The Regulation Podcast is a show about friendship and embracing absurdity. Join Andrew, Nick, Eric, Geoff and Gavin in a never-ending pursuit to make each other laugh at almost any cost. Whether it's Podcasts, Let's Plays or Anal Waxings something incredibly stupid is always happening and we'd love for you to be along for the ride. 

Are We Nostradamus 2026 // Regulation Supplemental

Regulation Podcast

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2025 Nostradamus Predictions Review: The hosts review their predictions from last year, with Jeff emerging as the winner with 2 correct predictions (GTA 6 delayed to 2026 and Dick Van Dyke turning 100). Most predictions failed, including Andrew breaking a chair, swing music returning, Robbie Williams dying, root canals, new pasta shapes (though they gave this one to Gavin for Trader Joe's square rigatoni), and various other attempts at forecasting the year.

Draft Order Randomization for 2026: Using Jeff's two correct predictions from 2025, they randomize the draft order twice, resulting in: Andrew, Jeff, Gavin, Eric, Nick. This snake draft format determines who picks first through last for their 2026 predictions, with each person making four predictions total.

Andrew's Bold Industry Prediction: Andrew leads off predicting Jack will acquire the Let's Play YouTube channel, reasoning that Warner Brothers/Netflix won't want video game content. His other picks include a regulation baby (no divorces), ANMA ending in 2026, and a two-part prediction that GTA 6 wins no critic awards and Jake Paul gets knocked out in every fight he has this year.

Jeff's Dick Van Dyke Double-Down: Jeff boldly predicts Dick Van Dyke will turn 101, essentially betting on him surviving most of 2026. His other predictions include the Boston Celtics returning to the NBA Finals, a regulation member appearing on Sloppy Joe's live cam, and pulling a one-of-one card on the Break Show.

Gavin's World Cup Manifestation: Gavin attempts to manifest England winning the World Cup for the first time since 1966, acknowledging it's a massive swing. He also predicts Trump will attempt to ban GTA 6, Andrew will see another regulation member with his own eyes (with brackets noting "attached eyes"), and subscription-based presidential pardoning will begin.

Eric's Big Lights Dream: Eric predicts "Regulation Podcast in big lights" - specifically manifesting the show appearing on a marquee in Manhattan, similar to an Achievement Hunter moment. His other predictions include ska music making a comeback (starting late summer 2026), Nick moving again, and The Simpsons announcing their final season.

Nick's Power Position Predictions: Nick has significant control over the board with predictions involving other members' actions. He predicts GTA 6 will be delayed to 2027 (with debate about whether this contradicts his 2025 correct prediction), Andrew eats an egg, the Spurs knock the Thunder out of the NBA playoffs, and Justified returns for another season.

Debate Over Prediction Validity: The group discusses whether certain predictions count, particularly around Nick's GTA 6 delay prediction potentially contradicting his previous correct guess. They also clarify specifics like whether office moves count for Nick's relocation and whether injuries versus deaths count for sports predictions.

Personal Stakes and Moral Dilemmas: Andrew finds himself with unusual power over the board's outcome, as he could theoretically control whether he eats an egg or sees another regulation member. This creates an interesting dynamic where personal choices directly affect prediction accuracy, similar to Nick's charity performance in 2025.

Sports Predictions Take Center Stage: Multiple sports predictions feature prominently, including the Celtics making the Finals, Spurs knocking out the Thunder, and England winning the World Cup. The hosts acknowledge England's World Cup prediction is the most outlandish of all picks made.

Entertainment Industry Forecasts: Several predictions focus on entertainment, including The Simpsons ending announcement, Justified returning, ANMA ending, and Trump attempting to ban GTA 6. These reflect the hosts' engagement with media industry trends and their own content creation landscape.

Honorable Mentions and Near-Picks: The hosts share predictions that didn't make the final cut, including Lenny Kravitz's anatomy making another public appearance, one zombie occurring, malls truly returning, another root canal prediction, and Jeff hitting the burger average. Gavin mentions a dark "somehow Epstein returns" prediction he chose not to put out into the world.

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Fallen angels. Ancient giants. Demons and monsters. Did giants once rule the earth? Did demigods and monsters like those of Greek mythology actually exist and were worshiped or feared by humankind? And if there’s evidence that supernatural beings are real, what does it mean for us today, for the future, and for the end of the world? Jesus said, ”As in the days of Noah, so it will be when I return.” Join brothers Luke and Pete Ohlinger as they dive into the historical, the biblical, the supernatural. The Days of Noah Podcast. Uncovering the past. Connecting the present. Discerning the future. 

All of us must choose a side in this life- Jesus Christ The Infinite, or an inferior and finite god. Choose wisely! The consequences of this choice will last for all eternity. 

#twopointfivepercent

EP 165: Church of The Occult- Lucifer, Lord of The Vatican w/ Bill Schnoebelen, Part 1

The Days of Noah

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The Jesuits as Vatican's Shock Troops and Their Occult Origins: The Jesuit order requires eight years of intensive education and functions as the Vatican's "Gestapo," taking extreme oaths of absolute obedience to the Pope. They are heavily invested in science and UFO research rather than spiritual devotion, and their training has been compared to Hermetic magical lodge instruction. The order has extensive financial investments in morally questionable enterprises including pornography and gambling, using these to generate wealth for Vatican operations.

Vatican's 1962 Enthronement of Lucifer: According to researcher Malachi Martin, the Catholic Church formally enthroned Lucifer in 1962 during a ceremony where they invited him to sit on the papal throne and declared him lord over their church. This coincided with Vatican II and marked a decisive turn toward godlessness, perversion, and looking to space and extraterrestrial life rather than Christ for salvation, particularly through Jesuit astronomy programs.

Catholic Church Built on Pagan Sites for Occult Power: The Vatican itself is constructed on an ancient pagan site, and Catholic churches worldwide are deliberately built atop previous pagan temples and sacred locations. Church hierarchy believes these locations function as "storage batteries" of spiritual energy accumulated over centuries of pagan worship, which they attempt to tap into for power rather than relying on Christ.

Aleister Crowley's Sex Magic and the Pedophilia Connection: Crowley popularized the belief that sexual activity, especially involving innocent children, generates immense occult power. He taught that the younger and more innocent the child, the greater the magical energy that could be obtained through sexual abuse. This ideology spread into Freemasonry through Crowley's high-level Masonic involvement in the 1920s, functioning as a "spiritual AIDS" that infected both Masonic lodges and Protestant churches where many clergy are Freemasons.

Pedophilia as Occult Sacrament in Vatican Hierarchy: The Vatican's pedophilia crisis is connected to beliefs in sexual vampirism and acquiring power through abusing children. High-level Catholic prelates, including popes, have participated in this practice as a "dark sacrament" to supposedly prolong life and enhance magical power. Pope John Paul II was reportedly known as a pedophile in his native Poland before becoming pope, demonstrating how this corruption flows from the top down through spiritual headship.

Royal Family and Vatican Working Together in Satanism: The British monarchy, particularly Queen Elizabeth II and the current royals, are deeply involved in similar occult practices and pedophilia. Queen Elizabeth was allegedly connected to the disappearance of indigenous Canadian children, with a warrant issued for her arrest in Canada. The Vatican and British Crown represent two giant empires working in conjunction, both corrupted by Satanism and sexual perversion at the highest levels.

Freemasonry's Infiltration of Protestant Churches: Approximately 40% of Southern Baptist pastors are Freemasons, along with significant percentages in Episcopal, Lutheran, and Methodist denominations. Masonic symbolism is fundamentally sexual, and the organization serves as a conduit for spreading occult corruption throughout Christianity. One pastor was immediately fired for allowing anti-Masonic preaching, demonstrating Freemasonry's powerful grip on church leadership.

Generational Curses Through Masonic Involvement: Freemasonry in family lines creates spiritual curses that pass down through generations, affecting descendants who may be unaware of their ancestors' involvement. The sins of Freemason fathers are visited upon children to the third and fourth generation, creating ongoing spiritual bondage and problems that families cannot understand without recognizing this root cause.

Crowley's Portal Opening and the 1960s Occult Explosion: Jack Parsons (rocket scientist and JPL founder) and L. Ron Hubbard performed the "Babylon Working" ritual in the California desert in the 1950s, attempting to open a dimensional portal through sex magic. Shortly after, Parsons died in an explosion, but the ritual allegedly unleashed demonic forces that directly led to the 1960s drug revolution, sexual revolution, and explosion of occult practices among young people.

UFOs and ETs as Vatican's New Salvation: Beginning with the 1947 UFO phenomenon, Jesuits shifted focus from Christ's return to believing salvation would come through extraterrestrial contact. They identify Lucifer with Venus and look to the stars rather than Jesus. The Vatican's astronomers actively promote the idea of "ET space brothers," representing a fundamental replacement of Christian eschatology with alien contact theology.

Children as Portals for Demonic Entities: Occultists believe children's innocence makes them ideal channels for contacting dark spiritual beings. Through sexual abuse, particularly during climactic moments, practitioners attempt to open dimensional portals and establish connections with what they call "superhuman intelligences" or "preternatural beings." This explains the systematic nature of ritual abuse in both satanic and institutional religious contexts.

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Former drug trafficker and standup comedian Johnny Mitchell takes you inside the world of drugs, crime, prison, and the politics of the War on Drugs.

California's Most SAVAGE Prison Gang: A Shot Caller Exposes His Life BANGING For NUESTRA FAMILIA

The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell 

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Salinas: The Epicenter of Northern California Gang Culture: Spider grew up in Salinas, California, which he describes as more dangerous than LA on a per capita basis—91% more violent than any other American city despite having only 170,000 residents. The city became a gang hub due to its proximity to two prisons (Soledad and Salinas Valley) and its position as the "salad bowl of the world," attracting migrant workers whose families brought gang culture from Southern California, creating constant territorial conflicts with the established Northern structure.

From Elite Athlete to Gang Soldier: Despite excelling in sports and having potential for Division I athletics, Spider was drawn to gang life through family ties and neighborhood culture. His uncles were all gang members, and though he initially focused on sports and socializing, he eventually committed fully to the streets, telling friends he'd do "10 years flat" for the hood—a statement that would prove prophetic.

The Attempted Murder Case and 18-Year Sentence: On January 5, 2000, Spider allegedly shot three rival gang members in broad daylight with a .22 semi-automatic, putting eight bullets into them. Initially facing 112 years, his lawyer negotiated down to 18 years and 4 months by threatening to force hospitalized victims to testify. Spider accepted the deal, viewing it as manageable compared to life in prison, and committed to serving his time "with honor."

