BeTempered

dschmidt5
  • 4.9 (28)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 9h ago

    BeTempered Episode 116 - Finding God in the Worst Moment with Amy Cullum

    Some moments divide your life into before and after. For Amy Cullum, that moment came on a dark roadside after a late-night crash involving her son, Alex. In the middle of fear and uncertainty, she heard four words she believes came from God: "Don't turn him over." She didn't know it then, but those words would carry a meaning she wouldn't fully understand until a phone call from the coroner days later. Hosts Ben Spahr and Dan Schmidt talk with Amy about a life shaped by faith long before tragedy ever entered the picture. She reflects on growing up as an identical twin, the search for identity beyond comparison, her years as a Spanish teacher, and the lessons she's learned through endurance training and walking the Camino de Santiago. Along the way, she explains how perseverance isn't built in the easy moments, but in choosing the next faithful step when life doesn't make sense. The conversation turns to the unimaginable loss of Alex and the years that followed. Amy shares how Psalm 32:8 became an anchor, how her family found purpose through organ donation, scholarships, and honoring Alex's legacy, and why authentic faith doesn't ignore grief but learns to carry it. She also discusses her books Welcome to the Banquet and Not Done Yet, along with a new project she's creating with her twin sister. This episode is a reminder that God doesn't promise a life without heartbreak, but He does promise His presence through it. Whether you're walking through grief, searching for purpose, or simply need encouragement to keep taking the next step, we hope Amy's story reminds you that you're not walking alone. Learn more at betempered.com and support the mission at patreon.com/betempered. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

  2. Jul 24

    BeTempered Episode 115 - The Truth About Addiction That Most People Never See with Kara Harris

    Some stories remind you that addiction isn’t a lack of willpower. It’s a battle that slowly steals your identity until you no longer recognize the person staring back at you. On BeTempered Episode 115, hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr welcome Kara Harris for one of the most honest conversations we've had about addiction, trauma, recovery, and what it really takes to rebuild a life. Kara shares her journey from experimenting with pills at a young age to years consumed by heroin, methamphetamine, arrests, abusive relationships, homelessness, and the constant fight to survive. She opens up about how bullying, trauma, untreated mental health struggles, and the loss of her identity fueled the addiction, and why telling someone to "just quit" completely misses the reality of what they're experiencing. The conversation also explores the devastating impact addiction has on families, the heartbreak of losing Logan to an overdose, and the difficult balance between loving someone and enabling them. It's an honest look at the pain addiction leaves behind for everyone involved. But this story doesn't end there. Kara explains what finally changed, from probation and treatment to medication-assisted treatment, accountability, and the faith-based community at Another Chance Ministry that helped her discover a new purpose. Today, she's using her own experiences to help other women find hope, healing, and a path forward while pursuing a future in social work. This episode is a reminder that no matter how dark life becomes, your past doesn't have to define your future. If this conversation encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more authentic conversations, and help us continue these stories by visiting betempered.com and joining our community at patreon.com/betempered. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

  3. Jul 17

    BeTempered Episode 114 - The Weight Leaders Were Never Meant to Carry Alone with Colonel George Glaze

    Some battles don't end when the mission is over. They begin when the uniform comes off. BeTempered Episode 114 brings back Colonel George Glaze for a conversation that is noticeably different from the first time he joined hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr. The confidence is still there, but so is a level of honesty that only comes from doing the hard work. George shares how losing more than 50 pounds became about far more than a number on a scale. It forced him to confront the pain, fatigue, frustration, and anger that had quietly built over years of leadership, combat, and carrying the weight of everyone else's expectations. The conversation moves into one of the greatest struggles facing veterans, first responders, and leaders: discovering who you are when your identity is no longer defined by your rank, title, or mission. George explains why ego can become a survival mechanism, how cynicism slowly creeps into everyday life, and why replacing constant noise with prayer, Scripture, and intentional presence has transformed the way he approaches each day. One of the most powerful moments comes when George talks about holding his newborn grandson, Hudson. Looking into the eyes of a child with a completely blank slate, he realized he didn't want to pass down the cynicism he had carried for so many years. That moment became a challenge to leave behind bitterness and embrace a legacy built on hope, faith, and resilience instead. Dan, Ben, and George also dive into survivor's guilt, vulnerability, spiritual warfare, and why "giving it to God" is often much harder than people make it sound. They explore the unseen battles that continue long after combat ends and why healing requires the same discipline, accountability, and intentionality that prepared soldiers for the battlefield. Whether you've served in the military, worn a badge, led an organization, or simply find yourself carrying burdens no one else sees, this conversation offers practical wisdom, honest encouragement, and a reminder that your greatest battle may not be behind you, but neither is your greatest growth. Watch and listen at https://betempered.com. If you'd like to help us continue sharing conversations like this, become a supporter at https://patreon.com/betempered. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

