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How we became us! We take a look backward & find ourselves negotiating our LIFE EXPERIENCES, discovering life's various tones -comedy, drama, and nostalgia. Our podcast offers imagery of a documentary recreation, but for audio. Life happens in a heartbeat. Let's learn, thrive and love from our experiences while we're here. Cheers!
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A series of shortcasts from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) about their leading non-profit work tackling online child sexual abuse. Our series of short podcasts feature discussions with leading experts and academics covering a wide variety of topics including tech, encryption, policy and how these impact the criminal circulation of child sexual imagery online. Find out more at iwf.org.uk
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In this gripping episode of Life’s Learning Curve, join us as we delve into a spine-chilling chapter from my childhood—an unforgettable encounter with the supernatural that left an indelible mark on my young mind. Picture this: an idyllic summer at a secluded cottage in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where innocent days filled with sunshine and laughter g…
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Join Paul and Sharly as they recount their unexpected encounter with Brandon, a man whose presence altered the course of their holiday in Key West. Set against the backdrop of swaying palms and vibrant streets, their journey begins innocently enough with a quest for relaxation and adventure. But as they traverse the sun-soaked alleyways, they stumb…
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In this episode of unexpected connections, transformative moments, and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity, Paul recalls his teenage years in 1972, marked by the untimely death of his band director and his pursuit of drumming dreams. Enter Mr. McCabe, an enigmatic drum teacher with a manicured comb over and an abrasive demeanor. Thei…
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The future we want for the internet? Child sexual abuse, offenders, and the apps they use to avoid detection. New research shows online offenders are choosing end-to-end encrypted messaging apps to contact children and to spread child sexual abuse material amid renewed calls for Meta to rethink its planned roll out of end-to-end encryption on Faceb…
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8. Too Close for comfort: Understanding 'self-generated' child sexual abuse material
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The increase in self-generated child sexual abuse content is alarming. In 2022, more than three quarters (78%) of the webpages IWF identified as containing child sexual abuse material were tech-enabled, ie created via smartphones or webcams without the offender being physically present in the room with the child. As we release the Talk Trust Empowe…
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Step into a time machine and journey back to 1948, where a gripping tale unfolds in Coal Township, PA. Meet eight-year-old Clay, whose story is a riveting testament to resilience and determination. As he and his family embark on a new chapter, you'll witness Clay's initiation into the world of coal bootlegging, the hardships of fitting into rustic …
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In Conversation With Thorn’s Head of Data Science Rebecca Portnoff and IWF Chief Technology Officer Dan Sexton. This episode explores what needs to be done to try and control the explosion in harmful AI-generated child abuse imagery and how other AI or machine-learning tools could be used to counter the phenomenon. Support the Show.…
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Meet seven-year-old Clay Greager, whose unwavering determination to pursue his dreams leads him to brave the confines of a family coal mine in 1948. But that's just the beginning of his remarkable journey. Join us as we unravel the poignant stories shared by author Clay Greager himself, recounting moments where the line between ambition and adversi…
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In this episode of Life's Learning Curve "Criminals, Outcasts, and Artists," we follow the adventurous journey of Paul, who is called upon by his old friend Duke to rescue the failing Huckleberry Sunshine business in California, left in ruins by the C0-Vid crisis. Despite numerous setbacks and communication mishaps, Paul arrives ready to shoot comm…
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As the Online Safety Bill becomes the Online Safety Act, the Internet Watch Foundation looks at what is next. In this podcast, children’s online safety expert Natalia Greene and IWF Head of Policy and Public Affairs Mike Tunks explain this landmark piece of legislation and the effect it may have on all our lives. Support the Show.…
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When your 11, life still seems strange, adult behaviors are sometimes confusing and we are lucky to survive it all. In this episode, Paul is curious about his father’s semi annual poker night in the far back basement of his house. However, THIS TIME Paul is allowed to come sit and observe his father’s poker night and the players. One of these playe…
