:root {
    --bg: #f5f2ec;
    --bg-warm: #faf8f4;
    --bg-section: #edeae3;
    --ink: #1a1a1a;
    --ink-light: #3a3a48;
    --muted: #7a7a88;
    --border: #ddd8ce;
    --gold: #b8943f;
    --gold-hover: #a07e32;
    --gold-bg: rgba(184,148,63,0.08);
    --navy: #1b2a4a;
    --navy-light: #253a5e;
    --forest: #2c4a2c;
    --crimson: #6b1a1a;
    --dark: #1a1a20;
    --white: #ffffff;
}

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════
   HERO — Navy theme for PE/VC
   ═══════════════════════════════════════ */
.topic-hero {
    background: var(--dark);
    padding: 4.5rem 4rem 4rem;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.topic-hero::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background:
        radial-gradient(ellipse 60% 50% at 15% 60%, rgba(184,148,63,0.08), transparent),
        radial-gradient(ellipse 40% 60% at 85% 20%, rgba(255,255,255,0.03), transparent);
    pointer-events: none;
}

.topic-hero::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background-image:
        linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,0.015) 1px, transparent 1px),
        linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.015) 1px, transparent 1px);
    background-size: 60px 60px;
    pointer-events: none;
}

.topic-hero-inner {
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
    animation: fadeUp 0.8s ease-out;
}

@keyframes fadeUp {
    from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(18px); }
    to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}

.hero-top-row {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: flex-start;
    margin-bottom: 2rem;
}

.topic-hero-eyebrow {
    font-size: 0.68rem;
    letter-spacing: 3px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--gold);
    font-weight: 600;
    margin-bottom: 1.25rem;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.75rem;
}

.topic-hero-eyebrow::before {
    content: '';
    width: 30px;
    height: 1px;
    background: var(--gold);
}

.topic-hero h1 {
    font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
    font-size: 3.25rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: #f0eeea;
    line-height: 1.08;
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
    max-width: 600px;
}

.topic-hero h1 em {
    font-style: italic;
    color: var(--gold);
}

.topic-hero-desc {
    font-size: 1.1rem;
    color: rgba(200,210,230,0.7);
    line-height: 1.85;
    max-width: 580px;
    font-weight: 300;
}

/* Path switcher */
.path-switcher {
    display: flex;
    gap: 0.5rem;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
    justify-content: flex-end;
}

.path-pill {
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    color: rgba(200,210,230,0.45);
    text-decoration: none;
    padding: 0.4rem 0.85rem;
    border: 1px solid rgba(200,210,230,0.12);
    border-radius: 20px;
    transition: all 0.2s;
    white-space: nowrap;
}

.path-pill:hover {
    border-color: rgba(200,210,230,0.3);
    color: rgba(200,210,230,0.7);
}

.path-pill.active {
    background: rgba(184,148,63,0.15);
    border-color: var(--gold);
    color: var(--gold);
    font-weight: 600;
}

/* Hero stats bar */
.hero-stats-bar {
    margin-top: 2.5rem;
    padding-top: 1.75rem;
    border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.06);
    display: flex;
    gap: 3rem;
}

.hero-stat { display: flex; flex-direction: column; }
.hero-stat-num { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.65rem; font-weight: 800; color: #f0eeea; line-height: 1; }
.hero-stat-label { font-size: 0.58rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1.5px; color: rgba(200,210,230,0.35); font-weight: 600; margin-top: 0.2rem; }

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════
   WHO THIS IS FOR — value prop strip
   ═══════════════════════════════════════ */
.value-strip {
    background: var(--ink);
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
    padding: 2.5rem 4rem;
}

.value-strip-inner {
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
    gap: 2rem;
}

.value-item {
    text-align: center;
    padding: 0 0.5rem;
}

.value-item-icon {
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    margin-bottom: 0.6rem;
    display: block;
}

.value-item h3 {
    font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--white);
    margin-bottom: 0.25rem;
}

.value-item p {
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: var(--muted);
    line-height: 1.5;
}

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════
   FEATURED ARTICLE
   ═══════════════════════════════════════ */
.featured-section {
    padding: 3.5rem 4rem;
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.featured-label {
    font-size: 0.62rem;
    letter-spacing: 2.5px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--gold);
    font-weight: 600;
    margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

.featured-card {
    background: var(--ink);
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 8px;
    overflow: hidden;
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1.15fr;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: box-shadow 0.3s;
    text-decoration: none;
    color: inherit;
}

