Best Serve Wisconsin Podcasts (2025)

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Serving Students and Gaining Experience for a Career in Education with College Possible Wisconsin and Wisconsin Reading Corps 20:36

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7d ago20:36

20:36

In this episode of The S-Files, we are exploring the service story of AmeriCorps member Jon Goltz, who served two terms with College Possible Wisconsin and previously served a term with Wisconsin Reading Corps. Jon describes his service providing coaching to students at Casimir Pulaski High School and St. Thomas More High School, working with junio…

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Set Apart to Serve: Modeling Servant Leadership in Lutheran Schools 25:01

3d ago25:01

25:01

How do servant leaders in Lutheran schools model leadership for future church workers? The Rev. Mark Bushuiakovish, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Nashville, TN, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his journey into pastoral ministry, how his faith was formed as a child and through Lutheran schools, the serv…

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The Devolving of an Increasingly Pagan Society 27:59

4d ago27:59

27:59

How can Lutherans faithfully respond to an increasingly pagan society? The Rev. Dr. Matt Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, North Dakota, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about a recent insightful visit to his local post office and what he witnessed there. He shares what this experience brought to light for him regarding America's …

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Worker Wellness Pilot Project: Congregations Needed! 25:31

5d ago25:31

25:31

Why does worker wellness matter—and how can your congregation get involved in a pilot project to support it? Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor (Managing Director of the LCMS Office of National Mission) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why congregational leaders should care about the well-being of church workers. She shares who we consider to be church …

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Judah in the Time of David: Biblical Archaeology 25:33

6d ago25:33

25:33

How does understanding archaeology help us to understand Biblical history? The Rev. Dr. Kevin Golden (Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology, Dean of Theological Research and Publication, Director of Resident Field Education, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about an upcoming lecture in Biblical Archaeology at Concord…

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Rev. Dr. John Sias on John 3:1-15 (16-17) 12:57

7d ago12:57

12:57

Rev. Dr. John Sias gives today's sermon based on John 3:1-15 (16-17). >> The broadcast of chapel services is brought to you by LCMS International Mission and Ministry to Armed Forces. >> Learn more at international.lcms.org and lcms.org/armedforces. >> To learn more about long and short-term opportunities to serve, visit servenow.lcms.org. Tune in …

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Next Stop in the Convention Cycle 25:22

7d ago25:22

25:22

The 69th Regular Convention of the LCMS is next summer! Rev. Dr. John Sias, Secretary of the LCMS, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about where we are in the convention cycle, including the details for nominations across various synodical positions, the offices nominations are being sought for, how nominations are submitted, and encouragement for nomin…

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Tent to tenancy 34:44

8d ago34:44

34:44

Amanda opens up about her journey from in-patient rehab to shelters to finally finding a place of her own. It's a raw and honest look at what the path to housing can really look like — one step at a time, and not always in a straight line.By Scott LaBonte

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Set Apart to Serve: Church Worker Formation as Culture 24:32

10d ago24:32

24:32

How is church worker formation cemented as culture in the church? The Rev. Dr. Mike Von Behren (President of the LCMS Northwest District and Regent at Concordia University Irvine) and the Rev. Dr. Bill Harmon (President of the LCMS Southeastern District and Assistant Pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Williamsburg, VA) join Andy for our Set…

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Caring in the Name of Jesus after a Disaster 28:15

11d ago28:15

28:15

How does a church family care for a community in the name of Jesus after a disaster? The Rev. Dr. Gerard Bolling (Lead Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St Louis, MO) and the Rev. Chris Knepper (Pastor of Community Engagement, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the recent tornado that impacted the St. Louis…

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Delighting in Sabbath: Chapter 7 – Conclusion & Living the Receptive Life 23:43

12d ago23:43

23:43

What does it truly mean to live a receptive life? The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this final episode on chapter 7, they discuss what re-enchantmen…

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The 2025 LWML National Convention 27:31

13d ago27:31

27:31

The 2025 LWML National Convention is coming up June 26-29 in Omaha, NE, under the theme “Growing in God’s Grace” (2 Peter 3:18). President of the LWML Eden Keefe joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what the 2025 LWML Convention will look like this summer, the story behind the theme “Growing in God’s Grace,” what this theme means for her and all Luth…

