Thu, April 10, 2025

But I Can Still Play Ping Pong

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.

Sat, March 01, 2025

Father Time is Undefeated

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. <span class="s1

Sat, February 08, 2025

Someone Stop This Train

This was recorded during my last few minutes of being 59. Life is dragging me kicking and screaming into my 60s. I'm not happy about it.  Don't you get it? I'm 23 honest. I've been 23 my whole life?  Have I made my last trip to Dairy Queen? It turns out everything I eat is poison. That's something you know but don't care, and it turns out you should've cared a little more than you did. John Mayer has a great song called " Stop this Train " that has a line John  Had a talk with my old man Said, "Help me understand" He said, "Turn 68" "You renegotiate" I was able to renew my drivers license for 8 years which means aside from a sticker (which I can get through the mail) I will be 68 the next time I renew my liscene. WHen you go to the MBV you go in and get a number, and wait for your name to be called. I kind of feel like a 'This is not a drill" situation, and I'm waiting for my number to be called. UNlike the BMV, I'm hoping for a very long line. You can buy me a coffee for my birthday using this link . John Mayer - Stop This Train No I'm not colorblind I know the world is black and white Try to keep an open mind but I just can't sleep on this tonight Stop this train I wanna get off And go home again I can't take the speed It's movin' in I know I can't But honestly Won't someone stop this train? Don't know how else to say it Don't wanna see my parents go One generation's length away From fighting life out on my own   So scared of getting older I'm only good at being young So I play the numbers game To find a way to say that Life has just begun Had a talk with my old man Said, "Help me understand" He said, "Turn 68" "You renegotiate" "Don't stop this train" "Don't for a minute change" "The place you're in" "And don't think I couldn't" "Ever understand" "I tried my hand" "John, honestly" "We'll never stop this train."   Once in a while When its good It'll feel like it should And they're all still around And you're still safe and sound And you don't miss a thing Till you cry when you're drivin' away in the dark Sing

Fri, January 10, 2025

I'm not a Car Guy

Episode Summary In this episode, Dave reflects on his recent struggles with his car in frigid Ohio weather and how it reminded him of the "old days" of dealing with unreliable vehicles. From the quirks of old, hand-me-down cars to the challenges of modern, fuel-injected engines, Dave humorously recounts the learning curves of car maintenance. The episode dives into the importance of adaptability, whether in fixing a car, keeping up with evolving technology, or navigating life’s unexpected hurdles. If you like this show, you can buy me a coffee . Main Takeaways Winter Woes & Car Troubles: Dave shares his frustrations about his car refusing to start in Ohio’s brutal winter weather. Memories of growing up with unreliable cars and the "DIY" fixes of the past (like using Bondo or ether) highlight how technology has changed car maintenance. Lessons in Adaptability: From cars to technology, Dave emphasizes the importance of staying adaptable and keeping up with advancements. He parallels learning to fix cars and his ongoing efforts to master artificial intelligence and SEO. Keeping Emergency Funds & Friends Handy: Dave reminds listeners of the value of having an emergency fund and reliable friends who can lend their expertise when needed. His Ford mechanic friend saves the day with a simple car-starting trick. Balancing Technology & Life: Dave acknowledges how fast-paced technology evolves and highlights the importance of continuous learning to avoid falling behind. He reflects on losing weight, staying updated with AI, and preparing for a milestone birthday. Humor & Nostalgia: Dave’s stories about his past cars (like the “Slova” and Fred Flintstone-style Datsun) bring laughter and nostalgia. The absurd quirks of old vehicles, like passenger doors flying open mid-drive, make for entertaining storytelling. Notable Quotes “If you don’t keep learning, you don’t just stop—you go backwards.” “I could pop the hood, look at it, and say, ‘Yep, there it is. That’s the engine.’” “Every car I bought, the very first day, I swapped out the stereo for ear-bleeding madness.” Resources Mentioned Dave Ramsey’s Emergency Fund Advice : A reminder to always be prepared for unexpected expenses. Check out his book .</l

Fri, December 20, 2024

The Gift of Covid

A Christmas Conundrum: What do you do when the much-anticipated family gathering is jeopardized by an unexpected bout of COVID-19? Dave recounts his experience, offering a candid and touching perspective on the true meaning of the season. Reminiscing with Friends: From cherished childhood memories to the pains and aches of getting older, Dave and his best friend embark on a nostalgic journey, bringing laughs and poignant moments. The Gift of Adaptation: Learn how Dave turned a disappointing holiday season into a moment of gratitude and reflection, even dubbing COVID-19 as an unexpected Christmas gift. Chicken Noodle Soup for the Soul: A simple can of soup leads Dave down memory lane, teaching us all the power of sensory experiences and the warmth of family traditions. Adventures in Everyday Life: From rolling into a gas station with an empty tank to making peace with life's unpredictable nature, Dave's tales offer inspiration and a fresh perspective on life's little adventures.

Tue, October 22, 2024

An Easy Way to Make $50 a Month

I filed for Bankrupcy in 2004. I know there is a difference between being poor and being BROKE.  Today I share a strategy I've been doing for most of this year and it's saving me close to $50 a month and I don't have to do a thing. A bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and Max is $30/month Peacock $14/month Paramount and Showtime $13/month. Total: $57 (and yes, I know there are more).  Rotate Your Streaming Services: Cancel all but one streaming service at a time. Saves up to $50 a month by only paying for one service at a time. Focus on quality content, avoiding time wasted on subpar shows. ⭐ Smart Meal Planning: Instead of eating out, consider quick and affordable home cooking. A simple George Foreman Grill can make delicious burgers at a fraction of the cost. This not only saves money but is healthier and faster than fast food. ⭐ Avoid Impulse Purchases: Think twice before buying things you don’t need, especially during sales. Consider if the purchase truly adds value to your life. Practice this discipline to accelerate your journey towards being debt-free. Want more money tips? Check out " Get Your Money Working For You ." Want to give back? Buy Me a Coffee (or two).

Thu, October 10, 2024

What's Wrong with My Brain? Dealing with Self-Doubt and Recognition

In the latest episode, I share my personal experience with podcasting, detailing how I ended up in podcasting post-divorce while living in my brother's basement. Despite successfully establishing myself over two decades and earning recognition, I still struggle with imposter syndrome. Reflecting on accolades like being called an influencer and my moves within the industry, I discuss the complicated feelings of self-worth and acceptance. Wrapping up, I share some cozy moments from my day-to-day life, which help ground me amid these introspective thoughts. Clips from Podnews Weekly Podnews Daily Like the show? Buy me a coffee .

Thu, June 27, 2024

Get Your Money Working For You

Welcome to another episode of Better Dave! Today, I'm diving into the fascinating world of personal finance and exploring how we can get our money working for us. I've spent over three decades with the same bank, but recently, I've rediscovered the benefits of modern financial tools like SoFi and Acorns.  As I monitor my income and outcome in Monarch, I have noticed the more attention you spend on your money, the more money there is to manage.  Whether you're drowning in debt or just looking for smarter ways to manage your finances, there's something here for everyone. So, let's get started on building a better financial future together! Mentioned In This Episode Sofi online bank account Acorns Banking (round up and invest) Monarch Budgeting Program Enjoy the show? Buy Dave a Coffee (or two)

Mon, May 20, 2024

Losing Everything to Gain Perspective- A Story of Hope and Humanity

Today's story reminds us there's still hope in humanity. In this episode, our host, Dave Jackson, shares a personal mishap that turns into a surprising testament to the goodness of people. After a pleasant bike ride in Ohio, Dave discovers he’s lost his wallet, containing all his essential cards and cash. His frantic search proves futile, leading to setbacks as he navigates the day without his wallet. Lessons Learned: Do not put ALL of your cards in your wallet.  Enjoy the show? Buy Dave a Coffee .  

Wed, May 01, 2024

The Unforgettable Jim Blackstock: Lessons and Laughter at a Memorable Funeral

On the latest episode of Better Dave, titled "Putting the FUN in Funeral," host Dave Jackson shares a heartwarming and humorous tribute to his favorite teacher and mentor, Jim Blackstock. This episode takes us on an emotional yet uplifting journey, emphasizing the profound impact a great teacher can have on our lives. Here are three key takeaways from this poignant episode: - **Integrating Humor in Education**: Dave underscores how Jim Blackstock's unique teaching style, blending humor with education, made learning enjoyable and memorable, influencing Dave's own teaching approach. - **The Power of Mentorship**: The episode highlights the significant role mentorship plays in shaping personal and professional growth, as demonstrated by Jim's encouragement of Dave's writing, which started in his college days. - **Celebrating Life with a Smile**: The touching account of Jim Blackstock’s funeral, infused with whimsy and laughter, serves as a reminder of the importance of celebrating life and the legacies we leave behind. 🎙️ Tune in to reflect on the laughter and lessons shared in this special episode of Better Dave. It's a true testament to the lasting impact of teachers like Jim, who inspire and transform lives beyond the classroom. Here is the episode I did before. The best teacher I ever had . Like the show? Buy Dave a Coffee and Say Thanks!

Thu, February 08, 2024

Dave at 59: Reflections on Life, Facing Aging, and Ditching Dairy Queen

Today I turn 59 and apparently, I have one goal: Don't Break a Hip. So I reflect a bit on my 20s, 30s, and 40s, as I have 365 more days in my 50's. According to AI, "From reminiscing about past relationships and experiences to contemplating the inevitability of aging and the challenges of staying healthy, Dave's musings offer a heartfelt and relatable perspective on navigating life's journey." So click Play already Key Points: You can't change people. I don't want to live a life filled with Ozzy Lyrics. With some lessons, you need two chances to learn. Getting old is weird, and I don't want to live in fear. While the baby of the family gets away with murder, there is still a price to pay. While she may be a queen, I need another divorce. Mentioned In This Episode River by Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell on the Grammys 2024 Ozzy See You On The Other Side Prince Lonely Christmas  ( the snare is weirdly in the right headphone) Future.co (virtual weight loss coaches) Like the Show? Consider buying me a coffee .

Thu, November 09, 2023

What A Wonderful World

Sometimes we forget what life was like, and in todays' episode I realize that I can get the answer to just about everything with a few clicks of a mouse.  Things we learned today. Which way to set your ceiling fan in the winter . Rhino Sex Elephant Sperm Collection

Sat, October 21, 2023

You've Gone Too Far With Time Blindness

Yuri Bezmenov was a russian journlist who defected to the USA. He explained a strategy of the KGB. HE said this in 1984. It was called either ideological subversion , or a ctive measures. What it basically means is to change the perception of reality of every American to such an extent that despite the abundance of information, no one is able to come to sensible conclusions in the interests of defending themselves, their families, their community, and their country. It's a great brainwashing process that goes very slow and is divided in four basic stages.  The first one being demoralization; it takes from 15 to 20 years to demoralize a nation. Why that many years? Because this is the minimum number of years required to educate one generation of students  The ideology is being pumped into the soft heads of at least three generations of American students without being challenged or counterbalanced by the basic values of Americanism  What Is The Result? The result you can see, most of the people who were  "half-baked intellectuals" are now occupying positions of power in the government, civil service, business, mass media, and educational system; you are stuck with them, and you cannot get rid of them . They are contaminated. They're programmed to think and react to certain stimuli in a certain pattern. You cannot change their mind even if you expose them to authentic information. Even if you prove that white is white and black is black, you still cannot change the basic perception and the logic of behavior. In other words, the process of demoralization is complete and irreversible. To reverse this you have you need another 15 or 20 years to educate a new generation of common sense. The demoralization process in the United States is completed already. For the last 25 years, actually, it's over fulfilled because demoralisation now reaches such areas where experts, would even dream of such tremendous success. Most of it is done by Americans to Americans, thanks to a lack of moral standards.  Mentioned In This Episode Yuri Bezmenov Time Blindness Video <a title="Time Blindness from the Cleveland Clinic" href= "https://health.clevelandclinic.org/time-blindne

Tue, August 08, 2023

Surviving a Rollercoaster of a Day: Unexpected Hurdles and Heart-Pounding Moments

Today we have a very relatable topic to delve into. We've all had those days where everything seems to go wrong, where every step forward feels like two steps back. Well, my friends, today we're talking about having a bad day.   All I had to do was go to Walmart, buy some fruit and two cables, and get to the church by five for a special event. It just seemed like I couldn't catch a break all day. No matter how bad your day is, someone might be having one that is even worse. It's hard, but try to find some gratitude in those situations.

Fri, August 04, 2023

Band-Aid Blues

Welcome back to another episode of "Building a Better Dave" with your host, Dave Jackson. In today's episode,  a mysterious bump near the armpit is getting bigger. Dave takes us on a journey of curiosity, self-discovery, and a deep desire to stay healthy. Join us as we explore the hilarious yet relatable moments of navigating waxing, dieting, financial frugality, and the pains and fears that come with aging. So grab your headphones and prepare for another thought-provoking and entertaining episode of "Building a Better Dave." 

Tue, July 18, 2023

Pistols at Dawn!

So Meta/Facebook released a "new" app called Threads. I installed it to check it out, and well...   It's Twitter.  No. Seriously, it is Twitter (with a different name) Why? Because of a difference of opinion, once again, America separates. Pinapple Pizza Sompe people love pineapple on your pizza, while people like me are more traditional (pepperoni and maybe some onion).  Instead of trying a different type of pizza, we get HIGHLY offended and scream HOW DARE YOU! or ask, "HOW CAN YOU EVEN THINK THAT ??? and instead of having a dialogue, we separate and go to our respective corners. Instead of asking, "Hey can I try that?" or "Hmmm, that's an interesting concept," we scream for pistols at dawn. We want to wipe the different opinions of the planet, and here it is again, and it somewhat bums me out.  Sidenote: Easy opening tents.

Wed, June 28, 2023

Spiking Like a Mother

I've started using a Continous Glucose Monitor (or as the cool kids call it a CGM) from Signos. It's pretty amazing and the thing I love about it is if I put in my food into the app before I eat it, it will warn me, "Hey, you better exercise for 20 minutes when you finish eating THAT."  So I do, and I watch my blood glucose stabilize.  Grapes are out. Like, never again. Which is a bummer, as I love grapes. FRONT OF MIND The one thing this does is it helps you keep your health in front of you. I am constantly looking at it to see where I am. As I started to record this, I hit a spike, so I'll be going for a walk.  IF ONLY Wouldn't it be great if there was some sort of warning for real life, "Hey, I'm going on a date with HER, and the app would go, "OK, but you're going to lose a house to her in a divorce in 11 years..." 

Wed, June 21, 2023

Chipmunks Aren't Sexy

Dallas turned 45 (See picture here ) and Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, Charlene Tilton, Audrey Landers, Steve Kanaly, Joan Van Ark, Sheree Wilson and Cathy Podewell met up for a reunion. Victoria Principal didn't attend. . Here are three key takeaways: Dave has never seen anyone who looks better after getting work done on their face He advises women (and Men) to focus on healthy habits such as eating right and exercising if they're thinking of updating their appearance. Dave questions the effectiveness of cosmetic surgery and suggests that it doesn't make people look better, Have you had experience with cosmetic surgery? Are you happy with it? www.betterdave.com/contact or call in your comments 888-563-3228

Tue, June 13, 2023

Outrunning the Cheetahh

I looked up and I was subscribed to Peacock, Hulu, Netflix, Apple TV, Hbomax, the only one missing was paramount. I use YouTube TV to get "TV." As I was considering closing these, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to chime in on the conversation around the water cooler at work. Then I remembered it's not 1995. I haven't had anyone since Christmas talk about a TV show that I felt I was missing out (Yellowstone, and I wasn't but I binged it on Peacock).  A friend of mine told me how he would subscribe to one at a time and watch all there is to watch, and when he starts to struggle to find something good to watch, he will unsubscribe and fire up a different service. Life is too short to watch mediocre entertainment (I grew up watching the Waltons... ugh...).  Financial guy Dave Ramsey talks about attacking your debt with the same intensity of a Gazelle who is trying to outrun a cheeta (the fastest animal on the planet). So while the 40ish dollars this will save me a month won't make me rich, it will help me pay off debts quicker, so why not.  Speaking of value, if this made you think, why not say thank you and buy me a coffee?

Tue, May 30, 2023

The Cure For Plastic Bags

I spoke about my now PSTD reaction to finding pile after pile after pile of plastic bags that my sister (who NEVER throws them away) had stored throughout my house in a previous episode .  After watching a report from ABC News called Trashed: The Secret Life of Plastic Recycling that there was an option that had never crossed my mind.  Isn't that the way so many things are? We convince ourselves of an outcome, or our potential and we never challenge that thought. We never check to see if it is still true.  When I was a teenager, I worked in a grocery store. If someone walked in with a big bag (or a winter coat when it was warm outside) someone was going to watch you through the store to make sure you didn't shoplift. Now it is encouraged so the store doesn't have to pay for the bag you are using.  So what is the cure for plastic bags? Quit using them. Yep, that is an option and I spent $20 on Amazon and bought three usable grocery bags . My problem of always having a bag of bags that I always forget to bring with me when I go to the store (and then stuff more bags into the bag of bags) is solved. For me, who just HATED these bags, this is a big deal that was solved for $20. You can find cheaper versions as well . If your water is drinkable from the tap, then, call me crazy... use it. If it's not then looking into a Brita Water Filter will save you money in the long run. Americans buy 29 billion water bottles a year. When I go to trade shows, I can always pick up some kind of metal 20 oz water bottle that keeps things cool, or you can buy an insulated metal water bottle with a chug lid (who doesn't love a good chug lid). for $13 .  So why are we even using plastic bags (I know the idea was to save the trees, but in saving the trees we have a serious plastic issue now), the answer is simple. Who is involved in making these

Tue, May 16, 2023

It's All About the Mindset: The Road to Adulting

I've got some momentum going. My house is cleaner, my vocabulary is growing, my finances are more organized, I'm focused on losing weight, and I'm possessed by the spirit of my Mom, who is helping me locate the best deals for food. When something doesn't go your way, it's not a failure. It's an experience that you can use to move forward in a smarter way.  00:11 Intro 00:37 Lots of Irons in the Fire 01:11 Triggered By My Uncle 02:15 Act 4 02:59 Dave The Slob 03:47 Health Benefits of Less Clutter 04:40 More Sleep = More Focus 05:14 monthlychallenge.fit 05:42 Duolingo 06:10 Dave Ramsey  Every Dollar Financial Peace University 07:32 Grocery Detective 09:55 Pennies Make Dollars Enjoy the show? Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/davejackson

Tue, December 27, 2022

Old Dog - New Tricks?

