosecution's case by eliminating proof that Richins ever obtained fentanyl, though prosecutors maintain Crozier's new story isn't credible.

Prosecutors Allege Financial Motive in Richins Case: Authorities claim Kouri Richins killed her husband for financial gain, alleging she was deeply in debt after failed real estate deals and counting on life insurance payouts, prenuptial agreement benefits, and estate proceeds. Evidence also suggests she had a new romantic interest, with prosecutors referring to him as her "paramour," and they were exchanging "I love you" messages and kiss emojis on the night of Eric's death.

Elaborate "Catfish" Murder Plot in Virginia Case: Former IRS agent Brendan Banfield goes to trial in January for allegedly masterminding a complex scheme to murder his wife Christine that involved killing a second victim, Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors allege Banfield created a fake profile for his wife on a fetish website, lured the unsuspecting Ryan to their home for what Ryan thought was a consensual encounter, then he and the couple's au pair (with whom he was having an affair) shot Ryan and stabbed Christine, attempting to frame Ryan for Christine's death. The au pair has since pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and is expected to testify against Banfield.

Rex Heuermann Faces Consolidated Trial: The alleged Long Island serial killer accused of murdering seven women will be tried for all murders in one massive trial. A judge ruled in September that all cases will be heard together, with prosecutors saying DNA evidence is key to their case. The defense is expected to challenge the legitimacy of whole genome sequencing, a relatively new type of DNA testing that hasn't been used in a New York courtroom before, calling it "magic, not science."

Sandra Birchmore Murder Trial Scheduled for October: Former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell is accused of murdering pregnant teacher's aide Sandra Birchmore, whose death was initially ruled a suicide in 2021. Federal investigators concluded it was a homicide, alleging Farwell groomed and sexually exploited Birchmore when she was underage through a police youth program, then murdered her to prevent disclosure of his exploitation and because he believed she was pregnant with his baby. Farwell has pleaded not guilty and denied having sex with her as a minor.

High-Tech Burglary Tools Targeting Homes: Criminals are increasingly using sophisticated technology including Wi-Fi jammers and camouflaged cameras to commit burglaries. Wi-Fi jammers, which cost only $60-70 and are surprisingly easy to obtain, can disable all devices on a home's Wi-Fi network within a 10-12 foot radius, rendering security cameras and alarms useless. Hidden cameras covered in fake grass or turf are being planted in lawns and bushes to monitor residents' comings and goings without detection.

Burglary Statistics and "Burglary Tourism": A burglary occurs every 28 seconds in the United States, making it one of the most common property crimes, though rates have been declining since 1980. Law enforcement reports that South American criminal rings are engaging in "burglary tourism," specifically traveling to the U.S. to target homes with high-tech devices. Seven Chileans were charged in a burglary spree that targeted athletes including Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes.

Home Security Recommendations: Security experts recommend using hardwired security systems that don't depend on Wi-Fi to combat jamming devices. For those using Wi-Fi systems, choosing more resilient signals like 5G bandwidth is advisable. Security devices that save data to SD cards provide backup evidence even if Wi-Fi fails, which can be crucial for police investigations.

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Bryce Paul, acclaimed author of 'Crypto Revolution'—with over 100,000 copies sold and a foreword by ABC Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington—teams up with Brendan Viehman on this podcast. Viehman, a crypto seer since 2012, has accurately pinpointed major market shifts, secured major returns on Ethereum, Cardano, and Chainlink, and is recognized as a top 15 crypto YouTuber by Coin Bureau. Together, they cater to a community of hundreds of thousands of retail investors, aiming to bring the world's leading crypto experts to their listeners. The podcast's mission: to equip these retail investors with the insights they need for massive crypto success!

2025 Recap & 2026 Top Predictions for Crypto, Bitcoin, and the Stock Market!

CRYPTO 101

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This end-of-year episode provides a comprehensive review of 2025's crypto market events and offers bold predictions for 2026. The hosts—Bryce, Brendan, and TiVo—walk through each month's major developments while analyzing what went right, what went wrong, and what's ahead.

January 2025: Meme Coin Mania Peak and Regulatory Shift: The year started with Trump launching his meme coin, followed by Melania's token, marking the top of the meme coin cycle. This same period saw Gary Gensler's departure from the SEC and the beginning of numerous crypto lawsuit dismissals, opening doors for industry innovation and new exchange features.

February's Bybit Hack and Market Turbulence: The Bybit hack resulted in $1.5 billion stolen through a compromised developer wallet, with funds redirected to North Korea. Despite this setback, Bybit's ability to absorb the loss and continue operations demonstrated the industry's improved resilience. The Javier Milei Libra token scandal also exemplified the dark side of celebrity meme coins.

March: Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and XRP Victory: Trump signed the executive order establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve and US digital asset stockpile, fulfilling a major campaign promise. The XRP/Ripple lawsuit ended after years of litigation, representing a significant win for the entire crypto industry. CME Group also launched Solana futures, expanding institutional derivatives access.

April's Tariff Crisis and Historic Bottom: Trump's tariff announcement triggered a 22% drop in the S&P 500 and even larger crypto losses, with Bitcoin hitting $74,000 on April 7th—marking the year's bottom. This proved to be an exceptional buying opportunity, as Bitcoin rallied nearly 50% over the next month and 70% through October. Altcoins performed even better during this recovery period.

May: Ethereum Upgrades and Institutional Dialogues: The Petra upgrade improved Ethereum's network stability. XRP futures launched on CME, laying groundwork for XRP ETFs. The SEC's crypto task force held public roundtable discussions with industry leaders including Michael Saylor, the Winklevoss twins, and Brian Armstrong. FTX bankruptcy repayments also began, with recovered funds flowing back into crypto markets.

June: Circle IPO and Crypto Stock Explosion: Circle's IPO marked a watershed moment, with shares running 900% from $30 to nearly $300, demonstrating massive pent-up demand for crypto exposure in traditional markets. Weeble and other crypto-related stocks similarly exploded. The Senate passed the GENIUS Act with bipartisan support, and X launched tokenized US equities on Solana.

Summer: Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) Mania: SharpLink Gaming kicked off the DAT trend in late June, with companies raising billions to buy and stake crypto assets. This movement accelerated through July and August, with BitMine and other firms following suit. Tom Lee's involvement with BitMine added credibility. Congress held "Crypto Week" educational sessions, and the GENIUS Act was signed into law.

August-September: Ethereum's Peak and Early Warning Signs: Ethereum climbed near all-time highs above $4,800 with massive ETF inflows. However, the Fear & Greed Index hit "fear" levels despite Bitcoin trading at $108,000—an unusual signal that suggested excessive new market entrants at risk. Aster launched on BNB Chain as a Hyperliquid competitor, and Trump's World Liberty Financial token launched.

October's Record Liquidations: Bitcoin hit its all-time high of $126,000 on October 6th, followed by the largest single-day liquidation event ever—$20 billion wiped out in an hour. Despite this carnage, Solana and XRP ETFs launched and saw consistent net inflows even as prices fell 30%+. The hunt for "dead bodies" from overleveraged funds began, though no single major entity was identified.

