Building A Better Dave

So I'm driving to Chicago and back over a weekend. That's 14 hours in a car. While I'm not ancient, I'm not young. I'm not 23 anymore. Did I just write a check with my mind that my body can't cash? I'm trying to find some food in Chicago and took a wrong turn. Chicago, like every city in America, is a good place to get shot if you're on the wrong side of the city.  How am I going find the balance of not doing things that I may not be able to do without stopping myself from enjoying life? Like the show? Buy me a coffee?

In this episode, Dave shares a candid account of his recent health updates, and it's a mix of challenges and victories. From starting the year with new exercise routines to discovering unexpected health issues, Dave opens up about how turning 60 has brought a wave of concern regarding blood sugar, blood pressure, and thyroid issues. With a dash of humor, he recounts the quirks of testing his blood sugar and the surprise diagnosis of diabetes. Yet, amidst the medical hurdles, Dave finds a silver lining—a triumphant return to the ping pong table despite the obstacles.  Join us as Dave explores the balance between health management and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Whether it's doctor visits or winning ping pong matches, it's all about building a better Dave. Tune in for a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the occasional game-changing rally.

Today I share some insights as I deal with the loss of a friend. Death sucks, but when you lose people who are YOUNGER then you, with no warning, it really sucks. Today I talk about losing my friend Niel Guilarte who I worked with during the making of The Messengers: A Podcast Documentary We got to room with each other at events, and we just clicked. We always made each other laugh. My favorite was when Niel would start laughing and he couldn't finish the story he had started.  When you start to see your heroes get old and some cracks around the edges, it's sad, but it's a warning sign. Niel was here, and the next day he wasn't. He leaves a wife and 11-year old daughter he adored, and a new house.  He was the best friend of one of my favorite people Chris Krimitsos. Which is one of the things that is adding to the pain. I have people in Florida who could use a hug. I love to help people, and in this case there is nothing I can do.  Mentioned In This Episode Bookends - Simon and Garfunkel Bette Midler - Stay W

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

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 c

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.

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

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.

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)

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.  

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

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.

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

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 active 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-ba

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.

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." 

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.

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..." 

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

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