October 30, 2025 • 56 mins
Senior year can feel like standing on a cliff’s edge, and Leah Schmidt brings us right to that moment with clarity, humor, and heart. Hosted by Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr, this conversation follows Dan’s daughter as she wraps a long soccer journey, weighs college athletics, and chooses something rarer: a future built on faith, family, and balance.
From small town sidewalks to country life, 4-H chores, and the day a goat didn’t make it, Leah shows how responsibility and loss shape character long before resumes do. She walks into a new club team where no one knows her name and still finds her voice. She explains why she stepped away from the D1 chase to protect what matters most. Church and camp helped turn prayer into a real back and forth. A raw breakthrough from her dad during a rite of passage reframed vulnerability as strength and growth as a choice.
You’ll hear about the lively chaos of five siblings, firm consequences with love, and how a teen cleaning business quietly teaches service, standards, and grit. If you’re a parent guiding without smothering, or a student deciding who you want to be beyond the next game or grade, Leah’s story offers honest encouragement that growth lives just past comfort and grit comes from losses you carry well.
Follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review. For daily encouragement and behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. Patreon members get the option to view every episode LIVE.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_02 (00:00):
Hi, my name is Allie Schmidt.
This is my dad damn.
He owns Catrin's Glass.
SPEAKER_04 (00:04):
Thanks, Allie.
Things like doors and windows gointo making a house.
But when it's your home, youexpect more, like the great
service and selection you'll getfrom Catrin's Glass.
Final replacement windows fromCatrins come with a lifetime
warranty, including accidentalglass breakage replacement.
Also ask for custom shower doorsand many other products and
services.
SPEAKER_02 (00:26):
Patrons Glass, a clear choice.
SPEAKER_03 (00:29):
I want to share something that's become a big
part of the BTemfered mission.
Patreon.
Now, if you've never used itbefore, Patreon is a platform
where we can build communitytogether.
It's not just about supportingthe podcast, it's about having a
space where we can connect on adeeper level, encourage one
another, and walk this journeyof faith, resilience, and
(00:50):
perseverance side by side.
Here's how it works.
You can join as a free memberand get access to daily posts,
behind-the-scenes updates,encouragement, and some things I
don't always put out on otherplatforms.
And if you feel called tosupport the mission financially,
there are different levels whereyou can do that too.
That support helps us keepproducing the podcasts, creating
(01:12):
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can truly impact lives.
And here's the cool part Patreonhas a free app you can download
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It works just like Facebook orInstagram, but it's built
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(01:33):
journey.
At the end of the day, thisisn't just about content, it's
about connection.
It's about building somethingtogether.
Not just me and Ben putting outepisodes, but a family of people
committed to growing strongerthrough real stories and real
faith.
So whether you just want to hopon as a free member or you feel
called to support in a biggerway, Patreon is the door into
(01:54):
that community.
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real stories, raw truth,resilient faith, so that even
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Patreon helps make thatpossible.
SPEAKER_04 (02:09):
Welcome to the Bee Tempered Podcast, where we
explore the art of findingbalance in a chaotic world.
SPEAKER_05 (02:14):
Join us as we delve into insightful conversations,
practical tips, and inspiringstories to help you navigate
life's ups and downs with graceand resilience.
SPEAKER_04 (02:22):
We're your host, Dan Schmidt, and Ben Sparr.
Let's embark on a journey tolive our best lives.
SPEAKER_05 (02:29):
This is Bee Tempered.
SPEAKER_04 (02:30):
What's up, everybody?
Welcome to the Be TemperedPodcast, episode number 77.
That was quick.
Almost like you wanted to say itso quick so you didn't forget.
I did.
Hey, today's episode is aspecial one for me.
I've had the privilege ofinterviewing so many incredible
(02:50):
people over the past year and ahalf.
Leaders, overcomers, the worldchangers.
But this one hits a littlecloser to home.
My guest today is my daughter,Leah.
Leah is 17, almost 18, here in acouple weeks, and right in the
middle of her senior year inhigh school, she's kind-hearted,
hardworking, and wise beyond heryears.
(03:13):
She's got an entrepreneurialspirit that reminds me a lot of
myself at her age, alwaysdreaming big, always looking for
ways to create, build, and makean impact.
As she prepares to graduate andbegin her new chapter, applying
to colleges and planning tostudy business, I couldn't be
more proud of the young womanshe's becoming.
She's thoughtful, driven,compassionate, and not afraid to
(03:34):
put in the work to chase herdreams.
So today we're turning the mictowards her.
We're going to talk about whatthis season of life looks like
through her eyes, her hopes, herlessons, and maybe a few things
she's learned growing up in ourcrazy, faith-filled, hardworking
family.
Leah, welcome to the BeatTempered Podcast.
SPEAKER_00 (03:55):
Thanks for having me.
SPEAKER_04 (03:58):
I want to be very clear because there are four
other Schmidt kids at home or atschool.
SPEAKER_05 (04:04):
And Leah's the favorite.
SPEAKER_04 (04:05):
Yes.
And you are not at school rightnow because you're taking some
college classes.
So you're not skipping school.
Let's be clear that so we don'twant to get the truancy officer
over here.
Um but I did not force you intothis.
SPEAKER_00 (04:20):
Um, yeah, true.
SPEAKER_04 (04:22):
Okay.
SPEAKER_00 (04:22):
But it would have been if I said no.
SPEAKER_04 (04:26):
Well, no, I wouldn't have made you do it.
SPEAKER_00 (04:28):
Some guilt tripping.
SPEAKER_04 (04:29):
Well, I might be good at that.
I think Sean Rubush calls me abully sometimes.
Um but no, you know, you're in aunique position right now as a
you know, almost 18-year-old.
You're in your senior year ofhigh school, and we were kind
of, Ben and I were justreflecting back on, you know,
our time when we were 17, 18years old, and you're getting
ready to make the transitioninto the real world, whether
(04:50):
that's college or work orwhatever that is.
In your case, you know, you'relooking you're looking at
colleges, but you know, theworld is a lot different now
than it was when I was inschool, when Ben was in school,
than it is right now for you.
We didn't have all the socialmedia, we didn't have the
instant news.
I mean, we had to read anewspaper, we had a phone
(05:11):
hanging on the wall, or at leastI did.
SPEAKER_05 (05:13):
I had a newspaper class.
SPEAKER_04 (05:15):
I had a typewriting class.
SPEAKER_05 (05:17):
I believe it.
SPEAKER_04 (05:18):
Yeah.
And I'm not sure.
It's not funny.
Oh, I thought it was.
So you're just in a it's adifferent world right now for
you.
And I just thought it would be aunique perspective to hear from
someone your age that is in themiddle of that senior year with
(05:39):
you know, looking ahead, notknowing what the future looks
like.
So what we all we always like todo, which the yours is, you
know, we just mentioned wealways start in childhood and
tell your story.
Well, you're still you're not achild.
But you still, you know, you'reyou're a young adult and and you
are um you know you're gettingready to to leave the nest.
(06:00):
So but let's start from thebeginning.
Let's start talking aboutchildhood and what it was like
for you in the Schmidt Housewithout destroying your father.
SPEAKER_00 (06:09):
Well, we started living when I was born, we lived
at the house on Frederick Drive.
So in a neighborhood, which isdifferent from what where we
live now.
But um, I have a lot of reallygood memories from that house
because we got to hang out withall of our neighbors.
So we got to experience justwalking over to your neighbor's
(06:29):
house, hanging out with kidsyour age, and I have a lot of
good memories from that.
So just like playing outside.
Um, there's some funny thingsthat have happened.
Like Nate, he uh pooped hispants one time.
SPEAKER_04 (06:46):
We will never forget that.
And Nate is your younger brotherwho's currently almost 16.
SPEAKER_00 (06:52):
Yeah, so uh this happened.
SPEAKER_05 (06:55):
And you said last year.
SPEAKER_00 (06:57):
Yeah, last year.
Yeah, but we were at theneighbor's house and he took his
pants off and walked himselfback over to our house.
That's something I will neverforget.
SPEAKER_01 (07:08):
I don't know how you could.
SPEAKER_00 (07:09):
Yeah, just things like that.
We had a lot of fun at thathouse, and then we ended up
moving out to the country, whichwas fun because we got to watch
our house be built.
So going through all of that andthen making memories out in the
country.
I remember um one of the biggestthings for me to get adjusted to
was the wind out in the countrybecause it was really windy,
(07:32):
especially compared to living ina neighborhood.
So it took me years and years toget used to that.
But just being outside all thetime, making memories, um,
playing with our siblingsbecause you always have somebody
to play with when you have fourother siblings.
And so just doing that and thedifference between being in a
neighborhood and having justlike your neighborhood friends
(07:53):
and kids your age, and thenmoving out to the country.
It was, I mean, there's a bigdifference, but at the same
time, I didn't really notice itbecause we were young.
And it was just fun to be ableto be outside and like play in
the mud, play in the woods, playwith all your animals.
Like we got to get a cat.
(08:14):
We went to um a buffalo farm,and this was where we got our
first cat, Buffalo.
Named a Buffalo, very original.
Um but just doing things likethat.
It was fun to like start gettinganimals and um just working
outside with them and learninghow to take care of animals and
how they rely on you.
It was just a good experience,really good childhood.
SPEAKER_04 (08:36):
And you got to start 4-H.
SPEAKER_00 (08:38):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (08:39):
Right?
So talk about that a little bit.
What what kind of 4-H animalsdid you raise?
SPEAKER_00 (08:43):
Um I started with pigs.
It wasn't my favorite becausethey make a big mess.
And so I had to go out and cleanthe pen every single day.
But after pigs, I think I wentto goats, and goats were a lot
more fun because they have a lotmore personality.
Um, but I also had a goat thatended up dying on me.
(09:03):
So that was quite theexperience.
SPEAKER_04 (09:05):
Why don't you tell that story?
SPEAKER_00 (09:08):
Well, I don't, I was probably like 10, maybe.
And I think it was my first yearshowing goats, first or second
year.
So I knew they have a lot ofpersonality and they can be
really stubborn.
Um, but this was like at thebeginning when I got them, so I
was trying to teach them how towalk.
Well, this goat in particulardid not want to walk.
(09:30):
So I may I'm gonna drug it alittle bit.
But at the same time, that'skind of how you had to break
goat sometimes.
So it wasn't like anything tooout of the norm.
But yeah, I was trying to dragit back to the barn because we
didn't get that far out of thebarn, so I was just done.
I was like, we're going back tothe pen.
(09:51):
And um we almost made it to thebarn.
And at the same time, this goatwas too scared, so I couldn't
just like pick it up and bringit back to the barn because I
tried that.
But it just kept like runningaway when I tried to pick it up.
So I was just dragging it back,and then all of a sudden it
jumps up in the air and lands onits side, and then it starts
(10:13):
sticking its tongue out andstarts bleeding.
So this is traumatizing for me.
SPEAKER_04 (10:21):
We might want to have a trigger warning here.
SPEAKER_00 (10:24):
Very traumatizing.
And so everyone was outside, soI screamed for mom because she
was in the garden, and everyoneran down, and sure enough, the
goat had died.
So we think it had some heartproblems or something, but yeah,
it was that was verytraumatizing.
SPEAKER_04 (10:41):
So that was your first time murdering something.
SPEAKER_00 (10:44):
That's what you want to say, yeah.
SPEAKER_05 (10:46):
What year did you start for 4 H?
SPEAKER_00 (10:49):
Uh third grade, I think, is what it was.
SPEAKER_04 (10:51):
Like you have to be eight and in third grade at the
same time.
SPEAKER_00 (10:54):
Yeah.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (10:56):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (10:57):
So then after that, I went to showing cows.
And cows was a differentexperience because those animals
are way bigger and they can dragyou around.
So going from goats that you getto drag around to cows that drag
you around can be reallynerve-wracking.
And so I had to learn how totake control and not show fear
(11:19):
in front of them becauseotherwise they can sense that.
And so that was a big learningprocess.
I had to have dad's help forsome cows that we had.
SPEAKER_04 (11:30):
Yeah, learning that those animals can sense fear.
Yeah, that's a that's a big, biglearning experience.
So that's 4-8.
So talk about sports a littlebit because you played quite a
few different sports and andactually just just finished a
career here this week.
So kind of talk about earlyearly sports as as you were a
kid and and then where you're atnow.
SPEAKER_00 (11:49):
So I started playing soccer when I was I don't know
how old, but like whenever youcould start then.
I was really young.
And so I just remember that Iwould always stand in line with
the ball.
So wherever the ball was, Iwould follow it on the field.
So I just kind of had a sensefrom that age, just I wanted to
learn.
(12:09):
So for that sport, I reallyliked it.
And so I stuck with soccer.
I mean, all through my years.
I would play um fall and springfor club.
So until I got to high school.
And then high school, Iobviously played high school
soccer, and then my junior year,I decided to play on a club
(12:30):
team.
Or it was my sophomore year.
So my sophomore year, I decidedto play on a club team.
So that was a learningexperience too, because I it was
the first time with me steppingout and having to make all new
friends.