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What is a FORO? 27:51

14d ago27:51

27:51

What is a FORO? The Rev. Dr. Brian Gauthier (Managing Director, Global Mission Operations, LCMS Office of International Mission) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the structure of the LCMS approach to international mission, how missionaries and support staff are organized, how these missionaries and support staff are supported from outside the Int…

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Set Apart to Serve: Establishing the Culture 26:56

17d ago26:56

26:56

What does it take to establish a strong foundation for church work formation and recruitment in the culture of our congregations, schools, and the larger church body? The Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford (President of the LCMS Minnesota South District, Regent at Concordia University St. Paul, and Associate Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Farmington, MN…

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“The Promised Spirit” LW Searching Scripture, June/July 2025: Joel 2:28–32 & Acts 2:1–22 27:26

18d ago27:26

27:26

We have now come through Lent and the Easter season, including the Ascension of Jesus to His Father’s right hand, and in June we celebrate Pentecost. In these studies, we have explored messianic prophecies in January through April, with an introduction to messianic typology last month. This month’s study will deal with a prophecy that is not exactl…

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Delighting in Sabbath: Chapter 6 – Sleep and Play 25:05

19d ago25:05

25:05

Is play really that important? The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this episode on chapter 6, they discuss how we distinguish between work and play, w…

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Catechetical Fiction for Young (and All!) Readers 23:23

20d ago23:23

23:23

What if exciting fiction could teach readers the heart of Lutheran doctrine? Katie Schuermann (author of The Big Father and His Little Boy, The Creed: Book 1 and The Beloved Son and His Brother, The Creed: Book 2), Christine Elliott Rivers (author of Above All Things: The Tale of the King, The Commandments: Book 1), and Jesse Cordes (Illustrator of…

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Third Use of the Law & The Lord's Supper in the Formula of Concord 27:40

21d ago27:40

27:40

Do we still need the law? What were the controversies concerning the Lord’s Supper? The Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District and host of KFUO Radio’s Concord Matters, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Formula of Concord reading plan he created for 2025, including the questions concerning the Third Use of the Law a…

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Behind the desk, beside the people 22:14

21d ago22:14

22:14

In this episode, we go behind the scenes with a caseworker from Lakeshore CAP, a local organization working directly with individuals and families facing housing instability. This conversation shines a light on the human side of social work — the long hours, the hard conversations, and the heart it takes to keep showing up. We talk about what broug…

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Set Apart to Serve: Pastor + DCE Team Ministry 28:50

24d ago28:50

28:50

How do a Pastor and DCE work together as a ministry team in a congregation? The Rev. Dr. Phil Booe (Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN) and DCE Jessica Blocker (Director of Christian Education, St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about how their education and formation …

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LCEF's Sabbatical Scholarship Program 24:55

25d ago24:55

24:55

Why is sabbatical valuable for church workers? The Rev. Dr. Greg Walton (Grace Place Wellness, LCEF) and Rehema Kavugha (Director of Synod Relations, LCEF) join Andy and Sarah to talk about why a Sabbatical Scholarship Program is important for the church and LCEF's mission, why sabbaticals are so critical for church workers, what kinds of things ch…

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Helping College Students on the Path to Graduation and Unenrolled Students toward Future Stability with College Possible Wisconsin 18:29

26d ago18:29

18:29

In this episode of The S-Files, we are exploring the service story of AmeriCorps member Connor Grossnickle, who served two terms with College Possible Wisconsin. Conner describes his service providing coaching to roughly 150 students from underserved backgrounds as they pursue their college degree, with over half of his students at Milwaukee Area T…

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Delighting in Sabbath: Chapter 5 – The Receptive Life 25:33

26d ago25:33

25:33

How can we know our purpose and understand life's meaning? The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this episode on chapter 5, they discuss the current sta…

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10 Years of Lutheran Federal Credit Union 14:06

27d ago14:06

14:06

Lutheran Federal Credit Union is celebrating 10 years! The Rev. Tom Schlund (Synod Relations & Marketing Coordinator, Lutheran Federal Credit Union) and Amanda Walker (CEO, Lutheran Federal Credit Union) join Andy and Sarah to talk about why a credit union was created for the LCMS, Rev. Schlund's new role and the need to build up relationships acro…

