Building a Better Dave
A funny look at relationships, marriage, divorce, love, sex, life, dating advice, and the weird thoughts that pop into Dave's head when he is sleep deprived. Guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, think, or groan. Life is too important to be taken seriously
Episodes
In this episode, I look into the hilariously pointless world of sports interviews. Ever sit through those sideline or post-game questions and wonder why we bother? Trust me, I do too! Whether it's ex-players like Doug Deacon giving us obvious advice ("If you want to win, you've got to score points") or reporters asking quarterbacks how it feels to win in overtime, it all feels a bit silly to me.
I share stories about being a long-s...
Hey, it's Dave—and on this episode of Building a Better Dave, I talk all about the weirdness that is Halloween in my neighborhood lately. As October rolls in, I've noticed a crazy escalation in skeleton yard decorations. What used to be simple six-foot skeletons have turned into these massive twelve-foot giants. I can't help but wonder if this is just the middle-aged version of keeping up with the Joneses.
Halloween itself has alwa...
In this episode, I open up about a recent experience I had on Reddit where, despite my own advice, I ended up feeding the trolls. I share how I got pulled into a frustrating back-and-forth with someone who just wasn't open to any input, and how that made me reflect on my own "educator mindset"—the urge to resolve every conflict or misunderstanding online.
I talk about the importance of setting boundaries not just with online trolls...
So I had no idea I would get backlash about saying, "Hey I think Charlie Kirk might be on to something about this we shold all talk to each other.." thing going on. I got TONS of people tell me to dig deeper and I found a black, gay dude standing up for Charlie.
Wait, I thought Charlie was a racist homophobe? Then I was told to quit cherry picking videos. Taylor Swift casting spells? Um, no.
I just don't recognize my country. I got to see someone shot in the neck and die today. Then people cheered because they didn't like his opinions. It just seems so weird. Meawhile the mainstram media fans the flames of the divided states of America, and nobody knows how to have a dialogue anymore. All we do is shoot each other, and the bad news is I don't know how to fix it, and I don't trust the people in power.
So welcome to my ...
So I'm driving to Chicago and back over a weekend. That's 14 hours in a car. While I'm not ancient, I'm not young. I'm not 23 anymore. Did I just write a check with my mind that my body can't cash?
I'm trying to find some food in Chicago and took a wrong turn. Chicago, like every city in America, is a good place to get shot if you're on the wrong side of the city.
How am I going find the balance of not doing things that I may not...
In this episode, Dave shares a candid account of his recent health updates, and it's a mix of challenges and victories. From starting the year with new exercise routines to discovering unexpected health issues, Dave opens up about how turning 60 has brought a wave of concern regarding blood sugar, blood pressure, and thyroid issues.
With a dash of humor, he recounts the quirks of ...
Today I share some insights as I deal with the loss of a friend. Death sucks, but when you lose people who are YOUNGER then you, with no warning, it really sucks.
Today I talk about losing my friend Niel Guilarte who I worked with during the making of The Messengers: A Podcast Documentary
We got to room with each other at events, and we just clicked. We always made each other laugh. My favorite was when Niel would start laughing an...
This was recorded during my last few minutes of being 59. Life is dragging me kicking and screaming into my 60s. I'm not happy about it.
Don't you get it? I'm 23 honest. I've been 23 my whole life?
Have I made my last trip to Dairy Queen? It turns out everything I eat is poison. That's something you know but don't care, and it turns out you should've cared a little more than you did.
John Mayer has a great song called "Stop this ...
Episode Summary
In this episode, Dave reflects on his recent struggles with his car in frigid Ohio weather and how it reminded him of the "old days" of dealing with unreliable vehicles. From the quirks of old, hand-me-down cars to the challenges of modern, fuel-injected engines, Dave humorously recounts the learning curves of car maintenance. The episode dives into the importance of adaptability, whether in fixing a car, k...
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A Christmas Conundrum:
What do you do when the much-anticipated family gathering is jeopardized by an unexpected bout of COVID-19? Dave recounts his experience, offering a candid and touching perspective on the true meaning of the season.
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Reminiscing with Friends:
From cherished childhood memories to the pains and aches of getting older, Dave and his best friend embark on a nostalgic journey, bringing...
I filed for Bankrupcy in 2004. I know there is a difference between being poor and being BROKE.
Today I share a strategy I've been doing for most of this year and it's saving me close to $50 a month and I don't have to do a thing.
A bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and Max is $30/month
Peacock $14/month
Paramount and Showtime $13/month.
Total: $57
(and yes, I know there are more).
Rotate Your Streaming Services:
...In the latest episode, I share my personal experience with podcasting, detailing how I ended up in podcasting post-divorce while living in my brother's basement.
Despite successfully establishing myself over two decades and earning recognition, I still struggle with imposter syndrome. Reflecting on accolades like being called an influencer and my moves within the industry, I discuss the complicated feelings of self-worth and accept...
Welcome to another episode of Better Dave! Today, I'm diving into the fascinating world of personal finance and exploring how we can get our money working for us.
I've spent over three decades with the same bank, but recently, I've rediscovered the benefits of modern financial tools like SoFi and Acorns.
As I monitor my income and outcome in Monarch, I h...
Today's story reminds us there's still hope in humanity. In this episode, our host, Dave Jackson, shares a personal mishap that turns into a surprising testament to the goodness of people. After a pleasant bike ride in Ohio, Dave discovers he's lost his wallet, containing all his essential cards and cash. His frantic search proves futile, leading to setbacks as he navigates the day without his wallet.
On the latest episode of Better Dave, titled "Putting the FUN in Funeral," host Dave Jackson shares a heartwarming and humorous tribute to his favorite teacher and mentor, Jim Blackstock. This episode takes us on an emotional yet uplifting journey, emphasizing the profound impact a great teacher can have on our lives.
Here are three key takeaways from this poignant episode:
- **Integrating Humor in Educati...
Today I turn 59 and apparently, I have one goal: Don't Break a Hip. So I reflect a bit on my 20s, 30s, and 40s, as I have 365 more days in my 50's. According to AI, "From reminiscing about past relationships and experiences to contemplating the inevitability of aging and the challenges of staying healthy, Dave's musings offer a heartfelt and relatable perspective on navigating life's journey." So click Play already
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Sometimes we forget what life was like, and in todays' episode I realize that I can get the answer to just about everything with a few clicks of a mouse.
Things we learned today. Which way to set your ceiling fan in the winter.
Yuri Bezmenov was a russian journlist who defected to the USA. He explained a strategy of the KGB. HE said this in 1984.
It was called either ideological subversion, or active measures.
What it basically means is to change the perception of reality of every American to such an extent that despite the abundance of information, no one is able to come to sensible conclusions in the interests of d...
Today we have a very relatable topic to delve into. We've all had those days where everything seems to go wrong, where every step forward feels like two steps back. Well, my friends, today we're talking about having a bad day.
All I had to do was go to Walmart, buy some fruit and two cables, and get to the church by five for a special event. It just seemed like I couldn't catch a break all day.
No matter how bad your day is, some...
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