December 18, 2025 • 50 mins
Before Christmas rushes past, we press pause to ask better questions. What truly mattered this year? Where is God leading the mission of BeTempered? And how do we show up for people in ways that outlast trends, algorithms, and noise?
Hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr reflect on a season of growth, clarity, and calling, and they officially welcome the newest BeTempered team member, Shawn Ruebush. This conversation shares why the team chose conviction over convenience when adding to the mission, because passion for people is what turns content into connection and vision into action.
We revisit humble beginnings and meaningful milestones, including more than one million views across platforms and over 7,000 hours watched on YouTube. Not as trophies, but as proof that real stories still cut through. The center of gravity has shifted fully toward faith, service, and community, and that clarity is shaping what comes next.
The team unpacks upcoming initiatives including monthly gratitude walks designed to model simple, repeatable habits for resilience, training missions that build grit and teamwork, and men’s groups in partnership with the YMCA with hopes to expand. Each effort is built to get people out of their heads and into each other’s lives.
The focus on schools deepens as well. Too many kids scan empty bleachers. A principal who shows up, a teacher who attends a recital, a neighbor who mentors. These moments change trajectories. The conversation offers practical ways to get involved, resist labels, and make presence the strategy.
Landing just before Christmas, the episode closes with reflections on the memories that still shine and the generosity that brings the season back to its core. Hope, humility, and love made real through action.
If this moved you, help one more person hear what they need. Visit betempered.com and join our free community on Patreon at patreon.com/betempered. Your presence matters. Who will you show up for this week?
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_04 (00:04):
Thanks, Allie.
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SPEAKER_03 (00:29):
I want to share something that's become a big
part of the BTEMPERD mission: Patreon. (00:31):
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.
(00:52):
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
(01:16):
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
(01:36):
about connection.
It's about building somethingtogether.
Not just me and men 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.
(01:59):
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_05 (02:09):
Welcome to the Be Tempered Podcast, where we
explore the art of findingbalance in a chaotic world.
SPEAKER_01 (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_05 (02:22):
We're your host, Dan Schmidt, and Ben Sparr.
Let's embark on a journey tolive our best lives.
SPEAKER_01 (02:28):
This is Be Tempered.
SPEAKER_05 (02:30):
What's up, everybody?
Welcome to the Bee TemperedPodcast, episode number 84, sir.
SPEAKER_01 (02:37):
So serious.
Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_05 (02:39):
Hey, as you're listening to this, we're heading
into the final days beforeChristmas, a season that
naturally causes us to slowdown, to reflect, and focus on
what truly matters.
It's a time centered on faith,family, gratitude, and
remembering why we do the thingswe do.
Today's episode is a meaningfulone for us.
While it's not our final episodeof the year, it's our final
(03:01):
episode before Christmas.
And we wanted to use thisconversation to pause and
reflect on 2025 so far, on thegrowth, the lessons learned, the
challenges faced, and themoments that have shaped Be
Tempered along the way.
I'm joined today by Ben.
Hello, Dan.
And by Sean Rubush.
(03:22):
Hola.
He don't even know Spanish.
I don't.
Two guys who have playedimportant roles in this mission.
Ben has been in the trenches,especially with the work we've
been doing in the schools andwith young people stepping
outside his comfort zone toserve and lead.
And today we're also officiallyintroducing Mr.
(03:42):
Sean Rubush to the B Temperedteam.
Sean is stepping into a rolewhere he'll be helping guide our
marketing, our vision, ourstorytelling as our mission
continues to grow.
This conversation isn't justabout looking back or talking
strategy.
It's about purpose.
It's about why Be Temperedexists, where we believe God is
(04:03):
leading us, and how we staygrounded in gratitude as we move
forward.
And because this episode isairing just before Christmas, we
all also want to spend some timetalking about what the season
truly means to us.
Not just the celebrations or thetraditions, but the hope,
humility, and love that cameinto this world through Christ.
So wherever you're listeningfrom, our hope is that the
(04:25):
conversation encourages you toslow down, reflect, and head
into Christmas with a gratefulheart and a clear sense of
purpose.
What's up, Ben?
SPEAKER_01 (04:37):
Hello, Dan.
SPEAKER_05 (04:39):
So we want to talk about 2025.
You know, the year for us withthis podcast, with all the
different things we've beeninvolved in through the schools,
through churches, through um,you know, different speaking
engagements.
I mean, it's I thought last yearwas a year of like in my mind,
(05:02):
like, holy cow, what's going on.
But this year has far exceededthat.
And uh I'm excited about wherewe're going because now we've
we've officially taken that stepto to bring someone onto the
team that can help uh take alittle bit of the load off of
you know all the things we havegoing on and try to help to
(05:23):
organize our thoughts, ourvisions, where we're going, what
we're doing, um, and and and tokeep pushing forward.
But for me, it's been uh it'sbeen an amazing year.
I'm truly grateful for it, butit's been a little bit of a
whirlwind.
SPEAKER_01 (05:37):
Yeah.
I feel like there's you know,Christmas time and holiday
season, it seems like we cantake a breath and kind of
reflect.
That's what we do in the newyear, right?
But I tell you, I feel like thisyear's been kind of clarity
though, as well.
You know, I feel like when wefirst started the podcast, we
knew I felt like when we firststarted, actually, it was mainly
(05:58):
because our transformations likebody, fitness, um, also mental,
like where we view kids andtheir mindsets, and then I don't
know, it seems like as thisthing evolves, I feel like it's
more and more starting to get infaith based just because that's
who we are as men.
And um, and we know when you'revulnerable, that's when Christ
is strongest.
And I feel like that's the wayit's starting to lead.
(06:19):
And I feel like the more we leaninto that, I feel like the more
the podcast starts to grow.
And uh it's exciting.
SPEAKER_05 (06:25):
It is exciting, and and and you uh it's it's right.
It's amazing how it has morphedfrom that, that, that beginning
where, you know, quite honestly,we were trying to build a brand,
um, you know, trying to justprovide a positive influence on
people who might listen, butnever really having that
ultimate goal or vision to wherewe're at now, where we're at
(06:48):
today, and and to to feel thatfulfillment of having people
share their stories and what itdoes for them and what it does
for other people.
And so that's where the growthhas really um, I'm not gonna say
overwhelmed.
I don't like the the wordoverwhelmed, but it has just
been very powerful for me andshown me that, you know, again,
(07:11):
everybody has a story.
And if they're willing to shareit, it's amazing what comes from
them sharing their story, thebenefits they get hearing from
other people, and then thegrowth that other people have by
hearing that story because theycan relate.
And so that's what we're gonnacontinue to do and uh continue
(07:31):
to provide those stories topeople that inspire, that uh
people can relate to, that helppeople in their daily struggles.
And uh it's it's exciting time.
And through all of that, we'vewe're gonna be adding some
things into the Be Temperedmission.
And that's where Sean has comein.
And so I think most of ourregular listeners know Sean's
(07:55):
story.
Uh, episode 24 was where youshared a majority of it.
Then we came back in withepisode 42.
SPEAKER_02 (08:03):
Matt Roberts is gonna be upset.
That's this episode.
Oh, that's Matt's?
I was 41.
SPEAKER_01 (08:08):
We just wanted to name drop Matt.
We knew that.
It was totally playing.
Dr.
Matt Roberts.
Dr.
Matt Roberts.
SPEAKER_02 (08:13):
That's right.
41.
And then he was sad.
SPEAKER_05 (08:18):
We did the live episode, 52.
SPEAKER_02 (08:21):
You were on that.
Yeah, and then the book.
Uh, I think I was 71.
SPEAKER_05 (08:25):
Yeah.
So here you are.
Let's let's talk about your yourtransformation from episode 24
to now being a part of the BeTempered team, where this is
your job.
Talk about what the last yearand a half has been like for you
(08:46):
and and how we've got to thispoint.
SPEAKER_02 (08:48):
Man, how long do we have?
As long as you need.
No.
Um, so you said job.
Um, I don't consider this a job.
This is the one of the first,like, this is not a job.
This is a passion.
Um, and that's what I based thedecision on.
But um, just starting the wholejourney, 20, you know, how from
(09:10):
episode 24.
Um with what you just said, Imean, it's very impactful
getting it off your getting thewhole story off your, you know,
off your shoulders.
Um, obeying, I think that thethe biggest thing that I've has
started that I have started todo is just oh obey what I think
(09:32):
God has in plan in store for me.
Um and that's not always easy.
It's not always comfortable.
Um but I think um I I think uhthe progression from where I was
24 months ago to now is my themain difference is I think my
(09:53):
faith has grown tremendously.
Um attending reg attending uhcommunity of faith in Richmond
is amazing, and I've done thatfor a solid straight year now.
Past year's great, um veryknowledgeable.
Um so I think that's the biggesttransition.
And then again, I said this onthe other one.
(10:15):
Um so many more people are justwilling to talk to me about hard
things.
Yeah.
Um, so I think that's a hugeimpact, not only on myself, but
on others.
Um so the mess it's really weirdscrolling through Facebook and
not knowing a person, but theythey're they're posting about my
(10:37):
book.
That's kind of the weirdestthing I've kind of had to go
through.
Um, which is a good thing.
Right.
Um but I mean I mean, it's allbeen truly blessed, truly a
blessing.
And uh I'm so grateful for youknow, God putting the podcast on
you on you.
(10:58):
Um we talk about that all thetime, and his plan is way bigger
than we could have everimagined.
SPEAKER_05 (11:04):
Yeah, and you you know, you talk about being
obedient and how difficult thatis.
Excuse me, that's you know, I Ifeel the same way.
I, you know, I hear things, um,whether it's God's voice or
whether it's just my mindworking, you know, we just
recently purchased anotherbuilding, you know, for growth
(11:26):
of of our uh Catron's glassbusiness, but also to provide um
some space for Be Tempered.
And uh it's been it's been aunique journey.
I mean, even the just the lastsix months, you know, I've I'm
fortunate enough to have uh anadvisory group that I lean on
(11:47):
and bounce things off.
And and one of the things thatwe discussed probably six months
ago was they made the comment,like, Dan, you're gonna burn
out.
Like you're you're doing so manydifferent things.
You got so many irons in thefire.
And and I felt it, you know,they had posed the question, how
much time are you spending onthe podcast?
(12:09):
And I couldn't answer that.
I don't know.
I don't, I don't clock in andclock out with that stuff.
I mean, I'm just I just I justdo.
And I I recognize that.
So that's where the conversationstarted with, hey, why don't you
work on finding somebody tohelp?
And so my mind instantly shiftedto, you know, let's find a
part-time person that can comein and maybe work on, you know,
(12:34):
these things and this thing, andthen I can I can focus more on
on the podcast or whatever it isthat that um, you know, we'll
get into a little bit of thevision that we have for this.
And I kept thinking I neededsomeone who had more of a IT
background that could do a lotof the things that I was doing
(12:57):
with the shorts and the reelsand all those things that we put
out on social media.
