Morning Brew Back-to-School Special

Ever wonder what your favorite radio personalities were like in school? The first day of classes in the White Mountains brings out the good, the bad, and the hilarious as Chris Bennett welcomes a lineup of special guests to share their school-day memories and offer advice to students starting fresh.

Dave Ramsey kicks things off with a candid take on back-to-school season (spoiler: he's not a fan of those early August start dates). When pressed about his most embarrassing school moment, Dave reveals a cringe-worthy story about being taped up by seniors that will make today's freshmen feel a little better about their own anxieties. His simple advice to students—"just enjoy"—carries more wisdom than might first appear.

The show takes an unexpected turn during "Am I the Jerk Court" when Dave presides over a relationship dilemma involving skydiving dreams and spousal objections. His ruling opens up fascinating questions about personal freedom within relationships and whether some secrets might actually preserve marital harmony. Meanwhile, Paul from Beaumont doesn't hold back about his disdain for school, though he takes his defeat in the "Are You Smarter Than a Redneck" trivia segment with characteristic good humor.

Perhaps the most touching moment comes when listener Sharon calls to share how the Morning Brew helped her through the aftermath of domestic violence. Her story reminds us that sometimes laughter truly is the best medicine, and that the connections we form—even through radio—can be lifelines during our darkest times.

Whether you're sending kids back to school, reminiscing about your own student days, or simply enjoying the show's signature blend of humor and heart, this episode delivers entertainment and unexpected wisdom in equal measure. Subscribe now and join our community of early-rising laugh-seekers!

Transcript

Back-to-School with Dave Ramsey

Speaker 1 0:00

From the Horn Auto Center Studios, Chris Bennett and the Morning Brew. We are on the phone with Show Low's own Dave Ramsey for some back-to-school edition. Boo or Cool, Dave. It is officially the first day back to school for some of our White Mountain students up here, including Show Low schools. Boo or Cool, back to school.

Speaker 2 0:22

Totally booed, too damn early.

Speaker 1 0:24

What was your favorite subject in school? Pe, pe, pe. What was the most embarrassing moment that ever happened to you at school?

Speaker 2 0:33

I was lifted three foot off the ground and taped with adhesive tape by the seniors in high school because I wouldn't take their crap.

Speaker 1 0:42

Oh no. And what's your advice to the students going to their first day of school today?

Speaker 2 0:47

Just enjoy. If you're a senior, just enjoy your last year. If you're starting out as a freshman, good luck.

Speaker 1 0:55

All right, a real quick boo, or cool. What do you think about ergonomic backpacks? Boo, oh, really. School supplies that smell like watermelon or cupcakes, that'd be all right. Yeah, like a pencil or a marker, that would be cool. And bringing your teacher a back-to-school gift? Cool, cool. And what about trapper keepers? Boo, that was back-to-school boo, or cool.

Am I the Jerk Court Case

Speaker 1 1:22

With Dave, it is hump day. That means it's time for Am I the Jerk Court and Janine is out this week. Will you be the honorable? Am I the Jerk Court today? Dave? Yeah, all right, all rise. It is now time for Am I the Jerk Court? The honorable Dave Ramsey presides. Dave, I'm going to read the story and when we come back we will get your ruling. Do you have your robe and wig on? Sure, george, all right, that will do. All right, here's the deal.

Speaker 1 1:53

I'm 30, and I've been with my wife for nine years. I've always dreamed of going skydiving, but every time I bring it up it turns into a fight. She says it's selfish, too risky, and if I really loved her, I wouldn't do it even once. She claims that if I ever asked her not to do something, she'd respect my wishes. But here's the thing I've never stopped her from doing anything. We hunt, ride motorcycles, drift cars. Life's full of risks. I don't want to grow old regretting never doing this just because she said no, so I booked it. Ooh, I'm going skydiving on a weekday while she's at work. My plan Jump, have lunch with a buddy and be home before she's off. I know keeping a secret isn't ideal, but this has been a dream of mine. I figure it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Am I the jerk? Not the jerk at all? No really, really. Am I the jerk? Not the jerk at all? No really, but really so. Should he tell her after he does it or just keep it a secret forever?

Speaker 2 2:50

I just keep it a secret.

Speaker 1 2:52

But isn't that?

Speaker 2 2:54

Oh, go ahead. The only thing that's going to bust him is when she checks the bank statement and find out that he did do it.

Speaker 1 3:00

Right right, I don't think he should keep it a secret. I think secrets are always a bad idea.

Speaker 2 3:06

Tell it to her on her birthday. Guess what I did? I went skydiving.

Speaker 1 3:13

So in the case of, Am I the Jerk for booking a skydiving jump against my wife's wishes? Dave says no and keep it a secret. And should he take it to the grave?

Speaker 2 3:22

No, I would tell her on her birthday, oh tell her on her birthday, okay. And just say I've got a good surprise for you. Guess what I did?

Speaker 1 3:33

Dave, thank you so much for having fun with us this morning, and I hope you have a great rest of your day.

Speaker 2 3:37

You too have a good one.

Paul from Beaumont's School Memories

Speaker 1 3:39

Bye. Bye Woo, and that's my blonde Because Paul from Beaumont said so. Yee-yee, yee-yee. Everyone's favorite redneck from Beaumont, texas, it's Paul from Beaumont. Paul, it is the first day back to school for some of the students here in the White Mountains, especially here in Show Low. What was your favorite class in school?