In this episode, I talk about making a brain tattoo, setting myself up to succeed (if I can just remember what it is I'm working on...) and parenting yourself. I just need to add one thing to my routine. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Todoist App Evernote App Google Calendar Todoist Tutorials ENJOY THE SHOW? Buy Dave a Coffee

Tue, December 06, 2022

A Special Place in Hell

While I never met him in person, a fellow Libsyn employee was killed by a drunk driver on 12/4/22. He was a wife and three young daughters.  If you're new, I was married to an alcoholic, and hearing about drunk drivers is somewhat triggering. Throw on top a parent leaving the earth way too soon, and now you really are hitting me on all levels.  But wait, there is more. It turns out there are people who are using AI (artificial intelligence) to scrape the internet for obituaries so they can "write" an article about the person and cram the website full of ads. One person even did it in a video (with the monetization turned on and the comments - naturally - turned off).  In the same way, you can get the air knocked out of you; I have lost some of my faith in humanity. I can't even explain my thoughts.  It's not often that Dave Jackson is speechless.  If you'd like to help out his wife and kids, it will make you feel better Here is the GO FUND ME page.

Fri, September 23, 2022

The Male - An Endangered Species?

I am worried about men. I think we are an endangered species. Here is why: SPORTS We listen to sportscasters who are making millions talk about athletes who are making millions for team owners who make billions. There are dedicated radio stations that talk about nothing else than how the team is doing, and what they need to do to win. None of that talk has any effect on the team. Zero FOOTBALL COMMERCIALS Then when you watch a football game, you always have: 1. The spokesmodel who didn't play football but is STUNNINGLY beautiful who will "pass it over" to people who actually played the game. She can also do that special piece during breast cancer awareness month. 2. There will be boner pill commercials, cause you know...priorities 3. Remedies for baldness. We will ship it to you in a private box - because nobody knows you're bald. 4. Trucks. Big trucks with deep voiceovers. These trucks have power unlike your small penis, which needs a blue pull to function. 5. Beer. If you can't afford a large truck you head to the mountains. This commercial lists no facts and only has a sweaty beer can that eventually you get to hear open.  5. Gambling. Kevin Hart (another millionaire) talks about the best way to gamble all of the money you worked hard to earn. They are giving away money to people who light their money on fire the fastest. Oh, and here is a phone number if this commercial triggered you.  BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE 6. My Self Esteem is tied to my team. If we lose, my week is wrecked (Really?) 7. Tick Shots - I just started paying attention to TikTok, and I am AMAZED at how GUYS (no women are doing this) are spending what must be hours if not days filming themselves trying to put a cup into a cup, or a ping pong ball, or flying a card into a clothespin. Whatever it is, it took a LOT of time to film. Which makes me think, "How much free time do YOU HAVE?" So we are giving anyone who wants to say how stupid, pigheaded, and idiotic men are - lots of evidence.  Enjoy this episode? Buy Dave a Coffee

Mon, September 05, 2022

I Blame Carlin, Pryor and Chappelle

So I'm back from an event where people got offended by the presence of someone being in a room. That's a new one for me. I've been disappointed to see someone but seeing them never brought me harm. How can you say you are for inclusion, and at the same time say you want to exclude someone? I don't understand. I'm also sad to see people water down very powerful words. I save the "F word" for the end of the argument (thanks to George Carlin). I also hear people using the word Fascist, and I'm not sure they understand the definition.  We won't learn anything if we are yelling at each other, and I'm asking for help.  It will be interesting to see if asking for help is seen as violence. Check out the commercial for the Fisher Price Podcast Set Podcast Set - Saturday Night Live

Sun, May 15, 2022

Recreational Outrage

It's hard to watch a friend get canceled. My friend Daniel is a devout Christian. Currently, there is the worry that Roe Vs Wade will be overturned and abortion will be illegal.  Daniel left a comment on a tweet that was pro-choice. "“Stopping the mass murder of blacks and women, along with all the other babies, will be wonderful for the USA. How anyone could be so barbaric to endorse the murder of nearly 1 million babies every year is unbelievable." (He later deleted this tweet) Daniel at the time was a Governor for the Podcast Academy. The TPA has a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion declaration on their site that reads,  We celebrate and support the industry of audio storytelling and fight to uplift and center the diverse communities of people doing this work.  We acknowledge the historical inequities that have existed in the space. We understand that to dismantle these inequities; it will take intentional efforts and commitments aimed at the communities that have long been subject to these inequities, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, immigrants, and people across the spectrum of socio-economic class.    We encourage our members to hold us accountable, but we also realize that it is not the responsibility of marginalized communities to do this work for us. For these reasons, we invest funds into external, BIPOC+ led resources to help us continue in this work.  This policy is a living document that grows as we do, and we look forward to continuing to evolve through our ongoing education, outreach, and efforts for mutual understanding. After his comments went viral people started a petition to get him removed. They called him a racist, homophobic, and a misogynist.  Another fact, the Podcast Academy is 69% female. Daniel was asked to resign, and when he declined he was fired.  Abortion Mike Tyson said everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face. I think everyone has their views on abortion until they find out they are pregnant. I don't have a vagina, so I keep out of that conversation. Racist In the book, “Uncomfortable conversation with a black man” the author says to white people, I imagine some of you are thinking if black people can't decide which term to use, then how and why should white people be expected to know which term to use? Point taken? To the extent I can speak for anyone else, black is the most inclusive choice. There's no one label that will satisfy all. I sued Google and found many websites stating THIS is the term that white people should use. They were all different.  Some wrong words are obvious (the N word) and others have white people asking, "Can I say this?" When I hear that people are saying he should stop breathing because he didn't put a capital on the "B" in blacks, it feels a bit extreme.  I asked this question

Sun, March 20, 2022

The Joy of Commercials

Today I share a story that I have not thought about in a long time. It's weird to think of a time when there was ONE TV in the house, and you couldn't fast forward through the commercials. My brother and I created a sport that we played during the commercials. This came to me after attending a storytelling event from Matthew Disk who is the author of one of my favorite books Storyworthy . He has an exercise where you list three random things you can touch. You then have one minute to come up with a story about one of those items, and then you two minutes to tell a story about it.  The word that inspired this episode was pillow. 

Sat, February 19, 2022

As You're Getting Older

Gentlemen, is this just me? There are certain things that happen as you get older: 1. You're probably having less sex in your marriage. 2. Your anatomy might become looser and hang lower 3. Your urination stream is not as powerful as it once was.  I get those but NOBODY mentioned this one and it's happened to me.  I LOST MY ASS.  As in my buttocks. As in I'm wearing the same pants as always (34X36) and my belly is larger than it has ever been, and yet my pants will straight up FALL down if I'm not careful (I've not worn a belt since the 8th grade). So is this a thing? Is it just that all of the fat in your butt dissolves and relocates to your belly? I bent over to put groceries in the car and shot everyone behind me the moon.  My badonkadonk is now a badonkadon't. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Click Sliding Belt

Sun, December 12, 2021

Was Frosty Depessed?

When I read the lyrics of the song "Frosty the Snowman" I saw some disturbing things.  Frosty was on the pipe. He was headed to the village with a broomstick in his hand. Frosty attempted death by cop. If Frosty was black in lived in Chicago, he would've been dead.  Did Frosty have a death wish? Was frosty really just unselfish? Was Frosty just a moron. Was the "Magic" in his hat just packets of cocaine? Why is Frosty (a middle-aged white guy) really just a pedophile? Maybe frosty was depressed. He should have called the suicide hotline. 800-273-8255 Look at Frosty go? Did he make the children watch him pee? 

Sat, June 26, 2021

75 MILLION DOWNLOADS!

Today I'm talking about my time at the Spark Christian Podcast Conference in Grapevine Texas this week. I got to hear Tara-Leigh Cobble speak twice and WOW what a story.  She (in two years) has 75 million downloads of her Bible Recap podcast. Would I get up the nerve to ask her on my show? If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to buy me a coffee . Mentioned in this episode The Chosen (it's pretty cool!)

Mon, May 17, 2021

Am I Having a Heart Attack?

So on Tuesday, I had to crawl through the back window of my house after locking myself out of my house - wait for it - twice.   On Friday I had one of my "Sweating buckets, getting dizzy, can't decide if I'm going to have explosive diarrhea, vomit or passout" sessions. This now has fairly nasty stomach pains. I injured my stomach on Tuesday with a nasty scrape. This is Friday.  I wake up a few times during the night. It hurts to move in bed. Each time I wake up, the pain is moving higher up my body. We've gone from belly button, up higher and higher, and now my chest is tight, and I'm having issues taking a deep breath. The question and conversations that go through your head when you can't decide if you're having a heart attack or not were not what I had expected. One would think if you thought you were having a heart attack you would call 911. Not me. I know how much an ambulance is, and my Dad was thrifty, and apparently so am I.  I am also the son of my Mom who never wanted to be a bother to anyone. She always put others first.  The good news is I was not having a heart attack. So what was it? When I asked the mirror it lied.  I now think it was a delayed reaction to just beating the crap out of my stomach - twice. That caused the tightness in my chest. The hospital show triggered the sweats (and later the intense pain in my stomach would cause sweats). In the end, I'm not sure.  It does make you think when you have to take a breathe and realize that your number might is being called and your time is up. I am not ready or prepared for any of that, and death doesn't care. It's coming if you're ready or not.  Kiss everyone you love to kiss and hug. Let those you appreciate know it. You never know when your time is up.

Thu, April 22, 2021

Hey There You Are!

Today I explain some side effects of 2020.  COVID 19 where 19 stands for how many pounds did you gain? It turns out 444 lbs is heavy.  I may have more deliveries in the future. My gut is ruining my aim I have carried on a Jackson tradition  Sometimes life has to hold a mirror up until you acknowledge it.

Mon, March 22, 2021

I Don't Want to Do My Homework

While many people may find themselves crying watching  This is Us, I thought things had taken a weird turn when I found myself choking back tears when I was watching the Real World Reunion (on the Paramount Network ). When I feel this way, I have a mental picture of one of those Submarine doors that has almost opened and water starts gushing out, and I get there just in time to spin that wheel and lock it up and go back to whatever I was doing... I decided to try Better Help , and it's not cheap, but if my arm started bleeding for no reason, I'd go get it checked out.  Just writing down why I thought I should talk to someone made me feel better. If you need a journal check out Penzu.com and in this case, I just had to write why I was signing up for this service. Just going through that process made me feel better. I met with the counselor and after talking she suggested I read The Grief Recovery Handbook, 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition: the Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses Including Health, Career, and Faith I made it through chapter one, but now I feel like a kid who doesn't want to do his homework. I know that doing the work provides much better grades, but still, I made it through the first chapter and stalled. I need to put on my big boy pants and keep going. So Why Did I Make This Episode? We live in a Facebook world where everyone's lives seem so happy and perfect. I'm OK, and I'm working on being better. I thought if I pulled back the curtain to let you see it's OK to reach out when you could use someone to talk to, and that you're not "weird."  I just need to do my homework and reconnect on Better Help

Wed, February 24, 2021

Where in the World is Roy?

This episode  really makes me sound weird. What I'm getting at is how things make you feel.  “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angelou My second marriage wasn't always bad. My wife and I had a running gag of dragging a stuffed bear with us to events. It was funny. He was behind the speaker at our marriage.  My ex-wife named him Roy. I use to give Roy a voice and make him say terribly dark things that make it hilarious coming out of a cuddly bear.  When we divorced, she kept Roy, and I kept another bear that I had purchased to give to her (but later decided not to - mature I know...)  I decided to buy my own Roy. It turns out that was harder to do than originally planned.  How do you make people feel? If a stuffed toy can bring happiness, can you imagine how you can make a person feel? One last thing, I know this makes me sound like COVID has cracked my sanity. I'm fine. I know this is weird. 

Mon, October 19, 2020

Just Me And My Thoughts and an Empty Old House

I found myself in my new old house. This was different. I had no speakers, no Internet, and my phone was there, but that wasn't going to work.  I was alone - with just my thoughts.  I wasn't sure what would happen, but sometimes when I'm left alone with just the voice in my head things can go negative.  The house (without the noise to distract me) sent my brain into the archives of thoughts that I had not remembered in decades.  The brain is amazing, and I enjoyed a trip down memory lane.  Enjoy the show? If you feel so moved, Buy Me a Coffee    

Fri, August 28, 2020

Bags, bags, and More Bags

Today I share some insights into love and living with people who had disorders.  I currently get annoyed with how cashiers bag things at the store. I end up with twice as many bags as needed. It just seems everywhere I turn, I'm opening a drawer, a pocket, a box, and its all bags. Love is knowing someone's characteristics that drive you nuts, and accepting them. It's part of what makes them who they are. You can try to change them, but you and I both know that the chances of that succeeding are slim and none.  So you hang in there, and focus on the good things, and accept those things you can't change. 

Wed, August 05, 2020

Not As Hard As You Thought

I lost a lot of sleep worrying about talking to my sister. My sister (who I love dearly) has always had my back and has a very unique set of skills. While never officially diagnosed, I think it is safe to say she has some form of Aspergers. This can make things "fun." My brother and I (and, well everyone else) knew it made more sense for me to take over the house I grew up in (where my sister occasionally lives), but just cause it makes sense doesn't mean my sister would go for it. She's not a fan of change at all . Logical things don't always resonate with her (she won't eat Devil's Food Cake...). So how do I get her on board to let me take over the house so she can go live permanently in a better house with a better neighborhood? Today I talk about how some things you think are hard, may not be as hard as you think. I took on the challenge of my sister, and I put off doing my taxes as long as I could.  If you are putting something off cause it looks "Hard" it may not be as hard as you think.  I do always find it weird how I can take positives and turn them into a negative. 

Fri, July 03, 2020

Without a Care in the World

It's always weird how any stories in my childhood involving animals of some sort have a weird outcome, In this case, it was lightning bugs. I took a second tonight and really let myself go back to the front yard. To the time of being a kid and shouting when you achieved your goal. When the only thing you needed to worry about was if you had any empty peanut butter jars (of course you did cause you would store food in them).  It was a time when you did not have to worry about anything. You were safe. It was all about fun, friends, and fireflies.

Wed, June 17, 2020

There Goes My Hero

Why is it that the people that seem to make the best points ae comedians?  The other night I watched 8:46 by Dave Chappelle. It's an amazing presentation. I also loved his last special on Netflix called Sticks and Stones. Then at 4 in the morning, it came to me: DAVE CHAPPELLE IS MY HERO.  He makes me do all the things I said a good podcast should do. He makes me laugh, cry, think, or groan. If it doesn't do any of those it should be educating or entertaining me and DAVE DOES ALL OF THOSE.  Check him out  Dave Chappelle 8:46 Dave Chappelle Sticks and Stones Sample Like the show? Buy me a coffee

Thu, June 04, 2020

Do Your Homework Watch the 13th

I am an ill-informed middle-aged white dude. A black man was lynched in 2020 in broad daylight as George Floyd was pinned to the ground by police and later would die.  I often hope someone will come along and teach me so I'm not so ill-informed on how to act, what to say, etc when it comes to people of color. It's time for white people to take a step and do our homework. The better we understand, the better we communicate. The better we understand, the better we live.  Mentioned in this episode.  Conan O'Brien interviews Van Jones White People Training YOUR HOMEWORK The 13th Documentary (free on YouTube)

Tue, May 19, 2020

Grumpy Turtle

I've never been able to get passed the "woo woo" part of Yoga. However, when I see fit people one of the words that comes up in regards to how they stay fit, it's Yoga. Lost In My Yoga Class Any time I tried yoga the instructor would go through different posts like: Funky Firefly Young Puma Sad Palm Tree Be the Embryo Hords of Locust Legs behind your head Silly Kitty Grump Turtle Baby Rhino and I would be still trying to figure out the Sad Palm Tree as they are finishing up. I also love how your are supposed to keep your head facing down. How do I see what you're doing with my eyes facing the floor? DDP Yoga I got sucked in by some videos of people with serious hurdles who have lost hundreds of pounds doing Yoga (and I'm assuming eating less junk). I decided to give it a shot and was surprised how (without using any weights) I was working up a sweat. Here are some links (not affiliate links) www.ddpyoga.com Guy loses tons of weight video Guy couldn't walk can now run Support the Show Buy Dave a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/davejackson    

Sun, May 17, 2020

Shades of Gray

I watched a movie called Bowling for Columbine , and one part really caught my attention and that is how many things on the news are based on fear.  Killer bees Swine Flu Bird Flu and many other things. Everything seems fear-based.  BLACK OR WHITE There is a song by the Monkees called " Shades of Gray " and while it was talking about equal rights for people of color, but it made me notice that now you are either a scary cat who is afraid to go outside or a nutjob who won't "Let you tell me what to do" and is doing pushups on a sidewalk to prove it.  There is no "gray area" and as I think about it I would think the rules for New York city might be different than the rules needed for Farm Town Iowa with almost no people, that maybe the rules could be different. However, on TV dialogue is no encouraged. You're either one side or the other... It makes me worried. Dialogue and having open minds are what can lead to the best decisions. 

Thu, May 14, 2020

Hey, Let's Try That...

 I just have a really weird thought today. I don't know why this popped into my brain. I'm making my breakfast. And this thought pops into my brain and that was: How did Adam and Eve figure out how to have sex that first time? Did Eve look down and go, that's weird. You have a thing? And I don't? Or was it a case where she was bending over to pick up something and Adam tripped him? Did God come down with a PowerPoint presentation and show this slot A into tab B Was it an Instinct? I had a dog named Dudley. And when we brought him home, the first thing we did was buy a bunch of squeak toys. And the first thing he did was hump them all. Like, wow, that dog needs a release of some sort. Apparently. I don't know what's going on with that dog, but he really likes that monkey. So, it was a very weird thought. And maybe it's because it's May 2020. I'm in the middle of a pandemic.  

