This Week in America with Ric Bratton

2025-43seg3 Weekend of 10-18

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The Marriage Handbook: How to Navigate the Seven C's of Marriage by Elder Timothy L. Johnson Geared towards both newlyweds and couples who may have unintentionally grown distant over time, The Marriage Handbook: How to Navigate the Seven C’s of Marriage is an invaluable resource. It extends a helping hand to those who, regardless of age, years spent together, or prior experiences, haven't had the opportunity for counselling or mentoring in their marriage. The insights and tools provided in this handbook are designed to bridge the gap and offer practical solutions for couples seeking to strengthen their bond. Whether you're embarking on the early stages of your journey or rekindling the flame in a seasoned relationship, this handbook delivers tailored tools for fostering collaboration, communication, commitment, compromise, cooperation, consideration, and concession. Guided by divine inspiration and shaped by more than 45 years of marriage, I set out to create a resource that began as a lifeline for my own relationship and grew into a beacon for others. What started as private notes and personal exercises became The Marriage Handbook—a transformative guide for couples navigating the joys and challenges of lifelong partnership. As an Elder within the body of Christ, I have long embraced the call to uphold high standards and model the principles I teach. That calling deepened my conviction to share practical wisdom, honest insights, and faith-anchored encouragement with couples at every stage—whether they’re preparing to say “I do” or celebrating their golden anniversary. Through The Marriage Handbook, my goal is to offer more than advice: it’s a roadmap toward stronger connection, greater resilience, and a richer quality of life for both partners. Wherever you are on your marital journey, this book invites you to embrace proven principles and step into a more fulfilling, enduring bond. AMAZON www.KingPagesPress.com http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/10925kpp3.mp3

The Blockchain Syndicate: A Contemporary Thriller by Robbie Bach Set amid the turbulence of today’s headlines, this gripping techno thriller—the second in Bach’s series to feature Tamika Smith—pulses with high-stakes intrigue and razor-edged political drama. Senator Tamika Smith’s new year begins in shambles. First she receives an email threatening to expose her past—a threat from someone she knows is dead. Then her boyfriend, Johnny Humboldt, is kidnapped in broad daylight after his daughter is wounded in a California school shooting. Someone is desperate to take Tamika down and damage the country she loves. The attacks are professional, the delivery is flawless, and the message unmistakable: America is broken, and someone is determined to fix it their way. Standing in the eye of the storm, Tamika must navigate a political landscape riddled with betrayal, misinformation, and moral decay to rescue Johnny and uncover the group behind the web of conspiracy. As the country spirals toward financial Armageddon and democracy itself begins to unravel, Tamika must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to save her family and pull the nation back from the brink. With its sharp blend of shadowy villains and morally torn heroes, The Blockchain Syndicate dares you to question everything—right up to the final, breathless moment. Robbie Bach joined Microsoft in 1988. Over the next twenty-two years, he worked in various marketing, general management, and business leadership roles, including supporting the successful launch and expansion of Microsoft Office. As Chief Xbox Officer, he led the creation and development of the Xbox business, including the launch of the Xbox and the highly popular successor product, Xbox 360. He retired from Microsoft as the president of the Entertainment and Devices Division in 2010. In his new role as a civic engineer, Robbie works with corporate, philanthropic, and civic organizations who are driving positive change in our communities. He guest lectures extensively at a variety of colleges and universities and speaks to corporate, civic, and trade association audiences across the country. In 2015, he published his first book, Xbox Revisited: A Game Plan for Corporate and Civic Renewal. His debut novel featuring Tamika Smith, The Wilkes Insurrection, was published in 2021. to 2011. He is the previous chairman and current board member at the Bipartisan Policy Center. He serves on the national board of governors for Boys and Girls Clubs of America and was the chairman of that board from 2009 AMAZON https://theblockchainsyndicate.com/ www.RobbieBach.com http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/10925rbtr.mp3 The Wilkes Insurrection: A Contemporary Thriller by Robbie Bach AMAZON