November-December: Continued Adoption Amid Price Decline: Kalshi raised $1 billion at an $11 billion valuation, highlighting prediction market growth. Ethereum completed its Fusaka upgrade, BitMine began staking ETH, and Texas became the first US state to fund a crypto reserve with a $5 million Bitcoin purchase. Stablecoin market cap exceeded $300 billion, growing 49% year-over-year.

Key 2025 Statistics: Stablecoin market cap grew ~49% to $306 billion; on-chain payment volumes exceeded $50 trillion (double 2024's $23 trillion); nearly 200 publicly traded companies held Bitcoin (up from 100-120); crypto ETF products absorbed $46.7 billion in net inflows (versus $14 billion in 2024); prediction markets hit $40-44 billion in volume (up 400% from $9 billion).

2026 Predictions - Interest Rates and Fed Policy: TiVo predicts more than three rate cuts totaling over 75 basis points, driven by a new Fed chair with a mandate to cut. He expects the market to test the new chair, creating volatility, but believes cuts will exceed current projections of two to three.

2026 Predictions - ETF Risks and First Purchase: TiVo warns that some altcoin and leveraged crypto ETFs launching in 2026 will fail, creating cautionary tales about understanding investments. He also predicts the first disclosed government Bitcoin purchase for the strategic reserve will occur, potentially tied to 2026 midterm elections as a political catalyst.

2026 Predictions - Clarity Act and $200K Bitcoin: Bryce boldly predicts the Clarity Act will pass, establishing clear regulatory frameworks for crypto securities versus commodities. He believes this will enable major banks and fiduciaries to increase involvement substantially, driving Bitcoin above $200,000 (a 100%+ return). He also predicts consolidation, mergers, and bankruptcies among smaller DAT companies.

2026 Predictions - Turbulent First Half and Recovery: Brendan expects significant volatility in the first half of 2026 due to tariff decisions, the new Fed chair, Clarity Act proceedings, and DAT developments. He predicts banks will continue aggressive crypto adoption, stablecoins will keep growing as major US Treasury buyers, and Bitcoin will return above $100,000 with new all-time highs likely. His specific target is $177,000 for Bitcoin.

End of the Four-Year Halving Cycle: Brendan makes the controversial prediction that 2026 will be "the final nail in the coffin" for the four-year halving cycle theory. He argues that 2025's double-digit decline already contradicted the pattern, and 2026 won't follow traditional bear market expectations despite being two years post-halving.

TradFi Adopting Crypto Models: Brendan predicts traditional finance will increasingly adopt crypto-style features, particularly 24/7 trading capabilities. He notes early indications from Robinhood and NASDAQ discussions suggesting legacy markets will mimic crypto's always-on accessibility. He also expects Ethereum to outperform Bitcoin in 2026, with his target of $188,000 falling between TiVo's and Bryce's $200,000 projection.

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On Masters of Scale, iconic business leaders share lessons and strategies that have helped them grow the world's most fascinating companies. Founders, CEOs, and dynamic innovators join candid conversations about their triumphs and challenges with a set of luminary hosts, including founding host Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock partner). From navigating early prototypes to expanding brands globally, Masters of Scale provides priceless insights to help anyone grow their dream enterprise.

The science of fresh starts

Masters of Scale

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Temptation Bundling as a Change Strategy: Katie Milkman introduces the concept of "temptation bundling" - pairing activities you dread (like exercise) with guilty pleasures you crave (like audiobooks). By only allowing yourself access to the temptation while doing the chore, you transform the experience and create positive anticipation for previously dreaded activities.

The Science Behind Behavioral Change: Milkman's path to behavioral science began when she discovered that 40% of premature deaths in the United States are caused by daily behavioral choices we could change - things like diet, exercise, taking medications, and getting screenings. This realization shifted her research from pure curiosity about decision-making to applying science to save lives and improve outcomes.

Fresh Starts Provide Temporary Motivation: Research shows that temporal landmarks like New Year's Day, Mondays, birthdays, and new months create psychological "fresh starts" that boost motivation. However, these moments only provide temporary energy - they work well for one-time actions (like signing up for a 401k) but aren't sufficient alone for sustained behavior change that requires ongoing effort over time.

Seven Obstacles to Lasting Change: The main barriers to achieving goals include impulsivity (prioritizing immediate gratification), procrastination, laziness (seeking the path of least resistance), lack of confidence in one's ability to change, and conformity (being influenced by social circles). Understanding which obstacles apply to your specific situation through a "pre-mortem" - imagining what will cause failure - is essential for selecting the right solutions.

The Power of Detailed Planning: Effective planning requires specificity beyond vague intentions. Instead of "I'll exercise more," a real plan includes exact times, locations, durations, and logistics (like "Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 5pm for 30 minutes on the elliptical"). This level of detail, using "if-then" statements, significantly increases follow-through.

Making Goals Enjoyable Is Critical: Contrary to the "just push through pain" mentality, research shows that finding ways to make goal pursuit pleasant is essential for long-term success. Following the Mary Poppins principle that "a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down" is more effective than relying on willpower alone.

Breaking Down Large Goals Increases Success: The "goal gradient effect" demonstrates that people are more motivated when close to achieving a goal. Breaking yearly commitments into weekly or daily targets (like converting a 200-hour annual volunteer commitment into "4 hours per week") led to an 8% productivity increase in research with Crisis Text Line volunteers, because people could see progress more quickly.

Nudges Enable Change Without Coercion: Nudges are interventions that motivate behavior change without altering incentives or information - like prompting people to make detailed plans or changing defaults. For example, stocking your pantry with healthy snacks as the default option makes the lazy, easy path also the healthy one, since reaching for less healthy options requires extra effort.

Social Proof Drives Organizational Change: When trying to persuade others in organizations, pointing out that the majority of peers have already adopted a change is highly effective. Research shows that telling laggards "60% of your peers are already doing this" leverages conformity to overcome resistance, as no one wants to feel left out.

Reducing Friction Facilitates Adoption: When advocating for change, especially to senior leaders, making implementation as easy as possible dramatically increases success. Providing ready-made memos, pre-populated email lists, and clear execution plans removes thinking from the equation and addresses concerns about ease of execution.

Hiring in Batches Increases Diversity: Organizations can improve diversity outcomes by hiring multiple people simultaneously rather than one at a time. When evaluating candidates as a set, hiring managers naturally consider the value of diversity in the group, whereas hiring individually doesn't prompt this consideration since there's "no such thing as thinking about the diversity of an individual."

Change Is Always Harder Than Expected: People consistently underestimate the difficulty of change because we envision success scenarios while failing to anticipate obstacles and setbacks. Preparing people that setbacks are normal - not signs of personal failure - helps them adopt a growth mindset and persist through challenges rather than becoming discouraged.

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Enjoy the ride with this hilarious new Podcast as hosts (Ray Comfort, Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne, Mark Spence, and Oscar Navarro) and special guests explore the pressing questions of our day with sound theology and apologetics! We would love to hear from you. How has the podcast encouraged you? Are there any subjects you’d like the guys to cover or questions you’d like them to answer? Email us at Podcast@LivingWaters.com and you may hear your feedback and questions quoted on the next episode!