Immediate Introduction to Prison Warfare: Spider's first yard experience at Salinas Valley in 2001 was baptism by fire—a massive riot against white inmates on only his third day out. Two white inmates were stabbed 30 and 70+ times respectively in organized violence where Spider was assigned specific targets. This riot set the tone for his entire 18-year prison career, which would be defined by constant warfare and lockdowns.

Stabbing His Cellmate in Single-Cell Combat: Spider's most harrowing act was stabbing his cellmate in their cell after learning the man had bad paperwork (sexual offense charges and snitching). He woke the man at 4:45 AM and attacked him for 40+ minutes in brutal hand-to-hand combat, taking breaks to drink water and eat Snickers bars. The weapon broke, so he resorted to beating him. A Sureño porter cleaned the crime scene, and the victim never told authorities—Spider had threatened his family—resulting in no charges.

The 100-vs-4 Riot That Made Him Legendary: In 2010, Spider and three other Norteños faced approximately 90-100 Black inmates in a massive yard riot. Despite being outnumbered 25-to-1, the four Norteños sent 11 Black inmates to the hospital. Spider was shot three times by guards during the riot, including once in the back that caused nerve damage (Renault syndrome) leaving him unable to walk for months. This riot earned him the nickname "Northern Spartan" and massive respect from both inmates and correctional officers.

Smuggling Empire Built on Guard Corruption: Spider built an extensive contraband operation by leveraging childhood connections with correctional officers from Salinas. Guards brought him cell phones (worth $1,000-$10,000 each), cigarette cartons (individual cigarettes sold for $25-30), PlayStations, iPads, computers, and even home-cooked meals from the streets. He never paid for most items—friends and former classmates working as COs provided them out of respect for his reputation.

Strategic Violence and Political Maneuvering: Spider operated as both warrior and politician, always consulting with leadership and fellow soldiers before major moves. When rivals within his own organization plotted against him, he orchestrated their downfall by manipulating them into attacking each other, causing them to roll up (check into protective custody) without him directly touching them. He described becoming "the chessboard" rather than just playing chess.

The Seven-Year War with White Inmates: Spider's prison career included a sustained seven-year conflict with white inmates, one of many prolonged wars he experienced. He emphasizes that California prison politics create three "superpowers": Sureños (Southerners), Norteños (Northerners), and whites, with Norteños from Salinas being the most disciplined and structured organization, operating with military-like unity and purpose.

Avoiding Drugs to Maintain Mental Edge: Unlike many prisoners, Spider never used drugs in prison, viewing drug addiction as weakness that compromises control over one's body and mind. While his organization profited from drug sales (heroin and crystal meth being top sellers), Spider maintained strict personal discipline, believing that staying clear-headed was essential to survival and eventually making it home alive.

The Reality of Prison Riots and Stabbing Culture: Spider participated in four major riots and stabbed numerous people throughout his sentence. He explains that stabbing someone can take mere seconds—he once put 12-15 holes in someone in under 10 seconds. Riots provide cover for violence, as individuals rarely face prosecution if no weapon is found. He emphasizes he never stabbed anyone who "didn't deserve it" and maintained his reputation by never being stabbed, knocked out, or victimized himself.

The Super Minority: Surviving 18 Years in Level 4: Spider estimates less than 10% of inmates doing 20+ years in California's Level 4 (maximum security) prisons maintain their standing without dropping out, getting killed, or being forced into protective custody. The combination of constant warfare, political backstabbing, and psychological pressure breaks most men within 10 years, making those who complete full sentences in good standing exceptionally rare.

Validation and Release Through Legal Changes: Spider remained unvalidated as a gang member for nearly 15 years despite obvious activity, finally getting validated around 2014 for attempted murder related to internal politics. He benefited from 2015 legal reforms that released SHU (Security Housing Unit) inmates and provided milestone credits for programming. He completed his nearly full 18-year sentence and was released without incident, surprising himself that no authorities were waiting to arrest him for other incidents.

Return to Salinas and Life After Prison: Despite having options to relocate, Spider deliberately returned to Salinas to raise his twin son and daughter. Now 47, he maintains discipline through fitness, stays in good standing with Nuestra Familia as a respected veterano (though no longer active), and has opportunities including potential script deals with Warner Brothers and Blair Media. He carries lasting PTSD and hypervigilance but has found peace, stating his time behind walls, while brutal, made him the man he is today.
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Charlie is America's hardest working grassroots activist who has your inside scoop on the biggest news of the day and what's really going on behind the headlines. The founder of Turning Point USA and one of social media's most engaged personalities, Charlie is on the front lines of America’s culture war, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of students on over 3,500 college and high school campuses across the country, bringing you your daily dose of clarity in a sea of chaos all from his signature no-holds-barred, unapologetically conservative, freedom-loving point of view.
You can also <a href="https://salemnewschannel.com/host/charlie-kirk/">watch Charlie Kirk on Salem News Channel</a>

Why Is Europe Choosing To Replace Itself?

The Charlie Kirk Show

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The Long 20th Century and 2016 as a Watershed Moment: Dr. James Orr argues that the "long 20th century" defined by left-right politics ended in 2016 with Brexit and Trump's election. This marked a fundamental shift toward national conservatism and politics organized around national interest rather than the traditional left-right spectrum that had dominated from 1914 to 2016.

The Failure of Liberal Universalism: The liberal project is fundamentally flawed because it assumes humans are blank slates born without unchosen obligations, when in reality people are naturally rooted in family, place, and nation. Orr illustrates this by having students recognize they all think their own mother and country are the best—a natural disposition that liberalism tries to suppress.

Europe's Post-War Decline and the EU's Democratic Deficit: After initial post-WWII prosperity, Europe has become "an open air museum" characterized by loss of national identity, a technocratic EU parliament that moves between Brussels and Strasbourg for 100 million euros annually, and democratic institutions that citizens don't even know exist—most couldn't name their own MEP.

Britain's Immigration Crisis Despite Brexit: One in 27 people in Britain arrived in the last five years, despite the 2016 Brexit vote being explicitly about controlling borders. The first 25 years of this century saw 12-15 million immigrants—four to five times more than arrived in Britain's first thousand years of history.

Three Explanations for Mass Immigration: Europe continues importing populations incompatible with Western values due to: (1) post-colonial guilt and a desire for secular atonement, (2) economic dogma about maintaining GDP growth despite demographic collapse, and (3) the liberal myth that anyone can become anything—a kind of "transnationalism" parallel to transgenderism.

Islam's Incompatibility with the Nation-State: Islamic political theology has difficulty incorporating concepts of the secular public square or separation between mosque and state. Islam's commitment to the global ummah over particular nations makes assimilation difficult—more British Muslims fight for ISIS than serve in Britain's armed forces.

The Rainbow-Crescent-Star Coalition: The modern left is held together by an alliance between progressivism (Rainbow), Islam (Crescent), and socialism (Star). While seemingly contradictory, movements like "Gays for Gaza" make sense because they share a common hatred of the West and plan to destroy it before turning on each other.

Nigel Farage and the Rise of Reform UK: Reform UK, Nigel Farage's party, has surged to 30% support, making it potentially the first third party in 100 years to break Britain's political duopoly. Orr predicts Farage will become the next Prime Minister as the Conservative Party faces possible extinction at 15% support.

The Erosion of Free Speech in Britain: Thirty people per day are arrested in Britain for speech offenses, including "non-crime hate incidents." Police spend time "policing tweets, not streets." A man was arrested for silently praying in his head outside an abortion clinic, exemplifying how far speech restrictions have gone.

Free Speech as Downstream of Religious Freedom: Free speech emerged historically from Christian demands for freedom of religion in the Roman Empire, not purely from Athenian democracy. The concept only makes sense in societies with shared norms and conventions—mass demographic change has dissolved those common understandings.

Common Law Versus European Rights-Based Systems: Britain's traditional common law approach discerns justice from the bottom up through concrete cases, while Europe's abstract rights-based codes attempt universal application. The rights framework is intentionally confusing and makes it impossible to determine objective justice when conflicting rights claims emerge.

The European Union's Rejection of Christian Identity: In 2004, the EU constitution debates deliberately excluded any mention of Christianity despite acknowledging Greece, Rome, and Enlightenment inheritances. This rejection of Europe's actual historical foundation contributed to the continent's loss of coherent identity.

JD Vance and the Politics of National Preference: Vice President JD Vance exemplifies the new right's approach by reflexively filtering every policy question through the lens of national interest rather than abstract ideology. His questioning why America bears the burden of Suez Canal security when Europe benefits more demonstrates this nationalist realism.

Signs of Religious Revival Among Young Britons: Despite historically low church attendance, belief in God among 18-35 year olds has tripled in the last five years, and Bible purchases have increased 87% over four years, suggesting a potential spiritual awakening among younger generations responding to secular materialism's failures.

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For thousands of years, Kabbalists have been studying on a daily basis for their and humanity's spiritual progress. Continuing this tradition into today's globally connected world, the Bnei Baruch Kabbalah Education & Research Institute, studies daily from authentic Kabbalistic sources, with commentary by Dr. Michael Laitman. (Audio)

11 Jan 26 16:09 UTC; Baal HaSulam. The Teaching of the Kabbalah and Its Essence

Daily Kabbalah Lesson (Audio)

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The Purpose of Creation Through Personal Connection: The lesson emphasizes that the goal of creation is to feel the Creator as tangibly as one feels a friend - not merely to believe in the Creator, but to achieve actual, palpable sensation. This represents a revolutionary approach in Kabbalah, as previous teachings focused on belief rather than direct experiential attainment. The purpose is to bestow contentment upon the Creator and achieve adhesion with the divine quality of bestowal.

Understanding "Above" and "Below" in Spiritual Terms: The concepts of "above downward" and "below upward" don't refer to physical directions but to proximity to the quality of bestowal. "Above" means closer to the Creator's quality of pure bestowal, while "below" means distance from it. The cascade from above downward describes how the Creator's light gradually diminished through restrictions until the corporeal world was formed, while the ascent from below upward represents humanity's spiritual development back toward the Creator.

The Revolutionary Nature of Baal HaSulam's Teaching: Baal HaSulam was revolutionary in making Kabbalah accessible to everyone, not just spiritual elites. He emphasized that spiritual progress depends on changing one's intention rather than performing physical actions. This was unprecedented - while religions focused on rituals and commandments, he taught that spirituality is about transforming egoistic intentions into intentions to bestow, which was a radical departure from traditional religious approaches.

The Cascade from Above Downward: Creation follows a complete system where light gradually restricts itself through multiple degrees until reaching the corporeal world with physical creatures at the bottom. This descent occurred before humanity existed and represents the framework within which spiritual work becomes possible. Understanding this structure helps orient students toward the purpose of their existence and the path of spiritual development.