So I didn't know anybody on myclub team like that would go to
practices.
I knew a few from my high schoolteam, but they wouldn't
(12:52):
necessarily go to practices allthe time.
So I had to step out and makenew friends and experience that
for myself.
So that was kind of my soccercareer, and then I played
basketball.
Basketball was lots of fun.
I played basketball like throughmy elementary years.
(13:12):
I stopped seventh grade, so Inever actually played for the
school.
But we won a lot ofchampionships, but I mainly sat
on the bench and watched.
I just would go in to uh be alittle scrappy and steal the
ball with always on the ground.
So that was fun.
And then um I did volleyball myseventh grade year.
(13:35):
That was different.
So we were at the fair and thevolleyball coach came up to me
and was trying to convince me toplay.
And this was during COVID, so wedidn't really know if we were
gonna have a soccer season.
So I was like, sure, I guessI'll play, I'll try it out.
And so that actually was reallyfun.
I think there were it had itsown challenges, but I think if
(13:56):
the season would have gone alittle better, it would have
been harder for me to decidebetween volleyball and soccer.
So I'm honestly really glad itwent the way it did because I'm
glad I stuck with soccer.
Um and then I did track myfreshman year.
So that was fun too.
That was me stepping out of mycomfort zone a little bit
because I I obviously knew thepeople on the track team, but I
(14:18):
wasn't really close with them.
So just making new friendsthrough that and doing a sport
that I wasn't necessarily likethe best at, I wouldn't say I'm
the fastest person, especiallygoing up against high schoolers.
But it was fun, it was a goodlearning experience.
SPEAKER_04 (14:33):
So I want to back up a little bit because I know for
you when you went to that clubteam your sophomore year, and
you were playing with all newpeople, you know, new girls that
you really didn't know.
Some of you uh some of them youcompeted against, but you didn't
really know them.
And you talked about how thatwas stepping outside of your
comfort zone.
And I think, you know, you know,part of the be tempered movement
(14:56):
is you know, stepping outside,stepping into those challenges
so that you can grow and becomestronger.
So talk about what that wasactually like when you went to
that first practice and you metthose new girls and all those
different personalities and howyou drove yourself there.
We didn't take you there, right?
So you were you were on yourown, um, you know, stepping into
this new world with new coaches,with girls that you, you know,
(15:19):
you'd played with a lot ofgirls, the same girls, year
after year after year, and hereyou are on a whole new team with
new coaches all by yourself.
Talk about that experience.
SPEAKER_00 (15:29):
Yeah, it was it was hard at first because you kind
of have to feel everybody out.
You don't know um likeeverybody's personalities and
how a coach is gonna treat youand their coaching style.
So it was definitely a process,and my thing too with soccer is
that when I'm comfortable, I canplay good.
(15:49):
But when I don't really knowanybody, and like for my
position, I'm supposed to kindof take control and I can see
the field from where I'm at, soI have to communicate a lot.
So in those cases, it was kindof hard because I didn't want to
be like the girl that's tellingeverybody what to do because
they didn't really know who Iwas, so that made it kind of
(16:10):
hard.
But I don't know, it was it wasdefinitely a process because
just feeling everybody out, thefirst practice, you kind of get
the first impressions of somepeople, you can see things, take
note of it, but then um throughdifferent practices, I really
started liking a lot of thegirls, so they were a lot of
fun, and so I think just knowingthat maybe they're not gonna be
(16:33):
your best friends, but beingable to be good friends with
them and friends with peoplethat maybe you wouldn't normally
be with, that was definitelysomething that taught me a lot.
SPEAKER_04 (16:43):
So Yeah, that's pretty cool.
Talk about what it's like havingfour siblings.
SPEAKER_00 (16:50):
Um it can be very chaotic, but um, I really am
grateful because you always havesomebody to hang out with and
you have a bunch of differentpersonalities, so you kind of
get to pick and choose who youwant to hang out with at any
given moment.
So I'm glad that there's I don'treally I don't think I would
(17:11):
thrive in a quiet house.
So I'm glad that there's alwaysnoise and you can you always
know that there's somebody youcan go and talk to, whether like
it's Nate and you want somebodyto laugh with or somebody to say
something stupid that's gonnamake you feel better about
yourself.
Or you go talk to Mary, who isvery loving and kind and who's
(17:31):
gonna give you good advice orjust be there to listen.
Um, or you have Ryan.
I don't know about the advicepart, but he's at least gonna
he's gonna try.
And Allie is always gonna bethere to listen.
She she likes her tea time, soanytime we're spilling any
stories, she loves to be there.
So you have the differentpersonalities, the different
(17:53):
things that people like.
So I think it's really nice thatyou get to pick and choose.
SPEAKER_04 (17:58):
I think you learn a lot about psychological warfare
as well.
SPEAKER_00 (18:04):
Yeah, if you need somebody to bother, you need
somebody to get your anger outon, you just go find a sibling.
SPEAKER_04 (18:11):
If you need to be humbled, yes, humbled, yep.
Definitely um, yeah, you canswallow your pride in the
Schmidt House for sure.
And you know, back to soccer,uh, you know, this this past
week, you know, you'reunfortunately the soccer career
ended.
And um, you know, you've madethe decision, and we we've had
many conversations about, youknow, do you want to play in
(18:32):
college or do you not want toplay in college?
And and you know, kind of talkabout your decision and moving
forward and then what it what itfelt like or what it feels like
now with you know, all thoseyears coming to an end this
week.
SPEAKER_00 (18:48):
It's a lot.
I don't think I've reallyprocessed it enough like fully
yet because I mean this hashappened every year, you know,
you end your season and then youjust start preparing for the
next.
So I haven't really it hasn'treally set in because usually we
have um workouts to think of.
So I think it'll probably set inmore um come summer and fall
(19:11):
time when I'm not actuallyplaying.
But yeah, um my decision to notplay in college, it was really
hard because I obviously reallylike soccer, but at the same
time, I think like sports ingeneral, some of them have been
taken way too far.
And I never wanted to getburnout.
I wanted it to be just a placefor me to kind of go and have
(19:34):
fun and enjoy like a hobby thatI have.
So I I thought playing soccer incollege would be fun, but at the
same time, I knew that I neverwanted to play D3 because just
for me personally, I wanted tobe challenged, which I don't
think like I think that wouldchallenge me, but I just think
that I want to be wanted almost,you know, like D2 or D1, where
(19:59):
it's more challenging for you tojoin a team.
And at the same time, if Iplayed, I really wanted to go
D1.
Like that was really my onlyfocus.
And most of the D1 schools, theyreally only look at certain club
teams, and that was one thingthat I really didn't want was I
didn't want to play on a clubteam that that would be my whole
(20:21):
life because I mean I have foursiblings, so they're all doing
things that I want to go andsupport and watch.
And I also have just my familythat I want to be a part of, and
I feel like some of those clubsthey're all great and they all
teach you great things, but atthe same time, they take up a
lot of your childhood, and Ididn't want that, so I think
(20:43):
that was a big factor when itcame to deciding whether or not
I wanted to play in college.
And yeah, I mean it was mainlythat.
SPEAKER_04 (20:52):
Yeah.
Talk about your faith.
You know, in our in our family,uh, you know, your mom is is the
pillar of of faith and um justjust super strong and has been a
big guiding force for me with myfaith.
But what's it like for yougrowing up in our household and
(21:14):
and talk about your faithjourney um, you know, growing up
and where you are now?
SPEAKER_00 (21:20):
I would say it's been a big roller coaster, lots
of ups and downs.
Um sometimes I'm really strongin my faith, and sometimes like
uh during soccer season, I feellike I get so busy that I just
kind of forget about it.
And so it's always, always ajourney.
I when I was younger, it wasobviously mom and you always
(21:42):
instilled in us that you reallywant to have a relationship with
the Lord, and that's reallyimportant.
We've always gone to church onSundays, and that's kind of
become my safe place.
So, like going on vacations andstill going to church, like that
kind of brings me comfort if I'mever homesick.
Um, so I really enjoy that.
And I would say that my faithjourney really changed when I
(22:06):
went to CYSC for the first time,which is a camp that I went to.
And um, that was because I hadnever really experienced
something like that, especiallylike worshiping in a room with
all kids your age, and there'sso many people, but just it
really feels like a piece ofheaven.
(22:27):
So getting to experience that ata younger age was really special
and take that home.
And then also from that camp, Ilearned like that you can have a
conversation in your prayer, andlike you can hear what the Lord
has to say back to you, which Ifeel like before that I had no
clue.
I just thought, I mean, you prayto God, and then it's just like
(22:50):
a one-way thing.
You might see the things that hedoes in your life, but you don't
actually hear him say anything.
So learning that was a big thingfor me, and that's still I mean,
it's still something I strugglewith because I I like to pray a
lot, but at the same time, Idon't always take the time to
listen.
So that's something I've beenworking on is just just waiting
(23:14):
and listening, sitting insilence, and yeah, I just gotta
take the time.
SPEAKER_04 (23:21):
It's a hard it's hard, you know.
It's it that's a great answer,and it makes me very proud to
hear that.
But you know, because you'rebeing honest, and I think any of
us, if we're if we're honest,it's you know, it's a constant
battle, it's a constant journeyof you know, we get so busy in
everything that we do, from workto to sports to kids to
(23:43):
everything that it's easy tobecome distracted.
And you know, and for me, that'smy my time is my walk, you know,
that I usually do or myworkouts.
Those are my times when I Ireally try to to you know to
listen, to do what you said andum you know, to try to see the
good in all those things.
And so it's it's okay that youknow it's not something perfect,
(24:05):
right?
It's not going to be.
That that's what faith is, is ishaving you know the trust that
you know you can keep going,that you can, you know, that
that God is always gonna bethere, always by your side.
So thank you for that's a goodanswer.
SPEAKER_05 (24:20):
Yeah, and it's something I think that all of us
struggle with.
I I don't know one person thatthinks they have a perfect
prayer life.
And busyness, I mean, that'slike the devil's number one tool
in my opinion, no matter what.
And it's not the times that youthink that you're the most busy,
right?
It's those times that you justget so wrapped up in life and
going and going and going, andthen all of a sudden you stop
and you're like, yeah, I'm waytoo busy.
(24:42):
Yeah, just constantly.
SPEAKER_04 (24:43):
And I I find it too, a lot of times where I'll where
I'll pray, whether it's youknow, on my walk or wherever my
even in my truck, uh at theoffice, at home, wherever it is,
it's important.
I I have better prayers when I'mout in the wilderness, when I'm
out on those walks, because Idon't have all those
(25:04):
distractions.
If I'm at home, you know, I'llhear the kids fighting and
screaming or doing whatever, orif I'm at work, you know, you
got the distraction of yourphone or your computer or
somebody walking in or in theoffice or whatever.
I think it's important to findwherever that I don't know, safe
place is, or where that placewhere you can actually kind of
let everything go and and trulylisten and truly be open.
(25:26):
I think that's that's really,really important in that faith
journey.
So, Leah, talk about what's nextfor you with where you're at.
Soccer season just finished up.
Um, you know, you're in your uh,as your your brother Nate called
it.
What did he say?
What'd he tell you?
SPEAKER_00 (25:44):
He said this is usually the time where people
get fat and lazy.
It's really motivating.
SPEAKER_05 (25:50):
You got a lot to live up to there.
SPEAKER_04 (25:52):
So you're on you're on day three of retirement,
soccer retirement, right?
That's great, Nate.
He's getting bashed the wholetime.
I love it.
But what's next for you?
You know, what's you're youknow, we're almost to the the
middle of your senior year, andobviously lots of exciting
(26:12):
things ahead, but probably I'mguessing a little stressful,
right?
You know, the unknown of whatyou want to do, where you want
to go, who you want to be.
Talk about where you're at nowand what that journey looks like
for you.
SPEAKER_00 (26:25):
There's a lot of decisions to make, a lot of
things to do.
Um, so right now I'm planning ongoing to college.
Not sure where yet.
So I have a few differentcolleges that I'm applying to,
and then it'll probably justcome down to how much they cost
and what I can afford.
Um, because I think that I'lldefine, like I'll be able to
(26:46):
grow and learn at any place.
So I'm not too worried aboutthat.
I mean, it's just stressfulhaving to do like scholarships
and applications and stuff likethat.
But um, I'm planning on studyingbusiness, so we'll see where
that takes me.
Um and just coming out of soccerat least, I'm just now
(27:07):
discovering why people havehobbies and why people get back
into coaching.
Because I really, I mean, yougotta fill your time with
something.
And so we've been playingpickleball.
Pickleball spent fun.
So I think just finding a goodworkout routine so you don't get
fat and lazy.
(27:29):
And um just really uh prayingabout and trying to figure out
what I want to do um after highschool.
SPEAKER_05 (27:37):
I heard that a lot of people in retirement play
pickleball, so it makes sense.
SPEAKER_00 (27:41):
That's what I feel like.
Just an old person out thereplaying pickleball, but it's a
lot of fun.
SPEAKER_04 (27:47):
That's pretty cool.