Ep. 371 - The Idol of Freedom

The Living Waters Podcast

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Western Culture's Misunderstanding of Freedom: The hosts examine how Western society defines freedom as "doing whatever you want," citing examples from people across different countries. However, Scripture defines freedom not as doing whatever you desire, but as doing what you were meant to do—glorifying God and walking in righteousness. True freedom is "freedom to" worship God, not just "freedom from" restrictions.

The Role of Law in Creating True Freedom: Ray explains that freedom is not the absence of law but requires law to prevent chaos. He uses the analogy of a football game—without rules and penalties, there would be chaos, not freedom. Similarly, God's moral law creates the framework for genuine liberty in society and individual lives, preventing murder, theft, and other destructive behaviors.

Sin as Slavery and Addiction: The hosts discuss how Jesus in John 8:34 describes sin not just as breaking God's law but as addiction and slavery. Oscar compares sin's effect on the soul to what drugs do to the body—people desire the very thing that's destroying them. Without Christ, humans are bound to serve their sinful nature willfully, but believers gain freedom from this bondage.

The Testimony of Personal Transformation: E.Z. shares his testimony of being enslaved to sexual sin before salvation, describing a pivotal moment at his family's gas station when he realized "I no longer have to do that." This revelation represented true freedom—not being forced by his sinful nature but having the power through Christ to resist temptation and function righteously.

The Danger of Self-Salvation and Legalism: Oscar explains how both antinomianism (doing whatever you want and depending on grace) and legalism (earning salvation through works) are "twins born in the same womb" of self-salvation. He uses the prodigal son story to illustrate how the Father rejected the son's attempt to become a bond servant, insisting instead on full sonship—demonstrating that God wants relationship, not our attempts to earn salvation.

Civil Freedom vs. Spiritual Freedom: The hosts distinguish between national patriotism and spiritual freedom, warning against equating American civil liberties with spiritual liberty. Ray suggests that instead of saying "we are the greatest country on earth," Americans should acknowledge that "any greatness we have is because of God's grace." You can be free in civil terms but still spiritually bound without Christ.

Biblical Liberty Within Boundaries: Discussing 1 Corinthians 6 ("all things are lawful but not all things are profitable"), Ray explains how he exercises freedom by choosing what is most important—the salvation of the lost—over other legitimate activities. True Christian freedom means having liberty to do many things but choosing what is most expedient and helpful for God's kingdom.

The Test of Private Behavior: Mark challenges listeners to examine who they really are when alone, asking what they gravitate toward when no one is watching. He references Heath Lambert's book "Finally Free," which describes the moment of true freedom as realizing you don't want to sin anymore—not because of reputation or consequences, but because you genuinely desire to please God.

The Destructive Pursuit of Modern "Freedom": E.Z. discusses how today's generation, in the name of freedom, has embraced transgender ideology and self-mutilation, predicting massive suicide rates in the future as people realize they've destroyed their lives. He emphasizes that true freedom is being your authentic self as God created you, not pretending to be something you're not.

The Motivation Behind Atheism: Ray points to his extensive experience with atheists, noting how many admit they embraced atheism not for intellectual reasons but to justify sexual immorality and pornography. This illustrates Psalm 2's description of humanity wanting to "cast away God's cords" and overthrow His sovereignty over their lives.

God's Repentance is Freedom, Not Bondage: The hosts close by pleading with listeners who may be walking away from God to return to true freedom through repentance. They emphasize that God's commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3) and that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, contrasting this with the heavy bondage of sin that masquerades as freedom.

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Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations. 
 
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Is it OK to disagree?

6 Minute English

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Based on this 6-7 minute episode, here are the key points discussed:

Societal Division and Social Media's Role: There's growing concern that society is becoming increasingly divided, with people finding it harder to communicate with those holding different opinions. Social media algorithms contribute to this by showing users content they already agree with, creating echo chambers rather than exposing them to diverse viewpoints.

The Importance of Calming Down During Disagreements: Professor Paul Dolan from the London School of Economics explains that the amygdala (the brain's emotional center) takes about 15 minutes to fully calm down when aroused by anger or strong emotions. Taking deep breaths and pausing before responding can help remove the "heat" from disagreements and lead to more productive conversations.

Strategic Use of Anger vs. Calm Discussion: While calming down is generally beneficial for making better decisions and engaging more openly, anger isn't entirely negative—it can serve as a motivational force. However, people typically communicate more effectively and remain more open-minded when they're in a happier, calmer state.

The Open-Minded Paradox in Dating: Research on dating profiles reveals an interesting contradiction: people say they want partners who are open-minded and tolerant of different views, but they themselves don't want to be very open-minded. This suggests people value tolerance in theory but struggle to practice it themselves.

Face-to-Face Interaction as the Solution: Political scientists believe the "silver bullet" to reducing societal division is simply getting offline and meeting people in person. Direct interaction with those who are different helps people realize others aren't as different as they assumed, naturally fostering greater tolerance and open-mindedness.

Alarming Statistics on Division: According to a recent Ipsos poll, 80% of the British population believes society is divided—a surprisingly high percentage that underscores the severity of the problem and the need for bridging divides through genuine human connection.

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Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.

Shakespeare's Sonnets (Archive Episode)

In Our Time

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The Sonnet Form and Shakespeare's Mastery: The sonnet emerged as an ideal poetic form naturally suited to human thought patterns, with its 14-line structure allowing poets to present a statement, develop it, introduce tension, and reach resolution. Shakespeare adapted the Italian sonnet form (8 lines + 6 lines) to the English version (three quatrains + couplet) to accommodate English's limited rhyming possibilities, achieving extraordinary compression and density of language where words work both horizontally along lines and vertically in layered meanings.

Publication History and Dating Challenges: Shakespeare's Sonnets were published in 1609 by Thomas Thorpe, but evidence suggests Shakespeare wrote them over a much longer period, possibly beginning in the 1590s. The publication came late in Shakespeare's career, during the reign of James I rather than Elizabeth, which may have affected their themes. Unlike his plays and earlier narrative poems, the sonnets were not reprinted during Shakespeare's lifetime and achieved limited commercial success initially.

The Procreation Sonnets and Transition to Love: The first 17 sonnets repeatedly urge a beautiful young man to marry and have children to preserve his beauty for future generations. Some scholars suggest these may have been commissioned by the young man's mother or served as apprentice pieces. The crucial shift occurs at Sonnet 18 ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day"), where Shakespeare declares that his poetry, rather than offspring, will immortalize the beloved.

The Fair Youth and Homoerotic Content: The majority of the 154 sonnets (approximately 1-126) are addressed to a young man, using male pronouns and expressing intense passion. This homoerotic content troubled many readers throughout history, leading to one notorious edition changing pronouns to make the beloved female. The sonnets may have been deliberately tailored to James I's court culture, where male favorites and homosocial relationships were more openly acknowledged than under Elizabeth I.