And um, you know, one of themembers of the advisor group's
like, I don't think you'rethinking right.
Like, okay, what do you think?
And they're like, I think youneed to find someone who
believes in the mission and whohas the passion to carry forward
(13:18):
your vision for the Be Temperedpodcast and for the movement.
And so your name came up, Seancame up, and uh I was like, man,
I don't know.
You know, Sean's a friend, anduh, I've learned in 20 years of
business hiring friends isthat's a big no-no.
(13:38):
Um, it's fine when things aregood, but when things get
difficult, it can be verychallenging.
And uh, so uh, you know, I washesitant on it, but it he was
right.
He was right, you know, as faras the passion and the vision
goes, you know, you know, Benand I have have that.
I mean, this is our passion andour vision and our goals to to
help people and and to do this.
(13:59):
And it was very obvious that youwere right there with us.
And so the more I slept on itand the more I thought about it,
and then we started havingconversations, and it just
became clear.
Uh, I felt that God was saying,like, what are you waiting on?
Like he he hadn't spoken for 40some years of his life.
(14:20):
He tells his story, and now he'son fire.
Life completely changes.
And uh, so that's kind of whatled us to having the
conversation.
And and actually what's crazy iswe had the conversation at the
Arboretum one day when we justrandomly ran into each other.
You were walking your dogs, andI was heading back, you know,
from my from my ruck back to thetruck to go home, and and we
(14:43):
talked about it.
And that was like pretty recentafter your first episode.
Right.
And uh, you know, it's justamazing.
I I if you could go into mymind, I think I planted a seed
that day.
You you did plant the seed andhold a day in you did, and but
it was it was one of those whereI was like, all right, Sean,
(15:04):
like he'll he'll calm down, youknow, and uh and boy, the the
opposite happened, you know.
Then you write the book andyou're on fire and you get
baptized, and and then here weare, you know, and it's just
amazing how in 12 months fromlast year at this time to this
year, like the the change isunbelievable.
(15:27):
And uh it's hard to even putinto words like the feeling that
I have um for this this whole betempered mission.
And so, I mean, that's mayberambling a little bit, but I
just kind of wanted to let thelisteners in on my thoughts and
how we progressed to where we'reat today.
So I don't know what you guyshave to add to that, but that's
(15:49):
my story.
SPEAKER_02 (15:50):
I think what was kind of big for me was we never
really talked about our vision,but I kind of put it on paper
and handed it to you, and you'relike checked, checked like you
had the same things in your headwithout uh without us even ever
talking about it.
Yeah.
Um so I think that was a hugepart of it.
(16:12):
Um, at least it was for me.
Um, so the same vision, the samepassion.
Yeah.
So what is that vision?
Helping leading people to faith.
Why everybody talks about leftand right and what side you're
(16:33):
on, people overlook the biggestpart.
It's good versus evil.
Which side are you on?
That's it.
Right versus wrong.
It's not left versus right.
It never will be.
It's just a distraction.
It's good versus evil.
(16:53):
That's the way I feel, and um ittook me a long time to get
there.
Like I don't even I don't evenworry about politics anymore.
There's only one person that'sgonna be able to say that.
SPEAKER_05 (17:09):
Yeah.
Yeah.
You're right.
I'm the same way.
I mean, I don't I don't knowvery little about what's going
on in the world of politicsbecause I had a conversation
with uh with my wife's aunt uhover the holiday season, and
they were talking aboutdifferent news outlets and this
going on and that going on.
(17:30):
And I'm like, I don't even knowwhat you're talking about.
Like, and they're like, Youdon't care, how do you keep up
on the news?
I'm like, if it doesn't affectme in a positive way, I don't
care.
Like what I'm focused on is mypeople.
I'm focused on my family, I'mfocused on my faith, I'm focused
on my employees.
That's what I care about.
Well, I mean, why am I I Ithat's what I asked them.
(17:51):
I'm like, so when you watch Foxor CNN or you, whatever news
channel you're watching, like,have you ever came away from
that feeling good?
Like, ever one time been like,wow, these Republicans are
amazing.
These Democrats are just so all.
I mean, have you ever?
(18:11):
Nobody's ever came away fromthat.
You come off ticked off, right?
So why?
You know, I have uh, you know,people say, Oh, did you see what
such and such posted onFacebook?
No, I don't care.
Like, if you're if that's whoyou like, if somebody, if I'm
friends with somebody or I'mfollowing somebody, and all of a
(18:31):
sudden I find my blood pressurerising because of something they
say or they post, I'munfollowing them.
Like I don't have time for that.
Like we have a goal to help theone person, right?
We know that it's more thanthat.
Now we're now we're uh we'reputting our our money where our
(18:55):
mouth is, bringing you on toreally push this vision forward.
So, what I want to talk aboutalso with this is some of the
things, and we we can talk aboutyou know, some of the things
we've already discussedinternally about what we want to
do.
Let's talk about some of thosethings.
(19:15):
Give give some examples.
SPEAKER_02 (19:18):
Uh monthly, monthly walks.
I do uh, you know, Arbor Reedem.
Anyone's welcome, it's free.
Come out and walk with us.
SPEAKER_05 (19:28):
Yeah.
Well, and we'll start posting.
I mean, that's right.
Yeah, we're calling themgratitude walks.
Right.
And what I envision is is Ienvision, you know, there's
people that listen, or maybe youlisten and you have a family
member or a friend who keepstalking about, you know, I need
to get my life back on track,whether that's uh physically,
whether that's emotionally,mentally, whatever it is.
(19:49):
Hey, here's your opportunity tocome.
We'll probably do it once amonth.
Come for a walk with us throughthe arboretum.
It's not going to be anythingwhere it's going to be super
strenuous.
If you want To wear a rucksackyou can, and we're just gonna
walk and talk, and we're gonnatalk about positive things.
We're gonna be where it's agratitude walk.
So I want to show people what agratitude walk looks like.
(20:10):
Then from that, if they want todo it on their own, great,
that's what we want.
We want to continue to buildthat community so people can
help other people.
We've talked about doing sometraining missions.
Not a lot of details on that,but or what that might look
like, but something to getpeople, you know, not like a 5K,
(20:33):
something a little morestrenuous than that, where you
would actually have tophysically train for something.
And I see it on more of a teambasis, you know, like, hey, this
is a this is a three-man orthree-woman or a co-ed division.
We're gonna go out and and trainfor this event, and that's what
we're gonna do.
Again, not a not a ton ofdetails on this stuff, but I
just kind of want to let peopleinto the things that were that
(20:55):
are on our mind that we'relooking forward to doing in
2026.
You know, one of the otherthings we've talked about is is
doing a Bible study or a men'sgroup.
And the men's group thing, I Ithink is is probably gonna
happen sooner than later inpartnering with our local YMCA.
And um, you know, so we'll havesome details to come on what
(21:17):
that looks like.
And, you know, if we can get awomen's group, obviously there's
not what any women sitting here,but I know that the Y has some
ideas and having a men's groupand a women's group.
And um, you know, just one ofthose things where just like
what we're doing here now, justsitting around having a
conversation, talking aboutmaybe some of the difficulties
(21:39):
people are facing and how youknow we can help each other get
through it.
Sometimes that's just throughconversation, it's through
listening.
Um, you know, just just tryingagain, just to help people
little by little.
So those are some of the thingsthat we're we're looking to do
moving into 2026 that um youknow, that that Sean that you'll
(22:01):
be working on.
And um, I'm excited about itbecause these have all been
things in my head, but it'slike, how in the world are we
gonna move forward with this?
But God provided Sean.
What do you think, Ben?
What's your what's your visionhere?
SPEAKER_01 (22:17):
Oh, I think some of the things that we've been doing
too, like you guys talking withthe hope squad at Shawnee,
figuring out a way to get intoschool and give the kids hope,
let people know that we believein them, my kids believe in
them, even if they don't havethat background of somebody at
home that can reinforce that,you know, uh training people to
be that person, getting morepeople involved with the school
(22:40):
and being that person to walkbeside a kid and and mentor, you
know.
SPEAKER_05 (22:44):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (22:45):
I spoke in Eaton the other day, and there's a lot of
kids that it sounds like inthere that need mentoring just
in you know one school.
You open it up to all thesedifferent schools, how many
different kids need mentors thatdon't have them at home for
those reinforcements?
Like, hey, it don't matterwhat's going on at home.
Like, you can do it, you putyour mind to it, you can do
anything.
SPEAKER_05 (23:02):
Yeah, not putting labels on kids.
SPEAKER_01 (23:04):
Yep, that's a big one.
SPEAKER_05 (23:05):
Which we've talked about before.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Getting involved in our youth,getting involved in in men's
groups.
I mean, all these things are arewhat we're gonna do.
I mean, they're they're gonnahappen.
And so we will will continue toshare those ideas, um, you know,
of what's to come.
So it's it's an exciting, it'san exciting time.
(23:27):
It's a scary time for me, alittle bit.
Um, you know, it's a big, it's abig step um business-wise, but
that's okay.
You know, God has provided, anduh, I'm grateful for, you know,
all the support that we've hadwith, you know, like through
Patreon, you know, all oursubscribers on Patreon who are
(23:47):
out there who, you know, havebought into the mission and who
love to to see the posts that wedo every day in that community.
I mean, it's it's pretty amazinghow that's kind of taken off and
grown.
And it's and it's exciting.
It shows us, gives usconfirmation, I think that you
know, we need sometimes, right?
Because you can get lost in thesauce, uh, the daily grind.
(24:08):
So let's talk about some stats.
Where's that paper that weprinted?
SPEAKER_01 (24:17):
Memorized stats.
SPEAKER_05 (24:19):
No, I I I don't, you know, we don't we talked
yesterday, and you know, thekids always talk about, well,
how many subscribers do youhave?
How many views do you have?
You know, because that's whatthe kids look at.
This is uh an influencer orwhatever.
That's not what we're doing, butit is interesting because I
(24:40):
don't really look at that stuff.
You've been doing the numbersfor the last year, you know,
just just out of the goodness ofyour heart by tracking
everything.
So talk a little bit about thestats of Be Tempered, because
from starting in our basement onan iPhone, cartoons.
That was episode one.
Everybody has to go back andwatch episode one.
(25:01):
Please don't.
Please do.
Remember, you all had to learnhow to walk when you were a
child.
SPEAKER_02 (25:08):
Why here we go.
Flip the script here.
Why did you videotape it likethat?
You told me the answer, but Ithink people should know.
SPEAKER_05 (25:17):
Because I didn't want anybody to see me.
I was afraid, you know.
Why are you bringing this up?
Because it's important.
No, I was completely when Ithought of a podcast in the very
beginning.
I thought it was just going tobe a conversation.
We were just going to have aconversation.
It was going to be an audio.
(25:38):
And the more we looked into it,it was audio and video.
And I'm like, you know what?
I don't want people to knowwe're in the basement of my home
recordings.
So I'm going to turn this filterinto a cartoon.