All right, some questions here.
If you could give a message toyour younger self or to your
little brothers and sistersabout facing challenges and
becoming who God created you tobe, what would you say to them?
SPEAKER_00 (28:03):
Um, I would say just be willing to grow and know that
you don't have it all figuredout and that y there's other
people you can turn to to getadvice, but also be able to kind
of sort through that advice andtake what you want for yourself.
So don't just rely on one personall the time, just um make sure
(28:26):
you talk to different peoplefrom different places so that
you can get different pieces ofadvice and kind of um put those
together and take it as likemake it your own.
unknown (28:39):
You know?
SPEAKER_05 (28:39):
That's a good answer.
Really good answer.
SPEAKER_04 (28:42):
You got any questions?
You you know?
SPEAKER_05 (28:43):
Oh, I got a whole list of questions.
So excited.
So what's uh what what'ssomething that dad did to make
you feel really loved growingup?
Like is there like one thingthat's a good one?
SPEAKER_00 (28:59):
Um I would say just spending in intentional time
with us.
So um like this is something hestill does, just asking us to go
on walks because we always havereally good conversations on
walks.
So doing things like that.
Um just I mean, growing up, youalways knew that you were loved
by him, just in his actions alot of the times, and setting a
(29:22):
good example for us.
He's a really good leader and hehas a lot of good advice, but
yeah.
So just always setting that goodexample and being someone we
could look up to.
SPEAKER_05 (29:31):
That's a good one.
You got a favorite memory?
Like dad in you memory.
SPEAKER_00 (29:36):
Um, I would say just like our walks on the arboretum.
SPEAKER_05 (29:40):
That's a good answer.
What's something that daddoesn't realize that he taught
you?
SPEAKER_00 (29:46):
Um I would say this is this would be a quote from
you that you told me a few yearsago that I've never forgot is
always when you're doing things,do it as It's like as if
someone's watching you.
So always do things to the bestof your ability.
Um I remember you told me thatone time when it was during the
(30:09):
fair and I had been walking mycow who didn't want to walk.
SPEAKER_04 (30:15):
But maybe you weren't walking him enough.
SPEAKER_00 (30:18):
Just really didn't want to walk and it was really
big.
So I couldn't do much aboutthat.
But yeah, just always doingsomething or doing things like
someone's watching you.
SPEAKER_05 (30:28):
That's a good one.
What's uh your favorite uh thingabout the kind of woman that
your mom is?
SPEAKER_00 (30:35):
Um she's really strong in our faith and she's
always positive sometimes.
It gets a little annoying.
If you want to have aconversation with her and you're
talking about something thathappened at school, and it's
just always like, do you knowthe other side of the story?
(30:56):
What happened in those people'slives for them to be acting that
way?
And I remember in middle schoolthat really bothered me because
I just wanted to tell her andfor her to listen.
And just I that wasn't theadvice I wanted to hear.
But now I appreciate it becauseyou I mean everybody really does
have a story, and there'sreasons why people do things.
(31:17):
So I think that was somethingreally good that she shared.
SPEAKER_05 (31:20):
I believe I she shared that when she was sitting
right there in that chair.
Yeah, she did.
In the podcast.
Um what's something mom doesthat makes your world feel safe?
SPEAKER_00 (31:32):
Um I would always or I would say that she always uh
puts faith first.
So if there's any an it or everan issue, she'll just say like
that you need to pray about itor you need to again like think
of the other situations, likewhat these people are going
through and take time to processit before doing anything.
SPEAKER_05 (31:55):
Then we'll go one more with your siblings.
If what do you hope yoursiblings learned watching you?
SPEAKER_00 (32:02):
Um I would probably say that I'm not perfect and
that I have a lot to learn.
I know I'm still young, so uhlike compared to the other
people that have been on thispodcast, I probably know
nothing.
So just that I'm really notperfect.
They like to say that I'm thefavorite.
But I mean, I think well, I liketo say that they just think that
(32:26):
I'm the favorite because I liketo clean.
So that makes mom really like mewhen I clean the house because
that's something I enjoy doing.
That's like therapy for me.
So sometimes if that's whatmakes her like me more, then I
can't really help that.
SPEAKER_05 (32:42):
Maybe you other kids should clean a little more.
And spar boys, I'm sure that'dmake your mom love you a little
more too.
SPEAKER_04 (32:50):
Speaking of the cleaning, talk about that a
little bit because you you dohave a little bit of uh business
on that side going right now.
So talk a little bit about howthat got started and what you're
doing.
SPEAKER_00 (33:02):
Yeah, so I don't even know how it really got
started.
If I think Mimi maybe saidsomething about cleaning their
church.
And so I was like, yeah, I'd bewilling to do that.
And so I went there and sheshowed me how to do everything.
So I started cleaning that, andthen you had asked to clean your
(33:25):
office, so I picked up that jobtoo.
And then um one of the ladiesfrom our grandparents' church
was at a tax place in town, andso they were talking about their
cleaning lady, I guess.
And so um they asked me if Iwould clean too.
So then I have three places.
SPEAKER_04 (33:47):
So you got your own little business, eh?
Yeah, yeah.
There you go.
That you're gonna have to passon to someone when you go away
because my office is still goingto need to be cleaned.
Ryan?
Next.
Next.
I've got one here.
This one hit this hit me thismorning when I was running, you
(34:07):
know, here after it was the endof June when I finished the rite
of passage when we were down inum the North Georgia Mountains,
and and you and and Ryan andMary, we were all there together
at the house.
And um that morning when I wokeup after that Monday morning
when we were getting ready tohead home, that's when
(34:29):
everything kind of hit me fromthat 24-hour trek, everything I
had been through.
And you were there.
And um, you know, you came out.
I w your mom and I were sittingon the back deck, and uh I was a
train wreck.
And uh and you happened to comeout, and I don't remember at
what time that you came out,what you know, where I was at
(34:52):
emotionally, but um, you know,that that was probably not
probably, that was the emo themost emotional time I've ever
had in my life when I I justcouldn't control my emotions
because of everything I had beenthrough, probably a little bit
of the pain that I was feelingfrom being on my feet for 24
hours.
But can you talk about thatexperience for you, you know,
(35:15):
seeing me in that kind of stateand and what that was like from
your perspective?
SPEAKER_00 (35:22):
Um, I think it's honestly like really
uncomfortable because it'schange.
You watch your parents, I mean,they're growing up with you.
So it's always beenuncomfortable when like you or
mom are going through a bigchange in your life.
But at the same time, it's aplace where everybody grows.
(35:44):
So you see like you showingemotion that we haven't really
seen before, and you kind oftake note of it.
And I think like for me, I wasjust like observing.
So you can kind of see like Icould tell how much that
impacted you and that changedyour life.
And so yeah, I was really justtrying to watch and take it all
(36:07):
in.
Um and yeah, I mean, it's justdifferent, it's not what I'm
used to.
So I knew that a lot of good wasgonna come from it.
And you like I could tell beforeyou left, you weren't even the
same person, you were sonervous.
So it was interesting becauseobviously, like it made me
(36:28):
uncomfortable because you wereuncomfortable.
And but I knew that yeah, thiswas gonna be something that was
gonna make our whole familygrow.
It was gonna change a lot ofthings, but for the better.
SPEAKER_04 (36:41):
So Yeah, yeah.
I don't know why that hit methis morning.
I just started thinking about Iwas like, holy cow, she she came
out when I was sitting therejust in a train wreck when
everything, you know, all theweight of that that I just went
through had kind of hit me.
And and you're right, it has it,you know, that was that was an
encounter that I had that youknow I've never experienced
before.
(37:01):
And um, you know, it'sdefinitely changed my
perspective on life, myperspective on faith, um, you
know, and where we're at today.
So um have you noticed thatdifferent?
SPEAKER_05 (37:13):
Like have you noticed a difference since then?
SPEAKER_00 (37:15):
Yeah, I mean, since then and since you starting 75
hard, like our family has beencompletely different and it's
been for the better.
And I think it's also good liketo see that emotion from you and
like if mom's ever emotional, Ithink it's good to see that
because I mean, obviously it'sgonna be really uncomfortable
because it's not somethingyou're used to, but it really is
(37:37):
it shows you that you it's okayfor you to be like that too.
And so just processing throughall of your emotions.
Like I always like to say, feelyour feels whenever you're going
through something.
It's good to feel through thatso that you can really process
it.
SPEAKER_04 (37:53):
That's a good one.
That is good.
Ben, you got anything else youcan think of?
Any questions for this young,almost 18-year-old?
SPEAKER_05 (38:03):
I got a little rapid fire.
SPEAKER_00 (38:05):
Oh, okay.
SPEAKER_05 (38:06):
So who's more strict, mom or dad?
SPEAKER_00 (38:11):
I don't know.
I wouldn't really say either.
SPEAKER_05 (38:13):
Neither?
SPEAKER_00 (38:14):
Yeah, I feel like neither of them are that strict.
SPEAKER_05 (38:16):
That's a good one.
So we're pushovers?
SPEAKER_00 (38:18):
No, I wouldn't say pushovers.
I think that you guys can trustus.
So you don't really have to bestrict.
And that's like we uh trust tohave conversations with you.
So I mean, if you're ever gonnado something, we'll probably
tell you or you'll find outafter.
SPEAKER_04 (38:38):
I hope Ryan is listening.
SPEAKER_05 (38:41):
Y'all leave me leave Ryan alone, okay?
I got your back, Ryan.
Which parent gives you thelongest lectures?
SPEAKER_00 (38:48):
Um I would say mom, but I wouldn't even say it's a
lecture.
It's more just like guidance.
Yeah, and therapy for her andfor me.
Like she likes to have I thinkwe probably talk the most out of
all of us kids.
And so just I don't know.
She likes to not necessarilyrant, but like tell her side of
(39:12):
things, and we'll just have aconversation.
That I mean, he just likes togive advice.
SPEAKER_05 (39:19):
Just the one-word advice.
That's what I do.
That's what you do.
Who's the most dramatic in yourhouse?
SPEAKER_00 (39:25):
Oh, I don't know.
SPEAKER_05 (39:27):
Maybe uh it could be your siblings too.
SPEAKER_00 (39:31):
I don't know.
I would say sometimes Mary.
Mary can be really dramatic.
But I would say everybody canhave their moments.
SPEAKER_05 (39:38):
Yeah.
I was gonna say your dad,probably, but oh man.
All right.
What's mom in one word?
One word to describe mom.
SPEAKER_00 (39:49):
Loving.
SPEAKER_05 (39:51):
Dad.
SPEAKER_00 (39:54):
I mean, I don't know, a giver.
SPEAKER_05 (39:56):
Giver is a good one.
What about your home?
SPEAKER_00 (40:00):
Just one word.
Like chaotic sometimes.
Yeah.
Just full.
SPEAKER_05 (40:10):
Your family?
One word.
SPEAKER_00 (40:15):
Happy.
SPEAKER_05 (40:16):
Yeah.
That's a good one.
My kids like that's what I hopethey say about my family.
Happy.
SPEAKER_04 (40:22):
Most of the time.
SPEAKER_05 (40:23):
Yeah.
Um success or happiness.
I think you probably have to dothat.
I would say happiness.
Yeah.
And I think that's pretty muchit on the rapid fire.
Other ones.
Well, here we go.
Faith, family, or friends, whichone grounds you the most?
SPEAKER_00 (40:42):
Faith for sure.
SPEAKER_05 (40:43):
That's good.
Who's phonier, mom or dad?
SPEAKER_00 (40:47):
Um I would say they each have their moments.
Dad maybe more consistently, butmom, if she says something
randomly, then it's gonna beextra funny.
SPEAKER_04 (40:57):
Any questions you got for me or for Ben?
SPEAKER_00 (41:00):
I don't think so.
SPEAKER_04 (41:01):
No, you don't need any advice?
SPEAKER_00 (41:04):
Oh no.
SPEAKER_05 (41:06):
This is the time.
This is the time.
I will tell you the the Patreonthat you did with her where you
talked about your college, Ibelieve it was what's the
college essay?
SPEAKER_01 (41:16):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_05 (41:17):
You talked about you know, you're not perfect and all
that, which nobody is, but thatessay was absolutely amazing.
Like, and I feel like everysingle person would learn
something from that.
unknown (41:27):
Well, thank you.
SPEAKER_05 (41:28):
Everybody has a testimony, and when I listened
to it like four or five times, Isent it to Lisa, I know she
would listen to it a wholebunch.
And I mean, that's what you'repraying for a high school
student to be like, to have thatkind of faith, to understand all
that.
It was really inspiring.
So thank you.
Yeah, I'd imagine you get intoany college with that essay.
SPEAKER_04 (41:45):
Yeah, yeah, it was powerful when I read it.
That's why I was like, okay, I'mgonna record you reading this.
Yeah, and we're gonna put thison Patreon.
So yeah, it was it is powerful.
It certainly, you know, you makeme proud.
All you know, you're all thekids, you know, Allie, you,
Nate, Mary, and Ryan.