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Nowhere to Hide is part of the IWF’s In Conversation With series exploring the technological and political issues surrounding the global spread of child sexual abuse material. This episode looks at how end-to-end encryption goes further than standard encryption, meaning even the service providers themselves can’t see what has been shared between tw…
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In first grade, Paul's life is forever changed by a series of events. He is placed in a reading group, where he encounters a first-year teacher and is forced to sit next to Jimmy, a misfit who has trouble controlling his behavior. A mentor is brought in to help the class, and from that moment on, Paul's perspectives and attitudes are transformed. T…
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The Great Key West Summer Solstice Cigar Hunt
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Can you keep the feeling of vacation after it’s over?? Paul’s friend Sam figured out how to do it. This episode finds Paul sharing a story about his friend Sam's epic adventure in tropical Key West. Sam, on a mission to find the perfect cigar for his buddy Paul, embarks on a journey that takes him deep into the heart of the island's cigar culture. …
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Join us for a heartwarming episode of Life's Learning Curve. Prepare to be inspired as Paul reflects on his father's own struggles with hyperactivity and the loss of his father’s father at a young age. Through it all, Paul's dad found strength in other positive male role models and became the confident, laugh-loving father that Paul adored. Also, P…
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As we reminisced about our carefree childhoods coming to a close, a nostalgic longing for innocence washed over us. The memories of a 1968 vacation to California evoked feelings of adventure, wonder, and warmth - from the magical Disneyland experience to the sun-kissed days spent exploring. But, amidst the decade of peace, color, and unrest in the …
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New to the central American country of Costa Rica, Paul sat in a Chinese restaurant mulling over the foreign menu. Suddenly there it was…. A cold raw fish cocktail and a warm beer. Now, at that time in his life, Paul knew that he just DID NOT CARE for fish at all. He had tried it back in the good ol’ USA, and quite honestly, it triggered that gag r…
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This episode tells the story of what happened one night, to Paul when he chose to relax a bit and sit by the moonlit sea on the tropical island of St. Maarten. While stargazing just off the Caribbean coast, Paul spots a large glowing object off the far sandbar and deep in the water. As the light reveals itself, he discovers a James Bond-like scuba …
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4. Disturbing New Trend: In Conversation With IWF Hotline Manager
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Our analysts in the Hotline have discovered a disturbing new trend, what they’ve called iCAP sites or “invite child abuse pyramid” sites. These sites encourage users to share links to criminal child sexual abuse material, spamming social media platforms with them and increasing the risk of accidental exposure to this content by the public. Our Hotl…
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What do mile markers and tollbooths have in common? If I told you the answer to this question was… ‘They are a contributing reoccurring part of YOU and your life’s journey’ Mile markers and tollbooths, etc. might alter your perspective on a few things. On this episode, The Story of Last Flight Out is featured. It cannot be measured how many people …
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Did you ever have a teacher whose passion and excitement for learning drove you AND your peers to excel? In this episode Paul is in 8th Grade, and his new band teacher is young, fun, talented, interesting, fair and engaging with all of his students. Quelling immature student behavior, Mr. Roush nurtured the band class to exceed expectations. Paul a…
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3. Join our Hotline Team: In Conversation With IWF Internet Content Analysts
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Protecting children is at the heart of everything we do. Our team of expert analysts do one of the most difficult, yet crucial, jobs in the world - searching for and seeking the removal of online child sexual abuse imagery. It’s a tough job. Our Analysts are amongst the best in the world. The children in the pictures are real. Their abuse and suffe…
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This episode delves into the captivating story of Paul's Uncle Russ, who, as a young boy in the 1930s, became enamored with the rugged, untamed wilderness of the American West in the 1880s. Fueled by his love for the thrilling adventures depicted in comic books and B-movie westerns, Uncle Russ became entranced by the legendary stories of the far so…
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This episode sets us in Savannah Georgia with Paul’s ol’ college buddy, Dentist Tye Hagan. Let’s face it, as engaged and motivated as we all once were to begin our careers back in the day, most of us held tight to our innocence of youth and doing the right thing. Newbie dentist Dr. Tye did just that, and in the process of setting his new practice i…
