BeTempered

How do you find strength when your world is crumbling from the inside out? In this powerful episode of BeTempered , hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Susan Preble , whose story of perseverance through hidden trauma, heartbreak, and healing will leave you breathless and forever changed. Susan’s journey began with tragedy—when she was just 18 months old, her family car was T-boned, leavi...

Some friendships are built on shared victories, bruises, and sweat—on long bus rides and harder losses. But the deepest friendships aren’t just remembered; they return when we need them most. In this deeply moving episode of BeTempered , hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr reconnect with Jeff Swanson , a former University of Dayton teammate and roommate whose story is both heart-wrenching and hope-fil...

What does it take to break through the walls of selfishness we’ve built around ourselves? For Dan Schmidt, it was a brutal 24-hour journey through the mountains of Georgia that stripped away every comfort and convenience of modern life. In this powerful episode, host Ben Spahr leads a raw conversation with host Dan Schmidt about his experience in The Rite of Passage , an endurance challenge led by...

What does true freedom really look like in our daily lives? In this thought-provoking Independence Day episode of BeTempered , hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr welcome guest Brian Ballenger for an intimate, wide-ranging exploration of how personal discipline—and the courage to confront our own weaknesses—shapes genuine independence. Freedom, as the trio discovers, isn’t simply about doing whatever...

In Episode 59 Part 2 of BeTempered , hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Jeff Travis for a raw, unflinching conversation about faith forged in the fires of real life. Jeff opens up about his remarkable journey—from a struggling student to a reluctant pastor and, eventually, a missionary in Thailand. What begins as a familiar story of answering God’s call soon unfolds into something far d...

What happens when following your faith costs everything? In this powerful episode of the BeTempered podcast, Pastor Jeff Travis joins hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation that traces his extraordinary journey—from childhood struggles in suburban Detroit to anti-trafficking work along the Thailand-Myanmar border. As a young boy, Jeff battled severe readin...

What does it take to walk away from a successful 23-year career to serve those society often overlooks? In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, guest Tim Pierson joins hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr to share the story of how an unexpected calling turned his life upside down—and ultimately right side up. Tim’s journey from insurance executive to full-time advocate for the homeless and addi...

What does it mean to run toward the fire instead of away from it ? For Carl Rhinehart III, that question became more than a metaphor—it became a mission. On this powerful episode of the BeTempered Podcast , Carl joins hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr to share his journey from insecurity and adversity to purpose and impact. Growing up in Muncie, Indiana, Carl’s childhood was shaped by contradictions...

What happens when your carefully built life suddenly crumbles? On this deeply honest and inspiring episode of the BeTempered Podcast , hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Joan Parsons , a woman whose life story is marked by unexpected heartbreak, enduring faith, and the quiet strength that comes from trusting God through life’s hardest seasons. Joan grew up surrounded by the steady beaut...

Have you ever thought about that small line between the birth and death dates on a tombstone? That dash represents everything—your entire life, the people you loved, the choices you made, the legacy you left behind. In this powerful episode of the BeTempered podcast, hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr invite you to reflect on what it means to live a life worthy of your dash. They share the extraordin...

What does real leadership look like in today’s world? At National Trail High School in New Paris, Ohio, the answer isn’t found in titles or authority—it’s found in actions. In this powerful episode of BeTempered , hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with the students behind the school’s Renaissance Program , a dynamic, student-led initiative that’s changing the very heartbeat of their school...

What does true resilience look like? In this powerful episode of BeTempered , hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Misty Hollis, Director of the Richmond Family YMCA and a two-time cancer survivor, as she shares the extraordinary strength that unfolds when faith collides with life’s hardest trials. Proudly sponsored by Catron’s Glass, this conversation reminds us that true strength is for...

What happens when 5 men drop their guards and speak honestly about faith, failure, and finding their way? In this special live roundtable celebrating one year of the Be Tempered podcast, hosts Dan Schmidt & Ben Spahr reunites with previous guests Brian Ballenger, Matt Roberts, and Shawn Ruebush for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the journey to authentic manhood. The wisdom flows as these...

