Almost Brothers Podcast

Michael Simmons, Richard Randl, Tyler Wilkerson

Whats up whats up whats up.. welcome to your new favorite podcast. Join your hosts Michael, Richard, and Tyler as we discuss God, church, life, and the journey through this crazy world. Get away from the stresses of life with this podcast. We will be hitting on various topics from sports, to life with Christ. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1133780/support

  1. 3d ago

    Talking dad things while The Kids Breakdance

    Send us Fan Mail Father’s Day talk gets real fast when you stop asking “Who is your dad?” and start asking “Who helped raise you?” We sit around the table with Tyler, Richie, producer Zeke, and our guests Olivia and James, with the babies adding their own brand of chaos, and we dig into the people who showed up as father figures when life needed extra support. We share stories about pastors, coaches, friends’ dads, and even close friends who became big-brother mentors, then we shift into what it’s like to step into fatherhood for the first time. Tyler opens up about how his first Father’s Day feels both real and unreal, and we talk about the everyday work that actually builds a family: diapers, bottles, learning milestones, and being present even when life is busy. We also ask the uncomfortable but necessary question: what do we need to do better as dads? The answers are simple and hard at the same time: more time, more play, more patience, and more grace with ourselves. Then we lighten it up with a holiday ranking showdown, from New Year’s Day all the way to Christmas, plus a side quest into Christmas music, holiday movies, and favorite seasons. It’s funny, loud, and oddly revealing about what we value most: tradition, rest, and being together. If you care about fatherhood, parenting, positive male role models, and building strong family relationships, hit play. Subscribe for more, share this with a dad or mentor who matters to you, and leave a review with your top holiday ranking. Support the show Please share and SUBSCRIBE!!! If you are able ... would you help us in becoming a subscriber and helping us get the word out.   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1133780/support Thinking about starting a podcast. Check out our affiliate link here. Listen on apple here Facebook Listen on Spotify here

    43 min
  2. Jun 18

    Fighting Through The Fatigue

    Send us Fan Mail Fatigue has a way of turning the volume up on everything. When we’re tired, the little stuff hits harder, our patience shrinks, and even good opportunities can start costing more than we realize. We talk honestly about what that feels like in real life, especially when the calendar is packed and you’re trying to show up as a parent, spouse, and friend while still handling responsibilities that don’t fit neatly into a normal week. We dig into the difference between quick fixes and real recovery: why “just push through” and “just drink more coffee” usually backfire, how scheduling matters as much as sleep, and why learning to say no can be an act of wisdom, not laziness. We also get candid about dad guilt, tight budgets, and how hard it can be to create meaningful family time when even the cheap options add up. Along the way, we share what’s helping us reset, like protecting time with our wives, slowing down enough to talk, and using reading as genuine mental rest. Then we lighten it up with a top-three superheroes draft (Captain America vs Spider-Man, plus some love for Batman, Wolverine, and more), followed by a nostalgic run through boy bands, 90s country, and the weird way music videos vanished. We even end up debating morning routines and the snooze button like it’s a real sport. Hit play, subscribe, and share this with someone who’s exhausted. And seriously, drop your best rest strategy in the comments or a message. What actually helps you fight through the fatigue? Support the show Please share and SUBSCRIBE!!! If you are able ... would you help us in becoming a subscriber and helping us get the word out.   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1133780/support Thinking about starting a podcast. Check out our affiliate link here. Listen on apple here Facebook Listen on Spotify here

