Waterboarding for Fruit
Building a Better Dave
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 always struck me as strange, especially when you factor in how expensive candy has gotten (seriously, $15 a bag now?!) and how we’ve all just accepted feeding...
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Old Habits Die Hard
Building a Better Dave
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, but also when inviting podcast guests onto your show. Remember: if someone really wants to be on your show, they’ll usually find time that works for you....
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I'm Going to Need Some Proof Please...
Building a Better Dave
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 . Wait, I thought Charlie was a racist homophobe? Then I was told to quit cherry picking videos. Taylor Swift casting spells? .
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Where Did My Country Go?
Building a Better Dave
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 rant as I scream into the void.
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14 Hours in a Car
Building a Better Dave
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 be able to do without stopping myself from enjoying life? Like the show?
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But I Can Still Play Ping Pong
Building a Better Dave
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 testing his blood sugar and the surprise diagnosis of diabetes. Yet, amidst the medical hurdles, Dave finds a silver lining—a triumphant return to the ping pong table despite the obstacles. Join us as Dave...
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Father Time is Undefeated
Building a Better Dave
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 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 and he couldn't finish the story he had started. When you start to see your heroes get old and some cracks around the edges, it's sad, but it's a warning sign. Niel was here, and the next day...
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Someone Stop This Train
Building a Better Dave
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 "" that has a line John Had a talk with my old man Said, "Help me understand" He said, "Turn 68" "You renegotiate" I was able to renew my drivers license for 8...
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I'm not a Car Guy
Building a Better Dave
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, keeping up with evolving technology, or navigating life’s unexpected hurdles. If you like this show, you can . Main Takeaways Winter Woes & Car Troubles: Dave shares...
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The Gift of Covid
Building a Better Dave
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. 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 laughs and poignant moments. The Gift of Adaptation: Learn how Dave turned a disappointing holiday season into a moment of gratitude and reflection, even dubbing COVID-19 as an unexpected...
info_outlineIn 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, but also when inviting podcast guests onto your show. Remember: if someone really wants to be on your show, they’ll usually find time that works for you.
On the personal side, I give an update about being busier than ever at my church due to a colleague’s health issues. I discuss how this has affected my routine, my stress levels (thanks for the heads up, Oura Ring!), and the push I’m giving myself to prioritize health and movement—even if it means just getting out to walk at my local park. Plus, I share a little inspiration from watching the Ozzy Osbourne documentary "Coming Home," which has me thinking about aging, health, and making time for what really matters.
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Key Takeaways:
- Don’t let internet trolls drain your energy—learn to recognize when to disengage (even if you think that last message might “fix” things).
- When it comes to podcasting, don’t be afraid to set your own boundaries around scheduling guests.
- Some people just aren’t open to feedback, and that’s okay—sometimes it’s best to step back.
- Make sure your social profiles link to your website to help connect with people you actually can help.
- Growth comes from noticing your own patterns—and learning from your mistakes.
- Keep prioritizing your health and well-being, even when life gets busy.
- Inspiration can come from unexpected places—even a documentary about Ozzy Osbourne.
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Links Mentioned:
Coming Home -Ozzy Osbourne documentary
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