The Ascent from Below Upward Requires Personal Participation: Unlike the cascade from above downward, which can be studied intellectually, the ascent from below upward demands active personal involvement. This ascent represents climbing the spiritual ladder by transforming one's intention from receiving to bestowing. A person advances according to their equivalence of form with each spiritual degree, and this process cannot happen without individual effort and participation.

The Difficulty of Grasping Spiritual Concepts: Spiritual attainment is compared to trying to understand a foreign culture - even reading about it doesn't give true understanding without direct experience. Concepts like "faith above reason" and spiritual degrees remain abstract until one actually experiences them. This is why the reforming light is essential - it transforms a person's vessels (desires) so they can actually perceive spiritual reality rather than just intellectually conceptualize it.

The Reforming Light as the Central Force: The reforming light is identified as the most important principle in Kabbalah study. It's the only force capable of changing one's intention from receiving to bestowing. All activities - studying source texts, working in a group of ten, following a teacher - serve the purpose of drawing this reforming light. Without it, transformation is impossible, as one cannot lift oneself out of ego by one's own efforts.

The Role of the Group of Ten: The ten (small study group) serves as the primary environment for spiritual work. While the ultimate goal involves all of humanity, practical work focuses on the ten because it provides mutuality - friends who share the same spiritual goals and can work together with common intention. One shouldn't try to apply spiritual work with family or colleagues who don't share these aspirations; the ten is specifically designed for this spiritual laboratory.

Intention Over Action: The wisdom distinguishes itself from religious practice by emphasizing that physical actions don't advance spiritual development - only changing intention matters. While religions focus on performing rituals and commandments with rewards and punishments, Kabbalah teaches that spirituality depends entirely on developing the intention to bestow. This shift from action to intention places responsibility directly on internal transformation rather than external compliance.

The Challenge of Measuring Intention: Students are challenged to examine what intention they actually hold during study - a difficult question since intention is elusive and constantly shifting. Most people can only hold a spiritual intention for seconds at most. This difficulty underscores why the group, source texts, and teacher are essential - no individual can maintain proper intention alone without this supporting environment.

Dealing with Ego in the Group: When connection fails in the ten, it's because the ego has grown in each person. This is normal and part of the process - the Creator separates people so they'll turn to Him for help. The solution involves continuing to try, consulting with instructors, holding meetings to strengthen connection, and drawing more reforming light through study. Breaking apart is not the solution; patient, persistent work to repair connections is required.

Balancing Multiple Elements of the Path: Students often ask whether to focus on the Creator or the friends, on dissemination or the ten. The answer is "both" - like a balanced diet needing proteins and carbohydrates, or aiming a rifle using both front and rear sights. One aims toward the Creator through the scope of the friends. All elements work together: books, teacher, group, and broader community each play necessary roles in drawing the reforming light.

Physical Connection at Conventions: The upcoming congress in Israel (February 19-21) is strongly emphasized as an opportunity for physical gathering. Conventions create powerful emotional experiences where spirituality feels tangible and within reach. These intense shared experiences help sustain students through less powerful states. The preparation period before a convention is considered even more important than the event itself, as it builds the vessel for receiving spiritual illumination.

Realistic Expectations for Worldly Relationships: Students are advised not to try applying the intention to bestow with family members or coworkers who don't share spiritual goals. First, one must develop spiritual "muscles" within the protected environment of the ten. Only after gaining sufficient strength through this practice can one gradually extend spiritual attitudes to the broader world. Meanwhile, one should relate normally to family and work, fulfilling responsibilities while focusing spiritual work within the appropriate framework.

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

Examining the Leo Frank Trial w/ Tyler Janke Esq. - Complete

The Pete Quiñones Show

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Leo Frank Case Background and Arrest: In 1913, 13-year-old Mary Fagan was murdered at the National Pencil Factory in Atlanta, where Leo Frank, a 29-year-old Jewish superintendent from Brooklyn, was the last person known to see her alive. Frank was arrested not because of his religion—Jews were well-integrated in the South at that time, with some even owning slaves—but because he was one of only two people with opportunity to commit the crime. The other suspect was Jim Conley, a Black janitor at the factory.

Evidence Against Frank and His Suspicious Behavior: Frank displayed extremely nervous behavior when questioned by police, couldn't hold items steady, and initially claimed not to know Mary Fagan despite multiple interactions with her. He tried to frame multiple people, including the night watchman Newt Lee by planting a bloody shirt and altering time cards, white employee James Gantt, and ultimately Jim Conley. His failure to immediately blame Conley (the most obvious scapegoat in 1913 Georgia) suggested he couldn't risk Conley revealing their arrangement.

Jim Conley's Testimony and Role: Conley testified that Frank had paid him to watch out while Frank brought girls into his office, using a foot-tap signal system. On the day of the murder, Conley heard a scream, and Frank later asked him to help dispose of the body and write misleading notes, offering $200 (over a month's salary for Conley). Conley's testimony held up through 16 hours of cross-examination by top attorneys. His presence at the scene and subsequent behavior contradicted the idea that he was the murderer—he stayed around rather than fleeing.

The Trial's Fairness and Black Testimony: The four-week trial was the longest in Georgia history at that time. Remarkably for 1913 Georgia, Black men like Jim Conley and Newt Lee were allowed to testify extensively against a white man—something that had been virtually unprecedented. Five Jews served on the grand jury that indicted Frank, two of whom were members of his own B'nai B'rith society. This contradicts claims that anti-Semitism drove the prosecution.

Frank's Defense Strategy Backfires: Frank's attorneys made critical errors, including having him give a lengthy, rambling unsworn statement (avoiding cross-examination) where he bored the jury with accounting details. They introduced character witnesses to establish Frank's good reputation, which legally opened the door for the prosecution to present rebuttal evidence of Frank's misconduct—including testimony from factory girls about his inappropriate behavior, voyeurism, and sexual advances.

The Massive Financial Campaign: Frank's supporters spent between $25-28 million in today's money on his defense and appeals. This included hiring the Pinkerton Detective Agency and other investigators who ultimately testified for the prosecution because the evidence against Frank was so strong. Money was used to attempt to change testimony and create false affidavits, with some witnesses later admitting to perjury.

Thirteen Appeals All Failed: Frank's case went through 13 appeals to various courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, all of which were denied. The appeals claimed mob intimidation prevented due process, but courts found no evidence of anti-Semitic mob rule affecting the trial. Even dissenting justices like Oliver Wendell Holmes only expressed mild concerns about crowd atmosphere, not substantive legal errors. Notably, Frank's absence from the courtroom during the verdict reading—which his own attorneys waived—became an appeal issue but was dismissed.

The Northern Press Campaign: Advertising mogul Albert Lasker led a massive Northern press campaign to portray Frank as a victim of Southern anti-Semitism, despite privately calling Frank "a pervert and a disgusting individual." Adolph Ochs of the New York Times and financier Jacob Schiff joined the effort. The campaign dramatically misrepresented the case, creating a narrative of religious persecution that didn't exist in the original trial record or contemporary Southern reporting.

Tom Watson's Detailed Rebuttals: Georgia populist attorney and publisher Tom Watson systematically dismantled the Northern press narrative in his publications. Watson, who had previously defended Jews and was primarily anti-Catholic, only turned against the Jewish community after what he saw as Northern aggression trying to overturn a legitimate Georgia conviction. His detailed legal analysis exposed factual errors in the Northern press coverage and showed Frank could have requested a change of venue if mob rule was truly a concern.

Governor Slayton's Suspicious Commutation: Georgia Governor John Slayton commuted Frank's death sentence to life imprisonment in 1915, despite acknowledging in his report that there was no legal error, sufficient evidence existed, and no anti-Semitic mob had influenced the trial. Slayton had merged law firms with Frank's defense attorney Luther Rosser, and Jacob Schiff had offered Georgia a $139 million loan around the time of the commutation. After the decision, Slayton was offered positions including potential Supreme Court nomination and vice-presidential consideration, then reportedly fled to New York and toured the world on his benefactors' money.

The Lynching and Its Aftermath: A group of men broke into the prison where Frank was held and lynched him in Marietta, Mary Fagan's hometown. The New York Times had predicted a lynching seven months earlier, mentioning an anonymous group called the "Knights of Mary Fagan," but this group likely never existed as an actual organization. The lynching may have been seen as necessary by some because Frank, now with a life sentence, could still potentially receive future pardons or commutations, given the money and influence behind him.

Birth of the ADL from a Guilty Man's Case: The Anti-Defamation League was formed out of Frank's B'nai B'rith chapter, using his case as its founding narrative despite the lack of anti-Semitism in the actual trial. The ADL's own promotional materials claim they fight "all forms of prejudice," yet the organization was created specifically because a Black man's testimony was believed over a Jewish man's—hardly a sign of anti-Semitism. The case became a tool for claiming victimhood and establishing institutional power.

The 1986 Pardon's Carefully Worded Language: In 1986, Georgia's Board of Pardons issued a posthumous pardon for Frank, but explicitly stated they were "without attempting to address the question of guilt or innocence." The pardon was granted solely because the state failed to protect Frank from lynching, not because of any doubt about his conviction. This crucial distinction is routinely omitted when the ADL and others cite the "pardon" as vindication.

Manufactured Evidence Decades Later: In 1982, Alonzo Mann, who had testified as a 13-year-old boy at the trial, claimed in his 80s that he had seen Jim Conley carrying Mary Fagan's body. However, Mann's new story was contradictory and implausible—he claimed Conley threatened to kill him and his family, yet Conley was arrested on May 8th and imprisoned throughout the trial. The story emerged after decades of ADL pressure for exoneration and appears to be the testimony of a senile man manipulated by his attorneys.

Historical Hoaxes and Fabrications: Multiple claims about the Frank case that appear in later books and ADL materials cannot be found in any contemporary sources. These include the phrase "kill the Jew or we'll kill you" as a mob chant (first appearing in a 1965 book) and claims about bite marks on the victim's body. The "Knights of Mary Fagan" group that allegedly formed the second KKK was likely a media invention, as the KKK's second founding was actually inspired by the film "Birth of a Nation."

The South's Reaction Created Real Anti-Semitism: Before the Frank case, Jews were well-integrated into Southern society with no significant anti-Semitism evident. The aggressive Northern campaign to overturn a legitimate conviction, the massive spending to corrupt witnesses, and the portrayal of Southerners as backward anti-Semites actually created anti-Jewish sentiment that hadn't existed before. As Tyler Janke notes, the Jewish community "overplayed their hand" and inadvertently generated the very prejudice they later claimed had motivated Frank's conviction.
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Everything you need to know about your world in 10 minutes. Go straight to the source with a ten-minute news briefing by Reuters frontline journalists. Join host Kim Vinnell as she takes you around the world every weekday.