  4. Jul 10

    BeTempered Episode 113 – Faith Through Life's Hardest Seasons with Mark Broeker

    Five pregnancy losses will either pull you apart or force you to discover a strength you never knew you had. For Mark Broeker, that journey became one of faith, perseverance, and learning how to keep moving forward when life refuses to make sense. With Ben out this week, it's just me, Dan Schmidt, talking with Mark about a life that has been shaped by both incredible hardship and incredible resilience. We begin with his small-town upbringing, his father's battle with cancer, three torn ACLs, and the pressure of building a successful career while quietly struggling with anxiety, depression, and alcohol. It's an honest conversation about the weight many men carry without ever talking about it. Mark also shares the deeply personal story of walking through five pregnancy losses alongside his wife. We discuss the grief that miscarriage brings to a marriage, what it looks like to support your spouse while you're hurting yourself, and the medical journey that ultimately led to the birth of their daughter, Annabelle. From counseling and faith to daily discipline and movement, Mark explains the habits that helped him rebuild his life. He also shares the unexpected blessing of welcoming a foreign exchange student, Lucia, whose presence brought joy and healing to their family during one of their darkest seasons. The conversation then shifts to the 3 of 7 Project Rite of Passage, a grueling 24-hour endurance event through the mountains of North Georgia led by former Navy SEAL Chad Wright and his team. Mark takes us inside the preparation, the physical suffering, the mental battles, Copperhead Road, the infamous Wormhole, and the defining moment when an entire group of men refused to let anyone quit. This episode is about far more than endurance. It's about faith when prayers seem unanswered, the importance of men's mental health, finding purpose through suffering, and discovering that resilience is built one difficult step at a time. Learn more at https://betempered.com and support the show at https://patreon.com/betempered. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

  5. Jul 3

    BeTempered Episode 112 – More Than Shoes: Restoring Dignity for Children with Kris Horlacher

    A kid tries to play basketball while limping, then pulls off his shoes and reveals socks soaked in blood. That single moment became the catalyst for everything Kris Horlacher would build through Shoes 4 The Shoeless. What started as one heartbreaking realization has grown into a nonprofit that has provided properly fitting shoes and socks to well over 200,000 children across Southwest Ohio, restoring dignity one child at a time.  Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Kris to hear the story behind the mission and the lessons she's learned while leading one of the region's most impactful nonprofits. From her years as a registered nurse working in emergency medicine, trauma care, disaster relief, and public health, to mentoring children living in poverty, Kris explains how those experiences prepared her to recognize a need almost everyone else overlooked. She shares why correctly measuring every child's feet is non-negotiable, why socks are often the greatest need, how volunteers make school distributions run like clockwork, and why something as simple as a new pair of shoes can dramatically change a child's confidence, health, and future. The conversation also dives into the realities of nonprofit leadership. Kris opens up about criticism from people who think they know better, navigating legal challenges as a faith-based organization serving public schools, building trust with school districts, and why deciding who is "deserving" of help often misses the point entirely. She also explains why empathy isn't something we're born with, but something that must be intentionally taught and practiced through what she calls "eye-to-eye service." Whether you're passionate about serving your community, leading a nonprofit, raising empathetic children, or simply looking for a reminder that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and genuine hope. Sometimes changing a life starts with something as simple as making sure a child has shoes that actually fit. Learn more about Shoes 4 The Shoeless or find ways to volunteer and support their mission at shoes4theshoeless.org.  Listen now at betempered.com Support the show and get exclusive content at patreon.com/betempered Send us Fan Mail Support the show