.featured-card:hover { box-shadow: 0 10px 36px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); }

.featured-card-image {
    background: linear-gradient(145deg, var(--navy), var(--navy-light));
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    min-height: 300px;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.featured-card-image::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background-image:
        linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,0.03) 1px, transparent 1px),
        linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.03) 1px, transparent 1px);
    background-size: 40px 40px;
}

.featured-card-image-inner {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
    text-align: center;
    padding: 2rem;
}

.featured-card-image-inner .icon {
    font-size: 2.5rem;
    margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
    display: block;
    opacity: 0.3;
}

.featured-card-image-inner span {
    font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
    font-size: 1rem;
    color: rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
    font-weight: 700;
}

.featured-card-body {
    padding: 2.75rem;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    justify-content: center;
}

.featured-card-body .tag {
    font-size: 0.6rem;
    letter-spacing: 2px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--gold);
    font-weight: 600;
    margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
}

.featured-card-body h2 {
    font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
    font-size: 1.65rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: var(--bg);
    line-height: 1.25;
    margin-bottom: 0.85rem;
}

.featured-card-body p {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    color: var(--muted);
    line-height: 1.7;
    margin-bottom: 1.25rem;
}

.read-link {
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    color: var(--gold);
    font-weight: 600;
    text-decoration: none;
}

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════
   ARTICLES GRID
   ═══════════════════════════════════════ */
.articles-section {
    padding: 0 4rem 4rem;
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.section-header {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: flex-end;
    margin-bottom: 1.75rem;
}

.section-header h2 { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.75rem; font-weight: 800; }
.section-header p { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.88rem; margin-top: 0.2rem; }

.sort-controls {
    display: flex;
    gap: 0.5rem;
    align-items: center;
}

.sort-btn {
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    font-weight: 500;
    padding: 0.4rem 0.75rem;
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    background: var(--gold);
        color: var(--dark);
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: all 0.15s;
    border-radius: 3px;
    font-family: 'Libre Franklin', sans-serif;
}

.sort-btn:hover, .sort-btn.active { border-color: var(--gold); color: var(--gold); background: var(--gold-bg); }

.articles-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 1.5rem;
}

.article-card {
    background: var(--dark);
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 6px;
    overflow: hidden;
    transition: transform 0.25s, box-shadow 0.25s;
    cursor: pointer;
    text-decoration: none;
    color: inherit;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
}

.article-card:hover { transform: translateY(-3px); box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.07); }

.article-card-image {
    width: 100%;
    aspect-ratio: 16/10;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.article-card-image-bg {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
    font-size: 0.8rem;
    font-style: italic;
}

.article-card-body {
    padding: 1.35rem;
    flex: 1;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
}

.article-card-body h3 {
    font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
    font-size: 1.05rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--bg);
    line-height: 1.3;
    margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
}

.article-card-body p {
    font-size: 0.84rem;
    color: var(--muted);
    line-height: 1.6;
    flex: 1;
}

.article-card-meta {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
    margin-top: 0.85rem;
    padding-top: 0.7rem;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    color: var(--muted);
}

.article-card-read { color: var(--gold); font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.75rem; }

.load-more { text-align: center; margin-top: 2rem; }

.btn-outline {
    display: inline-flex;
        align-items: center;
        background: transparent;
        color: var(--bg);
    padding: 0.8rem 1.75rem; font-size: 0.85rem; font-weight: 600;
    text-decoration: none; border: 1px solid var(--border);
    transition: all 0.2s; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Libre Franklin', sans-serif; border-radius: 4px;
}
.btn-outline:hover { border-color: var(--gold); color: var(--gold); }

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════
   TOOLKIT + MODELS
   ═══════════════════════════════════════ */
.toolkits-section {
    padding: 3.5rem 4rem;
    background: var(--dark);
}

.toolkits-inner { max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto; }
.toolkits-inner h2 { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.75rem; font-weight: 800; margin-bottom: 0.3rem; }
.toolkits-inner > p { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.88rem; margin-bottom: 2rem; }

.toolkits-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 1.25rem;
}

.toolkit-card {
    background: var(--ink);
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 6px;
    padding: 1.5rem;
    transition: transform 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
    cursor: pointer;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
}

.toolkit-card:hover { transform: translateY(-2px); box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.07); }

.toolkit-card-top {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: flex-start;
    margin-bottom: 0.85rem;
}

