The Ugly Quacking Duck

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You know it is a great day when one of our cohosts comes by. Lily helped us record. It was time to catch up and hear what was happening. She has now been in school for about two weeks. Time is flying by. She recorded with us and then recorded a refresher episode for her podcast, "Enjoying Being Human". It was a great time.

Since we didn't cover any of the weather or earthquakes last week. We tried to cover them this episode. However when I tried to log onto my...

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We take a moment to say good bye to Dolly Parton and Tim Curry. Who both passed on August 25th 2026 and had reached the age of 80.  They touched many people in their own way.  Back to the show, we discussed brain power and AI. It is real and fiction how our information are being progressed so quickly.  Should we believe everything and how it is handed to us. Maybe we should look at who is in control of the information and maybe how they are using it for their benefit and our control.  Mayb...

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Pray for us! Send Us Positive vibes.Come back, and tell a friend. Sharing the podcast with someone is a very good way for us to grow.Contact Us. Email: theuglyquackingduck@gmail.com. Send Us Fan Mail: Under our description on any podcast player you will find a link you can text us or record a message. Leave a voice message: Just let...

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On this episode we tell an example of a country that is changing the laws dealing with creators.  Much like I was stating in the last episode.  Meanwhile, what do you keep on hand at home? I had not really thought about it.  I made a list to discuss. Do you know what "deepfakes" are?  Well Minnesota may have started off in the right direction. Check out our podcast episode and find a few uncertain answers.

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Sometimes it seems I get involved in something just to watch it morph or change and go away. I feel that same fear coming around when it comes to podcasting. 

 We take a look at what another (https://www.thepodcasthost.com) calls an Indie podcaster and how they are described. I can relate! Get ready for our rant about the changes coming to podcasting. Follow the money.  

 Yet we still cover our local weather and the 7 Day Earthquake report.

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 Hello from Bruce and Sunny. Spain won the 2026 World Cup and Pete Hegseth estimated we have spent $37.5 billion on the Iran war to date. We just highlighted those things. "Most adults can safely drink up to five 8-ounce cups of black coffee per day", says a new study.   What about coffee and your doctor? Have you had a conversation with your doctor about caffeine? I did and I read an article I thought worth sharing. We also had our normal reports along with a good bit of ribbing each other to bring you an...

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“See all those mirrors?” starts as a goofy line, then turns into a genuinely unsettling idea: selling moon-bright light from orbit. We read a report that raises the possibility of a giant space mirror casting a moving patch of reflected sunlight onto Earth, and we can’t stop turning it over from every angle. If you care about the night sky, space technology, astronomy, or just the simple human experience of darkness, this one hits a nerve fast.

We talk about why astronomers already struggle with satellite megaconstellations like Starlink, how bright...

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We bounce from everyday check-ins to big headlines, mixing weather, internet oddities, and practical safety stories with our usual skeptical curiosity. We track earthquakes and solar activity, question how news gets framed, and end on the surprising history of a simple white line that changed how people drive at night. 

• value-for-value podcasting and keeping the show free and open 
• experimenting with cartoon-style YouTube Shorts and TikTok clips 
• weather snapshots across London, Mount Vernon, Spokane, and Phoenix 
• a reflection pause with the tone segment 
• Merlin the Duck as a viral World C...

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We lose a full recording, hit record again, and turn the do-over into a reminder to step away from the daily noise and look for something good. We share a strange floating store art piece in Toronto, track World Cup news and streaming crackdowns, and end with weather, earthquakes, space weather, and a NASA rescue plan that raises eyebrows. 
• the second-time recording mishap and why we laugh through it 
• a fully stocked floating convenience store sculpture in Toronto’s harbor and how it’s built to float 
• World Cup knockout rounds and th...

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Two massive earthquakes, less than a minute apart, force a question most of us would rather avoid: how do you even describe disaster at that scale without turning it into background noise? We talk through the Venezuela double quake, what 7.0+ really implies for buildings and lives, and why hearing the news after the fact doesn’t make the suffering any less real. We slow down long enough to name the grief, the missing, and the long recovery that follows headlines.

From there, we get practical and a little nerdy. We share ho...

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The weather outside feels like a warning sign, and we start right there: heat in the studio, storms pushing across the Midwest, and a quick check on tornado alerts before we zoom out to a whirlwind world weather roundup. We call out conditions from Spokane to Phoenix, Moscow, Tokyo, Beijing, the Australian Plains, and back home near Mount Vernon, Illinois, because sometimes the fastest way to feel the moment we’re living in is to name it out loud.

