Best Spriggs Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 181 The Crimes of Winona Spriggs

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3d ago

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In the summer of 1924, a railroad worker was found dead near tracks in Little Rock. Weeks later, his wife was found dead in another state. What followed was a series of headlines that pointed to one woman—Winona Spriggs. Her name would appear again and again over the next fifty years, linked to crime, escape, and murder. This is the story of a fami…

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766 – Christmas Conversation with Melanie 24:21

21h ago24:21

24:21

Merry Christmas from WELSTech! We’re continuing our holiday tradition of sharing a special Christmas interview with our listeners. This year, we’re excited to welcome Melanie Giddings from the Lutheran Schools Office to talk about the important work underway to develop a new religion curriculum. The interview A new curriculum in development – Melan…

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765 – Christmas Coloring 25:13

14d ago25:13

25:13

‘Tis the WELSTech Christmas season! Join us for a giveaway announcement that involves the good news of Christmas, coloring books, and AI. You could win a fun WELS item while you exercise your AI skills. Christmas concerts, anniversary offerings, travel apps, managing your smart home, and free EDU GPT round out this episode. Let’s goooo! The discuss…

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Episode 180 The Kidnapping of Barbara Jane Mackle

19d ago

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In December 1968, Barbara Jane Mackle was kidnapped from a motel room outside Atlanta, Georgia. The circumstances surrounding her abduction were so strange, investigators could barely make sense of them. The search for twenty year old Barbara Jane Mackle became a race against time that gripped her family and drew national attention. The post Episod…

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From Curiosity to Capability: AI Adoption in Scottish Charities and Social Enterprises 54:35

18d ago54:35

54:35

In this Scottish AI Playbook webinar we explored what AI adoption really looks like for charities and social enterprises working across Scotland. John Fitzgerald, Digital Evolution Manager at SCVO, shared insights into where the sector currently stands with AI, moving beyond the headlines to examine the practical applications, challenges, and oppor…

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764 – NotebookLM: The Godzilla of AI 58:32

1M ago58:32

58:32

This week on WELSTech we take a deep dive into Google’s NotebookLM. Discover how this AI tool uses only your uploaded documents to create everything from video and audio overviews, flashcards, and summary documents, plus learn about other innovative AI tools like Hume Voice AI and the Plaud audio recorder that are changing the way we work and commu…

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Whose AI Future? The TUC's Vision for Pro-Worker AI Innovation 59:58

1M ago59:58

59:58

As Scotland develops its AI ecosystem, one of the critical questions is: how do we ensure AI innovation benefits workers, not just shareholders? Listen to our latest webinar (original broadcast date Wednesday, November 12th) featuring Adam Cantwell-Corn from the TUC discussing: • How worker involvement improves AI implementation effectiveness • Why…

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Episode 179 The Mystery of Diamond Bessie

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The murder of Diamond Bessie became one of the most talked-about cases in Texas history. Her story lives on in Jefferson, where her memory continues to echo nearly 150 years later. The post Episode 179 The Mystery of Diamond Bessie first appeared on A Southern History & True Crime Podcast.By Southern Mysteries

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763 – Planning That Works 38:39

1M ago38:39

38:39

On this episode of WELSTech, we take a closer look at one of the standout offerings from the upcoming WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership. We also revisit the WELS Strategic Plan, with a special focus on the Calling pillar. Plus, we’ve got our usual lineup of helpful Picks of the week and the latest Community Feedback. Ready to dive in?…

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Episode 178 Little Boy Lost – The Disappearance of Kenneth Beasley

2M ago

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In 1905, eight-year-old Kenneth Beasley vanished after leaving his school in Poplar Branch, North Carolina. The son of a state senator, his disappearance sparked a county-wide search, a bitter feud, and a conviction built on rumor. This episode revisits one of North Carolina’s oldest unsolved mysteries. The post Episode 178 Little Boy Lost – The Di…

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762 – Llamas in the Machine 53:04

