The Sage Steele Show — Episode 72

Title: My Fiancé (Dave Barbuto) Interviews Me
Release Date: September 10, 2025
Host: Sage Steele
Guest/Interviewer: Dave Barbuto (Sage’s fiancé)

Overview

In a twist on her usual format, Sage Steele hands hosting duties to her fiancé, Dave Barbuto, just 48 hours before their wedding. The episode becomes a deeply personal, candid, and often humorous conversation about their relationship, family, careers, faith, and the unique journey that has brought them together. With their wedding imminent, the couple uses this platform to “memorialize” their story and share heartfelt reflections on love, parenting, vulnerability, personal growth, and what lies ahead.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. The Role Reversal & Setting the Stage (00:00–03:30)

• Dave opens the episode as host, explaining his motivation:
  "This is important to memorialize before we got married." (00:53, Dave)
• Sage is surprised by being in the guest seat and initially out of her comfort zone with Dave steering the show.

2. Relaxed Beginnings & Candid Banter (03:30–06:00)

• Light-hearted poking fun at podcast rituals (the "show about socks") establishes their playful dynamic.
• Quick segues into musings on Sage’s ever-changing hairstyles and attempts to name them, with humor about bad hair days:
  • "The plan usually ends up being based on how the curls decide to behave that day." (04:22, Sage)
• Dave teases Sage with a sports analogy for bad hair days: "You're on the injured reserve for four weeks." (05:47, Dave)

3. Sage’s ESPN Reflections & Most Meaningful Career Moments (06:00–16:00)

• After 16½ years at ESPN, Sage shares the top moments she cherishes.
• Most profound memory: Veterans Day 2016 at Arlington National Cemetery, hosting SportsCenter live with her father, retired Colonel Gary Steele, as a guest, and her grandfather buried nearby:
  • "My grandfather's buried there ... Buffalo Soldier Frank Steele ... It was so full circle. Not about me, but I just felt like I was making—hopefully making—him proud at that moment." (10:49, Sage)
  • Poignant moment with Taps playing as they signed off, witnessing a soldier salute at a grave site.
• Other highlighted experiences: covering Super Bowls, NBA Finals, etc.
• Discussed the emotional strength and faith required after returning from ESPN suspension, feeling like an outsider, and the routine of praying with her parents before work to find peace:
  • "When doing that, I did feel completely protected, like I had a bubble around me. And so no matter what came at me...I felt protected." (14:45, Sage)

4. Faith, Daily Devotionals, and Its Role in Their Lives (16:16–20:55)

• Both describe the impact of daily devotionals (by Charles Stanley) and how building a habit of shared scripture has grounded their relationship, including their shared upbringing in the Catholic Church.
• Sage’s father sends daily scripture in the family group chat; now, she and Dave read and discuss devotionals each day, even sharing with their children:
  • "It feels like our day is incomplete if we haven't done that." (18:47, Sage)
  • "I don't think that there has been one that we've read that I don't think about later in the day...it's a good reminder." (19:49, Dave)

5. Parenting, “Launching” Children, and Lessons Across Generations (20:55–28:40)

• Discuss experiences with their combined five children, especially Sage’s eldest, Quinn, transitioning into adulthood, facing loneliness post-college, and advice to her siblings.
• Value of pushing children out of their comfort zones, fostering independence by encouraging them to attend college in diverse regions, and stories of adapting from military family life.
• Shared vulnerability about the challenges and worries of parenting, and lessons learned from frequently moving as military kids themselves:
  • "When you're told to be less of you, it actually hits hard." (79:34, Sage, reflecting later on)

6. Personal Vulnerability & Wedding Emotions (28:40–32:29)

• Honest talk about nerves and excitement leading up to the wedding—Dave is calm, Sage fluctuates between nervous and “game mode.”
• Mutual reflection on how quickly their relationship advanced, underscoring there is “no magic time frame” for knowing you’ve found the right person.
  • "Did I know? Yeah, I knew that night." (31:08, Sage)
  • "It was about two days later where I was like, wow, this is totally different." (31:19, Dave)

7. "How We Met"—Their Serendipitous Origin Story (32:29–49:50)

• Sage recounts their meeting: at a veterans charity event in Nashville, both as “plus ones”—through a long-standing connection between their mothers from military days and playing basketball against Sage’s brother in high school.
• Both admit initial intrigue and instant connection, sharing a two-hour in-depth conversation at the after-party.
• Lighthearted play-by-play of how Dave asked for Sage’s number ("Well, how do you expect to do that?"), and how her best friend Katie predicted their marriage that same night.
  • _"She looked at me ... and said, 'You're gonna marry him. Don't f*** it up.'" (52:22, Katie via Sage)

8. Bonding Over Life's “Hard Parts” (44:33–48:36)

• Both describe connecting deeply over shared experiences: divorce, parenting challenges, and life after heartbreak.
  • "It was just really nice. And I felt this massive connection because of the hard parts that we share." (46:41, Sage)
• Reflection on how their parents, especially mothers, provided support systems during those times, keeping their friendship alive across 30+ years.