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Regional speak, or regional dialects are sometimes my favorite part of Paul’s business day. When he gets a client on the phone, he may ask him how everything is going (insert their state name). Paul often gets a 3 to 5 sentence primer in their regional language, metaphors or slang. PAUL: “Hey Henry. How is Mississippi treating you these days?” HENR…
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“You can always be better! You have to learn something every day, and if you don’t, …There’s no place to go.” This organic inspiration is innate for our guest Bob Tonge. A man with a career in broadcasting, video production, and writing and performing music. Bob Tonge’s drive to build clients’ confidence and trust, has taken him into a one of a kin…
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2. The Hidden Crimes in our Children’s Bedroom: In Conversation With IWF Senior Analyst, Rosa
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New data released by the IWF today shows that almost 20,000 webpages identified by our team in the first half of 2022 included 'self-generated' child sexual abuse imagery of 7-to-10-year-old children - a 360% increase on the first half of 2020 when the UK entered its first Covid lockdown. The rapid growth of this material, showing primary-aged chil…
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In a world that's always shifting, where time molds us like clay, this episode of Life’s Learning Curve is a tapestry. That intricate dance between growing up, embracing change, and stepping into the shoes of fatherhood. Join Paul on a journey as he revisits the chapters of his life woven together with the threads of fatherly devotion. In this nost…
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1. Encryption Vs. Privacy: In Conversation With Professor Hany Farid and IWF Head of Policy & Public Affairs Mike Tunks
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“The introduction of end-to-end encryption technologies has led to a debate around the apparent dichotomy of good child safety and good general user privacy and security,” reads a new report by Dr Ian Levy and Crispin Robinson, respectively the technical heads of the UK’s National Cybersecurity Centre and GCHQ. The report made headlines last week a…
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While living a mundane existence in the suburbs. Thor Vance aspires to be a hot jazz guitarist . However, Thor is known as a triple-L loser. Although bullied and mocked as a child, he DID HAVE healthy and realistic future dreams. In this episode, procrastinator Thor seeks his dream, but arrives a bit too late and must realize his delay has damaged …
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The Adventure! Undertaking danger and unknown risks, Paul leaves the USA to participate in an internship in Costa Rica, This episode brings 1979-style adventures for Paul. Struggling with a language barrier, he and his college roommate Reed vacation for one week at a non existent un-named beach town during spring break. Paul synthesizes with native…
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Paul revisits the beginning of Summer with a look back at the people and events that made Summer go great! Phil, Sue, his mom & dad and RUDY! The swim instructor with a permanent tan! In the end, Paul learns a couple thing: He learns how to swim AND He learns that nothing TOO GREAT in life lasts forever. Support the Show.…
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Paul's guest is a stand up comic, a graphic artist, a puppeteer, a photographer, a voice artist, and a TV producer/performer, Paul welcomes TV’s John DiDonna. Life stories range from humorist innovator Ernie Kovacs to Chico Marx to a manic bus driver. John’s life is a shared comedic tone poem, His show called TWITS ran in the late 1980s and include…
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Inspirers and Tubthumpers -David Wormington
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Guest Dave Wormington has a super-talent. Since birth, Dave has inspired others to excel and do their best. Taking a step further, Dave provided an unexpected volume of encouragement, or as Paul calls it, tubthumping. Stories of bands, writing music, nuns, 70s hair for guys and the bass guitar fill this episode. Many people inspire and encourage, b…
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This episode takes Paul back to camp within two different time frames. Enthusiastic and engaged Rusty and Hilda June directed the field campus and helped create the magic of outdoor education when Paul’s class spent a week there as a twelve year old. At age 20 Paul returned as a part of his teacher training. But the second time, things were quite l…
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From the moment 16 year old Paul entered high school that spring day, usually an invisible student, he had some celebrity, but did not know why. Someone named Joey Malone was looking for Paul. Joey had spread the word that he wanted payback, and that Paul had done something really bad to him. Joey meant to get even with Paul, and he wanted to fight…
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At age 18, it was the first summer Paul took a summer job that was different from the others. This job quickly became awkward, demoralizing, nightmarish and yet, somehow funny to him. It was as if Paul was participating in a Hitchcock film with a guy named Anthony. Paul’s sense of humor and lack of life’s experiences collide as he is trapped in a f…