The Dark Lady and Problematic Poems: Beginning around Sonnet 127, the sequence introduces a female beloved known as the "Dark Lady," creating a triangular relationship that includes both her and the young man. These poems are notably harsh and misogynistic, describing the woman in degrading terms. Modern scholars recognize that the language of "darkness" carries racial implications often overlooked historically, given the significant Black population in early modern London and the active slave trade.

Sonnet 116 and Its Ironic Context: Though frequently used at weddings and considered a straightforward love poem, Sonnet 116 ("Let me not to the marriage of true minds") takes on different meaning in context. The poem deliberately echoes marriage service language but applies it to a union of minds between two men that the church would never sanction. The "wandering" mentioned carries connotations of infidelity throughout the sequence, making it an odd choice for wedding ceremonies.

Linguistic Density and Multiple Meanings: Shakespeare packed extraordinary meaning into simple words through puns, repetition with shifting meanings, and keywords that string poems together. For example, Sonnets 135 and 136 saturate the text with variations of "will"—referring simultaneously to Shakespeare's name, sexual desire, volition, and agency. This compression creates poems that unfold like "Japanese flowers in water," revealing new layers upon repeated reading.

Biographical Versus Fictional Debate: Scholars debate whether the sonnets reflect Shakespeare's actual life or are purely fictional dramatic exercises. The intimate, confessional tone and emotional authenticity suggest genuine experience, yet the sonnet tradition often involved fictional personae. Shakespeare's use of his own name ("will") and possible references to Anne Hathaway blur the lines between autobiography and literary convention, inviting biographical speculation while simultaneously resisting definitive interpretation.

Lust, Sex, and Anti-Transcendence: Unlike his predecessors who used earthly love as a path to spiritual transcendence, Shakespeare's sonnets remain firmly grounded in physical reality. Sonnet 129 ("Th'expense of spirit in a waste of shame") brutally depicts lust's aftermath, particularly male post-coital distress, with piled-up negative adjectives. The poems create a "panic room" of obsessive passion rather than offering spiritual elevation through love.

Poor Initial Reception and Later Rediscovery: Despite Shakespeare's enormous success as a playwright and poet (Venus and Adonis was reprinted 15 times before 1640 versus Hamlet's five), the sonnets failed commercially and weren't reprinted until 1640. They were excluded from Shakespeare's First Folio and didn't enter the mainstream canon until the 20th century, when tastes for confessional poetry and formal linguistic density finally made readers receptive to their complexity.

The Rival Poet Sequence: Sonnets addressing a "rival poet" competing for the young man's affection are among the most biographical, possibly referring to George Chapman, who was translating Homer's Iliad and claiming the ghost of Homer helped him. Sonnet 86 may contain sarcastic references to Chapman and even Christopher Marlowe, whose unfinished poem Chapman was completing while claiming Marlowe's ghost assisted him.

Queer Reception History and Cultural Impact: The sonnets became crucial to LGBTQ+ literary history, particularly through Oscar Wilde, who fantasized about a beautiful young male actor as their subject and, during his 1895 trial, compared his letter to Lord Alfred Douglas to "a little sonnet of Shakespeare's." This brought the sonnets into direct association with forbidden male intimacy, influencing 20th-century gay writers like W.H. Auden and Derek Jarman.

Formal Inconsistencies and Editorial Questions: The sequence contains puzzling anomalies—Sonnet 99 has 15 lines, Sonnet 145 is in tetrameter rather than pentameter, and some sonnets have unrhymed lines or repeated couplets. These irregularities raise questions about Shakespeare's involvement in organizing the collection and whether Thomas Thorpe published an incomplete or unauthorized manuscript.

The Sonnets' Influence on Later Poetry: Despite their restrictive form, Shakespeare's sonnets licensed tremendous experimentation by later poets. Contemporary poet Terrance Hayes wrote "American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin" in response to Trump's election, demonstrating how Shakespeare's willingness to push against the sonnet's "constrictive walls" continues to inspire poets to remake the form for new political and cultural circumstances.

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The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone.

The Thomistic Institute Podcast features the lectures and talks from our conferences, campus chapters events, intellectual retreats, livestream events,  and much more. 

Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.

Do We Make Morality, or Discover It? An Examination of the Basis of Natural Law – Dr. Erik Dempsey

The Thomistic Institute

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Modern Moral Relativism as a Cultural Crisis: The lecture begins by diagnosing the contemporary situation using Pope Benedict XVI's concept of a "dictatorship of relativism," where moral truth is seen as fundamentally subjective rather than objective. Unlike traditional skepticism about virtue or corruption, this represents a structural shift in how modern culture publicly approaches questions of right and wrong—treating them as matters of personal opinion rather than discoverable truths.

Max Weber and the Fact-Value Distinction: The German sociologist Max Weber exemplifies the modern position that reason can determine facts but not values. In his famous lecture "Science as a Vocation," Weber argued that while reason can clarify values and their logical relationships, the fundamental choice between different values rests on an act of will rather than rational judgment. This leads to what Weber called the "disenchantment of the world," where ultimate values retreat from public life into private, subjective domains.

Natural Law as Discoverable Through Reason Alone: Thomas Aquinas's natural law theory offers an alternative framework accessible to both religious and secular thinkers, as it relies on reason and nature rather than divine revelation. The natural law represents a permanent moral order knowable to all human beings regardless of historical era or cultural background, providing objective standards for right and wrong grounded in the structure of reality itself.

Practical Reason Distinct from Theoretical Reason: The core of Thomas's argument rests on recognizing practical reason as a genuine form of rationality with its own first principles, complementary to but distinct from theoretical or scientific reason. Just as theoretical reason begins with the principle of non-contradiction (something cannot both be and not be in the same way at the same time), practical reason begins with its own foundational principle about the good.

The First Principle of Practical Reason: Thomas identifies the foundational principle of practical reason as "good is that which all things seek after"—a reformulation of Aristotle's opening line in the Nicomachean Ethics. However, Thomas makes a crucial addition by transforming this from a mere description into an imperative: "good is to be done and pursued, and evil is to be avoided." This shift from indicative to imperative gives the pursuit of good not just descriptive but obligatory moral force.

Synderesis as the Inherent Moral Faculty: Thomas describes a natural habit or faculty called synderesis (closely related to conscience) that provides immediate, ineradicable awareness of the first principle of practical reason. This faculty is present in all human beings, even if not fully articulate, and represents moral awareness as something "written on the heart" rather than learned from external sources.

C.S. Lewis on the Impossibility of Deriving Ought from Is: Drawing on Lewis's "The Abolition of Man," the lecture emphasizes that one cannot derive moral imperatives (statements in the imperative mood) from purely factual premises (statements in the indicative mood). This means practical reason with its obligatory character must be recognized as fundamental rather than derived from non-moral sources—we must begin with moral obligation, not try to arrive at it from amoral premises.

Three Natural Inclinations as the Foundation of Natural Law: Thomas identifies three natural inclinations that ground specific moral precepts: (1) self-preservation, shared with all beings; (2) perpetuation of the species through reproduction, shared with animals; and (3) the distinctively human inclinations to live in society and acquire knowledge, especially about God. These inclinations are rationally recognized as having moral status, not merely instinctive drives.

