The world’s most listened to, and award-winning, podcast covering the war in Ukraine. Every weekday, the Telegraph's top journalists analyse the conflict from all angles – just as they have since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, when tanks, jets and troops crossed Ukraine's borders. Downloaded over 100 million times and trusted by listeners worldwide, the team considers military strategy, history, weaponry, economics, refugee crises, culture, and daily life in Vladimir Putin's autocratic Russia and Volodymyr Zelensky's democratic Ukraine. Our correspondents on the ground talk to experts and civilians to cover every aspect of Russia's brutal invasion. We are also available in both Ukrainian and Russian, so that people on both sides of the battle lines and across the region – including Central Asia and the Caucasus – have access to accurate reporting. We use cutting-edge AI technology to make this possible. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Or find them here: <a href="https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest</a> A new weekly newsletter is also available, where we answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here: <a href="https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/</a> Telegraph subscribers get early access to bonus episodes of Ukraine: The Latest and our sister podcast Battle Lines. You can subscribe within The Telegraph app, or tap on ‘Already a subscriber’ at the top of this page to log in to link your existing subscription. For more information, head to: <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/contact-us/telegraph-subscription-bonus-content-apple-podcasts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/contact-us/telegraph-subscription-bonus-content-apple-podcasts/</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.

US hails ‘very big milestone’ in Paris as Trump envoy promises BlackRock key to ‘future of Ukraine’

Ukraine: The Latest

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Paris Declaration on Ukraine Security Guarantees: The Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris confirmed that Britain and France will deploy troops into Ukraine as part of any future ceasefire deal, with the United States agreeing for the first time to provide a "backstop" including intelligence and logistics support. However, the declaration remains vague on critical details like rules of engagement, force size, and what the US backstop actually entails. Only UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the agreement, while Italy, Poland, and Germany offered limited or no direct troop commitments to Ukraine itself.

US Engagement and Trump Administration Involvement: Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner attended the summit and held a rare joint press conference, with Kushner calling the security protocols a "very big milestone" and promising the US would establish a ceasefire monitoring system using drones, satellites, and sensors. Witkoff announced that BlackRock would be involved in planning Ukraine's economic future, raising questions about American commercial interests in post-war Ukraine reconstruction.

Skepticism About US Commitments: Former UK Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace expressed strong doubts about Trump's reliability, stating it's "wishful thinking" that Trump would support any backstop, noting Putin has "successfully got a guy in the White House aligned to Russia." Wallace said he would not trust the current US administration at all, pointing out that Trump has threatened Russia multiple times but never followed through with consequences.

Russia's Expected Rejection: Moscow has consistently signaled opposition to any Western troops in Ukraine and is likely to reject the Paris Declaration entirely. However, the Kremlin faces a delicate diplomatic balance in not wanting to overtly upset Donald Trump. Russia has maintained the same position since before the invasion, refusing to tolerate NATO or European forces in Ukraine, and experts believe Putin will feel no obligation to comply given Trump's historical pattern of backing down.

Military Updates from the Battlefield: Ukraine intercepted 81 of 95 Russian drones launched overnight, with Ukraine now producing over 1,500 interceptor drones daily. Ukrainian forces struck the Stary Oskol oil depot in Russia's Belgorod Oblast and conducted a long-range drone attack on a Russian arsenal near Neya in the Kostroma region, approximately 900 kilometers from Ukrainian territory, using SBU Alpha Branch drones.

Russia Closes Azerbaijan Airlines Investigation: Russia has refused to take responsibility for downing Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 despite Putin previously admitting Russian air defenses shot down the plane. Russian investigators closed the criminal case, blaming "weather conditions" and "cloudiness" rather than acknowledging the air defense missile strike, causing diplomatic tensions with Azerbaijan.

Venezuela Operation and Spheres of Influence: Trump's military operation to extract Venezuelan President Maduro aligns with a reported 2019 Russian proposal to swap spheres of influence—trading US withdrawal from Ukraine for Russian withdrawal from Venezuela. This reinforces the concept of great powers operating within defined spheres of influence rather than adhering to international law, which Wallace argues benefits Putin's strategic objectives.

Rendition and International Law Debate: Wallace defended the principle of rendition when states refuse to hand over individuals for trial, arguing that current European Convention law makes it easier to kill suspects than capture them for prosecution. He supported bringing Maduro to trial but criticized the US for attempting to control Venezuela's oil resources, which he compared to Russian actions in Ukraine.

European Defense Investment Failures: Despite decades of commitments, European nations have consistently prioritized social spending over defense, leaving NATO forces "hollowed out" without proper enablers, logistics, and capabilities. Only Germany, Poland, and the Nordic countries are now investing toward 3.5% of GDP on defense, while Britain and France make declarations without backing them with increased funding.

Czech Ammunition Initiative Continues: Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced the Czech-led ammunition initiative for Ukraine will continue, though Czechia will only serve as coordinator and will not contribute Czech taxpayer money. This follows controversy after the Czech Parliament chairman called the war "absolutely senseless," though the foreign ministers have since resolved the diplomatic spat.

Greenland and NATO Security Concerns: Trump's threats toward Greenland raise questions about NATO's future, with former generals acknowledging Europe has neglected military capabilities in the Arctic region. However, Wallace noted that Britain did invest in high north capabilities during his tenure, including P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and RAF Proteus for protecting undersea cables, making the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap a key focus area.

Hungary's Political Future and EU Relations: Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party faces a close election in April, with opposition parties polling at 49% versus Fidesz's 37%. An opposition victory could transform Hungary's role in the EU, potentially ending its blocking of sanctions packages against Russia and changing the political calculus for European support to Ukraine.

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Crypto assets and blockchain technology are about to transform every trust-based interaction of our lives, from financial services to identity to the Internet of Things. In this podcast, host Laura Shin, an independent journalist covering all things crypto, talks with industry pioneers about how crypto assets and blockchains will change the way we earn, spend and invest our money. Tune in to find out how Web 3.0, the decentralized web, will revolutionize our world. Disclosure: I'm a nocoiner.

How Maduro's Capture and a 'Pre-War World' Affects Bitcoin: Bits + Bips

Unchained

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Bitcoin's Rally Following Venezuela Raid Signals Market Strength: Bitcoin surged past $94,000 following the U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan President Maduro, with the hosts attributing the rise to renewed confidence in Trump's agenda, positive animal spirits from Venezuela news, and continued AI infrastructure financing. The move demonstrated crypto's advantage as a 24/7 market that can respond to geopolitical events while traditional markets are closed.

U.S. Military Operation Represents New Warfare Paradigm: The overnight raid using approximately 150 aircraft with minimal ground troops and roughly 80 Venezuelan casualties marks a shift from previous U.S. interventions. Unlike boots-on-the-ground operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, this surgical extraction demonstrated second-to-none U.S. military capabilities and likely put adversaries "back in their box," while using technology imported from Russia and Iran that the U.S. easily defeated.

Venezuela Action as Midterm Election Strategy: The operation addresses multiple Trump priorities simultaneously: demonstrating military strength, addressing immigration concerns, disrupting drug trafficking (particularly fentanyl), and potentially securing oil supplies. This multifaceted approach is designed to build momentum for the 2026 midterm elections, where Trump's success is currently tied to crypto's prospects.

Mexican Cartels Likely Next Target: The Venezuela operation is viewed as establishing precedent for future actions against Mexican drug cartels. By first targeting drug boats and facilities in Venezuela, the administration normalized tactics it can later deploy in Mexico, potentially offering the Mexican government a choice to cooperate or face unilateral U.S. action by Q1/Q2 2025.

Energy Markets React to Reduced Geopolitical Risk: While Venezuela's actual oil production has fallen from 5% of global supply to less than 1% over the past decade due to socialist policies, markets interpreted the operation as reducing concerns about prolonged conflict and infrastructure destruction. Bitcoin mining stocks rallied significantly, with Marathon up 7% and Cipher up 12.5%.

Potential for Venezuelan Bitcoin Seizure and Strategic Reserve: Venezuela may hold significant bitcoin reserves, and unlike Germany which dumped 50,000 BTC at $50,000, the Trump administration would likely hold any seized crypto assets. This could provide a pathway to jumpstart the proposed U.S. Bitcoin strategic reserve and remove potential selling pressure from sanctioned regimes.

"Production for Security" Replacing ESG Framework: A new investment thesis called "ProSec" (production for security) is emerging to replace ESG considerations, focused on reshoring critical supply chains including chips, rare earth minerals, and energy production. This represents a return to Maslow's hierarchy basics after realizing dependence on China undermined economic foundations.

Latin America Positioned for Investment Renaissance: With U.S. protection of hemispheric supply chains more feasible than defending Pacific routes to Taiwan, Latin American markets (particularly Mexico, Brazil, and potentially Venezuela) are seen as major investment opportunities. The Monroe Doctrine revival suggests corporations should diversify from Asian manufacturing to Western Hemisphere production for supply chain security.

Dollar Stablecoin Adoption Accelerating in Developing Markets: The intervention will likely accelerate U.S. dollar stablecoin adoption across Venezuela and Latin America, though Tether currently dominates the region. Dollarization becomes more feasible as the U.S. increases economic involvement, particularly since Venezuelan oil sales to China in renminbi could shift back to dollars, creating friction with Chinese influence.

China's Rare Earth Processing Leverage as Key Vulnerability: China's primary leverage over the U.S. is control of refined rare earth and critical mineral processing, not extraction. While building alternative supply chains will take 2-4 years realistically (3-5 years to fully compete), this represents a "fire once" weapon for China, as using it would accelerate U.S. efforts to build permanent alternative sources.

Electricity Production Becomes Critical Political Issue: Rising electricity prices and brownouts will become the dominant electoral issue by the next presidential cycle, driven by data center and AI demands. The solution requires deploying all energy sources simultaneously: solar and batteries in 1-2 years, coal/natural gas facilities following, and nuclear (including small modular reactors on military bases) forming the long-term backbone within 10 years.

Europe Left Behind in New Transactional World Order: Europe faces vulnerability as Trump's administration becomes more transactional, with Europe offering little the U.S. needs while remaining antagonistic on tech regulation and free speech. Unlike Latin America which can provide resources and manufacturing, Europe failed to seize Russian reserves to fund Ukraine defense and lacks a unified leadership structure to negotiate effectively.

U.S. Moving into "Pre-War World" Mentality: Unlike the post-WWII and post-Soviet "post-war" environment that defined previous decades, the current period represents a "pre-war world" requiring urgent action on supply chain security and industrial capacity. This mentality shift creates willingness to sacrifice excessive regulation for national security necessities.