So please do not go back andlisten to.
SPEAKER_02 (25:53):
Go back.
Hey, just to let you know, I cantrack how many people go back
and watch episode one.
So let's let's go back and watchepisode one.
SPEAKER_01 (26:01):
Yeah.
On the ping pong table.
SPEAKER_02 (26:04):
So where were we?
Stats.
Oh, okay.
Uh, which which kid always makesfun of you because you don't
have very many views?
SPEAKER_01 (26:14):
Definitely not Nate.
He's the most supportive.
SPEAKER_02 (26:15):
Who was it?
Ryan.
Oh, yeah, all of them.
Hey, Ryan.
Last year we hit a millionviews, buddy.
Million views.
SPEAKER_05 (26:22):
That's hard to believe.
SPEAKER_02 (26:23):
When you add up all the platforms um together, uh
Facebook was the the largest,over 350,000 views.
Uh TikTok's, I think it's gonnabe the the biggest growth.
It's we we didn't even we onlydone it four months, five
months, or however long you'vebeen doing it.
(26:45):
Um, but yeah, well over amillion views.
And um the increase from monthover month in the views has been
pretty tremendous.
Um, one one stat that kind ofstuck stuck out to me, and I
kind of told you guys yesterday,but we had over 7,000 hours
watched on YouTube.
(27:07):
Think about that.
That's a lot of 7,000 hours.
SPEAKER_05 (27:10):
So that was just one person, yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (27:12):
Probably, probably Rose.
SPEAKER_01 (27:14):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_05 (27:16):
That is a lot.
And that's where I, you know, wetalked about it yesterday.
You know, whether you get athousand views on something or a
hundred views, it doesn'tmatter.
I I well how I don't care.
Like, I don't care.
The numbers don't really meananything to me.
What they mean is that there arepeople out there who somehow
(27:37):
find a connection through us,through our guests, whatever it
is.
And they take the time to watch,to listen, whatever it might be.
So, my my question is, and theonly reason I wanted to talk
about the stats a little bit wasbecause I want to know for those
people out there who who hadthat connection, who, who, from
(27:59):
for whatever guest it is,whatever story it is, whatever
week it is, you have thatconnection.
Can you share that with someoneelse so that they can have that
same connection?
And it's not, it's not for us.
It's it's to help people.
Like that is the whole, that isour vision, is to help people.
So if if it's impacted you inany way, shape, or form, you
(28:23):
know, share with someone elsethat you know.
Just share with one person.
That's all, that's all we'reasking, so that we can continue
to grow to help that one person.
And then we can have people cometo us like we do.
I mean, I had three phone callsthis morning of people that want
to share their story, that itwas amazing, powerful stories,
so that their story can helpthem and help other people.
(28:45):
That's the that's the wholepurpose of this whole thing.
So a million views is that's alot of people.
Right.
SPEAKER_02 (28:52):
And then yeah, Ryan.
I'll challenge our YouTubepeople though.
So of the 7,000 hours that waswatched, only 49% of them, or
51% of them are subscribers.
So 49% of the people who watcharen't subscribed.
(29:14):
Are not subscribers.
Just click that subscribebutton.
There you go.
That helps huge.
That's it.
That's my one plug.
See, this is stuff I hatethough.
I I do too.
I hate it too.
SPEAKER_01 (29:24):
But like I hate it, but then it's part of me is
like, man, like why, like, whynot?
You know what I mean?
Like, I think we had we had aconversation yesterday about
like how many you know, peopledo we have following on
Facebook, and where you say,like, it doesn't really matter.
It kind of does, because youknow, our goal for this is to
help one person.
Well, the more people that youhave follow, the better your
(29:44):
algorithm is, the more peoplesee it.
You know what I mean?
It's gonna help more than onemore person.
And that's the whole thing,right?
That's how you help more people.
So it is an uncomfortableconversation, but it's one that
I've thought too, because Ithink you said you have like
3,000 followers on Facebook orsomething like that, and I have
quite a bit, Dan has quite abit, you know.
And it's like so, especiallylike the local people, it's
(30:05):
like, what like what's yourholdup to just hit the the
follow button or the likebutton?
Like, you know what I mean?
Like just hit the follow button.
Like, that's kind of one thingfor me.
It's like, well, you supportlocal businesses, right?
Well, this is this is a localbusiness that kinda is a
business, but really we're hereto help people.
Like that's legitimately whatwe're we're here to do.
And how many people need help inthis world?
(30:26):
You know, how can we make ourcommunity stronger?
Well, you can start by doing onelittle thing hit a subscribe
button, hit a follow button,follow us on our platforms.
That's all it takes.
We're not asking you to pay adollar to us.
Legitimately just hit a followbutton.
SPEAKER_05 (30:41):
Yeah.
I still don't like talking aboutthat stuff.
Yeah, I don't either, but it's Iget it.
It's it's necessary.
SPEAKER_01 (30:47):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_05 (30:47):
Okay.
So Christmas.
You know, this this episodedrops the Friday before
Christmas.
And we talked about Christmasand what it means to us.
So then starting with you, whatwhat does what does the
Christmas season mean to you?
SPEAKER_01 (31:06):
So I talked to you about this this morning that I
was thinking about on the wayover.
And I don't know what it wasthat really made me.
I think this year Christmascrept up on me, like really
crept up on me.
Like all of a sudden, I think itwas today.
I was like, What what day isChristmas?
This is the last one before, youknow, that we get to put out
before Christmas.
And so on the way over thismorning, I was thinking about
it.
And and you know, the usualquestion that everybody asks is
(31:28):
like, what was the mostmemorable gift that you got like
when you were a kid?
And I go back and I think aboutit.
I really, I mean, I remembersome gifts that I got from my
parents and stuff or from Santa.
And uh you just wink.
SPEAKER_02 (31:42):
Can we get that on camera?
SPEAKER_01 (31:44):
Can we get that, Kevin?
It's like if you were Santa orsomething.
SPEAKER_05 (31:46):
You're not supposed to say anything when he winks.
There's a reason.
SPEAKER_01 (31:50):
We got all we gotta work on his onto things.
He was winking at Santa's elf.
Right.
But no, and I I was justthinking, like, um, you know,
one of my we had tradition ofgoing to my grandparents every
Christmas Eve, we go to my mydad's mom's, and then we go to
my my mom and you know, my mom'smom and dad.
And like those were literallythe memories that I remember.
And so I think when people getstressed out this time of year
(32:12):
about like what you know giftstheir kids are gonna get and all
that stuff, like just rememberthose memories of just the
family being together becauseyou don't you don't know how
many more you got with thosefamily members, you know.
And I'm sure everybody'sthinking about a family member
they don't have right now thatuh they wish they had during
this Christmas season.
But I don't know.
But for me and my family, Imean, we always emphasize, you
know, the reason why you getgifts, the reason why we give
(32:34):
gifts is because uh obviouslythe ultimate gift that we got,
you know, Jesus born and hisbirth and what he did later on
in life for us, like that's theultimate gift.
And so I feel like re-enterizingor re- you know, telling that
every year is is important, youknow.
SPEAKER_05 (32:50):
Yeah, that's great.
How about you, Sean?
What's Christmas mean to you?
SPEAKER_02 (32:54):
I mean, you know, lot last two years, what Ben
just said has become way moreimportant to me.
Um favorite gift, it's gonnasound crazy, but when the
Nintendo first came out, we gotDuck Hunt and Super Mario
Brothers.
Like I remember that.
There was four of us.
(33:14):
So me and my brother, and thenmy two stepbrothers, I remember
getting a Nintendo and justplaying that.
And now if you go and watch akid play a game, like they're
just they're like this, they'rejust locked in, even adults.
Back then, if you wanted Marioto jump, you went like that.
Like if you watch all the oldvideos, here comes the Nintendo
(33:37):
with it, right?
Because it's it's a wired raw.
So I I I don't know why that isjust seared into my mind, like
my mom and my stepmom and myfour three brothers and me just
sitting around just laughing ateach other because the Mario
music.
Can you just play the Mariomusic right now?
Um, like that was just a greatmemory.
(33:59):
And uh I just remember that.
And then of course there was itwas only a one-player game, and
you sh you know they only hadone gun.
Right.
And so the the fighting andbickering on who was gonna play
next.
Yeah, I just remember that.
And um really well, I mean,there's nothing more satisfying
(34:21):
than just watching your kids behappy.
That's it, that's what it'sabout.
And that it's just amazing, andI love it.
SPEAKER_01 (34:33):
Yeah.
And I feel I, you know, Dan, youguys get together with your
family just about every Sunday,you know.
And man, like that's an ultimategoal for me.
And I think that's why Christmasmeans so much to me.
Like with my grandma andgrandpa, like it was Christmas,
especially my my dad's mom.
Um, we would get together everyChristmas, every 4th of July.
Like, those are the two timesyou get to see grandma, you
(34:53):
know.
And she lives in WestCarrollton, but it's like, you
know, we didn't have the everySunday thing.
So I think that's why maybe thistime of year, just you know, I
mean, those ones are when youhop when you pour your loved
ones close, you know, or we gotfamily now that moved from
Columbus to to whatMassachusetts.
So they come in and just seeinglike, you know, the cousins
playing together and just reallytaking it in.
(35:15):
Cause you only you know, youonly got so many Christmases
where everybody's together,right?
You know, we say it's the mostimportant thing is family, and
then you know, well, lifehappens and we go fast forward,
and then next thing you know,it's Christmas again.
You're like, uh, you know,family's most important.
We're gonna start gettingtogether more, and then you fast
forward again, and yeah, youknow, there it is.
(35:39):
Yeah, get the duck hunt up withduck hunt right there.
I can see the orange.
Oh, you missed it.
Nice, yeah.
Get the orange gun up faster.
SPEAKER_02 (35:46):
Isn't that crazy how some things are just like you
knew exactly that was seared inthere?
I hate a big duck.
The clay pigeons coming acrosstoo much.
If Kevin's really good at hisjob, he'll man, that sounded
like an A D at the end.
He'll flash the ride.
SPEAKER_05 (36:06):
Duck hunt.
Yeah.
That'd be awesome.
SPEAKER_01 (36:09):
Challenge accepted.
SPEAKER_05 (36:10):
You know, for me, you're right.
It's the it's family.
And what I remember when I whenI think back to my childhood
memories and Christmas, um, Idon't remember any specific
gifts, but I I always rememberthere was, I don't know how many
years my grandparents would goto Florida.
They had a house in Florida, andwe would go and spend the pretty
(36:31):
much the entire Christmasbreakthrough New Year's at their
home.
And they had a pool uh in theirbackyard, and they had doors
going out to the pool.
And I remember they would wheelthe TV, which was a big, I mean,
the size of this table as far aslike it was a humongous box.
It wasn't anything flat,probably weighed 600 pounds.
And they would wheel it out andand they'd open the doors.
(36:54):
And my brother and my dad and I,we would swim in the pool and we
would watch football.
