The Tri-Star Podcast

Duane Brumitt & Chris Beane
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Join Professor Duane Brumitt and Professor Chris Beane from Tri-Star Martial Arts Academy in Bradley, IL, as they share faith-based parenting insights, leadership lessons, and practical strategies to help you raise confident, humble, and gritty kids. Whether your child struggles with bullying, focus, or finding their purpose, this podcast equips parents with the tools to help their children become the leaders they were designed to be. tristarkarate.substack.com

  1. 24: Your Environment Is Stronger Than Your Willpower

    3d ago

    24: Your Environment Is Stronger Than Your Willpower

    Last episode, we talked about identity — who you believe you are shapes how you behave. This week, we go one layer deeper: what shapes your behavior every single day (often without you noticing)?Your answer is your environment.In this episode, Professor Brumitt and Professor Beane unpack why so many families lose the battle before it starts — trying to build discipline inside a setup that’s designed for distraction. Then, they give practical ways to remove unnecessary battles and build a home (and digital life) that makes the right choices easier.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why willpower gets tired — and why your environment keeps “training” youHow clutter, chaos, and constant access to screens quietly create friction and stressSimple ways to remove friction for good habits (and add friction to bad ones)A powerful bedtime reset: phone out of the bedroom + book on the pillowHow to use iPhone Focus modes (and even grayscale) to reduce digital distractionWhy your community shapes what feels “normal” — quitting vs. growthHow faith and your internal environment (prayer, scripture, reflection) shapes your external environmentChallenge for the week: Choose one environment to improve — your room, your car, your schedule, your phone, or your family routine. One small change can create big long-term momentum. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tristarkarate.substack.com

    33 min
  2. 23: Identity: Why You Keep Falling Back (and How to Change It)

    Jun 3

    23: Identity: Why You Keep Falling Back (and How to Change It)

    You can want better habits.You can set better goals.But if you still see yourself as “not disciplined,” “not confident,” or “not focused,” you’ll eventually drift back to old patterns.In this episode, Professor Brumitt and Professor Beane talk about the difference between behavior change and identity change—and why identity is the deeper root that drives what you do (and what your kids do).You’ll hear:Why labels and nicknames shape identity (for better or worse)How parents unintentionally create “small boxes” for kidsWhy even positive labels can become limitingHow martial arts helps rebuild identity through evidence (stripes, forms, tests, small wins)A practical parenting approach: praise effort first, then techniqueA powerful real-life story about bedtime identity-building phrases and why they matterA simple weekly challenge: listen to your language and choose one small action that supports the identity you wantIf you’ve ever said (or heard) “I’m just not ___,” this episode will help you change the script. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tristarkarate.substack.com

    33 min
  3. 22: What Does It Really Mean to Follow Jesus?

    May 27

    22: What Does It Really Mean to Follow Jesus?

    What does it actually mean to follow Jesus? For many people, faith can feel like belief, knowledge, or tradition. However, when you look at the life of Jesus, it becomes clear that following Him is something much deeper—it’s a daily way of living. In this episode, Professor Brumitt and Professor Beane break down what it truly looks like to follow Jesus in real, practical terms. From the way we speak, to how we respond under pressure, to how we serve others—following Jesus isn’t about perfection, it’s about direction. We talk through key biblical examples, the difference between knowing and following, and simple steps you can start practicing today: time in Scripture, honest prayer, serving without expecting anything back, forgiving quickly (with wisdom and boundaries), and choosing obedience one day at a time. Whether you’re new to faith or you’ve been around it for years, this conversation will challenge, encourage, and ground you in what it really means to live like Jesus. Key Scriptures Mentioned * Matthew 4:19 * Luke 9:23 * Luke 10 (The Good Samaritan) * John 13 (Jesus washes the disciples’ feet) * Matthew 4 (Jesus tempted in the wilderness) * Romans 6:23 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tristarkarate.substack.com

    34 min
  4. 21: Becoming, Not Just Doing: Martial Arts vs Other Activities

    May 20

    21: Becoming, Not Just Doing: Martial Arts vs Other Activities

    If you’re a parent trying to choose the right activity for your child, you’ve probably felt the pressure: sports, dance, music, gymnastics, STEM clubs—every option sounds good, and every option promises a benefit. But here’s the real question: Are we just trying to fill time… or are we trying to build a kid? In Episode 21 of The Tri-Star Podcast, Professor Brumitt and Professor Beane unpack the difference between doing and becoming—and why martial arts, when it’s taught the right way, can become a training tool for life. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The simple framework: Activity vs Becoming * Why most programs end when class is over, but martial arts can carry into everyday life * How martial arts supports whole-child growth (physical, mental, emotional, character, life skills, and social skills) * Respectful comparisons: martial arts vs team sports, dance, music, gymnastics, and academic clubs * Why the uniform doesn’t guarantee the outcome: the system and the people do * The 6 green flags to watch for during your child’s trial (structure, coaching, engagement, safety, standards-based progress, and intentional character development) * What to expect in week 1 vs week 2 of your trial * The key questions to ask at the end of your trial Grab the free guide (printable) Download: How to Choose the Right Martial Arts School for Your ChildIncludes: 5 misconceptions, 6 green flags, 6 red flags, and 5 questions to ask any school. Link: https://tristarkarate.com/choose-martial-arts-school/ New episodes drop every Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tristarkarate.substack.com