Africa and Cuba as Next Strategic Battlegrounds: Africa's population growth and destabilization risks, combined with Russian and Chinese involvement, make it a critical region where U.S. transactional diplomacy may prove more effective than previous admonishment-based approaches. Cuba represents another likely target given Rubio's comments, political popularity in swing-state Florida, and proximity to U.S. interests.

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Bryce and Alec bring you Australia's best investing podcast. Join them, as they breakdown the barriers to investing, to make the markets accessible to everyone. Start your journey now!<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.

Essentials: The fundamentals of good investing

Equity Mates Investing Podcast

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Rule #1: Always Think Long-Term: Time is the greatest superpower in investing, with the vast majority of Warren Buffett's wealth coming after age 50. The example of Lehman Brothers' collapse illustrates this perfectly - investing on the Friday before the 2008 crash (the worst possible timing) would have resulted in doubling your money over 10 years, or nearly tripling it with reinvested dividends. This demonstrates that time in the market beats timing the market, and even the worst-timed investments can succeed if held long enough.

Rule #2: Your Savings Rate Matters More Than Returns: The biggest determinant of future wealth isn't salary or investment selection, but how much you can save and invest. Investing $20 per week for 35 years at 13% returns yields $570,000, while $50 per week yields $1.4 million - a dramatic difference that would otherwise require achieving 17% annual returns or working eight additional years. Morgan Housel captures this with the insight that "saving is the gap between your ego and your income."

Rule #3: Diversification Protects Your Portfolio: Diversification prevents losing everything if one investment goes wrong. This means spreading investments across geographies, industries, and asset types. The best diversification occurs when something negative in one sector (like self-driving cars hurting transport companies) benefits another part of your portfolio (tech investments). It's a fundamental protection strategy that ensures no single failure can derail your entire financial future.

Rule #4: Keep Costs Low: Fees have a devastating compound effect over time. If Warren Buffett had charged typical fund manager fees (2% management plus 20% performance), his investors' $38 million would have become just $8.6 million instead. Even small costs matter - paying $8 per fortnight in brokerage over 40 years represents $212,000 in foregone returns. Investors should minimize management fees, brokerage costs, and all other expenses to maximize long-term wealth.

Rule #5: Focus on Truly Great Companies: Research shows that only 4% of U.S. companies accounted for all net shareholder wealth creation between 1926 and 2016. Globally, just 2.4% of stocks generated all of the $75.7 trillion in net wealth creation from 1991 to 2020. This means quality over quantity matters enormously, and the best investments are often right in front of you - the top companies that continue driving value for much longer than most expect.

Rule #6: Competitive Advantages Last, Fads Don't: Numerous investment fads have come and gone - hydrogen, medical marijuana, the metaverse, plant-based meat, and COVID-era trends like Peloton. Instead of chasing headlines, look for sustainable competitive advantages or "moats." Hamilton Helmer's Seven Powers framework includes: scale economies (Costco), network effects (Instagram), counter positioning (Netflix vs Blockbuster), switching costs (Xero, Microsoft Office), branding (Nike, Apple), cornered resources (pharmaceutical patents), and process power (Toyota, Amazon's distribution).

Rule #7: Automate to Get Out of Your Own Way: Human brains aren't wired for good long-term investing behavior. Building a system that removes emotions from the investment process is crucial. The less you think and do, the better your long-term returns typically are. Automation helps investors stick to their strategy regardless of market conditions or emotional impulses, preventing the common mistakes that derail investment success.
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Citations Needed is a podcast about the intersection of media, PR, and power, hosted by Nima Shirazi and  Adam Johnson.

News Brief: How Corporate Media Laid the Groundwork for a Rightwing Incitement Campaign in Minnesota

Citations Needed

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Corporate Media's Role in Setting the Stage for Anti-Somali Incitement: Major news outlets including CBS, the New York Times, Fox News, Wall Street Journal, and New York Post created the foundation for a racist harassment campaign against Minnesota's Somali community by promoting misleading narratives about fraud. The coverage inflated numbers (claiming billions when prosecutors only alleged $217 million in court), omitted crucial context about widespread COVID fraud by powerful institutions, and advanced essentialist arguments about Somali culture being inherently corrupt.

The New York Times' Front-Page Hit Piece on Tim Walz: The Times published a prominent story titled "How Fraud Flourished in Minnesota under Tim Walz's Watch," contributing to the progressive governor's decision not to run for reelection. The article advanced a narrative that "Minnesota nice" white people were being exploited by Somali refugees, quoting a Somali professor who said the community came from a culture where "stealing from the country's dysfunctional and corrupt government was widespread" - without disclosing that this source was an active politician in the controversial Somaliland independence movement.

COVID Fraud Context Deliberately Ignored: Corporate media failed to contextualize that COVID fraud was endemic across all sectors, with hundreds of billions going to hospitals through corrupt purchasing schemes and private equity firms, none of which resulted in prosecutions. By singling out Minnesota's Somali community - which lacks access to expensive legal defense - prosecutors and media engaged in selective enforcement that reflected systemic racism in the criminal justice system.

Racist Federal Prosecutor Leading the Charge: Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson made explicitly racist public statements, claiming without evidence that prosecution was delayed due to "fear of racial blowback" and advancing narratives about "poor black people stealing white people's money." His refusal to counter false claims about funds going to Al-Shabaab terrorists demonstrated coordination between state apparatus and right-wing media to advance racist lies.

Right-Wing YouTube Influencers Escalate to Pogrom-Level Harassment: After corporate media laid the groundwork, influencers like Christopher Rufo, Nick Shirley, and David Hock created viral videos harassing Somali-run daycare centers with tens of millions of views. Rufo falsely claimed stolen funds went to Al-Shabaab terrorists, which Trump immediately amplified on Truth Social, declaring "Send them back where they came from" and claiming billions were missing.

Trump Administration's Policy Response: Following the viral harassment campaign, the White House paused all federal funding for daycare centers in Minnesota and called for a nationwide review of daycare centers receiving federal funding. This represents how racist incitement directly translated into discriminatory federal policy targeting an entire immigrant community.

Complex Political Dynamics Buried in Coverage: One of the 100 people indicted was the wife of Somaliland's foreign minister - a fact covered only by African media, not U.S. outlets. This suggests the fraud involved political elites with complex international connections, not simply a cultural problem with Somali immigrants. Israel's recognition of Somaliland independence two days before the Times article further complicates the political backdrop that went unreported.

Poisoning the Jury Pool and Coercing Plea Deals: The hysterical media coverage made fair trials impossible for Somali defendants, creating massive incentives to accept any plea deal rather than face trial in Trump's America. This prevented proper investigation into whether organized crime or political corruption was actually at work, instead accepting the racist narrative promoted by prosecutors and media.

Minnesota Star Tribune's Fact-Checking Pushes Back: The local newspaper, despite being billionaire-owned, remains unionized and did basic reporting that corporate media failed to do - actually checking the numbers and finding prosecutors claimed only $217 million in court documents, not the billions reported nationally. This underscores the continuing importance of local journalism with editorial independence.

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En ROCA PROJECT Carlos Roca pone el foco en el valor humano conversando, sin filtros y en profundidad, con grandes y reconocidos especialistas, con personajes influyentes de la sociedad y con toda clase de personas con una historia impactante que compartir. Este podcast nace con el propósito y el deseo de aportar valor, principios, crecimiento personal e inspiración a la audiencia, yendo un paso más allá del entretenimiento.

#74 - PROPÓSITO VITAL: Descubre tu Ikigai y tu Sentido de Vida | Francesc Miralles en Roca Project

ROCA PROJECT

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I apologize, but I cannot provide an accurate summary of this podcast episode. The transcript provided appears to be severely corrupted or incorrectly transcribed. After the initial sponsor advertisements in English, the Spanish-language content is largely incomprehensible - it appears to be a garbled mix of fragmented words and phrases that don't form coherent sentences or meaningful dialogue.

Based on the context provided, this episode should be a 91-minute conversation between Carlos Roca and Francesc Miralles (co-author of the bestselling book "Ikigai") about finding one's life purpose, the ikigai method, intuition, gratitude, overcoming pain, and discovering meaning at any age. However, the transcript does not contain this conversation in any readable or understandable form.

To provide you with the comprehensive summary you've requested - with 10-14 bullet points covering the main topics, insights about ikigai, practical advice on finding purpose, and key takeaways from their discussion - I would need a properly transcribed version of the episode audio.

If you can provide a corrected transcript, I would be happy to create a detailed summary following all the formatting guidelines you've specified.
</answer>

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Woodside’s power in parliament

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Woodside's Expansion Plans and Climate Activism: Australia's fossil fuel giant Woodside received government approval last year to extend its North West Shelf project through 2070. Climate activists have increasingly targeted the company, with protests at annual general meetings featuring whistles and heckling directed at CEO Meg O'Neill, whom activists label a "climate criminal." Despite this pressure, the company maintains its resolve and continues expansion plans.

The Problem with Scope 3 Emissions: Under the Paris Agreement, countries are only responsible for emissions produced within their borders, not for the fossil fuels they export. Australia has historically argued that customer countries bear responsibility for emissions from burning Australian coal and LNG. However, as the climate emergency intensifies, this approach is being questioned, particularly regarding Australia's massive fossil fuel exports.

Meg O'Neill's Strategic Leadership: Woodside's CEO spent time at ExxonMobil headquarters during the Paris Agreement period, witnessing major shareholder climate revolts. This experience gave her deep knowledge of climate activism tactics. Under her leadership, Woodside has successfully pushed through the Scarborough project, expanded the Pluto gas processing plant, and secured government support for the Northwest Shelf plant extension and Browse Basin expansion.

The "Decarbonisation" Argument: Both Woodside and Australian governments claim that exporting LNG helps decarbonize Asian neighbors by providing a transition fuel. This narrative has been central to industry messaging for over a decade. However, this claim is increasingly questionable as renewables rapidly expand globally, raising concerns that gas companies grabbing for market share may actually hinder rather than help the energy transition.

Deep Political and Economic Ties: Woodside's success is "baked into the psyche" of Australia's main political parties, dating back to the 1980s when it opened Australia's first LNG plant. The relationship is maintained through tax revenue, export income, jobs (crucial for electoral support), union backing, and media support from proprietor Kerry Stokes. These interconnections make both state and federal governments, whether Liberal or Labor, intimately tied to Woodside's future.

The Critical Minerals Sleight of Hand: While Australia promotes its critical minerals industry as essential for the global energy transition, there's a disconnect between rhetoric and reality. The assumption is these projects will be powered by green energy, but in Western Australia, gas is expected to fuel the critical minerals industry. This is used to justify why WA's emissions should be allowed to increase, even as the state claims to help decarbonize the world.