And that would, that that's mymemory from Christmas of being
in Florida and uh, you know,with my grandparents and my
grandma and and mom and dad.
And so, you know, those, thoseare that, that is what you
remember, and that's what'sseared into my mind.
And uh, but it's, you know, forme, you know, everybody talks
(37:18):
about how much how how importantit is, it's better to give than
to receive.
And, you know, we we've as afamily, and and I think we've
all probably done it, tried tohelp families in need during
this time, because there's a lotof people that are struggling
and you know, can't provide.
And um, you know, Christmas, youknow, in the commercial world
(37:38):
has become about how many giftsyou get, all those things.
And when you're able to actuallytruly give to a family in need,
that is the most fulfillingthing to me, is to to know that
there's a family out therethat's struggling, that cannot
provide for whatever reason.
And we're able to provide fortheir family and to see those
(38:00):
faces uh of the kids, you know,it's it's amazing.
That is, that is the mostamazing feeling, uh, you know,
watching people in hard timessmile, you know.
And so that's that that's whatthis the season is for me.
And I I go back to, you know,Allie Schaefer when we
interviewed her and she talksabout how the holidays for her
(38:22):
are difficult because she knowsof all those families who are
out there struggling.
And so, you know, she feels thatpain.
And uh, you know, I'm startingto feel that pain.
We were, you know, yesterday wewere at the school uh serving
what third, fourth, and fifthgraders for their holiday feast
and having having conversation,you know, had a conversation
(38:43):
with the principal, you know,about the kids and you know, the
need in the community and theneed in that school.
And, you know, he we weretalking about, you know, how
many kids do you think in thisschool are at the poverty level?
And he's he guesstimated almost60%.
And he said, you know what'scrazy is a lot of these kids in
(39:03):
here, this is the only truesit-down meal they'll have where
they can come and dress up andsomeone serves them.
You know, I I'm spoiled.
You know, my my kids arespoiled.
Um, that's not anything thatthey will ever have to face,
hopefully.
Um, but 60% of those kids do.
(39:27):
And so I I tried my darndest togo around when we were, we were
the milkmen, you know, we werepassing out chocolate or white
milk to all the kids, and youknow, the little girls in their
dresses, you know, all dolledup, you know, I'd tell them how
beautiful they looked.
And the the uh the young boys uhhad ties on and some of them had
suits on.
I mean, it was it was just apretty cool experience just to,
(39:47):
you know, say, hey, you guyslook great, you know.
Um, and understanding that, youknow, who knows what they go
home to.
It's that th those are thethings that keep me up at night.
That it's like, how, how can we?
As be tempered.
Help those kids, help thosefamilies.
Not not just to help them, youknow, to enable them, but to
(40:09):
help them to change their life,to break those chains, to um you
know, to be better.
You know, I think it'll help ourcommunity and help our world.
And that's ultimately what Iwant this to be.
SPEAKER_01 (40:24):
Right.
Shout out to Mr.
Matthews, too.
What do you say?
20, 20 some years they've beendoing that?
SPEAKER_05 (40:29):
22.
SPEAKER_01 (40:29):
22 years they've been doing that.
SPEAKER_05 (40:31):
He's a principal, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (40:32):
And every, you know, most of the kids that don't come
in with ties.
Yes, he provides ties so thatway everybody they have ties and
they look their best.
Make them tie them?
SPEAKER_05 (40:40):
Or is it a rotary rotary comes in and they'll they
teach them how to tie them,yeah.
So you had quite a few kids witht-shirts on but had ties on.
SPEAKER_01 (40:47):
It was pretty good.
Me neither.
SPEAKER_05 (40:49):
You can't?
SPEAKER_01 (40:50):
I can't.
SPEAKER_05 (40:51):
You can't you feel that judgment right there?
SPEAKER_01 (40:54):
No, we're gonna have no Kevin, you got it.
How do you show up for hisinterview?
SPEAKER_02 (40:58):
I tie it one time and I stays tied.
SPEAKER_01 (41:01):
I really did wear I really did wear a tie to my
interview with Dan.
My Uncle Jeff tied my tie.
The secret is to tie it and thennever shout out to the unchange.
SPEAKER_05 (41:10):
Shout out Uncle Jeff tied my tie.
You guys really don't know howto tie it.
And before the before I'm notjudging Sean, to be clear.
SPEAKER_01 (41:19):
Before coming to uh Catrins, my last day of wearing
a tie was probably well, a tiethat's actually tied was
probably high school basketball.
I had a SpongeBob tie I worebecause you had to wear a tie at
a Spongebob one I wore.
SPEAKER_05 (41:33):
I feel special that you were tied to the interview.
That's I I remember it.
SPEAKER_01 (41:38):
Yeah, this guy don't remember anything.
SPEAKER_02 (41:39):
I don't think I wore a tie to your interview.
Did we have an interview?
SPEAKER_01 (41:43):
The first two episodes you did.
There you go.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (41:48):
Oh my God.
One thing that you said, yousaid your kids are spoiled, man.
And I I just gotta say I I thinkparents like you and Kim are a
blessing.
Parents like you know, you andyour wife are blessings.
And not every kid has that.
And that's you know, I think mykids are spoiled too.
(42:09):
Like I know my daughter is,Haven.
Um, but I think they're allblessed.
And not saying that the otherparents aren't blessed or
anything, but we we're just veryfortunate, and that's why I feel
very blessed to be in theposition I am in.
SPEAKER_05 (42:26):
And and I know you feel the same.
Yeah.
Well, that was part of thatconversation with Mark yesterday
was you know, I I asked him, I'mlike, how how can we how can we
break the cycle?
What what can we do?
And and obviously that's there'sno simple answer, but he said,
uh what really struck me is whathe said, he said, what I'm
(42:49):
trying to do, you know, we haveteachers retiring every year or
moving different positions.
When we bring on a new teacher,what I tell them is, if you have
a student, and and this is atthe the third, fourth, and fifth
grade level, if you have astudent that mentions something
about they're gonna be in a playor they're gonna be doing a
recital at their church orthey're gonna they got a
(43:09):
football game coming up, if youcan just show up.
You don't have to say anything,you don't have to do anything,
just be present.
And he tries to make it to allthe things that he can for those
students if they specifically orhe hears them mention that,
because not everybody has thatparent or that guardian that
(43:31):
shows up to anything.
And I thought, man, that's avery simple thing to do.
But in our lives, we're so tiedup in so many different things
and we're so busy that you know,we make we may make it to all of
our kids' stuff, but how manyother kids out there don't have
mom and dad that show up orgrandma and grandpa that show up
(43:51):
to support them in whatever itis?
But there's principal Matthewsstanding there in the stands
watching, cheering them on.
SPEAKER_01 (43:59):
I'd been there on the sideline when he shows up,
you know, and I'll never forget.
Well, there's two times Iremember where Mr.
Matthews, first time he came,and that was it would have been
Jude's like fourth grade year, Ithink, at Tip City.
He went to Tip Canoe and watchedhim play.
And uh every single kid, theyjust went nuts.
They're like, Do you see Mr.
Matthew?
Like, Mr.
Matthews is over there.
And then Psy, uh their superboyat Monroe, uh, Miss Holland, it
(44:22):
was her first year teaching, andthat was his teacher.
And you know, I've never missedone of Cy Size games.
And he ran up to me.
And that this a kid that hisparents were always at all of
his games.
He's like, Miss Holland's here.
Like, did you see Miss Holland'sup in the state?
Like, she's here to watch us.
And it's like kids that knowthat that the teachers care,
like those are relationshipsthat those kids would do
anything for you.
(44:43):
You know what I mean?
And so imagine like a kid thathas the parents there to support
him, how they felt.
And then I'll imagine that kidthat doesn't have his parents
there, but all of a sudden histeacher shows up like some
remarkable, and that's goingabove and beyond and really
caring, you know.
SPEAKER_02 (44:58):
But that's what it takes.
And to flip the script, youknow, I was a kid that didn't
have any parents into stands.
And uh it does something to akid.
I see it every year in football.
I see it every year when I'mwatching a basketball game.
The kids are always looking intostands, even though they know
(45:18):
there's nobody there.
Like it's heartbreaking.
Um trust me, I was one of thosekids, man.
And I I think I mentioned this,like, I was always jealous of
you know, you, Justin, David,that had two parents that came
to games that supported um itdoes something to the kids that
(45:44):
don't have the people there tosupport them.
So I imagine you're you'reright, man.
If a principal says, you know,shows up to watch you, that's
amazing.
Right.
And I will shout out to NationalTrail.
I see the principals of allthose schools there all the
time.
At every almost every sportingevent I go to, I see them.
(46:05):
And uh they support they supporttheir kids there for sure.
SPEAKER_05 (46:09):
Yeah.
Something as simple as uhshowing up.
I think that's um you know, aneasy, easy thing to do, but a
lot of times I think a lot ofpeople overlook uh overlook it.
So yeah.
What else you got?
SPEAKER_01 (46:24):
I got nothing else.
I'm super excited about wherethis is going though.
Very pumped to have Sean.
Yeah.
Sky's the limit, I feel like.
SPEAKER_02 (46:33):
You know, I think a lot of things led up to this.
Um, you know, just my lastcareer that I was in started
from scratch.
That program that I ran was hadno employees, no, no vans, no
nothing.
I was hired to basically start atransportation program.
(46:57):
And you know, six years afterthat I got eight drivers, nine
vans, you know, a dispatcher,and and when I walked out, I
think it it's in a good spot.
You know, I I hired a girl who Ithought was gonna be who stepped
right into my position.
And that's I mean, that's that'skind of what you want to do.
(47:20):
Yeah.
Uh when I work for Finish Line,they and if you ever wanted to
be promoted, they always saidtrain your per train your
replacement.
And uh back to the point though,like not saying we're starting
at ground zero, but pretty muchare, yeah.
We're gonna mess around and seewhere it goes.
(47:40):
Yeah, that's that's is that whatthe kids say?
SPEAKER_01 (47:43):
Mess around and see where it goes.
No.
No.
SPEAKER_05 (47:48):
Maybe not.
All right.
Before we wrap up, I just wantto say thank you.
I want to thank you for yourtime to listen, to support this
mission, and to walk alongsideus in this journey.
Be Tempered exists because ofthis community, because of the
people who believe in doing hardthings, growing through
challenges, and showing up forothers.
So as we head into Christmas,our hope is that you carry this
(48:11):
message with you, that you slowdown, that you reflect, you stay
grateful, and you remember thatgrowth often comes through the
hard moments.
So, from myself, from Ben, fromSean, from Kevin on the other
side of the glass, thank you forsupporting us.
Thank you for being a part ofthis journey.
(48:32):
We'll see you next time.
Go out and be tempered.
SPEAKER_00 (48:37):
Hi, my name is Allie Schmidt.
This is my dad Dan.
He owns Catrin's Glass.
SPEAKER_04 (48:42):
Thanks, Allie.
Things like doors and windows gointo making a house.