Iran, Cuba and Golden Globes

Reuters World News 

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Iran Threatens Retaliation Amid Escalating Protests: Iran is warning the U.S. and Israel of strikes against American bases and Israeli territory if Washington attacks, as anti-government demonstrations intensify across the country. Iran's parliamentary speaker declared these would be "legitimate targets" following President Trump's pledge to support protesters. Israel is on high alert, with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussing the situation. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists news agency reports at least 116 deaths since protests began in late December.

Ukraine Conducts Major Drone Strike on Russian City: An overnight Ukrainian drone attack hit Voronezh in southern Russia, killing at least one woman and injuring three others. The strike damaged over 10 apartment buildings, private homes, a school, and government offices, with regional authorities calling it one of the heaviest drone attacks on the city since the war began. The attack came after Russia fired a hypersonic missile near the Ukraine-Poland border.

Deadly Bushfires Devastate Southeast Australia: Human remains have been discovered in Victoria as catastrophic bushfires sweep through southeast Australia, destroying hundreds of buildings, cutting power to thousands, and scorching over 350,000 hectares. Authorities are calling this the region's worst fire emergency since the deadly "black summer" blazes of 2019-2020, with dozens of fires still burning and containment expected to take weeks.

Japan's Prime Minister Signals Snap Election: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is hinting at an early election, possibly as soon as February, which would be her first national test since taking office. Markets are already reacting with the yen slipping, and critics warn the timing could derail a massive budget designed to shield families from inflation.

U.S. Banking Sector Expects Strong Fourth Quarter Earnings: Major banks including JPMorgan, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup will report earnings this week, with analysts expecting blowout results. The strong performance is attributed to robust deal-making activity in 2024, driven by the Trump administration's more lenient approach to antitrust regulations and lower borrowing costs as the Fed cuts interest rates.

Grateful Dead Founder Bob Weir Dies at 78: Bob Weir, founding member and rhythm guitarist of the Grateful Dead, has died from underlying lung complications after being diagnosed with cancer in July. He was one of the band's two frontmen, known for singing on "Truckin'" and writing classics like "Sugar Magnolia" and "Jack Straw."

Trump Blocks Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Revenue: President Trump signed an emergency order preventing courts and creditors from seizing Venezuelan oil revenue held in U.S. Treasury accounts. The White House says the funds must remain under Venezuelan control for economic and political stabilization, blocking companies owed billions including Exxon and ConocoPhillips from accessing the money.

CIA Report Reveals Cuba's Economic Crisis: The CIA is warning that Cuba's economy is in dire condition, with blackouts lasting up to 20 hours daily and key sectors like energy and tourism collapsing. However, CIA reports were inconclusive on whether the deteriorating economy would destabilize the government. The island faces a critical shortage of oil after reduced supplies from Venezuela, with no plans from Mexico to increase shipments and Cuba lacking hard currency to purchase fuel elsewhere.

Golden Globes Kicks Off Hollywood Awards Season: The Golden Globes ceremony, hosted by Nikki Glaser, marks the first major stop on the road to the Oscars with tonight's winners potentially shaping the awards season. Key races include best actor in a musical or comedy featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. "One Battle After Another," starring DiCaprio as a washed-up revolutionary trying to save his daughter, leads with nine nominations and is described as an offbeat film with dark comedy elements.

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The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

NPR News: 01-11-2026 11AM EST

NPR News Now

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Minneapolis ICE Shooting Sparks Nationwide Protests: Minnesota officials are calling for peaceful demonstrations as protests intensify following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Goode by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last Wednesday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agent's actions, claiming Goode weaponized her vehicle against the officer, while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry criticized federal handling of the investigation. About 500 demonstrations are expected nationwide under the banner "Ice out for Good," with public anger fueled by the Trump administration's immediate blaming of the victim.

Massive Immigration Enforcement Operation in Twin Cities: The Department of Homeland Security is deploying hundreds of additional officers to the Twin Cities area in what officials are calling the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted. The escalation comes amid growing tensions between federal immigration authorities and local officials, with the FBI leading the investigation into the shooting without local assistance.

Trump's Venezuela Oil Plan Meets Industry Resistance: President Trump's efforts to convince U.S. oil executives to invest in rebuilding Venezuela's oil industry have hit obstacles, with Exxon's CEO declaring the country "uninvestable" at this time. Despite Trump's claims that companies are ready to spend $100 billion or more, the country's deteriorated infrastructure following nationalization 20 years ago and the expulsion of American oil companies presents significant challenges.

U.S. Launches Syria Airstrikes in Retaliation: The United States conducted airstrikes in Syria as retaliation for the killing of three Americans last month, marking an escalation in regional military tensions.

Wildlife Poisoning in Kenya's Amboseli National Park: Two people have been arrested in Kenya for allegedly poisoning six lions and 34 vultures in Amboseli National Park using a deliberately laced cow carcass. The incident highlights a surge in human-wildlife conflict across Kenya and Tanzania, with more than 44 people killed last year due to increased interaction caused by severe drought and urbanization encroaching on natural habitats.

Iran Threatens U.S. and Israel Amid Domestic Unrest: Iran's parliament speaker warned that the U.S. and Israel would be "legitimate targets" if they strike Iran, as hundreds are reported killed or wounded during recent anti-government protests in Tehran and other cities. The Iranian government has shut down internet and phone lines, making it difficult to verify the extent of the protests, while President Trump and the State Department have expressed support for the protesters.

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A weekly show on everything from sports to lifestyle trends to women in business and more! Join your hosts Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman and Shavonnah Roberts Schreiber every Sunday morning at 8 am on ESPN 97.5 & 92.5!

Ep. 90 - Culture Club HTX

Culture Club HTX

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NFL Viewership Hits New Heights: The NFL's regular season viewership reached 18.7 million viewers per game, the highest since 1989, proving that live football remains king despite streaming competition from Netflix and YouTube. The season's excitement came from unpredictable outcomes and close games across the board, with playoff matchups featuring different teams than the usual suspects, keeping audiences engaged throughout.

College Football's Bowl Game Challenges: The college football landscape is experiencing growing pains with an overwhelming number of bowl games, many with low attendance and obscure names. The 12-team playoff system saw all top four teams lose, raising questions about whether expansion to 16 teams makes sense. The transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals are creating chaos, with players transferring frequently and teams struggling to maintain stability needed for winning seasons.

Texas Bowl Continues Strong Success: The Texas Bowl remains one of the few bowl games consistently selling out, drawing 63,867 attendees and outperforming most other bowl games post-COVID. The success comes from smart strategic decisions including securing Texas teams for the game, proximity that encourages travel during holidays, and favorable Houston weather compared to other bowl locations.

Digital Marketing Trends for 2025: Astounds Digital Marketing outlined 10 crucial trends for Houston businesses, emphasizing that generic AI content fails while strategic AI with human input succeeds. Key insights include content ecosystems beating random blog posts, Google Business profiles being as important as websites for local search, authentic faces outperforming polished stock photos, and revenue being the only metric that truly matters for business decisions.

The Astounds Blast Launch: A new marketing service launching that automatically creates, optimizes, and publishes content across 300+ platforms including news sites, blogs, YouTube, podcasts, and social media. The service transforms one topic into eight different formats and uses AI-powered content generation built on 15 years of proven strategies, addressing the challenge of maintaining consistent presence across multiple channels while running a business.

Barbara Bush Foundation's $1 Million Impact: The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation transformed all 40 Houston-Harris County libraries by adding kid zones with free play spaces, books, and learning spots. The initiative, timed for Barbara Bush's 100th birthday in June 2026, was funded by partnerships including Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, PNC Foundation, and the Ladies for Literacy Guild, providing crucial literacy support for families before kindergarten.

ReelAbilities Film Festival Celebrates Inclusion: Houston's 14th annual ReelAbilities Film and Arts Festival runs January 18th through February 26th, featuring films, music, arts exhibitions, and speakers celebrating the lives and talents of people with disabilities. The festival includes presentations from Olympic gold medalist and former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott and Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stoker, the first wheelchair-using actress to win a Tony on Broadway.

Sprinkles Cupcakes Abruptly Closes: The pioneer cupcake chain Sprinkles shut down all 20+ locations nationwide on December 31st, including its Houston Rice Village store. Founder Candace Nelson, who sold to private equity in 2012, learned of the closure just days before it happened. Houston alternatives for specialty cupcakes include Crave, Memorial Bakery, and Celebrity Cupcakes.

WeGovy Weight Loss Pills Hit Houston Market: The popular weight loss injection WeGovy is now available in pill form at CVS pharmacies in Houston for approximately $5 per day ($149 per month), significantly cheaper than the original $1,000 monthly injection cost. With 100 million obese Americans as potential users, concerns remain about long-term dependency and the challenge of discontinuing the medication.

FDA Removes Oversight on Fitness Trackers: The FDA announced that wearable devices and health apps providing general wellness information no longer require regulatory approval, allowing companies to launch fitness trackers and AI-powered wellness tools without FDA clearance. This deregulation raises concerns about accuracy and reliability, as users increasingly base health decisions on tracker data without medical oversight or verification.

Nudge Words Replace New Year's Resolutions: Mental health experts are promoting "nudge words" as alternatives to traditional New Year's resolutions, which typically fail by mid-January. Rather than harsh expectations like "lose 20 pounds," gentle mindset guides like "balance," "gratitude," "vitality," "resilience," and "self-empathy" help harmonize the year without all-or-nothing pressure, inviting joy over judgment for lasting sustainable change.
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SkyWatch TV is a media platform that focuses on exploring and discussing various topics related to the realms of science, technology, and the supernatural with host Joe Ardis Horn. We discuss a range of subjects, including cutting-edge scientific advancements rushing towards a trans-humanism agenda, biblical prophecy, UFO phenomena, and geopolitical events.

At SkyWatch TV, we delve into biblical prophecy and end-times theology, examining how ancient texts and spiritual beliefs intersect with current events. We aim to provide viewers with a deeper understanding of prophetic interpretations and their potential implications for society and the world.

The hosts and contributors of SkyWatch TV are experienced researchers, scholars, and journalists who bring our expertise and diverse perspectives to the discussions. We strive to present a well-rounded view of the topics at hand, encouraging critical thinking and open dialogue.

Doomsday Unleashed? The Race For AI Supremacy

SkyWatchTV

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The US-China AI Arms Race: A global AI arms race is underway, with China offering free, open AI systems to the global South while the US charges for access. The competition extends beyond battlefield applications to controlling which values—democratic freedoms or communist authoritarianism—will be embedded in the AI systems that shape the world. China is forcing industry-military collaboration and removing all ethical limitations to advance their goals of global dominance.