Complex Asian Energy Markets: The simple narrative that Australian gas keeps lights on in places like Tokyo is misleading. Japan has been building its own gas empire since the Paris Agreement, becoming a major global gas trader and re-exporter. Additionally, while Japan has net-zero targets, many other Asian countries receiving Australian gas (Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam) don't have comparable climate commitments, complicating the "we're helping decarbonize Asia" argument.

Future Pressures on the Industry: While Woodside's short-term future appears secure with board support for O'Neill, longer-term pressures loom from the accelerating energy transition and climate impacts on Australia itself. The Great Barrier Reef faces serious survival threats, and upcoming overhauls of environmental laws may include a "climate trigger." There's growing recognition that Australia can't be a responsible climate actor by only addressing domestic emissions while profiting from fossil fuel exports.
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Erick Erickson hosts the Erick Erickson Show across the United States live every weekday from 12pm to 3pm ET. You can listen live at erickericksonshow.com or check out the podcast.

S15 EP3: Hour 3 - Minnesota Mean

The Erick Erickson Show

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Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis: A Department of Homeland Security agent shot and killed a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation after she allegedly attempted to run over federal officers with her Honda Pilot. Video evidence shows the woman accelerating into an ICE agent who was standing in front of her vehicle on an icy street. The agent opened fire as he attempted to avoid being run over, resulting in the woman's death when her vehicle crashed into another car.

Disputed Narrative and Political Response: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other Democratic officials disputed the DHS account, with Frey calling it "BS" and claiming the agent "recklessly used power." Representative Ilhan Omar described the deceased as a "legal observer," while the mayor demanded ICE leave the city. Ericsson criticized this rhetoric as inflammatory, arguing that video evidence clearly shows the woman attempted to run over the agent, making it a justified self-defense shooting.

Minnesota Welfare Fraud Context: The ICE operations are occurring against a backdrop of significant welfare fraud in Minnesota, where 89% of those indicted for fraud are from the Somali community. Ericsson noted that approximately $9 billion in fraud has occurred over nearly a decade, though he acknowledged that white progressives reportedly helped train some members of the Somali community in committing the fraud.

Progressive Response Compared to Ashley Babbitt: Ericsson predicted that the left would treat the deceased woman as a martyr, similar to how some on the right treated Ashley Babbitt after January 6th. He argued that neither person should be considered a hero, as both were on "the bad side" of their respective incidents, with the Minneapolis woman attempting to obstruct federal law enforcement.

Death of Eva Schloss: Holocaust survivor and Anne Frank's stepsister Eva Schloss died at age 96 at a care home in London, receiving tribute from the King of England among others.

Ford's Six-Figure Job Claims Examined: A Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that Ford's claims about 5,000 unfilled $120,000+ jobs are misleading. The reality involves starting wages as low as $10/hour, requiring workers to purchase their own expensive tools (some costing $800), financing $30,000 trade school education, and working under a "flat rate" piecework system. One featured technician took well over five years to reach six figures and had to miss work for two months due to injury, highlighting why these positions remain unfilled.

Venezuela Oil Controversy: Trump's administration plans to sell Venezuelan oil at market rates with proceeds returning to Venezuela, not the U.S. Despite this clarification from Trump, Marco Rubio, and Venezuela itself, Senator Chris Murphy claimed the U.S. is "stealing Venezuela's oil at gunpoint." Initial snap polls showed opposition to Trump's Venezuela actions, but polling shifted to tied within days as more information became public.

Defense Contractor Executive Compensation Limits: Breaking news revealed Trump is attempting to limit defense contractor executive compensation to $5 million and banning dividends and stock buybacks until companies build new modern production plants. Ericsson expressed uncertainty about whether the president has the legal authority to impose such restrictions on private businesses.

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The U.S. government now admits UFOs are real and alien enthusiast Stephen Diener sheds light on the shocking stories that still remain in the shadows.

UAP EP 179 Featuring Chris Ramsey - Did and Alien Interview Video Really Leak from the Government?

UAP Unidentified Alien Podcast

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The Alien Interview Video Investigation: Chris Ramsey discusses his recent interview with Jon Stewart regarding a controversial 30-year-old video allegedly showing a government interview with an alien. New research suggests the video may have been filmed by the government using 16mm film (which was primarily used by the military in the 1990s), and that creating such a realistic puppet would have cost $80,000-$100,000, making a hoax unlikely. While Ramsey remains skeptical about whether the being is real (around 30% convinced), he believes there's strong evidence the video was an authentic government operation, possibly for training purposes or soft disclosure.

Telepathic Monks as Government Assets: A surprising revelation emerged about Carthusian monks from Mount Equinox, Vermont, allegedly being used by the NSA or DIA for telepathic communication. According to research, two British brothers who were monks possessed special abilities and were warned about by MI6 when they came to the U.S. These monks, who live in complete silence and contemplation, were reportedly sequestered to serve as telepaths in classified operations, possibly including the alien interview. The military allegedly continues using monks for what's called "Thought Project Acquisition" in interrogation efforts. Ramsey has written a carefully worded letter to the monastery attempting to verify these claims.

The Skinny Bob Video and Its Credibility: Ramsey's conviction in the authenticity of the 1950s "Skinny Bob" video has decreased after receiving a fake leak from a VFX artist who demonstrated how easily such footage could be created in a single day using existing 3D renders and blender software. While this doesn't definitively debunk the original video, it shows how accessible the technology is for creating convincing alien footage, making verification more difficult.

The Nazca Mummies Controversy: The conversation addressed recent conflicting reports about the Nazca mummies, with some claiming they're mutilated human bodies while others argue they're genuine non-human specimens. Ramsey maintains moderate skepticism (around 30-35% conviction) despite his friend Jesse Michaels having higher conviction after visiting Peru and examining the specimens firsthand. Ramsey acknowledges that hoaxing does occur in that region but remains open to evidence while recognizing that experts are divided on both sides of the debate.

Angela Ford's Remote Viewing Experiences: Ramsey discussed his interview with renowned remote viewer Angela Ford, addressing her viral moment on the Sean Ryan podcast where she became visibly uncomfortable when asked about remote viewing Jesus's crucifixion. Ford explained she was uncomfortable because Ryan's religious audience would have reacted negatively to whatever she might have said, and she wanted to avoid creating controversy. She clarified that she never properly remote viewed the crucifixion in an official, blind capacity during her work with Stargate.

The Age Factor in Close Encounters: A pattern emerged in discussion about why many close encounter experiences begin in childhood. The conversation explored whether this relates to genetic lineage (with abductions often running in families), proximity to "the source" at younger ages, or practical monitoring needs if these represent ongoing experiments. The familial connection suggests something hereditary or intentional tracking of genetic modifications across generations.

Remote Viewing and Personal Abilities: Ford's career as a successful female remote viewer in the male-dominated intelligence community of the 1980s-90s was highlighted, including her work with the FBI and Stargate program. She had her own childhood UFO experiences, including a sighting of a green orb and an encounter with a gray being. The discussion explored whether psychic abilities might make certain individuals more likely to have encounters with non-human intelligence.

The Importance of Sky Watching: Both hosts emphasized the simple practice of looking up at the sky regularly, noting that many UAP sightings occur when people happen to be outside and observing. Ramsey maintains a 1-800 hotline where callers frequently begin their sighting reports with "I was having a cigarette," highlighting how being outside in a relaxed, contemplative state increases the likelihood of witnessing anomalous phenomena.

Approaching Controversial Topics and Figures: Ramsey defended his decision to interview controversial figures like Jon Stewart, emphasizing the importance of letting audiences hear information directly and make their own judgments. He maintains neutrality and doesn't take sides, instead focusing on presenting research and allowing viewers to evaluate claims themselves, even when the subjects or their methods are unconventional or disputed within the UFO community.

The "It's Probably Nothing" Live Tour: Chris Ramsey and Jesse Michaels announced their North American live tour starting with shows in Austin (February 5th) and Montreal (February 20th), with 24 additional cities to be announced. The tour will feature more than just conversation, including VIP experiences, special guests, Q&A sessions, and opportunities for local experiencers to share their stories on stage with follow-up interrogation from the hosts.

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Squawk Pod is a daily, guided curation of the top moments and takeaways from CNBC’s flagship morning show, “Squawk Box”, anchored by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Each day, the podcast includes news making interviews, perspective and analysis from iconic guest hosts, and slices of debate and discussion—from the heated to the hilarious— all wrapped with exclusive context and color from Senior Producer Katie Kramer.

Venezuela’s Oil Flow to the U.S. 1/7/26

Squawk Pod

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Venezuelan Oil Deal Breaks: Ongoing Supply to Replace China Routes: President Trump announced Venezuela will provide 30-50 million barrels of oil to the U.S., but CNBC's Brian Sullivan broke news that this is just the first tranche of an indefinite arrangement. Venezuela will redirect sanctioned oil that previously went to China to the U.S. and Western allies. The oil will be "given" to the U.S., sold at market prices, with proceeds held in American banks until the President determines Venezuela's government is stable enough to receive funds back for infrastructure and the Venezuelan people's benefit.

Sanctions Relief as Part of the Deal: As part of the Venezuelan oil arrangement, sanctions on Venezuelan oil will be rolled back. This represents a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Venezuela, with interim Venezuelan authorities (not specifically named officials) negotiating with the U.S. Department of Energy. The deal appears designed to both secure oil supplies for the U.S. and incentivize political stability in Venezuela through the promise of eventual revenue return.

Refinery Impact and Market Reactions: Only certain U.S. refineries can process Venezuela's heavy, sour crude oil. Companies like Valero, Phillips 66, and Marathon Petroleum stand to benefit, with Valero stock jumping 3.3% on the news. The redirection of Venezuelan oil from China to Western markets represents a major shift in global energy flows and could be interpreted as a response to China's restrictions on rare earth exports to the U.S.

Greenland Acquisition Raises NATO Concerns: The White House raised the prospect of using military force to acquire Greenland from Denmark, with Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stating that utilizing the military "is always an option at the commander in chief's disposal." This represents a potential unprecedented confrontation between NATO allies. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that NATO and democratic rules would collapse if one member attacked another, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told lawmakers the goal is to purchase, not invade, Greenland.

Military and Legal Questions Over Greenland: Former high-ranking U.S. intelligence officials questioned whether the U.S. military would follow orders to attack a NATO ally in a war of territorial aggression, given questionable legality. U.S. forces train alongside Danish forces in Greenland, creating personal relationships that would complicate any military action. Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated there's "no serious talk" of military intervention, suggesting disconnect between White House rhetoric and Congressional understanding.

LA Fires Anniversary: Minimal Rebuilding One Year Later: Jacob Soboroff's new book "Firestorm" chronicles the devastating LA fires from one year ago that destroyed 16,000 structures, killed 31 people, and burned an area three times the size of Manhattan in what became the costliest wildfire event in U.S. history. Despite a year passing, virtually no one has rebuilt their homes, with only about 3,000 permits issued out of 16,000 destroyed structures.

