42 episodes
A Time to Sharpen Axel Liimatta & Brandon Maxwell
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- Kids & Family
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5.0 • 10 Ratings
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A bi-weekly podcast that examines how working with teenagers can make us better versions of ourselves: better teachers, better counselors, better parents…better people.
Join two of Whetstone Boys Ranch's co-founders, Axel Liimatta and Brandon Maxwell, as they discuss what twenty years of serving struggling teenagers and their families has taught them about how to address the most challenging of behaviors. You'll find answers without dogma, encouragement without false hope, and sharpening without shame. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/time-to-sharpen/support
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Field Trips: Let's Go!
Sir Isaac Newton observed that “an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion…unless acted upon by an outside force.” And while his laws of thermodynamics revolutionized physics, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that this is also true in our lives as parents, teachers, and counselors.
We tend to stick with the same old strategies we’ve been using because they are, well, good enough. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right?
That’s what makes taking field trips so difficult. They throw us out of our routine. Things go wrong. People behave in unpredictable ways. We often have to revisit our budget, tighten our belt, or sell a few extra things on ebay to make it happen.
On this episode of A Time to Sharpen, we’re going to offer some encouragement to plan a field trip. Let’s get out of our offices, schools, and homes. Let’s go do stuff.
And remember, “It's a dangerous business…going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” (Bilbo Baggins)
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You Are What You Eat
You are what you eat. If you eat exclusively chicken nuggets, you’ll probably end up looking like a chicken nugget. Literally.
Remember the documentary, Super Size Me? That dude ate only Mcdonald's food for 30 days, and he almost died. It was crazy. Of course, anyone could have told you that was stupid, so I’m not sure why had to risk his life to prove the point that fast food is unhealthy; but it does illustrate the principle of “garbage in, garbage out” quite effectively.
Join us this week on A Time to Sharpen as we address the importance of treating our bodies like they are the temple of God, and the implications this has when trying to satisfy the bottomless pit stomachs of teenagers.
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The Whetstone Way
What is the “Whetstone Way?” Well, to state the obvious, it’s the way we do things at Whetstone. It implies grit, determination, and a commitment to quality in all aspects of the program.
To paraphrase the great Vince Lombardi, it’s about chasing perfection, knowing that we will never attain it, while remaining confident that “we shall catch excellence” in the process.
To quote another great coach, John Wooden, “if you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it again?”
Join us this week on A Time to Sharpen as we discuss the many ways this mindset applies to teaching, counseling, and parenting - all of which require that delicate balance of aiming high without shooting over the head.
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Clothes Make the Man
Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society.”
Join us this week on A Time To Sharpen, as we discuss the importance of our clothing choices. They say a lot, fairly or unfairly, about who we are. This is especially true with teenagers, whose entire identity is sometimes built around name brands. How do we as parents, teachers, and counselors help them to find the balance between dressing like a slob on one hand, and using expensive apparel to disguise their low self-esteem on the other.
Clothing has been a hot button issue since Adam and Eve first draped themselves in animal skins and posted a cute pic on Instagram, so there is quite a bit to talk about.
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Art is not Optional
In the academic world, we sometimes refer to Art as an “elective,” intentionally or unintentionally implying that it is not necessary. At Whetstone, we believe that nothing is farther from the truth.
From music and film, to painting and poetry, we try to incorporate Art on a weekly if not daily basis to teach lessons about life and our relationship with the “Creator” or the Universe.
Join us this week on A Time To Sharpen as we shoot the breeze with Alex Ruschi, former mentoring specialist at Whetstone, and current artist extraordinaire! Alex is a gifted sculptor, painter, and maker of many things that defy description. You really have to see them to believe them. There are still many of his pieces hanging on the walls of Whetstone which remind us of the years he poured into the boys here.
One part interview and three parts group therapy, I don’t think that anyone after listening to this conversation, will hold to the backwards notion that art is optional.
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Stuck
We’ve all been stuck in the mud. Even Brandon, with his vast array of man-skills, has found himself up his axles in mud a time or two…or maybe it's just the one time. My point is that it happens to the best of us. There is no shame in getting stuck. It happens to anyone who is out there trying to make things happen.
It’s what we do once we’re stuck in the mud that matters. Get down on ourselves? Wallow in it? Pretend it’s not there? Hit the accelerator as hard as we can in a frustrated and futile attempt to get out? None of these are good approaches to mud, but it’s safe to say, we’ve all given them a shot in one way or another.
Join us this week on a Time to Sharpen as we discuss strategies for getting unstuck with your teenager. And remember, this is a judgment free zone, so don’t be embarrassed if you’re caked in mud at the moment. It’ll wash off, and you’ll be back on the road and better aware of how to keep from sliding off.
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Customer Reviews
Quality Content
It is refreshing to listen to a podcast with quality and clean content. Axel and Brandon are quality men who deeply care for struggling teenage boys and families. Their passion to love and serve bleeds through the mic and I’m grateful they share!
Never too late...
Being a parent for 31 years, I can honestly say it is never too late to listen and learn from others about how we interact and treat others, whether it be our children or the people in our lives at school or the workplace or in social circles. I have listened to all of A Time to Sharpen episodes and always have something to think about and apply to my life. Thank you, Axel and Brandon and all of Whetstone for allowing us to hear the struggles and triumphs you have had as you sharpen and plant seeds in the lives of the young men at Whetstone Boys Ranch. You do great work with humble hearts.
Wondering tool.
This podcast is wonderful! These two guys seem to have an full belt of tools to help with young teens. I have enjoyed every episode. The way they bring subjects to the table and have a real conversation is great. Their sense of humor keeps it light yet they go deep.
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