I got a call from my sister-in-law as I was driving to get some pizza, and she invited me over to her house because the 3rd of April is my great nieces birthday. We were going to have a makeshift birthday party at the house, and she said all the kids are going to be here, meaning my niece and her three kids (my other niece lives out of state). I went over, and my great-niece has grown easily a foot and a half in the last three months. I can't remember the last time I saw her, but she's much taller. My great-nephew is taller than I am. It was one of those times when I knew to take a brain tattoo, meaning it's something that's not going to happen (so take a mental snap shot). I've been doing this a lot when the kids are together because the newphew is 18, and it's very weird that he's graduating from high school.

It was kind of a slap in my face that, "Hey, if you wanted to watch this kid play high school sports, you missed it," and it made me very sad. My mom attended everything; now moms always do that, because they had to drive you there, probably, but nonetheless it was one of those where I think I saw him play sports three times. I thought, "You suck as an Uncle," but it was great to have them all together. It was really weird that the baby of the family is now a teenager. The middle great-niece will soon be driving, and the oldest Nephew is off to Myrtle Beach with his buddies. That phrase, "All the kids will be here," is something that, even before I got there, I realized is something that's going to be more and more special. Eventually we will blink, and someone will be married with a kid. The newphew has a girlfriend now who seems very sweet, and then the girls will go off. Who knows what will happen, right? Nonetheless, having everyone under the same roof will be harder and harder to do, because who knows, they might end up in other states, et cetera, et cetera. I actually got a little emotional because I was watching him leave. Here he is, this 18-year-old kid, and about six feet in front of him was my niece (his Mom). I remember vividly watching her on a blanket at my brother's house in North Hill. She occasionally would say "buh," and we all thought that was hilarious. Here was my little "buh" baby, and her first kid is now a high school graduate, and it just happened so incredibly fast.

And faster it will go. If I'm going to see the great nieces, cheerleading or whatever they're doing, I'm going to have to step up my game as an Uncle.

Check Your Calendar

My niece had even sent a date and address to one of his last games. I remember thinking I need to check that and add it to my calendar, except he had already graduated and I had missed it. So check your calendar. I believe your calendar reflects your heart. Don't wait, as time is moving faster and faster. Get your prorities in place.

This month has been a wild ride—I've spent a ton of money and even more energy waterproofing my basement, only to find out the pipes were completely clogged and needed major repairs. My childhood hangout is now a construction zone, and the work isn't over yet. But it's not all about the basement—this week I set out for what I thought would be a relaxing bike ride, only to end up carrying my bike up and down muddy stairs in pursuit of the elusive Brandywine Falls. Along the way, I found myself hot, sweaty, and covered in dust, whether I was cleaning at home or out on the trail. It got me thinking about attitude—how sometimes the work and the fun leave you feeling the same physically, but it's how you look at it that makes the difference. So join me as I share what I've learned about perseverance, getting older, and keeping your eye on the prize. Let's get better together, one adventure at a time!

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On this episode of Building a Better Dave, I open up about a lifelong battle with debt, from childhood lessons learned at the family kitchen table to the hard realities of bankruptcy, divorce, and the ever-looming burden of credit cards. I share how persistent financial setbacks reshaped his perspective on money, hard work, and resilience. Just when he thought he had finally conquered debt, an unexpected basement flood pulled him back in, reminding him that life's challenges are never really finished. Join me as I explore what it means to keep pushing forward when setbacks strike, the value of perseverance, and how sometimes tearing things down is the first step to building something even better.

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Sequence of Topics Covered 1. Introduction & Theme of Debt

• Dave Jackson introduces debt as the main topic and his lifelong struggle with it 00:00.

• Show info and contact details are provided 00:08.

2. Early Lessons in Money and Debt

• Memories of his dad doing taxes and the tension around finances 00:36.

• The influence of the Lannister motto, "A Lannister always pays his debts," on his upbringing 01:22.

• Story of borrowing $300 from his grandfather to buy a car and the process of paying him back 01:28.

• Learning there are no "free lunches" and needing to earn money for things he wanted, such as music albums 01:47.

3. Family Finances & Value of Money

• Family's economic background (not rich, not poor, but frugal) 02:24.

• Use of coupons, hand-me-downs, and lessons in financial responsibility from his mother 02:33.

4. Adult Experiences with Debt

• First marriage: fertility challenges lead to substantial credit card debt for treatments 02:41.

• Living paycheck to paycheck and discussing bankruptcy, which conflicted with his "pay your debts" values 03:30.

• After 9/11, wife's hours were cut, leading them to file for bankruptcy reluctantly 03:40.

5. Struggles with Debt in Later Life

• Marriage to a partner with poor credit and inheriting someone else's credit card debt after divorce 04:17.

• Failed attempts at debt consolidation and the difficulty of accessing better loan rates 05:09.

• Gradual process of securing slightly better loans and working towards being debt-free 05:25.

6. The Turning Point: Selling the School of Podcasting

• Conversation with his boss about potential for the School of Podcasting 05:42.

