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The Morning Brew with Chris Bennett
Ever wonder what really goes on at a small-town morning radio show?
The Morning Brew with Chris Bennett and Best Friends is your daily dose of real callers, big laughs, and unforgettable characters straight from QCountry 925 in Show Low, Arizona.
The Morning Brew with Chris Bennett
Worth the Splurge? Celebrity Extravagance and School Building Dreams
What happens when a man plans to propose at his ex-girlfriend's wedding? Judge Janine weighs in with her bedazzled robe and no-nonsense attitude in this episode's Am I The Jerk Court. The verdict? Surprise proposals at someone else's wedding—especially your ex's—might just be the definition of tacky.
We're joined in studio by Steph G and Jen B from St Anthony's Catholic Private School, who share exciting news about their school's future. After operating from the back of St Rita's Parish since 2006, they're finally building their own dedicated facility. With small class sizes capped at 18 students and open enrollment for all denominations, they're creating something special for White Mountain families. Their Starlit Soiree fundraiser on July 19th at the Gathering Place in Pinetop promises to be an unforgettable evening under the mountain stars.
National Splurge Day brings out confessions of extravagant purchases—from Ryan's manic-episode-induced $5,000 bed to celebrities' outrageous indulgences. Is Beyoncé's $80,000 diamond-encrusted Barbie justified? What about Paris Hilton's $325,000 dog mansion? Our hosts and guests debate what's worth the splurge and what's just wasteful excess.
The podcast-exclusive segment delivers the most unexpected story: Ryan's date with a dominatrix. Despite anticipating a wild evening, he experienced "the most normal date ever" with someone who confessed that "nobody ever takes her on dates." It's a reminder that people are always more than their jobs or appearances—and that a mini-golf date in dinosaur costumes might just be the perfect second date.
Join us for laughter, community news, and surprising human moments. And remember to be nice to yourself, be nice to others, and don't be a jerk!
Chris Bennett and the Morning Brew. All rise, it's now time for. Am I the Jerk Court, the Honorable Janine Ford presides. You ready Judge? Yes, I am, I am. You got your bedazzled robe and wig on.
Speaker 2:Yes, bedazzled, all right.
Speaker 1:Here's the story and when we come back we'll get your ruling. This person wants to know if they are a jerk. So my high school friend, ben, told me he was planning to propose to his girlfriend during the wedding of another mutual friend, christy, who also happens to be his ex. He said it would be a surprise for Christy too and he wanted to use her professional photographer and the fancy Hawaii venue to do it. At first I didn't think much of it, but then realized Christy had no idea. I told Ben he should run it by her, but he said she'd love it and I didn't get their friendship. I felt it was disrespectful, so I gave Christy a heads up and I didn't get their friendship. I felt it was disrespectful, so I gave Christy a heads up. She was actually cool with it as long as it happened after the ceremony. But now Ben's furious with me for ruining the surprise and says I betrayed him. So am I the jerk for interfering in his big surprise? What say you?
Speaker 2:I, you know a surprise proposal at someone else's wedding. Yeah, I think it was just a tacky call for him to do it. I just think it's tacky myself of what he's doing. Number one okay, but the fact that she didn't really seem to care about it, I don't know. It's just weird. It's a weird call. I'm stumped on this one.
Speaker 1:If he's a jerk or not, but I just wouldn't have done it there. Why do it there? Well, like so, is the person a jerk for basically telling the other friend that he was going to do it, Like that's what he's mad about. You know, that's what he's mad about. No, no, no.
Speaker 2:I don't think that was smart. I think it was smart because the other thing was so it weird what he's got planned and the surprise and all this kind of stuff and using her photographer. Yeah, exactly, it was just odd. And so I don't think he's a jerk. I think he was thinking, God, this is tacky. Maybe I'll make sure it's okay. You know what I mean, but I don't know. I don't think he's a jerk Because the other guy I think the plans were really tacky myself.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it's weird. So he's going to propose at this lady's wedding. That was his ex.
Speaker 2:I know, I know, that's another weird element. Yes very weird. That's actually the weirdest part of it. Yeah, Let me propose at my ex's.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So I don't think this person is a jerk for basically ratting out their friend's plans just to make sure it was okay. I think that was actually kind of a nice gesture to do for the bride.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think he was thinking about her feelings. I don't think he was a jerk, I just think it's okay. I think the guy that was setting up the whole plan he needs to. You know, I don't know, that was just a weird tacky, just tacky, yeah, tacky yeah. Tacky, yes, so I don't think the guy's a jerk.