2M ago53:04

53:04

This episode of WELSTech opens with an overview of the recent WELS Artificial Intelligence (AI) survey. The AI theme continues throughout the show, featuring details on the new Hour of AI initiative, a powerful prompt designed to help organize scattered thoughts, a WELS-centric GPT tool, and the latest edition of the TAAFT (There’s an AI for That) …

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Episode 177 Witch Legends of the South

2M ago

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Discover the real history behind southern witch legends. This episode of Southern Mysteries explores how fear and suspicion turned healers, midwives and conjurers in the American South into figures of folklore and myth. The post Episode 177 Witch Legends of the South first appeared on A Southern History & True Crime Podcast.…

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Episode 176 The Mystery of the Surrency Poltergeist

2M ago

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In 1872, the quiet Georgia town of Surrency became the site of one of the most documented poltergeist cases in American history. Explore the true story of the Surrency family, the chaos that consumed their home, and the mystery that still haunts Georgia folklore. The post Episode 176 The Mystery of the Surrency Poltergeist first appeared on A South…

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761 – Comms and Cardigans 44:22

2M ago44:22

44:22

Fall has arrived on WELSTech, and we’re reminiscing about childhood sweater weather. We share a church communication focused interview as well as details on all the happenings at January’s Lutheran Leadership Conference. The picks of the week include worksheet alternatives for teachers as well as a great place to keep things. It’s time to press pla…

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Episode 175 Haunted Battlefields and Forts of the South

3M ago

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Across the South, battlefields and forts still bear the weight of the wars fought upon them. In this episode of Southern Mysteries, explore the haunting history of places like Shiloh, Franklin, Vicksburg, and Fort Morgan. From phantom soldiers and restless spirits to the families forever changed by the fighting, these are the stories where Southern…

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AI & Cyber Security: How Scottish SMEs Can Stay Ahead of Emerging Risks 1:01:28

3M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

In this webinar from the Scottish AI Playbook series, John Callagy, Head of Growth and Strategy at the Cyber and Fraud Center and co-founder of the Cyber and Fraud Hub, explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in Scotland. John discusses how AI is being weaponized by criminals for sophisticated phishing attacks, malwar…

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Episode 174 Southern Asylums and the Spirits Within

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Across the South, asylums were built with the promise of healing — but inside their walls, countless lives were marked by fear, neglect, and cruelty. In this episode of Southern Mysteries, explore the haunting history of institutions like Broughton Hospital, Cherry Hospital, Central State, and Bryce. The post Episode 174 Southern Asylums and the Sp…

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760 – Listening to Your Flock 48:56

3M ago48:56

48:56

For the 760th time, welcome to WELSTech, a podcast at the intersection of technology and ministry. This episode features a discussion of the dos and don’ts of church and school surveys. Also included is a new source for liturgical art, a deep dive into “Smart” Health, and a new vocabulary word – workslop! Eek! The interview and discussion Survey Be…

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Episode 173 The Forgotten Eleven of New Orleans

3M ago

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In 1891, New Orleans became the scene of a tragedy born from fear and prejudice. The Forgotten Eleven uncovers how one unsolved murder set the stage for mob violence that left the city forever changed. The post Episode 173 The Forgotten Eleven of New Orleans first appeared on A Southern History & True Crime Podcast.…

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759 – Academic Integrity 52:53

3M ago52:53

52:53

WELSTech is back with an unexpected AI buzz word discussion that’s a hot topic in schools right now – Academic Integrity. Jason and Rachel return bringing videos, gems, and flow to the podcast. Plus, there’s a new tech-enabled look at WELS 10-year strategic plan. Your earbuds are waiting! The discussion AI using AI – Martin and Sallie are joined by…

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Elio with Mia 1:21:23

3M ago1:21:23

1:21:23

Porter talks with Christianity Today's Mia Staub about Pixar's latest release, Elio. What can Elio teach us about male vulnerability? What's with all the hate for the bean-mouth animation style? And how does the climax of Elio present a poignant metaphor for community overcoming grief? Be sure to read Mia's article about Elio here in addition to li…

