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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
Laughter, Hope, and a Lone Guitar: Community Stories & Suicide Prevention
The hum of small-town radio pulses through this episode of Morning Brew as host Chris Bennett weaves together community warmth and profound messages of hope. We kick off with listeners Susan from Snowflake and Kevin winning coveted Diamondbacks tickets through playful on-air games, capturing that special brand of local connection that brings our White Mountain community together.
A heartfelt conversation with Chris's friend Jineane reveals her recovery progress alongside Chris's exciting announcement – he'll be performing as his comedy hero Robin Williams in an upcoming "Dead Comedians" showcase. The vulnerability in his voice is unmistakable as he shares, "Robin Williams is my number one favorite comedic influence and it is a big bar." This glimpse into Chris's personal passions creates an intimate bridge between host and listener.
The show takes a powerful turn when singer-songwriter JulianKalel joins to discuss his partnership with the National Alliance of Mental Illness during Suicide Prevention Month. Julian premieres his moving new song "Lone Guitar," written from a deeply personal place about finding reasons to stay during life's darkest moments. "Too many people, especially men, feel like they have to face their pain alone," Julian shares, challenging the stigma that prevents so many from seeking help.
Isidro from NAMI El Paso reinforces this crucial message, reminding listeners that suicide remains a leading cause of death, particularly among males, and sharing resources like the 988 crisis line. The emotional weight of the song's lyrics – "When I see my old man cry, it reminds me of this life. I can't leave him in the dark" – creates a profound moment of connection.
Whether you're seeking entertainment, community connection, or meaningful conversations about mental health, this episode delivers with authentic heart. Give it a listen, and remember Julian's powerful message: there's always a reason to stay another day.
From the Horn Auto Center Studios Chris Bennett and the Morning Brew. Good morning, it's the Morning Brew with Chris. Who's this? Hey, chris, this is Susan, susan, susan, who? Susan from where Snowflake? Oh, susan from Snowflake. What can I do you for on this Thursday, september 4th?
Speaker 2:I need those Diamondback tickets. How do I win them?
Speaker 1:Heck, yeah, you want to play a game right now, if it's easy. Oh, it's easy, it is Okay, it is this or that. We're going to get to know Susan from Snowflake and give away four tickets to our D-backs game against the Red Sox this Saturday. Are you going to root for the D-backs or the Red Sox? Oh, the Diamondbacks. Yeah, there we go. Heck, yeah, all right, answer these, this or that questions and you get the tickets. It's that easy.
Speaker 1:Pancakes or waffles? Pancakes Really, I'm more of a waffle guy, but that's all right, we can still be friends, would you rather? Would you rather always smell like bacon or always smell like coffee Bacon? Yeah, I think I'd agree, although you'll have a lot of dogs following you around wherever you go. Uh, susan, would you rather sing everything you say or dance everywhere you go? Oh, dance everywhere I go. Oh, dance everywhere you go. Yeah, I pretty much do that already. All right. And last question Would you rather have free dessert for life or free gas for life? I would have to go with gas, even though I love dessert. Yeah, but I would have to go with gas as well. Susan, I'm going to give you four tickets to the D-backs game this Saturday against the Boston Red Sox for playing our game. What station hooked you up?
Speaker 3:92.5.
Speaker 1:That's right, and I have four more tickets to give away to Sunday's game. First caller, give me a call, 928-532-4144. And those tickets are yours as well. Good morning, it's the Morning Brew with Chris. Who's this Kevin? Kevin, are you calling to win those D-back tickets on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox? Yes, sir, heck, yeah, here. How do I want you to win these tickets? You know what I'm going to make it easy.
Speaker 1:Go ahead and tell me the most interesting fact about Kevin. I was born and raised up on the mountain. That's the most interesting fact about you. I mean, yeah, most people that live here aren't from here most of the time anymore. Really, how long? What year were you born? 90. Oh, so you've lived on the mountain since 1990? Yeah, but my whole family was born in McNary and stuff. Oh, okay. And then there isn't any other interesting fact. Like you weren't attacked by a bear, you've never been struck by lightning. You ever hunt a mountain lion, nothing like that. I mean, I'm always hunting mountain lions, just can't find them. All right, I'll take it Kevin's most interesting fact born and raised up here in the White Mountains.