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Carillon Concert Series at Concordia Seminary 13:23

27d ago13:23

13:23

It's time for the annual Carillon Concert Series at Concordia Seminary! John Klinger, Chief Information Officer and Carillonneur at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what a carillon is, what's unique about Concordia’s carillon, the history and tradition of carillon concerts at Concordia Seminary, and the lineup of …

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KFUO Interns Help Share the Gospel (Rebroadcast) 26:35

28d ago26:35

26:35

How do KFUO Radio Interns help us share the Gospel AND learn valuable skills for future vocations? John Fiene (current KFUO Radio Intern), Aubrey Blank (current Digital Media Associate and former KFUO intern), and Jordan Harms (Media Operations Manager for KFUO) join Andy and Sarah to talk about why John applied to be an intern with KFUO, what he's…

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Set Apart to Serve: Lutheran Identity in a Lutheran High School 25:29

1M ago25:29

25:29

How does Crean Lutheran High School raise up young Lutherans for future vocations? Conni Schramm, Learning Success Teacher at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, California, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about what she gets to do every day at Crean Lutheran, how she became a teacher and her many years of service i…

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Relaunching a Lutheran City School 29:23

1M ago29:23

29:23

Bring Back the Bulldogs! The Rev. Dr. Gerard Bolling (Lead Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St Louis, MO) and the Rev. Chris Kneppe (Pastor of Community Engagement, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the revitalization of Bethlehem Lutheran School in St. Louis, including Bethlehem's long history, the commu…

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Delighting in Sabbath: Chapter 4 - Leisure 25:47

1M ago25:47

25:47

How is leisure part of being human? The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this episode on chapter 4, they discuss how we normally consider "leisure" and…

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Serving as a Regional Business Manager Overseas 28:52

1M ago28:52

28:52

What is it like to serve overseas as a Regional Business Manager with the LCMS Office of International Mission? Regional Business Managers Joyce Erber (Africa Region), Stan Stigdon (Latin America and the Caribbean Region), and Sam Borgwardt (Asia Region), along with Rev. Dr. Mark Rabe, Director of Missionary Recruitment for the LCMS Office of Inter…

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Resilient Minds Curriculum 28:35

1M ago28:35

28:35

How do we equip youth with the tools to weather life’s ups and downs? Dr. Belinda Karge (professor in the School of Education at Concordia University Irvine), Dr. Kara Bratton (assistant professor in the School of Education at Concordia University Irvine), and Dr. Jeremiah Stokes (licensed psychotherapist, owner and clinical director of Stokes Coun…

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Still Here 19:54

1M ago19:54

19:54

In this powerful episode, we meet Jimmy — a man who's lived on and off the streets of Sheboygan for a couple years. Recorded outside Mead Public Library in Sheboygan, this conversation doesn’t take place in a studio. It takes place where Jimmy lives his truth: on the sidewalk, with nothing to hide. Jimmy opens up about the daily realities of homele…

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Set Apart to Serve: Lutheran Teaching for the Whole Family 22:32

1M ago22:32

22:32

How does an entire family become involved in church work vocations? David Beikmann (principal and teacher at Linn Lutheran School, Linn KS, moving to Zion Lutheran School in Pierce, Nebraska), his wife Diane Beikmann (Lutheran teacher) and daughter Camryn Beikmann, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about who encouraged e…

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Lay Bible Institute - And He Spoke Many Things to Them in Parables 28:11

1M ago28:11

28:11

How does Jesus use parables to teach the Truth of God? The Rev. Dr. James Fickenscher, assistant professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming Lay Bible Institute "And He Spoke Many Things to Them in Parables" happening August 2 at Concordia Seminary, including what a parable is, w…

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Delighting in Sabbath: Chapter 3 - Work 24:17

1M ago24:17

24:17

Are work and Sabbath polar opposites? The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this episode on chapter 3, they discuss how the “Protestant Work Ethic” affec…

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Graduation at Concordia Universities 23:19

1M ago23:19

23:19

What's it like to graduate from a Concordia University? The Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy (President, Concordia University System) and the Rev. Dr. Douglas Spittel (Vice President, Concordia University System) join Andy to talk about Graduation 2025, including what happens at graduation ceremonies around the Concordia University System, other activities s…

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#46 High School Sports and Thieving Employees 42:48

1M ago42:48

42:48

James and Caleb dive into a pair of decisions from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, including Halter v. WIAA and Cota v. Oconomowoc Area School District. Oh, and a new justice was elected (along with two (!) new chief justices).By Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols s.c.