But when it's your home, youexpect more, like the great
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Vinyl replacement windows fromCatrins come with a lifetime
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SPEAKER_00 (49:04):
Patrons, a clear choice.
SPEAKER_03 (49:06):
I want to share something that's become a big
part of the BeTempered mission: Patreon. (49:08):
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.
(49:29):
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
(49:53):
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
(50:13):
about connection.
It's about building somethingtogether.
Not just me and men 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
(50:36):
real stories, raw truth,resilient faith, so that even
one person out there that hearswhat they need to hear, and
Patreon helps make thatpossible.
Thanks, Allie.
Things like doors and windows gointo making a house, but when
it's your home, you expect more,like the great service and
selection you'll get fromCatrance Glass.
Final replacement windows fromCatrance come with a lifetime
warranty, including accidentalglass breakage replacement.
Also ask for custom shower doorsand many other products and
services.
SPEAKER_03 (00:29):
I want to share something that's become a big
part of the BTEMPERD mission: Patreon. (00:31):
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.
(00:52):
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
(01:16):
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
(01:36):
about connection.
It's about building somethingtogether.
Not just me and men 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.
(01:59):
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_05 (02:09):
Welcome to the Be Tempered Podcast, where we
explore the art of findingbalance in a chaotic world.
SPEAKER_01 (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_05 (02:22):
We're your host, Dan Schmidt, and Ben Sparr.
Let's embark on a journey tolive our best lives.
SPEAKER_01 (02:28):
This is Be Tempered.
SPEAKER_05 (02:30):
What's up, everybody?
Welcome to the Bee TemperedPodcast, episode number 84, sir.
SPEAKER_01 (02:37):
So serious.
Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_05 (02:39):
Hey, as you're listening to this, we're heading
into the final days beforeChristmas, a season that
naturally causes us to slowdown, to reflect, and focus on
what truly matters.
It's a time centered on faith,family, gratitude, and
remembering why we do the thingswe do.
Today's episode is a meaningfulone for us.
While it's not our final episodeof the year, it's our final
(03:01):
episode before Christmas.
And we wanted to use thisconversation to pause and
reflect on 2025 so far, on thegrowth, the lessons learned, the
challenges faced, and themoments that have shaped Be
Tempered along the way.
I'm joined today by Ben.
Hello, Dan.
And by Sean Rubush.
(03:22):
Hola.
He don't even know Spanish.
I don't.
Two guys who have playedimportant roles in this mission.
Ben has been in the trenches,especially with the work we've
been doing in the schools andwith young people stepping
outside his comfort zone toserve and lead.
And today we're also officiallyintroducing Mr.
(03:42):
Sean Rubush to the B Temperedteam.
Sean is stepping into a rolewhere he'll be helping guide our
marketing, our vision, ourstorytelling as our mission
continues to grow.
This conversation isn't justabout looking back or talking
strategy.
It's about purpose.
It's about why Be Temperedexists, where we believe God is
(04:03):
leading us, and how we staygrounded in gratitude as we move
forward.
And because this episode isairing just before Christmas, we
all also want to spend some timetalking about what the season
truly means to us.
Not just the celebrations or thetraditions, but the hope,
humility, and love that cameinto this world through Christ.
So wherever you're listeningfrom, our hope is that the
(04:25):
conversation encourages you toslow down, reflect, and head
into Christmas with a gratefulheart and a clear sense of
purpose.
What's up, Ben?
SPEAKER_01 (04:37):
Hello, Dan.
SPEAKER_05 (04:39):
So we want to talk about 2025.
You know, the year for us withthis podcast, with all the
different things we've beeninvolved in through the schools,
through churches, through um,you know, different speaking
engagements.
I mean, it's I thought last yearwas a year of like in my mind,
(05:02):
like, holy cow, what's going on.
But this year has far exceededthat.
And uh I'm excited about wherewe're going because now we've
we've officially taken that stepto to bring someone onto the
team that can help uh take alittle bit of the load off of
you know all the things we havegoing on and try to help to
(05:23):
organize our thoughts, ourvisions, where we're going, what
we're doing, um, and and and tokeep pushing forward.
But for me, it's been uh it'sbeen an amazing year.
I'm truly grateful for it, butit's been a little bit of a
whirlwind.
SPEAKER_01 (05:37):
Yeah.
I feel like there's you know,Christmas time and holiday
season, it seems like we cantake a breath and kind of
reflect.
That's what we do in the newyear, right?
But I tell you, I feel like thisyear's been kind of clarity
though, as well.
You know, I feel like when wefirst started the podcast, we
knew I felt like when we firststarted, actually, it was mainly
(05:58):
because our transformations likebody, fitness, um, also mental,
like where we view kids andtheir mindsets, and then I don't
know, it seems like as thisthing evolves, I feel like it's
more and more starting to get infaith based just because that's
who we are as men.
And um, and we know when you'revulnerable, that's when Christ
is strongest.
And I feel like that's the wayit's starting to lead.
(06:19):
And I feel like the more we leaninto that, I feel like the more
the podcast starts to grow.
And uh it's exciting.
SPEAKER_05 (06:25):
It is exciting, and and and you uh it's it's right.
It's amazing how it has morphedfrom that, that, that beginning
where, you know, quite honestly,we were trying to build a brand,
um, you know, trying to justprovide a positive influence on
people who might listen, butnever really having that
ultimate goal or vision to wherewe're at now, where we're at
(06:48):
today, and and to to feel thatfulfillment of having people
share their stories and what itdoes for them and what it does
for other people.
And so that's where the growthhas really um, I'm not gonna say
overwhelmed.
I don't like the the wordoverwhelmed, but it has just
been very powerful for me andshown me that, you know, again,
(07:11):
everybody has a story.
And if they're willing to shareit, it's amazing what comes from
them sharing their story, thebenefits they get hearing from
other people, and then thegrowth that other people have by
hearing that story because theycan relate.
And so that's what we're gonnacontinue to do and uh continue
(07:31):
to provide those stories topeople that inspire, that uh
people can relate to, that helppeople in their daily struggles.
And uh it's it's exciting time.
And through all of that, we'vewe're gonna be adding some
things into the Be Temperedmission.
And that's where Sean has comein.
And so I think most of ourregular listeners know Sean's
(07:55):
story.
Uh, episode 24 was where youshared a majority of it.
Then we came back in withepisode 42.
SPEAKER_02 (08:03):
Matt Roberts is gonna be upset.
That's this episode.
Oh, that's Matt's?
I was 41.
SPEAKER_01 (08:08):
We just wanted to name drop Matt.
We knew that.
It was totally playing.
Dr.
Matt Roberts.
Dr.
Matt Roberts.
SPEAKER_02 (08:13):
That's right.
41.
And then he was sad.
SPEAKER_05 (08:18):
We did the live episode, 52.
SPEAKER_02 (08:21):
You were on that.
Yeah, and then the book.
Uh, I think I was 71.
SPEAKER_05 (08:25):
Yeah.
So here you are.
Let's let's talk about your yourtransformation from episode 24
to now being a part of the BeTempered team, where this is
your job.
Talk about what the last yearand a half has been like for you
(08:46):
and and how we've got to thispoint.
SPEAKER_02 (08:48):
Man, how long do we have?
As long as you need.
No.
Um, so you said job.
Um, I don't consider this a job.
This is the one of the first,like, this is not a job.
This is a passion.
Um, and that's what I based thedecision on.
But um, just starting the wholejourney, 20, you know, how from
(09:10):
episode 24.
Um with what you just said, Imean, it's very impactful
getting it off your getting thewhole story off your, you know,
off your shoulders.
Um, obeying, I think that thethe biggest thing that I've has
started that I have started todo is just oh obey what I think
(09:32):
God has in plan in store for me.
Um and that's not always easy.
It's not always comfortable.
Um but I think um I I think uhthe progression from where I was
24 months ago to now is my themain difference is I think my
(09:53):
faith has grown tremendously.
Um attending reg attending uhcommunity of faith in Richmond
is amazing, and I've done thatfor a solid straight year now.
Past year's great, um veryknowledgeable.
Um so I think that's the biggesttransition.
And then again, I said this onthe other one.
(10:15):
Um so many more people are justwilling to talk to me about hard
things.
Yeah.
Um, so I think that's a hugeimpact, not only on myself, but
on others.
Um so the mess it's really weirdscrolling through Facebook and
not knowing a person, but theythey're they're posting about my
(10:37):
book.
That's kind of the weirdestthing I've kind of had to go
through.
Um, which is a good thing.
Right.
Um but I mean I mean, it's allbeen truly blessed, truly a
blessing.
And uh I'm so grateful for youknow, God putting the podcast on
you on you.
(10:58):
Um we talk about that all thetime, and his plan is way bigger
than we could have everimagined.
SPEAKER_05 (11:04):
Yeah, and you you know, you talk about being
obedient and how difficult thatis.
Excuse me, that's you know, I Ifeel the same way.
I, you know, I hear things, um,whether it's God's voice or
whether it's just my mindworking, you know, we just
recently purchased anotherbuilding, you know, for growth
(11:26):
of of our uh Catron's glassbusiness, but also to provide um
some space for Be Tempered.
And uh it's been it's been aunique journey.
I mean, even the just the lastsix months, you know, I've I'm
fortunate enough to have uh anadvisory group that I lean on
(11:47):
and bounce things off.
And and one of the things thatwe discussed probably six months
ago was they made the comment,like, Dan, you're gonna burn
out.
Like you're you're doing so manydifferent things.
You got so many irons in thefire.
And and I felt it, you know,they had posed the question, how
much time are you spending onthe podcast?
(12:09):
And I couldn't answer that.
I don't know.
I don't, I don't clock in andclock out with that stuff.
I mean, I'm just I just I justdo.
And I I recognize that.
So that's where the conversationstarted with, hey, why don't you
work on finding somebody tohelp?
And so my mind instantly shiftedto, you know, let's find a
part-time person that can comein and maybe work on, you know,
(12:34):
these things and this thing, andthen I can I can focus more on
on the podcast or whatever it isthat that um, you know, we'll
get into a little bit of thevision that we have for this.
And I kept thinking I neededsomeone who had more of a IT
background that could do a lotof the things that I was doing
(12:57):
with the shorts and the reelsand all those things that we put
out on social media.
And um, you know, one of themembers of the advisor group's
like, I don't think you'rethinking right.
Like, okay, what do you think?
And they're like, I think youneed to find someone who
believes in the mission and whohas the passion to carry forward
(13:18):
your vision for the Be Temperedpodcast and for the movement.
And so your name came up, Seancame up, and uh I was like, man,
I don't know.
You know, Sean's a friend, anduh, I've learned in 20 years of
business hiring friends isthat's a big no-no.
(13:38):
Um, it's fine when things aregood, but when things get
difficult, it can be verychallenging.
And uh, so uh, you know, I washesitant on it, but it he was
right.
He was right, you know, as faras the passion and the vision
goes, you know, you know, Benand I have have that.