Corporate Investors Dominating Fire-Damaged Properties: Approximately 40% of lots sold in fire-damaged LA areas went to corporate investors rather than local residents. This trend threatens to fundamentally change neighborhood character, with corporate-style "box houses" replacing the small ranch-style homes that defined communities like Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Property prices remain in the millions even in heavily damaged areas, making it unaffordable for many former residents to return.

Insurance and Infrastructure Complications Hampering Recovery: Insurance has become a nightmare for survivors, particularly those whose homes survived but can't move back due to environmental conditions. Premiums are rising and policies are being cancelled. Additionally, a million gallons were missing from the Santa Ynez reservoir, faulty electrical equipment allegedly sparked fires, and exploding electric car batteries complicated firefighting efforts, highlighting infrastructure failures that contributed to the disaster's severity.

Immigration Policy Impacting Reconstruction Efforts: Governor Newsom indicated that immigration enforcement is hampering rebuilding efforts, as approximately 10% of LA County's population is undocumented and represents a major part of the construction workforce. ICE operations targeting workers at Home Depots in LA have directly affected the labor pool historically engaged in homebuilding, slowing an already difficult recovery process.

Economic Ripple Effects Beyond Housing: The fires displaced tens of thousands of workers who lost both homes and jobs when businesses like restaurants and shops burned down. Combined with existing entertainment industry challenges and production slowdowns, the economic impact extends far beyond physical property damage. The displacement of workers and closure of businesses creates a cascading effect on LA's economy, with 200-300 Caltech and JPL engineers alone losing their homes in Altadena.

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A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and global issues. From far-right voters in Europe, to the last Christians of Gaza, to the rise of the Myanmar resistance, to the Three Million mini-series on the Bengal Famine, The Documentary investigates major global stories. We delve into social media, take you into the minds of the world’s most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. Every week, we also bring together people from around the globe to discuss how news stories are affecting their lives. A new episode most days, all year round. From our BBC World Service teams at: Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio, OS Conversations, The Fifth Floor and Trending.

World Questions - Greenland

The Documentary Podcast

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Greenland's Path to Independence: Greenlandic politicians emphasize that independence has been a goal for decades, describing it as "a marathon, not a sprint." While 56% of Greenlanders favor independence and 85% oppose U.S. takeover, the territory currently depends on Denmark for half its budget. Politicians prefer the term "external self-determination" rather than full independence, noting that Denmark annexed Greenland in 1953 and colonized it in 1721, making it still a de facto colony. Any transition would require negotiations with Denmark over security guarantees, economic arrangements, and potential trilateral agreements involving the U.S.

Trump's Interest and Geopolitical Significance: President Trump's repeated desire to acquire Greenland stems from both strategic security interests and the territory's vast natural resources. Greenland sits between North America and Europe, making it geopolitically crucial. Greenlanders stress they've long been aware of American interest in their territory and are accustomed to external attention, though they firmly reject becoming part of the United States.

Mining and Natural Resources: Greenland possesses enormous deposits of lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements crucial for modern technology and the green transition. However, these resources remain largely unexploited due to global production chains dominated by China, high extraction costs, and competition with jurisdictions that have lower environmental standards. Greenland maintains it won't compromise on environmental protection and wants to attract investment based on responsible mining practices, not compete on price with countries like China.

The Uranium Mining Controversy: The proposed Kvanefjeld mining project near Narsaq has sparked intense debate about uranium mining. A coalition government enforced a ban on uranium mining, demonstrating that democratic processes and public consultation work in Greenland. Local communities, particularly indigenous Inuit populations, worry about bearing environmental and cultural costs of mining projects, including concerns about radioactive waste, pollution, and threats to traditional livelihoods like fishing and sheep farming.

Indigenous Rights and Mining Projects: Greenland has ratified ILO 169 convention on indigenous peoples' rights through Denmark, but the Greenlandic government hasn't registered who qualifies as indigenous, making it difficult to protect group rights. Opposition politicians argue that local communities should have democratic rights to consent to or reject large mining projects, potentially through referendums, particularly when projects directly affect nearby towns.

Discrimination Against Inuit Children in Denmark: Inuit children are six times more likely to be taken into care in Denmark than children of Danish descent. Denmark used a parenting test (FKU) that was culturally inappropriate for Greenlandic families, though it has officially been discontinued. Around 300 cases are being reconsidered. Parents describe devastating experiences of being separated from their children with minimal visitation rights, with some reporting the discriminatory test is still being applied despite assurances otherwise.

Historical Injustices and Apologies: Denmark's Prime Minister has apologized for multiple historical injustices, including the forced sterilization and insertion of IUDs in Greenlandic women without proper consent, and the forced removal of Greenlandic children from their families in the 1950s and 60s. A compensation fund is being established for affected women, though some complain about the slow pace of implementation. These cases are viewed as part of a pattern of structural racism and post-colonial discrimination.

Structural Racism in Denmark: Greenlandic politicians and community members describe experiencing structural racism and discrimination in Denmark. The Danish government has been criticized for not recognizing Inuit people as a minority under the European Council Framework Convention for National Minorities, which would provide legal protections. Without such recognition, Inuit people lack proper legal safeguards regarding language, culture, and equal treatment in government interactions.

Transport and Infrastructure Challenges: Greenland has no roads connecting its towns and cities, relying instead on expensive air travel and boats. The high cost makes domestic travel prohibitively expensive for many families, preventing them from visiting relatives in different parts of the country. The government is investing heavily in new airports to improve accessibility, but this creates its own problems by making some areas more accessible than others, potentially marginalizing smaller communities.

Economic Development Strategy: Greenland is pursuing a pro-business approach focused on fisheries, mining, tourism, and hydropower to reduce economic dependence on Denmark. The challenge involves balancing the need for foreign workers and investment with maintaining social cohesion and avoiding overwhelming small communities. Fly-in, fly-out operations for mining may be preferable to permanent settlements that could create tension and inflate housing costs.

The Colonial Economic System: Greenland operates under a self-rule law that functions like a colonial system—if Greenland earns over 75 million Danish kroner from mining, it must share income with Denmark until the annual block grant is reduced. This structure, along with EU regulations controlling Greenland's financial, insurance, and pension systems (through Denmark), is seen as a major obstacle to true economic independence.

NATO and Defense Considerations: As part of Denmark, Greenland falls under NATO's defense umbrella. Opposition politicians argue that in a European war, Denmark might not be able to defend Greenland adequately, suggesting Greenland needs its own security arrangements. The 1951 defense agreement with the U.S. could potentially become a bilateral Greenland-U.S. agreement, or a trilateral arrangement including Denmark, depending on negotiations around independence.

Demographic Crisis: Greenland faces a severe demographic challenge, with the working-age population forecasted to fall by 20% between 2025 and 2050. This problem is partly attributed to the historical IUD scandal that prevented many women from having children. The total population hasn't decreased significantly due to immigration from the Philippines, Thailand, and returning Greenlanders, but the aging population structure poses serious economic challenges requiring reforms and potentially incentives to encourage childbearing.

Environmental Standards and Green Transition: Greenland positions itself as offering high environmental standards for mining operations, arguing that Western countries cannot get the green transition "on a discount." If nations want ethically sourced minerals with environmental protections, they must be willing to pay higher prices than Chinese operations offer. This strategy depends on creating a market for responsibly sourced minerals among allies who share democratic values.

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Seeking Alpha's flagship Wall Street Breakfast provides investors an overview of key investment news every morning and afternoon. Transcripts: seekingalpha.com/wsb

GameStop CEO bets his pay on return to glory

Wall Street Breakfast

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GameStop CEO's Moonshot Compensation Package: Ryan Cohen will receive zero guaranteed compensation under a new performance-based stock option award approved by GameStop's board. The package includes options on 171.5 million shares at $20.66 exercise price, split into nine tranches that only vest if the company hits aggressive targets starting at $20 billion market cap and $2 billion cumulative EBITDA, scaling up to a maximum of $100 billion market cap and $10 billion cumulative EBITDA. GameStop's current market value stands at $9.3 billion, far below even its 2021 meme stock peak of $33.7 billion.

Warner Brothers Discovery Rejects Paramount Bid: Warner Brothers Discovery's board unanimously rejected Paramount Skydance's amended tender offer, stating it undervalues the company, relies too heavily on debt, and leaves shareholders exposed if the deal fails. The board reiterated its support for a Netflix partnership and urged investors to reject Paramount's proposal.

Weak Labor Market Data Ahead of Jobs Report: ADP reported private sector employment rose by just 41,000 in December, missing the 47,000 consensus despite rebounding from November's 29,000 drop. The JOLTS report showed job openings fell to 7.146 million in November, significantly below the 7.648 million consensus and marking the lowest level since 2024.

Rising Memory Chip Prices Threaten Consumer Electronics: Samsung's president of global marketing warned that rising memory chip costs are reaching critical levels that will impact the entire supply chain. Prices continue climbing, and Samsung indicated it may need to consider repricing its consumer products as the burden becomes too great to absorb.

GIF Sentiment as Market Predictor: A new academic paper introduces "GIF Sentiment," analyzing millions of GIF posts on StockTwits to gauge market mood. The research finds GIF sentiment positively correlates with same-day S&P 500 returns but negatively predicts returns over the following month, suggesting it may signal market reversals. The effect is strongest in small caps and high volatility portfolios, and outperforms some traditional sentiment measures.

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Compensation Increase: New Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel will receive an annual cash salary of $25 million starting January 1st, a dramatic increase from Warren Buffett's longtime compensation of just $100,000 base salary plus approximately $305,000 in additional pay.

Quantum Computing Acquisition: D-Wave Quantum agreed to acquire Quantum Circuits for $550 million in stock and cash, combining D-Wave's scalable superconducting control technology with Quantum Circuit's error-corrected gate model approach.
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The 94WIP Morning Show with Joe DeCamara, Jon Ritchie, James Seltzer, and Rhea Hughes every weekday from 6-10am. 

Full Show: Will the Eagles Offense “Crank It Up”? 🤞💚

94WIP Morning Show with Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie

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Eagles Offense: Expectations for Playoff Performance: The show's central debate focused on whether the Eagles offense will "crank it up" for the playoffs after averaging just 16.2 points per game post-bye week. Joe DeCamara doesn't expect significant improvement, though he believes Jalen Hurts will run more in critical situations. John Ritchie expressed deep concern about the lack of offensive identity and consistency, noting they haven't strung together multiple good quarters all season. The consensus is that if the Eagles lose in the playoffs, it will almost certainly be because the offense fails to hold up its end of the bargain.