Thu, April 30, 2020

Kicked in the Taint

April is the month that all my relatives died in. Mom, Dad, Aunts, it just seems like every day my phone reminds me how many years ago somebody died.  Throw on top of it being locked in due to a pandemic it makes from some interesting dreams. I never had a Dad dream. I had a GREAT mom dream, but no Dad dream and then... Nothing good happens at four in the morning. Not even hanging out with LeBron James. Nothing better than waking up at 4 am PISSED OFF.  The pandemic is real. A friend of mine lost his best friend for life and was 40 or 50 and nowhere near a nursing home or age 80. It's real. My latest trip to Walmart leads me to believe people are dropping their guard.  Stay Safe Mentioned in this episode I can only imagine movie Support This Show Buy Dave a coffee

Tue, March 17, 2020

Shout It Out

I had something happen yesterday, and you just kind of think, well, that was weird. And that was a, I think I told you about my neighbor next door who had a really old mom who eventually died. And for some reason, he had a fruit basket, and he gave it to me along with some other things in his freezer that he didn't eat, but his mom would, and he has since moved out. The neighbor immediately to my right has moved out. So I'm hoping a Claudia Schiffer type person will move in and want a podcast. That would be awesome. Meanwhile,  back at the couch, Oh, thank you so much for the fruit basket. I do eat fruit, apples, oranges. And I stuck it on the couch cause we were talking in my living room and it sat there for a long time, and it's wrapped in plastic, so nothing to worry about. Well, it's at there for weeks cause I kept buying more fruit and forgetting about it. I've done a lot of traveling recently, and I was amazed that when you live in a hotel and everything is neat and vacuumed, and then you return to a home that is not. You're like, "Wow, your house is a pigsty." When your house is a pigsty, you kind of feel like a pig. And so the one day I just said, I have got to clean the living room. The messiness is ridiculous. And I picked up the fruit basket that had gone bad basically at this point. Even though it was wrapped in plastic, the plastic is stretched over the top, and then the bottom is just where the plastic touches. Yeah, it had soaked right through the basket and onto the couch. There was a big round stain. And I was like, Oh man. And it's not like the world's best couch, but for me to buy new furniture would be stupid because I'm never in my living room. I mean, I eat lunch there every day, and I eat dinner there. My living room is my dining room. The spot is about the size of an Apple, and it's this big black circle. I know you can flip it over and put that on the bottom. I thought well, maybe, maybe if I'm lucky enough. This couch has the kind of cushions with a zipper, and you can remove and wash the cover. It turns out it was. And I'm like, okay, cool. And I'm doing laundry. I've been programmed, of course, that when you see a stain, you don't just put it in the wash. You "shout it out." I got the bottle of "shout" out from underneath the bathroom sink, sprayed a bunch on it, rubbed it in. I maybe even said a quick prayer, basically sacrifice some lambs to the spot. I'm really thinking, yeah, that's not going to come out. There's no way that's coming out. And part of it is my inner thoughts saying, "Well, you can't have nice things. You just, you, you can't. Now, there's no way that's coming out." And if you're a regular listener to the show, you knew when I was growing up, anytime bad things would happen, my brother and I and my friends would just call it "Davey luck" cause my brother can call me Davey, you can't. I was thinking aw man, it's jus

Sun, January 26, 2020

Another Bikini Story

Why are people in their 50's wearing bikini's news like they've found a long lost animal species? HERE IS ANOTHER ONE! see https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/elizabeth-hurleys-flawless-figure-baffles-010458031.html   REAL HEADLINES Elizabeth Hurley Skips the Gym to Relax In Revealing Dress Elizabeth Hurley Gets Cozy In Sexy LBD Elizabeth Hurley Is Sneaky & Sultry In Cleavage-Baring Ninja Suit Elizabeth Hurley Eyes Up Christmas In Open-Chested Jacket, Bikini Bottoms & NO Bra Elizabeth Hurley Admits Bizarre Similarity She Shares With England's Queen Elizabeth I don't get why this is acceptable to comment on a female's appearance if its the media. Isn't that still objectifying?  I'm so confused.  DID YOU LIKE THIS? Buy Dave a Coffee and help keep the lights on here at Building a better Dave.

Sat, January 18, 2020

What's a Mall Uncle Dave?

A mall that was a part of my childhood is on life support and in April the last store (JC Penny). I'm not sure why this is making me so sad. Sure it's part of my childhood, but I guess in a way the Mall is a mirror of me. It was so big and so strong, and now it's on its last breathe.  If something so big and strong can die, then it's just a reminder that we all need to maximize our time on the planet.  I'm walking around the mall, taking mental pictures of its 860,000 square feet because soon I won't be able to.  MENTIONED Bookends by Simon and Garfunkle. on YouTube

Wed, January 15, 2020

It's Not Fair

My Dad would always let me know that life is not fair.  I have found that weight loss is a lot like walking the wrong way on one of those moving sidewalks at the airport. If you're walking the wrong way you would need to really walk fast and then if you stopped for a second you would be catapulted backwards very very quickly.  I had to wear a suit for the first time since 2018 and my "Lucky Green Suit" no longer fits. This brought on a bunch of emotions and I took a second to take a second to embrace the hatred of myself, the disappointment, the frustration, and really took a second to remember how this feels.  I have fooled myself with lies like "one won't hurt" and many others.  It's working. I'm back down to 222 and headed the right way. It's not easy. It's not fair, but life's not fair.

Sun, December 29, 2019

Merry Wednesday

While I plan for it, and know its coming, and still make the day special, not celebrating Christmas on December 25th is still a little weird.  Today I talk about how it appears people have given up on going to Christmas on Christmas Eve. I miss soft, warm, candlelight services of my childhood with my whole family.  What did I do? I went to the movies....

Sun, December 22, 2019

I'm Happy You're Happy

This weekend I attended the wedding of my ex-wife. Awkward? Maybe a little, but not really. I am getting more comfortable in my role as a "family friend."  I got to bust out my prayer licks and freestyle a prayer. I got to meet what would've been my step-grandkids.  It's one thing to go to a wedding because you have to, but in looking back it's cool to go because you're invited. 

Sun, December 15, 2019

Everything Old is New Again

My brother leaves for Floriday and my family celebrates Christmas before he leaves (in this case almost two weeks early). It was a great time with family, food, and loud squeals of delight over one gift. The gift is highly confusing for me. It's a what? Like, really?  Yeah... I don't get it. 

Wed, December 04, 2019

If the birth of the messiah happened today

I was singing some Christmas songs in the kitchen when a very strange question popped in my head. What if the birth of Jesus happened today?

Sat, November 30, 2019

Quick Reviews To Chew On

Merry Happy Whatever . It's like fuller house without the boobs. The Irishman - Great cast. Three and a half hours. Surprise (spoiler) a bunch of mom guys whack people. Shocking. The Movies That Made Us - So far this is great. I love all the behind the scenes info.  Back in the Game - It's easy to see why these people are broke.  Hamilton Beach " Smokeless Indoor Grill "

Fri, November 29, 2019

Homework For Life

WOW 2019 is almost over. Matthew Dicks has an exercise he swears will slow things down. You write a sentence or two about your day. So many people think they don't have stories. They do, but they don't remember them. I'm trying to do this and it's cool but it takes discipline.  Here is Mathew Dicks on YouTube

Fri, November 29, 2019

Turkey, Football, and Butterman

Sports are kind of weird as we: Watch millionaires comment on Athletic millionaires In front of people who can't afford the tickets Who can't afford the parking or the $7 hot dog Their comments have zero outcome on the game, but it gets us wound up. We all want to be winners and those colors for my team represent ME, and I want to be a winner. If we lose our day is shot.  For me, I was happy I started the day with 20 minutes on the bike skipping breakfast having one giant meal and not going over my calorie budget Seeing my family including the little peeps. I was also happy that on the way home, I skipped all the fast food (even though I was thinking about it).  I went to best buy and now I'm trying to figure out if I need the indoor smokeless grill .... (by the way Best Buy has this as a deal at $69, but its $59 on Amazon). In the end, I'm leaning toward this Hamilton Beach (I already have a George Forman...) Mentioned In This Show Al Roker battles butter man E.T. Holiday Reunion Commercial 2019  

Thu, November 28, 2019

Its Been a Long Time Since I Pooped My Pants

Today I talk about some steps I took to make riding my new exercise bike a little easier. It brought back some memories.  I also apologize to anyone I may have offended by saying this podcast was not great.  Set a goal you have to grow into. I like that phrase.

Wed, November 27, 2019

Dolly Parton's Wholesome Cleavage

Dolly Parton Confuses me. She comes across as family-friendly. We all know she has giant boobs, and somewhat defies gravity when she stands up.  I thought it was inappropriate when she openly flirts with Jimmy Fallon and seems to be a little weird. She talked about how her husband wants a threesome (jokingly with Jennifer Anniston). The first episode of heartstrings has Julianne Hough playing Jolene who also has her boobs hanging out in every scene. I guess I'm just confused. How can we have t-shirts that say "Hey my eyes are up here" and then when you have a woman in charge and influences her own series and it features boobs o' plenty. Some might say, "its just Dolly being Dolly, and she's done this her entire life," I just find it confusing. 

Tue, November 26, 2019

My Reminiscenses

A four-page typed up a letter from what I believe is my Great-great-grandfather as he talks about the days Oklahoma becomes a state. This makes me believe I was born to be a podcaster.  I was also glad to hear nobody got molested.

Mon, November 25, 2019

I want to Ride My Bicycle

Today I share some thoughts about a new large purchase for the Nordictrack S22i , and how I made some changes to be able to afford it. I'm also using the Noom App , which has some pretty cool stuff (think weight watchers accountability in an app).  

Sun, November 24, 2019

The Spirit of Settling

I can tolerate a sappy romantic Christmas movie, but this one takes the cake. I will give them the credit they through in a ghost story (so kudos for creativity) but the message of this movie was hideous.  I love that the ghost is not freaked out by anything when he reappears every year.  IMDB Page The Spirit of Christmas Trailer on YouTube

Sat, November 23, 2019

Don't Forget Plan C

I decided to put up my Christmas Tree, and at times when I do this solo, it makes me a little melancholy. So when I did it tonight, I didn't do as good a job of "spinning it" in my head.  But I'm not dating anyone. So I guess that means I do it solo.  I'm not sure why, but I know someone who loves old traditions and is easy to entertain.  I had plan C sitting in front of me the whole time but my tunnel vision left me decorating a tree alone.  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Harry Belafonte Christmas Album on Spotify Harry Belefonte Christmas on Apple

Fri, November 22, 2019

Why You Do What You Do?

I was interviewed for a show about not being able to have kids. That's not a door I open often.  I was just interviewed to talk about #metoo and how guys can understand how to talk to women without being creepy. I'm not creepy, but I'm worried I might say something that I feel is nice, but it could be taken as harassment. In the end, never comment on someone's appearance.  I've always been the night in shining armor. She pointed out that maybe somewhere I learned that "love is when Dave helps someone" and I thought that might've been my Mom who was home alone a large amount of time during her marriage as my Dad was a long-distance truck driver.  I love to dissect me to see why I do what I do, so I can be a better person. Have you ever taken any time to better understand why you do what you do and see if there is a way to do it better. Mentioned in this Episode Weight loss app Noom 9save 15% off with this link

Wed, November 20, 2019

The Chicken Shack?

have you ever been so mad you can't fall asleep? I can't believe they are replacing another Akron Ohio landmark Stricklands Ice Cream with the chicken shack. This is insane...

Wed, November 20, 2019

Paybacks a Bitch

While its fun to pick on your little brother, little brothers don't stay little forever. We remember the times when we got hit in the head with your class ring, the swirlies, and more.  You know what they say about payback...

Tue, November 19, 2019

Van Halen I

Scott and I went to Al's house. He put on this song and we looked at each other. How is he doing that? Wait, play it again (and again, and again). Clueless. Like put a gun to my head and I couldn't tell you how Eddie Van Halen was playing eruption. Now every seven year old at Guitar Center can play it with their eyes closed.  Eruption, Ain't Talking About Love, Jamie's Cryin, Ice Cream Man, my favorite was Atomic Punk in which David Lee Roth makes noises that much like Eddie's guitar it had me going, "Wait, how did he do that?"  Another great memory from this album is my mom walked in and heard Ice Cream Man (an electrified Boogie) and said "I could jitterbug to this" so we moved the coffee table and she taught me how to jitterbug. The best part is I could see my remembering what it was like to be in her 20's in the 1950's and just have fun. It's one of my top 10 memories.  This album is so good, I don't play it. I save it for days when I need a pick me up. It never fails to put a smile on my face Van Halen I on Spotify Van Halen I on YouTube Van Halen I on iTunes  

Sun, November 17, 2019

Electric Ladyland

I was three years old when my brother called me into the "Rec Room" and put an album on, turned out the lights, and locked me in the room. I was three, and this was easily the most scared I had ever been in my life.  The album was Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland and the "song" was ...And the God Made Love.  This contains one the guitar tone that was so rude, so angry, I didn't understand what I was hearing.  Electric Ladyland on Spotify Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) on YouTube Electric Ladyland on Apple

Sat, November 16, 2019

Double Live Gonzo

I walked into my basement to shoot some pool in 1978 and the sounds of Ted Nugent Double Live Gonzo and where you hear some guy say, "Anybody wants to get mellow you can turn around and get the F*ck out of Here."  About the time I recovered from that he said, "This is a love song. I'd like to dedicate it to all that Nashville P*ssy."  Besides the potty mouth, there is some AMAZING guitar work on this album. The song Wang Dang Sweet Poontang has a great solo where Ted has the rhythm guitar come in and out of the solo and it builds up.  I also learned that Ted didn't do ANY drugs (and hence neither would I) and yet he was CRAZY. Over the years I've learned every Ted Nugent Lick.    Ted Nugent Double Live Gonzo on Spotify Ted Nugent Wang Dang Sweet poontang Double Live Gonzo on YouTube Double Live Gonzo on Apple

Fri, November 15, 2019

Not Fragile

While all the other songs on the radio were soft and fluffy, I found an album that had some of the heaviest music I had heard, and they were unapologetic. Yes, we play heavy music - it's no Fragile - Straight at you.  The Band was Bachman Turner Overdrive and the album was Not Fragile.  I think the album made a special impact on me as it wasn't second had music. It wasn't my brother or sister's music. It was mine.  Not Fragile on Spotify Not Fragile Album on YouTube Not Fragile on Apple

Thu, November 14, 2019

A Night at the Opera

While Queen's a Night at the Opera has hits like "Your My Best Friend" and "Bohemian Rhapsody " but the AMAZING song is The Prophet song and it somewhat gets overlooked because of Rhapsody, and it's a musical masterpiece in my opinion.  Here is a YouTube video of the prophet song.  A Night at the Opera on Spotify A Night at the Opera on Apple Here is a video about the making of the Prophet Song The fun part is I have no idea what the song is about besides a prophet who has a vision.  I dreamed I saw on a moonlit stair Spreading his hands on the multitude there A man who cried for a love gone stale And ice cold hearts of charity bare I watched as fear took the old men's gaze Hopes of the young in troubled graves I see no day, I heard him say So grey is the face of every mortal Um Sure...  You HAVE to listen to this song with Headphones

Wed, November 13, 2019

Your Package is in Bay Three

It's weird as a person in his fifties who loves technology. I find it cool, and it scares me to death.  Today I share a story about picking up a package the day after I delivered it at the Amazon pick-up center.

Tue, November 12, 2019

Beware of Math

I have found when you start doing math to see if you can eat or afford something. When this happens you may be very close to doing something that you regret.  I saw the peloton bike and then read about the NordicTrack S22i which is "cheaper" but still an arm and a leg. However, if I cut out so many of the monthly payments I make to different sites and figured  I can now "afford" it.  The good news is I'm down 2.3 lbs. My legs are on fire cause I went a too far and now I'm using Soak Fitness Spray (which it turns out went out of business). This makes me legs feel liek they are on fire so I forget that they are sore. 

Mon, November 11, 2019

Blizzard of Ozz

This is the album that introduced me to Randy Rhoads. Randy WAS MY DUDE. I LOVED the mixture of classic and heavy metal, and I learned every note on every record. It took me hours, but I did it.  When Randy died in 1982 it wrecked me. My hero was dead. I wore a black armband to school to show I was in mourning.  I found a clip on YouTube with Randy explaining how to play Revelation mother Earth, and that was the song that I was like WHAT? as well as Mr. Crowley.    Randy Rhoads clinic on YouTube Randy Rhoads isolated guitar Mr. Crowley Blizzard of oz on Apple

Sun, November 10, 2019

Kiss Alive I

I'm 11 years old in Mrs. Lewis' class who was the coolest teacher ever. Everyone had gone out to recess but me and my best friend grabbed the little record player and cranked it up to 10, and through the distorted speaker I head these things on the guitar called "Artificial Harmonics" come out of Ace Frehleys guitar.  We just kept playing the song "She" over, and over, and over.   Kiss Alive I on YouTube Kiss Alive I on Spotify

Sat, November 09, 2019

Let there be rock

My first concert was the World Series of Rock July 28, 1979 [24] Aerosmith Ted Nugent Journey Thin Lizzy AC/DC Scorpions But I saw Angus Young and was like WHAT? and that lead me to buying a Gibson SG. I bought everything they did, and LET THERE BE ROCK where every song is great, and I just played the grooves off this album.  Let there be rock on YouTube Let there be Rock on Spotify

Fri, November 08, 2019

Ride the Lightning

I saw a band open for Ozzy I had never heard of, and MAN WERE THEY HEAVY. I immediately went out to buy their album.  There was only one problem. My ears could not comprehend what I was hearing. At times it sounded like someone making fun of heavy metal.  It was so fast and the guitar solos sounded like a fax machine in heat. Metallica's Ride the Lightning was like nothing I had ever heard before.

Thu, November 07, 2019

British Steel

In looking at 10 albums that changed my life, starting at number 10 is British Steel by Judas Priest. It was like nothing I had never heard of. It was HEAVY and it wasn't by accident.  The singer was amazing, and I loved the song Steeler that had about 90 seconds of the band playing one note at the end of the song. I loved that (in listening to it tonight, it's VERY hard not to play air guitar).  Tomorrow, a band I heard open for Ozzy who had music that was different I couldn't comprehend what I was listening. 

Wed, November 06, 2019

Courage is a Decision

Fear is a reaction - courage is a decision a fluke of getting up early is my catalyst. Planting your flag can make it easier to move I'm playing with Healhtywage Start your own wager Join my team challenge for $20

Tue, November 05, 2019

Dude Where's Your Beard?

Attention: There has been a shaving accident.  You gotta me kidding me.... Oh Geez... Hmmm.... Here we go.....

Mon, November 04, 2019

I'm a Sh*tty Friend

I had a second family in my early twenties. Post Mom, they were my cheerleaders, my support group, and all-around second family.  Over the years different insecure girlfriends steered me away, and we lost touch. With divorce number two under my belt, I had nothing stopping me from reconnecting. I had thought about it. I'll do it next time I'm in the neighborhood. I should call first. Why do we feel so awkward when we lose touch with people. Then we reconnect and you pick right up where you left off. I know if I had done this, and reached out we would've picked right up.  I can't do that now. It's not an option. A blown opportunity that put a mirror in my face and I can see how I was a really sh*tty friend in the name of love, I left people who truly did love me.  I feel ashamed, and not to happy with myself. 

Sun, November 03, 2019

Getting Your Way All The Time

Thinking of the rubber bowl, and remembering some interesting times there.  It was a huge (for Akron) stadium

Sat, November 02, 2019

Teeth, Hair and Tear Gas

When I was a kid big acts like The Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Three Dog Night, Tom Petty, Aretha Franklin, and Ringo Starr came to a 35,000 seat stadium called the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio.   One band was the Osmonds and they left a memory that has me thinking of my Mother, and how Mom always knows what to do in any circumstance.