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From Resistance to Readiness: Building AI-Friendly Workplaces 56:01

3M ago56:01

56:01

Join us for the fourth installment of the Scottish AI Alliance Playbook webinars! How can organisations adopt AI in a way that benefits both the business and the people who work within it? Join Luciana Blaha (Heriot-Watt University) as we explore organisational culture, human factors, and how to design AI systems with people in mind. Expect practic…

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Episode 172 The Chillingworth Murders

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In June 1955, Judge Curtis Chillingworth and his wife Marjorie vanished from their Manalapan, Florida, beach cottage. Their disappearance revealed corruption, shattered trust in the state’s legal system, and remains one of Florida’s most haunting true crime mysteries. The post Episode 172 The Chillingworth Murders first appeared on A Southern Histo…

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758 – A Season of AI 31:07

4M ago31:07

31:07

The first episode of the 2025-26 season of WELSTech is unlocked! Martin and Sallie kick off with a Lutheran-flavored AI theme for the season and share resources to assist with school AI policies. Sallie has a random pick of the week, and Martin shared Gmail keyboard shortcuts. All this and more. Let’s go! The discussion A place of AI – Martin and S…

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757 – Cybersecurity Tips 39:54

4M ago39:54

39:54

How vulnerable is your church or school to hacking? On this episode of WELSTech learn why vigilant training on threat avoidance is important in ministry settings and find links to available (and many times free) resources to assist with those efforts. Sallie shares a family friendly YouTube channel and Martin has some hardware to detect those pesky…

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756 – 10 SMART Goals 38:36

5M ago38:36

38:36

The WELSTech summer tips and tricks keep coming with this week’s rundown of church marketing ideas courtesy of Grace Ungemach. Set a goal and see what changes may take place in your outreach efforts. Sallie’s got new hardware, Martin has a new Inbox, and WELS Intersections is talking about church communication guidelines. You don’t want to miss thi…

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Episode 52: Dreamers Who Do: Lessons from Season 2 of Main Street Reimagined 34:56

5M ago34:56

34:56

What truly transforms a struggling downtown into a vibrant community centerpiece? After two seasons and 52 episodes of the Main Street Reimagined podcast, a clear pattern has emerged—a recipe for revitalization success that's working across communities of all sizes. In this season finale, host Luke Henry distills the wisdom from dozens of conversat…

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Rethinking Responsible AI in Scotland: From Compliance to Competitive Edge 56:32

5M ago56:32

56:32

Join us for the first webinar in the new Scottish AI Playbook series, as we explore how ethical AI practices can move beyond compliance to become a driver of real business value. In this session, we’ll talk with Angus Allan, Senior Product Manager at CreateFuture and a member of the Governance Group for the Scottish AI Alliance. Angus will offer a …

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Episode 51: Ohio Road Trips; The Hidden Power of Tourism with Brandy Gleason 59:42

5M ago59:42

59:42

Have you ever wondered how a simple visit to a town can spark economic transformation? In this captivating conversation with Brandy Gleason, founder of the 1.3-million-member Ohio Road Trips Facebook group, we discover how tourism creates ripple effects that reshape communities. Brandy shares her remarkable journey from homeschooling mom documentin…

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755 – Social Media Graphics That Matter 28:50

5M ago28:50

28:50

Tune in to WELSTech 755 for a discussion on church social media graphics, including examples and templates to follow. Martin shares his latest gadget pick, plus we talk about a Facebook guide on branding your digital community. The discussion Why Social Media Graphics Matter – Martin and Sallie discuss the ins and outs of social media graphics, inc…

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Episode 50: Downtowns; The Heartbeat of Economic Development with Sean Hughes 53:23