Sirianni vs. Shanahan Head Coach Debate: A heated argument erupted when John Ritchie argued Kyle Shanahan is a better head coach than Nick Sirianni, primarily due to Shanahan's offensive play-calling ability. Joe, James Seltzer, and Rhea Hughes defended Sirianni, pointing to his superior winning percentage and Super Bowl appearance. Both Sheil Kapadia and Ross Tucker acknowledged Shanahan's offensive genius but noted Sirianni's proven track record makes the comparison closer than it appears. The debate highlighted concerns about the Eagles' need for a new offensive coordinator every year versus Shanahan's ability to handle both roles.

49ers Defensive Weaknesses Present Opportunity: Multiple analysts noted the 49ers have one of the worst defenses remaining in the playoffs, with only 20 sacks all season and significant injuries at linebacker. Seattle held San Francisco to just 3 points in their previous game, demonstrating the defense's vulnerability. Experts believe if the Eagles offense can't score at least 20-25 points against this depleted unit—which includes practice squad players and recently signed Kaiser White—it would represent a massive disappointment and raise serious questions about the coaching staff.

Offensive Line Decline from Championship Form: Ross Tucker and others emphasized the dramatic drop-off in offensive line performance compared to last season when they were clearly the NFL's best unit. Injuries to Lane Johnson (Lisfranc), Landon Dickerson (two knee surgeries), and Cam Jurgens (back issues) have significantly impacted their play. The rest before the playoff game is viewed as potentially crucial for getting these banged-up linemen closer to full strength, though concerns remain about whether they can recapture their dominant form from 2023.

Tank Bigsby Usage and Running Back Rotation: Frustration mounted over the underutilization of Tank Bigsby, who has shown explosive ability with limited carries but didn't touch the ball once in the fourth quarter of the Washington game. The hosts debated whether the Eagles were resting him or avoiding playing him to not reveal playoff plans. Ross Tucker suggested a more balanced split (17-8 instead of 22-3 carries) would benefit the offense by providing fresh legs and different running styles to attack the 49ers' weak linebacker corps.

RPO Attack Strategy Against Vulnerable Linebackers: John Ritchie passionately advocated for the Eagles to return to their RPO (run-pass option) game to exploit San Francisco's decimated linebacker group. With Fred Warner's backup (Torres) injured and practice squad players filling in, the RPO scheme should create confusion and favorable matchups. The hosts expressed concern that the Eagles have abandoned this successful formula from previous seasons, despite it being perfectly suited for this specific matchup.

Vic Fangio vs. Kyle Shanahan Matchup Excellence: The game within the game features elite coordinator Vic Fangio against offensive mastermind Kyle Shanahan. Rhea Hughes noted Shanahan has called Fangio the toughest defensive coordinator he's ever faced, and in their four previous meetings, Shanahan's offenses scored only 15, 9, 11, and 6 points. This represents the Eagles' best defensive advantage, though concerns remain about Shanahan having an extra day to prepare and install new wrinkles the Eagles haven't seen on film.

Jalen Hurts Running Game as Potential X-Factor: The consensus is that Jalen Hurts running the ball more represents the most likely source of offensive improvement. However, skepticism remains about how much he'll actually run given his and Sirianni's conservative approach throughout the season. Many expect limited designed runs in the first half with potential increase only in critical late-game situations. Hurts' reluctance to run has been a source of frustration all season, with his rushing production significantly down from previous years.

Jake Elliott Kicking Concerns for High-Pressure Moments: The show conducted a Twitter poll asking if fans trust Jake Elliott for the playoffs, receiving 69% yes responses—indicating significant doubt despite his strong playoff history. Elliott struggled during the regular season, including a game where he missed three field goals (all to the left), though he's been better with long snapper Charlie Hewlett back healthy. The hosts acknowledged it's not an overwhelming vote of confidence, with everyone expressing some nervousness about crucial kicks.

Rest vs. Momentum Debate and Seeding Implications: The decision to rest starters in Week 18 and potentially lose the 2-seed sparked ongoing debate. While Joe defended the rest for injury management (particularly for the offensive line), others questioned whether momentum and game rhythm were sacrificed. Mike Quick emphasized the importance of managing personnel for the marathon NFL season, noting Detroit's decline as a cautionary tale. The Eagles' relatively healthy roster compared to previous years (only 23 games missed by Week 1 starters) was cited as validation of the rest strategy.

John Harbaugh Firing and Ravens Dysfunction: The shocking dismissal of John Harbaugh after 18 years sparked discussion about the apparent conflict with Lamar Jackson. Reports suggested Jackson's conditioning issues (falling asleep in meetings, staying up playing video games) and the inability to coexist with Harbaugh forced ownership to choose between them. The hosts expressed sadness about Harbaugh's departure while acknowledging you can't pick a coach over an MVP quarterback in his prime, though concerns remain about Baltimore's direction.

Phillies Offseason Frustration and Ranger Suarez Departure: Deep disappointment emerged over the slow-moving Phillies offseason, with potential loss of fan-favorite Ranger Suarez to the Mets causing particular pain. Joe called Ranger his favorite current Phillie, making the potential division-rival signing especially difficult. The Twitter poll showed 75% of fans would prefer signing Bo Bichette over bringing back J.T. Realmuto if forced to choose one, reflecting desire for youth and offensive production over sentiment and defensive excellence at catcher.

Flyers Playoff Position at Season Halfway Point: The Flyers reached the 41-game mark with a 22-12-7 record, sitting as the sixth-best record in their conference. The strong first half exceeded expectations, though the hosts cautioned against taking a playoff berth for granted given how tight the standings remain (only three points separate them from being out). The team's success under John Tortorella has been a pleasant surprise, providing Philly fans with another legitimate playoff contender to support alongside the Eagles.

Kevin Patullo's Offensive Coordinator Performance Under Fire: Significant criticism focused on offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo's inability to establish offensive identity or consistency. His non-answer about doing "whatever it takes to win" was viewed as a cop-out lacking substance. The late-game play-calling (particularly getting plays in with under 5 seconds on the play clock) and abandonment of successful concepts frustrated the hosts. John Ritchie argued this represents the major flaw in Sirianni's tenure—the constant turnover and inconsistency at offensive coordinator prevents building sustained excellence.
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Fitness and weight loss expert Vinnie Tortorich, author of best-selling book "Fitness Confidential", dispels the widespread mistaken beliefs regarding weight loss and exercise and teaches us how to lose weight, get fit and reclaim our lives. Using his 35 years of experience in the fitness and weight loss industry in Hollywood combined with an absolute commitment to good health, Vinnie has helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world lose hundreds of thousands of unhealthy pounds in an easy and sustainable way. His listeners love him for his fearless humor, tireless honesty, extraordinary nose for BS, and simple message.  Join Vinnie and his inspiring guests - doctors, scientists. researchers, journalists, farmers, athletes and more - to hear the latest scientific discoveries and unravel the myths that have been hampering our health. Laugh your way to health and fitness with Fitness Confidential and Vinnie Tortorich.

Starting Where You're At - Episode 2746

Fitness Confidential with Vinnie Tortorich

Fitness Confidential

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Start Slow and Then Slow Down: The biggest mistake people make with New Year's fitness resolutions is coming out of the gate too hard. Most gym-goers quit by "Quitters Day" (the second Friday of January) because they experience severe delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) or simply lose motivation. The key is to start with manageable activities and gradually increase intensity rather than treating fitness like a sprint.

Soreness Doesn't Equal Success: Feeling sore after a workout doesn't automatically indicate effectiveness. While some initial soreness is normal when starting a new routine, excessive soreness can prevent you from returning to the gym. As your body adapts and gets stronger, soreness will naturally decrease—this is a sign of progress, not stagnation.

Start Where You Actually Are: Everyone's starting point is different, whether you're a former athlete or completely sedentary. If you can only handle five minutes on a stationary bike, start there. Realistic expectations and honest self-assessment are crucial. Don't let ego or intimidation from seeing others lift heavier weights derail your progress—everyone started somewhere.

Form Over Weight: When beginning or restarting a weightlifting routine, proper form matters far more than the amount of weight being lifted. Women in gyms are often stronger than returning male athletes expect, but no one is judging beginners. Focus on learning correct movements with lighter weights before progressively adding more.

Realistic Timelines for Results: Most people start feeling better within seven to ten days of consistent exercise, with visible results appearing around two weeks—ironically, right when many people quit. Unlike dietary changes that show immediate effects (like dry January), fitness results take time to manifest, making patience and consistency essential.

Frequency and Routine Structure: A four-day-per-week routine (push/pull, legs, push/pull) works well for beginners, though six-day routines (push/pull/legs repeated twice) allow for shorter, more manageable sessions. Missing occasional workouts is normal and acceptable—the goal is consistent effort over time, not perfection.

You Don't Need a Gym: Bodyweight exercises, lunges, and slow, methodical movements can provide excellent workouts without equipment. Time under tension matters more than weight—doing one slow push-up can be more challenging than ten fast ones. Active recovery and making the best of available resources beats skipping workouts entirely.

Rest Days Are Essential, Not Optional: Muscle building actually happens during recovery, not during workouts—the gym provides the stimulus, but rest creates the growth. Taking one or two rest days per week prevents burnout and injury. However, rest days should still include light activity like walking or yoga rather than complete inactivity.

Protein Guidelines Without Obsession: For average-height men (5'8"-6'), aim for 120-150 grams of protein daily regardless of current weight; for average-height women (5'2"-5'7"), target 85-120 grams. Going slightly over is fine. The rest of calories should come primarily from fats, with carbohydrates from vegetables. Don't overthink meal timing or protein windows.

Breaking Through Plateaus: Plateaus occur when you repeat the same routine without variation. Change things up by adjusting rep schemes, starting exercises in different orders, or incorporating 85-95% effort days instead of always going to failure. Progressive overload can come from increased weight, time under tension, or slowed movement speed—not just adding more pounds.

The Importance of Morning Fuel: Starting your day with some calories—even just heavy cream or coconut oil in coffee, or a simple egg breakfast—helps jumpstart your metabolism. While intermittent fasting or OMAD (one meal a day) works for some, most people benefit from "wake and bake" eating that doesn't spike blood sugar.

Beware of Internet Bro-Science: Social media fitness influencers with large followings don't necessarily provide sound advice. Be skeptical of one-size-fits-all recommendations (like everyone using 12% treadmill inclines) that don't account for individual fitness levels, health conditions, or body weight. What works for one person may be dangerous for another.

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David Gardner, co-founder of The Motley Fool, is among the most respected and trusted sources on investing. As a best-selling author, hugely successful stock picker, and financial authority, David has led The Motley Fool’s growth into a worldwide investment and financial advisory services company.
Each week David shares his insights into today's most innovative and disruptive publicly traded companies -- and how to profit from them by following his signature “Rule Breaker Investing” principles.