Fri, November 01, 2019

The Not So Great Pumpkin

I watched the "Its the great pumpkin charlie brown" special as I do every year, and I was surprised at how scattered, and in general, "Not good" this special was. 

Tue, October 29, 2019

National Podcast Post Month

I'm going to try to put together 30 days straight for National Podcast Post Month  http://napodpomo.org/

Sun, October 06, 2019

A Very Good Week

It's weird how we remember things that hurt us in living color. These vivid memories never seem to fade away like old polaroid pictures.  I've shared some stories in the past that sound like pity parties, but today (realizing this) I wanted to share a really good time.    

Sun, August 25, 2019

I Got No Problem With Jesus

Christians are known for being: Judgemental Disliking Homosexuality Asking for Money So when I see a church that pushes the stereotype it drives me nuts as none of the above is biblical.  Sure homosexuality is mentioned seven times in the bible, but poverty is mentioned 300 times, and lying is mentioned 155 times source https://www.answers.com/Q/How_many_times_is_the_word_lie_used_in_the_Bible https://matteroffactsblog.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/the-bible-mentions-homosexuality-7-times-but-poverty-300-times/   when I see a need in the community that the church offers to help if you PAY THEM I ask, I didn't remember Jesus asking to get paid to do the right thing. God Hates Fags video Romans 8:31-39   New Living Translation (NLT) Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love 31  What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?   32  Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?   33  Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.   34  Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 35  Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?   36  (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” a ]">[<a title="See footnote a" href= "https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A31-39&versi

Wed, May 01, 2019

Moments of Awkwardness

So my ex-wife calls me and wants me to be an escort to a meetup party at a normally off-limits room at the House of Blues in Cleveland. This is one of those parties like "40 and Fabulous" or for me "Fat, Fifty, and Frisky" - you get the idea. I have no game. When I was young, I had no game. I played the guitar and that might get me some attention, but that's another podcast for another day. Now with me being a middle-aged white guy when I walk into a room of strangers, I wonder if people think: He's racist cause he's white He's a pig cause he's a male Consequently, I don't feel comfortable saying ANYTHING. In the end, the evening didn't go half-bad, and I might start attending more of these a little closer to home (as the more you do something the better you get at it. I'm just in no hurry to get back on the relationship train.

Thu, March 21, 2019

One Day at JFK

Download File I get to the airport hours before my plane leaves. I need to pee. The woman sitting next to me seems nice. Will she watch my stuff while I go to the bathroom? Yes she will, and this turned into a bond that has sharing opinions on her latest project....

Mon, March 11, 2019

Night at the Bondage Barn

So my friend Master Kuldryn invited me to go to a Dungeon in Orlando Florida. While I didn't originally want to go, a few of my friends decided it would be a hoot, and as an investigative reporter, I decided to support my friend and check out his world. I never had any intentions of participating in anything, and I didn't. The place we went to had no sex, no more nudity that you would see in a season of Game of Thrones, and an educational tour. I had a feeling when I agreed to go, I would get an episode of Building a Better Dave. Thanks to my Buddies David Hooper and Marc Johanssen for making this a fun, entertaining, trip to Satan's cross-fit.     Download File  

Mon, February 18, 2019

Treading Water

Download File I was in a meeting with some people preparing for a podcast roast. Last year they were roasting me, this year we're roasting John Lee Dumas. This made me reflect on where I was last year, and where I am this year. So I thought about: Weight Loss Dating Financial

Sun, December 23, 2018

We’ve Always Done It This Way

Today at my church they are having a children's program. There is only one problem. We only have one child, and “Child's Program” doesn't roll off the tongue. Why would you have a children's program when you only have one? The only reason I can come to is that we've always done it that way. The church I go to came from a split church. It was awesome. We had probably 30 people in the choir. The music was awesome. The culture was awesome. That was probably close to 20 years ago. There is only one problem. The church has not changed at all. Not one single bit. If you had a bulletin from 1998 and compared it to today's the only thing that changes is the pastor. When the choir got smaller due to this thing called Natural Causes that keeps making the congregation smaller, the director decided we would sing Handel's Messiah. This is a very hard piece of music to sing. Looking back, we shouldn't have done it. We didn't have the people. We didn't have the talent. Typically people in a choir can sing. They can actually sing different parts. Over the years, this has become less and less the case. Last week I sang next to a lovely older man who didn't want the music. He just wanted the words. As I was the sound person at the time, I told them how I could feed a little bit of the demo singers into the monitor to keep us on track. I never thought we would perform this way. Flash forward 15 years and now the voices are so loud, for me its embarrassing. I didn't even really practice my parts this year because there was no point? I could actually sit there and mouth the words. Also when you can't stand for the 45 minutes performance because of your age. Maybe it's time to retire. We have probably 10 people made up of 9 women and me. I hate to knock the other two gentlemen in the bass section, but they just sing the melody This is a choir. So why would you have a choir when you don't have people who can sing or perform? We've always had a Christmas and Easter cantata. I go to this church because my Aunt goes there. Many of the people who go there watch me grow up. The average age is probably 70. The pastor is a very nice man who types out his sermons and reads them to us. How do I know this? Because the one Sunday he left one of his pages back at the soundboard and had to walk back and get it. Nurses make bad patients. Teachers make bad students. Presenters make horrible audience members apparently because I can't take the fact that he has a wireless microphone but stands in one spot. Well except when he does the children's story and the one child comes up. Why? Because we've always had a children's story. There is a song by King's X off the Gretch Goes to Nebraska album called Mission and it has been in my head lately. The chorus is Who are these people behind the stained glass windows have they forgotten just what they came here for? Was it salvation or “scared of hell”

Mon, December 03, 2018

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

I had a great time in Australia. I really miss those people I was asked to speak in Australia. This is one event that I had to pick up the ticket, and it was worth every penny.  I had to give up control I got to do new things I have never done I got to stand up for myself So many things in Australia can kill you, just like America...

Mon, November 26, 2018

Bohemian Rhapsody For the Win

My first time I ran into someone speaking in Tounges I was working as a Janitor for the church I was attending. It freaked me out.  I thought the guy was having a seizure. I started attending a different church, and they made it sound like I didn't have the holy spirit and I needed to have someone "lay hands" on me.  I was told growing up you do not have someone speak in tounges unless there was someone to interpret, so I wasn't sure to believe.  On the other hand, if I didn't have the holy spirit, I wanted it. So I decided to have someone lay their hands on me...

Sat, November 24, 2018

Rejecting the Hoarding Gene

The 1.3 Megapixel Digital Camera Which phone the one with the answering machine or the cordless? The 14" Computer monitor The drawer full of dark socks Finishing the job or eating cereal How I feel when the office is clean Check out www.todoist.com  

Fri, September 14, 2018

The Rock Bottom Pillow

People are paying $80/hr to cuddle. What? You heard me. I did a google search and there are multiple companies. So I thought, "Well is that what the kids are calling sex today?" One person on the " How to Cuddle " page stated, "If you feel sexual desires coming on, communicate them as soon as possible and probably stop cuddling." Cuddle Buddy HR What does the training manual for a cuddle buddy look like? I love that one site states,  " No intentional genital stimulation of any kind." (but unintentional is allowed...") The New Go-To Career For Every Guidance Counselor I'm picturing the High School Guidance Counselor looking at a student with straight Ds. Counselor: "Well Billy, I've looked at your grade." Billy: "My family says I should apply to clown college." Counselor: "I've got something different and it pays $40/hr.  Full show notes and videos at  http://betterdave.com/182

Sat, August 04, 2018

Huckster?

Today I talk about an interaction with Frederick Michael Plant which goes from zero fo FU in a very quick time Marriage at First Sight - Horrible television that I could not stop watching This one woman feels the word "husband" has magical powers and even though she just met her husband they are "soulmates." This could be a good show to watch with your significant other. See  https://youtu.be/soZf8jhcmus

Fri, June 08, 2018

Hall of Fame Podcaster?

Today it's 5 AM again, and I can't sleep. I'm slowly starting to work on my speech as on July 24th, 2018 I am being inducted into the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame. It's really an honor and its humbling. Person and person have been leaving a message saying how it was, "Overdue," and "Well Deserved." They thank me for all the hard work. Hard work? Somewhere I got a gene where I just love to help people. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy, so it really wasn't hard work I got to be creative. I got to play with technology I got to help people.  This wasn't hard work at all. Thanks for listening

Sat, March 10, 2018

Damsel in Distress

I had an epiphany and I'm not sure if I dreamed this, I don't know where it came from. I looked at the previous Mrs. Jacksons (since I have a matching set now) and I noticed that both of them were someone in a situation where I'm going to call it “Damsel in distress.” When I met them, I saw them as a damsel in distress that I could come in on my white horse and save. I was sitting in my bed and I wanted to think about how many women I had ever said the phrase, “I love you” to. I think this is spurred on this idea. Recently I've gone to two conferences in the past month and I'm starting to notice, where I thought my heart was just dead - for lack of a better phrase) I have met a few females that I would like to get to know you better. The bad news is they all live hundreds if not thousands of miles away and in some cases, are young enough to be my daughter, which makes me feel creepy. Let's start off with the very first person I said I love you to. I was 16 years old, does that really count? Well, yeah, it did at the time. And I thought of the very first time I found myself attracted to this person. My very first memory is she was a flag girl. What else do you have to say? She was a flag girl in the marching band and I gave her a ride home after a football game because she was wasted. I remember her passing out. We'll kind of in her head hitting the passenger side window. And I thought, oh my God, she's going to break the window. But what is that? You guessed it. Damsel in distress. The second girl was a very, very brief dating period, but very intense. And you'll notice a pattern here. She was dating somebody who lived far away. It was a long-distance relationship. Which is hilarious when you're all of 16, 17 and I was the friend that she talked to deal with the fact that her boyfriend was far, far away. Yeah, you guessed it. Damsel in distress. The third one I was a late teen now and we worked together. Again, I am the friend that she talks about her boyfriend who lives far, far away. Damsel in distress Number four turned into ex-wife number one who I would like to interview. I think it would be interesting 20 years out now too, to talk about our area of life. Let's just kick back and, and what do you think of if you were to describe Dave Jackson? That's the key. I think these people at one point did know me at one point. Anyway, when I first met her, she had a horrible living situation. Her mom was dating gigantic losers. And she lived in the hood: Damsel in distress. Damsel number five was the nurse (if you’re a regular listener to the show you’ve met her as she became wife #2). When I met the nurse, she explained to me how she had been dating a guy who had cheated on her seven times. Damsel in distress. But when I look back at these women that I said, “I love you” to, I was like, oh my God, they were all damsels in distress. And that's amazing to me, and that’s wh

Fri, February 16, 2018

The Gullible

So if you looked up the word Gullible it says, "easily persuaded to believe something; credulous." So I looked up credulous and it said, "having or showing too great a readiness to believe things."  I had an interesting conversation today and we were talking about these places that appear to prey on the Gullible. You know the drill. You get dragged to a meeting where you hear a pitch. Everyone can benefit from the product. It's super easy to join. It's even free. You are encouraged to bring your friends. If you want to become a member there are fees based on your level of dedication.  There are weekly meetings to attend and in some cases twice a week.  There are brainstorming session on how you can get the word out there and raise more money for the company. If you are active enough and demonstrate dedication, you may get an advisory board. Some people show up and swear the product works, while others don't attend weekly meetings and don't seem to be getting any results Some people think the whole thing is a scam. The people pushing the product are just a bunch of snake oil salesmen trying to brainwash people What company do you think I'm talking about?

Sun, January 21, 2018

How to Make Everything Cool

So I'm watching Jerry's Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee on Netflix.  It's amusing. He gets these obscure cars and picks up celebrities and talks with them over coffee. He gets paid a lot of money for this.  They aren't earth shattering interviews, but the show is cool. I was watching trying to figure out what it was that made this show cool. Then it came to me. There was jazz music in the background. Now watching a toothless waitress in some strange dinner is cool. Look! it's coffee in slow motion put to jazz! I've never seen coffee poured like this. It's like seeing coffee for the first time. Holy Cow.  Now when Jerry pulls up in a 1972 VW Van with rust to pick up Kramer, it's cool.  Then I thought about the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. Here is this boy face male pattern baldness at a very early age, being bullied by his friends, and disrespected by his dog. There isn't much of a story, then get him involved with a bizarre play that also has no story. Then Linus just takes control and start blurting out random scripture like a long lost Osteen and the Christmas Special comes to an end. Why do we watch every year? Becuase it's got one of the coolest soundtracks ever. Filled with some really cool jazz. I don't even like jazz. It makes anything cool. I recently started using Advocare products (which have boosted my weight loss efforts) and while they have great products let's not kid ourselves they are a multilevel marketing business. It's Amway for fat people. So I signed up so I can discount on the products and I'm reading some really boring stuff.  Now lately I'm stuck. I keep throwing out my back, and that makes it hard to exercise. I'm losing weight (down 3 lbs in the last 30 days) but I keep throwing out my back from sneezing. Then when my back is out, it's hard to exercise. The lack of exercises makes me less healthy, which leaves me open to getting sick, which leads to me sneezing more. You see where this is headed. You know what makes exercising in your living room better? You guessed it.  Mentioned in This Episode Advocare

Wed, November 29, 2017

Now I'm Done - The Big Screen TV

I have some friends who have giant TVs. Two years ago I bought a 32" flat screen. Now when I go to their house and come home, my 32" looks like a toy. So I decided to buy a bigger 1080 TV. This lead to me asking about what is the difference between 1080 and 4K, then what was the difference between 4k and HDR? Then the guy at Best Buy gave me a demo of both, and I could feel myself getting sucked in. I had found a cheaper TV but now I could feel myself talking myself into grabbing the credit card. I ended up with a 55" 4K HDR tv. Then I brought it home. Uh Oh. Then I went to plug it into my soundbar. Uh Oh. Through the process of carrying these items from store to trunk to apartment, I pulled muscles in my back. When I watch the Tonight Show, it feels like Jimmy Fallon is in my living room. My TV is just about the size of my couch.

Sun, November 26, 2017

A Hallmark Christmas

You must run do not walk to your television listing and find the Hallmark Channel. They are running the same movie (disguised with a different name) over and over.  There will be lots of crying as Christmas is almost ruined, then, in the end, you find in the nick of time that Yes, Yes, (cheesy storyline) is true! It will start people like Shelly Long (remember her from Cheers), Angie Dickinson (isn't she dead) and lots of people from sitcoms that you watched in the 80's and 90's that kind find work anyplace else and have no integrity. 

Sun, November 19, 2017

Grief is Like A Website

I went to Washington DC last week. I met a girl who does a show called " Good Grief ." She started recording her podcast after he died and she found out he had a second family with two additional children of which she was one. Woa. I also got to meet Darwyn Dave who does the show Dealing With My Grief . Darwyn's Dad was murdered. Damn. Like straight up murdered. So I listened to these shows on the way home. This lead to some strange thinking, and emotions bubbling through. Emotional Triggers I focus on the weirdest things lately. My brother got pretty sick a little while ago and he had a weird situation where he was sweating under a bunch of blankets because he was freezing. He had lost a lot of color, and looked bad. It was spooky even though I knew he would pull through. The bottom line is we are out of Grandparents, we have a few Aunts to play, one Uncle who is 94, and then we become the next generation in line. You know and I know that it's going to get here sooner or later. There is nothing we can do about that.  Maybe it's because my brother and I were estranged for years, and now we're not, that the thought of us being apart can cause my eyes to leak.  And when I start to grieve, I feel like I have a buy one get one free. That I have leftovers that have been sitting in the pantry waiting to be consumed.  My Mom died in 1989. That's a while ago. My finals at college were the next week and yet I still had to take them. I cried. I wept. Then it was back to school. I was now running a house as my Dad was still a long distance truck driver, and my sister..... while she has never been diagnosed I think she has assburgers.  She doesn't like  any  change in her routine. I remember trying to get her to write things on a shopping list. She would say, "but that's not how Mom did it." I would have to answer, "I know, but Mom's not here." It was a strange relationship because I was the little brother taking care of my older sister. When my Dad got home on the weekends, I would fill him in on the bills, house, and get to my homework.  I remember my last semester. I took more credit hours than I have ever taken because if I didn't graduate I was going to lose my mind. It was graduate or die trying. My GPA took a hit, but I got the piece of paper and moved on.  Being That Guy My Mom died when I was 24. Looking back, I was a baby. I thought I was an adult, but I was pretty young. It deeply affected me. I became a workaholic. I still am. I've never wanted that to be my calling card. Hello, I'm Dave Jackson and my Mom died when I was 24 . Yet, it is part of my history. It left a scar. It shaped me. I just don't want it to be my definition.  I Asked God For a Kid and He Said No I spent myself into bankruptcy trying to have a

Wed, October 25, 2017

The Death of Common Sense

A West Virginia school during Patriotism week made a sign about their opponent from Pittsburgh. They made the sign red white and blue, and the sign read, "Trump Perry." It did not say, "WE HATE BLACK PEOPLE." A football banner is intended to intimidate the other team. My high school was Ellet High School so Ellet rhymed with Smell iT. As our mascot was a giant Orange Hulk, and we were known as the Orangemen, we often saw many signs about "Squeezing the Orangemen." Our arch rival was Springfield High School. Springfield had a lake. So we called students from Springfield, "Swamp Rats." I guess by today's standards we were bullying when we played the fight song after a touchdown. I can't believe this made the news. Instead of the superintendent from the WV school writing an apology, they should've suspended the LIBRARIAN for being a narcissist and making everything about her, and for not being able to process any opinion besides her own. While I can't "tell you how to feel" you should be willing, and  wanting to hear the other side of a story and be willing to participate in a dialogue. Here is the story from CNN   See  http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2017/10/21/trump-banner-at-hs-football-game-sparks-furor.cnn

Sat, September 16, 2017

White People Training

I was born and raised in Akron Ohio, and my elementary school had one African-American student (Melody Hardy) and she sat right next to me. What I'm worried about is it seems if a white person says something that is insensitive, they are INSTANTLY labeled a RACIST.  If a person is like me, we aren't racist - we are untrained. We've had zero practice dealing with different cultures and races. If a white person says something that sounds racist, it may be that they are missing some key ingredients in their education of what it's like to be a person of color.  The problem is if we are all waiting with our "guns" locked and loaded, then everyone (especially white folks) don't start any conversations. The ability to grow, and understand other cultures is limited if we don't open up the door to understanding different perspectives. As someone who constantly hears about "White privilege," it sounds like all I need is to be white and have a penis and I will never have anything to worry about. It didn't work for my Dad when we went on welfare and we got to enjoy the awesome taste of government cheese. This doesn't mean I had it worse than you, I'm just saying not all white males got a free ride.  Some of the best conversations you can have are when you quit trying to convince someone to think you like you do, and instead just provide your side of the story and let people make their own decisions. This requires you to listen, and I don't think we are open to hearing another side of the story because you might actually change your opinion.  Just be careful labeling all white people as racists.