I mean, this is our passion andour vision and our goals to to
help people and and to do this.
(13:59):
And it was very obvious that youwere right there with us.
And so the more I slept on itand the more I thought about it,
and then we started havingconversations, and it just
became clear.
Uh, I felt that God was saying,like, what are you waiting on?
Like he he hadn't spoken for 40some years of his life.
(14:20):
He tells his story, and now he'son fire.
Life completely changes.
And uh, so that's kind of whatled us to having the
conversation.
And and actually what's crazy iswe had the conversation at the
Arboretum one day when we justrandomly ran into each other.
You were walking your dogs, andI was heading back, you know,
from my from my ruck back to thetruck to go home, and and we
(14:43):
talked about it.
And that was like pretty recentafter your first episode.
Right.
And uh, you know, it's justamazing.
I I if you could go into mymind, I think I planted a seed
that day.
You you did plant the seed andhold a day in you did, and but
it was it was one of those whereI was like, all right, Sean,
(15:04):
like he'll he'll calm down, youknow, and uh and boy, the the
opposite happened, you know.
Then you write the book andyou're on fire and you get
baptized, and and then here weare, you know, and it's just
amazing how in 12 months fromlast year at this time to this
year, like the the change isunbelievable.
(15:27):
And uh it's hard to even putinto words like the feeling that
I have um for this this whole betempered mission.
And so, I mean, that's mayberambling a little bit, but I
just kind of wanted to let thelisteners in on my thoughts and
how we progressed to where we'reat today.
So I don't know what you guyshave to add to that, but that's
(15:49):
my story.
SPEAKER_02 (15:50):
I think what was kind of big for me was we never
really talked about our vision,but I kind of put it on paper
and handed it to you, and you'relike checked, checked like you
had the same things in your headwithout uh without us even ever
talking about it.
Yeah.
Um so I think that was a hugepart of it.
(16:12):
Um, at least it was for me.
Um, so the same vision, the samepassion.
Yeah.
So what is that vision?
Helping leading people to faith.
Why everybody talks about leftand right and what side you're
(16:33):
on, people overlook the biggestpart.
It's good versus evil.
Which side are you on?
That's it.
Right versus wrong.
It's not left versus right.
It never will be.
It's just a distraction.
It's good versus evil.
(16:53):
That's the way I feel, and um ittook me a long time to get
there.
Like I don't even I don't evenworry about politics anymore.
There's only one person that'sgonna be able to say that.
SPEAKER_05 (17:09):
Yeah.
Yeah.
You're right.
I'm the same way.
I mean, I don't I don't knowvery little about what's going
on in the world of politicsbecause I had a conversation
with uh with my wife's aunt uhover the holiday season, and
they were talking aboutdifferent news outlets and this
going on and that going on.
(17:30):
And I'm like, I don't even knowwhat you're talking about.
Like, and they're like, Youdon't care, how do you keep up
on the news?
I'm like, if it doesn't affectme in a positive way, I don't
care.
Like what I'm focused on is mypeople.
I'm focused on my family, I'mfocused on my faith, I'm focused
on my employees.
That's what I care about.
Well, I mean, why am I I Ithat's what I asked them.
(17:51):
I'm like, so when you watch Foxor CNN or you, whatever news
channel you're watching, like,have you ever came away from
that feeling good?
Like, ever one time been like,wow, these Republicans are
amazing.
These Democrats are just so all.
I mean, have you ever?
(18:11):
Nobody's ever came away fromthat.
You come off ticked off, right?
So why?
You know, I have uh, you know,people say, Oh, did you see what
such and such posted onFacebook?
No, I don't care.
Like, if you're if that's whoyou like, if somebody, if I'm
friends with somebody or I'mfollowing somebody, and all of a
(18:31):
sudden I find my blood pressurerising because of something they
say or they post, I'munfollowing them.
Like I don't have time for that.
Like we have a goal to help theone person, right?
We know that it's more thanthat.
Now we're now we're uh we'reputting our our money where our
(18:55):
mouth is, bringing you on toreally push this vision forward.
So, what I want to talk aboutalso with this is some of the
things, and we we can talk aboutyou know, some of the things
we've already discussedinternally about what we want to
do.
Let's talk about some of thosethings.
(19:15):
Give give some examples.
SPEAKER_02 (19:18):
Uh monthly, monthly walks.
I do uh, you know, Arbor Reedem.
Anyone's welcome, it's free.
Come out and walk with us.
SPEAKER_05 (19:28):
Yeah.
Well, and we'll start posting.
I mean, that's right.
Yeah, we're calling themgratitude walks.
Right.
And what I envision is is Ienvision, you know, there's
people that listen, or maybe youlisten and you have a family
member or a friend who keepstalking about, you know, I need
to get my life back on track,whether that's uh physically,
whether that's emotionally,mentally, whatever it is.
(19:49):
Hey, here's your opportunity tocome.
We'll probably do it once amonth.
Come for a walk with us throughthe arboretum.
It's not going to be anythingwhere it's going to be super
strenuous.
If you want To wear a rucksackyou can, and we're just gonna
walk and talk, and we're gonnatalk about positive things.
We're gonna be where it's agratitude walk.
So I want to show people what agratitude walk looks like.
(20:10):
Then from that, if they want todo it on their own, great,
that's what we want.
We want to continue to buildthat community so people can
help other people.
We've talked about doing sometraining missions.
Not a lot of details on that,but or what that might look
like, but something to getpeople, you know, not like a 5K,
(20:33):
something a little morestrenuous than that, where you
would actually have tophysically train for something.
And I see it on more of a teambasis, you know, like, hey, this
is a this is a three-man orthree-woman or a co-ed division.
We're gonna go out and and trainfor this event, and that's what
we're gonna do.
Again, not a not a ton ofdetails on this stuff, but I
just kind of want to let peopleinto the things that were that
(20:55):
are on our mind that we'relooking forward to doing in
2026.
You know, one of the otherthings we've talked about is is
doing a Bible study or a men'sgroup.
And the men's group thing, I Ithink is is probably gonna
happen sooner than later inpartnering with our local YMCA.
And um, you know, so we'll havesome details to come on what
(21:17):
that looks like.
And, you know, if we can get awomen's group, obviously there's
not what any women sitting here,but I know that the Y has some
ideas and having a men's groupand a women's group.
And um, you know, just one ofthose things where just like
what we're doing here now, justsitting around having a
conversation, talking aboutmaybe some of the difficulties
(21:39):
people are facing and how youknow we can help each other get
through it.
Sometimes that's just throughconversation, it's through
listening.
Um, you know, just just tryingagain, just to help people
little by little.
So those are some of the thingsthat we're we're looking to do
moving into 2026 that um youknow, that that Sean that you'll
(22:01):
be working on.
And um, I'm excited about itbecause these have all been
things in my head, but it'slike, how in the world are we
gonna move forward with this?
But God provided Sean.
What do you think, Ben?
What's your what's your visionhere?
SPEAKER_01 (22:17):
Oh, I think some of the things that we've been doing
too, like you guys talking withthe hope squad at Shawnee,
figuring out a way to get intoschool and give the kids hope,
let people know that we believein them, my kids believe in
them, even if they don't havethat background of somebody at
home that can reinforce that,you know, uh training people to
be that person, getting morepeople involved with the school
(22:40):
and being that person to walkbeside a kid and and mentor, you
know.
SPEAKER_05 (22:44):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (22:45):
I spoke in Eaton the other day, and there's a lot of
kids that it sounds like inthere that need mentoring just
in you know one school.
You open it up to all thesedifferent schools, how many
different kids need mentors thatdon't have them at home for
those reinforcements?
Like, hey, it don't matterwhat's going on at home.
Like, you can do it, you putyour mind to it, you can do
anything.
SPEAKER_05 (23:02):
Yeah, not putting labels on kids.
SPEAKER_01 (23:04):
Yep, that's a big one.
SPEAKER_05 (23:05):
Which we've talked about before.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Getting involved in our youth,getting involved in in men's
groups.
I mean, all these things are arewhat we're gonna do.
I mean, they're they're gonnahappen.
And so we will will continue toshare those ideas, um, you know,
of what's to come.
So it's it's an exciting, it'san exciting time.
(23:27):
It's a scary time for me, alittle bit.
Um, you know, it's a big, it's abig step um business-wise, but
that's okay.
You know, God has provided, anduh, I'm grateful for, you know,
all the support that we've hadwith, you know, like through
Patreon, you know, all oursubscribers on Patreon who are
(23:47):
out there who, you know, havebought into the mission and who
love to to see the posts that wedo every day in that community.
I mean, it's it's pretty amazinghow that's kind of taken off and
grown.
And it's and it's exciting.
It shows us, gives usconfirmation, I think that you
know, we need sometimes, right?
Because you can get lost in thesauce, uh, the daily grind.
(24:08):
So let's talk about some stats.
Where's that paper that weprinted?
SPEAKER_01 (24:17):
Memorized stats.
SPEAKER_05 (24:19):
No, I I I don't, you know, we don't we talked
yesterday, and you know, thekids always talk about, well,
how many subscribers do youhave?
How many views do you have?
You know, because that's whatthe kids look at.
This is uh an influencer orwhatever.
That's not what we're doing, butit is interesting because I
(24:40):
don't really look at that stuff.
You've been doing the numbersfor the last year, you know,
just just out of the goodness ofyour heart by tracking
everything.
So talk a little bit about thestats of Be Tempered, because
from starting in our basement onan iPhone, cartoons.
That was episode one.
Everybody has to go back andwatch episode one.
(25:01):
Please don't.
Please do.
Remember, you all had to learnhow to walk when you were a
child.
SPEAKER_02 (25:08):
Why here we go.
Flip the script here.
Why did you videotape it likethat?
You told me the answer, but Ithink people should know.
SPEAKER_05 (25:17):
Because I didn't want anybody to see me.
I was afraid, you know.
Why are you bringing this up?
Because it's important.
No, I was completely when Ithought of a podcast in the very
beginning.
I thought it was just going tobe a conversation.
We were just going to have aconversation.
It was going to be an audio.
(25:38):
And the more we looked into it,it was audio and video.
And I'm like, you know what?
I don't want people to knowwe're in the basement of my home
recordings.
So I'm going to turn this filterinto a cartoon.
So please do not go back andlisten to.
SPEAKER_02 (25:53):
Go back.
Hey, just to let you know, I cantrack how many people go back
and watch episode one.
So let's let's go back and watchepisode one.
SPEAKER_01 (26:01):
Yeah.
On the ping pong table.
SPEAKER_02 (26:04):
So where were we?
Stats.
Oh, okay.
Uh, which which kid always makesfun of you because you don't
have very many views?
SPEAKER_01 (26:14):
Definitely not Nate.
He's the most supportive.
SPEAKER_02 (26:15):
Who was it?
Ryan.
Oh, yeah, all of them.
Hey, Ryan.
Last year we hit a millionviews, buddy.