The Mentor’s Gift: One of America's Foremost Arts Leaders Draws Lessons from Her Storied Career By Anne C. Ewers The Mentor’s Gift is the first professional memoir to explore the concept of mentorship through lived experience. Written by one of America’s most respected arts leaders, the book distills lessons learned over more than 40 years of being mentored by CEOs, psychologists, artists, legal and financial professionals—even a “corporate shaman.” Both a personal journey and practical guide, the book offers essential advice for professionals at any stage on how to: Choose the right mentorMake the most of the mentoring relationshipSustain long-term mentorshipsIn the final section, Ewers reflects on her 25 years as a mentor to professionals in the arts, business, law, media, and tech. She also addresses the key question: How do I choose a mentee? Told through engaging, memoir-style stories—many as dramatic as the operas she once directed—Ewers recounts a career marked by artistic innovation, international travel, and leadership under pressure. She reveals how mentorship shaped her approach to guiding major arts organizations through financial crises, bankruptcies, mergers, political minefields, and competing stakeholder demands—all while advancing the role of the performing arts in promoting justice. About the Author Anne C. Ewers is a nationally recognized arts executive and opera stage director whose 44-year career was influenced by 31 mentors across disciplines from corporate leadership to psychology. In 2007, Ewers became President & CEO of the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. In her first year, she retired a $30 million construction debt, increased the endowment from $40 million to $72 million, and launched the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. Under her leadership, the Kimmel Center grew into the second-largest performing arts center in the U.S. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ewers spearheaded a landmark merger between the Kimmel Center and the Philadelphia Orchestra—unanimously approved in 2021. This historic union created an organization with a $100 million annual budget and a $350 million endowment. Ewers retired following the merger and now serves on the board and executive committees. Prior to this, she led Utah Symphony & Opera, doubling its endowment and turning a significant deficit into a surplus. She founded the Deer Valley Music Festival and took the symphony on a major European tour. Ewers holds degrees in Theatre and Music from Fontbonne University and a Master of Music in Opera Production from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2019, Drexel University awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. AMAZON www.KingPagesPress.com http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/10925kpp2.mp3

Piper's Journey Home: The True Story of a Rescue Puppy (The Adventures of Piper) by Dave Osborn "Piper's Journey Home: The True Story of a Rescue Puppy" is a heartwarming children’s tale that chronicles the remarkable journey of Piper, a stray dog found near the Mexican border in South Texas. Sick, hungry, and searching for love, Piper's life transforms when she is taken in by a caring family. This touching true story, told from Piper’s perspective, follows her recovery and her adjustment to life as a cherished family pet. Along the way, Piper learns to trust, love, and become the loyal companion she was meant to be. This book also serves as a helpful guide for families considering adopting a dog, offering valuable insights into the joys and challenges of rescue. Piper’s story will inspire and touch the hearts of children and adults alike. Dave Osborn is a retired technology chief executive officer turned author, whose passion for writing and love for dogs have coalesced into The Adventures of Piper series of three books. Book 1, Piper's Journey Home, is Piper’s heartfelt account of her rescue and adoption, and Book 2, Piper Learns to Serve, Piper tells of her training and transformation into a therapy dog. In the soon-to-be-released Book 3, Piper on the Job, Piper will recount her therapy visits to schools and healthcare facilities. Drawing on his diverse business and technology background, Dave brings a unique perspective to his storytelling, blending educational content with heartwarming narratives. Dave aims to inspire a new generation of responsible pet owners through his writing and promote the invaluable work of animal rescue organizations and therapy animal programs nationwide. A proud Texas board member of the American Dog Society, Dave is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and the transformative power of rescue dog adoption. His Piper series books entertain young readers and educate them about the challenges and rewards of caring for rescued animals. Dave is also the author of Taking Charge!, a business leadership book drawing on his 52½ years in telecommunications and his tenure as CEO of a leading broadband company in South Texas. His first fiction novel, Signals of Deception, was just published in May 2025. It is a geopolitical thriller introducing Scott Douglass, a CIA Special Agent who will appear in subsequent novels. Dave's interests extend beyond writing and animal welfare. An accomplished musician, he plays piano, guitar, bass, and five-string banjo, with a particular fondness for bluegrass music. His love for outdoor activities is evident in his pursuits of South Texas bird hunting, bay fishing, and sailing, for which he holds both U.S. and International certifications. Academically, Dave holds a Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Christian University. This solid educational foundation, combined with his executive experience, informs his writing approach and commitment to producing quality, informative literature. Dave resides in Harlingen, Texas, with his wife, Marilyn, and their beloved rescue dog, Piper. They are history buffs who enjoy traveling and learning about other countries and their cultures. They are also proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to two grandsons in the greater Houston area. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRJS31P8 https://daveosbornbooks.com/ https://christianworksmedia.com/ http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/10925cwm.mp3

