Podcast Summary

The Bobby Bones Show – "Tell Me Something Good (Weds): Washington High School Offers Varsity Letters In Skilled Trades"

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Bobby Bones
Panel: Amy, Eddie, Lunchbox

Episode Overview

This episode features the "Tell Me Something Good" segment, where the Bobby Bones Show team shares uplifting stories from around the US. The main focus of this episode centers on a Washington high school offering varsity letters to students in skilled trades like welding and manufacturing—an initiative stirred by two students seeking parity between trades and athletics. The cast dives into a lively debate about what letterman jackets should represent, then veers into a humorous and nostalgic discussion about personal "peak" moments in their lives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Teddy Bear Toss Charity Event (00:02–01:24)

• Story: The Hershey Bears minor league hockey team in Pennsylvania held their famous "Teddy Bear Toss," collecting 81,000 stuffed animals in one night for children in need—an event that has contributed almost 700,000 toys since 2001.
• Notable reaction:
  • Bobby: “It's crazy they got 81,000 from that night. Because I'm thinking there's probably nine, 10,000 seats.” (00:39)
  • Eddie: "Wow, that's a lot." (00:29)

2. GoFundMe for Mo’s New Truck (02:12–03:09)

• Story: Mo from South Bend, Indiana, known for driving a beat-up truck, was gifted a 2019 Chevy Silverado after 500 people raised $22,000 via GoFundMe. The local body shop and mechanic team have pledged to maintain it for free.
• Panel’s Response:
  • Lunchbox: “Mo got himself a new truck, a 2019 Chevy Silverado...in better shape, better condition. And the body shop and a local mechanic said, hey, from now on, you need maintenance, come see us.” (02:52)
  • Bobby: “That's pretty good. People noticed and they gave their money. That's great. Good story.” (03:09)

3. Washington High School Offers Varsity Letters for Skilled Trades (05:31–09:22)

• Core Story (05:31–06:07):

  • High school students can now "letter" in skilled trades (welding, manufacturing, hands-on careers).
  • Movement inspired by two students for equal recognition with athletes and clubs.
  • Bobby: "The idea came from two students who wanted skill trade to receive the same recognition as sports and clubs." (05:44)
  • Eddie & Amy: Generally positive reactions.
  • Lunchbox: Largely critical, arguing varsity letters should be reserved for athletic competition.

• Debate Highlights (06:07–09:22):

  • Lunchbox: “Unless you're going to varsity competitions where you have weld offs and you win and you can win a state title.”
  • Bobby: “My association with letters is you performed. Achieved some sort of athletic accomplishment. That's what a letter is.”
  • Amy: Takes a neutral to positive stance: “It doesn't bother me.”
  • Eddie: Questions the importance of letters: “What's a letter? What's so important about a letter and nothing. Like it just goes in your jacket, right?” ((06:24))
  • Lunchbox: Ties the practice to dilution of the tradition and “participation trophy” culture.

• Humor and Personal Experience:

  • The team jokes about patches, who wore jackets in high school, and what the symbols meant at their schools.
  • Amy: “Well, I was a cheerleader. I feel like we all had the jacket.” (08:17)

4. “When Did You Peak?” Conversation (09:26–14:44)

• The letterman topic evolves into a comedy-laced, reflective segment about each host’s “peak” life moments—centered on high school achievements, moments of fame, and major milestones.
• Key exchanges:
  • Eddie (to Lunchbox): “You know why it matters to him? Cause he peaked at high school prom king. Dude, that was the peak of his life.” (09:33)
  • Lunchbox: “No, it's just the hard work you put in. We can't just be giving it to everyone is what I'm saying.” (09:56)
• Each panelist identifies or jokes about their personal “peak”—from opening for Garth Brooks (Eddie), high school prom king (Lunchbox), and ambitions yet to come (Bobby & Amy).
  • Bobby: “I don't think I've hit my highest point yet.” (14:44)

5. Ongoing Traditions and the Value of Recognition (13:16–15:39)

• The segment ends with further musings on how traditions (like letters, high school recognition) aid motivation, nostalgia, and the formation of personal identity.
• Memorable moment:
  • Lunchbox, reflecting on high school and “sixth street” exploits: “I mean, 6th street I slayed. And that was just so...That was so good. So good. But high school, man, I was, I was the king too. I mean we all know it because I got the crown.” (12:36)
  • Amy, to Eddie (joking about “peaking”): “If we're talking about lunchbox peaking in high school, I think we're talking about like uncle Rico moments. 40 years from now, Eddie's gonna be telling that story about opening for Garth Brooks.” (11:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Teddy Bear Toss:
  • Bobby: “It's crazy they got 81,000 from that night. Because I'm thinking there's probably nine, 10,000 seats.” (00:39)
• On Trade Varsity Letters:
  • Lunchbox: “My association with letters is you performed. Achieved some sort of athletic accomplishment. That's what a letter is.” (06:46)
  • Bobby (on the intent): “The idea came from two students who wanted skill trade to receive the same recognition as sports and clubs.” (05:44)
• On High School Meaning:
  • Eddie (about Lunchbox): “You know why it matters to him? Cause he peaked at high school prom king. Dude, that was the peak of his life.” (09:33)
  • Amy: “If we're talking about lunchbox peaking in high school, I think we're talking about like uncle Rico moments.” (11:31)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• Teddy Bear Toss Story: 00:02–01:24
• Mo’s Truck GoFundMe: 02:12–03:09
• Washington Trades Varsity Lettering: 05:31–09:22
• Personal ‘Peak’ Debate: 09:26–14:44

Overall Tone

• Upbeat, celebratory, marked by playful banter, laughs, and some mock-serious debate typical of the show.
• The hosts balance genuine admiration for good deeds with a fun, lightly irreverent perspective on traditions and nostalgia.