Then we make a hard turn into a bigger question that won’t le...

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Somebody left the heat on in the Midwest, and we’re feeling every degree of it. We start with the kind of summer heat wave that messes with your sleep, forces the air conditioner decision, and makes you stare at the electric bill like it’s a personal betrayal. Then we lighten it up with a “supposedly accurate” weather tour that lets you compare your day to places like Beijing, Moscow, the Australian Plains, Phoenix, Spokane, Tokyo, and our own backyard in Southern Illinois complete with humidity, UV index, wind, visibility, and air quality...

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A robot gets sworn in as a monk, NASA supposedly drops 12,000 Artemis II photos that are strangely hard to track down, and scientists argue over how fast the universe is expanding. That’s the kind of headline mix we can’t ignore, so we talk it through the only way we know how: one topic at a time, with questions, a little humor, and a strong urge to separate facts from hype. 

Before the “crazy news,” we catch up on the real world stuff that shapes everything else: allergies, mowing season, and a ful...

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We bounce from podcasting wins to weird headlines, trying to keep things funny while still taking real disasters seriously. We talk through what made us laugh this week, what made us worry, and why we keep choosing positive words anyway. 
• Sunny’s BuzzCast call-in getting featured and why that felt so good 
• Buzzsprout voice memo feature and how listeners can use it 
• Reactions to the proposed triumphal arch in Washington, DC and the pushback 
• Seven-day earthquake report and the 7.4 quake in Japan 
• Why prayer and positive thinking matter after disaster 

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Are we headed for a “wild ride” this year, or just the usual chaos with a new label? We kick things off from our hidden studio in Southern Illinois with the kind of talk everyone can relate to: spring weather that can’t make up its mind. Then we zoom out to the big climate headline driving the conversation, as NOAA signals the La Nina pattern has ended and El Nino may develop later this year. We unpack what that shift can mean in real terms, including the possibility of a stronger warming patter...

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We trade heavy headlines for curiosity, jokes, and a live countdown vibe as we track Artemis II’s return and ask why space footage still feels oddly limited. We also share a new way to contact us, then wrap with weather, and earthquakes.
• Easter weekend catch-up and keeping things light 
• LiFePO4 battery plans for cleaner ham radio power 
• Buzzsprout fan mail update with new voicemail option 
• Quick talk on EVE Online and not boring non-players 
• Artemis II splashdown watch and why still photos feel strange 
• Clips and claims about fakes...

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We start with laughs and a quick mic experiment, then get serious with storm warnings and a weather check from Illinois to Australia to Phoenix. From robot tennis to rising power bills, we connect everyday life to the fast-growing demands of AI and data centers, then close with an earthquake report and a prayer.
• our “secret studio” setup and switching between microphones
• Midwest severe weather risk and why we watch the warnings closely
• weather snapshots from Mount Vernon, Spokane, Australia Plains, and Phoenix
• humidity, air quality, and sinus struggles tied to seas...

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A flooded Hawaii, a string of 6.0+ earthquakes, and a headline claiming Earth’s days are getting longer might sound like three unrelated stories, but to us they all point to the same question: how do you stay grounded when the world feels noisy and unstable?

We start where we always do, with a little humor from our hidden Southern Illinois studio and some straight talk about what we do and why. We also clear the air on AI in podcasting. We’ll use AI for practical tasks like an automated transcript and...

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We jump from a NASA Artemis moon-launch update to Friday the 13th history, then flip the superstition into a reminder to be grateful you made it through. Along the way we share weather snapshots, storm and war concerns we’re praying over, a childlike joy story, why smell matters for health, and the weird emotional crash that can follow a big creative win. 
• catching up from our Southern Illinois studio and talking shop on projects going sideways 
• rebuilding the garage ham radio setup and dealing with computer memory issues 
• reacting to NASA Art...

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Sunshine in Southern Illinois sparks a tour through weather, taxes, jargon, quakes, space delays, and a curious alien wager, anchored by a value-for-value spirit and real-world honesty. We balance humor with care, naming what matters and praying for those in harm’s way.

• local spring weather, yard prep, and listener weather checks
• Illinois topping tax burden rankings and what that means
• corporate jargon we hate and how it harms clarity
• studio authenticity, open windows, and new listener guide to episode 138
• earthquake counts, regional patterns, and solar activity
• Middle...