5M ago53:23

53:23

Why do communities with neglected downtowns struggle to attract businesses? How can small towns compete with manufactured lifestyle centers? Economic development expert Sean Hughes reveals the connection between downtown vitality and overall community success in this eye-opening conversation. Drawing from over a decade of downtown revitalization ex…

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Navigating AI Law: Regulation, Risk and Intellectual Property 1:01:14

5M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Recorded as part of the Scottish AI Playbook webinar series. Originally aired: July 1, 2025 Join us for a dynamic and practical lunchtime panel exploring AI regulation, IP law, and what they mean for businesses in Scotland. Hosted by Dawn McAra-Hunter, this webinar features expert insights from: - Linzi Penman, Head of the UK Technology Sector at D…

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Getting to know Team Member Darrell Jenkins 48:17

5M ago48:17

48:17

Finally get Darrell tied down to the podcast table to talk about how he became a team member and share some fun stories with the team.By John MacPherson

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Episode 49: Betting on the Blank Slate: Downtown Renaissance and Business Iteration with Ryan & Chad Whaley 50:43

5M ago50:43

50:43

Ever wonder what happens when two small-town dreamers return home with fresh eyes and big ideas? Ryan and Chad Whaley's journey from PR professionals to the owners of the vibrant Paddle Bar in Sandusky, Ohio reveals exactly what's possible when vision meets opportunity. The Whaleys saw potential where others saw decay. After careers that took them …

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Building an AI Fluent Workforce: Lessons from the Financial Times 55:25

6M ago55:25

55:25

Listen in for a deep dive into the Financial Times' journey through AI transformation, featuring McKinley Hayden, Head of Data Value & Strategy. In this candid and inspiring conversation, McKinley shares how the FT has embraced both traditional and generative AI, while staying true to its core values of trust, integrity, and quality journalism. Fro…

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754 – Photos That Matter 30:23

6M ago30:23

30:23

Tune in to WELSTech 754 for tips and tricks related to church photography. There’s also discussion regarding finding an icon for any need and the effect of AI on mission outreach. Plus the WELSTech Google Group is in the spotlight with lots of great input on the topic of cyber security training. The discussion Click, click, click – Martin and Salli…

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Episode 48: Transforming Main Streets: The Sandusky Success Story with Eric Wobser & McKenzie Spriggs 57:57

6M ago57:57

57:57

In the heart of Sandusky, Ohio, something remarkable has been unfolding over the past decade. What was once a seasonal tourist town primarily known for Cedar Point has transformed into a vibrant year-round destination with a thriving downtown. Luke Henry sits down with Eric Wobser and McKenzie Spriggs of the Greater Sandusky Partnership to uncover …

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Episode 47: Coffee, Mentorship, and Allowing Leaders to be Human with Megan Gerber 1:03:25

6M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

What does it take to transform a community while simultaneously transforming yourself? Megan Gerber's journey from classroom teacher to downtown entrepreneur to leadership coach unveils the profound connection between personal growth and entrepreneurial success. When Megan noticed her high school students in Chillicothe, Ohio lacked consistent adul…

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Onward with Lizzy 1:11:35

6M ago1:11:35

1:11:35

We're back! Porter talks with Lizzy about Pixar's Onward. What does this 2020 movie have to tell us about courage and family? And why. is the backstory behind this film almost as emotional as the movie itself? After a long hiatus, A Friend in Me is back and Porter is ready to continue sharing his passion for Pixar and the Gospel with you all. Pleas…

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753 – Make Announcements Matter 28:14

6M ago28:14

28:14

This week on WELSTech we reveal ways to write church announcements which get the word out on needed topics without being ignored by those you’re trying to reach. AI weaves itself throughout the conversation from personalized AI in picks of the week, an overview of the AI for Education site, and new rules around AI for Google students of all ages. P…

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Episode 46: Preserving History Through Modern Hospitality: The Inns at 8th and Main Story 1:04:08