  6. Jun 26

    BeTempered Episode 111 – Beyond Wins and Losses with Coach Mark Hoffman

    There are coaches who win games, and there are coaches who change lives. Mark Hoffman spent 46 years doing both, but ask the people who know him best and they’ll tell you the scoreboard was never the point. From small-town football fields to classrooms and communities across Ohio, Coach Hoff built a reputation for demanding excellence while never losing sight of the person behind the player. Hosts Dan Schmidt, Ben Spahr, and special guest host Shawn Ruebush sit down with Coach Hoff to explore the lessons that shaped him long before he became one of the most respected coaches in the region. He shares stories from his upbringing, the family values that became his foundation, the mentors who influenced his path, and the experiences that formed his approach to leadership, discipline, and service. The conversation goes far beyond football. Mark reflects on coaching at 12 different schools, adapting to changing generations, and why standards still matter in a world that often looks for shortcuts. He also opens up about helping students facing difficult circumstances, advocating for kids who needed someone in their corner, and the responsibility adults have to notice what others miss. At the heart of the episode is Coach Hoff's simple but powerful mission for every player he coached: be a good citizen, be a good man, and be a good dad. It's a philosophy that reaches far beyond sports and offers a blueprint for building stronger families, teams, and communities. Learn more at betempered.com Support the show at patreon.com/betempered Send us Fan Mail Support the show

  7. Jun 19

    BeTempered Episode 110 – Surviving Afghanistan, Searching for Purpose with Caleb Hutcheson

    A lot of people can tell you what combat looks like. Fewer can tell you what happens when the war follows you home. Caleb Hutcheson spent his deployment in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, conducting route clearance missions as a combat engineer. Every day meant searching for hidden IEDs where a single mistake could cost lives. He shares what it was like driving the Buffalo, surviving an explosion beneath his vehicle, and discovering a second device nearby that could have made an already terrifying situation even worse. But this conversation goes far beyond Afghanistan. Caleb opens up about the difficult transition back to civilian life, the depression that crept in after military service, and the identity crisis that can come when you go from having a clear mission to wondering where you belong. He discusses alcohol, dark thoughts, comparison, and the spiritual battles that often happen long before anyone else notices. Caleb also shares how faith became more than something he believed. Through conviction, surrender, Bible study, prayer, and unexpected opportunities, God began redirecting his life toward ministry. What started as small steps of obedience eventually led him to Bible college and serving at Community of Faith Church in Lewisburg, Ohio. Hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Caleb Hutcheson for an honest conversation about combat, purpose, faith, resilience, and finding hope when life looks fine on the outside but feels empty within. https://betempered.com Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/betempered Send us Fan Mail Support the show

  8. Jun 12

    BeTempered Episode 109 – Identity Beyond Performance with Carson Brower

    What happens when the thing you've built your identity around gets taken away? Carson Brower shares a story that goes far beyond baseball. Born with VATER syndrome affecting his right arm, Carson grew up learning how to adapt, solve problems differently, and push through obstacles most people never have to face. Those lessons eventually helped him achieve his dream of becoming a Division I pitcher at Bellarmine University, but the greatest challenges of his life weren't on the field. Inspired by Jim Abbott, Carson became obsessed with finding ways to make what others viewed as a disadvantage work at the highest level. He takes us through growing up in Eaton, Ohio, the frustrations and victories that came with doing everyday tasks differently, and the moment he returned to baseball after walking away from the game at age 12. Hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr dive into the darker side of competitive athletics as Carson openly discusses the depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts that developed when his identity became tied to performance. He shares the phone call from his mother that changed everything, the community that rallied around him, and how his faith in Christ helped him rebuild his foundation when baseball could no longer define who he was. The conversation also explores the wrist injury that ultimately ended Carson's pitching career, the difficult decision to prioritize his long-term future over one more season, and the perspective he carries today about gratitude, purpose, pressure, and resilience. If you've ever struggled with identity, mental health, adversity, faith, athletics, or finding your purpose beyond achievement, this episode will stay with you. Visit: betempered.com Support the show: patreon.com/betempered Send us Fan Mail Support the show

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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    dschmidt5
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    117
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BeTempered
  • Show Website
    BeTempered