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Set Apart to Serve: Early Childhood Lutheran Education 25:47

1M ago25:47

25:47

What is life like as an Early Childhood Educator in a Lutheran School? Gretchen Gosch (1st grade teacher at Unity Ridge Lutheran School in Denison, IA), Heather Nitzel (2nd Grade teacher at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School in Spencer, IA), and Chelsea Adams (Kindergarten teacher at Mt. Olive Lutheran School in Des Moines, IA) join Andy and Sarah fo…

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Celebrating Sarah's Graduation from Concordia Irvine 30:31

2M ago30:31

30:31

It's a graduation celebration! Sarah Gulseth (Digital Media Manager, co-host of The Coffee Hour and The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Podcast) join Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms to talk about her journey to getting a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University Irvine's Townsend Institute, including how her career path has…

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Delighting in Sabbath: Chapter 2 - Sabbath in the Bible 23:01

2M ago23:01

23:01

What does Jesus say and show us about the true significance of the Sabbath? The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this episode on chapter 2, they discus…

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"Isn’t That Typical?" LW Searching Scripture, May 2025: Typological Connections Throughout Scripture 24:50

2M ago24:50

24:50

“Type” has to do with forms, shapes, patterns, images. People demonstrate “typical” behavior when they act in a similar pattern time and again. In typesetting, a block with a typographic character on it makes an image of that character on the page. Our first four Bible studies in this year’s series have focused on straightforward messianic propheci…

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Pilgrims, Puritans & New England: Ep. 8 – The Mathers and the Salem Witch Trials 25:44

2M ago25:44

25:44

Who were Increase and Cotton Mather, and what happened with the Salem Witch Trials? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 8, we learn about the influe…

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How it started 25:53

2M ago25:53

25:53

This podcast gives a voice to the people we so often walk past but rarely hear from—those experiencing homelessness here in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. But before we dive into other people’s stories, we thought we’d start by sharing our own.By Scott LaBonte

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Set Apart to Serve: Relationship-Building as Lutheran Principals 24:46

2M ago24:46

24:46

Donna Laughlin (Principal of Immanuel Lutheran Church & School in Batavia, IL) and Sue Domeier (Principal of Zion Lutheran Church & School in Marengo, IL) join Andy and Sarah to talk about their respective journeys into school administration, why they love being educators in Lutheran schools, and what encourages them to keep going every day. They a…

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Law & Gospel in the Formula of Concord 24:05

2M ago24:05

24:05

What does Scripture tell us about Law & Gospel? The Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District and host of KFUO Radio’s Concord Matters, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Formula of Concord reading plan he created for 2025, including the questions concerning Law and Gospel that are addressed in this month’s readings. Wh…

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Gaining Experience in Higher Education while Serving Students with College Possible Wisconsin 12:39

2M ago12:39

12:39

In this episode of The S-Files, we are exploring the service story of AmeriCorps member Haiying Yang, who is serving this year with College Possible Wisconsin. Haiying describes his service providing coaching to 164 college students from underserved backgrounds, helping them navigate academic and financial challenges they face throughout the year a…

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Delighting in Sabbath: Chapter 1 - Sabbath and the Catechism 24:08

2M ago24:08

24:08

What does Sabbath teach us about who we are—and what we're made for? The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this episode, covering the introduction and c…

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The Prelude to the Service 25:16

2M ago25:16

25:16

What is a prelude, and why does it happen (or not happen) before a church service? Dr. Mark Bender (retired Minister of Music from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, MO), Phillip Magness (Cantor at Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, MO) and Cheryl Magness (Managing Editor of Reporter with LCMS Communications and International Center chapel mus…

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Pilgrims, Puritans & New England: Ep. 7 – The Test Act, the Mathers, and the Church in Massachusetts 25:08

2M ago25:08

25:08

How did the fracturing of Christianity in Old England affect how churches were founded in New England? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 7, we lea…