• Decision to sell the business for enough money to pay off debt, while maintaining a professional relationship 06:23.

• Finishing 2025 debt-free and entering the new year with a clean slate 07:07.

• Enjoying financial freedom and considering future opportunities and contributions to family 07:38.

7. Setbacks: Home Flooding and New Debt

• Feeling of finally catching up to peers in life after years of feeling behind 08:03.

• Discovery of water damage and mold in the basement after heavy rain 09:18.

• Realization of the high cost involved in repairs and choosing to finance the repairs rather than deplete savings 10:30.

• Resuming strategies from earlier years to manage debt and expenses 11:05.

8. Mindset and Coping Strategies

• Acceptance of debt as a temporary setback and readiness to cut corners and reduce expenses (e.g., fewer streaming services, no fast food) 11:48.

• Reflecting on the possibility of being in debt into old age and the impact on personal plans 12:22.

9. Tackling Change and Optimism

• Clearing out the workshop and preparing for basement renovations 12:51.

• Parallel between demolishing basement parts and the demolition of his childhood schools 13:31.

• Considering new configurations for the basement, such as moving down his podcasting studio, and seeking hidden benefits 14:05.

• Drawing inspiration from his grandmother's longevity supported by daily movement 14:18.

10. It is What It is

• Paying for repairs and looking forward with optimism, knowing things will improve 14:46.

• Mention of listener support through "buy me a coffee" on the website to help with expenses 14:58.

• Closing wishes for the audience and a tease for the next episode 15:19.

In this episode, I look into the hilariously pointless world of sports interviews. Ever sit through those sideline or post-game questions and wonder why we bother? Trust me, I do too! Whether it's ex-players like Doug Deacon giving us obvious advice ("If you want to win, you've got to score points") or reporters asking quarterbacks how it feels to win in overtime, it all feels a bit silly to me.

I share stories about being a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan, what it's like watching my great nephew get concussion after concussion playing football, and how that's changed the way families look at the sport. I also talk about the NFL trying their best to save their audience by appealing to kids and women, like dumping slime on players or having female sideline reporters—but still mostly asking the same old questions.

Bottom line: If you want to save some time (and a few brain cells), you can skip the sports interviews and just watch the game. I'm all about talented athletes and the thrill of victory (even if we Cleveland fans rarely get to celebrate), but you won't catch me sticking around for another round of "how does it feel?"

Hope you're enjoying your holiday season as you listen. Until next time—it's gonna get better!

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Please note I'm not saying the women reporters are stupd. I'm saying the quesitons they ask (probably created by a guy) are stupid. They are just doing their job.

Hey, it's Dave—and on this episode of Building a Better Dave, I talk all about the weirdness that is Halloween in my neighborhood lately. As October rolls in, I've noticed a crazy escalation in skeleton yard decorations. What used to be simple six-foot skeletons have turned into these massive twelve-foot giants. I can't help but wonder if this is just the middle-aged version of keeping up with the Joneses.

Halloween itself has always struck me as strange, especially when you factor in how expensive candy has gotten (seriously, $15 a bag now?!) and how we've all just accepted feeding our kids mountains of sugar as tradition. Confession: If I buy a bunch of candy, I'm probably just going to eat it myself, which is why I might skip handing it out altogether and let myself get "tricked" this year.

This episode, I also reminisce about the good old days of Halloween pranks—TPing houses, knocking and running, and my brother's infamous police escort home after getting caught. My dad was definitely not amused. It feels like those harmless pranks just don't happen anymore—probably because today's doorbell cameras have killed the fun.

Of course, I have to mention bobbing for apples, which, looking back, is basically waterboarding with fruit. Pump enough apple cider into a kid and you end up with what I like to call the "Runs" (and I list every synonym I can think of—because why not?).

And what's up with every costume needing to be "slutty" these days? Slutty nurse, slutty librarian, even slutty Daffy Duck! Not sure when that trend started, but it seems to get more out there every year.

I wrap up by admitting I bought a new Christmas tree—when all I intended was a little four-foot tree, I walked out with a seven-and-a-half foot beauty. Honestly, I think I'm trying to recapture one of my favorite childhood memories: coming in from the snow, curling up in front of the tree with a thick blanket and some hot chocolate from my mom. That feeling of safety just sticks with me, especially as the holidays get closer.

Hope you enjoy my holiday ramblings, stories of waterboarding for fruit, and my skepticism about modern Halloween. Until next time, hang in there—it's going to get better.

Highlights:

• Giant skeletons and the one-upmanship of Halloween decorations

• The economics—and temptations—of Halloween candy

• How doorbell cameras ruined classic Halloween pranks

• Bobbing for apples: my take on this bizarre tradition

• The rise of "slutty" costumes and my bewilderment

• Reflecting on the holidays and chasing those cozy, safe memories

Did this episode make you laugh,cry, think, or groan? Consider buying Dave a coffee.

In this episode, I open up about a recent experience I had on Reddit where, despite my own advice, I ended up feeding the trolls. I share how I got pulled into a frustrating back-and-forth with someone who just wasn't open to any input, and how that made me reflect on my own "educator mindset"—the urge to resolve every conflict or misunderstanding online.