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Start with a smile and stay for the substance—we pair the spark of the Fire Horse year with a hands-on guide to listening smarter, supporting freely, and joining a community that talks back. We kick off with the Chinese zodiac, comparing traits for Tiger, Rat, Snake, and Dragon and unpacking what cultural archetypes offer beyond fortune-cookie fate. The result is a grounded take on identity and timing, with a dash of humor and a nod to global celebrations.

From there, we get practical. We walk through how podcast 2.0 apps make fo...

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What if an armadillo called your winter, coffee once got you killed, and the sun decided to take a rare, welcome nap? We thread those stories into a lively tour of weather risk, history’s stranger turns, and the science of a sky so blue it feels unreal. Kicking off with Bee Cave Bob’s forecast, we break down a classic severe setup—warm, moist air pulling north, a cold intrusion sharpening the line, and the mid-continent primed for thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. We keep it practical with clear safety steps you can use to...

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We chase a week of strange headlines and real-world signals: a refined profile of Jupiter, an xAI–SpaceX shuffle, a calm stretch in quakes, and a noisy sun that toys with radios and GPS. We end with a clear correction on HF time-signal frequencies and how to use them well.

• value for value model and why we keep it free
• Jupiter’s refined equatorial profile and what it means
• xAI merging with SpaceX and possible motives
• seven-day earthquake counts trending lower
• sunspot activity, multiple X-class flares, KP swings
• H...

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We jump from Muhammad Ali’s new Forever stamp to a sprawling, grounded look at sleep and heart health, flattening “peanut butter” pay raises, quake counts, solar noise, and a deep dive into decades of deportation policy and its street‑level impact. Humor softens the edges, but we stay with the data and ask what incentives and priorities truly drive outcomes.

• Ali’s stamp as a cultural spark and memory cue
• Night owl vs early bird study linking chronotype to heart health metrics
• Across‑the‑board raises and how incentives shape per...

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What starts as a light check-in—cats underfoot and a brief tease of winter sun—quickly widens into a tour of stories that feel equal parts surreal and sobering. We talk Greenland’s odd brush with U.S. history, revisit a polarizing moment from last January to explore how headlines shape our empathy, and compare two very different space sagas: a swift medical evacuation that brought a crew home and the long, weary wait of Starliner astronauts who spent 286 days in orbit after thruster problems. Then comes the moon, twice—Artemis 2 edging toward a launch...

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A wobbly start turns into a grounded reset as we talk gear that finally fits, habits that hold past week one, and why spring might be the better time to declare a new year. We add a curious wellness gadget, fresh nutrition rules, earthquakes, and space weather to round it out.

• brief hiatus, illness, and a recommitment to weekly recording
• the SM58 journey and finding a mic that fits a rough voice
• resolutions that last by lowering the cost of starting
• Japan’s human washing machine as a recovery t...

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We track seven‑day earthquake patterns through late fall, compare them with past years, and pause on Japan and Alaska’s big shocks. Then we unpack the “last penny” story, store rounding, and how value‑for‑value keeps this show free.

• value‑for‑value model, why we avoid paywalls
• recording month cadence and how we frame seven‑day stats
• late‑season rise in total quakes and alternating big‑vs‑small pattern
• notable clusters in Japan and Alaska with 6.0+ events
• limits of pattern reading and why prediction is risky
• listener feedback requ...

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Two hosts weigh the trade-offs between safety, free speech, and privacy as governments and platforms push age verification and broader controls. We trace the ripple effects into podcasting, immigration enforcement, and streaming power plays, then end with a hopeful story of teen innovation.

• value for value model and open access
• switching to Reaper for lean, independent production
• Australia’s under-16 social media ban and youth rights
• intrusive age checks and cross-platform data profiling
• risks to open speech and future limits on podcasting
• ICE’s 737 purchase and concerns over tr...

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This Episode recorded and rendered on Reaper DAW.

Hit play on a cozy, candid ride through creative tinkering, 80s nostalgia, and the kind of gratitude that only grows after a hard season. We start in the studio where we stress-test a new workflow, recording in Reaper and Audacity at the same time to chase better sound without risking the show. That practical look at tools and trade-offs opens into a broader conversation about making independent media in a value-for-value world—keeping the feed free, leaning on community, and learning in...

