A Time to Sharpen

Men talk different. Ask a guy, “How are you feeling?” and suddenly he needs to check the oil in the truck truck, sharpen his knife, or discuss brisket temperatures. But put him in a canoe, around a fire, or shoulder-to-shoulder doing something, and somehow the truth starts leaking out. Usually between stories, jokes… and the occasional campfire fart. Because most men know we oughta talk about hard...

I grew up in a household with six kids. Needless to say, things could get pretty messy, and so every once in a while my dad would rally the troops and proclaim that it was time for clean machine. Contrary to what you might think, these were joyous times. We would run around and pick stuff up as fast as we possibly could. It was kind of genius because he took something that most kids hate and turne...

So this is the last installment of WBRFAQS. That's a lot of letters. We hope that these 4 episodes prove useful to anyone with questions about what we do, how we do it, and why. It would really help us if you could pass them along to someone you know, whether that's a family that needs help, a potential employee, or someone looking to get involved as a volunteer or a donor. Everyone knows...

In this third installment of FAQ’s, we’re gonna dig into some of the practical details that matter a lot: what life at Whetstone actually feels like day to day, how structure and freedom work together, what growth usually looks like, and why change rarely happens all at once.  Join us this week on A Time to Sharpen as we offer a clearer picture of life at Whetstone—without the sales pitch, the buz...

FAQ’s: Part Two will address some of the questions that come out around the kitchen table at 11:30 at night: Is this place actually professional… or just a ranch with a nice logo? What kind of boys are there? And is my kid going to get better—or learn a few new tricks I don’t want him learning? In this episode we get into the nuts and bolts: who runs the program day to day, how boys are grouped, h...

If you’re considering a place like Whetstone for your son, you’re not just looking for a brochure, you’re looking for answers. Real ones. The kind you ask when you can’t sleep. The house is finally quiet, but your mind won’t be. So we’re starting a short, straightforward FAQ series - episodes designed to cover the big questions families ask when they’re weighing residential care: safety, school, t...

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Everyone likes new things. New phones. New systems. New news. That’s weird phrase, but you catch my drift. The problem is, new doesn’t always mean better. On the other hand, old doesn’t automatically mean wise either. And somewhere between those two instincts is a lot of tension—especially when you start talking about generations. That’s the space that Whetstone lives in - the uneasy balance betwe...

Self-care doesn’t announce itself at Whetstone with spa music and soft lighting. It shows up in the mundane: brushing teeth, washing clothes, tending a cut, making a bed that will be messed up again by nightfall. And yet, this is where a lot of the real therapeutic work lives. When a boy learns to care for his body, he’s often learning—sometimes for the first time—how to care for himself at all. I...

No one likes to talk about money. The very word is a little cringy. We prefer to talk about wealth, finances, the budget. These are more palatable.  The same thing applies to the term fund-raising. People tend to tune out a little bit when it comes up in conversation. Most of us already have causes that we give to, and speaking for myself, very little left over to give to more.  Sure, I could be m...

It’s a little ironic that has taken us 65 episodes to get this topic. You could argue it should’ve been the first one we ever recorded, because spiritual life is our top priority — the reason we do anything at Whetstone. Then again, if you’ve listened to the previous 65 episodes, you know we’ve been talking about it all along. Faith is the “why” underneath everything here, and it’s never something...

Running a boys ranch means we spend a lot of time talking about manhood—but you can’t really understand boys without talking about girls. God made us different on purpose. Not to compete but to complement. Because becoming a man isn’t just about how you carry yourself—it’s about how you treat the people God made different from you. Join us this week on A Time to Sharpen as we talk about “Girls.”

When most of the world goes to sleep, life at Whetstone keeps rolling. The lights may be out, but the work doesn’t stop. Boys still need care. Emergencies can happen. And someone has to keep diligent watch. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on what happens after dark at Whetstone Boys Ranch — the overnight coverage that makes 24/7 care possible. We’ll talk about what those shifts actually look...

