Podcast Summary: The Isabel Brown Show

Episode: What 70 Years of Marriage Really Teaches You—Lessons from My Grandparents

Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Isabel Brown (The Daily Wire)
Guests: Clarence “Papa” and Shirley Ann “Memaw” Kast

Main Theme Overview

In this heartfelt episode, Isabel Brown sits down with her grandparents, Clarence and Shirley Ann Kast, to celebrate and reflect on their remarkable 70th wedding anniversary. Through candid storytelling and warm reminiscing, they share the challenges and joys of building a life together across seven decades—offering wisdom, humor, and inspiration for younger generations about marriage, parenthood, faith, and the meaning of true partnership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Beginnings of a 70-Year Love Story

• Meeting and Courtship

  • Clarence ("Papa," 92) describes how he, while in the Air Force, attended Shirley’s 17th birthday only as a favor to a friend. Despite initial hesitations, sparks flew fast:

    “If in my case it was almost immediately, I almost immediately knew that she was going to be my wife.” — Clarence (07:20)

  • Shirley humorously recalls their whirlwind beginning and her initial reluctance:

    “He slapped me off a log and told me I was gonna marry him. I said, you’re crazy… I thought, this guy’s nuts.” — Shirley (05:02)

• Cultural and Family Challenges

  • Their marriage faced resistance due to cultural and religious differences:

    “He’s German and I was part Indian from Oklahoma and Cherokee… Clarence brought a red headed Indian home with him from Oklahoma. So they all came that night, the whole family.” — Shirley (09:54)

  • Shirley was introduced as a surprise to a tight-knit farming family, but over time, love and acceptance followed.

2. Starting a Family Young, Finances, and Finding Joy in the Chaos

• “Get Married Young, Have Kids Early”

  • The Kasts married young, had their first child within the first year, and five children in total—echoing advice now given by culture warriors to revive the American family:

    “Would you do it all again?”
    “Yes, I would.” — Shirley (13:46)

• Financial Struggles and Career Change

  • Clarence candidly discusses financial hardship and a significant mid-life career change, from insurance investigator to salesman, which ultimately improved their fortunes:

    “It was very difficult… Finally the financials, the finances got so bad that we had to make a change.” — Clarence (13:48, 14:10)

• Work and Community

  • Shirley ran a day nursery at home and worked nights as a waitress—an arrangement that required teamwork but also let them support a lively house and socialize:

    “I made real good money, in fact, more than he did sometimes… We had so much fun with friends. Friends make life much more interesting.” — Shirley (15:07, 16:15)

3. Parenting—Raising Five Kids and Beyond

• Individuality and Achievement

  • Each child was unique, some defying teachers’ and others’ expectations but achieving remarkable successes (including a Harvard master’s degree and starting major companies).
  • The Kasts also fostered other young girls in Nebraska, providing mentorship and support.

• Coping with Illness and Adversity

  • The family experienced extended illness: Shirley was diagnosed with lupus, then considered terminal.

    “She’s the only one that survived [an experimental treatment].” — Clarence (21:57) “The gift of faith and following the Big Fella… played a huge part of my survival, of our marriage, of everything that we’ve had.” — Shirley (23:23)

  • Both faith and partnership were crucial in surviving trials:

    “Marriage is not between two people. It’s the man, the woman and God. If you allow Him to lead you, it’ll be great.” — Clarence (25:17)

4. Change, Growth, and the Evolution of Love

• How Love Changes Over Time

  • After 70 years, love has matured into deep respect, teamwork, and a sense of fun.

    “It’s more respect now, I would think.” — Clarence (26:13) “Life is a gift. Use it.” — Shirley (26:51)

• Maintaining Joy and Community in Later Years

  • The couple now lives in assisted living, bringing laughter and warmth to their peers—showing love can remain vibrant at any age.

    “Every time we go down to eat, they start laughing. What are you two gonna do today?” — Shirley (26:31)

5. Advice for Young Couples and the Next Generation

• Don’t Delay, Work Together, Keep Faith Central

  • Practical, hard-won advice includes marrying for love without undue delay, building together regardless of financial readiness, and enjoying children:

    “That’s foolishness. When you’re in love, you get married and then you work together, work these things out together.” — Clarence (28:54) “Enjoy your children… We were able to get through it all and they’ve all turned out okay.” — Shirley (29:25)

• Dealing with Hardships as a Team

  • The formula is simple but profound:

    “Prayer, prayer.” — Clarence (30:38)
    “Prayer works wonders. People don’t believe in it, but it’s unbelievable what prayer can do.” — Shirley (30:40)

6. Hope for the Future, Changing Culture, and Legacy

• Confidence in Young Generations

  • Despite cultural shifts, the Kasts express optimism for the resurgence of marriage and family among young people:

    “I’m optimistic. I think things are really changing for the better… Especially the young people, because they’re going to lead us in that direction.” — Clarence (33:35)

• Intergenerational Legacy

  • The family tree has grown to 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren—evidence, they share, of faith, love, and ongoing adventure.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Proposing After Five Dates:
  “About halfway through [the movie] I said, ah, let’s get out of here… I asked her to marry me... She said no. And it required a reaction on my part… I whooped her running alongside of the head, knocked her off the log.” — Clarence (08:39) “Yeah, he did butthole.” — Shirley (09:02)

• On Surviving Illness with Faith:
  “We are directed by the Voice… We listen and we listen, and it’s never been wrong.” — Clarence & Shirley (24:15–24:32)

• On Family:
  “We have 14 grandchildren, two of which died at birth and the other 12 alive. And we have eight great grand." — Clarence (30:05)

• On Getting Through Hard Times:
  “Listen… sometimes it’s hard and you don’t like what He’s got to say, but you listen and you do what you go forward. And that’s been our mantra our whole life.” — Shirley (30:47)

• On Lasting Happiness:
  “We’re happy with our relationship. We’re happy with our God. We’re happy with our church. We’re just happy.” — Clarence (27:18)

• On Legacy:
  “Life’s fun together… It’s always interesting because you never know what’s going to happen the next day.” — Clarence (27:57–28:10)

Important Timestamps

• 04:16 — Introduction of Clarence and Shirley, setting up the premise
• 05:02–07:20 — Origin stories: how they met, first impressions
• 09:54 — Cultural and family clashes, “red headed Indian” anecdote
• 13:30–15:40 — Financial struggles, having children, adapting careers
• 16:48–19:04 — Raising five children, fostering, embracing individuality
• 20:14–24:15 — Facing and surviving terminal illness, faith and miracles
• 25:13–26:51 — How love evolves, fun in later years
• 28:41–30:04 — Marriage advice for younger generations, family numbers
• 30:38–31:58 — Coping with hardship: prayer and faith-based teamwork
• 33:35–34:30 — Hope for America’s youth and shifting cultural tides
• 34:45–36:37 — Reflections directly to each other, enduring happiness, community in old age

Final Reflections

Clarence and Shirley Ann Kast’s story is more than a marriage memoir—it’s a guidebook of perseverance, faith, joy, and selfless devotion. Their narrative, full of spirited banter and hard-won wisdom, challenges modern assumptions about marriage, calling listeners to prioritize love, resilience, and a sense of humor—no matter where, when, or how you start.

“Life’s a gift. Use it. There’s no telling where you might go… together.” — Shirley (26:51, paraphrased)

For anyone seeking grounded, honest, and hope-filled wisdom on lasting relationships and life’s big adventure, this episode is essential listening—and a beautiful testament to the bonds of faith and family.