.toolkit-format {
    font-family: 'IBM Plex Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 0.65rem;
    color: var(--muted);
    padding: 0.2rem 0.5rem;
    background: var(--forest);
    border-radius: 3px;
}

.toolkit-access {
    font-size: 0.6rem;
    letter-spacing: 0.8px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 0.2rem 0.55rem;
    border-radius: 3px;
}

.access-free {
    background: rgba(50, 121, 50, 0.1);
    color: var(--bg);
}
.access-gated { background: rgba(184,148,63,0.12); color: var(--gold); }

.toolkit-card h3 {
    font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
    font-size: 1.05rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--bg);
    margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
    line-height: 1.3;
}

.toolkit-card p {
    font-size: 0.82rem;
    color: var(--muted);
    line-height: 1.55;
    flex: 1;
}

.toolkit-dl {
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: var(--gold);
    font-weight: 600;
    text-decoration: none;
    margin-top: 0.75rem;
    display: inline-block;
}

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════
   VIDEO PLAYLIST
   ═══════════════════════════════════════ */
.playlist-section {
    padding: 3.5rem 4rem;
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.playlist-card {
    background: var(--dark);
    border-radius: 8px;
    overflow: hidden;
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
}

.playlist-thumbnails {
    padding: 0.75rem;
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
    grid-template-rows: 1fr 1fr;
    gap: 0.5rem;
}

.pl-thumb {
    background: #2a2a34;
    border-radius: 4px;
    aspect-ratio: 16/9;
    position: relative;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.pl-thumb-bg {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    opacity: 0.2;
}

.pl-play {
    width: 36px; height: 36px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background: rgba(184,148,63,0.85);
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
}

.pl-play::after {
    content: '';
    width: 0; height: 0;
    border-style: solid;
    border-width: 7px 0 7px 12px;
    border-color: transparent transparent transparent var(--dark);
    margin-left: 2px;
}

.pl-label {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 5px; left: 7px;
    font-size: 0.55rem;
    color: rgba(255,255,255,0.45);
    font-weight: 500;
    z-index: 1;
}

.pl-count-overlay {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: rgba(0,0,0,0.65);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 0.15rem;
}

.pl-count-num {
    font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: #f0eeea;
}

.pl-count-text {
    font-size: 0.6rem;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 1.5px;
    color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5);
    font-weight: 600;
}

.playlist-body {
    padding: 2.75rem;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    justify-content: center;
}

.playlist-eyebrow {
    font-size: 0.62rem;
    letter-spacing: 2px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--gold);
    font-weight: 600;
    margin-bottom: 0.85rem;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.5rem;
}

.yt-icon {
    display: inline-block;
    width: 20px; height: 14px;
    background: #ff0000;
    border-radius: 3px;
    position: relative;
}
.yt-icon::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    left: 8px; top: 3.5px;
    width: 0; height: 0;
    border-style: solid;
    border-width: 3.5px 0 3.5px 6px;
    border-color: transparent transparent transparent #fff;
}

.playlist-body h3 {
    font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: #f0eeea;
    margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
    line-height: 1.25;
}

.playlist-body > p {
    font-size: 0.92rem;
    color: #8888a0;
    line-height: 1.65;
    margin-bottom: 1.25rem;
}

.playlist-meta {
    display: flex;
    gap: 1.5rem;
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: #6a6a7a;
}

.playlist-meta strong { color: #c0c0cc; font-weight: 700; }

.btn-gold {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 0.5rem;
    background: var(--gold);
    color: var(--dark);
    padding: 0.85rem 1.75rem;
    font-size: 0.88rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: all 0.3s;
    align-self: flex-start;
}
.btn-gold:hover { background: var(--gold-hover); transform: translateY(-1px); }

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════
   BOOKS
   ═══════════════════════════════════════ */
.books-section {
    padding: 3.5rem 4rem;
    background: var(--bg-section);
}

.books-inner { max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto; }
.books-inner h2 { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.75rem; font-weight: 800; margin-bottom: 0.3rem; }
.books-inner > p { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.88rem; margin-bottom: 2rem; }

.books-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 1.5rem;
}

.book-rec-card {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 105px 1fr;
    gap: 1.15rem;
    background: var(--white);
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 6px;
    padding: 1.25rem;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: transform 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
    text-decoration: none;
    color: inherit;
}

.book-rec-card:hover { transform: translateY(-2px); box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.07); }