Tue, June 20, 2017

Tackleface

I haven't been to a McDonald's in quite some time, and apparently, we've come a long way from the days of the paper hat and smock. Maybe it's just me flashing back to the days when I had to have my hair above my collar to keep my job.Maybe it's because I'm the only person on the planet who doesn't have a single tattoo, but some of the people who serve my food at the drive through are startling. I drive up to the window to hand them my ATM card and they turn around and HOLY CRAP! It looks like the dove face fist into a tackle box. I don't care that you have enough hardware in your face to pick up a shortwave radio stat, but when you're not ready for it, it can be quite a surprise. Tonight I went to a Books a Million (BAM) and was surprised to see they had installed a Library in the coffee shop. There were at leat 10 people who are not "Skimming" a book to see if they should buy it, but starting at page 1 and going straight through. I swear one guy was in there the last time I was in this location. At some point, shouldn't you just buy the book and take it home? Why would you when you can buy a water and an oatmeal raisin cookie and come back tomorrow and finish up the book. One person even fell asleep in his chair. It is one of the few places on earth that doesn't have 50 TV's on the wall.

Bonus · Thu, April 27, 2017

Surviving April

Today I talk about how I'm stuck. I don't want to be a person who lives in the past.  On the flip side, if I don't remember life changing events is that disrespectful? There is a great quote in the Sheryl Crow song "Every Day is a Winding Road" and she asks, "Why am I a stranger in my own life?" I talk about the day I watched my Mom breakdown upon hearing her father's voice for the first time in a long time. So now I'm worried about playing an old tape that has my Mom's voice. I don't want to be "THAT GUY" who is always talking about his Mom. At this point, I've spent more time without her than I did with her.  So I get really worried that I spend too much time looking back.   

Tue, January 24, 2017

I Still Remember the Pain of Childbirth

So I was halfway filling out the application at match.com when I hear a familiar voice in my head ask, "Is that what you're going to wear?"  There is a part of me that feels I need someone to go through life with, and someone to hold my hand, when I get old and feeble. This might've been brought on by the Death of my Dad followed by my Aunt, but I can see the bus coming, and it's a ways off, but its not that far away. So I am torn between two worlds.  And today I decided to turn on a microphone and talk about it. 

Mon, November 28, 2016

Taking a New Look At the Holidays

Today I share what it was like to go through the holidays ALONE last year.  As horrifying as that might sound, there were some perks. 

Mon, November 14, 2016

Whambualance

Today I talk about the lost art of losing gracefully.

Thu, August 04, 2016

If You're Happy and You Know It

Today I talk about a negative voice in my head that just always seems to be there. Always. Lately something has not felt normal. Something was weird. Something didn't feel right.  It turns out the thing that wasn't wrong, was there wasn't something wrong.  I'm not dreading going home I'm not under lots of stress. I like my job. I'm not super stressed about money I'm pretty sure, that it may be a while before I get in another argument.  I feel respected.  What is this feeling? Holy cow, I'm happy. I forgot what this has felt like. Much like a dog who has been beat too much, I am always waiting for the other shoe to drop - and it's not.  You can feel bad about yourself when you compare yourself to others.  The American life is to have a spouse, a house and kids. Well I have no spouse, probably not going to have a house, and the kids boat has sailed. If I think about this too much, I can feel like I've missed something. Yet, I have a great life. I'm sitting in air conditioning, employed, I'm down 30 lbs.  Life is good, quit being an A-hole and enjoy it! What You Focus On Should Impact You In a Positive Way I almost bought a magazine filled with Shi-tzu dogs that in the end would leave me feeling sad missing my old dog. At first seeing their pictures of the dogs/puppies it made me smile. However, if I bought that magazine, I know I would eventually lead to me missing my dog. So I passed on the magazine. Instead I'm going to focus on the things in front of me that bring me joy (like air conditioning) Support The Show Want to help keep the show floating? Go to www.supportthisshow.com and use the shopping and donation buttons. 

Trailer · Fri, July 22, 2016

Marriage Advice from the Divorced Guy

Last weekend I was driving to the place where I ride my bike. It beautiful. I get out there, relax, and enjoy nature. This week I was driving and I passed signs for Brian and Linda's wedding, and then the reception. I thought of how happy Brian and Linda must be on this day. It was an awesome day to sweat 20 lbs off in a tux. I thought of how I felt on my wedding days. Yes, there have been two. With this in mind, you can learn from people who succeed at something, or you can also learn from people who fail at something so I feel I have some good advice from a divorced guy. Pick Your Battles, and Your Battle Times Your spouse is not perfect. This you need to learn right up front. Your life will not be perfect. How you handle the reality of that is HUGE part of how your marriage will go. This doesn't mean you become a welcome mat for your spouse to walk over, but you do need to set realistic expectations. With this in mind, let some things roll off your back. Wait a day or two to see if it is still bugging you. If it is, then start thinking about how to bring it up, and more importantly when to bring it up. There is that whole "Don't go to bed mad at each other" and it's next to impossible if you bring up stuff AS YOU ARE GOING TO BED. For me, when my head hit the pillow I had two things on my mind, and if we weren't doing the first thing, I wanted to sleep. This is NOT the best time to bring up serious subjects. Your spouse is exhausted and wants to sleep. I know, let's dump some serious discussion on them, and see how they make decisions when their brain checked out hours ago. In the morning before work is a crappy way to start the day. As soon as you get home from work is awful because you want to relax. How about after dinner. Another tip I would add is give a warning shot. Maybe some time during the day send a "I need to talk to you tonight" text to let them know. While a "we need to talk" used to mean you are breaking up, now that you're married that option is off the table. Don't panic. Reinforce Your Commitment Let's face it, there will be times when things are said or done, and you are royally cheesed off. This happens. Remember, it's not going to be perfect. So if you are going to bed angry, try to remind your spouse that while you don't like them at the moment, you do love them. I know that's weird. Buy can you love a child who just spilled chocolate on the carpet? Sure. Well then, remember that you can be upset with someone and still love them.  State that, "You know that really hurt me, and I'm upset. I want you to know that I still love you, and I'm sure we can work through this." Why I feel this is important is when you get into a bad situation, it may feel like everything you do is not good enough, that all you do is wrong, and that your relationship is doomed. A reminder that you are a team, and you will work through your problems might be a key to having a dialogue vs an argument. 

Wed, May 11, 2016

Why Is Everyone Fighting?

I went and saw Captain America Civil War, and I missed Batman Vs Superman. Why is everyone fighting? What is up with that? I also talk about "The new Normal" and why old people are grumpy. 

Fri, January 15, 2016

Hostile Territory

Today Dave shares his insights from a tip to Michigan where Toyota owners are not exactly welcome. Really? This is how you get me to purchase your car in the future by punishing me? Then my phone went into roaming…. Why is channel 2 in Japanese? You've got to watch the Netflix show Making a Murderer. It's super interesting and keep in mind: <p style= "border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: #000000; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Helvetica

Mon, January 04, 2016

The High Road is Covered in Goose Poop

It’s been 5 months since I’ve documented my life. I’m trying to do this without throwing people under the bus, pointing fingers, cause in the end – it doesn’t matter. I am now divorced. Pointing fingers will not change that, so I take the high road and wish the best for my (oh, good God – now SECOND) ex-wife. So I’m living alone. Me and a cat. Bernie. I’ve never been a cat person, but Bernie is OK. There are times when its nice to just have another heartbeat under the roof. I’m not looking for as pitty party. It is what it is. I feel we did what we could. We spend thousands on counseling. We knew what to do, but thanks to our childhoods, our experiences, we are wired the way we are, and we couldn’t change. As a teacher, I find this fact hard to believe. I believe in constant improvement. In the end, I guess a leopard can’t change it’s spots, and a Zebra can’t change it’s stripes. At that pint you either accept what you have (even if it’s not exactly what you want) or you move on. Things I’ve Learned So Far Geese are pretty, but the crap on everything. It’s one thing thing to have a robin poop on your car. Its a whole other story when its a goose. Toilet paper rolls last for MONTHS when there are no women in the house. It’s easier to change the littler box daily for a few minutes, then to do it once a week. I am developing an unhealthy fear of the unknown. I’m worried I will blow my 50’s worrying about my 70’s. Play the Cards You’re Dealt The choices I’ve made my life have got me to where I am. I can’t change the past. I can only do the best with what is left.

Fri, August 21, 2015

50 and Falling Apart

Sun, April 26, 2015

We've Come a Long Way Baby!

Thu, December 18, 2014

The Other Side of Christmas

I ruined an Angel. I did. There was an Angel in my mother-in-laws bathroom. Its been there for years. One day while peeing, I looked up and noticed it had something (maybe a book) in its one hand, and in the other it had a candle with no wick. A candle with no wick, and the top of it slight indentation around it. It looked falic. Now there are certain words you don't use around your mother-in-law. You are still trying to help be happy that her daughter is married to you. That's the plan at least. But one word I typically do not use around my mother in law "Dildo." So on the way home I told my wife (trying to be weird, shocking and goofy) "Why is the Angel in the bathroom holding a Dildo?" To this I believe my wife just said ," David?... sigh..." My warped sense of humor that she found unique as we were dating has lost its magic. Never in my life would I think my wife (my trusted and most intimate partner) would tell her mother, "Dave thinks the Angel in the bathroom is holding a Dildo." Now for the record, I was told my mother-in-law laughed (I am very lucky in the Mother in law department), but on the other hand I ruined the Angel. Nobody can look at the "Candle" anymore without thinking Dildo. Rumor has it, I may end up with it as a present as nobody can look at it anymore. I was thinking of all the Christmas specials and how one sided the are. In the aftermath of children getting shot by cops we are becoming a little cynical. We want to look at the other side. When I thought about it, here is what I came up with. Frosty Was a Pedophile Frosty the snowman could slide around without moving his feet (OK, he didn't have any) and he loved to play with Children. He sounds like Michael Jackson and that’s when it came it me. Frosty was a pedophile Rudolph Had A Serious Coke Problem Rudolph stayed up thinking about leading Santa's sleigh. We think this was his dream, but really he was on a three day coke binge. His nose was Red because he did lots of coke. This is why Santa didn't want him guiding his sleigh. He knew Rudolph was going to crash unexpectedly, quickly, and Santa didn't want to die. <p

Tue, November 18, 2014

Chasing the High

Today I share a story about playing an outdoor festival with my band "The $ugar Daddies" on a July fourth weekend. We headlined this outdoor festival. The bad news is nobody had tested the power going to the flatbed truck along with the power so that by the time my band took the stage we needed the lights. The bad news as is soon as we turned them on, the power would trip a breaker. The solution? We had to play the indoor stage where there was no air conditioning and it was easy 95+ degrees with the giant holiday weekend crowd. It was one of those nights that everybody was hitting on all points and we just had that groove.  Everything was just working .  Then it came time for me to do the Song "Texas Flood" by Stevie Ray Vaughn. This was a song that I just got to "Go Off" on and have fun. To this day, it was like being hit by lightning. I felt what I wanted to play from my toes and it just shot out my fingers. It was awesome. The crowd reacted. It was a feeling like no other. The band lasted a few more years, but we started flipping musicians, playing smaller clubs and we eventually fizzled out. For me, July 4th at the Northside was in the top 5 gigs. Opening for Blue Oyster Cult was another one.  So one of the old trumpet players contacts me and he's trying to get a band together that is close to what my old band played. I've been in so many bands that just didn't work for so many reasons. This sounds promising. I'm a bit nervous as I might get really disappointed. I want that feeling one more time, so I'm going to go chase that high. e. 

Thu, June 26, 2014

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead

This week I am home alone (feel free to put your hands on your face and make a face like Macaulay Culkin). I did something I hardly ever do. Nothing. I sat on the couch and petted my cat.  It is here where I learned why I love working on my next project. This might be reading or listening to a book, thinking of the next product I want to create, etc.  When I'm not thinking about things coming in the future, I think about the past.  I don't like to think about the past.  I sat there and reality let me know that my Dad was really gone. The cards I had been dealt, were gone. Game over.  I had a good old fashioned cry.  It felt good in the end. My cat was very confused. Looking Forward I prefer to look forward, and see a picture of an improved life. One where I help people. One where I leave the planet a better place.  I often fall asleep at my desk. I then get up, and go home. I bop till I drop in the immortal words of Rick Springsfield.  I'm OK with that.  <p style= "color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New

Wed, June 04, 2014

Unbelievable Crap On TV (again)

www.betterdave.com

Thu, May 22, 2014

I Miss Talent

Today I talk about the train wreck that was American Idol 13.

Sun, May 11, 2014

What My Mother Meant To Me

When I was 24, my mother passed away from her second (well technically third) heart attack. It was April 27, 1989. It had been 6 years since she had passed. As someone who talks in public for a living (teaching technology) it didn't seem like a stretch to take two of my passions (teaching and God) and put them together. At least that's what the Pastor's assistant thought when she asked me to sub for him and do a sermon titled, "What my Mother meant to me"  on Mother's Day. This would be the sermon that would "Launch" my role as a pastor in training (a course that later went  away from this church and landed on the Internet). As this is Mother's day, I thought I would share it with you. The audio quality is very 1989 (originally recorded on a cassette deck)

Fri, February 21, 2014

Do We Have to Become Our Parents?

Today I talk about turning 49, and making the same mistakes our parents made. The website is www.betterdave.com

Fri, January 17, 2014

Taming the Tongue

Sun, December 22, 2013

Greedy Santa

I was very surprised when I went to the mall and saw there was no line to sit with Santa. Santa looked pretty good (probably an out of work financial consultant), and I thought "Let's get our picture taken." It would be interesting to see how things have changed since you sat on his lap and had a polaroid taken. We asked, not the elf, but some college kid (or Santa has put into place "business casual" as the new dress code). We were told, "Here are the packages." Packages? I just need a picture. What a lovely greedy con job that if they wanted to they could make $166 an hour, BUT THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. Before we can make $166 an hour ($9.73 profit on a 5 minute CD) you need to spend $20 on a "Package." That means Santa Will be making $357 an hour. Well here is what I say to you. SCREW YOU SANTA! SCREW YOU AND THE REINDEER YOU FLEW IN ON!

Fri, December 13, 2013

THANKSGETTING

Today Dave talks about the disgust that Dave is feeling based on the current holiday season

Sat, September 28, 2013

Noting Personal

Fri, August 30, 2013

A Tribute to Dudley

Today I talk about putting me dog to sleep. The behind the scenes story. FUN!

Sat, August 10, 2013

I Got Shacked

Tue, August 06, 2013

30 Year High School Reunion

Thu, May 09, 2013

Charles Ramsey For Mayor

First things first. I am NOT taking light the horrible situation these women went through. What I'm pointing out is the media, and asking the question, "Do they help create these monsters?" Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight are free. Praise God.On the other hand, I commend Charles Ramsey for doing the right thing. He now has t-shirts, and a lot of attention. It should be interested to see what he does with the spotlight.

Fri, April 12, 2013

Maing Bacon

Sat, March 02, 2013

Bathroom Humor with Coy Mathis

Fri, January 18, 2013

The Prelude

Mon, January 14, 2013

The Last Semester

Today I talk about how the University of Akron has no clue about customer service, how my ethics class is a bunch of crap.

Mon, January 14, 2013

Zombies in Vegas

Today I talk about my trip to Vegas

Fri, December 21, 2012

Can You Guess Where I Am?

Today we have a short show where I am motivated by the fillings being rattled out of my jaw because of loud music at a restauarant to record a podcast. Our website is betterdave.com

Thu, December 20, 2012

Deafening Silence

Today I talk about a new twist the justice department through into the mix - a restraining order. I had no contact with my wife for weeks.

Thu, December 20, 2012

Through His Stripes

Today I talk about my night in jail. Whatever you do, do what you have to do to stay on this side of the bars.

Thu, December 20, 2012

Courage & Stupidity

Today I talk about moving out of my house after some serious arguing gets out of control. I contemplate what is the difference between courage and stupidity. Music links at betterdave.com

Thu, December 20, 2012

The Ripple Effect

Today I wrap up my discussion of 2010. Time to look forward. Thank you all for listening.

Thu, December 20, 2012

Every Day Should Be Mother's Day

Today I talk about not blowing off Mothers Day, and how shields can't always protect you. Our website is betterdave.com

Thu, December 20, 2012

Whacky Bible Stories I Samson and Delilah

Today I share some confusion that I felt after reading some scripture in Judges 13-16. Our website is betterdave.com

Thu, December 20, 2012

Put Up or Shut Up - Getting Weird

Today I talk about Forgiveness, and strange circumstances that lead me to believe God wants me to work on my marriage. Our website is betterdave.com

Thu, December 20, 2012

YOU'RE AWFUL - YOU'RE HIRED

Today I talk about moving home, Health Care, and Honey Boo Boo. Our website is betterdave.com

Thu, December 20, 2012

I Don't Want To Freak You Out

Today I talk about my wife having a fake heart attack, and how I can't read her mind.

Sat, December 15, 2012

Hungry For America

Today I talk about voting and the queasiness it causes, and one of my students who understand American a lot better than I probably do.