BeTempered Episode 51: Tables Turned – Dan and Ben in the Hot Seat In this milestone 51st episode of BeTempered , things get flipped—literally. Instead of leading the conversation, hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr find themselves on the other side of the mic, interviewed by their good friend Matty Ledgerwood . The result? A refreshingly raw and deeply personal look at what it really means to live w...

Meet Nathan Hogg , a 20-year-old from Richmond, Indiana, already stepping into leadership with a voice wise beyond his years. In this powerful episode of BeTempered , co-hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Nathan for a raw, inspiring conversation about resilience, identity, and the impact one young person can make. Nathan opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, which started at just...

When retired Army Colonel George Glaze rolls up his sleeves to help troubled youth through horse therapy or counsel police officers as a chaplain, he's drawing from a lifetime of hard-earned wisdom. In a powerful conversation with hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr, Colonel Glaze opens up about his journey—from leading troops through the streets of Baghdad to guiding his congregation at Beach Gr...

In this powerful episode, we welcomed a very special guest, Sam Fledderjohann , whose incredible journey from protector to life-giver is a testament to resilience, faith, and divine timing. With co-host Kim Schmidt —Host Dan's wife—stepping in as Ben sits this one out , the conversation took on an even more heartfelt tone. Born to a very young mother and raised in a home full of instability,...

What happens when honor matters more than financial security? In this powerful episode of the BeTempered Podcast , hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Brian Ballenger of Whisenhunt Construction and Brighter Path Inc. to unpack a story that challenges conventional definitions of success—rooted not in wealth or accolades, but in integrity, faith, and doing the right thing when it’s hardest...

Jason Koger Joins Hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr on the BeTempered Podcast for a Powerful Conversation on Resilience and Purpose In this unforgettable episode of the BeTempered Podcast , hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr welcome back Jason Koger , whose extraordinary journey of recovery and purpose delivers a masterclass in resilience. After a life-altering accident with a downed power line that su...

What happens when life delivers a devastating diagnosis on a day meant for celebration? For Deb Tintsman , receiving news of aggressive B-cell lymphoma on her birthday was not the end of hope, but the beginning of an extraordinary journey—one defined by faith, resilience, and an unexpected sense of freedom. From her childhood on an Ohio farm to her impactful career working with runaway teens in Da...

BeTempered hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Bill Bowers , better known as @Bushel_Billy on Instagram, for an unfiltered conversation about grit, family, and refusing to make excuses. Growing up on a western Ohio farm in the 1980s, Bill developed a relentless work ethic where tasks weren’t considered chores—they were simply "what the family did." His journey from an awkward k...

Join BeTempered Podcast hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr for an uplifting episode featuring the inspiring story of Becky Morin , a beacon of resilience and community spirit. Growing up as one of nine siblings, Becky experienced the joys and challenges of a bustling household, instilling in her the values of hard work and cooperation. As she navigated adulthood, family, and grief, she built a career...

What if true leadership meant taking full responsibility, even when the stakes are at their highest? On this episode, hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr take a deep dive into the principles of Extreme Ownership , inspired by Jocko Willink’s teachings. Joined by Matty Ledgerwood , they explore the role of leadership in shaping culture, the balance between humility and assertiveness, and the critical i...

Childhood trauma, profound loss, and the road to recovery—Shawn Ruebush returns to the BeTempered Podcast with a story that continues to strike a deep chord with listeners. Sitting down with hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr, Shawn reflects on the incredible outpouring of support following his first appearance, revealing how opening up about his past led to unexpected yet powerful connections. From...

What are the moments in your life that have truly defined you? Join co-host Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr in an intriguing conversation with Dr. Matt Roberts as he shares his journey of resilience, growth, and balance. From his humble beginnings in West Alexandria, Ohio, to the traumatic high school car accident that shaped his outlook, Matt's story is a testament to finding strength in adversity...