9. Vulnerability, Protection, and the Importance of Support (80:37–85:29)

• Moving discussion about Sage’s desire for both emotional and physical protection—not out of neediness, but wanting to let herself “be taken care of” after years of self-reliance:
  • "I wanted to feel physically and emotionally protected and that I didn’t have to go do it alone and to feel like I had to support myself and everybody alone." (80:51, Sage)
• Dave’s commitment to opening doors, carrying bags, and being present for her—Sage’s daughters notice, raising their own expectations.

10. Building a Relationship “By the List” and Living Authentically (66:13–79:34)

• Early in their relationship, Dave asked Sage: “What do you want in a relationship? Top five.”
  • Sage shares her list, including: faith in God, spontaneity, encouragement, mutual celebration, physical attraction, being active, similar values (“no liberals!”), height, and being protective.
  • They playfully check off each trait, highlighting how these have shaped their bond and inspired others in their families.
  • "I was just finally being honest for the first time... not just share what I now need without shame...but to receive it." (85:19, Sage)

11. Wedding Anticipation, Gratitude, and Looking Ahead (94:41–104:14)

• Both discuss the whirlwind logistics and emotions of planning their upcoming wedding—with deep appreciation for everyone supporting them, especially their children and parents.
• Sage reflects on her parents being present for her second marriage, something she feared might not happen, and on the healing witnessed by the children.

12. Word Association & Heartfelt Tributes (103:09–109:52)

• Dave conducts a “word association” segment, asking Sage for one-word answers (which often become rich anecdotes) about each child, her parents, and pivotal dates.
• Sage’s emotional observations about her three children (Quinn, Nicholas, Evan), her parents, and the meaning of family and chosen moments:
  • On her father: “My dad’s my first love.” (104:12, Sage)
  • On November 12th: "The day my life changed forever." (110:02, Sage)

13. Closing Reflections: Faith, Authenticity, and Partnership (111:00–119:52)

• Both reflect on how they didn’t expect to find this depth of love again—and the importance of patience, faith, being authentic, and letting go of control.
• Honest admissions about moving on from past relationships, the bittersweetness of not sharing all of life’s chapters, and gratitude for their blended family.
• Dave: "I'm with my best friend who loves me and encourages me. That is life changing." (111:03)
• Sage: "Honestly, Dave, you changed my life forever. And thank you for putting up with me, and thank you for loving me, and thank you for committing to the rest of your life with me. What a blessing." (119:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On their ESPN moments:
  "To be there at that moment, it was so much bigger than sports, so much bigger than me or my father or anything. It was just really meaningful." (11:39, Sage)

• On letting go and being cared for:
  "I don't realize...how much of a barrier I had put up because I was like, nope, gotta be tough...that did not seem needy..." (81:10, Sage)

• On partnership and lists:
  "At first I was so impressed and excited that you knew the answer to that question. You had done your work. You knew what was important to you in a relationship. You were ready." (69:10, Dave)

• On blending families & weddings: "We're doing it our way. I want to be very present...and I'm just so grateful we get to do this, and it's literally because of God bringing us here." (64:12–65:12, Sage)

• On authenticity:
  "If we're not just our genuine, authentic selves, then...what are we doing?" (87:56, Sage)

• On their journey and gratitude:
  "This wedding is a celebration...of so many people who have stood by our side, picked us up, and punched us when we needed it." (91:12, Sage)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:53: Dave takes over as host, lays out intentions for the episode
• 06:13: Sage describes her top moments at ESPN, notably Veterans Day live at Arlington
• 14:45: Discussion of faith and protection through tough career moments
• 17:43: The role of daily devotionals for them and their families
• 22:00: Reflection on Sage’s daughter Quinn’s transition post-college
• 32:29: Detailed story of how Sage and Dave met
• 44:33: Connection over shared challenges—divorce, parenting
• 66:13: Discussion of Sage's "Top 5 (+)" list for a relationship
• 88:51: Letting go, authenticity, and trusting in the process
• 103:09: “Word association” segment—tributes to parents, children, and each other
• 110:02: November 12th declared as life-changing
• 119:04: Closing gratitude from Sage

Tone & Style

• Intimate & Candid: The episode’s tone is consistently warm, vulnerable, personal, playful, and deeply reflective—often swinging from laughter to tears.
• Conversational: Frequent banter and inside jokes keep it lively and relatable, even during heavy or emotional moments.
• Uplifting & Encouraging: The conversation is filled with mutual encouragement, faith, and gratitude for past struggles and present blessings.

For New Listeners

This episode offers an authentic peek behind the curtain of Sage Steele’s life well beyond sports. Listeners will find a blend of love story, life lessons, family humor, and wisdom about growth, faith, and healing—with an undeniable chemistry and warmth between Sage and Dave. It will especially resonate with anyone experiencing major life transitions, blending families, or seeking hope after heartbreak.