    29 min
  3. Jun 2

    When Church Gets Cringe And How To Fix It

    Send us Fan Mail Some of the biggest obstacles to faith aren’t intellectual arguments, they’re Christians doing bizarre, performative things and calling it “God.” We get honest about the viral moments that make the church look unhinged: stunts in services, street-corner screaming, and the kind of “bold” behavior that feels more like attention seeking than love. When outsiders see that stuff, they don’t just reject the messenger, they assume the message itself must be broken. We also dig into the quieter kind of weirdness that happens in normal church culture. If you didn’t grow up in church, phrases like “the blood of Christ,” the mechanics of communion, or the unspoken rules around giving and dressing up can feel confusing or even scary. We talk about how man-made traditions get treated like biblical commands, how that pushes people away, and why we should be able to explain what we do in plain language with humility. Then we zoom out to megachurch dynamics and the money conversation. Big rooms come with big logistics, big assumptions, and real pressure to keep things moving without turning worship into a concert line. We talk about what it looks like when churches use their platform to show healthy Christianity at scale, and why keeping the gospel simple matters more than building a brand. And yes, we take a hard left into a “Guess The Jingle” showdown that will unlock your childhood memories and prove how powerful catchy marketing really is. If you’ve ever wondered why certain lines stick in your head for decades, you’ll love this part. Listen, share this with a friend who’s church-curious, and leave a review if the conversation helps you. What’s the weirdest “Christian” thing you’ve ever seen, and what would you change about church culture today? Support the show Please share and SUBSCRIBE!!! If you are able ... would you help us in becoming a subscriber and helping us get the word out.   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1133780/support Thinking about starting a podcast. Check out our affiliate link here. Listen on apple here Facebook Listen on Spotify here

    36 min
  4. May 19

    Are You Still Here Or Already Gone

    Send us Fan Mail Quiet quitting is everywhere, and it is not just a workplace trend. We talk about what it looks like when someone is still on the job, still in the relationship, still showing up, but they have stopped giving effort and stopped telling the truth. From customer service horror stories to leadership realities, we get into the uncomfortable signs that someone is checked out and why the silent version of quitting often happens when people are scared to have the real conversation. We also wrestle with the hard question: can you come back once you hit “I’m done”? Sometimes the answer is no, because the damage has been building for a long time. But we also share how change can happen when two people finally name what is broken, rebuild communication, and choose a different pattern. We connect that to church and ministry too, where quiet quitting often looks like disappearing without a word and leaving everyone guessing. Then we lighten it up with a full ranking of movie theater snacks, from ice cream and chicken tenders to slushies, pretzels, hot dogs, pizza, candy, and the undefeated king: popcorn. We end with a round of deep questions that pulls everything together, focusing on fear, purpose, and the regret of wasting time. If you care about leadership, relationships, workplace burnout, and real communication, hit play, then subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review with your hottest snack ranking. Support the show Please share and SUBSCRIBE!!! If you are able ... would you help us in becoming a subscriber and helping us get the word out.   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1133780/support Thinking about starting a podcast. Check out our affiliate link here. Listen on apple here Facebook Listen on Spotify here

    47 min
  5. May 14

    Just Show Up

    Send us Fan Mail You can tell a lot about a town by what happens on a random Saturday. When the weather is nice and the vendors are set up, do people just stroll through, or do they step in and help, check on each other, and treat the day like it belongs to everyone? We’re recording outside for this one, and the conversation keeps landing on the same idea: real community is built by people who show up early, stay late, and do the work that doesn’t come with a spotlight. We talk with Alan Cavaness about service, preparation, and what it means to keep giving your time even when you’re “supposed to be” retired. We also get into the pastor’s kid reality with Zeke and why cleanup, setup, and responsibility can be frustrating but formative. That leads to one of the biggest takeaways we’ve heard in a while: ministry starts with a broom in your hand. Leadership and character usually begin with the simple tasks. Then Mike Trevillion joins us to share how volunteering keeps local history alive through the Rector Community Museum, from military displays to school artifacts and the memories that hit people the moment they walk in. Samantha jumps in with what it takes to run community events well, including our upcoming car show on November 1st, and she gives an honest perspective on why “it takes a village” is not a cliché when you’re raising a kid and leaning on teachers, coaches, and church family for support. If you care about small town life, volunteering, church community, and raising good humans, this one’s for you. Subscribe to Almost Brothers, share it with a friend who serves behind the scenes, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show Please share and SUBSCRIBE!!! If you are able ... would you help us in becoming a subscriber and helping us get the word out.   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1133780/support Thinking about starting a podcast. Check out our affiliate link here. Listen on apple here Facebook Listen on Spotify here