    40 min
  5. 20: Ten Thousand Conversations: Why Repetition Isn’t Failure

    May 13

    20: Ten Thousand Conversations: Why Repetition Isn’t Failure

    Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you’ve said the same thing to your kid 50 times… and nothing seems to stick? In this episode, Professor Brumitt and Professor Beane explain why that frustration doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re parenting. Real growth doesn’t come from one big speech. It comes from ten thousand small conversations over time: reminders, encouragements, corrections, and little moments of connection that slowly shape your child’s character. You’ll hear a powerful anchor from Proverbs 15:1 (“A soft answer turns away wrath…”), plus practical tools you can use immediately: * Why calm + consistent beats intense * How to use teaspoon bites instead of emotional lectures * Why the what without the why feels like “because I said so” * How pre-decided phrases (parenting “SOPs”) help you respond without losing control * Why repair is leadership — and how apologizing teaches your child how to reconnect after a hard moment Want a free chapter from Duane’s book 10,000 Conversations? Visit tristarkarate.com/10K to download it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tristarkarate.substack.com

    1 hr
  6. 19: Failure: Why Your Kids Need It More Than Success

    May 6

    19: Failure: Why Your Kids Need It More Than Success

    Every parent wants confident kids. Every parent wants strong kids. Every parent wants happy kids. But here’s the truth: happiness comes and goes, confidence grows over time, and failure is one of the greatest teachers your child will ever have. In Episode 19 of The Tri-Star Podcast, Professor Brumitt and Professor Beane break down what “healthy failure” actually looks like (not shame, not punishment, not quitting) and give you a simple framework you can use the next time your child is frustrated, embarrassed, or disappointed—so they learn to bounce back, try again, and build earned confidence that lasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tristarkarate.substack.com

    59 min
  7. 18: Resilience: How to Raise Kids Who Bounce Back

    Apr 29

    18: Resilience: How to Raise Kids Who Bounce Back

    In this episode of The Tri-Star Podcast, Professor Brumitt and Professor Beane build on last week’s conversation about comfort—and explain the skill that grows when kids face discomfort the right way: resilience. Not toughness. Not emotional suppression. Resilience is the ability to recover—to feel disappointment, embarrassment, or frustration and still return, try again, and stay engaged. You’ll hear why modern kids often struggle to bounce back (fewer unstructured challenges, more adult intervention, faster entertainment, less boredom, and fewer natural consequences), and why removing obstacles doesn’t build strength—it builds fragility. Then we share the “controlled adversity” model inside the Tri-Star studio and a simple, practical framework parents can use in real time: normalize the feeling, ask a growth question, and redirect to the next step. Listen or watch here: https://tristarkarate.com/podcasts/ New episodes drop every Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tristarkarate.substack.com

    46 min
  8. 17: Why Comfort Is Costing Your Child (and You) More Than You Realize

    Apr 22

    17: Why Comfort Is Costing Your Child (and You) More Than You Realize

    We live in the most comfortable time in human history—and yet anxiety is rising, resilience is dropping, and frustration tolerance feels thinner than ever. In this episode, Professor Brumitt and Professor Beane unpack why comfort isn’t evil—but it is addictive. You’ll learn how the brain is wired to chase ease, why kids can feel overwhelmed by boredom, correction, or failure, and how adults fall into the same comfort patterns through scrolling, snacking, procrastinating, and avoiding hard conversations. Most importantly, you’ll hear the difference between harmful stress and healthy discomfort—the kind that builds confidence, patience, and grit. Martial arts provides what modern life often removes: safe struggle inside a supportive structure. And you’ll leave with a simple weekly challenge to choose one small discomfort on purpose—because comfort feels good today, but growth feels good for life. Listen or watch here: https://tristarkarate.com/podcasts/ New episodes drop every Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tristarkarate.substack.com

    55 min
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About

Join Professor Duane Brumitt and Professor Chris Beane from Tri-Star Martial Arts Academy in Bradley, IL, as they share faith-based parenting insights, leadership lessons, and practical strategies to help you raise confident, humble, and gritty kids. Whether your child struggles with bullying, focus, or finding their purpose, this podcast equips parents with the tools to help their children become the leaders they were designed to be. tristarkarate.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Duane Brumitt & Chris Beane
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Duane Brumitt
  • Show Website
    The Tri-Star Podcast