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A simple question sets the tone: what are you thankful for? We lean into the heart of Thanksgiving with real talk about gratitude, grief, and the quiet kind of joy that shows up even when life feels thin. From travel prayers to table rituals, we trace the holiday’s roots across cultures and the way harvest traditions still whisper to us now. Faith makes an appearance, not as a lecture, but as an honest thanks to the Creator and an open invitation to anyone who needs a little hope this week.

Th...

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Sunshine after a brush with snow set the tone for a free-ranging ride that starts local and climbs straight into orbit. We celebrate 25 years of continuous life aboard the International Space Station, tip our caps to Mir’s overlooked legacy, and swap stories about chasing auroras sparked by double CMEs. A quick quake roundup keeps us grounded, while a candid update on an AI hosting glitch and a chaotic schedule shows the real-life mess behind making a weekly, value-for-value show.

Then comes the hinge: China’s new rule that influencers must prov...

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We riff on a week where the cloud stumbles, storms hit hard, bugs fight bugs, and cars promise “eyes off” driving by 2028. Along the way, we share schedule changes, shout out listeners, and ask for feedback on sound and topics.

• Amazon cloud outage impacts across work, social, and gaming
• Insect drops to stop screwworm devastation
• Hurricane Melissa’s toll on Jamaica and the Caribbean
• Weather check-ins for Midwest, Spokane, and Phoenix
• Earthquake round-up and active auroras tied to solar winds
• Japan’s new female PM and gender gap rankings...

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Two friends trade notes on weird weather, Star Trek reboots, and a wave of new chips while weighing the hidden costs of AI and the shrinking right to repair. We share a shoutout to a student podcast, ask for feedback on our audio, and invite support through value for value.

• value for value model and keeping content open
• mic setup, room sound, and listener feedback
• local weather patterns in Southern Illinois
• Phoenix and Spokane comparisons and storms
• Star Trek reboots, humor, and fandom
• Dunbar’s number and social cap...

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We trade outrage for honesty as we riff on AI hype, de-extinction headlines, and a hard history lesson that still warns us today. Humor breaks the tension, but the heart is clear—value-for-value, open access, and treating people with care.

• value-for-value model and why we keep content free
• status of the earthquake reports and why feedback matters
• the AI “actress” debate and creative labor concerns
• nostalgia tech with Kodak’s tiny throwback camera
• 1974 ruling on pregnant teachers and how norms shift
• weather as texture, jokes as pressure valves
...

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Bruce and Sunny explore the recent failed rapture predictions and what they reveal about biblical teachings on endurance versus escape, then examine the eroding distinction between freedom of speech and free speech in America.

• Biblical analysis of recent rapture predictions and why date-setting contradicts scripture
• Discussion of how Christians are called to endure trials with divine protection rather than escape them
• Important distinction between constitutional "freedom of speech" and the increasingly limited concept of "free speech"
• Conversation with Eclipse AI about presidents throughout history who have challenged speech rights

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When tragedy strikes our communities, how do we respond? Do we fall into patterns of anger and division, or can we find a path toward healing and understanding? This deeply reflective episode tackles the challenging emotional landscape following recent high-profile events that have dominated headlines.

The hosts courageously step into difficult territory, examining how our immediate reactions to tragedy often reveal more about our own character than about the events themselves. "The measure of how much you love God is how much you love your enemy," they share, offering a profound...

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The moment Bruce steps away from the microphone, Sunny seizes his chance to commandeer episode 122 of the Ugly Quacking Duck Podcast. What follows is a heartwarming blend of family banter, youthful entrepreneurship, and our signature look at global events through a small-town Midwestern lens.

Young Lily joins us with exciting news about "Slime & Shine," her upcoming business venture with friend Anna. The enthusiasm in her voice is palpable as she details their dollar store inspiration and plans to launch in October. We explore the fascinating journey of youth entrepreneurship, from spontaneous...

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We're recording from our Midwest studio in Mount Vernon, Illinois on Labor Day weekend. The beautiful weather continues with low humidity and pleasant temperatures, though we're starting to see dry conditions affecting the landscape.

• Bruce shares a recorded conversation with AI about whether the Large Hadron Collider could create timeline shifts
• Discussion about how science fiction provides escape but shouldn't replace spiritual foundations
• Remembering Hurricane Katrina (2005) and its devastating impact across multiple states
• Biblical prophecy and preparation for increasingly challenging times ahead
• Weather comparison between our local 84°F with Phoe...