Speaker 1:No, so in the case of, am I the Jerk for ruining my friend's surprise proposal at someone else's wedding?
Speaker 3:Janine rules, not the jerk, the jerk, there we go, Janine.
Speaker 1:thank you so much, best friend. I am so excited today to have some guests in studio. It's Steph G and Jen B.
Speaker 2:Here we are, the Spice.
Speaker 1:Girls yeah, it sounds like the Spice Girls. They are actually from St Anthony's Catholic Private School here in Show Low. You guys were here a couple weeks ago. You guys have an exciting project going on at St Anthony's School. What is going on?
Speaker 4:Well, I first want to start out by saying we've been on this mountain since 2006. It was our first year on the mountain and fast forward, now it's 2025 and we're starting to build our own school and we are going to have this wonderful event the starlit soiree, on july 19th, up at the gathering place, and I'm going to turn it over to jen b for all the details yes, step g.
Speaker 1:Thank you jen b all right yeah we're uh, we're finally building a school and all own building for St Anthony's, and it's the Starlet Soiree. What's going on?
Speaker 5:Yeah, so we have been operating out of the back of the St Rita's Parish, which has been absolutely fabulous, but it's time for us to fly the nest and move adjacently to the actual church itself. So we are going to be building our own school. We're really excited to have our own place to wear our laundry at, you know, at our own home, and everything else cook our own dinners Um but, more importantly, we're really excited cause we are, uh, beyond its limitations.
Speaker 5:We have one drinking fountain. We don't have home court or home court advantage, so we're super looking forward to that. This Starlet Soiree is going to be a wonderful event. It's going to be tons of fun, lots of things to get excited about. It's a cool fundraising event. We're expecting a lot of great things. We have Sholo Construction, who's already been one of our amazing sponsors.
Speaker 4:Thank you, Sholo.
Speaker 5:White Mountain Drywall, who's a parent and a supporter of the event. We have Paul Meyer with Thrivent up in Pinetop. He's a sponsor as well. So we have a bunch of fabulous local sponsors here, so we're definitely looking for sponsors today as well as live and silent auction items.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we need more sponsors for the Starlit Soiree. And another cool thing about St Anthony's School is it is a Catholic school but it's open to all denominations right.
Speaker 4:Yes, we welcome all denominations to our school, and we're now enrolling.
Speaker 5:Oh nice, yeah, we're now enrolling. You might have seen some of our signs around town, right in front of Cattleman's and places like that.
Speaker 1:Sweet.
Speaker 4:And Steph as a teacher, what do you think is the best thing about a private education? So a private education to me has a lot of great qualities, but has a lot of great qualities, but I think probably the best one is small class sizes and the opportunity for kids to have one-on-one time with their teacher and be able to expand their education in a classroom where you're not wall-to-wall with 30-plus kids. We don't allow that. 18 is the biggest classes that we have.
Speaker 1:Oh, my gosh, nice. If you want more information on how to donate, maybe you want to attend the Starlet Sore on July 19th at the Gathering Place in Pinetop, or you want to be a sponsor. Go to stantschoolorg stantschoolorg. Backslash events for all the detail on the Starlit Sore. On the phone we have my best friend from Wilmington, north Carolina Well, originally from payson, arizona. Go longhorns, steph gee, she's a longhorn as well, longhorn graduate. We have ryan mckee on the phone. Uh, ryan, today is a national splurge day. Uh, what is, uh, uh, what is an item that you've spent a lot of money on and that you've splurged?
Speaker 3:well as, as Chris knows, I was in the middle of a manic episode last year and that's when he spent a lot of money. I spent $5,000 on a bed, Wow.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he's also, and then before that, one of his biggest he spent. How much did you spend on speakers?
Speaker 3:Oh, I spent $5,000 on speakers. Aka, they're called hearing aids Great investment, yes.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes. So for National Splurge Day, I thought we'd play a game with the three of you. I'm perfect for this. I'm perfect. Yeah worth the splurge Horrible with money. Yeah, we'll ask Ryan and we'll see what he perfect. Yeah, worth the splurge Horrible with money. Yeah, we'll ask Ryan and we'll see what he says. Is it worth the splurge or save your cash? These are items that celebrities have bought.
Speaker 4:Okay let's hear them.
Speaker 1:Beyonce and Jay-Z spent $80,000 on a diamond-encrusted Barbie doll for their daughter, blue Ivy Ryan. Is that worth the splurge or save your cash?