I talk about the importance of setting boundaries not just with online trolls, but also when inviting podcast guests onto your show. Remember: if someone really wants to be on your show, they'll usually find time that works for you.

On the personal side, I give an update about being busier than ever at my church due to a colleague's health issues. I discuss how this has affected my routine, my stress levels (thanks for the heads up, Oura Ring!), and the push I'm giving myself to prioritize health and movement—even if it means just getting out to walk at my local park. Plus, I share a little inspiration from watching the Ozzy Osbourne documentary "Coming Home," which has me thinking about aging, health, and making time for what really matters.

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Key Takeaways:

- Don't let internet trolls drain your energy—learn to recognize when to disengage (even if you think that last message might "fix" things). - When it comes to podcasting, don't be afraid to set your own boundaries around scheduling guests. - Some people just aren't open to feedback, and that's okay—sometimes it's best to step back. - Make sure your social profiles link to your website to help connect with people you actually can help. - Growth comes from noticing your own patterns—and learning from your mistakes. - Keep prioritizing your health and well-being, even when life gets busy. - Inspiration can come from unexpected places—even a documentary about Ozzy Osbourne.

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Links Mentioned:

Coming Home -Ozzy Osbourne documentary

Connect with Me:

betterdave.com

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, do consider buying me a coffee :)

So I had no idea I would get backlash about saying, "Hey I think Charlie Kirk might be on to something about this we shold all talk to each other.." thing going on. I got TONS of people tell me to dig deeper and I found a black, gay dude standing up for Charlie.

Wait, I thought Charlie was a racist homophobe? Then I was told to quit cherry picking videos. Taylor Swift casting spells? Um, no.

I just don't recognize my country. I got to see someone shot in the neck and die today. Then people cheered because they didn't like his opinions. It just seems so weird. Meawhile the mainstram media fans the flames of the divided states of America, and nobody knows how to have a dialogue anymore. All we do is shoot each other, and the bad news is I don't know how to fix it, and I don't trust the people in power.

So welcome to my rant as I scream into the void.

So I'm driving to Chicago and back over a weekend. That's 14 hours in a car. While I'm not ancient, I'm not young. I'm not 23 anymore. Did I just write a check with my mind that my body can't cash? I'm trying to find some food in Chicago and took a wrong turn. Chicago, like every city in America, is a good place to get shot if you're on the wrong side of the city.

How am I going find the balance of not doing things that I may not be able to do without stopping myself from enjoying life?

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In this episode, Dave shares a candid account of his recent health updates, and it's a mix of challenges and victories. From starting the year with new exercise routines to discovering unexpected health issues, Dave opens up about how turning 60 has brought a wave of concern regarding blood sugar, blood pressure, and thyroid issues.

With a dash of humor, he recounts the quirks of testing his blood sugar and the surprise diagnosis of diabetes. Yet, amidst the medical hurdles, Dave finds a silver lining—a triumphant return to the ping pong table despite the obstacles.

Join us as Dave explores the balance between health management and enjoying life's simple pleasures. Whether it's doctor visits or winning ping pong matches, it's all about building a better Dave. Tune in for a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the occasional game-changing rally.

Today I share some insights as I deal with the loss of a friend. Death sucks, but when you lose people who are YOUNGER then you, with no warning, it really sucks.

Today I talk about losing my friend Niel Guilarte who I worked with during the making of The Messengers: A Podcast Documentary

We got to room with each other at events, and we just clicked. We always made each other laugh. My favorite was when Niel would start laughing and he couldn't finish the story he had started.

When you start to see your heroes get old and some cracks around the edges, it's sad, but it's a warning sign. Niel was here, and the next day he wasn't. He leaves a wife and 11-year old daughter he adored, and a new house.

He was the best friend of one of my favorite people Chris Krimitsos. Which is one of the things that is adding to the pain. I have people in Florida who could use a hug. I love to help people, and in this case there is nothing I can do.

Mentioned In This Episode

Bookends - Simon and Garfunkel

Bette Midler - Stay With Me

Niel's Gofund Me

There are times you feel bad. The lights are off and it seems like there is no way home. Keep moving. It's funny when I have to do a sermon in my church, something ALWAYS comes up on Facebook that fits. This is what came up:

41 is Coming

In the Bible, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.

Day 41 came and the rain stopped.

Moses committed murder & hid in the desert for 40 years.

Year 41 came, and God called him to help rescue Israel.

Moses went up on the mountain for 40 days.

On day 41, he received the Ten Commandments.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.

Year 41, they walked into the Promised Land.

Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days.

Day 41 came, and David slew him.

Jonah preached a message of repentance to Ninevah for 40 days.

On day 41, God stopped His plan to destroy them.

Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days.

Day 41, and the devil fled.

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days.

On day 41, He ascended into Heaven.

All this to say...don't quit. The rain will stop, the giant will fall, and you will enter your "promised land." Don't give up at 40.

41 is coming.

See you later Niel.