The Hierarchy and Structure of Natural Ends: Human beings can recognize through reason both the obligatory character of these natural inclinations and their proper hierarchy, with the use of reason and knowledge of God representing the highest end. This natural ordering provides a structured framework for moral reasoning that exists independently of human invention or cultural convention.

Natural Law Survives Modern Scientific Challenges: The lecturer argues that neither modern scientism nor evolutionary biology has successfully debunked the claim that humans have these natural inclinations or that their minds automatically recognize certain propositions (like "society must be preserved") as having obligatory moral force. The natural law framework remains viable despite modern scientific developments.

The Ineradicability of First Moral Principles: Thomas concludes that natural law, at least in its first principles, cannot be completely erased from the human heart. This establishes a universal baseline that all human beings recognize, providing common ground for moral reasoning across different cultures and societies, even while acknowledging that specific practices may vary.

Justice as Natural Rather Than Conventional: Addressing the ancient challenge of conventionalism—the view that justice exists merely by law or convention rather than nature—the lecture argues that just as everyone recognizes self-interest as natural, a careful examination of the human heart reveals that concern for justice is equally natural and not merely a social invention or accommodation.
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A monthly reading and conversation with the New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman.

Bryan Washington Reads Yiyun Li

The New Yorker: Fiction

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Structural Mastery and Narrative Precision: Bryan Washington chose Yiyun Li's "A Small Flame" because of Li's exceptional control over structure at every level—from individual words to overall pacing. The story employs parallel timelines, moving between Bella's present-day trip to China and her past as a student in Beijing, with each structural decision serving both narrative and emotional purposes without calling attention to itself.

The Opening Scene as Character Revelation: The story begins with Bella buying all of a young girl's roses and throwing them away, only to have the girl retrieve them to sell again. This scene immediately establishes Bella's character—her frustration with narrative expectations, how she exists differently in English versus Mandarin, and her failed attempts to control situations and impose her own narratives on others.

Bella's Adoption and Fundamental Isolation: Bella was adopted as a baby into a wealthy, prestigious Beijing family after another adopted child—a deaf girl—was sent away for being imperfect. Raised without genuine love or attention, valued only for her beauty, Bella grew up feeling like a replacement, fundamentally disconnected from any real roots or genealogy, which she describes as making her like a weed whose existence matters to no one.

The Fairy Tale Paradox: Despite her privileged upbringing, young Bella desperately wanted to play the Little Match Girl—a homeless, dying child—rather than Cinderella or other aspirational characters. This desire to embody poverty and invisibility reveals her longing for something authentic in her predetermined, stable life, and her attraction to narratives of abandonment and suffering.

Ms. Chu as Unattainable Object of Fixation: As a high school student, Bella became fixated on Ms. Chu, her English teacher who was different from everyone else—hired on a temporary contract, indifferent to students, walking alone, and possessing an extraordinary but untrained voice. Ms. Chu's complete disinterest in Bella, especially compared to the adulation Bella received from others, made her irresistible.

The Power of Inaccessibility: What made Ms. Chu so important to Bella was precisely that Bella had nothing to offer her—no beauty, wealth, or status could gain Ms. Chu's attention or approval. This unattainability represented something Bella couldn't control or narrative, making Ms. Chu one of the only genuine connections in Bella's life, even though it was entirely one-sided and imagined.

Damage Versus Toxicity: Both of Bella's ex-husbands called her "toxic," yet the story reveals the various damages that shaped her—the adoption, the replacement of the deaf child, the loveless upbringing, the failed connections. Li presents a character who appears toxic on the surface but becomes more complex as we understand how she was formed by circumstances beyond her control.

The Present-Day Search and Disappointment: Decades later, during her trip to China following her second divorce, Bella discovers that Ms. Chu has become an LGBT rights activist with a new name, speaking publicly about her past abusive relationship with a woman. Rather than bringing closure, this revelation destroys Bella's carefully constructed fantasy—Ms. Chu is revealed as a real person with her own narrative, not the silent, mysterious figure Bella needed her to be.

Literary Allusions and Intertextuality: The story engages with multiple narratives—the Little Match Girl, Cinderella, D.H. Lawrence's "The Fox," and William Trevor's work (particularly the character Belle from "The Piano Tuner's Wives"). These references create layers of meaning about fairy tales, doomed love, and the ways people live through and are trapped by narratives.

The Contrast with Other Characters' Narratives: Everyone else in the story belongs to something—Peter and Adrian have each other and Adrian's genealogical quest, Bella's friend Pei Pei has her enduring marriage to their former teacher Mr. Wu (a fairy tale that frustratingly continued beyond its expected ending). Only Bella exists without roots, without a coherent narrative, caught between the idea of the Little Match Girl and her fixation on Ms. Chu.

Make-Believe as Genealogy: Bella comes to realize that "make-believe was her genealogy"—her life is constructed from fantasies and narratives she imposes on others rather than genuine connections. She romanticizes the unattainable (Ms. Chu, the deaf child she replaced) while being unable to maintain real relationships, going through two divorces and alienating friends.

The Final Image of Mutual Invisibility: The story ends with a devastating metaphor: even if Bella died and became a falling star, Ms. Chu wouldn't notice because she'd be "another girl striking matches on another street corner." Both women are trapped in their own isolated narratives of longing and loss, forever unable to truly see or reach each other, confirming Bella's lifelong pattern of wanting what she cannot have and cannot be.

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Join reality TV queen, entrepreneur and chronic over-sharer, Abbie Chatfield each week as she tackles the deep stuff - from abandonment issues and mental health to important social discourse around feminism and politics.
Plus there’s a reliable dose of sex tips, bad dating stories, and interviews with funny, clever, and wickedly cool people. For guest and topic suggestions or to submit your own Nightmare Fuel email hello@itsalotpodcast.com. Follow Abbie at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/abbiechatfield/">@abbiechatfield</a> and follow the podcast at <a href="https://bit.ly/itsalot-instagram">@itsalotpod</a> on Instagram <a href="https://bit.ly/itsalot-instagram">https://bit.ly/itsalot-instagram</a> .

ICYMI: Kayla Jade's 'Peggy Sue' NMF

It's A Lot with Abbie Chatfield

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Introduction to Peggy Sue: Sex worker and TikTok personality Kayla Jade shares a story about a regular client nicknamed "Peggy Sue," a man in a powerful CEO-type position who enjoys being dominated and pegged. She explains that men in positions of power often seek to relinquish control in the bedroom, which is why they enjoy being dominated by women. Peggy Sue loves the attention his story gets on TikTok and embraces the public ridicule as part of his submissive preferences.

The Trophy Incident: During one booking, Peggy Sue brought an actual trophy (with a base, shaft, and small figure on top) and asked Kayla to use it for anal play. Despite her initial hesitation about the sharp, pointy nature of the object, she agreed for an increased price. After carefully lubing it up and slowly inserting it while he was on all fours, she heard a concerning "clink" sound - the small figure on top had broken off inside him.