Million views.
SPEAKER_05 (26:22):
That's hard to believe.
SPEAKER_02 (26:23):
When you add up all the platforms um together, uh
Facebook was the the largest,over 350,000 views.
Uh TikTok's, I think it's gonnabe the the biggest growth.
It's we we didn't even we onlydone it four months, five
months, or however long you'vebeen doing it.
(26:45):
Um, but yeah, well over amillion views.
And um the increase from monthover month in the views has been
pretty tremendous.
Um, one one stat that kind ofstuck stuck out to me, and I
kind of told you guys yesterday,but we had over 7,000 hours
watched on YouTube.
(27:07):
Think about that.
That's a lot of 7,000 hours.
SPEAKER_05 (27:10):
So that was just one person, yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (27:12):
Probably, probably Rose.
SPEAKER_01 (27:14):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_05 (27:16):
That is a lot.
And that's where I, you know, wetalked about it yesterday.
You know, whether you get athousand views on something or a
hundred views, it doesn'tmatter.
I I well how I don't care.
Like, I don't care.
The numbers don't really meananything to me.
What they mean is that there arepeople out there who somehow
(27:37):
find a connection through us,through our guests, whatever it
is.
And they take the time to watch,to listen, whatever it might be.
So, my my question is, and theonly reason I wanted to talk
about the stats a little bit wasbecause I want to know for those
people out there who who hadthat connection, who, who, from
(27:59):
for whatever guest it is,whatever story it is, whatever
week it is, you have thatconnection.
Can you share that with someoneelse so that they can have that
same connection?
And it's not, it's not for us.
It's it's to help people.
Like that is the whole, that isour vision, is to help people.
So if if it's impacted you inany way, shape, or form, you
(28:23):
know, share with someone elsethat you know.
Just share with one person.
That's all, that's all we'reasking, so that we can continue
to grow to help that one person.
And then we can have people cometo us like we do.
I mean, I had three phone callsthis morning of people that want
to share their story, that itwas amazing, powerful stories,
so that their story can helpthem and help other people.
(28:45):
That's the that's the wholepurpose of this whole thing.
So a million views is that's alot of people.
Right.
SPEAKER_02 (28:52):
And then yeah, Ryan.
I'll challenge our YouTubepeople though.
So of the 7,000 hours that waswatched, only 49% of them, or
51% of them are subscribers.
So 49% of the people who watcharen't subscribed.
(29:14):
Are not subscribers.
Just click that subscribebutton.
There you go.
That helps huge.
That's it.
That's my one plug.
See, this is stuff I hatethough.
I I do too.
I hate it too.
SPEAKER_01 (29:24):
But like I hate it, but then it's part of me is
like, man, like why, like, whynot?
You know what I mean?
Like, I think we had we had aconversation yesterday about
like how many you know, peopledo we have following on
Facebook, and where you say,like, it doesn't really matter.
It kind of does, because youknow, our goal for this is to
help one person.
Well, the more people that youhave follow, the better your
(29:44):
algorithm is, the more peoplesee it.
You know what I mean?
It's gonna help more than onemore person.
And that's the whole thing,right?
That's how you help more people.
So it is an uncomfortableconversation, but it's one that
I've thought too, because Ithink you said you have like
3,000 followers on Facebook orsomething like that, and I have
quite a bit, Dan has quite abit, you know.
And it's like so, especiallylike the local people, it's
(30:05):
like, what like what's yourholdup to just hit the the
follow button or the likebutton?
Like, you know what I mean?
Like just hit the follow button.
Like, that's kind of one thingfor me.
It's like, well, you supportlocal businesses, right?
Well, this is this is a localbusiness that kinda is a
business, but really we're hereto help people.
Like that's legitimately whatwe're we're here to do.
And how many people need help inthis world?
(30:26):
You know, how can we make ourcommunity stronger?
Well, you can start by doing onelittle thing hit a subscribe
button, hit a follow button,follow us on our platforms.
That's all it takes.
We're not asking you to pay adollar to us.
Legitimately just hit a followbutton.
SPEAKER_05 (30:41):
Yeah.
I still don't like talking aboutthat stuff.
Yeah, I don't either, but it's Iget it.
It's it's necessary.
SPEAKER_01 (30:47):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_05 (30:47):
Okay.
So Christmas.
You know, this this episodedrops the Friday before
Christmas.
And we talked about Christmasand what it means to us.
So then starting with you, whatwhat does what does the
Christmas season mean to you?
SPEAKER_01 (31:06):
So I talked to you about this this morning that I
was thinking about on the wayover.
And I don't know what it wasthat really made me.
I think this year Christmascrept up on me, like really
crept up on me.
Like all of a sudden, I think itwas today.
I was like, What what day isChristmas?
This is the last one before, youknow, that we get to put out
before Christmas.
And so on the way over thismorning, I was thinking about
it.
And and you know, the usualquestion that everybody asks is
(31:28):
like, what was the mostmemorable gift that you got like
when you were a kid?
And I go back and I think aboutit.
I really, I mean, I remembersome gifts that I got from my
parents and stuff or from Santa.
And uh you just wink.
SPEAKER_02 (31:42):
Can we get that on camera?
SPEAKER_01 (31:44):
Can we get that, Kevin?
It's like if you were Santa orsomething.
SPEAKER_05 (31:46):
You're not supposed to say anything when he winks.
There's a reason.
SPEAKER_01 (31:50):
We got all we gotta work on his onto things.
He was winking at Santa's elf.
Right.
But no, and I I was justthinking, like, um, you know,
one of my we had tradition ofgoing to my grandparents every
Christmas Eve, we go to my mydad's mom's, and then we go to
my my mom and you know, my mom'smom and dad.
And like those were literallythe memories that I remember.
And so I think when people getstressed out this time of year
(32:12):
about like what you know giftstheir kids are gonna get and all
that stuff, like just rememberthose memories of just the
family being together becauseyou don't you don't know how
many more you got with thosefamily members, you know.
And I'm sure everybody'sthinking about a family member
they don't have right now thatuh they wish they had during
this Christmas season.
But I don't know.
But for me and my family, Imean, we always emphasize, you
know, the reason why you getgifts, the reason why we give
(32:34):
gifts is because uh obviouslythe ultimate gift that we got,
you know, Jesus born and hisbirth and what he did later on
in life for us, like that's theultimate gift.
And so I feel like re-enterizingor re- you know, telling that
every year is is important, youknow.
SPEAKER_05 (32:50):
Yeah, that's great.
How about you, Sean?
What's Christmas mean to you?
SPEAKER_02 (32:54):
I mean, you know, lot last two years, what Ben
just said has become way moreimportant to me.
Um favorite gift, it's gonnasound crazy, but when the
Nintendo first came out, we gotDuck Hunt and Super Mario
Brothers.
Like I remember that.
There was four of us.
(33:14):
So me and my brother, and thenmy two stepbrothers, I remember
getting a Nintendo and justplaying that.
And now if you go and watch akid play a game, like they're
just they're like this, they'rejust locked in, even adults.
Back then, if you wanted Marioto jump, you went like that.
Like if you watch all the oldvideos, here comes the Nintendo
(33:37):
with it, right?
Because it's it's a wired raw.
So I I I don't know why that isjust seared into my mind, like
my mom and my stepmom and myfour three brothers and me just
sitting around just laughing ateach other because the Mario
music.
Can you just play the Mariomusic right now?
Um, like that was just a greatmemory.
(33:59):
And uh I just remember that.
And then of course there was itwas only a one-player game, and
you sh you know they only hadone gun.
Right.
And so the the fighting andbickering on who was gonna play
next.
Yeah, I just remember that.
And um really well, I mean,there's nothing more satisfying
(34:21):
than just watching your kids behappy.
That's it, that's what it'sabout.
And that it's just amazing, andI love it.
SPEAKER_01 (34:33):
Yeah.
And I feel I, you know, Dan, youguys get together with your
family just about every Sunday,you know.
And man, like that's an ultimategoal for me.
And I think that's why Christmasmeans so much to me.
Like with my grandma andgrandpa, like it was Christmas,
especially my my dad's mom.
Um, we would get together everyChristmas, every 4th of July.
Like, those are the two timesyou get to see grandma, you
(34:53):
know.
And she lives in WestCarrollton, but it's like, you
know, we didn't have the everySunday thing.
So I think that's why maybe thistime of year, just you know, I
mean, those ones are when youhop when you pour your loved
ones close, you know, or we gotfamily now that moved from
Columbus to to whatMassachusetts.
So they come in and just seeinglike, you know, the cousins
playing together and just reallytaking it in.
(35:15):
Cause you only you know, youonly got so many Christmases
where everybody's together,right?
You know, we say it's the mostimportant thing is family, and
then you know, well, lifehappens and we go fast forward,
and then next thing you know,it's Christmas again.
You're like, uh, you know,family's most important.
We're gonna start gettingtogether more, and then you fast
forward again, and yeah, youknow, there it is.
(35:39):
Yeah, get the duck hunt up withduck hunt right there.
I can see the orange.
Oh, you missed it.
Nice, yeah.
Get the orange gun up faster.
SPEAKER_02 (35:46):
Isn't that crazy how some things are just like you
knew exactly that was seared inthere?
I hate a big duck.
The clay pigeons coming acrosstoo much.
If Kevin's really good at hisjob, he'll man, that sounded
like an A D at the end.
He'll flash the ride.
SPEAKER_05 (36:06):
Duck hunt.
Yeah.
That'd be awesome.
SPEAKER_01 (36:09):
Challenge accepted.
SPEAKER_05 (36:10):
You know, for me, you're right.
It's the it's family.
And what I remember when I whenI think back to my childhood
memories and Christmas, um, Idon't remember any specific
gifts, but I I always rememberthere was, I don't know how many
years my grandparents would goto Florida.
They had a house in Florida, andwe would go and spend the pretty
(36:31):
much the entire Christmasbreakthrough New Year's at their
home.
And they had a pool uh in theirbackyard, and they had doors
going out to the pool.
And I remember they would wheelthe TV, which was a big, I mean,
the size of this table as far aslike it was a humongous box.
It wasn't anything flat,probably weighed 600 pounds.
And they would wheel it out andand they'd open the doors.
(36:54):
And my brother and my dad and I,we would swim in the pool and we
would watch football.
And that would, that that's mymemory from Christmas of being
in Florida and uh, you know,with my grandparents and my
grandma and and mom and dad.
And so, you know, those, thoseare that, that is what you
remember, and that's what'sseared into my mind.
And uh, but it's, you know, forme, you know, everybody talks
(37:18):
about how much how how importantit is, it's better to give than
to receive.
And, you know, we we've as afamily, and and I think we've
all probably done it, tried tohelp families in need during
this time, because there's a lotof people that are struggling
and you know, can't provide.
And um, you know, Christmas, youknow, in the commercial world
(37:38):
has become about how many giftsyou get, all those things.