Sat, December 15, 2012

Dear Gay Fan

Today I address my fake gay voice. OUr website is betterdave.com

Sat, December 15, 2012

The Power of the Boo

Today we talk about how nothing seems to change no matter how much we scream BOO! I also talk about the two weekends I worked ina haunted School House

Sat, December 15, 2012

Fun at the Football Game

Today I provide my insights into the observation at the local football game. our website is betterave.com, support the show by going to supportthisshow.com

Sat, December 15, 2012

Crap Cannon of 2011

Mon, October 24, 2011

The Policeman is Your Friend

Mon, July 11, 2011

Tales From the Couch

Ah yes. Therapy. The lovely activity of paying someone insane amounts of money to have them tell you-you suck. You pay someone to basically watch you argue. We did, and at the end, he said, “I don’t care if you use me or not, but if you don’t change you guys are going to get divorced.”  He was blunt. He also dropped F-bombs on a regular basis and came across unprofessional. We found a lovely older Christian counselor. We paid her lots of money to listen to us argue. We also got to learn about the counselor’s family. Learning about her children, and husband didn’t really help my marriage. She had some good advice. But there was a problem. She said we had to work on ourselves. If we were there to fix the other person, it wasn’t going to work. What did she know? She wasn’t home with me. The nurse is the one who needs the most fixing. Sure, I’m open to learning new stuff. I’m a teacher and feel learning is something we should do every day. I felt a big problem was my wife had issues admitting when she was wrong. Meanwhile, she admitted that about 80% of our marriage problems were related to me. We were like gunslingers ready to draw quickly and start pointing fingers. Anybody see the problem with this? I did an experiment and timed the amount of time I spent on the computer during the week. It was an insane amount. I decided to make plans to cut back. It would be a process. I just couldn’t flip a switch, but I needed to cut back on my consulting and make some time for my family. I tried assigning one night of the week to be the “computer night. That didn’t work. In general, I am a creative person and ask any songwriter, poet, artist, etc and they will talk about those times when the "Creative juices flow." Ask them about how long it took to do a project, and they won't know. Why? Because we lose track of time. We get wrapped up in the project and get sucked in. This is fine when you're 18 and you end up finishing a song at 3:57 AM. This is not good when you're married with stepchildren who need your time and attention. I needed to keep an eye on the clock. I would say things like, "This will only take 15 minutes," and an hour later still be "almost done." This is something I still struggle today. I started making progress, but we still hadn’t really found a way to communicate.  The bad news is we both had wrongful impressions of what the other person wanted. Counselor number three was a nice woman who used the Gottman institute process ( Check out the Gottman Book ). Great stuff. They assigned homework, we were making progress. I had cut back my computer time and started spending more time with the family. We were slowly

Sun, August 08, 2010

Family Fued

Wed, July 28, 2010

Role Reversal

It’s funny when you have young kids. How do they get your attention when they are hungry? They scream and cry. You can shake keys at them, put on Barney (or whatever the latest kid tv is), bounce them on your knee and NOTHING matters unless you solve their one problem: THEY’RE HUNGRY. This week my father was disgnosed with Colon cancer. It’s a scary place to be and a scary situation to live through. The first night in the hospital, my father had gone through a few tests and he thought they had removed his giant tumor. They hadn’t.  What happened was they did a biopsy, and we needed to wait till the next day to get the results. I had been telling my wife how you can’t tell me Dad what to do. At 80 years old he knows everything, and nothing will get in his way. He once walked 3 miles to the grocery store. Luckily a friend saw him at the store and gave him a ride home (he hadn’t thought throw how he was going to carry the groceries home). After visiting him at the hospital that first night, we only made it to the parking lot before Dad had removed his IV, and was preparing to “break out” of the hospital. I turned to my wife and said, “Welcome to the world of my Dad.” We went back to the hospital, and tried to explain to Dad that there was a tumor still inside him. Thankfully my wife still had her nurses uniform on, and she talked some sense into him. He just wanted to eat. He wanted food, and was not going to stop until he got some. So there I was with the roles reversed, with a better grip on the “big picture” than my Dad did. I was explaining what to do, and why these actions were what was best for him. Much like a teenager, he thinks he knows everything. He goes in for surgery on Tuesday, and the road after that will be long and hard. There is no manual for this (except the bible), and it’s going to be tough. No human likes change, and nobody likes getting older, or hearing that they “Can’t” do (insert task here) anymore. Luckily my wife has lived through this (she onced worked at a nursing home, and obsviously deals with all sorts of situations being a nurse) so she has already been a huge help, but none the less this role reversal will be like a new pair of shoes. They may fit, but they’re not comfortable and will take some breaking in

Sat, April 24, 2010

The Wildest Ride of My Life

I spent the weekend with a bunch of Humor Writer at the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop. I had an absolute blast. I sat in on a session or two. One was lead by Jerry Zezima (Columnist and author of the book Leave it to Boomer ). I have a new appreciation for authors. I do my little stories with sounds and tone of voice. They have words, and only words. Jerry gave us an exercise to think about “the Wildest Ride I Ever Had.” My idea came quickly. I was about and we were at Geauga Lake Amusement park (now closed). There was a big wooden coaster that had been around since the days of Howdy Doody, and you were scared to ride it just by looking at it. Not because it was tall and fast, but because you were pretty sure it was going to collapse. Big Dipper was 65 feet high, 2,680 feet long, and had a top speed of 32 mph. When built in 1927 it was one of the largest roller coasters in America. Click play to hear the rest of the story

Thu, February 04, 2010

Half Way To Dead

I will turn 45 in a little less than two weeks (Feb 8th). I’m starting to feel like Andy Rooney. Looking back at my life here are some thoughts: Every phone had a chord on it. The phone RANG. There were no ring tones. Movies were about $5 and if you didn’t see it at the movies you waited till it came on TV. There was no way to rewind or pause. If you had to do something you had to wait until a commercial came on. Cars ran on leaded gasoline. Speaking of Gasoline, the air was dirty and the sex was clean. Well, it wasn’t lethal anyway I barely, I mean barely remember black and white TV. Captain Kangaroo was cool. Mr. Rogers was not. Ernie was my favorite muppet, but looking back I wonder if Burt was his “partner.” Saturday mornings were spent with Bugs and Friends, and School house rock (educational TV, what a thought).  I would have a bowl of Captain Crunch, or Quisp, or Frankenberry. I remember when we left the cool new “video game” PONG on without turning off the TV and it burned the final score into the screen. It was so much cooler than playing pinball. I was the only kid in first grade who knew who Jimi Hendrix was when he died. Nixon was president and Ali was champ, and you could catch “The Johnny Carson show” (as I called it) at 11:30 for a large part of my childhood. In my opinion, Ali is still the champ. I remember listening to top 40 music on AM radio through the one speaker in dash board of my mom’s Plymouth duster. None of the words were bleeped out. I remember hooking up a CB radio in my bedroom with the antenna going out the window. On occasion I could talk to my friend at the end of the street. (ancient version of text messaging?). I road my bike everywhere. No hill was too tall. I’m not sure how, but my Mom didn’t seem to care that I was gone most of the day. There was no way to reach me. If I was going to be late, I would use a pay phone. I had to be home when the street lights came on. To this day, I never understood how 8-track tape players got popular. They sounded awful, didn’t play right, and often fell apart. I still have two containers of 45 records, and over 400 LPs. I haven’t listened to a single one in about 4 years. I still have a turn table, but nothing to plug it into (and yet I will not throw them away). I am noticing that more and more of my sentences begin with “these kids of today…” I remember life before Google when everyone had a set of encyclopedias. While I vowed as a child to never grow up to be like my Dad, I hear more and more of his words coming out of my mouth directed at my children. He’s kind of cranky and will turn 80 in June. That scares the crap out of me. While I use to be able to get away without wearing my glasses, things are really getting blurry now. The bad news unless I get surgery, my eyesight is only to get worse. That’s right: this is as good as its

Sun, November 29, 2009

Problems Vs Annoyances

Today I share a voicemail I got from a friend of mine Fred Castenada. He is a great guy, great entrepreneur, and has tons of experience. Fred is a Vietnam veteran. Now when I say Vietnam I don't mean the fun, wacky Vietnam you see in the movies with guys smoking cigs, and joking around in the jungle. Fred was and is the real deal. Fred was on the very front line, and live to tell when many of his friends did not. Thank you Fred for serving your country. This Thanksgiving maybe we were talking about a new flat screen tv, or a laptop, or other issues that we wanted to fix. Fred's call lets us see that many of the "problems" we face are really just annoyances. We need to remember to count our blessings that we have food, shelter, and most importantly, nobody shooting at us. I was very shaken when I got a call on Tuesday letting me know that a friend of mine (a music promoter) had taken his life. Walt was a Vietnam vet as well. I'm not sure what problems he had that made him lose all hope, but I'm pretty sure they were just very strong annoyances. I just can't stop thinking about how his little girls are dealing with this, and what does a wife say to her children? Sometimes we get confused as to what a problem is, and what is an annoyance. Thanks Fred for sharing, and for reminding us to count our blessings

Thu, November 19, 2009

Just Plain Hungry

Today I talk about a lovely trip to Chicago where we stop at a Burger King to get something to drink. When we go back to the to the car only to find our GPS missing. We noticed the homeless guy near my car, and like my GPS he was also gone. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that all homeless people are thieves, and con artists. You should donate to those organizations that help the homeless.This way we know the money is being (hopefully) used for good.

Thu, October 29, 2009

Dave the Baptist

So where have I been? Well I got a job I hated, and now I have a job I love.  Then the dog ate a whole box of Trix, and then a WHOLE chocolate cake, and then decided to throw up on the couch. It's been fun. The road to happily ever after has taken a new strange twist. I've had an urge to become a pastor for about 4 years (I occasionally fill in for the pastor), and to make a long story short, when the pastor asked to me to think about becoming an interim pastor I said "yes." This means I get to go back to school to learn how to be a pastor, etc and I will be licensed to preach in my church, eventually Ohio, and from there it's up to me.

Fri, September 04, 2009

Can I Help You?

Today I talk about the sport of having sex when you have children in the house. I also relive July 1972 when the Stones came to town. I wasn't allowed out because of the hippies. Most people talk about the oldest child having very strict parents, the youngest having it too easy (and getting spoiled) and of course the middle child getting lost in the shuffle.  To me none of these apply. The child that has it worst is the child whose bedroom is next to Mom and Dad's. Maybe I'm weird, but when I walk into a room with naked people I typically look down, say "I'm sorry" and leave immediately. I thought this was the standard response for most people. But then again, if you had something very important you might stay to make sure you made your point. Today's show features music from Apa State Mental and the song is "Eaten By Hippes" from the Podsafe Music Network .

Thu, August 27, 2009

A Relaxing Float Down the River

Today we finish up with stories from my honeymoon. This time we relive the "relaxing" trip we had riding inner tubes down the little river in Pigeon Forge TN. We had a great time. We have the scars to prove it. We talk about scooter and his death defying dives, taking people out of the river, bees, deathly undertows, all for only $8 for the whole day.

Tue, July 14, 2009

Who Wants Pancakes?

  Pancake House Diane (my wife) and I  headed off for our honeymoon. Destination Pigeon Forge Tennessee. It was about a 9 hour drive and on the way we listened to the radio, and finally popped in an audio book about making your second marriage work.  It helped pass the time, and kept us alert. We got to Tennessee and when we got to Pigeon Forge it looked like a hillbilly version of the Vegas strip. Instead of spectacular hotels, you had a pancake house, and a pancake house, and a pancake house, and a pancake house, followed by, a pancake house. I’m not making this up. In a one mile stretch there were 5 pancake houses. I would also guess that on the other side of the pancake house was a “Barb B Cue” joint and on the other side of the pancake house was a fireworks place. With this in mind, if I ever meet someone with barbecue sauce on his shirt, maple syrup on his chin, and 9 fingers I’m going to guess he is from Pigeon Forge TN. On the other hand the Smokey mountains were breath taking. Seriously. Wow. Luckily Diane said, “We better find the cabin before it gets dark” as I wanted to get something to eat. The map from the cabin people’s website said, “do not use mapquest or they will send you on dirt roads.” We followed the map and I felt like I was on a roller coaster. I mean I know it’s a mountain, but the road went almost straight up, and had serious hair pin turns with no guard rail. If you were to slide off the road, you were going straight down. Needless to say this made Diane just a smidge nervous. It had me clutching the wheel with both hands as I would white knuckle it around a corner hoping there was more road under my tires. Our drive was an even steeper climb which was off the previous steep climb road. It also had another turn “blind” turn where you have no idea what you are turning on to. It had rained a bit before we showed up, and in some cases water would come out of the mountain and make the road wet. Kind of an “instant river” right in the road. Consequently, when I went to climb our driveway I spun my tires. Luckily, I made it up on the second attempt. Our log cabin was gorgeous. It had a pool table, Jacuzzi, full kitchen, etc. It just oozed cozy. It also had water pressure that dripped out of the shower. Consequently, we spent a large amount of our first day relaxing in the hot tub waiting for Gomer to show up and fix the water pressure issue. Later that day we decided to go hiking and get up close and personal with Mother Nature. After talking with someone at the visitor center, we decided to go to Laurel Lake Water Fall trail. It was fairly short, paved, and sounded lovely. Now when we thin of bears we think of Yogi, Smokey, the Snuggle bear. All of these are our friends. They are funny, cute, cuddly. However, when we got to the trail, there was a sign that read “Dangers Bears Are Active In This Area Do Not Approach Them. Attacks on Humans Have Occurred inflicting serious injuries and death. The

Tue, January 20, 2009

Just What I Always Wanted

Today I talk about a gift I got for Christmas. I’m going to be 45 in a few weeks, so I know I’m “Half way to dead.” However, what does it say if someone gets you the clapper ? I mean the commercial shows some woman who sits up in bed and claps the light off. This woman looks, well, half way to dead. Now the interesting thing is, the clapper is a great GIFT. I mean IT ROCKS. The sad thing is I ended up using it just like the old woman on the commercial. I have it hooked up to the light right next to my bed. Dave turns 45 in a few weeks. Check out what he wants for his birthday

Wed, December 31, 2008

Sex, Drugs, and Christmas

Today I come to you with the demented slant on Christmas music. This was caused by hearing the same 14 songs over and over. I mean I love Andy Williams, but not for four weeks straight. It turns out that while rock music is about Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll, Christmas music is the same. BONUS TOPIC: I also took my fiance's 15-year-old daughter driving for the first time in an abandoned Target parking lot. It was just as exciting as an amusement park ride. She did great, and it will be fun helping her get her license. 2009 is going to be the year. I'm going to graduate, get a job, and finally marry the nurse. This has the potential to be the best year of my life. I'm also going to get into shape. Why not join me at www.logicalloss.com  

Wed, November 26, 2008

She Said Yes

Today I talk about me popping the question last week to "The Nurse" and she made me very happy by saying yes.  Today I talk about the absolute guys view to engagement ring shopping. There is a strange aerobic dance that women do when they put on a ring. She loves choices. I mean she LOOOOOVVVES choices, and I love that she loves choices. I am a very lucky man. We will be tying the knot on June 20, 2008. Yes I got on one knee. It was nothing too fancy (I had fancier ideas, but if I didn't give her this ring soon, I was going to be in deep trouble). see http://betterdave.com/she-said-yes/ for full notes  

Fri, August 22, 2008

Flight of Ideas Friday

  This show originates from  www.betterdave.com  Words are fun. I want to know who gets to decide when a word is officially a word. I was at a Cleveland Indians game and the other team had a guy named  Chone Figgins . (his full name is Desmond DeChone Figgins ). Why do we name the first poo of a baby  meconium  If it's that special why don't we put it in a jar and sell it? Look at meconium fix this broken coffee cup! Look it's strong enough to pull this 18 wheel truck! Likewise why do we need to name certain body parts. Do we really need the word  Taint ? apparently the Taint used be called the perineum. Was that not good enough? Shouldn't words be

Mon, July 07, 2008

When I Grow Up…

Normally I don't talk about things that involve other people, but this weekend I attended a great event. I went to a family reunion with the Nurse.  I had a phenomenal time. First thing first this family takes the time once a year to get together and catch up. How cool is that? In a day when many people don't get along with their families, this one takes time to come from all over the place to get together. The nurses Mom has an awesome laugh, and she never stopped. It was great. I met an Uncle who

Wed, July 02, 2008

He Was Here A Minute Ago

I lost my cousin Shawn Steinmetz this week. He was 33, and has two very young daughters. It was a freak bike accident. He was here a few weeks ago for my niece's graduation party, and now he's gone. I don't have all the details, and in reality, it doesn't matter. Hug your kids. Call your parents. Love the one your with. Speaking of Love... On the way to Podcamp Ohio the Nurse (my girlfriend) and I drove to Columbus and listened to a book (something like saving your marriage before it even starts ). Once again I hear how a man needs to make the woman feel cherished. To do this he has to give up anything she asks for. Then because she loves him, she will give it back. This seems inefficient. Why not just believe me, and we can bypass the giving and giving back. I guess it doesn't work that way. UPDATE Please note: At the end of this podcast I mention how you "have to give up everything." This is NOT what the book states. This is the "warped" version in my head. The bottom line is a relationship is give and take. My whole comment was its funny how you may need to give up something to show a woman that she is special, and important - and then she will give it back (and that this seems like alot of work to end up where you started). Here is the Book Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts

Sun, June 08, 2008

Kids Are Like Electric Football

Today I introduce you to my new Great Nephew. He sure is little. It really drove home the point of how absolutely life-changing kids are. I can honestly say that at age 43 I'm glad I don't have this kind of responsibility that is soooo 24/7. I talk about how "The Countess" has made the "Show Choir." This scared me as if she had not made it, I would've been there for the meltdown, and I want the best for all of "The Nurses" kids (and I'm not sure I could take watching the meltdown from the front row).  Luckily I got to be part of the celebration. One thing as I "Hang out" with children of all shapes and sizes, I can see where the role of the parent really comes into play. Kids have their own personality. It sure seems like they are preprogrammed to go in a certain direction. It reminds me of "Electric Football." A game my brother and I got for Christmas (pre-Atari). This game had some vibrating device on the bottom and a flat (or supposed to be flat) surface that the players would stand on. You could adjust some stuff on the player, and point them in the direction you wanted to go. You had the perfect plan. Then you would turn on the electricity and half the team would fall over, another 20 percent would go in circles, and many of the players would end up in the corner driving straight into the wall because the surface wasn't flat. As a parent (coach) you picked them back up and pointed them back in the direction you wanted to go, turn on the electricity and hope things turn out for the better. Music "He's My Baby!" from www.donaoxford.com (phenomenal pianist/singer/songwriter). From the Podsafe Music Network at www.podsafemusicnetwork.com

Tue, May 13, 2008

Cereal Killer

Today's show has the F word it. You've been warned.   This is one of the "weird" episodes where I just wonder why things go into my mind at certain times. I happened to notice that Apple Jacks has no mascot while most children's cereals have a mascot (Tony the Tiger, Lucky for Lucky Charms, The rabbit for Trix, Count Chocula, Frankenberry, Boo Berry, The Bee for Cheerios). It turns out there IS a mascot that was launched in 2005, but apparently, it never caught on. Does anyone remember Euell Gibbons and his crazy "Eat a pine cone" commercials for Grape Nuts? What marketing person thought this made me want to eat this cereal. Also, did you know there was a fourth Crispy Brother? Roy. (OK, I stole that from David Letterman). NEVER USE THE WORD CLUSTER when talking about food. Brownies are the bastard son of the cake family. If we didn't have the word "muffin" we would all be eating cupcakes for breakfast. Music today by the band Gecko 3 www.gecko3.com from the Podsafe Music Network at www.podsafemusicnetwork.com????????