Emergency Search and Rescue: The session immediately turned from sexual to medical emergency as both panicked about the trophy figure lodged inside Peggy Sue's rectum. Kayla grabbed her phone ready to call an ambulance, but he insisted he could retrieve it himself. After about 10 minutes of him trying to fish it out with his fingers (made more difficult by all the lube), he finally managed to grab the foot of the figure and extract it.

Unexpected Reaction: After the crisis was resolved, Peggy Sue revealed that he "kind of hoped something like that would happen," suggesting the risk and danger was part of the appeal for him. The rest of the booking was understandably silent after the incident, and no further pegging occurred that day.

Ongoing Sessions and Limits: The trophy incident was a one-time occurrence, though Peggy Sue continues to push boundaries in subsequent sessions. His most recent attempt involved trying to take a replica of "Girth Master," but he could only manage the tip before reaching his physical limits, which Kayla playfully mocked in keeping with his desire for degradation.

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Family Secrets. We all have them. And while the discovery of family secrets can initially be terrifying or traumatic, often these discoveries have the power to liberate, heal, and even uplift us. Join Dani Shapiro, bestselling author of the memoir Inheritance, and her guests as they explore astonishing family secrets and uncover the extraordinary lessons the truth can teach us.

90 Miles

Family Secrets

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An Adopted Only Child in a Troubled Home: Karen Palmer, author of the memoir "She's Under Here," was adopted by Irish-American parents who had moved from New York to Los Angeles after WWII. Her father struggled with alcoholism and binge drinking, while her mother was deeply religious and unhappy in the marriage. As an only child, Karen became the focus of her mother's intense attention in an otherwise tense household.

Teenage Pregnancy and Institutional Symmetry: At age 15, Karen became pregnant in Catholic 1970s America. Her mother sent her to St. Anne's, a home for unwed mothers—the same institution where Karen herself had been born and adopted from. At 16, she gave birth to a son, held him for one hour, and relinquished him for adoption, receiving only a single Polaroid as proof he existed.

A Dangerous Age-Gap Relationship: Shortly after her father's death, 17-year-old Karen took a job where her 36-year-old boss, Gil, began what she now recognizes as grooming. Raw from grief and believing herself mature beyond her years, she mistook her trauma for sophistication. They lived together for six years before marrying when she was 22, with Gil promising to always take care of her.

Escalating Abuse Behind Closed Doors: Over their 14-year relationship, Gil's behavior progressed from petty criminality that Karen romanticized as "outlaw" behavior to serious violence. He was unfaithful, gave her venereal diseases while gaslighting her about their origins, and eventually locked her in a broom closet for hours. That confinement became a turning point—Karen realized not only that Gil didn't love her, but that she no longer loved him.

The Thunderbolt of True Love: During a family trip to LA to visit their friends Vinnie and his wife, Karen and Vinnie took a late-night walk and suddenly saw each other in a completely new light—"the thunderbolt," as Karen describes it. Despite years of friendship without romantic interest, they both realized they had to be together. They each ended their marriages, but Gil's reaction was immediate and terrifying.

Psychological Warfare Through Erasure: When Karen returned home after briefly leaving, she discovered Gil had systematically destroyed her past. He burned family photographs, cut himself out of pictures where they appeared together, and—most devastatingly for an adoptee—destroyed the single Polaroid of her relinquished son. He left a bullet on the stove as a threat, making clear his intentions were about complete erasure.

The Dynamite Incident and Police Indifference: After Karen moved 90 miles away (the legal limit without court permission), Gil escalated to attempted murder. He placed dynamite wired with a lit cigar in Vinnie's truck parked beneath the bedroom window where Karen's daughters slept. The cigar burned out before detonating, but police were unhelpful, citing lack of proof and reluctance to intervene in "domestic conflicts."

A Mother's Complicity in Kidnapping: Karen's mother allowed Gil to board a plane with seven-year-old Erin without proper supervision. At the airport, Karen handed her younger daughter Amy (age two and a half) to Gil while attending to Erin, and he simply walked away. For 10 harrowing days, Karen didn't know where her toddler was, while Gil transformed Amy's appearance by cutting her hair and dyeing it to make her look like a boy.

The Impossible Bargain: Gil returned Amy only after forcing Karen to swear she would give up Vinnie. She promised immediately, knowing she was lying, understanding that any promise made under such duress was meaningless. When Gil threatened to take the children again or kill them all if she broke her word, Karen realized they had to disappear completely.

DIY Witness Protection: With no institutional help available, Karen and Vinnie orchestrated their own disappearance. They drove east to Colorado's interior—deliberately choosing somewhere Karen had told Gil she'd never live—and settled in Boulder based on Vinnie having spent one day there years earlier. They changed their names, cashed out bank accounts, and carried their life savings in a paper bag.

Angels Among Strangers: Without identification or credit history, Karen and Vinnie relied on the kindness of remarkable strangers. A realtor who let them paint a condo in exchange for rent eventually helped them buy a house. The seller, after hearing a version of their story, agreed to carry the mortgage without documentation, sharing her own tale of recognizing someone's secret story—proving "it's a small world."

Living with Perpetual Haunting: For years, even as Karen published novels and raised her daughters to adulthood, she lived with constant fear that Gil would find them. She never revealed their real names to anyone and struggled with profound guilt about permanently taking his children away. She fantasized about some eventual reconciliation, unable to fully accept that such hopes were dangerous delusions.

The Christmas Discovery: On Christmas 2008, after the girls had surprised Vinnie with an adoption guide so he could legally adopt them as adults, Karen Googled Gil with a new search term. She discovered he had died alone in a park in Santa Maria, California. His body had initially been investigated as a homicide before being ruled natural causes. The news brought both heartbreak—her reconciliation fantasy was impossible—and tremendous relief.

Liberation Through Truth-Telling: Writing her memoir truthfully, rather than fictionalizing the story as she'd initially attempted, ultimately set Karen free. The earlier attempt to write it as a novel had caused her first mental breakdown. By committing to the truth in black and white, she finally made peace with her choices, affirming that she did what she had to do and would do it again. The book became her path to healing after decades of haunting.

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IDEAS is a deep-dive into contemporary thought and intellectual history. No topic is off-limits. In the age of clickbait and superficial headlines, it's for people who like to think.

New Year's Levee | Episodes we're working on in 2026

Ideas

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Intellectual Influencers on Social Media: Producer Naheed Mustafa explores the upside of social media through "intellectual influencers" - PhD students, researchers, and early career professors who use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to provide deep educational content. Drawing on her own experience with study groups and teach-ins that helped her understand histories of migration, colonialism, and partition, she sees these influencers as making important connections between past and present, helping younger audiences understand the cultural phenomena and historical contexts shaping their world.

Women of Labrador by Elizabeth Gaudy: Producer Pauline Holdsworth examines the first book ever published by a Labradorian author, Elizabeth Gaudy's intimate portrait of life as a trapper's wife in early 1900s Labrador. The book fills a gap in documenting the often-overlooked partnership role of trappers' wives, capturing both the isolation and contentment of this life. Gaudy's work also chronicles a period of sweeping change in Labrador, from traditional trapping life through the arrival of World War II air bases and industrial projects like Churchill Falls Dam, embodying the transformation of an entire region through one family's experience.

