Podcast
BeTempered
Hosted by dschmidt5 · EN
We believe that everyone has the potential to achieve greatness, and that the key to unlocking this potential is through personal development. Our podcasts are designed to help you cultivate the skills and mindset you need to achieve your goals and live the life you want.
43episodes
Episodes
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BeTempered Episode 57 – From the Sidelines to the Frontlines of Education with Carl Rhinehart lll
Jun 6, 202501:22:40Tap to summarizeWhat does it mean to run toward the fire instead of away from it?For Carl Rhinehart III, that question became more than a metaphor—it became a mission. On this powerful episode of the BeTempered Podcast, Carl joins hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr to share his journey from insecurity and adversity to purpose and impact.Growing up in Muncie, Indiana, Carl’s childhood was shaped by contradictions. He was the youngest of six in a home where love and trauma coexisted. While he faced domestic violence and his father’s struggles with addiction and absence, he was also surrounded by strong women of faith who prayed over him nightly. His father, despite his flaws, never missed a football game and often told him, “You’re going to be the first Black mayor of Muncie.” The tension between affirmation and chaos left Carl wrestling with identity, confidence, and belonging.Football became both an escape and a proving ground. He admits he only played to please his dad, hating practice with a passion. But during his senior year of college, something changed. He asked himself, “What if I just tuned everything else out and gave it everything I had?” That mental shift changed how he showed up—not just in the game, but in life. He sprinted sideline to sideline, determined to give every ounce of effort. “If I die on this field,” he recalls thinking, “let them say I gave it my all.”Today, Carl brings that same energy and intentionality into his role as a teacher at Richmond High School and as the founder of Future Achievers, a nonprofit organization focused on mentoring and developing young people in the community. Through birthdays, affirmations, and consistent presence, Carl ensures that every student knows they matter. In some cases, the birthday card he hands them may be the only acknowledgment they receive all year.In one of the most emotional parts of the episode, Carl shares how the passing of his father in 2019 brought a moment of grace and growth. “How dare I make some of the same mistakes my dad made and still be shown grace—yet I couldn’t extend that same grace to him?” That moment of reflection reshaped Carl’s understanding of forgiveness, legacy, and leadership.This episode is a powerful reminder that our deepest wounds can become our most profound sources of strength—and that showing up for others, especially youth, doesn’t require perfection, just presence.If you’ve ever wondered how to make a real difference in your community, this conversation is for you.🎧 Listen to the full episode of the BeTempered Podcast featuring Carl Rhinehart III at: https://www.betempered.com🌟 Learn more about mentoring opportunities and the mission behind Carl’s nonprofit, Future Achievers, at: https://futureachievers.orgSupport the show
Transcribe →BeTempered Episode 56 – Faith in the Rubble: Joan’s Story of Resilience
May 30, 202501:01:32Tap to summarizeWhat happens when your carefully built life suddenly crumbles? On this deeply honest and inspiring episode of the BeTempered Podcast, hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Joan Parsons, a woman whose life story is marked by unexpected heartbreak, enduring faith, and the quiet strength that comes from trusting God through life’s hardest seasons.Joan grew up surrounded by the steady beauty of rural Ohio farmland, a childhood filled with warmth, stability, and the simplicity of country life. But at just 13 years old, her world was turned upside down by her parents’ divorce—a seismic shift that cracked open questions about love, security, and identity. Rather than allowing the brokenness to define her, Joan leaned into her growing faith. That pain became a doorway to a deeper purpose.From that point forward, her life became a series of bold steps led by conviction. She met her husband through campus ministry and together they embarked on a journey that would eventually take them to post-communist Budapest with two small children. There, far from the familiar, Joan encountered the unexpected pressures and emotional toll of missionary life—something rarely spoken about in Christian circles. She shares candidly about the anxiety she faced and how she learned to survive with one guiding principle: have someone to love, someone who loves you, and something to look forward to.But nothing prepared her for the loss that came in 2016 when her husband suddenly passed away, leaving her widowed with four children ranging in age from 14 to 20. In the aftermath of that life-altering moment, Joan found herself facing deep grief, mounting responsibilities, and the painful realization that 72% of her support system quietly faded away. Yet what she describes next is a stunning testament to the power of real community—the 28% who remained showed up in such a profound and complete way that it felt like “1000%.”Rather than retreating, Joan leaned into the calling that had been growing in her heart for years. She poured herself into Neighbor Bible Study to Go (NBS2GO), a ministry that began with a simple idea: empowering everyday people to reach their neighbors with the Gospel in natural, life-giving ways. What started in her local community now spans 175 countries and has been translated into 55 languages—proof that God multiplies even the smallest acts of faith.Joan’s voice is gentle, but her words carry the weight of someone who’s been through fire and emerged with wisdom and grace. She challenges the cultural obsession with curated, Instagram-perfect lives by reminding listeners that “flourishing can happen every day,” even in the messy middle of loss, anxiety, or uncertainty. Her story is not about tidy endings—it’s about hope in the midst of heartbreak and finding purpose in the ruins.Whether you’re walking through your own valley of grief, struggling to hold things together, or just questioning if your ordinary life has meaning, Joan’s testimony will meet you where you are—and lift your eyes to something bigger.🎧 Don’t miss this episode of BeTempered — a podcast where real stories meet real faith.🌐 Learn more about Joan’s global ministry at nbs2go.com 📱 Follow the journey and join the mission—right where you are.Support the show
Transcribe →BeTempered Episode 42 - Extreme Ownership in Action: Matty Ledgerwood on Leadership, Accountability, and Transformation
Feb 21, 2025Tap to summarizeWhat if true leadership meant taking full responsibility, even when the stakes are at their highest? On this episode, hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr take a deep dive into the principles of Extreme Ownership, inspired by Jocko Willink’s teachings. Joined by Matty Ledgerwood, they explore the role of leadership in shaping culture, the balance between humility and assertiveness, and the critical importance of fostering trust and accountability. As they dissect decision-making in politics, they challenge the all-too-common tendency to shift blame rather than embrace responsibility.We also share the incredible story of Coach Kemper, who turned a struggling high school football team into champions, reviving school spirit and showcasing the transformative power of leadership. Through experiences in youth sports coaching, we discuss how adversity can be harnessed as a tool for growth—building confidence, resilience, and life skills that extend far beyond the field.Leadership often means living in a "glass house," under constant scrutiny. Dan and Ben break down how to stay positive, remain mission-focused, and practice servant leadership to create meaningful impact. Drawing inspiration from influential figures like Chad Wright of the Three of Seven Project, they highlight how personal growth fuels leadership success. Plus, with insights on maximizing social media engagement for greater visibility, this episode is packed with strategies to help leaders at any level elevate their influence and drive real change.Support the show
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