Wed, May 07, 2008

Drive By Schooling

Today I talk about one of my life’s most embarrassing moments. I made a huge mistake, and I thought about not talking about it on the show. However, the “teacher” in me took over and I thought “If someone can learn from my mistake, it’s worth it.” All signs point to me not passing a class this semester. While I’ve always had good grades, this semester I’m not going to be able to come in at the last minute and save the day. While most politicians don’t understand the concept of accepting your responsibility, I’m here to say “no excuses” and say this was ALL MY FAULT. I’m very upset that I somehow lost my mojo, I took on things I shouldn’t have, and I should’ve said NO when I said yes. I kept thinking I would get back to school and get caught up. I wonder if subliminally that when I go so far behind, if I just didn’t give up. I think I always could get caught up eventually, and I just flat out ran out of time. I have done nothing but examine this semester over the last few days trying to figure out what went wrong and why. The biggest thing was I needed to print out the syllabus and put it into my calendar so I could keep track of assignments and know when quizzes were scheduled. Who’s fault is that? MINE. You might say, “But Dave you’re too busy.” I need to learn the word “NO” and USE IT. School and graduation is now priority number 1. That will never change. So bad things do happen to Dave Jackson. I’m not a super hero who can save the day. Its one thing to get wounded in battle, and it’s another thing shoot yourself in the foot. I don’t like to suck. I hate being average, so to FAIL a class makes me want to die. It’s like Dave Jackson died. I – David Jackson – don’t fail. Well I used to be able to say that. This sucks. If you don't learn the word NO, you will learn it when people say it to you as in "No you can't graduate," and "No, the class is not offered again this year." So now it’s about learning from your mistakes (the only thing positive you can do at this point), and take action. I’ve got a few weeks till Summer session starts. I’m going to come out of the gate like a steamroller from HELL. I know years from now this won’t matter, but right now I’m pretty disappointed in myself. The good news is this has awakened the “real” Dave Jackson. He has risen – Halleluiah MUSIC "NO EXCUSES" from the Band Braquet ( www.braquetband.co m ) courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network ( www.podsafemusicnetwork.com ) buy their CD from CDBaby.com   LYRICS - " No excuses for us. Time has come to do what we must." Other Sites Mentioned: www.gaincontrolofyourday.com

Mon, April 28, 2008

It Ain’t Easy Being Green

Today I tell the story of trying to help my niece as she is in labor. The bad news is Hospitals make me physically sick due to some psychological reason beyond my control. It is very strange as my new great nephew was born on the same day my Mother died 19 years ago (in the same hospital). It made for a day full of many emotions. I also speak about how I regret not asking my Mother to quit smoking more frequently. Quitting smoking is very hard to do. My ex-wife tried every method and the only that worked was the  quick key system (when she used it it was called something different). <p style= "border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #000000; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji

Tue, April 22, 2008

Hey It’s Your Birthday

I’ve noticed that when you go to just about ANY restaurant these days, if its someone’s birthday they bring the whole kitchen crew out to sing their “Hey It’s Your Birthday” song. I’ve also noticed that after about the 27th time of hearing this song the performance needs some tweaking. I think this whole thing was started by a mexican food chain called Chi Chi’s (which went out of business after giving many people food poisoning). THANKS CHI CHI’S! It may be a bit before my next episode. I’m behind in school (been a bad boy) and I need to get caught up. Keep those emails and comments coming! 888-563-3228

Wed, April 09, 2008

Rubber Band Man

So my girlfriend and I listened to the book " Men are from Mars, women are from Venus in the car ride to Dayton Ohio where I was talking to the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop. I learned some new stuff as did my girlfriend. Men are like rubber bands. They have an intimacy cycle, where they get close, and then snap away. When they stretch as far as they can they will then snap back. If a woman tries to stop them from "stretching" it causes problems. Women are like waves. They go up and down. If you try to stop the natural cycle of women. If you try to stop this cycle, it causes issues as well. So you can see where if a woman is "crashing" and a man is "Stretched out" it could cause a a problem if both parties don't understand that they are just being male/female. I found it interested and it has given "The nurse" and myself some valuable insights. P.S. The song "Rubberband Man" is from The Spinners. Buy it in iTunes using this link or Buy it at Amazon.com P.S. Yes I know there is a typo in the album art. .... sigh....

Thu, April 03, 2008

Over the Top Cosmo

Today I talk about being in a house that is 75% percent women most of the time (and how it makes toilet paper and endangered species). Also, this week's Cosmopolitan magazine has a headline that says, "Be a genius in bed." (or something like that). I mean sex has been around for a while. Don't you think we've got a pretty good grip on it (no pun intended). Is there really anything 100% new? So I talk about some of the things I expect to see if and when I read a Cosmopolitan magazine.

Mon, March 31, 2008

Relationship2.0

So my trust went left of center this weekend as I let some small circumstances get the best of me and get “in my head” making me act like someone I don't want to be. I'm not very proud of myself. In the end, my “suspicious” attitude showed “The Nurse” how much I TRULY cared, and that made her happy (not a recommended practice). In the end we put all the cards on the table, and came back with “Relationship 2.0” Its stronger, faster, and built to last. Guys if you find yourself suspicious, its best to get the information directly from the source, instead of finding bits and pieces and trying t connect the dots. <p style= "border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: #000000; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text

Tue, March 18, 2008

DRAMA STEW

Today we welcome a new listener - and then piss them off. Wonderful. This podcast is kind of "my diary." But not really the truth. You only get MY side of the story so you know there is another two-thirds of the story. So my last podcast where I got to be a "Dad" for a day. It was a joke. It was a strange moment, and a great memory as the "Countess" won her talent show. Well, double agent 0017 somehow accidentally played that episode for THE BIOLOGICAL FATHER. NICE. I understand her loyalty, but if she had not shown him, he never would've known. Now we have a lovely bowl of DRAMA STEW. Am I mad? No. I pretty much expected it. Besides, she loves cheese (an inside joke). It's not like we didn't know it was going to "accidentally" get back to him. So why was it such a big deal to be Dad for a day? Because I don't have kids, and won't have any. That door has closed. I spent 10-15 thousand dollars trying to bypass the natural obstacles my ex-wife had. So I understand how children are a gift. They are not things you can buy at Wal Mart. So any time I get a glimpse of what it's like to be "Dad" it's an honor. The other night I was a hero getting printer paper at 10 PM. So while it's fun to play Dad, I will never be. There is no competition. I don't have the right genes, and I lose every time. All the Father's Day cards will go to you. All I can do is love the kids like they are my own, try to guide them to success and to be the best people they can be. So they can avoid any mistakes I've made. It could be worse. I know someone who had a good relationship with their ex until they remarried. Then the new spouse didn't like the kids and made them feel unwelcome in their new home. It put a large strain on the relationship between father and children. I still don't understand it, or my friend. The good news is your ex-wife is dating someone who adores your children, so while others worry at night (my Brother's ex-wife's boyfriends were a treat ) you do not. I am not trying, or can I ever, take your place. On a less dramatic topic, the nurse and I had a great weekend of communication. I had been busting my butt, and it turns out that everything I was doing was appreciated, but not really wanted. It sounds stupid, and it took a while to figure out, and it has left the nurse and me even stronger. Guys don't try to understand the female brain. Women realize guys are knuckleheads. Guys try to do something for your significant other that leaves evidence. Stick a post-it note in their car. Leave a note in their purse (but no snooping). Maybe you can leave them a voicemail if they are at work. free nokia tracfone ringtones cellular customer free ringtones us <a href= "http://financiallyfreewomen.com/wp-content/1/nextel-musi

Tue, March 04, 2008

Dad For a Day

Today I talk about how “The Countess” and I performed in a talent show. It was amazing, and I am so proud of her. It was great to make a memory with such a great kid. Then I thought about it. As much as we know parents can influence their kids. Does that mean as adults we influence our parents? I mean who can drive you more nuts than your kids (or your parents). So as much as parent should take advantage of every minute they can spend with their children, are we doing the same thing when our parents are growing older? <p style= "border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #000000; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: i

Mon, February 18, 2008

Congratulations it’s a Boy!

 I went to a Casting Crowns show last night. It was amazing. I had never heard of them (I went to see the opening band), and they just blew me away. Check out their latest CD from iTunes and AMAZON.COM   I've always thought about sponsoring a kid. In the end, I never did. Well, its time. Sure its not in the budget, but just like having an actual kid, are you ever financially ready for a kid? We get some feedback from some folks about quitting vs making wise decisions. I also talk about some recent shows that I went to, and how they rocked. For more information about Alan Alex go to www.alanalex.com

Thu, February 07, 2008

I'M NOT QUITTING!

I'm trying to learn new things as I try to "better" Dave.  The one thing I think I stink at is quitting.  I've been thinking about quitting things. You can only take so much right? I was watching the movie "Rocky Balboa" (not horrible).  There was a great scene in the movie.  In the movie, Rocky is talking to his son and says, "It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.  It's about how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth, but you need to be willing to take the hits." So as I watching the movie, and the exercise equipment I was using broke. I went upstairs to take a shower. They are working on the water system in the neighborhood, and you guessed it - NO WATER. To this I say, Is that all you got life? You think you can get me down? I'm answering the bell. Quitting is not my strong suit, and I'm not going to start now. My biggest problem is I have a woman who loves me too much. Things could be alot worse. The music is from Nelson Bragg www.myspace.com/nelsonbragg from the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com   Buy the Rocky Balboa movie at amazon.com by clicking the image to the left.

Thu, January 24, 2008

I Don’t Undertstand Women

OK, it's official. I don't understand women.  Today I return to one of my favorite topics which is how men and women are so different. Here are some topics: Nails: I don't know a guy who picks a woman based on their nails, but women love to do their nails and comment on other women's nails. Listening: Guys are used to fixing things that are wrong. We are used to taking action. For a guy to listen to 2 minutes of complaints and then do NOTHING and by doing NOTHING something is FIXED. I don't get it, but its true. Cat Fights: Put women in a room and they will scratch each other eyes out. Put guys together and they will work together to find a television set. My School has purchased a new WEBCT program with 30% fewer features. My tuition money at work.

Tue, January 01, 2008

Don't Fail Me Now

Before we even set foot in Fat Fish Blue in Downtown Cleveland, I knew what to expect. You see a large female soul singer (who happened to be African-American)  was going to be on stage. I told the nurse (my girlfriend), "This woman will follow the large soul singer formula and sing about grinding it to a nub.  We weren't there 10-15 minutes and she starts a song about "Sleeping with one eye open because her man won't leave her alone." Your honor, I rest my case.  I also made up a couple of songs I might expect to hear including, "I think I done broke it off in me..." Now it's just my opinion. These seem like lovely people, but I'm not really into watching a 270+ lb woman grind on stage. It's just not my thing.   Speaking of great soul singers, I end the show with a cut from the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com) featuring Shameka Copeland ( www.alligatorrecords.com ) "Breakin"

Fri, December 28, 2007

Top 10 Holiday Tips for 2008 from JESUS

This year it was interesting as the conductor at the High School said "Happy Holidays" and someone from the audience shouted out MERRY CHRISTMAS. The audience laughed. Today we have a very special guest who chimes in with some tips for NEXT year around the holidays (or really ANY day). 1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home.  They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year.  I know, they tell Me all the time. 2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally.  They just need to know that someone cares about them. 3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year.  Then follow up.  It will be nice hearing from you again. 4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them.  Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here.  Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. 5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her. 6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless?  Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference. 7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word.  Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.  Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families. 8.. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. 9. Here's a good one.  There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive.  If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you. 10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian.  Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence.  Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in  your court. And do

Mon, December 24, 2007

Popo Reads the Christmas Story

Today  I tell the story of Christmas Eve. For a child this was known as “Hours of Torture” followed by some presents. The “finish line” of the waiting for presents was Grandpa (better known as POPO – “poe poe”) reading the Christmas story. So when my Grandparents left of to go live with relatives in Texas I had my Grandfather read the Christmas story into a cassette tape. I had lost this tape for years. I really thought I had lost it. So I have received a great present this year by having the voice of my Grandfather back in my life after many years of absence. Welcome to the Podcast POPO. Merry Christmas everyone. Thanks so much for listening.

Sun, December 23, 2007

The Christmas tree From Hell

My Grandfather was one of the first people to have an artificial tree. He had a unique way of decorating it. It sticks in my mind even though it was so many years ago.

Fri, December 21, 2007

Santa's Workshop

Today is Day #9 in the Twelve DAVES of Christmas. Today I talk about how we turned the tables on our parents and had a Surprise for them when they woke up. This is a tradition that would take a horrible turn in the near future (tomorrows show). But it did teach me that it doesn't take much to stand out in a crowd.

Thu, December 20, 2007

10 Little Fingers and 10 Little Toes

Welcome to another installment of "The 12 Dave's of Christmas" (#8 for those keeping Track) Today I'm going to do something I've NEVER done in any of my 100s of podcast episodes. I'm going to SING. It's a Christimas song about the true meaning of Chrstmas. It's me, a guitar, and a microphone (and a touch of reverb).

Thu, December 20, 2007

Merry Christmas, SMILE!

Yesterday I talkeds about Surprising your parents on Christmas. As I got older I took this to a new dimented level. I would talk pictures of my parents as they took their first steps out of their bedroom (yes that's really my Dad). Nothing like facing a flashbulb at 6 in the morning.

Wed, December 19, 2007

What I Always Wanted

OK, We all have stories of odd gifts. However, looking back these many of my "unique" gifts came from family members who lived out of town and saw me once or twice a year.  I could've won an Oscar for my performance "Best Faking of Appreciation" role. MUSICWhat Child is This from Jimmie Bratcher ( www.jimmirbratcher.com ) from the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com ) This podcast originates at www.betterdave.com

Tue, December 18, 2007

Archie the Giant Demonic Snowman

Welcome to day #6 of the "12 Dave's of Christmas"   When Santa's line got too long the genius staff of Chapel Hill Mall in Akron, Ohio decided to invent "Archie" this 3 stories tall snowman to talk to kids (who would then relay all information to Santa). Hmmm... back to the drawing board. Music from Jimmie Bratcher from the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com This show originates from www.betterdave.com

Mon, December 17, 2007

Grandma’s Role Call

http://www.betterdave.com/ is the home page of the Podcast.  Welcome to another installment of "The 12 Dave's of Christmas" I talk about the spooky basement with the hand grenade, the shell, and the doorway to hell. A great place to play on Chrismas day. Music: "what child is this" by Jimmie Bratcher from the Podsafe Music Network ( www.jimmiebratcher.com and music.podshow.com )

Sun, December 16, 2007

Decorating the Christmas Bush

While my Grandmother was sharp as a tack into her 90's, the woman could not pick out a Christmas tree to save her life. One weekend every year my cousins and I would get together to "Decorate the Christmas Bush." It had old lights, old ornaments, and an old toy soldier that we found to be quite fun. Music "What Child is This" by Jimmie Bratcher from the Podsafe Music Network

Sat, December 15, 2007

Santa Was Here!

Welcome to Building a Better Dave "12 Dave's of Christmas" where today I talk about the joy of waking my parents up when myself (and my brother and sister) had found out that Santa had come! Music "What Child is this" from www.jimmirbratcher.com and the Podsafe Music Network. 

Fri, December 14, 2007

No Bass Solos in Christmas Music

Today I talk about the excitement when Dad would bring home a new LP of Christmas music. For me, I love warm, cozy music. The albums would have different artist but eventually, someone would bust out the horn section and blast my head off. Happy Vegas Christmas - no thanks My favorite Christmas album of all time is Harry Belafonte "To Wish you a Merry Christmas ." It's so good it was remastered and released as " Harry Belafonte Christmas " with some additional songs. My Merry Christmas from Geoff Smith (also from PMN ) Buy the CD at CDBaby  . The opening "What Child is this" by Jimmie Bratcher .

Thu, December 13, 2007

Grandpa’s Toboggan Shoot

Welcome to the “12 Daves of Christmas” where over the next 12 days I will be relating Christmas themes memories. Today I relive the tale of almost decapitating my cousing Kevin. Please note this picture is not my Grandpa’s Hill (his was steeper).

Wed, December 12, 2007

The Nurse Strikes Back

It's been a while. I had to prepare for and then take my final exams and my first semester at Akron University is in the books. FINALLY. Get ready for "12 Daves of Christmas" coming tomorrow! Dave tells about a fun trip to eat at Friendly's. Now we can't complain about children in this restaurant, but if you can't hear yourself think, it's time to take some action and THE NURSE STIKES BACK. MUSIC from the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com ) Hello Operator www.hellooperatormusic.com "So Free" BUY THE EP AT CDBABY.COM

Tue, November 20, 2007

OH HAPPY DAY!

Show #55 from http://www.betterdave.com/ I've been saying "It's going to Get Better" for quite a while. "The Nurse" and I were coming to a crossroads if something didn't change, and we got some great news in regards to my college career (and how long it will last).

Thu, November 15, 2007

THE FLEETWOOD MAC

NOT ENTIRELY WORK SAFE I'm amazed at the generation gap when it comes to college kids. I guess I was weird as I grew up listening to everything. I listen to Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Harry Belafonte, The Beatles, etc. Today's kids don't know who Fleetwood Mac is.  Oh, I'm sorry I mean "The Fleetwood Mac." I HATE THE DOORS (I believe this is part II on this subject). I couldn't do enough drugs for this to be good. New Podcast "The Logical Weight Loss" podcast at www.logicalloss.com Holiday shopping? www.supporthisshow.com This show originates at www.betterdave.com

Thu, November 01, 2007

http://betterdave.com/53

The dumbing of America, Teen Pregnancy is now invading my life. I share my thoughts on the subject and what is possibly some of the reasons. Parents still bitter from a divorce want to prove they are the "cooler" parent and in the process throw their child under the bus. Children know that their parents feel bad about the divorce and play on this guilt to get everything they want. I am entitled to this because you screwed up my life by divorcing my other parent. We end up with a society that thinks they get to do whatever they want. There are consequences. There ARE consequences. Yes, it is your fault . No deal with it. Quit using your kids as a weapon, and quit playing your parents against each other. MUSIC Music from the Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com http://www.patmcdermott.com Pay the Price by the Scotty Meyer Band www.scottymeyerband.com Going Shopping? Please Support the show at www.supporthisshow.com Our website www.betterdave.com

Mon, October 22, 2007

Anybody Want to Get Mellow?