The Magic and Mythology of 27: Producer Chris Wadskov investigates the significance of the number 27, inspired by noticing it on jerseys of great athletes and the tragic "27 Club" of musicians who died at that age, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse. His research reveals that 27 represents a peak age in both music and sports - the median age for Olympic athletes and what baseball statisticians call the "age 27 season" when many players plateau or begin their decline, making it a genuine turning point in careers requiring peak physical performance.

Bicycling in the Snow and Long-Term Thinking: Producer Tom Howell connects climate action to a specific timeframe - the year 2081, when the "long term" begins in climate forecasts - making the urgency more concrete. His documentary explores whether winter cycling in snowy cities like Montreal is practical or foolish, a question he sees as crucial since 80% of urban driving may be unnecessary. By giving up his car and interviewing other winter cyclists, including YouTuber "Oh the Urbanity," he advocates for rethinking urban transportation, though he balances this with perspectives from those concerned about bike infrastructure's impact on local businesses.

Vocal Improvisation as Social Medicine: Tom Howell's second project profiles a PhD student at Guelph studying vocal improvisation, exploring why making up music together - popularized by Bobby McFerrin - has become a widespread cultural practice like yoga. The documentary even features politicians from different parties engaging in vocal improv together instead of debating, suggesting this practice could help address political polarization by fostering cooperation and creative collaboration beyond traditional adversarial interactions.

The Contested Meaning of Empathy: First-time contributor Pauline Dakin traces empathy's surprisingly recent history - the word only entered English in 1909 and Webster's Dictionary in 1944, evolving from German aesthetic theory about experiencing art to understanding human feelings. She explores a contemporary backlash where some conservatives describe "toxic empathy" or "suicidal empathy" as weakening society, blaming it for immigration and social policies they oppose. The documentary balances this with neuroscience showing empathy can be cultivated through programs like Roots of Empathy, which reduces bullying in schools, while acknowledging historical examples of leaders systematically turning off empathy through dehumanizing language.

The Power of Long-Form Educational Media: The episode itself demonstrates the tradition of IDEAS as a program for deep thinking and unexpected revelations, featuring hour-long explorations of topics ranging from authoritarianism to the history of toilets. Past year highlights included Leslie Jamison on empathy's complications, Julian Napoleon on letting go of ego, Charles Taylor on poetry's role in pursuing life's meaning, and Timothy Snyder on freedom requiring community support - all exemplifying the show's commitment to expanding minds and cultivating openness.

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Hledáte Funny Money, Život je bohatý, Life nebo Jak být lepší? Nově jsou samostatnými pořady. Jednoduše je vyhledejte ve své oblíbené podcastové aplikaci!

Forbes Byznys #325 - Pro politiky začaly být schodky běžné. Je prostor k růstu daní, říká ekonom Mertlík

Forbes Byznys

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- The Czech economic outlook discussed by economist Pavel Mertlík
- GDP growth projections
- Inflation and currency developments
- Government deficits and fiscal policy
- Economic challenges and opportunities

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Unable to provide a comprehensive summary. The transcript provided is incomplete and contains only fragmented words, timestamps, and speaker labels rather than the full dialogue and discussion content necessary to create an accurate summary of the podcast episode's key points and insights.
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Check us out at www.coachingingyouthhoops.com Are you a new or experienced youth basketball coach looking to cut through the noise and have someone just tell you what works? It’s easy to waste time and money learning how to coach Kindergarten through 8th-grade basketball on your own. Join seasoned youth basketball coaches Bill and Steve as they give you the blueprint you need to succeed on and off the court. In each episode, you'll discover easy-to-implement tips and techniques that you can apply to your next practice. Will Launch Weekly on Tuesday Mornings

Ep 297 How do you pick between 2-2-1 and 1-2-2 trap defense?

Coaching Youth Hoops (Youth Basketball Coach)

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Man vs. Zone and Full vs. Half Court Considerations: The first major decision when selecting a trap defense is choosing between man-to-man or zone pressure, and whether to apply it full court or half court. These foundational choices should be made before diving into specific trap formations, similar to deciding on big school vs. small school or close to home vs. far from home when choosing a college.

The 1-2-2 Press for Athletic Teams: The 1-2-2 is easier to teach and more aggressive than other zone presses because the top player is always the trapper. This formation works best when you have one standout athlete who can quickly read which direction the ball is going and get there fast. The simplicity makes it ideal for teams where you can put your best athlete up front with a clear, consistent role.

The 2-2-1 for Balanced Rosters: A 2-2-1 press is better suited for teams with more balanced talent where you don't have one dominant athlete but have smarter, more evenly-skilled players. The back player in this formation serves as a safety, making it useful when you have a bigger, less mobile player who can protect the rim. Both top players and the back player typically execute the traps.

The 1-3-1 as an Intimidation Factor: The 1-3-1 has become increasingly popular at youth levels, particularly in half court situations. It's highly effective because young players aren't strong enough to make the diagonal passes needed to beat it. When opponents see one defender followed by three across, they become intimidated and often pass into the corner where they get trapped with no escape.

Personnel Requirements for the Diamond Press: The diamond (1-2-1-1) is the most aggressive press and works well if you're already running a 1-3-1 half court defense since the rotations are similar. Use this formation when you want to trap immediately as the ball comes in, rather than letting the offense get comfortable. It requires quick decision-making and athletes who can handle aggressive positioning.

The Run and Jump for Elite Athletes: The run and jump is a man-to-man press variant that requires at least four athletic players who can anticipate and rotate effectively. Since there are only three places the ball can go from a corner trap (down the sideline, back, or middle), players must read and react quickly. Teams with five average-height athletes who can move well are ideal candidates for this system.

Strategic Timing for Pressing: At higher levels, pressing is most effective when you need to change tempo, speed up a slow game, or when trailing. In states without shot clocks, running a conservative 2-2-1 can eat up 7-8 seconds of possession time, which is as valuable as a steal. The goal isn't always stealing the ball during the trap—it's forcing rushed decisions and stealing the pass.

Default to Man-to-Man Early in the Season: When starting a new season with uncertainty about personnel, begin with man-to-man defense. This allows you to see how players develop and what their strengths are before committing to a specific zone press. Once you understand your roster better, you can transition to the appropriate trap based on the guidelines discussed.

Understanding That Trapping Isn't About Stealing on the Ball: A critical concept that young players struggle with is that effective trapping is about stealing the pass, not stripping the ball from the trapped player. Attempting to steal on the ball often results in fouls, while reading passing lanes and intercepting leads to clean turnovers and fast break opportunities.

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Dennis Prager is one of the most respected and influential thinkers, writers, and speakers in America. Each day, he tackles topics of politics, faith, and culture with ease and expertise. His motto is, "I prefer clarity to agreement.” He is deeply passionate about preserving America, the West, and the Judeo-Christian value system.
You can also <a href="https://salemnewschannel.com/host/dennis-prager/">watch Dennis Prager on Salem News Channel</a>

Timeless Wisdom: Health Happiness and Character - A Guide to New Year's Resolutions

Dennis Prager Podcasts

Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager

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The Power of Making Resolutions Despite Potential Failure: Dennis Prager argues passionately that making New Year's resolutions is worthwhile even if you eventually break them. He advocates for rejecting the "all or nothing" mentality that prevents people from trying to improve. Using examples like marriage ending in divorce or life ending in death, he contends that attempting something positive is always better than never trying at all. Even a partial success or temporary adherence to a resolution provides value and self-knowledge.