I mean, um, it it's such a umit's so fulfilling as a parent
(42:07):
just to watch you all grow andhave success and to learn from
failure.
And you know, we don't do a lotof things a lot of parents do.
You know, you you talk aboutcollege and um, you know, we put
that on you guys.
And uh, you know, a lot ofpeople take care of all those
(42:28):
things, the scholarships and theapplications for their kids.
And and that's okay.
I'm not saying it's right orit's wrong, but you know, that's
something that your your mom andI discussed, and you know, is
very important to us is to, hey,if this is the next step for
you, we've gotten you to thispoint.
Now it's up to you to take itfrom here and to see where you
go.
(42:48):
Because we want to have thatbuy-in for you to um, you know,
one, to feel a little bit ofpain.
I think it's important, youknow, to feel some financial
pain and some financial uhpressure because that's gonna be
life.
You know, life is is not allsunshine and rainbows.
I mean, it's it's tough, it'sit's challenging.
And and if you can learn that ata young age and learn how to
(43:10):
budget and to, you know, whenthere's scholarship
opportunities to apply for themand and if there's a time to
write an essay, you know, to tobe vulnerable and to share that
story and and to be open andhonest.
Those are all important things.
And and then we may do it alittle different than others.
And um, and again, I'm notsaying that it's right or it's
wrong, but it's it's so awesome,you know, to see like Allie,
(43:32):
your older sister, you know, shewent through that whole process
and she's in school.
She's gonna graduate in threeyears, you know, most likely,
instead of four, and and uh, youknow, get out in the real world
and now to see you doing thesame thing, which I know is
stressful, right?
It's a lot of stress, and youknow, you want to be out having
fun and doing all the thingsinstead of you know filling out
those applications and the thecommon app and and doing your
(43:55):
essay and doing all thosethings, but it's important to go
through those processes in life.
I think it makes you a betterperson.
So uh we're not doing it topunish you, even though it may
feel like it.
Um, but I'm proud of you.
I'm proud of you for coming uphere and for you know being open
and honest and vulnerable.
And uh, you know, not a lot ofof 17, 18-year-old girls would
(44:18):
do that.
And um, so it's pretty awesome.
So thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (44:23):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_05 (44:25):
I do have another one.
unknown (44:26):
Okay.
SPEAKER_05 (44:27):
Do you have any advice for parents out there
that's parenting high schoolkids?
Like, is there anything thatlike you think that parents
should know about their kids?
You know what I mean?
Like struggles that you guys arefacing that maybe we didn't
face.
Like we talked about it thatit's a different time than when
your dad and I were in school,you know?
Your dad was in school in the60s.
unknown (44:48):
Come on.
SPEAKER_05 (44:50):
No, but it is it's a different time, and I feel like
each generation you deal withdifferent battles and
everything.
SPEAKER_00 (44:55):
And yeah, um, I would say just be there to
listen and also let them failbecause they're gonna learn the
most when they fail.
And I know it's probably reallyhard to watch your kids fail,
but at the same time, likethrough your failures, you learn
the most.
So just stepping back andallowing them to do that, I
(45:16):
think, is really strong and it'sgonna help them a lot.
Like like you said, with theapplications and stuff, you guys
make us do that, but I think itpushes us to grow up a little
bit.
And so obviously, like college,you're moving away, so you're
physically forced to grow up.
But before we go, I think you'veprepared us enough to like more
(45:40):
on the mentally aspect and umthe things that you have to do,
like scheduling things andmaking it to places on time,
those kind of things.
I think you guys have pushed usto grow up and do this on our
own.
So I'm really grateful for that.
SPEAKER_04 (45:55):
Does it does it scare you to leave the nest, you
know, here in this time nextyear?
I mean, are you are you nervousabout that?
SPEAKER_00 (46:02):
Yeah, I think I'll definitely be nervous and scared
too, but I also know that likeI'm ready for a change and to be
pushed out of my comfort zone.
Um, even though that stresses meout.
I hate getting out of my comfortzone.
SPEAKER_05 (46:17):
We all do.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (46:18):
But yeah, I think I just know that I'm gonna grow a
lot and I'm ready to like becomethe person I'm gonna be for the
rest of my life and find mypassion and like what I want to
do career-wise.
So I'm excited, but yeah, I'lldefinitely be nervous.
SPEAKER_04 (46:36):
Future host of the Be Tempered Brother.
SPEAKER_05 (46:38):
Yeah, there we go.
What about you, Dane?
You ready for this?
SPEAKER_04 (46:43):
Um, I'll tell you, it's as a as a parent, you know,
already having Allie who who wasgone last year.
Um, you know, it's I'm gratefulthat we have five children, you
know, five healthy children.
And so when Allie left, it waslike, oh, you know, that that
(47:03):
hurts, you know, it because youknow, you you start to I it
hurts, but I I was also excitedfor her, you know, to to take
that next step because I feltshe was ready.
And I feel the same thing withLeah is she's ready, you know.
There's no doubt um she's gonnathrive in whatever she does,
just like Ali is.
And and I think just like youknow, the three younger, you
(47:24):
know, Nate and Mary and Ryan,they're they're gonna, they're
all gonna be just fine.
Um where it kind of hurts yoursoul a little bit is you know,
that family dynamic changes.
You know, one goes away, youknow, next year two are gonna be
away, you know, so then we'redown to three.
But I'm so grateful that we havefive because we have a lot of
(47:48):
friends, you know, that youknow, just recently became empty
nesters or in a year or two aregonna become empty nesters
because they, you know, had hadjust had a couple kids, and and
that's okay.
But man, am I grateful that mywife was like, we are having
five of us.
Because at the time I was like,no, we're gonna have two.
We're gonna have two kids.
(48:08):
And if we were in thatsituation, this would be it.
SPEAKER_05 (48:11):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (48:11):
Yeah.
We would we wouldn't have Nateand Mary and Ryan.
Um, so we've been blessed beyondmeasure um to have the amazing
kids that we do have.
And yes, I'm, you know, I'm it'sgonna be sad when she goes away
and when Allie goes away againnext fall.
But I'm so excited because thattime in my life was an exciting
(48:34):
time.
It was a scary time, right?
It's scary time for everybodywhen you graduate high school
and you're, you know, what'snext?
Is it work?
Is it school?
Whatever it is.
But it's also an exciting time.
It's an it's a time to learn whoyou are, you know, as a as a
person, as an individual.
And um, you know, recognizingthere's all kinds of choices in
life that we have to make andand they all have consequences.
(48:56):
Some are good, some are bad.
And those are the that that'swhen you you figure those things
out.
So um yeah, it's gonna be a bigchange.
Um, but I, you know, I'mexcited, excited for the future
for sure.
SPEAKER_05 (49:08):
Yeah.
I had a moment last night whereEv woke up with a nightmare and
he crawled in bed with me, youknow, and a little spoon there,
and I was sitting there cuddlingwith him, and I'm just like
thinking, man, like yeah, younever know when you know, you
never know when the last timethose moments happen.
And yeah, that's what when youthink about a kid graduating,
it's like, good night.
Yeah, it goes.
Can't imagine slow down time.
SPEAKER_04 (49:29):
So quick.
SPEAKER_05 (49:30):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (49:30):
So quick.
And you hear you hear that alot, but you don't realize it
until you're in it.
SPEAKER_05 (49:34):
What about advice you have for high school
parents?
Or parents in general.
I mean, we we we talk a lotabout parents and in general and
what we should do and stuff likethat, but now your second
daughter heading off to collegeand well, I think it's important
as a parent.
SPEAKER_04 (49:49):
And it's man, the hardest job in the world is to
be a parent.
You know, there's there's noright or wrong answer on what to
do in this situation or thatsituation.
I think, you know, as a parent,you want to protect, right?
You don't want your kids to beexposed to certain things, but
you you understand that how yougrew in your life was was by
(50:10):
being exposed to those things.
What you what you have to hopeand pray that you did a good job
as as they were young, and thenthey get to that certain age
when they they have friends thatmaybe not think and act the same
way that that you do or how youwere raised.
You know, if you can teach yourkids what's right and what's
wrong, and then when they get tothat age where it's time to make
(50:31):
those decisions that are rightand are wrong, that they have
that feeling when it's notright.
And they have the strength tostep away.
Not to not to have mom or dadpull them away, but to to
recognize in their own mindthat, hey, something doesn't
feel right here.
Like I should just step away andwalk away from this.
(50:52):
Um so let your kids fail.
I mean, Leah said it, you know,you you've got to you've got to
be okay with letting them fail,which is very difficult to do.
It's a very hard thing to watchas a parent, is to see your kid
fail, to see your kid lose.
Um, you know, but you know, justtry to offer advice and because
the real world is we fail moretimes than we win.
(51:14):
And so if you if you figure outhow to, you know, to get past
those failures in life and tolearn from them, um, I think
that's really important at ayoung age.
And then the other thing I thinkas a parent is is holding your
kids accountable, you know,holding them accountable when
they do things wrong.
Like there are consequences todoing bad things.
(51:36):
Um but also recognizing thatthey're gonna make bad
decisions, right?
We all have done things weshouldn't have done, probably
shouldn't have done.
And um, you know, there arethere are there are consequences
for those actions.
So making sure that you holdyour kids accountable.
Don't make threats you cannotkeep.
Because these kids are smartenough that they know that.
(51:57):
You know, they know, hey, momsaid they're gonna take my phone
away for two days.
Oh, let's see, you know, andthen you only take it away for
an hour, right?
Well, there's no consequences inthat.
So stand firm on whateverconsequences you put out there.
Don't you know, don't waver inthose.
So I think those are the twobiggest things that I would, you
(52:17):
know, that we try to do as Kimand I try to do as parents.
SPEAKER_05 (52:21):
That's good.
That's what sitting here and nodoubt that you're gonna succeed,
you know.
And the big thing that stuck outto me was when you said when you
go on vacations, right?
When you guys go on vacation,you still go to church on
Sunday.
Like you're gonna go away tocollege and you know, you might
feel homesick and stuff likethat, but you go to church on
Sunday and recenter yourself andyou have the foundation where
you're gonna thrive, and I can'twait to see it.
SPEAKER_04 (52:44):
Yeah, it's pretty awesome.
All right, Lee.
You about took an hour here.
SPEAKER_05 (52:50):
We got another two hours for that truancy to kick
in.
SPEAKER_04 (52:53):
So what did Nate say last night when they uh found
out you're gonna be on thepodcast?
What are you gonna talk about?
SPEAKER_05 (52:58):
Oh, yeah.
I'm sure that wasn't Nate.
That'd be another segment.
Nate was probably supersupportive about the whole
thing.
SPEAKER_00 (53:04):
Really supportive?
SPEAKER_04 (53:05):
Oh, it's pretty awesome.
Hey everybody, if there'ssomeone out there that you know
can gain something from fromLeah's uh insight, you know,
from a 17, almost 18-year-oldhere, and in November she'll be
turning 18, and and that's whenshe gets kicked out of the house
and goes on her own payroll.
Um you know, be sure to share,to like, to do all those things.
(53:27):
Join us on Patreon.
You know, we post on there everyday.
There's all kinds of differentinsights and things that are
going on in our lives, and uh,you know, certain things that
jump out and hit us, uh, youknow, we'll post on there and
talk about and and hopefullythey can help you or someone
else in some way.
So hop on Patreon, download thatapp, search Be Tempered, and and
check us out.
And all those great things.
(53:49):
Continue to like and support,and uh, we appreciate your ears.
Go out and be tempered.
SPEAKER_02 (53:55):
Hi, my name is Ally Schmidt.
This is my dad Dan.
He owns Catrin's Glass.
SPEAKER_04 (53:59):
Thanks, Allie.
Things like doors and windows gointo making a house.
But when it's your home, youexpect more, like the great
service and selection you'll getfrom Catron's Glass.
Final replacement windows fromCatrins come with a lifetime
warranty, including accidentalglass breakage replacement.
Also ask for custom shower doorsand many other products and
services.
Locally owned with localemployees for nearly 30 years.
SPEAKER_02 (54:21):
Patron's Glass, a clear choice.
SPEAKER_03 (54:24):
I want to share something that's become a big
part of the BeTempered mission: Patreon. (54:26):
undefined
Now, if you've never used itbefore, Patreon is a platform
where we can build communitytogether.
It's not just about supportingthe podcast, it's about having a
space where we can connect on adeeper level, encourage one
another, and walk this journeyof faith, resilience, and
perseverance side by side.
(54:47):
Here's how it works.
You can join as a free memberand get access to daily posts,
behind-the-scenes updates,encouragement, and some things I
don't always put out on otherplatforms.
And if you feel called tosupport the mission financially,
there are different levels whereyou can do that too.
That support helps us keepproducing the podcasts, creating
gear, hosting events, andsharing stories that we believe
(55:10):
can truly impact lives.
And here's the cool part.
Patreon has a free app you candownload right on your phone.
It works just like Facebook orInstagram, but it's built
specifically for our community.
You'll be able to scroll throughposts, watch videos, listen to
content, and interact withothers who are on the same
journey.
At the end of the day, thisisn't just about content, it's
(55:31):
about connection.