NOT WORK SAFE For some people, it was the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. While I grew up watching Glen Campbell, and Tom Jones on TV. I had my Bachman Turner Overdrive albums, but I walked into my brother's room one day and he had put on Wang Dang Sweet Poontang from the Album

Fri, October 19, 2007

Feeling Homeless

Missing the days of comforters and hot chocolate. The joys of living out of a suitcase are slowly eroding my attitude. We take for granted that "Ahhhhh..." feeling of walking into our homes. Until you don't have one (or at least one that is truly yours, where you can put some roots down...) I really hesitated putting out this (and a few other) episodes as they've all been kind of "downers" so I put this out for anyone else who might not be feeling as "Up" as they would like to say "Hey you're not the only one." Hang in there. If it weren't for Mountains we'd never have to learn how to climb. Music - Jim Suhler "Trying to Get Back Home." From the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com  Buy the CD and Listen to Samples at cdbaby.com

Mon, October 08, 2007

Rope a Dope

You will not believe this episode as I take on the subject of Menopause and all the joys that it brings... We also have some listener feedback from Wayne,  Rich Palmer (who really liked the episode " Only in America ") and Brian Mundy (who really liked " The Truth about Teenage Boys "). Thanks for the comments guys. Keep em coming at 888-563-3228 Check out Muhammad Ali's Auto Biography The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey P.S. I also know its October and Not August (I need a nap)...

Thu, September 13, 2007

Only in America

I heard about this and I thought, "This is a joke." However, it is real. Then when I read about it at www.dietfacts.com I was blown away.  I mean if you feed this to your kids is it breakfast, a snack, or child abuse? Only in America.

Fri, September 07, 2007

Squeeze This...

OK, I just saw a Charmin commercial and we now have Soft and Strong toilet paper. STOP THE MADNESS. have you been down the frozen pizza aisle lately? I lost my organizer. Read that again. The role of the lost and found. Music from the Podsafe music network at http://music.podshow.com www.astepbehind.com "Back in Action" Doing some shopping? Check out www.supportthisshow.com

Mon, August 27, 2007

Where is Mrs Fresh?

Dave talks about going to his new school that is 4 times as expensive. See www.betterdave.com/support And we listen to an episode of Dr. Phil. Kind of... Kids get good grades so you can get a scholarship. Parents start saving for college now. I'm unemployed and yet somehow still make too much money. I love our country. Music from the IODA Promo Net http://promonet.iodalliance.com from "Jonesen For Money" by Deacon Jones (Kent Blues) Buy at iTunes Music Store Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album

Mon, August 20, 2007

Table For Two Please

Look if your kid can't read the menu - LEAVE THEM HOME. That's what Babysitters and grandparents are for! I'm tired of dodging forks during my dinner. Besides your actions are increasing the divorce rate. Would it be too much to ask that you do NOT set your children on fire until you get home? Is life over at 50? If you didn't have sex when you were dating the first 10 years of marriage are bearable, so you have something to do. If you're already discovered each other, then this crying child makes you cranky. You chose to have the kid - accept the responsibility and STAY HOME.  There is a place for unruly children. It's called the laundromat.

Mon, August 13, 2007

Dumb as a Crayon

Teenage boys can be stupid. I talk about a tale that happened right in front of my face, and why I use books to lie to myself. Website is www.betterdave.com Music From the Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com The Leaving Trains "Dumb as a Crayon"

Tue, August 07, 2007

The Truth About Teenage Boys

I work with teenagers a lot. I have nieces who are teenagers, my girlfriend has teenage daughters, and I work with the youth of my church. While I realize that saving yourself for marriage may be a pipe dream, I thought I should let girls know what is going on. I should probably let parents know as well that kids are contemplating sex a lot sooner than YOU probably did (as in like 13 and 14 years old). You have your whole life to have sex. SLOW DOWN. These poor girls think they are in love, and this is my way to set the record straight on their Knights in Shining Armor. I don't want you to hate men, but they are raging hormones combined with an insane amount of curiosity. Oh yeah, then there is the whole AIDS, STDs, Abortion thing... Music from the Podsafe music network at music.podshow.com From Slide Show Baby "Moving Too Fast"

Thu, July 19, 2007

Outlawing Broccoli

Dave talks about having a "hero" moment with "The Senator" (the 10 year old son of his girlfriend). It was an amazing moment. Music From the Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com Superhero from Anthony Stauffer and Holy Smoke

Wed, July 04, 2007

Red White and Screwed

Is it too much to ask all of our new neighbors to learn English? Why do new immigrants not embrace English like the ones who came over in the early 1900s. Dave expresses his frustration about being asked to speak Spanish at his local bank machine Music from the podsafe music network http://music.podshow.com Star Spangled Banner by Trinity Lane The Amercian Holiday Song from BELT

Sat, June 30, 2007

Bring Your Brick

The planet is going down the tubes.  Want some very disturbing television to watch? My Sweet 16  or Engaged or Underaged Music from "Life Has Teeth" from the Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com

Thu, June 21, 2007

Wisdom From the Bathroom Wall

I recently came across a very unique bathroom experience. You could witness the battle of good and evil all in one place. I was amazed at the craftsmanship, and creativity

Mon, June 18, 2007

Examining Mating Habits

Hey, I made it through my first weekend with the new band. Nothing like playing music you've never heard in front of 100 people. Also, the people in these clubs are WASTED. Welcome to sleep deprivation theater as I've had four hours of sleep. Music "Drunk Tonight" from the Bloody Irish boys from the Podsafe Music Network ( http://music.podshow.com www.bloddyirishboys.com )

Thu, May 31, 2007

Focusing on Train Wrecks

I talk about regaining some weight, and how interesting it is that we all focus on the freaks. It appears the worse we behave the more attention we receive.  Why do things that could actually inspire us to do better get little or no spotlight? Music from the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com from Halfway Home "On the Passing of Fairytale Heroes" for more information go to www.foamcd.com

Mon, May 28, 2007

Growing Pains

I was tempted to call this Episode "Growing up Brady," but changed my mind. This episode has me remembering one of my most embarrassing moments in life when I had not choice but to go to school wearing two-tone pants. I think you'll find that when you think about life's embarrassing moments, you usually end up learning something in addition to turning bright red. Music from the Podsafe Music Network Jamie Leonhart "Grow"

Fri, May 18, 2007

The Children Are Our Future?

I talk about getting straight A's for the first time in my life, possibly getting into a new band and a trip to the baseball park with 29 of my closest friends.

Thu, May 03, 2007

I'll Be Right Back

 Just a quick blurb to let everyone know I'm going to be taking a small hiatus as I prepare for my final exams (a week, maybe ten days). Don't worry. All is well. Musicby Leerone - "All is Well" from the Podsafe Music Network  Buy her CD at CDBaby for $6. or for more info go to www.leerone.com

Thu, April 26, 2007

Don't Forget Mother's Day

I tell the story of buying a dress for my Mother's 59th birthday. Little did I know that she would be wearing it to her funeral. Now you may wonder why I would share such a personal tale. Because there are plenty of you who have Mothers and ignore them on Mother's Day. You're too busy to put any real time into a gift, a special thought, or card.  Maybe you throw her a gift card. I'm telling you that while you have the chance to do more than buy her flowers - DO IT. You'll be glad you did. For there to be a shadow there must first be a light... - The Mom Mother's day is May 13th in the US. Music from the Podsafe Music Network "Mother" from Kevin Reeves Buy the CD at CDBaby.com "Elegy by Gabriel Faure" by Cello Journey

Wed, April 25, 2007

One Good Idea

Dave answers some email from Slau , and talks about Women being from Venus and the Genius of John Gray. Actually, it's a good book. A big surprise Dave couldn't find something. John Gray has penned these classics: What Your Mother Couldn't Tell You and Your Father Didn't Know (Hardcover) How to Get What You Want and Want What You Have Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex Mars and Venus Together Forever: A Practical Guide to Creating Lasting Intimacy Children Are from Heaven: Positive Parenting Skills for Raising Cooperative, Confident, and Compassionate Children Mars and Venus Starting Over: A Practical Guide for Finding Love Again After a Painful Breakup, Divorce, or the Loss of a Loved One Men, Women and Relationships: Making Peace with the Opposite Sex Mars and Venus on a Date TONY ROBBINS Awaken the Giant Within Giant Steps Steven Covey The 7 Habits of Highl

Tue, April 24, 2007

The Weight of Words

I talk about the courage to do the right thing, and the stamina to work through your problems. If you can work through your problems you come out stronger on the other side of them (if you truly work through them and not just push them under the rug). Music "The Weight of Words" by Slau of www.slau.net courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network at http://music.podshow.com Buy the CD at amazon.com

Mon, April 16, 2007

Fourth Time is the Charm

I talk about a lesson he learned this weekend when "The Nurse" seem upset about something that was "no big deal" to me. I also comment on a wedding went to where it was wedding #4 for the Bride. God bless her for having the nerve to get back on the horse. Again and again.... and again. Music from the Podsafe Music Network ( http://music.podshow.com ) " Splitsville " brings us the song "Forever" buy the CD at CDBaby.com

Fri, April 06, 2007

Keep Your Legs Moving Forward

Today I discuss the day at his elementary school when all the boys decided to race to determine who was the fastest.... and the slowest. I also talk about some of the lessons of backyard football apply in real life. I found a great tune, and I have to play it for you. The artist's name is Albert Cummings . I love this song. It's called Follow Your Soul from the Album True to Yourself. Buy The Song   Buy The Album  

Tue, April 03, 2007

IT WAS HERE A MINUTE AGO

Wed, March 21, 2007

WHAT IF YOU'RE SCREWED?

Dave takes some time to realize how much time we can waste asking "What if?" Don't get lost in "What-ifville." He also talks about some of the comforting words of wisdom his father shared with him growing up. Music: "What if World" Steve McDaniel from the Podsafe Music Network

Fri, March 09, 2007

Silent Convulsions

Dave talks about "Silent Convulsions" (those time when you're not supposed to laugh - but can't help it). His love of "Literature", his winter coat with 8 million pockets, and the sound of Ozzy Singing Backwards

Wed, February 28, 2007

My Little Skank

Dave talks about a recent trip to Toys R Us, and he's noticed that while you're not allowed to judge anyone, everyone seems to be pretty judgemental about Christians.... Music by WII   F-in-A, I Love Jesus!

Fri, February 23, 2007

Pushing Peanuts

Dave talks about Carpe Diem (and doing everything) vs Doing Nothing Well. Prioritizing, and having a Superman complex. Call in your comments 888-563-3228 . Music "New Day" by Nate McDonough  from the Podsafe Music Network

Tue, February 13, 2007

Open Valentine to the Nurse

Guys Valentine’s Day is here. So I talk a bit about the differences between Men and Women.  Guys we have an oppotunity to open up and bust that stereotype about guys not talking about their feelings. You have the opportunity, so take advantage. Being that my Valentine’s Day budget is kind of small, I’ve decided to use my podcast as a present to the nurse. You get to listen in. OPEN VALENTINE TO THE NURSE By Dave Jackson I still feel God has lead you to me, even though I now know you snore. I love you even though you think Spinal Tap is stupid and you refuse to watch The Holy Grail. I love you because your job is life and death, and then you come home and raise three amazingkids with a smile on your face. I love that you are a P A R E N T. I love you when you lie and say my beard looks good. I love the way the fire reflects off your smile. I love you because you forgive me when I forget to call. I love you because waiting in line at a car wash with you is an adventure I love you because no one fills out a black dress like you do. I love you because you don’t make fun of the fact that I drive a Toyota echo. I love your patience when I have homework, and I want you to know that I’m doing this college thing as much for you as it is for me. I love pulling into your driveway when I haven’t seen you for a few days. It’s like Christmas I hate pulling out of the driveway to go home. It’s like trying to pull two magnets apart. I love that you don’t mind that I interrupt, only to forget what I was talking about. I love the way that you say Yummy . I love that you share your children with me, and that they are thrilling . I love that you don’t mind that the top of my desk has not been seen since 2004 and you think thats great. I love you even if you do hate Howard Stern. I love that you know what’s inside my heart – no matter what crazy crap I say in this podcast. No matter what kind of trouble you face, I’ll always be there even though I’ll probably show up late because I got lost…. and didn’t ask for directions. I’m not going anywhere now, or in the future. I love right where I’m at. When I hold you in my arms it feels like Home. It’s safe, warm, and I never want to leave. When I look into your eyes, I see a future that I’ve only dreamed of. I know that if you’re listening to this thinking of me, that I’m more than likely thinking of you instead of paying attention or doing my homework. I think about you all the time, and by that I mean all the time. Happy Valentine’s Day Baby. Please know that I love you and think about you often. If I am in the room while you listening to this, please come jump my bones.  MUSICRob Coslow I Do Buy the CD Parlour Dames I Love You CD Coming Soon

Tue, January 23, 2007

I Love Ewe - You Love Me

Dave talks about his junk, and asks why are bathroom stalls becoming extinct? He talks about his new college classes, appreciating diversity, spanking your kids, and attack of the Britneys and the Walmart Generation. Music by the Gentlemen Losers www.gentlemenlosers.com "God's Perfect Rainbow" from the Podsafe Music Network

Tue, January 16, 2007

Daves First Day of School - Again

Dave goes MOBILE and talks about his very first day of school as he battles whiteout conditions on his way to his first day of College - again. Music - New Day by the Band Glorydive from the Podsafe Music Network. Hear samples and Buy their CD at CDBaby

Thu, January 11, 2007

Swallow Your Fears

Sun, December 24, 2006

My Daughter Googled You

Dave has a guest in studio as it turns out "The Nurse's" children are checking up on me. Lucky me, they found the masterbation episode. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to eveyrone. Episodes Mentioned: Please Take My Sperm  and " She said she'd wear a short skirt, and she did "

Wed, December 20, 2006

The Best Teacher I Ever Had

Dave talks about his favorite teacher and his retirement party. (Sharon I love you too - his wife). Jim's retirement part was wall to wall people - because he impacted people. You, yes YOU impact people every day. Make it a positive impact Thanks for some great memories JB, you will be terribly missed Now I need to go work on my Emo song  A listener suggested we stay away from Joel Osteen and instead check out the book Grace Walk What You've always wanted in a Christian Life or the website www.gracewalk.org Music Learn to Crawl by Black Lab  

Fri, December 15, 2006

Born Again Hypocrite

Dave "comes out" of the closet. He's Christian and explains that if nonchurch going people call Christians "hypocrites" because they are "not like Jesus" then yes - He is a far-from-perfect born-again hypocrite. He shares some miracles he's seen, and talks about if you keep your eyes open, you might see them too. He also mentions he is reading Joel Osteen's book (and recommends it).   Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential  by Joel Osteen

Wed, December 13, 2006

Have You Seen My Joy

Dave is having a bad day. The holidays are taking its toll. He pulls out his blue "Attitude is everything" card, but even that won't work. However, dating a nurse has its positive effects as he talks about what a really bad day is. My Attitude is EverythingI will not let anyone steal my joy I will not let anyone or anything impact my positive attitude I will overcome, overpower, and overturn all obstacles I can and will handle the challenge I will look further than my vision because I will work by faith, not by sight. I will dream BIG DREAMS. I will be positive. I will move with a sense of urgency and stay committed to my goals. I will check and recheck, balance and counterbalance, reassure and be measured to the highest standard of excellence. I will not give up, let up or look up to the fear of defeat. I will never forget wo I am, where I cam from. I realize this day, this moment, is truly a blessing. My Attitude... is Everything! www.keithharrell.com Music Steal Away by Edwin Holt purchase at CDBaby.com

Thu, December 07, 2006

Helping the Homeless to Lie

Dave shows off his new announcer Scott "Mr Podcheck" Fletcher. Check it out at http://voice.caraworks.com/ Dave gives his input on a homeless person he met in Cleveland. Its the same old scam he's heard time and time again. MUSICTold Me Lies From Stefani from "Pieces" by Stefani Atomic K Records Buy at iTunes Music Store

Fri, December 01, 2006

OH MARY I'VE GOT A WOODY

Sleep Deprivation Theater Returns! CHRISTMAS EXPOSED!Dave talks about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer , and It's a Wonderful life . Hermie the Elf Gay? How about Charlie in the box? Why did people want him to "Come out?" Is it true that George Bailey was into Rape Sex Games? Get 6 Christmas Classis on One DVD MusicBeau Hall "Oh Face" and "No Sleep Funk" Buy Beau's CD at CDBaby

Tue, November 14, 2006

Please Take My Sperm

Fri, November 10, 2006

Control Yourself

Dave talks about the theory of controlling yourself. You may think you can't (but you probably do it every day). Music  (from the IODA Promonet ) from "Cuntree" by Shat Buddyhead Records Buy at iTunes Music Store The Fire Apes - "It's Over" (courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network) But their CD at CDBaby.com  or find out more about them at www.thefireapes.com

Sun, November 05, 2006

Agreeing with Andy Rooney - Sign of the Apocalypse ?

Dave talks about his child hood and some of the television he was forced to watch. He also unveils what might possibly be the world's worst Andy Rooney imitation. Music: "Clean" by Matthew Casteel ( www.matthewcasteel.com ) Comments: 888-563-3228

Fri, November 03, 2006

8 Return of the Nurse

Dave talks about a nurse who is a "keeper" and ponders the actions he is taking to "court" her and notices that many of the "nice things" he does now (at the beginning of a relationship) he failed to do at the end of his marriage. Maybe we should all look at our actions in the "Gah Gah" stage of a relationship, and some of those to our relationships. Comments: 888-563-3228 So This Is Love Inflight Blue Pie Productions Buy at iTunes Music Store "Movin on " (intro music) at www.tubbfunk.com

Sun, October 29, 2006

Facing Mistakes

Dave is having a bad day. Do you have anything in your life you KNOW is a mistake? I pondered not publishing this episode as its not my usual “Positive Upbeat” approach to life, but I thought I'd show I'm human and have bad days along the way

Thu, October 26, 2006

Back Away From the Twinkie

Dave talks about how he has lost 15 lbs. It's all about commitment. He explains what is working for him in terms of weight loss. It's all about making the right choices. Do you have the ability to commit? Music Moose "Fat Fun" from the Podsafe Music Network

Mon, October 23, 2006

Amish Porn

The first “Sleep Deprived” episode where Dave has a weird thought, and decides to share it with you. Today’s thought? Amish Porn. This brings back those moments where Dave’s Mom would hear how Dave needed a “Special test” at school. MusicAmpsex ( www.ampsex.com )”Porno Movie” from the Podsafe Music Network Buy their CD From CDBaby.com

Sat, October 21, 2006

She said she'd wear a short skirt - and she DID

Dave discusses further things about attraction, but more importantly the dilemma of "NO YUCK ROOM." She's not a psycho, she's not on meds, NOW WHAT? Music   Don't You Know Batdorf & McLean ItsAboutMusic.com Buy at iTunes Music Store

Wed, October 18, 2006

You're Wearing That? Fashionably Challenged

Dave talks about a small discrepancy that he finds some women put upon men. No win questions such as "Does my butt look fat in these jeans?"

Sun, October 15, 2006

Aunt Bee Doesn't Give Me Wood

Fri, October 13, 2006

Your First Podcast Episode Blows

Trailer · Sun, October 01, 2006

The Promo