Three Categories of Meaningful Resolutions: Resolutions should fall into three important areas - health, happiness, and character (HHC). These categories encompass the most significant aspects of personal improvement, from physical well-being to emotional satisfaction to moral development. Dennis emphasizes that all three areas deserve attention and are equally important for a fulfilling life.

Moderation as the Key to Sustainable Change: A caller named Kathy shares her successful weight loss story, having lost 22 pounds over the course of a year through moderate changes. She worked with a nutritionist, focused on portion control with six small meals daily, and exercised only 2-3 times per week. Dennis highlights how her moderate approach makes success more accessible and less intimidating than extreme lifestyle changes that most people can't sustain.

The Value of Daily Journaling and Documentation: Dennis discusses the importance of keeping a diary or journal, expressing regret that he hasn't started one despite recognizing its value. He shares that his colleague Alan has maintained a daily handwritten journal throughout his adult life. The practice captures normal, everyday moments rather than just special occasions, creating a priceless record of life as it was actually lived. A caller named Susan shares that she's been writing daily for 14 years, preferring mornings when she's more upbeat.

Small Daily Actions Accumulate Into Meaningful Change: Dennis emphasizes that anything done daily or near-daily, no matter how small, accumulates into something significant over time. This principle applies to journaling, Bible reading, exercise, dietary changes, or any other positive habit. The key is consistency rather than intensity, and recognizing that small efforts compound into substantial results.

A Ten-Year-Old's Wisdom on Resolution-Making: Daniel, a 10-year-old caller, shares his three resolutions: eating healthier (specifically adding yellow squash and bell peppers), not bothering his sister, and being kinder to his dog. Dennis praises how all three resolutions ultimately benefit Daniel himself - better health, better treatment from his sister, and a happier relationship with his pet. The call demonstrates that even young people can understand and commit to meaningful self-improvement.

Reading the Bible Through Each Year as a Transformative Practice: Caller Susan reveals that seven years ago she made a New Year's resolution to read through the entire Bible each year, which she does before her daily writing. This practice centers and enriches her journal writing. Dennis celebrates this as a beautiful example of how a single New Year's resolution can become a sustained, life-enriching practice that continues for years.

Overcoming Fear Through Faith-Based Philosophy: Lois, a widow raising two teenage sons alone, shares how adopting a George Whitefield quote transformed her life: "Until the day the Lord takes me home, I am invincible. Beyond that day, nothing can keep me here." This philosophy helped her overcome fear after her husband's death and gave her the strength to view life as an adventure rather than a series of obstacles. Dennis emphasizes how attitude, not circumstances, determines happiness.

The Danger of "It's Too Late" Thinking: Dennis confesses his own failure to start a diary because for years he's thought "it's too late, I should have started when I was 20." He recognizes this as a trap that prevents positive action. By the time of this broadcast, if he had started when he first had this thought, he could have had 20 years of journal entries. He resolves on-air to finally begin, demonstrating that it's never too late to start a beneficial practice.

Sleep Deprivation as a Common Health Challenge: A caller named James discusses his chronic problem of staying up too late to enjoy alone time when his family is asleep, resulting in only 4-5 hours of sleep. Dennis relates to this issue, admitting he gets about 5.5 hours but wants to increase to 6.5 hours. Both acknowledge that medical professionals warn this can damage long-term health, highlighting sleep as an important area for health-related resolutions.

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A Geology and Earth Science Podcast. Join Chris, an award-winning geology teacher, and Jesse, a geoscience professor, in discussing the amazing features of our planet and their impact on your everyday life. No prior knowledge required. New episodes coming at you every week. Listen, subscribe, share with someone you know!

How to Identify Rocks - Rerelease

PlanetGeo: The Geology Podcast

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Classification Before Identification: The most important strategy for rock identification is to first classify the rock as sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous before attempting to name it. This approach narrows down the possibilities significantly—once you determine the rock type, you're about 85% done with identification since you're now choosing from a much shorter list of potential rock names.

Essential Field Tools: Three key tools make rock identification much easier: a hand lens or magnifying glass for examining mineral grains, a small bottle of acid for testing carbonate minerals, and a rock hammer for breaking rocks to reveal fresh surfaces. A weathered exterior can be misleading, so seeing the unaltered interior is crucial for accurate identification.

Identifying Sedimentary Rocks: Look for sedimentary structures like layering (stratification), fossils, and softer, weaker material. Use a hand lens to examine how grains are held together—if they're cemented rather than interlocking, it's likely sedimentary. Common sedimentary rocks include conglomerate, breccia, sandstone, shale, limestone, and dolostone.

Distinguishing Metamorphic Rocks: Metamorphic rocks fall into two categories—foliated (showing mineral alignment from pressure and heat) or non-foliated. Look for visible patterns created by pressure in foliated rocks. The two common non-foliated metamorphic rocks are quartzite (which has a flaky appearance on broken surfaces) and marble (which fizzes with acid like limestone).

Recognizing Igneous Rocks: If a rock isn't sedimentary or metamorphic, it's igneous. Start by examining color (light, dark, or intermediate) which indicates chemical composition, then look at texture. Fine-grained rocks cooled quickly, coarse-grained cooled slowly, and porphyritic rocks experienced two different cooling rates.

Location-Specific Research: Understanding the regional geology before your trip is invaluable. Resources like the Roadside Geology series and Geology Underfoot books organize information by location and are highly useful. Even simple Google searches about the area's geology can narrow down what rocks you're likely to encounter.

Mineral Identification Skills: Learning the 10 most common rock-forming minerals helps tremendously with identification. While you don't need to distinguish perfectly between quartz and feldspar in the field, recognizing key minerals like amphibole, biotite, and garnet can quickly indicate whether you're looking at igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks.

Structure as a Key Indicator: Examining whether a rock has centimeter-scale layering or banding helps separate sedimentary and metamorphic rocks from igneous rocks. Fine-scale internal structure generally indicates sedimentary or metamorphic origins, while lack of structure suggests igneous or non-foliated metamorphic rocks.

The Experience Factor: There's validity to the saying that "the best geologist is the person who's seen the most rocks." Building experience by examining many different rocks, visiting gravel pits for practice, and learning from more experienced geologists significantly improves identification skills over time.

Managing Expectations: Don't expect to identify every rock in the field—even accomplished geologists often need to take samples back to the lab for proper identification. Some rocks fall outside the common 25 or so rocks taught in introductory classes, and that's perfectly normal. Being honest about uncertainty is part of good geological practice.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Learn to distinguish between actual rocks and human-made materials like concrete or slag, which can be surprisingly confusing. Also recognize that many apparently unusual rocks are just common rocks with weathering patterns, oxidation, or shiny minerals like mica that make them look special.

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