It's about building somethingtogether.
Not just me and Ben putting outepisodes, but a family of people
committed to growing strongerthrough real stories and real
faith.
So whether you just want to hopon as a free member or you feel
called to support in a biggerway, Patreon is the door into
that community.
Because at the heart of BeTempered has always been simple
(55:53):
real stories, raw truth,resilient faith.
So that even one person outthere that hears what they need
to hear, and Patreon helps makethat possible.
Hi, my name is Allie Schmidt.
This is my dad damn.
He owns Catrin's Glass.
SPEAKER_04 (00:04):
Thanks, Allie.
Things like doors and windows gointo making a house.
But when it's your home, youexpect more, like the great
service and selection you'll getfrom Catrin's Glass.
Final replacement windows fromCatrins come with a lifetime
warranty, including accidentalglass breakage replacement.
Also ask for custom shower doorsand many other products and
services.
SPEAKER_02 (00:26):
Patrons Glass, a clear choice.
SPEAKER_03 (00:29):
I want to share something that's become a big
part of the BTemfered mission.
Patreon.
Now, if you've never used itbefore, Patreon is a platform
where we can build communitytogether.
It's not just about supportingthe podcast, it's about having a
space where we can connect on adeeper level, encourage one
another, and walk this journeyof faith, resilience, and
(00:50):
perseverance side by side.
Here's how it works.
You can join as a free memberand get access to daily posts,
behind-the-scenes updates,encouragement, and some things I
don't always put out on otherplatforms.
And if you feel called tosupport the mission financially,
there are different levels whereyou can do that too.
That support helps us keepproducing the podcasts, creating
(01:12):
gear, hosting events, andsharing stories that we believe
can truly impact lives.
And here's the cool part Patreonhas a free app you can download
right on your phone.
It works just like Facebook orInstagram, but it's built
specifically for our community.
You'll be able to scroll throughposts, watch videos, listen to
content, and interact withothers who are on the same
(01:33):
journey.
At the end of the day, thisisn't just about content, it's
about connection.
It's about building somethingtogether.
Not just me and Ben putting outepisodes, but a family of people
committed to growing strongerthrough real stories and real
faith.
So whether you just want to hopon as a free member or you feel
called to support in a biggerway, Patreon is the door into
(01:54):
that community.
Because at the heart of BeTempered has always been simple
real stories, raw truth,resilient faith, so that even
one person out there that hearswhat they need to hear, and
Patreon helps make thatpossible.
SPEAKER_04 (02:09):
Welcome to the Bee Tempered Podcast, where we
explore the art of findingbalance in a chaotic world.
SPEAKER_05 (02:14):
Join us as we delve into insightful conversations,
practical tips, and inspiringstories to help you navigate
life's ups and downs with graceand resilience.
SPEAKER_04 (02:22):
We're your host, Dan Schmidt, and Ben Sparr.
Let's embark on a journey tolive our best lives.
SPEAKER_05 (02:29):
This is Bee Tempered.
SPEAKER_04 (02:30):
What's up, everybody?
Welcome to the Be TemperedPodcast, episode number 77.
That was quick.
Almost like you wanted to say itso quick so you didn't forget.
I did.
Hey, today's episode is aspecial one for me.
I've had the privilege ofinterviewing so many incredible
(02:50):
people over the past year and ahalf.
Leaders, overcomers, the worldchangers.
But this one hits a littlecloser to home.
My guest today is my daughter,Leah.
Leah is 17, almost 18, here in acouple weeks, and right in the
middle of her senior year inhigh school, she's kind-hearted,
hardworking, and wise beyond heryears.
(03:13):
She's got an entrepreneurialspirit that reminds me a lot of
myself at her age, alwaysdreaming big, always looking for
ways to create, build, and makean impact.
As she prepares to graduate andbegin her new chapter, applying
to colleges and planning tostudy business, I couldn't be
more proud of the young womanshe's becoming.
She's thoughtful, driven,compassionate, and not afraid to
(03:34):
put in the work to chase herdreams.
So today we're turning the mictowards her.
We're going to talk about whatthis season of life looks like
through her eyes, her hopes, herlessons, and maybe a few things
she's learned growing up in ourcrazy, faith-filled, hardworking
family.
Leah, welcome to the BeatTempered Podcast.
SPEAKER_00 (03:55):
Thanks for having me.
SPEAKER_04 (03:58):
I want to be very clear because there are four
other Schmidt kids at home or atschool.
SPEAKER_05 (04:04):
And Leah's the favorite.
SPEAKER_04 (04:05):
Yes.
And you are not at school rightnow because you're taking some
college classes.
So you're not skipping school.
Let's be clear that so we don'twant to get the truancy officer
over here.
Um but I did not force you intothis.
SPEAKER_00 (04:20):
Um, yeah, true.
SPEAKER_04 (04:22):
Okay.
SPEAKER_00 (04:22):
But it would have been if I said no.
SPEAKER_04 (04:26):
Well, no, I wouldn't have made you do it.
SPEAKER_00 (04:28):
Some guilt tripping.
SPEAKER_04 (04:29):
Well, I might be good at that.
I think Sean Rubush calls me abully sometimes.
Um but no, you know, you're in aunique position right now as a
you know, almost 18-year-old.
You're in your senior year ofhigh school, and we were kind
of, Ben and I were justreflecting back on, you know,
our time when we were 17, 18years old, and you're getting
ready to make the transitioninto the real world, whether
(04:50):
that's college or work orwhatever that is.
In your case, you know, you'relooking you're looking at
colleges, but you know, theworld is a lot different now
than it was when I was inschool, when Ben was in school,
than it is right now for you.
We didn't have all the socialmedia, we didn't have the
instant news.
I mean, we had to read anewspaper, we had a phone
(05:11):
hanging on the wall, or at leastI did.
SPEAKER_05 (05:13):
I had a newspaper class.
SPEAKER_04 (05:15):
I had a typewriting class.
SPEAKER_05 (05:17):
I believe it.
SPEAKER_04 (05:18):
Yeah.
And I'm not sure.
It's not funny.
Oh, I thought it was.
So you're just in a it's adifferent world right now for
you.
And I just thought it would be aunique perspective to hear from
someone your age that is in themiddle of that senior year with
(05:39):
you know, looking ahead, notknowing what the future looks
like.
So what we all we always like todo, which the yours is, you
know, we just mentioned wealways start in childhood and
tell your story.
Well, you're still you're not achild.
But you still, you know, you'reyou're a young adult and and you
are um you know you're gettingready to to leave the nest.
(06:00):
So but let's start from thebeginning.
Let's start talking aboutchildhood and what it was like
for you in the Schmidt Housewithout destroying your father.
SPEAKER_00 (06:09):
Well, we started living when I was born, we lived
at the house on Frederick Drive.
So in a neighborhood, which isdifferent from what where we
live now.
But um, I have a lot of reallygood memories from that house
because we got to hang out withall of our neighbors.
So we got to experience justwalking over to your neighbor's
(06:29):
house, hanging out with kidsyour age, and I have a lot of
good memories from that.
So just like playing outside.
Um, there's some funny thingsthat have happened.
Like Nate, he uh pooped hispants one time.
SPEAKER_04 (06:46):
We will never forget that.
And Nate is your younger brotherwho's currently almost 16.
SPEAKER_00 (06:52):
Yeah, so uh this happened.
SPEAKER_05 (06:55):
And you said last year.
SPEAKER_00 (06:57):
Yeah, last year.
Yeah, but we were at theneighbor's house and he took his
pants off and walked himselfback over to our house.
That's something I will neverforget.
SPEAKER_01 (07:08):
I don't know how you could.
SPEAKER_00 (07:09):
Yeah, just things like that.
We had a lot of fun at thathouse, and then we ended up
moving out to the country, whichwas fun because we got to watch
our house be built.
So going through all of that andthen making memories out in the
country.
I remember um one of the biggestthings for me to get adjusted to
was the wind out in the countrybecause it was really windy,
(07:32):
especially compared to living ina neighborhood.
So it took me years and years toget used to that.
But just being outside all thetime, making memories, um,
playing with our siblingsbecause you always have somebody
to play with when you have fourother siblings.
And so just doing that and thedifference between being in a
neighborhood and having justlike your neighborhood friends
(07:53):
and kids your age, and thenmoving out to the country.
It was, I mean, there's a bigdifference, but at the same
time, I didn't really notice itbecause we were young.
And it was just fun to be ableto be outside and like play in
the mud, play in the woods, playwith all your animals.
Like we got to get a cat.
(08:14):
We went to um a buffalo farm,and this was where we got our
first cat, Buffalo.
Named a Buffalo, very original.
Um but just doing things likethat.
It was fun to like start gettinganimals and um just working
outside with them and learninghow to take care of animals and
how they rely on you.
It was just a good experience,really good childhood.
SPEAKER_04 (08:36):
And you got to start 4-H.
SPEAKER_00 (08:38):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (08:39):
Right?
So talk about that a little bit.
What what kind of 4-H animalsdid you raise?
SPEAKER_00 (08:43):
Um I started with pigs.
It wasn't my favorite becausethey make a big mess.
And so I had to go out and cleanthe pen every single day.
But after pigs, I think I wentto goats, and goats were a lot
more fun because they have a lotmore personality.
Um, but I also had a goat thatended up dying on me.
(09:03):
So that was quite theexperience.
SPEAKER_04 (09:05):
Why don't you tell that story?
SPEAKER_00 (09:08):
Well, I don't, I was probably like 10, maybe.
And I think it was my first yearshowing goats, first or second
year.
So I knew they have a lot ofpersonality and they can be
really stubborn.
Um, but this was like at thebeginning when I got them, so I
was trying to teach them how towalk.
Well, this goat in particulardid not want to walk.
(09:30):
So I may I'm gonna drug it alittle bit.
But at the same time, that'skind of how you had to break
goat sometimes.
So it wasn't like anything tooout of the norm.
But yeah, I was trying to dragit back to the barn because we
didn't get that far out of thebarn, so I was just done.
I was like, we're going back tothe pen.
(09:51):
And um we almost made it to thebarn.
And at the same time, this goatwas too scared, so I couldn't
just like pick it up and bringit back to the barn because I
tried that.
But it just kept like runningaway when I tried to pick it up.
So I was just dragging it back,and then all of a sudden it
jumps up in the air and lands onits side, and then it starts
(10:13):
sticking its tongue out andstarts bleeding.
So this is traumatizing for me.
SPEAKER_04 (10:21):
We might want to have a trigger warning here.
SPEAKER_00 (10:24):
Very traumatizing.
And so everyone was outside, soI screamed for mom because she
was in the garden, and everyoneran down, and sure enough, the
goat had died.
So we think it had some heartproblems or something, but yeah,
it was that was verytraumatizing.
SPEAKER_04 (10:41):
So that was your first time murdering something.
SPEAKER_00 (10:44):
That's what you want to say, yeah.
SPEAKER_05 (10:46):
What year did you start for 4 H?
SPEAKER_00 (10:49):
Uh third grade, I think, is what it was.
SPEAKER_04 (10:51):
Like you have to be eight and in third grade at the
same time.
SPEAKER_00 (10:54):
Yeah.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (10:56):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (10:57):
So then after that, I went to showing cows.
And cows was a differentexperience because those animals
are way bigger and they can dragyou around.
So going from goats that you getto drag around to cows that drag
you around can be reallynerve-wracking.
And so I had to learn how totake control and not show fear
(11:19):
in front of them becauseotherwise they can sense that.
And so that was a big learningprocess.
I had to have dad's help forsome cows that we had.
SPEAKER_04 (11:30):
Yeah, learning that those animals can sense fear.
Yeah, that's a that's a big, biglearning experience.
So that's 4-8.
So talk about sports a littlebit because you played quite a
few different sports and andactually just just finished a
career here this week.
So kind of talk about earlyearly sports as as you were a
kid and and then where you're atnow.
SPEAKER_00 (11:49):
So I started playing soccer when I was I don't know
how old, but like whenever youcould start then.
I was really young.
And so I just remember that Iwould always stand in line with
the ball.
So wherever the ball was, Iwould follow it on the field.
So I just kind of had a sensefrom that age, just I wanted to
learn.
(12:09):
So for that sport, I reallyliked it.
And so I stuck with soccer.
I mean, all through my years.
I would play um fall and springfor club.
So until I got to high school.
And then high school, Iobviously played high school
soccer, and then my junior year,I decided to play on a club
(12:30):
team.
Or it was my sophomore year.
So my sophomore year, I decidedto play on a club team.
So that was a learningexperience too, because I it was
the first time with me steppingout and having to make all new
friends.
So I didn't know anybody on myclub team like that would go to
practices.
I knew a few from my high schoolteam, but they wouldn't
(12:52):
necessarily go to practices allthe time.
So I had to step out and makenew friends and experience that
for myself.
So that was kind of my soccercareer, and then I played
basketball.
Basketball was lots of fun.
I played basketball like throughmy elementary years.
(13:12):
I stopped seventh grade, so Inever actually played for the
school.