Speaker 2 4:02

None of the above your favorite class in school?

Speaker 1 4:05

None of the above. And what was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in school? Did you hear?

Speaker 2 4:13

what happened to Dave? Yeah, when I was at Ag, they were having something at school at night and they made us like a freshman year right down to your drawers and running around the school.

Speaker 1 4:28

Things have changed. They don't do that anymore. If you're heading to school, do not freak out by these stories from Paul and Dave. They went to school a long, long time ago, that's right. That's right. That's right. What's your advice to students this year? I just deal with it. Mine is make friends have a positive attitude. It's going to be a great year and life's what you make it. You have so many possibilities ahead of you and make the most of it. What's going on with you?

Speaker 2 5:05

My age is working.

Speaker 1 5:07

I didn't like school, he didn't like school, so now he's working. You feeling pretty smart today? I don't know. My age is smart today, yeah, Okay, yeah, I'd give it a shot. We are back with Paul from Beaumont Before we get into. Are you smarter than a redneck? Did you hear today's am I the jerk court case where the guy wanted to know if he was a jerk for going against his wife's wishes and behind her back to go skydiving? What say you?

Speaker 2 5:41

No, dude, you're not the jerk, bro, you're not the jerk.

Speaker 1 5:46

So he's okay to do it. And then what? Just tell his wife afterwards yeah, have you ever done anything like this? Like Rhonda said, don't do it. And then you do it. And then she found out later.

Speaker 2 6:00

Oh yeah, what I mean? Nothing like that. I mean I don't know Going out with my buddies drinking or whatever.

Speaker 1 6:11

Right. Oh and talking to us on the radio show. You didn't tell her about that for a year, sure, didn't? It's longer than that. Because what were you afraid of?

Speaker 2 6:23

That I was like you're stupid, I was just scared of the judgment. Man, I was scared. I wasn't scared to do it, I was just scared of the judgment.

Are You Smarter Than a Redneck?

Speaker 1 6:33

Yeah, the judgment's the scariest part. Well, let's find out if they were right or wrong, and if you are stupid or not, we're going to do some. Are you smarter than a redneck? Back to school trivia the first person to three wins or not? We're going to do some. Uh, are you smarter than a redneck? Back to school trivia the first person to three wins. Here we go. What company is known for its number two pencils? Is a big sharpie? Tikka negara? Or uh, uh, ford chris? I'm gonna say c ticket droga. Yes, I am right, there we go. Next question which dr seuss book is often gifted at graduation? Oh, chris, I'm not even going through multiple choice. Oh, it's the Places we Will Go. Boom, you have been beating me bad. I am showing no mercy today. What class might you use a Bunsen burner in? Chris, chemistry, boom, holy moly, I am smarter than a redneck. You got schooled. You got schooled on back to school day. Good for you. You know about school, paul.

Speaker 2 7:38

All right, paul, thanks so much hey, remember when my clothes got cut up.

Speaker 1 7:43

When.

Speaker 2 7:44

Remember when she said she cut all my clothes up? Oh, your wife. Yeah, yeah, that's for going out drinking with my friends.

Speaker 1 7:52

All right, Paul. Well, we love you, buddy. I hope you have a great day. We'll talk to you tomorrow.

Speaker 2 7:56

All right, y'all have a great day. Bye.

Speaker 1 8:00

Good morning. It's the Morning Brew with Chris. Who's this? This is your best friend.

Speaker 3 8:03

Sharon Sharon.

Speaker 1 8:06

Holy moly, it has been a while. It is the first day of school, sharon, you have any kids head back to school today?

Speaker 3 8:13

I do, she's a freshman today.

Speaker 1 8:15

Very nervous. Oh yeah, she's probably super nervous after hearing Dave Ramsey's horror stories and Paul from Beaumont's, but I've told them times have changed and it's going to be great. What advice do you have for your daughter and all incoming freshmen?

Speaker 3 8:33

Just be chill, actually. Just don't stress, don't stress.

Speaker 1 8:37

Don't stress and be a friend. Be a friend to people.

Speaker 3 8:40

Be a friend. Yes.

Speaker 1 8:41

Well, what can I do you for this morning, best friend?

Speaker 3 8:44

Well, it was your birthday yesterday, right?

Speaker 1 8:54

Yeah, that's right, paul made me cry I'm going to, because I feel we should celebrate a whole week of christmas. Uh, that's sweet, I don't think. Uh, I need it, but I appreciate it.

Speaker 3 9:00

I'll take it for sure so what I wanted to tell you is that when I first moved up from the mountains, I escaped death. Literally everybody most everybody knows I'm a domestic violence survivor and I was down and out. I could not get out of bed and I one day discovered your show on Facebook Live and have been laughing with you ever since you and I met in the grocery store no, it was Walmart. We became instant friends and it's been that way for a very long time and I thank you for that.

Speaker 1 9:34

Thank you. It means the world to me. I just love what I get to do and the fact that I'm able to help people when they're in dark places and bring a smile to their face. That's exactly what I want to do. So, sharon, I'm so glad I can help you and I'm so glad we became friends, and I'm so glad to call you a friend, and thank you so much for the kind words. For sure, chris Love you.