Essays From Yesterday, Vol. 8

Rule Breaker Investing

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History as an Investor's Secret Weapon: The episode opens by establishing history as a crucial yet underutilized tool for investors. In contrast to financial media's focus on minute-to-minute stock movements, David Gardner emphasizes that real investing lessons come from observing patterns across years and decades. He revisits essays written between 2006-2014 to demonstrate how historical perspective helps investors understand what truly matters versus what feels urgent in the moment.

The Forgotten 2006 Market Sell-Off: Gardner reads from a July 2006 essay written during a brutal market downturn that most investors have completely forgotten. Rule Breakers' average stock return had plummeted from +29% to -15% in just months, with many positions down 25% in a single quarter. Yet this wasn't one of the "famous" crashes like 2001 or 2008-09, illustrating how frequent and forgettable such corrections actually are—and why maintaining a whole-life commitment to the market is essential.

Winners Overwhelm Losers in Rule Breaker Investing: Among the four stocks highlighted in that 2006 essay as "outstanding growth stocks," three ultimately failed or underperformed, but Intuitive Surgical became a 120x winner from its 2005 recommendation and a 53-bagger from the July 2006 timeframe. This exemplifies the "Power Law" of venture capital that also applies to Rule Breaker investing—a few massive winners more than compensate for numerous losers.

All-Time Highs Are Normal, Not Scary: Reflecting on an October 2010 essay celebrating "all-time highs," Gardner emphasizes that these milestones shouldn't cause fear or suggest markets are about to crash. Since markets trend upward over time, all-time highs are actually frequent and "continual" (recurring) rather than "continuous" (constant). Investors should expect them and not be deterred from buying great stocks just because they've reached new peaks.

Team-Based Stock Picking Success: The October 2010 essay highlighted team member Tim Beyers, whose picks included massive winners like Salesforce (38x return) and Alphabet (28x return), alongside some failures. This demonstrates the collaborative "motley" approach of Rule Breakers, where diverse perspectives from multiple stock pickers create a successful patchwork portfolio—and how that same team has remained intact for two decades.

The Darkest Hours Offer the Best Opportunities: A February 2012 essay reflected on March 2009, when the stock market felt catastrophically bleak—Rule Breakers' average pick was down 33% five years into the service. Yet the two stocks picked that month, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Mercado Libre, each became 5-baggers. The essay reinforces that the worst times to "feel" like investing are often mathematically the best times to buy.

Persistence Trumps Perfect Timing: Gardner emphasized four critical lessons from the March 2009 picks: what felt like the worst month was actually the best month to pick stocks; relative performance against benchmarks matters; and most importantly, persistence counts—it's "time in the market, not timing the market" that produces results. Investors who flee to the sidelines during downturns miss the subsequent recoveries.

The Forgotten 2011 Second-Half Collapse: Few investors today remember that the second half of 2011 saw Rule Breakers lose half its all-time gains in just six months, even during the overall recovery from the 2008-09 financial crisis. This forgotten downturn reinforces how frequent meaningful corrections are and how holding through them is essential to long-term success.

Language Shapes Investment Behavior: A March 2014 essay about changing "Core" stocks to "Starter Stocks" sparked reflection on how word choice profoundly impacts investor thinking. Gardner criticizes terms like "correction" (implies the market was wrong), "names" (depersonalizes companies), "bubble," and "growth/value stocks" as unhelpful framing. Precise language—like "investing" from its Latin root—matters because it shapes how people behave during difficult periods.

Review Issue Winners Demonstrate Simple Stock Success: The February 2012 review issue, which repicked existing favorites Intuitive Surgical and Mercado Libre rather than new stocks, proved enormously successful—ISRG is up 11x and MELI up 24x from those 2012 positions. This supports the observation that simpler, more straightforward stock picks often outperform, possibly because investors take them more seriously and hold them longer.

Short-Term Scorecards Are Meaningless: Across all four essays, a consistent theme emerges: short-term performance numbers (measured in months or even a few years) reveal almost nothing about investment quality. Real understanding only emerges after allowing years or a full decade to pass, which is why Gardner's "10 Years Later" podcast series reviewing five-stock samplers provides such valuable perspective.

Continuous Improvement in Service and Self: Gardner emphasizes the importance of "continuous improvement"—a phrase he attributes to Michael Dell—both for The Motley Fool's services to members and for individual investors. The willingness to change terminology, refine approaches, and learn from history while maintaining core principles exemplifies this philosophy and contributes to long-term success in both business and investing.

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Diggnation is back! After a 15-year break, the guys are returning with all new episodes. Diggnation covers the top stories from around the internet. Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht give you their unique, sometimes awkward, and always hilarious take on the edges of the internet. Just a couple of geeks sitting on a couch.

LEGO Got Smarter, Planes Land Themselves, and Hooters Is Rebranding Again

Diggnation v2.0 (rebooted)

Diggnation (Rebooted)

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New Year Resolutions and Self-Care Focus: Both hosts are embracing "Dry January" (with varying degrees of success) and discussing 2026 resolutions centered on self-care. Alex is incorporating more stretching, yoga, and massages to complement his weightlifting routine, while Kevin is maintaining his sauna practice (20 minutes daily, six days a week), recently started acupuncture for tennis elbow with remarkable success, and has resumed Peloton cardio training with zone-based workouts.

Digg Communities Feature Coming Soon: Kevin announces that Digg will be rolling out community creation features to beta users this month. He emphasizes this isn't just a basic Reddit clone—the visual design by Justin and team is uniquely distinctive. Early users should pay close attention as they'll have opportunities to claim communities and get involved before the wider rollout.

Samsung Adopts Gemini AI Across 800 Million Devices: Samsung is abandoning its homegrown Bixby AI in favor of Google's Gemini, rolling it out to 400 million devices with plans to expand to 800 million. This represents a massive win for Google's AI ecosystem, similar to how Google paid to be Safari's default search engine. The integration will be native rather than requiring app downloads, though details about premium features and revenue sharing remain unclear.

Waymo Faces Santa Monica Lawsuit Over Noise Pollution: Waymo is in a legal battle with Santa Monica over their autonomous vehicle charging lots, where cars perform a "ballet" of parking maneuvers all night with constant backup beeping sounds disrupting nearby residents. The situation mirrors early conflicts with Bird scooters and Uber, representing growing pains between emerging technology and city regulations. The hosts suggest Waymo could easily solve this with location-based sound controls.

Lego Introduces Revolutionary Smart Brick Technology: Lego announced the "smart brick" launching March 1st with Star Wars collections, featuring 2x4 bricks containing custom 4.1mm ASIC chips with accelerometers, sensors, and magnetic field detection. The system creates a self-organizing "Bluetooth bricknet" that triggers context-appropriate lights and sounds based on motion, orientation, and minifigure proximity—all charging wirelessly with no hub required. This represents a significant evolution beyond simple motorized sets.

Embracing Boredom as Mental Health Practice: Alex discusses implementing a "no phones in the TV room" policy based on Harvard research about embracing boredom for mental health. The hosts reflect on how constant dopamine hits from social media have numbed their appreciation for genuine joy from friends, food, and music. They're actively working to reduce phone dependency and incorporate more analog activities like puzzles, Lego building, and woodworking.

Japanese Woodworking and Creative Hobbies: Both hosts are diving into hands-on creative work. Alex and his wife signed up for an eight-hour introductory woodworking class after seeing impressive homemade cutting boards, while Kevin has been carving Japanese spoons by hand (with some blood loss) and researching high-end Japanese woodworking tools, particularly fascinated by handmade hammer tops that can be passed down through generations.

Garmin Autopilot Successfully Lands Plane Autonomously: In a historic first for non-testing conditions, Garmin's emergency auto-landing system successfully landed a small aircraft after cabin depressurization caused the pilots to lose radio contact. The system automatically detected the emergency, navigated to the nearest suitable airport, communicated with towers via automated radio calls, executed landing procedures, and shut itself off—demonstrating significant advancement in general aviation safety technology.

Potential Breakthrough in Cartilage Regeneration: Stanford researchers developed a protein blocker targeting 15PGDH that not only stopped cartilage degradation in mice but actually regenerated knee cartilage and reversed arthritis. While still in animal testing phase, this represents the first medication that addresses age-related arthritis causes rather than just masking symptoms, with human trials potentially 5-10 years away.

The Paradox of Over-Connected Devices: Kevin expresses frustration with the proliferation of smart devices requiring constant firmware updates, from hummingbird feeders to refrigerators. He highlights this absurdity while simultaneously praising his Kamado Joe digital smoker, which uses AI-powered temperature control and fans to perfectly manage charcoal cooking—demonstrating the fine line between useful and excessive connectivity.

Amazon's Fire TV Art Line Challenges Samsung Frame: Amazon launched a new frame TV competitor at $899 (55" and 65" models) featuring built-in Fire TV, 2,000 free art wallpapers (versus Samsung's subscription model), Dolby Vision support, and a matte anti-glare screen. While Samsung's Frame Pro offers higher brightness (590 vs 450 nits) with Neo QLED technology, Amazon's lower price point and included artwork library make it an attractive alternative.

Hooters Emerges from Bankruptcy with Rebrand: After a decade of bankruptcy, Hooters is relaunching with new ownership in Ohio markets, returning to original 1980s-style "dolphin shorts" uniforms and pivoting toward a "beach vibe" aesthetic. The hosts question whether the brand has relevance in 2026, though they acknowledge the wings were legitimately good. The conversation highlights the awkwardness of the brand's identity in modern culture.

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Want to dominate your league and earn Fantasy Football bragging rights? Join host Adam Aizer, analysts Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings, and the rest of our crew throughout the year. Start or Sit, Waiver Wire, Buy or Sell, Grade the Trade, Fantasy Cops to settle your league disputes and mailbag episodes from your emails and #AskFFT tweets. Come hang out with your buddies and talk Fantasy Football! This is the only podcast you'll need to win your league!

First 2026 Mock Draft! Plus Big Coaching News (01/07 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Fantasy Football Today

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Here is a comprehensive summary of the key points discussed in the podcast episode:

New Fantasy Playoff Format Proposal: Adam proposes an innovative playoff structure to reduce luck: a 13-week regular season followed by four playoff weeks (14-17), avoiding Week 18. The first two playoff rounds would have no head-to-head matchups—instead, the top two scorers advance. The championship would be a two-week final. He also suggests using "apex scoring" where teams can go 2-0, 1-1, or 0-2 each week by winning both their matchup and finishing in the top half of the league, with the highest scorer guaranteed a playoff spot.