Speaker 3:Here's the thing I feel like that's very little money for Beyonce and Jay-Z, so totally worth the splurge.
Speaker 1:Really I disagree. What about you? Uh uh, jen B oh it's totally worth it. You think so, and what about you, steph G? I don't know.
Speaker 4:Save your money.
Speaker 1:The resale value Okay so yeah, steph G and I are on the same page. I guess it would go up in value, but that is definitely one toy I'm not letting the kid play with.
Speaker 4:Right, but like what Ryan said is they have so much money to them, that is nothing.
Speaker 1:Right but.
Speaker 4:I still think it should be in saved.
Speaker 1:Okay. Celine Dion built a $2 million humidification system for her Vegas home to protect her vocal cords, Ryan worth the I mean, I feel like for her that's to protect her vocal cords, Ryan, worth the splurge.
Speaker 3:I mean, I feel like for her that's a tax write-off right, so it's totally worth it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it's taking care of basically her instruments, so that's totally good. Yeah, she needs that. Okay, what about this? Paris Hilton had a $325,000 two-story dog mansion built, complete with heating, ac and designer furniture for her dog. Is that worth the splurge, ryan, or should she have saved her money?
Speaker 3:Ooh, I'm a big dog guy, but no. I don't think that's worth the splurge. I mean, dogs are happy in just like an old chair, right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly exactly. You don't need to buy your. There's people that need houses.
Speaker 4:Right, you don't need to be building. That's just like excessive money spending, it's like look at me, Spend that money on a hospital or something.
Speaker 1:All right, and last one. Lady Gaga spent $50,000 on a ghost detector to protect herself from spirits. What do you say, Ryan?
Speaker 3:Well, you know, if you're a famous person, you don't want to go through an exorcism, right, totally worth it.
Speaker 1:Totally. I hate ghosts, so I would definitely do it. What about?
Speaker 4:you, Stephanie? Who did she hire A ghost? What?
Speaker 1:No, she bought this. It's an EMF reader.
Speaker 3:It's like a ghost detector, oh, so she could go around it.
Speaker 1:So she could go, and then it has like reading I say it's a waste. You say it's a waste. What about you?
Speaker 5:I feel like she is.
Speaker 1:She is the ghost that was splurge or save on National Splurge Day with our favorite splurger, Ryan McKee. We love you, best friend, Love you too, bye, bye. Good morning. It's the Morning Brew with Chris. Who's this Woo-woo, yee-yee? It's everyone's favorite redneck from Beaumont, texas. It's Paul from Beaumont. On this National Splurge Day, what's the biggest splurge you've ever made on yourself there, paul? It would have to be that.
Speaker 2:Martin D-28 of mine.
Speaker 1:Martin D-28. It's a very expensive guitar.
Speaker 4:I was like I don't know what that is. Is it a car or something? Oh awesome.
Speaker 1:It sounds like a robot, doesn't it? It does A Martin D-28. Well, paul, we have Steph G and Jen B over here from St Anthony School. Steph G is a 6th, 7th and 8th grade teacher over at St Anthony's. Her husband, joeji, is a history buff. I thought today we would do some history trivia seventh grade history trivia to see who's smarter, a redneck or a seventh grade teacher. She's nervous.
Speaker 4:Remember, I do not teach history.
Speaker 1:She doesn't teach history, she teaches English and writing. So this is, and Paul's, a history buff. You guys, you ready Paul?
Speaker 3:I hope so. I mean, we didn't go easy, we didn't go hard, we're staying moderate.
Speaker 1:All right. First question what purchase doubled the size of the United States in 1803? Steph, steph, she said her buzzer first, steph. Go ahead the Louisiana Purchase, is it?
Speaker 4:the.
Speaker 1:Louisiana Purchase Ding, ding ding.
Speaker 3:It is the Louisiana Purchase.
Speaker 1:Holy smokes, all right. Next question the Declaration of Independence was written to what king of what country to state the reasons we were declaring our independence? Was it King Louis, a Roman numeral? I think, 6 of France, king George III of England, king Henry V of England. Paul, go ahead, it's B King George III of England. You are correct, it's tied at one apiece.
Speaker 5:Oh my gosh. Oh, this last question is for all the margals, so glad I'm not playing.
Speaker 1:What famous government building was burned by the British during the War of 1812? Was it the Pentagon, treasury Building, executive Mansion or Lincoln Memorial?
Speaker 3:Paul, paul, I didn't even hear the choices, paul, I thought it was the Executive Building or the War of Congress.