Speaker 4:And I can tell you.
Speaker 1:I don't think there's a better place to be born and raised than right here in the White Mountains. Kevin, you just won four tickets to check out our Diamondbacks against the Boston Red Sox this Sunday down in the Valley. What station hooked you up? 92.5. You know it, buddy. Janine you over there.
Speaker 5:Yes, I am how you doing, Chris.
Speaker 1:Heck, yeah, happy Thursday morning. How are you doing? I know you went down to the doctor yesterday. Give us a little update.
Speaker 5:Yes, got the sutures removed, but have to go see a wound specialist. It's still stuff going on, so it's like I have to stay on the crutches, can't move it. You know, it's one of those sutures out that makes me feel better. And, chris, aside from that, I am crazy excited to ask you about what's going on for Halloween, and you know what surprises me. You always challenge yourself. This is going to be a crazy one for a year, right?
Speaker 1:Yes, well, one of my friends, stan Chen, who I've had up here for some of my shows everyone loves him. He's producing some shows down in Phoenix at Desert Ridge, improv, mic Drop Mania in Chandler and Stir Crazy the last Halloween week in October and he's doing this Dead Comedians showcase for Halloween where comedians go up as a dead comedian. As a dead comedian Kind of like pay homage, I guess, is the word to them. And who do you think they picked for me?
Speaker 5:See, I kind of heard, that's what I'm.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 5:And it's my all-time favorite. He's my all-time Robin Williams. Is that true? Robin Williams, that is true.
Speaker 1:And it's nerve-wracking. I kind of wanted Chris Farley, but Robin Williams is my number one favorite comedic influence and it is a big bar. So I've been watching his stand up and I got to figure out what 10 minutes I'm going to do and that's going to be in October. Super scared, don't want to do it because it's scary, but you know what?
Speaker 5:you know, I gotta tell you what an honor you know I mean he's. He's like my favorite, and I love chris farley too. But right, robin williams was just the best yes, you know, but that's, that's a really interesting. Yeah, talk about a big. What are those dates, if people want to run down for that?
Speaker 1:uh, yeah, I'll get the dates and, but it's going to be the week of october 27th. I think it's going to be the 28th, 29th and 30th down in Phoenix. I'll have all that info available on my website at chrisbennettcomedycom. I just hope I make Robin proud and don't make myself look like an idiot.
Speaker 5:You will, you will be great. You are busy, busy, busy busy.
Speaker 1:If you want to see me before October, Busy, busy, Busy, busy. And if you want to see me before October, don't forget, I am producing stand-up comedy at the Pinedale Community Center with the Best of Phoenix Stand-Up Comedy Showcase. Saturday, September 20th at 6.30 pm. Get your tickets at chrisbennettcomedycom. It is now time for Relationship Advice with Janine Ford, our Relationship Advice expert.
Speaker 5:That is the funniest thing ever for people who know me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly, I love how it makes you laugh every time. All right, janine, I'm going to read a relationship advice request and then we'll get your advice. You ready? Okay? Okay, here we go. I'm going to do it as the girl. She's 33. Her boyfriend's 34.
Speaker 1:It's been a few days since this argument and I guess my mind keeps going back to it. Me and my boyfriend have been dating for 10 years and living together for nine, and everyone, and their mother, have always asked us when we're getting married. I guess I never knew the real answer until now. The argument was about letting his mother borrow money and somehow it ended in a I don't like you and that's why I haven't married you. Oh my gosh and that. And then I completely shut down and told him I don't want to talk anymore. I was done, janine. Well, it took him around five minutes to come back and apologize and say that he was very upset and he wanted to apologize for what he said, but my sick mind was waiting for the. I didn't mean it and he never said it. I guess I'm coming to you, janine, to either find out if I need to gain confidence to just leave him, or maybe see a side I'm not seeing. Please help, janine, what's your advice?
Speaker 5:We're going to get that when we come back, or now, let's get it right now. Okay, right now, right now, my thing is the big red flags. They've been together 10 years and he's not. They probably don't need to get married. I mean 10 years. There's something that's just a little bit he might.