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WHAT A RIDE?!?!? How did you choose your career? Did you choose it? Did it choose you, or was it fate? As we enter Season Four of Life’s Learning Curve Paul finally shares one of the MOST embarrassing stories of his life: Just HOW he chose his career field. Paul also explains where that career took him and how adding new technology to education pro…
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Ed not only delivered children from school to their homes daily on good ol’ bus 39, he also delivered kindness, patience and friendship. People just like Ed came into Paul’s live on occasion. For a brief time, Ed was a living legend to Paul, but do legends truly live on forever? Do you know anyone exceptional like Ed? Everyone deserves some deserve…
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It wasn’t the soft breeze and tropical sunny warmth that hooked Paul on St. Martin, it was the adventure. That is, until that adventure went off the rails. Break ins, theft, corruption, and organized crime, and bunco schemes all existed in the dank underbelly of the tropical island. Hangers on from the last hurricane rebuild had stayed on the islan…
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Life threw Bob a curve ball, misleading him at a young age. You can’t control the curve balls life throws at you. so you have to learn how to change or adapt, sometimes quickly so that life’s curve balls don’t take you too far down the wrong path. Bob always knew the man he would like to be, so throughout his life he found role models and mentors f…
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Paul retells about a time a whipped cream bomb exploded in a nearby park, but the concussion was nothing next to Captain Video, a bright, yet self-centered man still wrestling with a basic childhood trait… Sharing. This Life’s Learning Curve episode spans almost 26 years to explain two sides of the coin. Rules, duty and respect meet a self-centered…
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If you go where you’ve never been, you MAY just find yourself. The desert can be blazing hot, the desert can be freezing cold -A challenge to the human spirit. The human spirit needs to be challenged and to recreate. On this remote episode, Paul talks with a couple of brothers in the Mesilla Valley area of New Mexico. It’s good for our souls to wor…
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This episode presents Paul’s life adventures peddling a two-wheeler. -Just recently, riding his bike put Paul in a satisfied state of mind. Mentally Paul felt 18 years old again. Soon Paul began to assume he looked that way as well. Feeling healthy and upbeat, Paul I stopped to let traffic pass. As he did, he glanced up and saw himself in the refle…
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We are so busy being busy that along the way we sometimes might loose ourselves in the process. What do a lineman, a weather event, and a power outage have in common? Episode 51 finds Paul deeply imbedded in a learning curve involving a weather event, a lineman, and finally connecting with neighbors all because of an unexpected microburst over his …
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Celebrating episode number 50, Paul reminisces about times he was overcome with devastating creative / writer’s block. This allows Paul to look back on some favorite clips from the past three seasons. He tells of the shows process of inception for each episode and shares what works for him. -The quote, ”You own everything that happened to you. Tell…
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It was all of ninety-five years ago, when the world was the street where Gramma Ruth lived, and a young man named Harold sailed on a ship at sea carrying a picture of my Gramma Ruth. Ruth had that carefree mind of her own, and a very particular delicate look in her eye, which made one misunderstood blink, look like a wink, and with that another gen…
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“Change is never easy for me. You fight to hold on. And you fight to let go.” This episode is Paul’s very recent self-indulgent take on a wedding that came off with love, happiness & fun. Paul marries off his first child Heidi and faces all the joy and emotion of the day. During the wedding Paul’s subconscious kept reminding him, Change is okay. Li…
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After this encounter, Paul never skied again. There was a time when at the age of 19, Paul and his ski buddies rode a bus and headed out to Montana to Big Sky country. Their purpose: Skiing the fresh white powder, or COLD SMOKE packed ski trails. This episode finally reveals the embarrassing way Paul finally learned coordinate himself to ski. Bar t…
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This episode unfolds like a classic Bogart cinematic movie. Have you ever been with someone so inspiring that their enthusiasm rubbed off on you? In today’s episode this happens to Paul during a very delicate part of his life. Escaping a failing documentary and personal threats left Paul in shreds. He needs an escape. It was the summer of 2013 and …
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