6M ago1:04:08

1:04:08

When Amy Smith was a young volleyball player traveling to away games, she'd always press her face against the bus window to catch a glimpse of two beautiful historic buildings on Main Street in McConnellsville, Ohio. Decades later, those same buildings would become her home and livelihood – The Inns at 8th and Main, a bed and breakfast that's helpi…

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Episode 45: Never Take No for an Answer; A Developer's Journey with Jared Jablonka 41:43

6M ago41:43

41:43

From humble beginnings sorting mail at a DC law firm for $12 an hour, Jared found his passion in real estate development after his grandmother noticed his habit of photographing buildings. His timing proved fortuitous—entering the market during the 2007 recession allowed him to learn valuable lessons managing troubled properties while others fled t…

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752 – Healthy Church Staff Communication 36:57

7M ago36:57

36:57

Welcome to WELSTech summer series 2025! Join us as we talk about practical tips and tricks to make public and personal ministry efficient and effective. The series kickoff focus is church office communication. Martin and Sallie share AI picks of the week, and there’s a Chromebook discussion thread in the WELSTech Google group. The discussion Church…

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Dinosaurs and AI with Agnė Balandžiūnaitė 26:50

7M ago26:50

26:50

This week we chat to Agnė Balandžiūnaitė about her project 'Fictosaurus', the future of academic integrity, and Jurassic Park. Agnė will be showcasing her project at AI Can't Write Symphonies and Neither Can You. Host: Gordon Johnstone (LinkedIn) AI Can't Write Symphonies and Neither Can You - tickets (27-28 June 2025, Glasgow) Scottish AI Alliance…

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Episode 44: Building Taco Central: Courage, Cuisine, and Community with Al Aguirre 1:03:50

7M ago1:03:50

1:03:50

In this candid conversation, Alvero "Al" Aguirre takes us through his remarkable journey from helping in his family's restaurants as a child to launching Taco Central, a unique Mexican-American fusion restaurant that opened in Downtown Marion around the beginning of 2025. Growing up with a grandfather who pioneered Mexican restaurants in Virginia d…

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AI, Humour and Education with Josh Thorpe 40:13

7M ago40:13

40:13

In this week's episode we chat to Josh Thorpe about whether LLMs can ever truly be funny, the future of AI and education, and how AI may be better thought of as an environment rather than a tool. Josh Thorpe is a writer, learning developer, designer, artist, musician, speaker and radio host living in Glasgow. He works at University of Stirling and …

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Episode 43: Self Leadership & Self Care for Entrepreneurs, Part 2 Deep Dive 1:00:28

7M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

After last week’s episode on self leadership and self care, we got a lot of questions and feedback, as well as a large amount of extra downloads, so it seems this topic is important and the information resonated. Luke decided to even deeper on each topic discussed last week, sharing more practical tips, personal experiences, and additional resource…

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Ghosts in the Machine: An Enquiry into Dreams and AI with Oliver Sprigg 55:35

7M ago55:35

55:35

Could dreams be the key to AI consciousness and Artificial General Intelligence? What purpose to dreams serve? And is it really worth reading a full Malcolm Gladwell book? In this week's episode we chat to Oliver Sprigg to find out all of this and more. The is the first in a special season of the Scottish AI Podcast where we're talking to the artis…

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751 – Making Music with AI 44:44

7M ago44:44

44:44

This episode of WELSTech features an interview with Pastor Nate Seiltz who recently creating 3 albums of music without singing or playing a note himself. With AI at his fingertips, he transformed his ideas for gospel outreach music into reality, and you can to! We also share survey results regarding church use of AI, a handy (AI-generated) summary …

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Episode 42: Self Leadership & Self Care for Entrepreneurs 43:26

7M ago43:26

43:26

Self-leadership is the missing link for many entrepreneurs who excel at driving their businesses forward but struggle with personal sustainability. In this candid solo episode, Luke shares the rain barrel analogy that transformed his approach to self-care: while we can't control life's challenges (the rain), we can manage our capacity (the barrel's…