Major Coaching Changes Impact Fantasy: John Harbaugh was fired by Baltimore, making him the most sought-after coaching candidate and potentially impacting multiple teams' openings. Other significant changes include Cliff Kingsbury leaving Baltimore as offensive coordinator, Pete Carroll hired in Las Vegas, and Jonathan Gannon fired in Arizona. The Ravens job is considered the best opening due to the roster quality, though Harbaugh is expected to bring Todd Monken as his offensive coordinator wherever he lands.

Malik Nabers Injury Concerns: Nabers underwent a complicated knee surgery beyond a simple ACL tear, potentially involving multiple ligaments. He was still using a cane recently and his recovery timeline is uncertain. The hosts debate whether he should still be drafted as a top-12 receiver, with concerns about whether he'll be ready for training camp and the season opener.

First Overall Pick and Early Round Strategy: In their 12-team, 3-WR, PPR mock draft, Jamar Chase went first overall. The debate centered on prioritizing workhorse running backs (like Bijan Robinson, Devon Achane) versus elite receivers early, especially given the wide receiver disappointments and committee backfields that plagued the 2024 season.

Running Back Scarcity Drives Early Picks: Six consecutive running backs were taken to start round three (Derrick Henry, Chase Brown, Rico Dowdle, Saquon Barkley, Trevion Henderson, RJ Harvey), reflecting concerns about finding reliable workhorses. The hosts debated whether Henderson and Harvey went too early given their uncertain roles, with Henderson still behind Raemond Stevenson and Harvey potentially sharing work in Denver.

George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb Debate: Pickens went 24th overall while analysis showed he significantly outperformed Lamb in PPR points per game (16.1 vs 14.6) when both played together. However, Lamb received far more red zone and end zone targets, suggesting his low touchdown rate (3 TDs on 12 end zone targets) was fluky and likely to improve.

Quarterback Devaluation Continues: Josh Allen was the first quarterback off the board in round four, with Jalen Hurts shockingly falling to round 10. The hosts discussed whether waiting on quarterback remains viable despite Allen's consistency (averaging 25+ fantasy points per game for five straight years), with late-round options like Drake May, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert providing value.

Second-Year Tight End Breakout Candidates: Colston Loveland, Harold Fannin Jr., and Tyler Warren are the key second-year tight ends to target, all going between late round five and mid-round six. George Kittle in round five was considered excellent value, though concerns exist about whether second-year tight ends typically live up to expectations after strong rookie seasons.

Wide Receiver Depth and Question Marks: Starting in round three with T. Higgins, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave, receivers carried significant uncertainty about quarterback situations and health. The hosts noted this range (rounds 3-4) featured both risk and upside, with players like Jameson Williams, Lad McConkey, and Teterol McMillan offering potential but lacking the safety of elite options.

Dallas Cowboys as the New Bengals: The Cowboys' fantasy outlook mirrors Cincinnati's—explosive offenses with poor defenses creating ideal conditions for fantasy production. However, CeeDee Lamb isn't quite Jamar Chase's level, while George Pickens may be better than Tee Higgins, making the gap between the two teams' receiver rooms relatively small.

Late-Round Running Back Lottery Tickets: Players like J.K. Dobbins (round 11), Jaxon Smith-Njigba's backup Zach Charbonnet, and Jonathan Brooks were targeted late as high-upside plays. Dobbins at age 27 has won starting jobs two years running on different teams and could provide value if he lands in the right situation during free agency.

Hero RB Strategy Execution: Dave demonstrated a hero RB approach by taking Jonathan Taylor in round one, then not drafting another running back until round six. He loaded up on receivers (Rasheed Rice, Teterol McMillan, Jameson Williams) and the elite tight end Harold Fannin before addressing running back depth, banking on finding value later.

Injury-Prone Players and Draft Strategy: The hosts debated whether to avoid players with significant injuries like Cam Aker-Scatterboo (taken in round three despite complicated injury), Tyreek Hill (round seven with wrist issues), and Sam LaPorta (round seven with back concerns). Historical evidence suggests players returning from serious injuries often struggle early in their return seasons.

Mock Draft Value Assessment: Key value picks identified included Chase Brown in round two, Michael Wilson in round five, and various tight ends in the 5-7 round range. Rico Dowdle at 3.3 was considered the worst pick, while late-round quarterbacks like Justin Herbert (round 12) offered excellent value for those willing to wait at the position.

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Join Thomas for some critical thinking on questions of science, philosophy, skepticism and politics.  These serious topics are discussed with some serious guests, but in an entertaining and engaging way!  This is not your typical interview podcast; it’s a friendly dialogue, conducted thoughtfully and with plenty of humor. It's Serious Inquiries Only; but like, not boring or anything.

SIO501: What Pluribus Gets Right about Neuroscience

Serious Inquiries Only

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Introduction to Hive Minds in Pluribus: The discussion centers on Vince Gilligan's show Pluribus, which explores the concept of a hive mind where multiple human brains become connected through an alien virus. Unlike typical sci-fi handwaving, this concept has surprising connections to actual neuroscience research.

Insects as Proto-Hive Minds: Bees and ants exhibit complex social behaviors that can appear hive-mind-like, though individual insects still perform relatively simple tasks. The discussion clarifies that while these insects coordinate impressively as colonies, they aren't true hive minds in the sci-fi sense—they're just social insects with evolved instincts and behaviors.

Ants Count Steps Using Stilts: A remarkable experiment demonstrated that ants navigate by counting their steps. Researchers actually glued tiny stilts onto ants' legs, causing them to overshoot their destinations because they counted the correct number of steps but covered the wrong distance. This reveals unexpected cognitive complexity in individual insects.

The Ant Smell Phenomenon: Some people can detect a distinctive odor from ants while others cannot, likely due to sensitivity variations to certain terpene-based alarm pheromones. This appears to be more common in neurodivergent individuals who often exhibit heightened sensory sensitivities.

Brain Hemisphere Structure and Communication: The two hemispheres of the brain communicate primarily through the corpus callosum, a major neural highway. Visual and motor information crosses hemispheres—the right side of your body is controlled by the left hemisphere, and visual fields split so the left side of your visual world goes to the right hemisphere.

Split-Brain Surgery for Epilepsy: In extreme cases of intractable epilepsy, surgeons have cut the corpus callosum to prevent seizures from spreading between hemispheres. While patients appear relatively normal in daily life, laboratory tests reveal profound changes in how their brains process information.

Two Consciousnesses in One Head: Split-brain experiments demonstrate that severing the corpus callosum essentially creates two independent conscious entities. When an image is shown to only the right hemisphere (left visual field), patients verbally report seeing nothing because language centers are in the left hemisphere, yet their left hand (controlled by the right hemisphere) can draw what was seen.

Implications for Sci-Fi Hive Minds: The split-brain research suggests that if human brains could directly communicate neuron-to-neuron as in Pluribus, true individuality would be lost. Rather than multiple individuals in communication, there would simply be one larger unified consciousness—just as connecting the hemispheres creates one person rather than two people cooperating.

The Loss of Self in Brain Connection: The show Pluribus accurately portrays the tragic element of brain connection—when people are absorbed into the hive mind, it represents a genuine loss of that individual person, even though their memories remain accessible. This isn't multiple people working together; it's the creation of an entirely new, singular entity.

Consciousness as an Emergent Property: The discussion explores consciousness emerging from sufficient neural connections. Even a single hemisphere contains enough neurons to generate full consciousness, as demonstrated by children who've had hemispherectomies and still live relatively normal lives. This suggests consciousness isn't about specific brain structures but about having enough interconnected neurons.

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Wanna see a trick? Give us any topic and we can tie it back to the economy. At Planet Money, we explore the forces that shape our lives and bring you along for the ride. Don't just understand the economy – understand the world. Wanna go deeper? Subscribe to Planet Money+ and get sponsor-free episodes of Planet Money, The Indicator, and Planet Money Summer School. Plus access to bonus content. It's a new way to support the show you love. Learn more at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

How Black hair care grew Black power

Planet Money

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The Johnson Family's Luxury Legacy: Olivia Joan Gali, granddaughter of Joan and George Johnson, gained attention on TikTok by showcasing her grandmother's extensive collection of haute couture from designers like Chanel, Givenchy, and Yves Saint Laurent. This collection represented something extraordinary for its time—a Black woman from Chicago's south side wearing the same designers as Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana, demonstrating the wealth generated by her family's hair care empire.

From Depression-Era Hustler to Hair Care Innovator: George Johnson grew up in extreme poverty during the Great Depression, working odd jobs from age six, including collecting bottles and tinfoil from garbage cans. Despite only completing two years of high school, he learned chemistry on the job while working at a Black-owned cosmetics company, eventually becoming operations manager and developing the technical expertise that would launch his empire.

The Birth of Ultra Wave Hair Culture: In the 1950s, when chemically straightened hair (the "conk") was the dominant Black hairstyle, George met barber Orville Nelson in an elevator. Nelson had clients like Nat King Cole but struggled with an unstable hair straightening formula. After nine months of experimentation, George created a shelf-stable, reliable product called Ultra Wave Hair Culture, which they began selling to barbershops across Chicago.

Building a Black Business Empire: George and his wife Joan turned their partnership with Orville into Johnson Products Company after the business relationship soured. Joan proved to be a fearless businesswoman, once sitting in a barbershop reading magazines until a reluctant customer paid his bill. They reinvested profits to expand market by market—from Chicago to Indianapolis, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis, and St. Louis—eventually building a headquarters that became a monument to Black entrepreneurship on Chicago's south side.

The Shift from Conks to Afros: By the mid-1960s, the civil rights movement was rejecting white beauty standards and embracing natural hair. Johnson Products quickly pivoted, creating Afro Sheen, a moisturizer for natural afros that aligned with the "Black is beautiful" movement. This adaptability demonstrated George's keen understanding of his customers' evolving needs and cultural identity.

Financing the Civil Rights Movement: In 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Johnson Products when his organization couldn't make payroll. Upon seeing the company's 30,000 square foot headquarters filled with Black employees in professional roles, King declared, "This is Black power." George, along with other Black businessmen, had taken over a failed neighborhood bank called Independence Bank, which then loaned King's organization over $100,000, with King crying when he received the check.

Soul Train as Marketing Revolution: George Johnson became the sponsor and financial backer of Soul Train, paying to make a color pilot and take the show national in 1971. The show featured young Black dancers with big afros having fun, with Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen ads on every episode. This viral marketing strategy helped sales explode from $11.2 million in 1971 to $39 million by 1975.

Breaking Barriers on Wall Street: In 1971, Johnson Products became the first Black-owned company listed on the American Stock Exchange. For the first time, George paid himself a salary, bought a boat, property, and a nice house, while Joan began shopping in Paris and driving a white convertible Rolls Royce with red interior. The kid who sold aluminum balls for pennies had truly made it.