But we won a lot ofchampionships, but I mainly sat
on the bench and watched.
I just would go in to uh be alittle scrappy and steal the
ball with always on the ground.
So that was fun.
And then um I did volleyball myseventh grade year.
(13:35):
That was different.
So we were at the fair and thevolleyball coach came up to me
and was trying to convince me toplay.
And this was during COVID, so wedidn't really know if we were
gonna have a soccer season.
So I was like, sure, I guessI'll play, I'll try it out.
And so that actually was reallyfun.
I think there were it had itsown challenges, but I think if
(13:56):
the season would have gone alittle better, it would have
been harder for me to decidebetween volleyball and soccer.
So I'm honestly really glad itwent the way it did because I'm
glad I stuck with soccer.
Um and then I did track myfreshman year.
So that was fun too.
That was me stepping out of mycomfort zone a little bit
because I I obviously knew thepeople on the track team, but I
(14:18):
wasn't really close with them.
So just making new friendsthrough that and doing a sport
that I wasn't necessarily likethe best at, I wouldn't say I'm
the fastest person, especiallygoing up against high schoolers.
But it was fun, it was a goodlearning experience.
SPEAKER_04 (14:33):
So I want to back up a little bit because I know for
you when you went to that clubteam your sophomore year, and
you were playing with all newpeople, you know, new girls that
you really didn't know.
Some of you uh some of them youcompeted against, but you didn't
really know them.
And you talked about how thatwas stepping outside of your
comfort zone.
And I think, you know, you know,part of the be tempered movement
(14:56):
is you know, stepping outside,stepping into those challenges
so that you can grow and becomestronger.
So talk about what that wasactually like when you went to
that first practice and you metthose new girls and all those
different personalities and howyou drove yourself there.
We didn't take you there, right?
So you were you were on yourown, um, you know, stepping into
this new world with new coaches,with girls that you, you know,
(15:19):
you'd played with a lot ofgirls, the same girls, year
after year after year, and hereyou are on a whole new team with
new coaches all by yourself.
Talk about that experience.
SPEAKER_00 (15:29):
Yeah, it was it was hard at first because you kind
of have to feel everybody out.
You don't know um likeeverybody's personalities and
how a coach is gonna treat youand their coaching style.
So it was definitely a process,and my thing too with soccer is
that when I'm comfortable, I canplay good.
(15:49):
But when I don't really knowanybody, and like for my
position, I'm supposed to kindof take control and I can see
the field from where I'm at, soI have to communicate a lot.
So in those cases, it was kindof hard because I didn't want to
be like the girl that's tellingeverybody what to do because
they didn't really know who Iwas, so that made it kind of
(16:10):
hard.
But I don't know, it was it wasdefinitely a process because
just feeling everybody out, thefirst practice, you kind of get
the first impressions of somepeople, you can see things, take
note of it, but then um throughdifferent practices, I really
started liking a lot of thegirls, so they were a lot of
fun, and so I think just knowingthat maybe they're not gonna be
(16:33):
your best friends, but beingable to be good friends with
them and friends with peoplethat maybe you wouldn't normally
be with, that was definitelysomething that taught me a lot.
SPEAKER_04 (16:43):
So Yeah, that's pretty cool.
Talk about what it's like havingfour siblings.
SPEAKER_00 (16:50):
Um it can be very chaotic, but um, I really am
grateful because you always havesomebody to hang out with and
you have a bunch of differentpersonalities, so you kind of
get to pick and choose who youwant to hang out with at any
given moment.
So I'm glad that there's I don'treally I don't think I would
(17:11):
thrive in a quiet house.
So I'm glad that there's alwaysnoise and you can you always
know that there's somebody youcan go and talk to, whether like
it's Nate and you want somebodyto laugh with or somebody to say
something stupid that's gonnamake you feel better about
yourself.
Or you go talk to Mary, who isvery loving and kind and who's
(17:31):
gonna give you good advice orjust be there to listen.
Um, or you have Ryan.
I don't know about the advicepart, but he's at least gonna
he's gonna try.
And Allie is always gonna bethere to listen.
She she likes her tea time, soanytime we're spilling any
stories, she loves to be there.
So you have the differentpersonalities, the different
(17:53):
things that people like.
So I think it's really nice thatyou get to pick and choose.
SPEAKER_04 (17:58):
I think you learn a lot about psychological warfare
as well.
SPEAKER_00 (18:04):
Yeah, if you need somebody to bother, you need
somebody to get your anger outon, you just go find a sibling.
SPEAKER_04 (18:11):
If you need to be humbled, yes, humbled, yep.
Definitely um, yeah, you canswallow your pride in the
Schmidt House for sure.
And you know, back to soccer,uh, you know, this this past
week, you know, you'reunfortunately the soccer career
ended.
And um, you know, you've madethe decision, and we we've had
many conversations about, youknow, do you want to play in
(18:32):
college or do you not want toplay in college?
And and you know, kind of talkabout your decision and moving
forward and then what it what itfelt like or what it feels like
now with you know, all thoseyears coming to an end this
week.
SPEAKER_00 (18:48):
It's a lot.
I don't think I've reallyprocessed it enough like fully
yet because I mean this hashappened every year, you know,
you end your season and then youjust start preparing for the
next.
So I haven't really it hasn'treally set in because usually we
have um workouts to think of.
So I think it'll probably set inmore um come summer and fall
(19:11):
time when I'm not actuallyplaying.
But yeah, um my decision to notplay in college, it was really
hard because I obviously reallylike soccer, but at the same
time, I think like sports ingeneral, some of them have been
taken way too far.
And I never wanted to getburnout.
I wanted it to be just a placefor me to kind of go and have
(19:34):
fun and enjoy like a hobby thatI have.
So I I thought playing soccer incollege would be fun, but at the
same time, I knew that I neverwanted to play D3 because just
for me personally, I wanted tobe challenged, which I don't
think like I think that wouldchallenge me, but I just think
that I want to be wanted almost,you know, like D2 or D1, where
(19:59):
it's more challenging for you tojoin a team.
And at the same time, if Iplayed, I really wanted to go
D1.
Like that was really my onlyfocus.
And most of the D1 schools, theyreally only look at certain club
teams, and that was one thingthat I really didn't want was I
didn't want to play on a clubteam that that would be my whole
(20:21):
life because I mean I have foursiblings, so they're all doing
things that I want to go andsupport and watch.
And I also have just my familythat I want to be a part of, and
I feel like some of those clubsthey're all great and they all
teach you great things, but atthe same time, they take up a
lot of your childhood, and Ididn't want that, so I think
(20:43):
that was a big factor when itcame to deciding whether or not
I wanted to play in college.
And yeah, I mean it was mainlythat.
SPEAKER_04 (20:52):
Yeah.
Talk about your faith.
You know, in our in our family,uh, you know, your mom is is the
pillar of of faith and um justjust super strong and has been a
big guiding force for me with myfaith.
But what's it like for yougrowing up in our household and
(21:14):
and talk about your faithjourney um, you know, growing up
and where you are now?
SPEAKER_00 (21:20):
I would say it's been a big roller coaster, lots
of ups and downs.
Um sometimes I'm really strongin my faith, and sometimes like
uh during soccer season, I feellike I get so busy that I just
kind of forget about it.
And so it's always, always ajourney.
I when I was younger, it wasobviously mom and you always
(21:42):
instilled in us that you reallywant to have a relationship with
the Lord, and that's reallyimportant.
We've always gone to church onSundays, and that's kind of
become my safe place.
So, like going on vacations andstill going to church, like that
kind of brings me comfort if I'mever homesick.
Um, so I really enjoy that.
And I would say that my faithjourney really changed when I
(22:06):
went to CYSC for the first time,which is a camp that I went to.
And um, that was because I hadnever really experienced
something like that, especiallylike worshiping in a room with
all kids your age, and there'sso many people, but just it
really feels like a piece ofheaven.
(22:27):
So getting to experience that ata younger age was really special
and take that home.
And then also from that camp, Ilearned like that you can have a
conversation in your prayer, andlike you can hear what the Lord
has to say back to you, which Ifeel like before that I had no
clue.
I just thought, I mean, you prayto God, and then it's just like
(22:50):
a one-way thing.
You might see the things that hedoes in your life, but you don't
actually hear him say anything.
So learning that was a big thingfor me, and that's still I mean,
it's still something I strugglewith because I I like to pray a
lot, but at the same time, Idon't always take the time to
listen.
So that's something I've beenworking on is just just waiting
(23:14):
and listening, sitting insilence, and yeah, I just gotta
take the time.
SPEAKER_04 (23:21):
It's a hard it's hard, you know.
It's it that's a great answer,and it makes me very proud to
hear that.
But you know, because you'rebeing honest, and I think any of
us, if we're if we're honest,it's you know, it's a constant
battle, it's a constant journeyof you know, we get so busy in
everything that we do, from workto to sports to kids to
(23:43):
everything that it's easy tobecome distracted.
And you know, and for me, that'smy my time is my walk, you know,
that I usually do or myworkouts.
Those are my times when I Ireally try to to you know to
listen, to do what you said andum you know, to try to see the
good in all those things.
And so it's it's okay that youknow it's not something perfect,
(24:05):
right?
It's not going to be.
That that's what faith is, is ishaving you know the trust that
you know you can keep going,that you can, you know, that
that God is always gonna bethere, always by your side.
So thank you for that's a goodanswer.
SPEAKER_05 (24:20):
Yeah, and it's something I think that all of us
struggle with.
I I don't know one person thatthinks they have a perfect
prayer life.
And busyness, I mean, that'slike the devil's number one tool
in my opinion, no matter what.
And it's not the times that youthink that you're the most busy,
right?
It's those times that you justget so wrapped up in life and
going and going and going, andthen all of a sudden you stop
and you're like, yeah, I'm waytoo busy.
(24:42):
Yeah, just constantly.
SPEAKER_04 (24:43):
And I I find it too, a lot of times where I'll where
I'll pray, whether it's youknow, on my walk or wherever my
even in my truck, uh at theoffice, at home, wherever it is,
it's important.
I I have better prayers when I'mout in the wilderness, when I'm
out on those walks, because Idon't have all those
(25:04):
distractions.
If I'm at home, you know, I'llhear the kids fighting and
screaming or doing whatever, orif I'm at work, you know, you
got the distraction of yourphone or your computer or
somebody walking in or in theoffice or whatever.
I think it's important to findwherever that I don't know, safe
place is, or where that placewhere you can actually kind of
let everything go and and trulylisten and truly be open.
(25:26):
I think that's that's really,really important in that faith
journey.
So, Leah, talk about what's nextfor you with where you're at.
Soccer season just finished up.
Um, you know, you're in your uh,as your your brother Nate called
it.
What did he say?
What'd he tell you?
SPEAKER_00 (25:44):
He said this is usually the time where people
get fat and lazy.
It's really motivating.
SPEAKER_05 (25:50):
You got a lot to live up to there.
SPEAKER_04 (25:52):
So you're on you're on day three of retirement,
soccer retirement, right?
That's great, Nate.
He's getting bashed the wholetime.
I love it.
But what's next for you?
You know, what's you're youknow, we're almost to the the
middle of your senior year, andobviously lots of exciting
(26:12):
things ahead, but probably I'mguessing a little stressful,
right?
You know, the unknown of whatyou want to do, where you want
to go, who you want to be.
Talk about where you're at nowand what that journey looks like
for you.
SPEAKER_00 (26:25):
There's a lot of decisions to make, a lot of
things to do.
Um, so right now I'm planning ongoing to college.
Not sure where yet.
So I have a few differentcolleges that I'm applying to,
and then it'll probably justcome down to how much they cost
and what I can afford.
Um, because I think that I'lldefine, like I'll be able to
(26:46):
grow and learn at any place.
So I'm not too worried aboutthat.
I mean, it's just stressfulhaving to do like scholarships
and applications and stuff likethat.
But um, I'm planning on studyingbusiness, so we'll see where
that takes me.
Um and just coming out of soccerat least, I'm just now
(27:07):
discovering why people havehobbies and why people get back
into coaching.
Because I really, I mean, yougotta fill your time with
something.
And so we've been playingpickleball.
Pickleball spent fun.
So I think just finding a goodworkout routine so you don't get
fat and lazy.
(27:29):
And um just really uh prayingabout and trying to figure out
what I want to do um after highschool.
SPEAKER_05 (27:37):
I heard that a lot of people in retirement play
pickleball, so it makes sense.
SPEAKER_00 (27:41):
That's what I feel like.
Just an old person out thereplaying pickleball, but it's a
lot of fun.
SPEAKER_04 (27:47):
That's pretty cool.
All right, some questions here.
If you could give a message toyour younger self or to your
little brothers and sistersabout facing challenges and
becoming who God created you tobe, what would you say to them?
SPEAKER_00 (28:03):
Um, I would say just be willing to grow and know that
you don't have it all figuredout and that y there's other
people you can turn to to getadvice, but also be able to kind
of sort through that advice andtake what you want for yourself.