    29 min
  6. May 13

    ChatGPT Did The Math So We Could Eat

    Send us Fan Mail Phones are gone at school, but the debate is louder than ever. We sit down with special guests William Banning and Ledger and get straight to the question students keep asking: does a phone ban actually help, or does it just remove tools we use to learn? We break down how phones can be used for school work, from calculators and quick Google searches to AI in education and ChatGPT, plus what really happens when a teacher spots a screen. From there, the conversation turns into pure end-of-year reality: background music, empty stomachs, school cookout hype, and graduation on the calendar. We trade stories about teachers, laugh about the weird moments that only make sense in a hallway, and relive field day with team rivalries, tug of war, and the kind of chaos that ends with someone diving into a shoe pile. Then we run our hot takes segment and it gets surprisingly thoughtful. Are vacations more stressful than relaxing? Would year-round school with breaks spread across the year reduce burnout? We also talk about the work nobody sees, the extra reps in the gym, the long hours behind big goals, and why consistency matters more than attention. We wrap with hobbies like 2K, VR horror games, fishing, and advice on balancing friends, family, and relationships. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review if you want more real student perspectives on school life, tech rules, and motivation. Where do you stand on phones in school? Support the show Please share and SUBSCRIBE!!! If you are able ... would you help us in becoming a subscriber and helping us get the word out.   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1133780/support Thinking about starting a podcast. Check out our affiliate link here. Listen on apple here Facebook Listen on Spotify here

    17 min
  7. May 13

    Build The Circle That Raises Your Kids

    Send us Fan Mail A single bad influence can derail a kid fast, but the right people around them can change the whole story. We sit down with Jennifer and Richard Randall and talk honestly about what it takes to build a “village” that actually helps raise your kids, not just babysit them. From friend groups that pull kids into trouble to the adults who step in with real guidance, we break down what support looks like when parenting gets messy and personal. We also get into the real friction between school and home, especially when you are living both roles at once. Jennifer shares what it is like being a teacher and a mom in the same building, including the moment the principal calls and you know you cannot walk in as “teacher mode.” We talk consequences, fairness, and why it is so hard to separate emotion from structure when your own child is the one in trouble. From there, the conversation opens up into teen decision-making, online friendships that surprisingly turn into mentorship, and the day-to-day reality of supporting a child with hearing loss and cochlear implants. We talk accommodations, sensory overload, and how technology can help kids connect, learn, and laugh out loud at things they could not even hear years ago. We close with a powerful topic: foster care and adoption, including the need for families willing to help older kids who too often get overlooked. If you care about parenting, teen friendships, special needs support, mentorship, and building a strong community around your family, this one will stick with you. Subscribe, share this with someone raising kids, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Support the show Please share and SUBSCRIBE!!! If you are able ... would you help us in becoming a subscriber and helping us get the word out.   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1133780/support Thinking about starting a podcast. Check out our affiliate link here. Listen on apple here Facebook Listen on Spotify here

    20 min
  8. May 12

    The Village Effect

    Send us Fan Mail A good community isn’t a slogan on a sign. It’s the moment you realize your kid is safe because a coach notices, a teacher checks in, and a neighbor is paying attention when you’re not. Recording from Mayfest 2026 in Rector, we talk about what makes a small town feel like a real village and why that kind of support can change a family’s entire experience of raising kids. Coach Lane Stucks joins us to explain why Rector stands out, how youth sports and school leadership shape culture, and what it means to coach alongside the same mentor who coached you. We also talk about the educators who connect beyond the court and classroom, including the kind of everyday care that builds trust with kids and parents. Along the way, we share a few laughs, because community is built in the serious moments and the funny ones. Then we bring it home with our own family: what it feels like to move, rebuild friendships, and watch your kids get surrounded by people who want them to grow up right. We get honest about the difference between communities that “talk support” and communities that prove it with action, plus how accountability works when you really do have eyes everywhere. If you care about parenting, mentorship, small-town life, and building a healthier support network, hit play. Subscribe to Almost Brothers Podcast, share this with someone who’s part of your village, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation. Support the show Please share and SUBSCRIBE!!! If you are able ... would you help us in becoming a subscriber and helping us get the word out.   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1133780/support Thinking about starting a podcast. Check out our affiliate link here. Listen on apple here Facebook Listen on Spotify here

    18 min
4.9
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Whats up whats up whats up.. welcome to your new favorite podcast. Join your hosts Michael, Richard, and Tyler as we discuss God, church, life, and the journey through this crazy world. Get away from the stresses of life with this podcast. We will be hitting on various topics from sports, to life with Christ. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1133780/support