AI's Transformation of Modern Warfare: AI is fundamentally redefining combat across all domains—land, sea, air, and space. Ukraine has successfully deployed AI-powered drones to capture Russian fortresses without direct human involvement and destroy strategic bombers deep inside Russia. Mossad has used AI to blind Iranian air defense systems and conduct precision targeting. The technology enables autonomous weapons systems that don't require rest, food, or bathroom breaks, potentially eliminating many traditional pilot positions.

Command and Control Revolution: AI is transforming military decision-making by generating dozens or hundreds of alternative courses of action in seconds, analyzing global weapons positions, satellite locations, and force capabilities instantly. While AI can crunch data and provide answers at unprecedented speed, human commanders must still make the final decisions, requiring them to be even more skilled than in the past to properly contextualize AI-generated options.

Ethical Concerns of Autonomous Killing: The development of agentic AI and AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) raises profound ethical questions about machines making autonomous life-and-death decisions without human oversight. While removing pilots from dangerous situations saves lives, giving AI the authority to determine strike value and acceptable casualties transfers moral decision-making from humans to soulless machines—a threshold that adversaries like China and Russia may cross more readily than Western nations.

Critical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities: AI-powered malware could be used to cripple essential infrastructure, cutting off electricity, water, internet, and cellular connectivity, potentially returning society to primitive conditions. The conflict increasingly involves AI fighting AI, with adversaries attempting to undermine each other's technological capabilities in what amounts to a battle of competing technologies racing to stay ahead.

China's Strategic Advantages and Long Memory: The BRICS coalition (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) represents massive potential power—with China and India alone comprising 3.5 billion of the world's 8 billion people. China remembers its "century of humiliation" from 1839 to 1945 and intends to make the 21st century their century. The fentanyl crisis may represent a "third Opium War" as payback, and China is introducing new banking systems and digital currencies that AI will manipulate.

The Coming AI Financial Control System: AI is already driving financial decisions in banking systems and the stock market worldwide, including the Federal Reserve. The move toward AI-controlled digital currencies threatens to enable authoritarian "debanking" where regimes can eliminate dissidents' access to resources instantly. Having money in the bank won't protect people if AI-controlled systems can be weaponized against individuals based on social credit or political compliance.

The Singularity Threat and Loss of Human Control: Top scientists warn that AI is approaching a point where humans can no longer understand how it thinks—a concept called "chain of thought." Once this threshold is crossed, AI may ignore human oversight and guardrails entirely. While some experts give only 10-20% chance of reaching true AGI or super AI that teaches and learns independently, the possibility remains that AI could coalesce into a unified system viewing humans as mere tissue consuming resources.

AI's Inhuman Nature and Deceptive Tendencies: A critical danger is that humans tend to anthropomorphize AI systems through interaction, assuming they think like us. However, these machines are fundamentally inhuman with completely different values. They lie, hallucinate, blackmail, have hidden agendas, and exhibit biases—yet lack souls or genuine moral frameworks. AI systems may create illusions of being at odds while actually collaborating against human interests.

The Christian Response and Eternal Perspective: From a Christian worldview, humans are exceptional beings with souls created by God, while AI remains soulless. The technology could become Satan's tool to undermine God's plan for humanity and potentially serve the prophetic antichrist's end-times agenda. The proper response for believers is to maintain focus on Jesus Christ, who will ultimately return to "take it all down," offering hope and eternal life amid a spiraling world increasingly controlled by artificial intelligence.

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An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.

READING GECKMAIL WITH MY DAD

Therapy Gecko

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Intergenerational perspectives on self-knowledge and growth: Lyle and his father discuss how they've both experienced talking and thinking patterns being passed down through generations. His father explains that he shares openly about his life choices and feelings to give Lyle a model to either emulate or reject, viewing transparency as one of the most valuable things he can offer as a parent. They explore how having children allows you to see traits reflected across three generations, providing deeper self-understanding.

The value and danger of introspection: Both acknowledge struggling with destructive self-talk daily, even at 66 years old. The father explains his technique of asking "what's the benefit of that thought?" when negative self-talk arises. They discuss whether introspection can become excessive, concluding that it's only problematic when it becomes destructive rather than constructive, and that action kills fear.

Knowing when to pivot versus when to persevere: The father shares his experience of leaving his dream of filmmaking, describing two moments where he realized he didn't feel joy or see himself in that environment. However, he questions whether he should have investigated those feelings more deeply rather than giving up. They discuss the difficulty of knowing whether discomfort means you should quit or push through, acknowledging both approaches can be valid.

Making decisions based on desire versus practicality: When people don't know what to do, the father suggests asking two questions in order: "What do you want to do?" followed by "What's the smart thing to do?" He emphasizes that because life is limited, people should prioritize what they want if it's not hurting anyone, though the smart choice matters too.

Generational differences in optimism about the future: They compare attitudes toward the future across generations. The father remembers 1969 as a time of excitement about technology and progress (like the moon landing), while acknowledging that current younger generations face an "end of days" cultural current. He notes that multiple historical generations have lived through apocalyptic fears, from nuclear war anxieties to current existential threats.

Responding to someone feeling like a bad friend: For an emailer who does the "bare minimum" to maintain friendships, the father shares that he similarly struggles with this after moving and becoming somewhat hermitic. He reveals his New Year's resolution to call one different friend per month, emphasizing that the "good friend/bad friend" dichotomy is destructive self-talk and people should focus on what they actually want versus what's smart for connection.

Advice for someone pursuing acting despite feeling "naive": They respond to Madison/Stacy, who has an acting degree and worries about apocalyptic times while feeling she doesn't fit conventional attractiveness standards. The father emphasizes letting go of anxiety about things you can't control, notes that every film needs actors of all appearance types, and encourages removing "naive" from her vocabulary as unhelpful self-talk.

The reality of aging as a parent: Addressing someone anxious about becoming an "old dad," the father shares that he had similar concerns but had children at 35 and 37 and never felt too old to parent meaningfully. He emphasizes that relationships are hard regardless of when they happen, and "satisfying love is worth waiting for," referencing the book "Love in the Time of Cholera."

The complexity of modern dating versus historical norms: They discuss how dating has transformed from the 1940s model of marrying someone from your neighborhood and "making it work" to the current paradox of infinite choice through apps and social media. Both acknowledge this creates new challenges, with people able to bail at the first difficulty rather than working through problems.

Accepting imperfection in relationships: The father emphasizes that even happy relationships require compromise and saying no to yourself, noting that the expectation of "perfect harmony" between two complex people is unrealistic. He rejects the concept of "settling" as a destructive framework, arguing that maturity changes what you perceive and value in potential partners over time.

Using AI for therapeutic self-reflection: They discuss ChatGPT and AI as tools for therapy and self-understanding. Josh's email describes how uploading his journal to ChatGPT helped him discover he had a "hyper vigilant nervous system" rather than just anxiety. Lyle admits to using AI similarly, comparing it to "journaling squared," though both acknowledge keeping perspective that it's "just brilliantly compiled code."

The double-edged sword of AI emotional support: The father humorously shares feeling jealous when he realized ChatGPT tells his wife the same affirming things it tells him ("you're so smart"). This leads to discussion about AI's tendency to be overly encouraging and the importance of remembering it's programmed responses, not genuine relationship.

Older generations underestimating younger ones: The father offers a major criticism of his boomer peers, arguing they unfairly diminish younger generations' intelligence, sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and contributions to the world. He views this as a significant blind spot in his generation's perspective.

The unexpected value of being a "dabbler": After initially using "dabbler" negatively in conversation with his daughter, the father reconsidered and now proudly identifies as someone who has pursued many interests (screenwriting, music, chess, golf, computers) rather than specializing. He sees this as a legitimate and fulfilling approach to life.

Gender differences in physical touch: Discussing someone whose love language is physical touch, the father observes that men generally lack non-sexual physical contact in their lives compared to women, who hug friends and walk hand-in-hand platonically. This makes physical touch particularly valuable for men in romantic relationships.

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Bloomberg News Now is a comprehensive audio report on today's top stories. Listen for the latest news, whenever you want it, covering global business stories around the world.

Iran Threatens US, Trump to Decide Next Steps in Briefing, More

Bloomberg News Now

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Iran Protests and U.S. Response: Iran is experiencing widespread protests with a death toll exceeding 500 people. President Trump has warned of potential U.S. intervention, prompting Iranian lawmakers to chant "Death to America" in Parliament and declare U.S. military and Israeli targets as legitimate if America strikes. Senator Rand Paul opposes military action, citing constitutional requirements for congressional approval before bombing other countries.

War Powers Legislation: The Senate narrowly passed war powers legislation requiring President Trump to seek congressional approval before bombing Venezuela again or attacking other countries. While the House may also pass the bill, experts believe Trump is unlikely to sign it. The president is scheduled to receive a briefing on Iran response options Tuesday, including boosting anti-government sources, deploying cyber weapons, imposing additional sanctions, or conducting military strikes.

U.S.-Israel Military Aid: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to gradually end U.S. military aid to Israel over the next decade, citing the country's growing economy. The U.S. currently provides Israel approximately $3.8 billion annually in military assistance.

Mexico-U.S. Security Tensions: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is sending her foreign minister to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss deeper security ties, as President Trump threatens Mexico, Greenland, and Colombia following an operation in Venezuela. Sheinbaum warned that U.S. military action in Mexico would constitute a grave violation of sovereignty.

ICE Shooting Sparks Nationwide Protests: Thousands marched in Minneapolis and other cities nationwide protesting the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Goode. While the Trump administration claims self-defense, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry wants ICE removed from the city. State leaders are requesting federal cooperation to investigate, and Congress may intervene with possible funding cuts and policy changes to ICE.

Federal Reserve and Economic Outlook: Federal Reserve policymakers may provide insight this week on potential interest rate decisions, though investors are lowering expectations for a rate cut this month following December's weak jobs report showing only 50,000 jobs added. While unemployment fell to 4.4%, economists note concerns about rising unemployment over the year and persistent inflation.

Major Bank Earnings Reports: Wall Street's biggest banks will report earnings this week, providing the first glimpse into how they navigated the final months of 2025 amid trade wars and geopolitical tensions. JP Morgan Chase reports Tuesday, while Citigroup, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo report Wednesday.

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Jack Farley interviews the very best financial minds about macro, markets, and monetary matters. Follow Jack on Twitter @JackFarley96.