And when you're able to actuallytruly give to a family in need,
that is the most fulfillingthing to me, is to to know that
there's a family out therethat's struggling, that cannot
provide for whatever reason.
And we're able to provide fortheir family and to see those
(38:00):
faces uh of the kids, you know,it's it's amazing.
That is, that is the mostamazing feeling, uh, you know,
watching people in hard timessmile, you know.
And so that's that that's whatthis the season is for me.
And I I go back to, you know,Allie Schaefer when we
interviewed her and she talksabout how the holidays for her
(38:22):
are difficult because she knowsof all those families who are
out there struggling.
And so, you know, she feels thatpain.
And uh, you know, I'm startingto feel that pain.
We were, you know, yesterday wewere at the school uh serving
what third, fourth, and fifthgraders for their holiday feast
and having having conversation,you know, had a conversation
(38:43):
with the principal, you know,about the kids and you know, the
need in the community and theneed in that school.
And, you know, he we weretalking about, you know, how
many kids do you think in thisschool are at the poverty level?
And he's he guesstimated almost60%.
And he said, you know what'scrazy is a lot of these kids in
(39:03):
here, this is the only truesit-down meal they'll have where
they can come and dress up andsomeone serves them.
You know, I I'm spoiled.
You know, my my kids arespoiled.
Um, that's not anything thatthey will ever have to face,
hopefully.
Um, but 60% of those kids do.
(39:27):
And so I I tried my darndest togo around when we were, we were
the milkmen, you know, we werepassing out chocolate or white
milk to all the kids, and youknow, the little girls in their
dresses, you know, all dolledup, you know, I'd tell them how
beautiful they looked.
And the the uh the young boys uhhad ties on and some of them had
suits on.
I mean, it was it was just apretty cool experience just to,
(39:47):
you know, say, hey, you guyslook great, you know.
Um, and understanding that, youknow, who knows what they go
home to.
It's that th those are thethings that keep me up at night.
That it's like, how, how can we?
As be tempered.
Help those kids, help thosefamilies.
Not not just to help them, youknow, to enable them, but to
(40:09):
help them to change their life,to break those chains, to um you
know, to be better.
You know, I think it'll help ourcommunity and help our world.
And that's ultimately what Iwant this to be.
SPEAKER_01 (40:24):
Right.
Shout out to Mr.
Matthews, too.
What do you say?
20, 20 some years they've beendoing that?
SPEAKER_05 (40:29):
22.
SPEAKER_01 (40:29):
22 years they've been doing that.
SPEAKER_05 (40:31):
He's a principal, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (40:32):
And every, you know, most of the kids that don't come
in with ties.
Yes, he provides ties so thatway everybody they have ties and
they look their best.
Make them tie them?
SPEAKER_05 (40:40):
Or is it a rotary rotary comes in and they'll they
teach them how to tie them,yeah.
So you had quite a few kids witht-shirts on but had ties on.
SPEAKER_01 (40:47):
It was pretty good.
Me neither.
SPEAKER_05 (40:49):
You can't?
SPEAKER_01 (40:50):
I can't.
SPEAKER_05 (40:51):
You can't you feel that judgment right there?
SPEAKER_01 (40:54):
No, we're gonna have no Kevin, you got it.
How do you show up for hisinterview?
SPEAKER_02 (40:58):
I tie it one time and I stays tied.
SPEAKER_01 (41:01):
I really did wear I really did wear a tie to my
interview with Dan.
My Uncle Jeff tied my tie.
The secret is to tie it and thennever shout out to the unchange.
SPEAKER_05 (41:10):
Shout out Uncle Jeff tied my tie.
You guys really don't know howto tie it.
And before the before I'm notjudging Sean, to be clear.
SPEAKER_01 (41:19):
Before coming to uh Catrins, my last day of wearing
a tie was probably well, a tiethat's actually tied was
probably high school basketball.
I had a SpongeBob tie I worebecause you had to wear a tie at
a Spongebob one I wore.
SPEAKER_05 (41:33):
I feel special that you were tied to the interview.
That's I I remember it.
SPEAKER_01 (41:38):
Yeah, this guy don't remember anything.
SPEAKER_02 (41:39):
I don't think I wore a tie to your interview.
Did we have an interview?
SPEAKER_01 (41:43):
The first two episodes you did.
There you go.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (41:48):
Oh my God.
One thing that you said, yousaid your kids are spoiled, man.
And I I just gotta say I I thinkparents like you and Kim are a
blessing.
Parents like you know, you andyour wife are blessings.
And not every kid has that.
And that's you know, I think mykids are spoiled too.
(42:09):
Like I know my daughter is,Haven.
Um, but I think they're allblessed.
And not saying that the otherparents aren't blessed or
anything, but we we're just veryfortunate, and that's why I feel
very blessed to be in theposition I am in.
SPEAKER_05 (42:26):
And and I know you feel the same.
Yeah.
Well, that was part of thatconversation with Mark yesterday
was you know, I I asked him, I'mlike, how how can we how can we
break the cycle?
What what can we do?
And and obviously that's there'sno simple answer, but he said,
uh what really struck me is whathe said, he said, what I'm
(42:49):
trying to do, you know, we haveteachers retiring every year or
moving different positions.
When we bring on a new teacher,what I tell them is, if you have
a student, and and this is atthe the third, fourth, and fifth
grade level, if you have astudent that mentions something
about they're gonna be in a playor they're gonna be doing a
recital at their church orthey're gonna they got a
(43:09):
football game coming up, if youcan just show up.
You don't have to say anything,you don't have to do anything,
just be present.
And he tries to make it to allthe things that he can for those
students if they specifically orhe hears them mention that,
because not everybody has thatparent or that guardian that
(43:31):
shows up to anything.
And I thought, man, that's avery simple thing to do.
But in our lives, we're so tiedup in so many different things
and we're so busy that you know,we make we may make it to all of
our kids' stuff, but how manyother kids out there don't have
mom and dad that show up orgrandma and grandpa that show up
(43:51):
to support them in whatever itis?
But there's principal Matthewsstanding there in the stands
watching, cheering them on.
SPEAKER_01 (43:59):
I'd been there on the sideline when he shows up,
you know, and I'll never forget.
Well, there's two times Iremember where Mr.
Matthews, first time he came,and that was it would have been
Jude's like fourth grade year, Ithink, at Tip City.
He went to Tip Canoe and watchedhim play.
And uh every single kid, theyjust went nuts.
They're like, Do you see Mr.
Matthew?
Like, Mr.
Matthews is over there.
And then Psy, uh their superboyat Monroe, uh, Miss Holland, it
(44:22):
was her first year teaching, andthat was his teacher.
And you know, I've never missedone of Cy Size games.
And he ran up to me.
And that this a kid that hisparents were always at all of
his games.
He's like, Miss Holland's here.
Like, did you see Miss Holland'sup in the state?
Like, she's here to watch us.
And it's like kids that knowthat that the teachers care,
like those are relationshipsthat those kids would do
anything for you.
(44:43):
You know what I mean?
And so imagine like a kid thathas the parents there to support
him, how they felt.
And then I'll imagine that kidthat doesn't have his parents
there, but all of a sudden histeacher shows up like some
remarkable, and that's goingabove and beyond and really
caring, you know.
SPEAKER_02 (44:58):
But that's what it takes.
And to flip the script, youknow, I was a kid that didn't
have any parents into stands.
And uh it does something to akid.
I see it every year in football.
I see it every year when I'mwatching a basketball game.
The kids are always looking intostands, even though they know
(45:18):
there's nobody there.
Like it's heartbreaking.
Um trust me, I was one of thosekids, man.
And I I think I mentioned this,like, I was always jealous of
you know, you, Justin, David,that had two parents that came
to games that supported um itdoes something to the kids that
(45:44):
don't have the people there tosupport them.
So I imagine you're you'reright, man.
If a principal says, you know,shows up to watch you, that's
amazing.
Right.
And I will shout out to NationalTrail.
I see the principals of allthose schools there all the
time.
At every almost every sportingevent I go to, I see them.
(46:05):
And uh they support they supporttheir kids there for sure.
SPEAKER_05 (46:09):
Yeah.
Something as simple as uhshowing up.
I think that's um you know, aneasy, easy thing to do, but a
lot of times I think a lot ofpeople overlook uh overlook it.
So yeah.
What else you got?
SPEAKER_01 (46:24):
I got nothing else.
I'm super excited about wherethis is going though.
Very pumped to have Sean.
Yeah.
Sky's the limit, I feel like.
SPEAKER_02 (46:33):
You know, I think a lot of things led up to this.
Um, you know, just my lastcareer that I was in started
from scratch.
That program that I ran was hadno employees, no, no vans, no
nothing.
I was hired to basically start atransportation program.
(46:57):
And you know, six years afterthat I got eight drivers, nine
vans, you know, a dispatcher,and and when I walked out, I
think it it's in a good spot.
You know, I I hired a girl who Ithought was gonna be who stepped
right into my position.
And that's I mean, that's that'skind of what you want to do.
(47:20):
Yeah.
Uh when I work for Finish Line,they and if you ever wanted to
be promoted, they always saidtrain your per train your
replacement.
And uh back to the point though,like not saying we're starting
at ground zero, but pretty muchare, yeah.
We're gonna mess around and seewhere it goes.
(47:40):
Yeah, that's that's is that whatthe kids say?
SPEAKER_01 (47:43):
Mess around and see where it goes.
No.
No.
SPEAKER_05 (47:48):
Maybe not.
All right.
Before we wrap up, I just wantto say thank you.
I want to thank you for yourtime to listen, to support this
mission, and to walk alongsideus in this journey.
Be Tempered exists because ofthis community, because of the
people who believe in doing hardthings, growing through
challenges, and showing up forothers.
So as we head into Christmas,our hope is that you carry this
(48:11):
message with you, that you slowdown, that you reflect, you stay
grateful, and you remember thatgrowth often comes through the
hard moments.
So, from myself, from Ben, fromSean, from Kevin on the other
side of the glass, thank you forsupporting us.
Thank you for being a part ofthis journey.
(48:32):
We'll see you next time.
Go out and be tempered.
SPEAKER_00 (48:37):
Hi, my name is Allie Schmidt.
This is my dad Dan.
He owns Catrin's Glass.
SPEAKER_04 (48:42):
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 Catrance Glass.
Vinyl replacement windows fromCatrins come with a lifetime
warranty, including accidentalglass breakage replacement.
Also ask for custom shower doorsand many other products and
services.
The 962-1636, locally owned withlocal employees for nearly 30
(49:03):
years.
SPEAKER_00 (49:04):
Patrons, a clear choice.
SPEAKER_03 (49:06):
I want to share something that's become a big
part of the BeTempered mission: Patreon. (49:08):
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.
(49:29):
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
(49:53):
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
(50:13):
about connection.
It's about building somethingtogether.
Not just me and men 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
(50:36):
real stories, raw truth,resilient faith, so that even
one person out there that hearswhat they need to hear, and
Patreon helps make thatpossible.
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