Bumps, bruises, and bug bites—it’s all part of growing up in the Ozarks. Around here, ‘rub some dirt on it’ isn’t just advice, it’s practically a lifestyle. Of course, we’re also First Aid certified, so don’t worry—more serious injuries are treated with more than just duct tape. At Whetstone, we take safety seriously. All adventures come with precautions and protocols. In the woodshop and on the l...

It’s not everyday that a former student of yours says that he’s been accepted to Harvard Law School - or every year...or every lifetime! But recently, Whetstone was honored by the news that one of its graduates has done just that. Join us this week on A Time to Sharpen for an in-depth discussion with our friend and colleague, Kiernan the Wise. That’s not his actual name, but after listening to thi...

Sleep is the secret weapon most of us are too tired to use. We hustle, grind, and caffeinate our way through exhaustion, ignoring the one thing our minds and bodies need most. In this episode of A Time to Sharpen , we explore why sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. From better mood and focus to healing trauma and building resilience, quality sleep plays a vital role in personal growth, especiall...

We all think differently. But some of us think more differently than others…if that makes sense. Maybe it doesn’t. I don’t know.  Which is why we invited Jonathan Page to talk with us about the very important, complex,, and sometimes uncomfortable topic of neurodivergence in our society and at Whetstone. From Autism to Tourette’s, to OCD and ADHD, we’ve seen it all in the 14 years and 150+  reside...

Some of us are old enough to remember when Kirk Cameron was a teenage heartthrob and the star of an 80’s family sitcom called “Growing Pains.” This show was also notable for its catchy theme song and for the fact that it starred his TV father, played by Alan Thicke…who is the real-life father of Robin Thicke, the famous singer, producer, and now judge on The Masked Singer .  None of this has anyth...

It’s impossible to overestimate the importance of marriage. Sure, some marriages fail, some are toxic, and some are even deadly.  Still, there is nothing that has the power to build a person, a church, a community, or a nation like healthy marriages.  Thing is, they take work. Lots of hard work, on both sides. A lifetime of hard work buy two people growing closer to each other as they focus on gro...

Flu season is almost over, but if you hurry, there’s just enough to catch the seasonal bug if you want. You have until the end of May, in case you're interested. There’s really a lot to be said for being sick. It forces you to slow down. It teaches you how to be sympathetic towards others when you’re well. It jump starts your body’s immune system, which needs a good workout every once in a while. ...

In part two of this special podcast dealing with school bullying, Axel, Brandon and Thomas share thoughts about the bullying problem, along with some simple, proven effective ways to address childhood bullying and some ideas about what could work as well.

Whetstone's Thomas Brown joins Brandon and Axel for the first of a two-part series on the subject of childhood bullying. Once a victim of terrible bullying, Thomas emerged as a three-decades filmmaker, educator, national speaker and consultant on a subject he knows all-too-well. Despite a frightening childhood filled with physical torment and ridicule, Thomas ultimately forgave his tormentors and...

Rules without Relationship = Rebellion. We’ve said this before on the podcast, but it bears repeating. Whetstone Boys Ranch was founded upon this basic assumption. Rules are necessary, but without a human being to explain, interpret, apply, and at times modify those rules, they become a formula for failure as parents, teachers, and counselors.  Just watch any of the hundreds of dystopian televisio...

Bad parenting is often compared to snowplows and helicopters. There is a very strong temptation to rescue our kids from their mistakes: swooping in to save the day, or plowing a path so smooth that they never have to struggle.  Every parent is guilty of it to some extent. First because the motivation behind these parenting styles seem so noble. And second, because the line between helping and enab...

‘Tis the season to be over-working, over-spending, over-eating…and under-sleeping. I don’t know about you, but I feel like the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is probably the most stressful of the year…with the possible exception of the weeks leading up to April 15th. What does that say about Christmas if the feelings it evokes rival those of falling victim to legalized theft. Throw in the...