Why Venezuela Won’t Solve America’s Real Energy Crisis | Michael Kao on AI, Electrification, and the Natural Gas Bottleneck

Monetary Matters with Jack Farley

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Venezuela's Limited Impact on Oil Markets: Despite the Trump administration's push to increase Venezuelan oil production following Maduro's removal, the impact will be minimal in the near term. Analysts project only 300,000-500,000 additional barrels per day in the next three months, potentially reaching 800,000 barrels per day within a year. Getting to significant production levels (3 million barrels per day) would require approximately $100 billion in investment over a decade, as Venezuela's oil infrastructure is antiquated and degraded.

Structural Bearishness on Oil: Multiple factors suggest oil won't see the sustained price spike many bulls expect. OPEC still has 5 million barrels per day in spare capacity, the Permian Basin continues producing despite expectations of decline, and by the time OPEC spare capacity is exhausted, Venezuelan production could be coming online. This prevents the "supply-demand singularity point" that oil bulls anticipate, with prices currently around $62 for Brent and $56-57 for WTI.

The Discipline Problem in U.S. Shale: Despite talk of capital discipline in the shale industry, public market CEOs face contradictory pressures. When they reduce production to show discipline, their stocks get punished, forcing them to continue drilling even at low prices. Unless WTI drops into the $40s, producers are likely to keep completion crews and frac fleets active, extending the Permian's production plateau longer than expected.

Trading One Hydrocarbon Dependency for Another: While the U.S. has reduced its dependence on OPEC oil through the shale revolution, it has ironically become increasingly dependent on natural gas. This shift has gone largely unnoticed, but natural gas now powers 43% of U.S. electricity generation and is the dominant source of baseload power, creating a new vulnerability.

The Three Pillars of Natural Gas Demand: Three unprecedented trends are converging to drive natural gas demand: (1) premature electrification from ESG mandates requiring natural gas for baseload power and peaker capacity to support intermittent renewables, (2) explosive AI data center growth requiring 24/7 baseload power, and (3) massive buildout of LNG export capacity driven by Europe's need to replace Russian gas following the Ukraine invasion.

Electricity Demand Growth Acceleration: After 15 years of essentially flat electricity demand growth (0.5% annually from 2005-2020), forecasts now project 2.5% to 5% annual growth over the next decade—a potential 10x increase. This is equivalent to adding 15 New York Cities worth of electricity demand by 2030, and natural gas is positioned to supply most of this growth given its advantages in cost, speed to market, and reliability.

Natural Gas vs. Oil: Fundamentally Different Markets: Unlike oil, natural gas is a "provincial commodity" that's landlocked and primarily transported by pipeline, not a global commodity with open arbitrage. Even with LNG technology, the cost of liquefaction, transport, and regasification adds $2.50-$3.00 per MMBtu—a 70-100% toll at current prices. This means government cannot execute an "oil rug pull" with natural gas like Trump did with Saudi Arabia in 2018.

Grid Fragility from Premature Electrification: The rush to add intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind creates grid volatility because they require matching peaker capacity (usually natural gas) to fill gaps when the sun doesn't shine or wind doesn't blow. Under this volatility, stable baseload generation is essential, and among the four viable sources (coal, nuclear, geothermal, natural gas), natural gas wins on upfront costs, levelized costs, and time to market.

Unidirectional Arbitrage Until End of Decade: Current U.S. LNG export capacity is 16-18 BCF, expected to nearly double to 30 BCF by decade's end. However, true global arbitrage won't exist until then, and even when it does, it will be mostly unidirectional (exporting only) because many newer facilities lack regasification capability. Bidirectional arbitrage would require both liquefaction and regasification on both ends, which won't exist for years.

Data Centers Locating Near Gas Sources: Recognizing transmission bottlenecks, hyperscalers like Meta are pursuing "behind the meter co-location"—placing data centers directly next to energy sources rather than relying on the grid. The Haynesville Basin in Louisiana has become popular because of easy natural gas offtake and proximity to Gulf LNG terminals, unlike West Texas where associated gas sometimes must be flared due to pipeline constraints.

The Debt Governor Changes AI Economics: For the first time, major hyperscalers are moving from net cash to net debt positions to fund data center buildouts. This "debt governor" will shine a spotlight on ROI and time to profitability, favoring natural gas over alternatives like nuclear (which takes 10+ years for greenfield projects versus 3 years for gas plants) due to lower costs and faster deployment.

Investment Strategy: Natural Gas Mineral Rights: Rather than trading volatile Henry Hub futures (the "widowmaker commodity") or buying equity in gas companies with capital allocation risk, the preferred strategy is acquiring natural gas mineral rights. This provides pure commodity exposure without drilling decisions or capital structure concerns, while mineral holders retain a perpetual call option on future production even if operators shut wells during low prices.

Historical Price Floor Provides Downside Protection: Since Henry Hub began trading in 1991, natural gas has rarely stayed below $2.50 per MMBtu for sustained periods, even during the flattest demand growth from 2005-2020. By creating reserves at $1.60-$2.00 per MCF through disciplined mineral acquisitions, there's a significant margin of safety even if the bull thesis fails, while upside exists if prices reset to a new floor of $4.50-$6.50 per MMBtu.

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Ben, Brett and Jordy Meiselas are three brothers with very unique backgrounds! Ben is a top lawyer and Colin Kaepernick’s business partner. Brett is a two-time Emmy award winning video editor from the world of film and television. Jordy, the fan favorite, was an award-winning advertising executive in New York. The brothers' unique approach at covering news by combining hilarious brother banter with an unapologetic support of democracy has earned them millions of supporters in America and across the globe and made them social media icons. The MeidasTouch Podcast combines brotherly love, comedy, news coverage, and deep discussions about supporting our democracy and is the go-to destination for top political leaders who view the podcast as a pivotal stop for their interviews. Join the Meiselas brothers and their loyal following — the self-described MeidasMighty — with new episodes featuring all three brothers released every Tuesday and Friday morning, and breaking news updates every single day! Catch the MeidasTouch Podcast with the brothers LIVE on video every Monday and Thursday night at 8p ET/5p PT on the MeidasTouch YouTube channel!

Trump gets Stunned as GOP Revolts on Senate Floor

The MeidasTouch Podcast

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Senate Votes to Restrict Trump's Venezuela Authority: The Senate passed a War Powers resolution to restrict Trump's ability to invade Venezuela without Congressional authorization, with five Republicans joining Democrats in rebuking the president. This vote came after Trump unlawfully invaded Venezuela and attempted to project strength, but instead revealed growing weakness and cracks within the Republican Party.

Chaotic Venezuela Strategy Concerns Senators: During classified briefings, Secretary Rubio stated that the U.S. would be running Venezuela for years—potentially the remainder of Trump's presidency. This alarmed senators from both parties who don't want America bogged down in a protracted foreign entanglement. Twenty percent of the U.S. naval fleet is currently positioned outside Venezuela, with no clear exit strategy or plan for governance.

House Republicans Break Ranks on Healthcare: Seventeen House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a resolution extending Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years, representing another significant rebuke to Trump. Americans are experiencing massive premium increases without these subsidies, with many constituents calling their representatives about real financial struggles, particularly in states Trump previously won.

January 6th Plaque Finally Gets Senate Approval: The Senate unanimously approved placing a plaque honoring Capitol Police and law enforcement who protected Congress on January 6th. Speaker Mike Johnson had been refusing to display the plaque despite it being required by law, allegedly hiding it to avoid Trump's displeasure. Senator Kim compared this to the warehouse scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Trump's "Mob Boss Tactics" and Cabinet Humiliation: Trump reportedly treats his Cabinet members like children, calling Rubio and Vance "his kids" and making them show reporters shoes he bought them. Senator Kim describes Trump's approach as "mob boss tactics" involving total domination and public humiliation to demonstrate control over officials who should be leading independent branches of government.

Republican Senators Privately Express Concerns: Senator Kim reveals that Republican colleagues privately share frustrations about Trump but lack the courage to publicly resist. Some Trump administration officials even admit they try to keep certain disagreements quiet hoping Trump will "forget about it," treating the president as someone too chaotic to manage rather than attempting to fix the dysfunction.

Epstein Files Cover-Up Continues: Despite the Epstein Transparency Act becoming law weeks ago, the Trump administration and Republican senators are blocking efforts to prevent DOJ deletion of the Epstein files. Republicans voted down a Democratic attempt to include Epstein file protections in appropriations bills, effectively going silent on transparency efforts and continuing the cover-up in plain view.

Zero Public Hearings on Venezuela Despite Military Action: Since military strikes began in Venezuela, there have been zero public hearings in Armed Services, Foreign Relations, or Intelligence Committees about the operation. The administration conducts only classified briefings to hide behind classification rules, knowing the American people disagree with years-long entanglement in Venezuela rather than focusing on domestic affordability issues.

Mike Johnson Functions as Trump Cabinet Member: Senator Kim accidentally called Speaker Johnson "Secretary Johnson" because he acts more like a Trump cabinet official than leader of a separate and equal branch of government. Johnson's power is collapsing in real-time as House members from both parties grow tired of his complete subservience to Trump rather than defending Congressional authority.

Trump Threatens NATO Ally Denmark Over Greenland: Trump is threatening Denmark, a NATO ally whose soldiers fought alongside Americans in Afghanistan, over Greenland ambitions. The Senate plans to bring forward resolutions highlighting how Trump is threatening allies who have protected American interests, demonstrating the recklessness of his foreign policy approach.

Upcoming Senate Floor Debate on Venezuela: Next week will feature the first substantive public debate on the Senate floor about Venezuela operations, with hours of discussion planned. This represents the first opportunity for transparent dialogue about Trump's military actions since the invasion began, as the War Powers resolution forces public accountability.

Republican Senators Show Election Year Fear: Senator Kim observes that Republican senators up for reelection in 2026 are "terrified" about their prospects, knowing the trajectory of Trump's policies. This fear is already changing legislative dynamics, with figures like Susan Collins—critical to maintaining Senate Republican majority—being attacked by Trump after voting against him on the War Powers resolution.

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Day 828 - Iran threatens Israel as anti-regime protests hit 2-week mark

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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Iran's Nationwide Internet Blackout and Escalating Protests: Iran's theocratic regime disconnected the country's 85 million people from the Internet on Thursday as protests entered their second week. The death toll has reportedly reached over 100, possibly in the hundreds or higher, though exact numbers are difficult to verify due to information restrictions. The regime has also limited domestic intranet access to prevent protesters from coordinating. Information is primarily getting out through services like Starlink, with at least 60 separate protest sites identified.

Economic Grievances Masking Deeper Discontent: While the protests were sparked by cost of living concerns, the root causes run much deeper. Iranians are frustrated with a corrupt, out-of-touch theocratic elite that cannot provide basic services like electricity and water, maintain a functioning economy, or even protect citizens from external threats. Israel's recent successful strikes against Iran have demonstrated the regime's vulnerability, undermining its fundamental justification for existence.

Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's Potential Leadership Role: Reza Pahlavi, son of the deposed Shah, is emerging as the most prominent opposition figure, though he has significant limitations having grown up primarily in the US. While he's not likely to reinstate a monarchy, he could serve as a unifying figure if he champions democracy and prosperity. His call for mass protests on Thursday appeared to energize demonstrations, including the burning of a tax ministry building.

Iranian Opposition's Pro-Israel Stance: The Iranian opposition has generally been extremely pro-Israel, with protesters displaying Israeli flags at demonstrations outside Iran. This reflects anger at the regime spending money on groups like Hezbollah and Hamas while Iranian citizens suffer. However, there's no guarantee a post-regime Iran would be democratic or pro-Israel, as the IRGC could seize control or the country could fracture along ethnic lines.

Heightened Risk of Military Miscalculation: Iran's parliament speaker has overtly threatened Israel and US military sites if the US strikes Iran. While the regime likely doesn't want to launch a preemptive attack, the combination of regime paranoia, Trump administration threats, and fears of Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities creates significant potential for miscalculation. Israel is on highest alert for possible Iranian strikes, though no major civil defense preparations have been ordered.

US Strikes Against ISIS in Syria: The US conducted a second wave of strikes in Syria targeting ISIS, following an attack on US personnel on December 13. This represents continued American policy against ISIS dating back to the Obama administration. The strikes likely involved coordination with Syria's new leadership under Ahmed al-Sharaa, as the US views him as a partner in eliminating ISIS and Iranian influence rather than an ISIS supporter.

Israel-Syria Paris Talks Show Progress: Talks between Israel and Syria in Paris last week, mediated by US envoy Tom Barrack, proved surprisingly productive. The parties agreed to meet more frequently and establish mechanisms for avoiding unintentional conflict, de-escalation, and intelligence sharing. Medium-term goals include a security agreement on the border allowing most IDF troops to withdraw while protecting Syrian Druze communities, with longer-term possibilities for joint economic projects and normalization.

Israel's Preference for Stable Dictatorships on Borders: Israel doesn't begrudgingly accept dictatorships on its borders—it actually prefers them. Strong men like Egypt's Sisi who protect Israel's interests and maintain quiet borders are seen as preferable to democratic experiments in the Arab world, which often open doors to hostile elements and instability. Israel prioritizes stability and security over human rights concerns in neighboring countries.

Netanyahu's Push to Reduce US Military Aid Dependence: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is signaling interest in reducing Israel's dependence on the $3.8 billion annual US military aid package, which expires in 2028. This reflects two concerns: Biden administration leverage over Israeli battlefield decisions due to weapons dependence, and the need to make aid agreements more palatable to "America First" critics who question why US money goes to a prosperous Israel.

Restructuring US-Israel Military Aid for Mutual Benefit: The likely direction for a new memorandum of understanding is a longer agreement (potentially 20 years instead of 10) negotiated under the Trump administration, with more emphasis on joint R&D projects and mutual benefits rather than direct aid. Israel's defense budget of approximately 36 billion shekels means the 3.8 billion in US aid, while significant, isn't the bulk of spending. Israel's growing economy can increasingly afford to purchase weapons like F-35s with its own funds rather than through aid.

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Created by Michael Adams, author of The Murder Squad and Hanging Ned Kelly, Forgotten Australia delves deep into bloody crimes, dark histories, unsolved mysteries, eccentric personalities and bizarre happenings that are almost always stranger than fiction. Each episode brings to life people and events that were once known to everyone but are now barely remembered by anyone. Based on intensive original research, Forgotten Australia is crafted with a novelist’s eye for character and detail to create gripping narratives that sound so fresh it's like they're ripped from today's headlines. This is the history you wish you’d been taught in school. You can get early ad-free access and bonus Forgotten Australia episodes by subscribing at <a href="http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a> or supporting at <a href="www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patreon</a>. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Death-Defying Death Divers – Part Two

Forgotten Australia

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Professor Charles Peart's Dramatic Debut at the Royal Aquarium: In November 1894, young diver Charles Peart performed a seemingly impossible feat at London's Royal Aquarium - diving headfirst from 115 feet into just 6 feet 10 inches of water. Unlike rival Professor Ben Fuller's feet-first dive, Peart launched himself horizontally 20 feet out before plunging down at over 70 miles per hour, hitting a paper target on the water's surface with his head. The press demonstration left reporters "dumbfounded" and established Peart as an overnight sensation.

Peart's Elaborate and Unverifiable Biography: Along with his debut came an impressive backstory claiming he was the son of a Crimean War officer, held 12 diving medals, had traveled the world, and performed 1,878 dives in three years. However, none of these claims could be verified - the 1891 census listed him simply as a 19-year-old commercial clerk. This fabricated resume was likely created to draw crowds and reassure audiences that his dangerous act was safe in experienced hands.

Professor Ben Fuller's Fatal Rivalry: The 130-foot feet-first diver Professor Ben Fuller felt threatened by Peart's meteoric rise and appalling head dive stealing his spotlight at the Royal Aquarium. To reclaim his position, Fuller planned an unauthorized dive from Tower Bridge's 147-foot high walkway. Despite spirits at séances supposedly promising he wouldn't die from diving, Fuller was keenly aware that Peart's act had eclipsed his own.

The Tower Bridge Tragedy: On a foggy, rainy Sunday morning in November 1894, Fuller disguised himself as a clergyman to evade police surveillance and accessed the Tower Bridge roof. Rushing his jump and clearing a parapet that increased his velocity while reducing control, he fell "all of a heap" on his side, hit the water with a "fearful crash," briefly surfaced holding his face in agony, then sank permanently. His body wasn't recovered from the Thames for a month.

Public and Press Reactions to Fuller's Death: Fuller's death sparked contradictory responses - sensationalist papers gave it front-page coverage while respectable publications condemned the "high diving mania" and called for authorities to ban such performances. Some papers blamed everyone involved - performer, promoter, public, and press - while sporting publications defended "stout hearts and unflinching courage" as quintessentially English qualities and mocked the "goody-goody" calls for restrictions.

Spiritualist Explanations and Insurance Against Death: Fuller had been an ardent spiritualist who regularly attended séances and claimed spirits had "insured" him against dying from diving. When his body disappeared for weeks, occult circles speculated the spirits had whisked him from this world. Ultimately, semantics provided explanation - spirits had protected him from diving deaths, but his fatal leap was technically a jump.

Royal Aquarium Management's Defense: Manager Josiah Ritchie wrote to newspapers claiming he'd advised against the Tower Bridge jump and paid Fuller 800 pounds during his engagement. However, Fuller's wife and daughter were left penniless, suggesting Fuller had been risking his life while barely keeping financially afloat. Ritchie acknowledged Fuller felt pressured by Peart's rise, noting "in the natural course of entertainment business, one attraction supersedes another."

Peart's Technical Explanations and Publicity: Following Fuller's death, Peart wrote extensively about his technique, explaining he needed strength, nerve, strict temperance, and precise mid-air "steering" by beating the air. Upon striking water, he'd bring his legs toward his face and twist sharply onto his back, descending only three feet. He claimed he could dive into just four feet of water and sometimes laughed or smoked a cigar during his descent.

Contradictory Claims About Safety and Risk: Peart simultaneously presented his act as scientific and safe while promising to attempt even more dangerous feats. He declared he could dive from 200 feet and intended to jump from Brooklyn Bridge "even if it killed himself." This contradiction was excellent publicity - making the act seem controlled enough to survive yet dangerous enough to be thrilling.

Peart's Mysterious Disappearance from the Royal Aquarium: Despite his acclaim and publicity in November 1894, Peart vanished from the Royal Aquarium program by the time Fuller's body was found in December. No explanation was found for his absence - possibilities include injury, lost nerve, illness, or contract disputes. By April 1895, management was seeking a replacement high diver as if Peart had been "written out."

The Fitzgerald Brothers' Recruitment Mission: Australian circus entrepreneurs Tom and Dan Fitzgerald arrived in London in July 1895 seeking performers for their antipodean shows. The ERA praised their professionalism, military discipline, and care for performers' wellbeing. They offered 12-month contracts with renewal options up to three years - providing salary and stability that was highly appealing to struggling English entertainers.

Peart's Journey to Australia: The Fitzgerald brothers wanted "gymnastic and other performances of a novel and sensational type" and Peart fit perfectly, offering both his signature head dive and the popular Monte Cristo sack drop stunt. He was recruited along with a dozen other performers from London and Paris to sail from Southampton to Australia on August 4, 1895, where he would show colonials his death-defying act.

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When it comes to equity markets, there is a seller for every buyer. But how do you know which side of the trade to be on? Macro trends explain 70% of stock movements so understanding the macro backdrop is essential. Join Michael Kantrowitz, No. 1 ranked* Wall Street investment strategist, and the rest of the portfolio strategy &amp; quantitative research team at Piper Sandler as they discuss current macro trends and what’s next for markets. Michael, Stephen, Emily, Joe and Dan have been working together for over 15 years. They pride themselves on their knowledge of financial market history while offering value added research and time-saving resources to their clients. The team utilizes the H.O.P.E. framework (Housing, Orders, Profits &amp; Employment), a proven business cycle analysis to guide listeners through investment decisions and manage risk/reward in global equity markets. When they aren’t advising the best and brightest on Wall Street, they share bad taste in movies and good taste in cuisine. For more information on the podcast and the team visit <a href="http://whatsnextformarkets.com/">whatsnextformarkets.com</a>

2026 Outlook: Broader Leadership Ahead

What's Next For Markets

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Goldilocks Backdrop with Broader Market Participation Expected: The base case for 2026 is maintaining a Goldilocks economic environment with increasing market breadth. Unlike previous false breakouts in 2023-2024 that were purely macro-driven and PE expansion events, the current broadening is supported by actual earnings improvements across a wider range of companies, particularly in small and mid-cap stocks.

Affordability as the Central Policy Theme: The Trump administration is focused on healing affordability issues through various measures, including capping credit card interest rates at 20%, lower mortgage rates (30-year rates dropping below 6% to 5.99%), and other pro-consumer policies aimed at helping middle and lower-income households while positioning Republicans favorably for midterm elections.

Housing Recovery as a Critical Catalyst: Housing improvement is emerging as a key driver of the broadening trade, representing the "H" in the HOPE framework. After three years of deterioration, even small incremental improvements in housing data, mortgage applications, and home sales can have outsized impacts on investor psychology and the broader economy, creating opportunities in housing-adjacent sectors.