So don't just rely on one personall the time, just um make sure
(28:26):
you talk to different peoplefrom different places so that
you can get different pieces ofadvice and kind of um put those
together and take it as likemake it your own.
unknown (28:39):
You know?
SPEAKER_05 (28:39):
That's a good answer.
Really good answer.
SPEAKER_04 (28:42):
You got any questions?
You you know?
SPEAKER_05 (28:43):
Oh, I got a whole list of questions.
So excited.
So what's uh what what'ssomething that dad did to make
you feel really loved growingup?
Like is there like one thingthat's a good one?
SPEAKER_00 (28:59):
Um I would say just spending in intentional time
with us.
So um like this is something hestill does, just asking us to go
on walks because we always havereally good conversations on
walks.
So doing things like that.
Um just I mean, growing up, youalways knew that you were loved
by him, just in his actions alot of the times, and setting a
(29:22):
good example for us.
He's a really good leader and hehas a lot of good advice, but
yeah.
So just always setting that goodexample and being someone we
could look up to.
SPEAKER_05 (29:31):
That's a good one.
You got a favorite memory?
Like dad in you memory.
SPEAKER_00 (29:36):
Um, I would say just like our walks on the arboretum.
SPEAKER_05 (29:40):
That's a good answer.
What's something that daddoesn't realize that he taught
you?
SPEAKER_00 (29:46):
Um I would say this is this would be a quote from
you that you told me a few yearsago that I've never forgot is
always when you're doing things,do it as It's like as if
someone's watching you.
So always do things to the bestof your ability.
Um I remember you told me thatone time when it was during the
(30:09):
fair and I had been walking mycow who didn't want to walk.
SPEAKER_04 (30:15):
But maybe you weren't walking him enough.
SPEAKER_00 (30:18):
Just really didn't want to walk and it was really
big.
So I couldn't do much aboutthat.
But yeah, just always doingsomething or doing things like
someone's watching you.
SPEAKER_05 (30:28):
That's a good one.
What's uh your favorite uh thingabout the kind of woman that
your mom is?
SPEAKER_00 (30:35):
Um she's really strong in our faith and she's
always positive sometimes.
It gets a little annoying.
If you want to have aconversation with her and you're
talking about something thathappened at school, and it's
just always like, do you knowthe other side of the story?
(30:56):
What happened in those people'slives for them to be acting that
way?
And I remember in middle schoolthat really bothered me because
I just wanted to tell her andfor her to listen.
And just I that wasn't theadvice I wanted to hear.
But now I appreciate it becauseyou I mean everybody really does
have a story, and there'sreasons why people do things.
(31:17):
So I think that was somethingreally good that she shared.
SPEAKER_05 (31:20):
I believe I she shared that when she was sitting
right there in that chair.
Yeah, she did.
In the podcast.
Um what's something mom doesthat makes your world feel safe?
SPEAKER_00 (31:32):
Um I would always or I would say that she always uh
puts faith first.
So if there's any an it or everan issue, she'll just say like
that you need to pray about itor you need to again like think
of the other situations, likewhat these people are going
through and take time to processit before doing anything.
SPEAKER_05 (31:55):
Then we'll go one more with your siblings.
If what do you hope yoursiblings learned watching you?
SPEAKER_00 (32:02):
Um I would probably say that I'm not perfect and
that I have a lot to learn.
I know I'm still young, so uhlike compared to the other
people that have been on thispodcast, I probably know
nothing.
So just that I'm really notperfect.
They like to say that I'm thefavorite.
But I mean, I think well, I liketo say that they just think that
(32:26):
I'm the favorite because I liketo clean.
So that makes mom really like mewhen I clean the house because
that's something I enjoy doing.
That's like therapy for me.
So sometimes if that's whatmakes her like me more, then I
can't really help that.
SPEAKER_05 (32:42):
Maybe you other kids should clean a little more.
And spar boys, I'm sure that'dmake your mom love you a little
more too.
SPEAKER_04 (32:50):
Speaking of the cleaning, talk about that a
little bit because you you dohave a little bit of uh business
on that side going right now.
So talk a little bit about howthat got started and what you're
doing.
SPEAKER_00 (33:02):
Yeah, so I don't even know how it really got
started.
If I think Mimi maybe saidsomething about cleaning their
church.
And so I was like, yeah, I'd bewilling to do that.
And so I went there and sheshowed me how to do everything.
So I started cleaning that, andthen you had asked to clean your
(33:25):
office, so I picked up that jobtoo.
And then um one of the ladiesfrom our grandparents' church
was at a tax place in town, andso they were talking about their
cleaning lady, I guess.
And so um they asked me if Iwould clean too.
So then I have three places.
SPEAKER_04 (33:47):
So you got your own little business, eh?
Yeah, yeah.
There you go.
That you're gonna have to passon to someone when you go away
because my office is still goingto need to be cleaned.
Ryan?
Next.
Next.
I've got one here.
This one hit this hit me thismorning when I was running, you
(34:07):
know, here after it was the endof June when I finished the rite
of passage when we were down inum the North Georgia Mountains,
and and you and and Ryan andMary, we were all there together
at the house.
And um that morning when I wokeup after that Monday morning
when we were getting ready tohead home, that's when
(34:29):
everything kind of hit me fromthat 24-hour trek, everything I
had been through.
And you were there.
And um, you know, you came out.
I w your mom and I were sittingon the back deck, and uh I was a
train wreck.
And uh and you happened to comeout, and I don't remember at
what time that you came out,what you know, where I was at
(34:52):
emotionally, but um, you know,that that was probably not
probably, that was the emo themost emotional time I've ever
had in my life when I I justcouldn't control my emotions
because of everything I had beenthrough, probably a little bit
of the pain that I was feelingfrom being on my feet for 24
hours.
But can you talk about thatexperience for you, you know,
(35:15):
seeing me in that kind of stateand and what that was like from
your perspective?
SPEAKER_00 (35:22):
Um, I think it's honestly like really
uncomfortable because it'schange.
You watch your parents, I mean,they're growing up with you.
So it's always beenuncomfortable when like you or
mom are going through a bigchange in your life.
But at the same time, it's aplace where everybody grows.
(35:44):
So you see like you showingemotion that we haven't really
seen before, and you kind oftake note of it.
And I think like for me, I wasjust like observing.
So you can kind of see like Icould tell how much that
impacted you and that changedyour life.
And so yeah, I was really justtrying to watch and take it all
(36:07):
in.
Um and yeah, I mean, it's justdifferent, it's not what I'm
used to.
So I knew that a lot of good wasgonna come from it.
And you like I could tell beforeyou left, you weren't even the
same person, you were sonervous.
So it was interesting becauseobviously, like it made me
(36:28):
uncomfortable because you wereuncomfortable.
And but I knew that yeah, thiswas gonna be something that was
gonna make our whole familygrow.
It was gonna change a lot ofthings, but for the better.
SPEAKER_04 (36:41):
So Yeah, yeah.
I don't know why that hit methis morning.
I just started thinking about Iwas like, holy cow, she she came
out when I was sitting therejust in a train wreck when
everything, you know, all theweight of that that I just went
through had kind of hit me.
And and you're right, it has it,you know, that was that was an
encounter that I had that youknow I've never experienced
before.
(37:01):
And um, you know, it'sdefinitely changed my
perspective on life, myperspective on faith, um, you
know, and where we're at today.
So um have you noticed thatdifferent?
SPEAKER_05 (37:13):
Like have you noticed a difference since then?
SPEAKER_00 (37:15):
Yeah, I mean, since then and since you starting 75
hard, like our family has beencompletely different and it's
been for the better.
And I think it's also good liketo see that emotion from you and
like if mom's ever emotional, Ithink it's good to see that
because I mean, obviously it'sgonna be really uncomfortable
because it's not somethingyou're used to, but it really is
(37:37):
it shows you that you it's okayfor you to be like that too.
And so just processing throughall of your emotions.
Like I always like to say, feelyour feels whenever you're going
through something.
It's good to feel through thatso that you can really process
it.
SPEAKER_04 (37:53):
That's a good one.
That is good.
Ben, you got anything else youcan think of?
Any questions for this young,almost 18-year-old?
SPEAKER_05 (38:03):
I got a little rapid fire.
SPEAKER_00 (38:05):
Oh, okay.
SPEAKER_05 (38:06):
So who's more strict, mom or dad?
SPEAKER_00 (38:11):
I don't know.
I wouldn't really say either.
SPEAKER_05 (38:13):
Neither?
SPEAKER_00 (38:14):
Yeah, I feel like neither of them are that strict.
SPEAKER_05 (38:16):
That's a good one.
So we're pushovers?
SPEAKER_00 (38:18):
No, I wouldn't say pushovers.
I think that you guys can trustus.
So you don't really have to bestrict.
And that's like we uh trust tohave conversations with you.
So I mean, if you're ever gonnado something, we'll probably
tell you or you'll find outafter.
SPEAKER_04 (38:38):
I hope Ryan is listening.
SPEAKER_05 (38:41):
Y'all leave me leave Ryan alone, okay?
I got your back, Ryan.
Which parent gives you thelongest lectures?
SPEAKER_00 (38:48):
Um I would say mom, but I wouldn't even say it's a
lecture.
It's more just like guidance.
Yeah, and therapy for her andfor me.
Like she likes to have I thinkwe probably talk the most out of
all of us kids.
And so just I don't know.
She likes to not necessarilyrant, but like tell her side of
(39:12):
things, and we'll just have aconversation.
That I mean, he just likes togive advice.
SPEAKER_05 (39:19):
Just the one-word advice.
That's what I do.
That's what you do.
Who's the most dramatic in yourhouse?
SPEAKER_00 (39:25):
Oh, I don't know.
SPEAKER_05 (39:27):
Maybe uh it could be your siblings too.
SPEAKER_00 (39:31):
I don't know.
I would say sometimes Mary.
Mary can be really dramatic.
But I would say everybody canhave their moments.
SPEAKER_05 (39:38):
Yeah.
I was gonna say your dad,probably, but oh man.
All right.
What's mom in one word?
One word to describe mom.
SPEAKER_00 (39:49):
Loving.
SPEAKER_05 (39:51):
Dad.
SPEAKER_00 (39:54):
I mean, I don't know, a giver.
SPEAKER_05 (39:56):
Giver is a good one.
What about your home?
SPEAKER_00 (40:00):
Just one word.
Like chaotic sometimes.
Yeah.
Just full.
SPEAKER_05 (40:10):
Your family?
One word.
SPEAKER_00 (40:15):
Happy.
SPEAKER_05 (40:16):
Yeah.
That's a good one.
My kids like that's what I hopethey say about my family.
Happy.
SPEAKER_04 (40:22):
Most of the time.
SPEAKER_05 (40:23):
Yeah.
Um success or happiness.
I think you probably have to dothat.
I would say happiness.
Yeah.
And I think that's pretty muchit on the rapid fire.
Other ones.
Well, here we go.
Faith, family, or friends, whichone grounds you the most?
SPEAKER_00 (40:42):
Faith for sure.
SPEAKER_05 (40:43):
That's good.
Who's phonier, mom or dad?
SPEAKER_00 (40:47):
Um I would say they each have their moments.
Dad maybe more consistently, butmom, if she says something
randomly, then it's gonna beextra funny.
SPEAKER_04 (40:57):
Any questions you got for me or for Ben?
SPEAKER_00 (41:00):
I don't think so.
SPEAKER_04 (41:01):
No, you don't need any advice?
SPEAKER_00 (41:04):
Oh no.
SPEAKER_05 (41:06):
This is the time.
This is the time.
I will tell you the the Patreonthat you did with her where you
talked about your college, Ibelieve it was what's the
college essay?
SPEAKER_01 (41:16):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_05 (41:17):
You talked about you know, you're not perfect and all
that, which nobody is, but thatessay was absolutely amazing.
Like, and I feel like everysingle person would learn
something from that.
unknown (41:27):
Well, thank you.
SPEAKER_05 (41:28):
Everybody has a testimony, and when I listened
to it like four or five times, Isent it to Lisa, I know she
would listen to it a wholebunch.
And I mean, that's what you'repraying for a high school
student to be like, to have thatkind of faith, to understand all
that.
It was really inspiring.
So thank you.
Yeah, I'd imagine you get intoany college with that essay.
SPEAKER_04 (41:45):
Yeah, yeah, it was powerful when I read it.
That's why I was like, okay, I'mgonna record you reading this.
Yeah, and we're gonna put thison Patreon.
So yeah, it was it is powerful.
It certainly, you know, you makeme proud.
All you know, you're all thekids, you know, Allie, you,
Nate, Mary, and Ryan.
I mean, um, it it's such a umit's so fulfilling as a parent
(42:07):
just to watch you all grow andhave success and to learn from
failure.
And you know, we don't do a lotof things a lot of parents do.
You know, you you talk aboutcollege and um, you know, we put
that on you guys.
And uh, you know, a lot ofpeople take care of all those
(42:28):
things, the scholarships and theapplications for their kids.
And and that's okay.
I'm not saying it's right orit's wrong, but you know, that's
something that your your mom andI discussed, and you know, is
very important to us is to, hey,if this is the next step for
you, we've gotten you to thispoint.