Life Lessons and Tales of Little MisFit: LIFE IS LIKE A FOUNTAIN - IT HAS ITS UPS (Opportunities and Successes) AND DOWNS (Disappointments and Failures) by Dr. S.K. Grunin In Life Lessons and Tales of Little MisFit - Book 1: "Life Isn't Always What It Seems," we are introduced to the main character Ivy Sue Klutz (Little MisFit - LMF) - as she narrates her first memory at the age of three and ties it in to Lesson 1, Life Isn't Always What It Seems. The book continues using humorous tales about Lesson 1 through her fourth year of primary school where we leave her. Book 2 picks up with LMF starting her next year of school at the age of ten and learning through humor the next Life Lesson that "Life Isn't Always Fair." In Book 3, Ivy Sue Klutz (Little MisFit - LMF) begins her most challenging years of her life - ages 11-15 or Middle School into High School. Where we last saw Little Misfit, she was fishing with her family the weekend before she started 6 th grade. She was about to turn 11 years old. She was having the time of her life. In Book 3, she learns another important Life Lesson: Life Is Like a Fountain- It Has Its Ups (opportunities/successes) and Downs (disappointments/failures). Through these humorous tales we see just how LMF learns to handle both "Ups" and Downs" in her life. This book shows "betweeners' - ages 11-12 and young teens ages 13-15, how LMF began to prepare for the most challenging times of her young life. In this book we see how Little MisFit copes with the limited means of her family while she attended middle and high schools. Furthermore, we she that she was not allowed to take certain classes (woodshop) or have opportunities to play sports in school or attend events that she was invited to. Yet, LMF overcomes those and other challenges - changes in body and bullying, and learns to find, value and celebrate the Ups - opportunities and successes. AMAZON https://skg-creations.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@susangrunin3536 http://www.KingPagesPress.com http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/10925kpp1.mp3

2025-42seg3 Weekend of 10-11

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2025-41seg3 Weekend of October 4

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Story of a Marriage: 50 Years of Christmas Love Letters by Jim McCormick This story of a marriage is not fiction—it is beautifully real. For their very first Christmas together, Jim took pen in hand and poured out his deepest feelings of love to his new wife, Marilyn. She wept as she read his words and made him promise to write such a love letter every Christmas for the rest of their lives. And he did. For fifty years, through all the seasons of a marriage both tender and turbulent, Jim kept his promise. Philosophical, poetic, and deeply insightful, these private letters reflect the joys and struggles that every marriage faces. Year after year, they became a powerful chronicle of a committed, sometimes challenged, but always enduring love—a rare and moving documentation of a lifelong relationship. After Marilyn’s passing, just months after their fiftieth anniversary, Jim discovered all the precious letters he had written to her. His final letter, composed in grief the Christmas after her death, is an exquisite blend of sorrow and hope—heartbreaking yet profoundly uplifting. An inspiration to young lovers and to partners weathering life’s storms, this collection is a testament to the enduring power of love Jim McCormick is a retired lawyer who served as a judge in Michigan for most of his career. After several trips to the Middle East and extensive research, he published Jerusalem and the Holy Land: The First Ecumenical Pilgrim's Guide. He has also written a number of short stories, many inspired by his own life experiences. He and his beloved wife, Marilyn—a high school English teacher—raised three wonderful children together. https://www.amazon.com/Story-Marriage-Years-Christmas-Letters/dp/B0FH416SP2/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title https://jimmccormick-author.com/ https://www.primixpublishing.com/ http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/92525jmlp.mp3