The Cost of Going Public: Going public meant more money but less control. George had to answer to a board focused on shareholders rather than Black consumers. More critically, their detailed public financial reports revealed exactly where they were making the best profits, essentially providing a blueprint for larger white-owned companies like Revlon to enter the Black hair care market.

Missing the Jheri Curl Revolution: When Michael Jackson appeared on the Thriller album cover with a Jheri curl, demand exploded, but Johnson Products was still developing their version. A competitor, another Black-owned company, captured the market with the tagline "a black manufacturer that understands the hair care needs of black customers," making George's company seem out of touch for the first time.

The End of an Era: After losses from missing the Jheri curl trend, increased regulation requiring warning labels on relaxers, and personal troubles (George and Joan divorced, then remarried), Joan took over the company. She turned it around, then in 1993 sold Johnson Products to a white-owned pharmaceutical company for $70 million, with Joan personally making $32 million. The sale sparked controversy, captured in a Black Enterprise magazine cover asking "Should we sell our firms to whites?"

A Complicated Legacy: Today, the global Black hair care market is worth $4 billion, and George feels proud of opening doors for Black entrepreneurs, especially women. His granddaughter Olivia Joan still uses the original Ultra Sheen blue grease but feels heartbroken when she sees store aisles filled with Black hair care products mostly owned by white companies, wondering why there aren't more Black-owned brands in the industry her grandparents helped create.

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This is a Bitcoin Pleb YouTube show/Podcast covering weekly events in and around the bitcoin space. You'll find entertainment as well as signal here. We cover news, altcoin disasters and we bring special guests on for interviews and discussions on major topics. Come join us as we dive down the bitcoin rabbit hole. 

The DOJ Sold Bitcoin!

Pleb UnderGround

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Bitcoin Momentum Model Launch: Cena introduced a new Bitcoin Momentum Model designed to identify topping and bottoming patterns through momentum analysis. The model uses green/white triggers for tops and red/white triggers for bottoms, representing years of research into the predictive value of momentum for Bitcoin price movements.

Four-Year Cycle Debate: Multiple sources suggest the traditional four-year Bitcoin cycle is broken, as 2025 was supposed to be an up year (the third in the cycle) but ended down 4%. However, Bitcoin did reach new all-time highs over $126,000 before early holders took profits. The discussion includes alternative theories about business cycles, with data showing Bitcoin has never set a real all-time high while ISM PMI was below 50.

DOJ Bitcoin Sale Controversy: The Department of Justice violated Trump's executive order by selling approximately $6.3 million worth of forfeited Bitcoin belonging to Samurai Wallet developers Keone Rodriguez and William Lonergan. Executive Order 14233 mandates that forfeited Bitcoin should be held in the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, making this sale particularly problematic.

Bitcoin Settlement Volume Achievement: Pierre Rochard reported that the Bitcoin network settled $25 trillion in total gross settlement for 2025, described as an astonishing achievement for monetary software technology that is only 17 years old, despite experts predicting Bitcoin would go to zero.

Walmart's Limited Bitcoin Integration: Walmart now enables Bitcoin payments through the OnePay mobile app, but users must first sell their Bitcoin or Ethereum holdings within the app and convert to cash before purchasing. This creates tax implications and isn't true Bitcoin acceptance. The move is partly aimed at serving unbanked customers and helps Walmart work around banking system restrictions that have historically prevented them from obtaining a banking charter.

BUCK Shitcoin Warning: A new token called BUCK launched, marketed as Bitcoin-linked and tied to MicroStrategy's STRC preferred stock. The token targets 7% annual yields funded by STRC dividends (which pay 10-11%). This creates a problematic structure where holders have no transparency or control over the underlying STRC shares, with predictions this will be a major rug pull similar to BitConnect.

Japan's Crypto Tax Reform: Japan's Finance Minister Katayama announced plans to lower cryptocurrency gains tax from a progressive system reaching 55% to a flat 20% matching stocks. However, the real focus is on stablecoins, particularly the yen-backed JPYC stablecoin, not Bitcoin adoption.

MicroStrategy Index Inclusion: MSCI decided not to exclude MicroStrategy from its index, though any new shares issued won't require index purchases. Concerns remain about the company's ability to weather major storms without sufficient operating income or free cash flow to keep lights on without Bitcoin appreciation.

Bitcoin Core Wallet Bug: A critical bug was discovered in Bitcoin Core versions 30 and 30.1 where under rare circumstances, migrating a legacy BDB wallet can delete all wallet files on the same node, potentially resulting in loss of funds if wallets aren't backed up. This raises questions about quality assurance processes and the importance of maintaining backups.

Ledger Data Breach: Ledger experienced another data breach, with the host sarcastically noting that Ledger's main business seems to be doxing Bitcoin and crypto holders rather than creating secure signing devices, given their repeated failures to protect customer information.

Jamie Dimon's Crypto Comments: JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon appeared on national TV praising blockchain technology and smart contracts, calling them "more effective, more efficient" and suggesting they will "probably be real." This represents a continued softening of his historically anti-Bitcoin stance as institutions increasingly embrace the technology.

Best Practices for Self-Custody: Discussion emphasized the importance of multi-manufacturer multisig setups to mitigate supply chain attacks, flashing firmware on new devices, using devices like SeedSigner, Coldcard, Foundation, and Jade, and storing seeds on steel plates. The key is balancing security complexity with personal comfort level to avoid self-rugging.
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The Portal is hosted by Brian Smith as he takes you through the biggest college football stories, College football recruiting, transfer portal, and NIL. Tune in for daily insights that will have impact at the local and national level. 
Brian Smith, a life-long recruiting fanatic, will break down the latest college football recruiting rankings, intel, commitments, evaluations from 7-on-7 and camps, and what’s next from coast to coast. He will be on the road covering what matters. That’s why Locked On College Football Recruiting is your dialed-in source for the latest news and insights!
The Portal is presented by the Locked On Podcast Network.

TRANSFER TAKEOVER: Oklahoma and Wisconsin Add PRIME Portal Players | Notre Dame & Miami

The Portal - Daily College Recruiting and NIL Podcast

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Oklahoma and Wisconsin Lead Portal Success Through Strategic Needs-Based Recruiting: Oklahoma and Wisconsin exemplify smart portal strategies by precisely targeting roster gaps. Wisconsin landed Southeast Louisiana's Jalen Dominguez, a 6'2" 210-pound receiver with 52 catches, 857 yards, and 11 touchdowns, demonstrating that FCS talent can fill critical needs. Oklahoma addressed their passing game struggles by securing Virginia's Trell Harris (56 catches, 809 yards) and Texas transfer Parker Livingston (26 catches, 491 yards, 6 TDs), plus defensive end Kenny Ozawalu from UTSA who recorded 22 pressures. Both programs show that understanding your specific roster needs trumps chasing big names.

The Critical Importance of Offensive and Defensive Line Acquisitions: Offensive linemen transfer at the lowest rate of any position, creating a massive need across college football. Teams that fail to address line needs through the portal face severe consequences—LSU's loss of both starting tackles early to the NFL draft crippled their 2024 season. Oklahoma smartly added Western Kentucky center Caleb Nita and Marion Harris, a 6'7" 310-pound tackle, while Wisconsin secured four cornerbacks to fix their secondary issues. Success in the portal hinges on whether teams adequately address their trenches.

Miami and Notre Dame Fans Need Patience—It's Still Early: Despite online panic from both fanbases about slow portal starts, both programs are in excellent shape with multiple high-profile visits scheduled. Miami and Notre Dame are uniquely positioned because their elite high school recruiting means they don't desperately need portal linemen like most programs. Both schools are pursuing big-fish targets where you naturally miss more than you hit. With visits happening throughout the week and negotiations extending beyond the December 16th portal window close, judgment should be reserved until early next week.

Indiana's Portal Success Raises Questions About Sustainability: Indiana has defied traditional recruiting metrics for two consecutive years, lacking the four and five-star talent that typically predicts success. With TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover now committed, the question becomes whether the Hoosiers can replicate their top-10 finish and potentially improve. Indiana represents the portal's democratizing effect on college football, showing that strategic portal use can compensate for recruiting rankings.

High School Recruiting Still Trumps Portal Strategy for Elite Programs: Programs with consistent top-10 recruiting classes invest more heavily in high school talent because it provides more reliable, long-term success compared to the boom-or-bust nature of the portal. Florida State's collapse from undefeated in 2023 to two wins in 2024 using the same portal-heavy approach proves the instability. Teams like Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, Georgia, and Oregon prioritize elite high school recruiting while using the portal selectively for specific needs.

NIL Deals and Contract Disputes Creating New Legal Tensions: Washington quarterback Damon Williams signed a reported $4 million NIL deal before entering the portal anyway, raising questions about contract enforcement. Similar to Georgia's Damon Wilson who transferred to Missouri after signing a deal (resulting in a lawsuit), Williams' situation could force schools to decide whether to pursue legal action. If Washington loses Williams after that investment, they may become the first major program to aggressively sue over a breached NIL agreement.

Tennessee Faces Critical Decision on Championship Investment: With potential additions like Arizona State quarterback Sam Levitt (who visited LSU and may visit Tennessee), the Volunteers must decide whether to "overspend" and go all-in for a title run. Tennessee faces pressure after failing to beat a single team with a winning record in 2024, but has talented young offensive linemen and returning receivers. The question is whether they'll make the financial commitment to add elite pieces at positions like linebacker or cornerback to become genuine contenders.

LSU and Ole Miss Quietly Pursuing Under-the-Radar Talent: Lane Kiffin and LSU are taking strategic approaches beyond headline transfers. Damon Williams from Washington is linked to both programs, with Sam Levitt also visiting LSU. Kiffin's history of finding overlooked talent (like Trinidad Chambliss from Division 2 Ferris State for Ole Miss) shows the value of thorough scouting beyond Power 4 programs. Both SEC programs are positioned to make significant moves in the coming days.

Portal Volume Expected to Surge Over Next 48-72 Hours: Multiple announcements and commitments are anticipated throughout the week as visit schedules conclude and negotiations finalize. The portal window officially closes December 16th, but contract negotiations and signings will extend beyond that date. Schools are actively making last-minute offers, with agents reporting competing bids sometimes $100,000-$200,000 apart, demonstrating the fluid and competitive nature of the current portal market.

Florida State's Lucas Simmons Transfer to Wisconsin Represents High-Risk Gamble: The 6'7" offensive tackle spent three years at Florida State without breaking into the lineup despite the program's offensive line struggles, raising red flags about his readiness. While he has ideal physical traits and two years of eligibility remaining, the lack of meaningful playing time suggests he's a developmental project rather than immediate impact player. Wisconsin is taking a flyer on pure physical potential, but three years of being unable to crack a weak depth chart is concerning.
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