Now it's up to you to take itfrom here and to see where you
go.
(42:48):
Because we want to have thatbuy-in for you to um, you know,
one, to feel a little bit ofpain.
I think it's important, youknow, to feel some financial
pain and some financial uhpressure because that's gonna be
life.
You know, life is is not allsunshine and rainbows.
I mean, it's it's tough, it'sit's challenging.
And and if you can learn that ata young age and learn how to
(43:10):
budget and to, you know, whenthere's scholarship
opportunities to apply for themand and if there's a time to
write an essay, you know, to tobe vulnerable and to share that
story and and to be open andhonest.
Those are all important things.
And and then we may do it alittle different than others.
And um, and again, I'm notsaying that it's right or it's
wrong, but it's it's so awesome,you know, to see like Allie,
(43:32):
your older sister, you know, shewent through that whole process
and she's in school.
She's gonna graduate in threeyears, you know, most likely,
instead of four, and and uh, youknow, get out in the real world
and now to see you doing thesame thing, which I know is
stressful, right?
It's a lot of stress, and youknow, you want to be out having
fun and doing all the thingsinstead of you know filling out
those applications and the thecommon app and and doing your
(43:55):
essay and doing all thosethings, but it's important to go
through those processes in life.
I think it makes you a betterperson.
So uh we're not doing it topunish you, even though it may
feel like it.
Um, but I'm proud of you.
I'm proud of you for coming uphere and for you know being open
and honest and vulnerable.
And uh, you know, not a lot ofof 17, 18-year-old girls would
(44:18):
do that.
And um, so it's pretty awesome.
So thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (44:23):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_05 (44:25):
I do have another one.
unknown (44:26):
Okay.
SPEAKER_05 (44:27):
Do you have any advice for parents out there
that's parenting high schoolkids?
Like, is there anything thatlike you think that parents
should know about their kids?
You know what I mean?
Like struggles that you guys arefacing that maybe we didn't
face.
Like we talked about it thatit's a different time than when
your dad and I were in school,you know?
Your dad was in school in the60s.
unknown (44:48):
Come on.
SPEAKER_05 (44:50):
No, but it is it's a different time, and I feel like
each generation you deal withdifferent battles and
everything.
SPEAKER_00 (44:55):
And yeah, um, I would say just be there to
listen and also let them failbecause they're gonna learn the
most when they fail.
And I know it's probably reallyhard to watch your kids fail,
but at the same time, likethrough your failures, you learn
the most.
So just stepping back andallowing them to do that, I
(45:16):
think, is really strong and it'sgonna help them a lot.
Like like you said, with theapplications and stuff, you guys
make us do that, but I think itpushes us to grow up a little
bit.
And so obviously, like college,you're moving away, so you're
physically forced to grow up.
But before we go, I think you'veprepared us enough to like more
(45:40):
on the mentally aspect and umthe things that you have to do,
like scheduling things andmaking it to places on time,
those kind of things.
I think you guys have pushed usto grow up and do this on our
own.
So I'm really grateful for that.
SPEAKER_04 (45:55):
Does it does it scare you to leave the nest, you
know, here in this time nextyear?
I mean, are you are you nervousabout that?
SPEAKER_00 (46:02):
Yeah, I think I'll definitely be nervous and scared
too, but I also know that likeI'm ready for a change and to be
pushed out of my comfort zone.
Um, even though that stresses meout.
I hate getting out of my comfortzone.
SPEAKER_05 (46:17):
We all do.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (46:18):
But yeah, I think I just know that I'm gonna grow a
lot and I'm ready to like becomethe person I'm gonna be for the
rest of my life and find mypassion and like what I want to
do career-wise.
So I'm excited, but yeah, I'lldefinitely be nervous.
SPEAKER_04 (46:36):
Future host of the Be Tempered Brother.
SPEAKER_05 (46:38):
Yeah, there we go.
What about you, Dane?
You ready for this?
SPEAKER_04 (46:43):
Um, I'll tell you, it's as a as a parent, you know,
already having Allie who who wasgone last year.
Um, you know, it's I'm gratefulthat we have five children, you
know, five healthy children.
And so when Allie left, it waslike, oh, you know, that that
(47:03):
hurts, you know, it because youknow, you you start to I it
hurts, but I I was also excitedfor her, you know, to to take
that next step because I feltshe was ready.
And I feel the same thing withLeah is she's ready, you know.
There's no doubt um she's gonnathrive in whatever she does,
just like Ali is.
And and I think just like youknow, the three younger, you
(47:24):
know, Nate and Mary and Ryan,they're they're gonna, they're
all gonna be just fine.
Um where it kind of hurts yoursoul a little bit is you know,
that family dynamic changes.
You know, one goes away, youknow, next year two are gonna be
away, you know, so then we'redown to three.
But I'm so grateful that we havefive because we have a lot of
(47:48):
friends, you know, that youknow, just recently became empty
nesters or in a year or two aregonna become empty nesters
because they, you know, had hadjust had a couple kids, and and
that's okay.
But man, am I grateful that mywife was like, we are having
five of us.
Because at the time I was like,no, we're gonna have two.
We're gonna have two kids.
(48:08):
And if we were in thatsituation, this would be it.
SPEAKER_05 (48:11):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (48:11):
Yeah.
We would we wouldn't have Nateand Mary and Ryan.
Um, so we've been blessed beyondmeasure um to have the amazing
kids that we do have.
And yes, I'm, you know, I'm it'sgonna be sad when she goes away
and when Allie goes away againnext fall.
But I'm so excited because thattime in my life was an exciting
(48:34):
time.
It was a scary time, right?
It's scary time for everybodywhen you graduate high school
and you're, you know, what'snext?
Is it work?
Is it school?
Whatever it is.
But it's also an exciting time.
It's an it's a time to learn whoyou are, you know, as a as a
person, as an individual.
And um, you know, recognizingthere's all kinds of choices in
life that we have to make andand they all have consequences.
(48:56):
Some are good, some are bad.
And those are the that that'swhen you you figure those things
out.
So um yeah, it's gonna be a bigchange.
Um, but I, you know, I'mexcited, excited for the future
for sure.
SPEAKER_05 (49:08):
Yeah.
I had a moment last night whereEv woke up with a nightmare and
he crawled in bed with me, youknow, and a little spoon there,
and I was sitting there cuddlingwith him, and I'm just like
thinking, man, like yeah, younever know when you know, you
never know when the last timethose moments happen.
And yeah, that's what when youthink about a kid graduating,
it's like, good night.
Yeah, it goes.
Can't imagine slow down time.
SPEAKER_04 (49:29):
So quick.
SPEAKER_05 (49:30):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (49:30):
So quick.
And you hear you hear that alot, but you don't realize it
until you're in it.
SPEAKER_05 (49:34):
What about advice you have for high school
parents?
Or parents in general.
I mean, we we we talk a lotabout parents and in general and
what we should do and stuff likethat, but now your second
daughter heading off to collegeand well, I think it's important
as a parent.
SPEAKER_04 (49:49):
And it's man, the hardest job in the world is to
be a parent.
You know, there's there's noright or wrong answer on what to
do in this situation or thatsituation.
I think, you know, as a parent,you want to protect, right?
You don't want your kids to beexposed to certain things, but
you you understand that how yougrew in your life was was by
(50:10):
being exposed to those things.
What you what you have to hopeand pray that you did a good job
as as they were young, and thenthey get to that certain age
when they they have friends thatmaybe not think and act the same
way that that you do or how youwere raised.
You know, if you can teach yourkids what's right and what's
wrong, and then when they get tothat age where it's time to make
(50:31):
those decisions that are rightand are wrong, that they have
that feeling when it's notright.
And they have the strength tostep away.
Not to not to have mom or dadpull them away, but to to
recognize in their own mindthat, hey, something doesn't
feel right here.
Like I should just step away andwalk away from this.
(50:52):
Um so let your kids fail.
I mean, Leah said it, you know,you you've got to you've got to
be okay with letting them fail,which is very difficult to do.
It's a very hard thing to watchas a parent, is to see your kid
fail, to see your kid lose.
Um, you know, but you know, justtry to offer advice and because
the real world is we fail moretimes than we win.
(51:14):
And so if you if you figure outhow to, you know, to get past
those failures in life and tolearn from them, um, I think
that's really important at ayoung age.
And then the other thing I thinkas a parent is is holding your
kids accountable, you know,holding them accountable when
they do things wrong.
Like there are consequences todoing bad things.
(51:36):
Um but also recognizing thatthey're gonna make bad
decisions, right?
We all have done things weshouldn't have done, probably
shouldn't have done.
And um, you know, there arethere are there are consequences
for those actions.
So making sure that you holdyour kids accountable.
Don't make threats you cannotkeep.
Because these kids are smartenough that they know that.
(51:57):
You know, they know, hey, momsaid they're gonna take my phone
away for two days.
Oh, let's see, you know, andthen you only take it away for
an hour, right?
Well, there's no consequences inthat.
So stand firm on whateverconsequences you put out there.
Don't you know, don't waver inthose.
So I think those are the twobiggest things that I would, you
(52:17):
know, that we try to do as Kimand I try to do as parents.
SPEAKER_05 (52:21):
That's good.
That's what sitting here and nodoubt that you're gonna succeed,
you know.
And the big thing that stuck outto me was when you said when you
go on vacations, right?
When you guys go on vacation,you still go to church on
Sunday.
Like you're gonna go away tocollege and you know, you might
feel homesick and stuff likethat, but you go to church on
Sunday and recenter yourself andyou have the foundation where
you're gonna thrive, and I can'twait to see it.
SPEAKER_04 (52:44):
Yeah, it's pretty awesome.
All right, Lee.
You about took an hour here.
SPEAKER_05 (52:50):
We got another two hours for that truancy to kick
in.
SPEAKER_04 (52:53):
So what did Nate say last night when they uh found
out you're gonna be on thepodcast?
What are you gonna talk about?
SPEAKER_05 (52:58):
Oh, yeah.
I'm sure that wasn't Nate.
That'd be another segment.
Nate was probably supersupportive about the whole
thing.
SPEAKER_00 (53:04):
Really supportive?
SPEAKER_04 (53:05):
Oh, it's pretty awesome.
Hey everybody, if there'ssomeone out there that you know
can gain something from fromLeah's uh insight, you know,
from a 17, almost 18-year-oldhere, and in November she'll be
turning 18, and and that's whenshe gets kicked out of the house
and goes on her own payroll.
Um you know, be sure to share,to like, to do all those things.
(53:27):
Join us on Patreon.
You know, we post on there everyday.
There's all kinds of differentinsights and things that are
going on in our lives, and uh,you know, certain things that
jump out and hit us, uh, youknow, we'll post on there and
talk about and and hopefullythey can help you or someone
else in some way.
So hop on Patreon, download thatapp, search Be Tempered, and and
check us out.
And all those great things.
(53:49):
Continue to like and support,and uh, we appreciate your ears.
Go out and be tempered.
SPEAKER_02 (53:55):
Hi, my name is Ally Schmidt.
This is my dad Dan.
He owns Catrin's Glass.
SPEAKER_04 (53:59):
Thanks, Allie.
Things like doors and windows gointo making a house.
But when it's your home, youexpect more, like the great
service and selection you'll getfrom Catron's Glass.
Final replacement windows fromCatrins come with a lifetime
warranty, including accidentalglass breakage replacement.
Also ask for custom shower doorsand many other products and
services.
Locally owned with localemployees for nearly 30 years.
SPEAKER_02 (54:21):
Patron's Glass, a clear choice.
SPEAKER_03 (54:24):
I want to share something that's become a big
part of the BeTempered mission: Patreon. (54:26):
undefined
Now, if you've never used itbefore, Patreon is a platform
where we can build communitytogether.
It's not just about supportingthe podcast, it's about having a
space where we can connect on adeeper level, encourage one
another, and walk this journeyof faith, resilience, and
perseverance side by side.
(54:47):
Here's how it works.
You can join as a free memberand get access to daily posts,
behind-the-scenes updates,encouragement, and some things I
don't always put out on otherplatforms.
And if you feel called tosupport the mission financially,
there are different levels whereyou can do that too.
That support helps us keepproducing the podcasts, creating
gear, hosting events, andsharing stories that we believe
(55:10):
can truly impact lives.
And here's the cool part.
Patreon has a free app you candownload right on your phone.
It works just like Facebook orInstagram, but it's built
specifically for our community.
You'll be able to scroll throughposts, watch videos, listen to
content, and interact withothers who are on the same
journey.
At the end of the day, thisisn't just about content, it's
(55:31):
about connection.
It's about building somethingtogether.
Not just me and Ben putting outepisodes, but a family of people
committed to growing strongerthrough real stories and real
faith.
So whether you just want to hopon as a free member or you feel
called to support in a biggerway, Patreon is the door into
that community.
Because at the heart of BeTempered has always been simple
(55:53):
real stories, raw truth,resilient faith.
So that even one person outthere that hears what they need
to hear, and Patreon helps makethat possible.
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