.book-rec-cover {
    width: 105px;
    aspect-ratio: 2/3;
    border-radius: 2px;
    overflow: hidden;
    box-shadow: 3px 3px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.12);
}

.book-rec-cover img { width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; }

.book-rec-info h4 { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(--ink); line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0.25rem; }
.book-rec-info .sub { font-size: 0.8rem; color: var(--muted); line-height: 1.45; margin-bottom: 0.6rem; }
.book-rec-info .why { font-size: 0.75rem; color: var(--navy); font-weight: 600; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4; }
.book-rec-cta { font-size: 0.75rem; color: var(--gold); font-weight: 600; margin-top: 0.4rem; display: inline-block; }

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════
   OTHER PATHS
   ═══════════════════════════════════════ */
.other-paths {
    padding: 3.5rem 4rem;
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.other-paths h2 { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.75rem; font-weight: 800; margin-bottom: 0.3rem; }
.other-paths > p { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.88rem; margin-bottom: 2rem; }

.paths-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 1.5rem;
}

.path-card {
    background: var(--dark);
    border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: 6px;
    overflow: hidden;
    transition: transform 0.25s, box-shadow 0.25s;
    cursor: pointer;
    text-decoration: none;
    color: inherit;
}

.path-card:hover { transform: translateY(-3px); box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.07); }

.path-card-bar {
    height: 4px;
}

.path-card-body {
    padding: 1.35rem;
}

.path-card-body h3 {
    font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
    font-size: 1.05rem;
        font-weight: 700;
        color: var(--bg);
    margin-bottom: 0.35rem; line-height: 1.3;
}

.path-card-body p { font-size: 0.82rem; color: var(--muted); line-height: 1.55; }

.path-card-cta {
    font-size: 0.78rem; color: var(--gold); font-weight: 600; margin-top: 0.6rem; display: inline-block;
}

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════
   NEWSLETTER
   ═══════════════════════════════════════ */
.newsletter {
    padding: 3.5rem 4rem;
    background: var(--dark);
    text-align: center;
}
.newsletter-inner { max-width: 560px; margin: 0 auto; }
.newsletter-inner h2 { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.75rem; font-weight: 800; color: #f0eeea; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }
.newsletter-inner p { color: #8888a0; font-size: 0.92rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; }
.nl-form { display: flex; gap: 0; max-width: 440px; margin: 0 auto; }
.nl-form input { flex: 1; padding: 0.85rem 1.15rem; background: #2a2a32; border: 1px solid #3a3a44; border-right: none; color: #f0eeea; font-size: 0.88rem; font-family: 'Libre Franklin', sans-serif; outline: none; border-radius: 4px 0 0 4px; }
.nl-form input::placeholder { color: #5a5a6a; }
.nl-form input:focus { border-color: var(--gold); }
.nl-form button { padding: 0.85rem 1.5rem; background: var(--gold); color: var(--dark); font-size: 0.82rem; font-weight: 700; font-family: 'Libre Franklin', sans-serif; border: 1px solid var(--gold); cursor: pointer; border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0; }
.nl-form button:hover { background: var(--gold-hover); }

/* ─── RESPONSIVE ─── */
@media (max-width: 1024px) {
    .topic-hero { padding: 3rem 1.5rem; }
    .topic-hero h1 { font-size: 2.5rem; }
    .hero-top-row { flex-direction: column; gap: 1.25rem; }
    .path-switcher { justify-content: flex-start; }
    .value-strip { padding: 2rem 1.5rem; }
    .value-strip-inner { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 1.25rem; }
    .featured-section { padding: 2.5rem 1.5rem; }
    .featured-card { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .articles-section { padding: 0 1.5rem 3rem; }
    .articles-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
    .toolkits-section { padding: 2.5rem 1.5rem; }
    .toolkits-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .playlist-section { padding: 2.5rem 1.5rem; }
    .playlist-card { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .playlist-thumbnails { display: none; }
    .books-section { padding: 2.5rem 1.5rem; }
    .books-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .other-paths { padding: 2.5rem 1.5rem; }
    .paths-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .newsletter { padding: 2.5rem 1.5rem; }
}

@media (max-width: 640px) {
    .topic-hero h1 { font-size: 2rem; }
    .hero-stats-bar { flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 1.5rem; }
    .value-strip-inner { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .articles-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .section-header { flex-direction: column; align-items: flex-start; gap: 0.75rem; }
}