Dangers of Islam: What Every Muslim and Christian Should Know of Islam by Constantine I. Nightingdale WHY SHOULD I READ THIS BOOK? THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU DRAW THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN ISLAM, CULTS, AND CHRISTIANITY - Chapter 9 of the Quran labels all those who do not believe in Islam as infidels. - On September 11, 2001, there was an attack on the U.S. by Islamic group Al Quaeda. - Taliban and Al Quaeda are responsible for 74% of all terrorist-related deaths worldwide. - Studies show that 80% of terrorist victims are Muslims. - Are Islamic extremists (Taliban, ISIS, and Al Quaeda) killing their own? - What country is Persia today? Iran. - Sharia Law works differently in each Arab city or country-no consistency! - True or False: When martyred for Islamic faith, you will have seventy-five virgins waiting in Heaven. - The origins of several cults may be traced back to Iraq, the original Babylon. Also included: - The biblical study tools - The seven year tribulation - The second coming of Christ - The Millennial Reign of Christ My name is Constantine I. Nightingdale. I am the "Endtime" Apostle to the world from Hawaii. My biography is not important. But I praise and glorify the One who sent me-Jesus Christ AMAZON https://www.armyofthelord5dr.org/ https://www.urlinkpublishing.com/ http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/91825cnurl.mp3

A Grade School Boy Takes on Bullying - "MARNA: Book" 1 by Jason Hauger The End of Summer has arrived. David, a lonely hearted Elementary kid is looking for a good friend. Standing up to a bully, David unknowingly discovers a beautiful magical girl. Her name is Marna and she has butterfly wings. Marna trusts David to keep her magic secret from humans. Marna and David soar through the air as they go on adventures. David hopes Marna is here to stay, or will she return to the magic? One day Marna gets discovered and the Head Doctor won’t let her go. David must help save Marna and set her free. Can David overcome old rivals? In the end, will Marna stay or David be able to let her go? As a boy in the 1st Grade, we had a creative writing assignment. I first wrote Marna then, but she didn't have a name yet. It was about a boy name Jay who discovers a magical girl with butterfly wings as they fly around together. By the time I finished reading my story to the class, half the girls had drawn pictures of the magic girl. I wish I saved those pictures. As an adult, decades later, I was on a dive trip to Bonaire. It was the first time I used my Passport. I was with my wife and her parents. The resort had Monarch Butterflies flying about freely. This is where I got my new inspiration and started writing Marna right then and there. You can say, "Bonaire is the birthplace of Marna." Then I read it to my best friend's step daughter, she was 12 at the time. If you guessed already, she loved it. Then I self the book for a couple years. Then one day my father-in-law, Jim Swanson, became ill all of a sudden. When we visited him at the hospital, we got the devastating news. He was dying of a very painful cancer. It was in his liver and bones. As we stayed by his bedside, I began writing the sequel to Marna, as a way to cope with the stress. Sadly, Jim died before I can even finish the first act. As I progressed the sequel, I read it piece by piece to my test reader. She loved the sequel's first act. Then tragedy struck as her mom became diagnosed with breast cancer. I felt I needed to finish my sequel no matter what. My best friend is more like my brother, so in my heart I adopted his step daughter as my unofficial niece. This made me feel kin to the uncle who wrote "Alice in Wonderland" for his niece. If things turned for the worst, I hope my words might sooth her pain. I finish my book before the year ended, and finished reading it to her. She loved it so much she said, "This needs to be a movie!" I realized, since I finished the sequel, I needed to copyright the first book. After copyrighting, less than two weeks later, I get a call from Dorrance Publishing. I saw it as a sign, this was meant to be. I signed the deal, and have been working hard to promote my book, so my stories can bring happiness to more kids like her, plus I want to finish the project before my niece grows up. AMAZON https://mainspringbooks.com/ http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/91825msb.mp3