Speaker 1:It's either the Pentagon Treasury Building, executive Mansion or the Lincoln Memorial Burned by the British Paul the Treasury. Is it the Treasury For the win? It is the Treasury. Is it the Treasury For the win? It is not the Treasury, can I?
Speaker 4:go, can I guess? Steph, it's either I'm going to go the Executive Mansion.
Speaker 1:Is it the Executive Mansion? She is smarter than a redneck. She was nervous, dude. She was super nervous. Congratulations, steph Gee. You are smarter than a redneck, paul. We love you, buddy. Have a great day.
Speaker 3:Bye Paul, your seven traders are getting a good education yeah.
Speaker 1:It is now time for a very special podcast-only segment. Sometimes on the radio show we get calls that are either too long we're not able to play them, or sometimes they're a little spicy, and this one checked all the boxes. So here you go for your listening pleasure, a very special podcast-only segment on today's episode. Good morning, it's the Morning Brew with Chris and Steph G and Jen B from St Anthony's Look at you.
Speaker 2:Lyman who's?
Speaker 3:this. It's excessive dating guru Ryan McKee.
Speaker 1:It is our best friend, producer Ryan McKee, my longtime comedy friend and friend of the show we know. Ryan, you are single, you're looking to mingle. You've been doing dating apps. You've been going on these little. What are those speed dating events?
Speaker 3:He's been putting himself out there you know you're getting it wrong. I swore off the dating apps because they were going horribly. It wasn't a speed dating event I went to. It was just a singles looking to mingles event.
Speaker 1:Yeah, a singles looking to mingles event that was put on by a girl that he went on a date with, that friend zoned him and then invited him to the dating event. Now, did I get that right? That is correct.
Speaker 4:I'm trying to follow that in my head.
Speaker 1:So he went on a date with a girl. He liked her, she friend zoned him, and then she said hey, I'm actually in charge of this little dating thing. Do you want to come and meet somebody? But not me, right.
Speaker 3:Somebody else. That's 100% what she said.
Speaker 1:Wow. And then earlier this week, after I had already gone on the Facebook Live and the radio show was over, he called in to give me an update. He recently performed from stand-up. Go ahead and tell us what happened.
Speaker 3:All right.
Speaker 3:So I did a stand-up show at the local comedy club here called Dead Crow Comedy Room on Saturday night and this one woman was really laughing hard at my set and I'm like, oh, I'm going to talk to her after the show because I found her attractive.
Speaker 3:She was heavily tattooed, which I find attractive, and so I went up to her, I was talking to her after the show, but I don't have the best hearing. I wear hearing aids and apparently during the conversation she told me what she does for a living. But I didn't hear it and but you know, I just kind of smile and nod at a lot of people say so there's no telling what I've agreed with over the past couple of years and so I bet I could talk to him. So I asked her for her phone number, asked her on a date, and then when we were talking on the phone the next day, I asked her oh, she said she's formerly a beautician, a hairstylist, and I said, oh well, what do you do now? And she's like oh, I told you the other night, I'm a dominatrix.
Speaker 1:Wow, Wow, Wow. And so did you just say oh okay, cool, and then walk away. Or then what happened?
Speaker 3:No, I go. Oh cool, let's continue on our date talk Because, hey, I don't judge people like you, Chris Bennett.
Speaker 4:That's right.
Speaker 3:He is so dirty I'm open to all people and dating opportunities, because I always like a good story.
Speaker 1:Exactly so you end up taking her on a date to see comedian Doug Stanhope at that same comedy club. He's a dirty, raunchy, raw, honest, funny comedian Actually a local of Bisbeerizona, doug stanhope that's right. Yeah, he lives in bisbee, arizona, doug stanhope, yeah, yeah, he's a big time comedian, he's awesome. Um, and so, uh, you took her to the show and went on the date.
Speaker 3:Give us a little, uh, give us a little update date recap here's the thing I was expecting one of the weirdest, craziest dates ever. Right, Going on a date with a heavily tattooed dominator who knows what's going to happen. Right, you know? She told me a little bit about what she does with guys. I won't say it here. Yeah, no, it's a family show.
Speaker 1:Yeah, this is a family show. Keep it clean. Yeah, it's clean, okay so there you go.
Speaker 3:I'm thinking this is going to get wild. Who knows, ryan might not ever come back from this, who knows?
Speaker 1:Right right.