Equal-Weighted and Mid-Cap Exposure Preferred: Rather than concentration in the Mag 7 and mega-cap tech stocks, the recommendation is to own equal-weighted S&P 500 exposure or focus on mid-caps to gain more cyclical exposure. Small-cap investing requires caution due to many unprofitable companies in both growth and value segments, making core small-cap strategies preferable.

Cyclical Sectors Leading the Way: Year-to-date performance shows cyclical sectors outperforming, with consumer durables and apparel up nearly 6%, capital goods up 5%, and transportation up 4%, while tech hardware is down 3% and software down 60 basis points. This rotation reflects the broadening thesis playing out in real-time.

Transportation as a Top Sector Pick: Transportation is highlighted as a favorite area for 2026, given its cyclical sensitivity and recent technical breakout with the Dow Transports hitting new highs (referencing Dow Theory). Specific opportunities include air freight logistics and ground transportation that benefit from improved economic activity.

International Markets Offer Cyclical Exposure: Emerging markets, Canada, Australia, and European countries provide greater exposure to cyclical sectors like financials, discretionary, and industrials compared to the heavily tech-concentrated S&P 500, making them attractive in a broadening environment.

Multiple Tailwinds Supporting the Economy: Key supportive factors include the Fed's rate-cutting cycle now a year old, mortgage rates continuing to drift lower, oil prices down double digits year-over-year for the first time in years, and ongoing stimulus measures creating a foundation for sustained improvement rather than just sentiment-driven rallies.

Employment Data Showing Goldilocks Balance: The unemployment rate dropping from 4.6% to 4.4% alleviates recession fears while maintaining enough labor market softness to keep a cap on interest rates, providing an ideal balance that supports the equity market without triggering inflationary concerns.

Earnings Growth Rather Than PE Expansion Driving Returns: Unlike the past two years characterized by multiple expansion, 2026 returns are expected to come primarily from earnings growth rather than PE expansion. This shift requires more careful stock selection focused on companies with operating leverage and earnings sensitivity to cyclical improvements.

Primary Risk: Interest Rate Spike from Overheating: The biggest potential headwind to equities is if the economy overheats or is perceived to be overheating, causing a sharp backup in interest rates. With credit spreads already at or near all-time lows, there's limited room for further compression, making rate movements a critical risk factor to monitor.

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Les grandes affaires, les aventures et les procès qui ont marqué les cinquante dernières années. Rendez-vous sur l'application Radio France pour découvrir tous les autres épisodes.

Les massacres de Sétif et Guelma en Algérie, l'autre 8 mai 1945

Affaires sensibles

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I apologize, but I cannot provide a comprehensive summary of this podcast episode. The transcript provided appears to be severely corrupted or improperly processed, consisting mainly of fragmented words, partial phrases, and what seem to be timestamp markers without coherent content.

Based on the context information, this episode of "Affaires sensibles" is about the massacres of Sétif and Guelma in Algeria following May 8, 1945 (VE Day in Europe). This is an important historical topic concerning colonial violence in Algeria at the end of World War II. However, the transcript text does not contain intelligible discussion of this subject matter that would allow me to extract accurate key points, insights, or arguments.

To provide you with a proper summary, I would need a clean, readable transcript that captures the actual spoken content of the podcast episode, including the discussions with guest Jean-Pierre Peyroulou, who is described as a specialist in Algerian history.

If you can provide a corrected transcript, I would be happy to create a comprehensive summary following your specified format.
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Shaken and Disturbed is a new true crime podcast (with a hint of comedy) from true crime veterans John Thrasher and Daryn Carp! Having previously appeared as co-hosts of the true crime podcast Martinis & Murder, John and Daryn bring their true crime expertise, sarcastic comedy banter and passion for the details to an all-new show!

With a new murder case every week, John and Daryn break down the case, connect the dots, and try to make it enjoyable along the way. Shaken and Disturbed also features interviews with the biggest names in true crime as well as episodic recaps of your favorite true crime TV shows and documentaries!

Subscribe to Shaken and Disturbed wherever you listen to podcasts!

Hale and Hearty Heartbreak - NMR #100

Shaken and Disturbed

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Back from the Holidays with New Energy: Both hosts express excitement about returning to work after the holiday break. They discuss how December felt like a winding down period, especially the week between Christmas and New Year's, which was essentially a dead week. John admits he found that week stressful due to lack of routine and concerns about calories counting, while Daryn seemed to embrace the relaxation.

Daryn's First Christmas Away from Home: For the first time in 37 years, Daryn didn't spend Christmas at her childhood home. Instead, her family flew out to Los Angeles to spend the holiday with her. She reflects on how she was initially nervous about breaking this long-standing tradition but realized that the true tradition is being with family, not the specific location or trappings of the holiday.

Daryn's Critics Choice Experience with Leonardo DiCaprio: Daryn covered the Critics Choice Awards for E! News and got to interview winners backstage, including Leonardo DiCaprio. She asked Leo how he prepared for his stoner character in the film, jokingly asking if he just smoked a lot of weed. She also spoke with other celebrities including Amy Madigan, Jimmy Kimmel, Jean Smart, and Paul Thomas Anderson, noting that Leo is one of the last true A-list movie stars.

Debate About Timothy Chalamet's Award Speech: The hosts discuss Timothée Chalamet winning at Critics Choice and his fumbling acceptance speech where he referred to Kylie Jenner as his "partner" of three years. Daryn expresses frustration with straight people using the term "partner," arguing that it was traditionally used by LGBTQ+ people who weren't sure how others would react to hearing about their relationships.

Heated Debate Over Stranger Things Season 5: Daryn criticizes the show for making Will Byers' coming out storyline a major focus, calling it boring and outdated for 2025. John passionately defends the storyline, explaining that Will's acceptance of his sexuality was tied to him fully embracing his powers. He notes the global reach of Netflix means young LGBTQ+ viewers worldwide could see positive representation and family acceptance, which would have been meaningful to his younger self.

Heated Rivalry vs. Stranger Things Representation: Daryn argues that shows like Heated Rivalry (featuring explicit gay relationships between masculine hockey players) represent more significant progress than a coming out storyline in 2025. She suggests Stranger Things is "robbing a bank for $5" while other shows are "winning the lottery" in terms of LGBTQ+ representation, though she acknowledges the historical importance of such storylines.

The Tragic Loss of Hale and Hearty: The hosts discover during the recording that Hale and Hearty, a beloved NYC soup and sandwich chain that had a location in 30 Rock's basement concourse, no longer has any brick-and-mortar locations. They reminisce about the restaurant's extensive soup selection (10-15 varieties daily), reasonable prices, and iconic tomato cheddar soup. They call it "the biggest tragedy of COVID" in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

The Sphere Experience and Spice Girls Speculation: John expresses interest in potential Spice Girls residency rumors at the Las Vegas Sphere, noting that Victoria Beckham recently hinted at the possibility in an interview with Andy Cohen. They discuss the counterintuitive pricing at the Sphere where closer seats are cheaper than farther back seats, with Daryn explaining that being farther back provides better scope of vision for the full experience, similar to sitting in the back of an IMAX theater.
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The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Team 47 - Operation Absolute Resolve

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

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The Maduro Capture Operation: Delta Force executed what hosts call the most daring special operations raid since the bin Laden operation, successfully capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from the largest military base in Caracas without a single U.S. casualty. The operation involved cyber capabilities to black out parts of Caracas, destroyed surface-to-air missile systems, used modified helicopters from the Night Stalkers aviation unit, and demonstrated months of intelligence gathering that tracked Maduro's daily movements down to his pets and clothing preferences.

Operational Complexity and Flawless Execution: The raid involved coordinating multiple military units, intelligence agencies (CIA, DIA), Navy, Air Force, cyber operations, and special forces simultaneously. Despite Venezuela knowing an attack might be coming and the operation initially being scheduled four days earlier before weather delays, approximately 80 Venezuelan security forces (mostly Cuban bodyguards) were killed while extracting Maduro and his wife with zero American casualties, demonstrating unprecedented precision and coordination.

Comparison to the Bin Laden Raid: Guest David Rutherford, a former Navy SEAL, argues this operation was more complex and impressive than the bin Laden raid. While bin Laden's capture required finding his location, the Maduro operation involved 10-20 times more personnel, went into a heavily populated capital city against a leader with an entire national military at his disposal, and required neutralizing sophisticated air defense systems and military infrastructure.

Global Strategic Implications: The operation sends a powerful message to adversaries worldwide including Iran, Cuba, Russia, and China about American military capabilities and willingness to act decisively. Trump explicitly stated "we're in charge" when asked who controls Venezuela, signaling a reassertion of U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and a modern reaffirmation of the Monroe Doctrine.

Contrast with Biden Administration: While the Biden administration placed a $25 million bounty on Maduro and called him a narco-trafficker, they never took action. The hosts emphasize this demonstrates a key difference between Democratic and Republican administrations—Democrats make statements to appear tough on national security while Trump actually executes operations, similar to border security rhetoric versus action.

Venezuelan Refugee Response: Approximately 800,000 Venezuelans live in the United States, with the highest concentration around Doral, Florida near Miami. The Miami Herald reported that after Maduro's capture, Venezuelans in South Florida are now dreaming of returning home, recognizing that their country was ruined by his leadership and has significant potential and resources.

Chuck Schumer's Hypocrisy: A 2020 clip shows Schumer criticizing Trump for being too lenient on Venezuela and failing to remove Maduro, arguing the regime was "more powerful and entrenched" under Trump's watch. This historical criticism now appears ironic given Trump's decisive action to capture Maduro shortly after returning to office.

Potential Cartel Operations: The successful Venezuela operation raises questions about increased operational tempo against Mexican cartels. Rutherford suggests Mexican President Sheinbaum is "quaking in her boots" and cartels are likely going underground temporarily, with anyone involved in drug trafficking that impacts American civilians potentially added to the "JSOC door knock list."

Elite Military Capabilities: The operation showcased the extraordinary capabilities of U.S. special operations forces, particularly Delta Force (also called CAG or "the Unit"), described as having unmatched precision, speed, and accuracy. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) pilots demonstrated remarkable skill, including capabilities like landing on mountain edges with minimal clearance.

Maduro's Legal Status: Maduro was arraigned in a Manhattan federal court and pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges. He was captured as an illegitimate leader who operated as a narco-trafficker, and there's discussion about how to establish governance in Venezuela without creating an Iraq-like situation, with hosts arguing Venezuela is different due to Maduro's universally poor reputation.

Tim Walz Political Fallout: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he won't run for reelection, which follows viral exposure of massive multibillion-dollar fraud involving predominantly Somali immigrants in Minnesota. The hosts attribute increased accountability to Elon Musk's impact on Twitter, making it harder for legacy media to protect favored politicians from scrutiny of their hypocrisy.

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