Speaker 3:Guess what, the most normal date I've ever been on? Oh, really no. And she kept saying how nervous she was because nobody ever takes her on a date. Aww, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:And for him to say it was the most normal date. Right, he went on a date with a girl once and she was like let's go get matching tattoos or tattoos. She got a tattoo that said like daddy issues or something. Yeah, she did.
Speaker 2:On the first date, On the first date. Did he have to pay for it? She did On the first date. On the first date.
Speaker 1:Did he have?
Speaker 4:to pay for it Like the baby and the tattoo.
Speaker 1:You didn't pay for her tattoo, but you ended up getting one too on the first date.
Speaker 3:No, I did pay for her tattoo.
Speaker 4:Oh my gosh, what did your tattoo? What tattoo did you get?
Speaker 3:Listen, I'm a gentleman. If a woman wants to go out on a date with me, I will pay for her tattoo and her dinner.
Speaker 1:And so she got daddy issues, and Steph wanted to know what tattoo did you get?
Speaker 3:I got a mom tattoo.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it says mom, it's a heart with an arrow.
Speaker 4:Oh, that's nice for your mom.
Speaker 1:So I could see how you judge a book by a cover. You'd be like well, I did that with somebody that wasn't covered in tattoos and didn't have a crazy job. What's this one going to be? But it was a very tame date. Do you want to tell us? Have you been friend zoned yet? Are you going to do? Will there be a date number two.
Speaker 3:I think there's definitely going to be a date number two. When I dropped her off at her house, I was like uh-oh, this is going to be weird. What do I do? Do I go in for a kiss? Is she going to slap me in a playful way, I don't know, with the dominatrix, right, right. So I went in for the kiss.
Speaker 1:We had a normal kiss.
Speaker 3:a little bit of tongue it's for the podcast, and then that was it, and that was it, and she's been texting me pretty regularly since I guess she had a good time.
Speaker 1:Wow, it sounds good. I'm a little worried, Like I personally, for my podcast and for my listeners. I love hearing all the information about his dates, but I imagine if she hears us talking about it. Are you afraid that us talking about your dating life might make it harder for you on your dating life?
Speaker 3:Nobody listens to your show.
Speaker 4:Wow.
Speaker 1:Well, there you go, there you go. Well, you listen and listen and share it with her.
Speaker 3:If I was, if I was trying to date in the white mountain area, I would definitely be worried about it.
Speaker 4:Yes, oh right, it's a true statement.
Speaker 3:You know, I'm I'm thinking, I'm thinking I'm safe on the other side of the country, nice.
Speaker 1:Nice. So what are you going to do for date two?
Speaker 3:What am I going to do for date two? Take her to the Starlit Soiree.
Speaker 5:Oh yeah, we have couples passes, oh yeah.
Speaker 1:Ryan, you should take her to the Starlit Soiree at St Anthony Catholic School event July 19th at the Gathering Place, raising money for the St Anthony Building Project that is underway. It's going to be a great night, a joyful and inspiring night, beneath the unforgettable skies of the white mountains.
Speaker 2:Ryan yeah.
Speaker 3:For second day. All right, buy your fly across the country, drive three hours.
Speaker 1:North, and why not? Yeah, why not?
Speaker 3:Why not Actually, she does have a. She already has a idea for our second date. So she wants to go play miniature golf. She wants to dress up in costumes for us.
Speaker 4:Huh, is she gonna wear her fancy costume?
Speaker 3:yeah, like he said he wants to wear a, an inflatable dinosaur costume oh, Dude oh wow, I kind of dig that, yeah, and I think Ryan kind of did.
Speaker 1:I know Ryan, I could see Ryan being kind of into that. That sounds like a lot of fun.
Speaker 3:I'm kind of into it. But also it's very hot and humid here right now because we live in the south and I feel like an inflatable dinosaur costume. I told her maybe not that, but I would wear a costume Sounds good.
Speaker 1:It is time for us to head out of here. Steph G and Jen B, thanks so much for joining me and talking about St Anthony's School. That's right, st Anthony's School is building a new building and they're in the process of the project and need your help building a new building and they're in the process of the project and need your help. And one of the ways you could help is by attending the Starlit Soiree that's July 19th at the Gathering Place in Pinetop, arizona. All proceeds go to St Anthony School's building project. They're also looking for sponsors. They have great sponsor packages as well. So if you want to help them out or find out more information about the Starlet Soiree, go to stantschoolorg backslash events. For the Morning Brew, I've been Chris Bennett reminding you to be nice to yourself, be nice to others and don't be jerk. And who are you? I am Steph G and I'm Jen B. And for the Morning Brew we say bye.