Speaker 5:You know, here's the thing you can be in a relationship and love somebody you know and kind of care about them and like them physically, but the way they live their lives and stuff, they're just not, maybe not a nice person. You don't really like them. And when he said I don't like you, and that's the thing, you can not like somebody but you're still sleeping with them and you kind of love them in other ways. You follow me, yeah, so I've been there and that's not good. You need kind of the whole package, right, so you know what, just split up and find somebody that you key to. And also kind of maybe she needs to look at herself and ask if she is a nice person, because that just kind of set up some red flags.
Speaker 5:The mom wanted to borrow a little money. He's kind of trying to make some decisions concerning that and maybe she is a little bit. Maybe she's got some things that and maybe she, maybe she is a little bit, maybe she's a little control, maybe she's got some things she needs to. They go either. They need to go to counseling and find out what it is he doesn't like about her. Because you want to like the person you're with, too right, you want to like them also, yeah, all right. So I don't know, maybe move on. It's 10 years, you know me. Put the track shoes on another relationship good it's been fun see.
Speaker 1:Another relationship advice brought to you by New Balance.
Speaker 5:Running Shoes.
Speaker 1:Janine says get your shoes and run.
Speaker 5:Also, look in the mirror, See if you're nice, see if you're nice before you trap someone else. Okay, all right.
Speaker 1:Chris, all right, janine, we love you, best friend have a great day.
Speaker 5:Love you too. You have a good one, Bye.
Speaker 1:Today I am so excited to catch up with one of our past Country Climb stars from El Paso, texas. You may remember him, julian Colel. We listened to his song Surrender. He's a singer, songwriter, mental health advocate and he is now partnering with the National Alliance of Mental Illness with El Paso during Suicide Prevention Month. Julian, thanks so much for coming back to the show.
Speaker 2:Thank you for having me. Super happy to be here.
Speaker 1:Yeah, last time you were on we learned you were a recent high school graduate and you're Stanford bound. Are you in Stanford yet, or when do you head to college?
Speaker 2:I'm heading to college in about a week, week and a half. I'm leaving on September 13th and starting my semester the week after that.
Speaker 1:Heck yeah, and how's your journey been since we last talked?
Speaker 2:It's been really exciting. I mean, I've just been focusing on getting my new release out and promoting the new song Lone Guitar and sharing it with everyone, and I'm very, very excited that it's finally out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we're so excited. We're going to be playing that new song, lone Guitar, in a little bit and you've teamed up with the National Alliance of Mental Illness, el Paso, this month, and so when we come back we're going to talk to Isidro with NAMI of El Paso, and so we have Isidro with NAMI of El Paso on to share with us why Julian's work and just suicide prevention and suicide awareness is so important. Thanks so much, isidro, for being on. Thank you so much for having me. Really grateful, absolutely. So explain to us a little bit about National Suicide Prevention Month and some key information and stats that we need to know and how we might be able to help those in need 100%.
Speaker 4:Yeah, no, you know we're going to be spending this month, september, bringing awareness to suicide prevention and having these conversations. You know, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in many demographics, a leading cause of death in youth 79% of people who die by suicide are male and so we're very grateful that Julian has joined us in bringing these conversations out. We want to make sure that we're having conversations around suicide, checking in on one another and being there for one another, uplifting our community, sharing the important resources and making sure that we just spread the word, and the more we spread the word the more we can make sure we save more lives.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and there's resources available to those. If people are, you know, thinking of suicide or need someone to talk to, is there a hotline they could call? Where can they get more information?
Speaker 4:Yeah, if you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 or visit their website 988lifelineorg. And I also recommend you know that's if you're having a crisis, but I also recommend reaching out to your local NAMI and looking for other supports and resources that can help you through your mental health journey.
Speaker 1:Cedro, thank you so much for being on and thank you for raising awareness on this National Suicide Prevention Month. And, Julian, it's time for us to play this new song, Lone Guitar. Tell us what inspired it and what do you hope listeners take away from it, especially during Suicide Prevention Month?
Speaker 2:Well, thank you for having me. So, when it comes to Lone Guitar, this song actually came out of a very personal and difficult place. So it's about feeling hopeless, battling the demons that tell you you're not good enough, and coming very close to giving up, but still finding a reason to, most importantly, stay, because I think everyone has someone or something to live for and stay for. And well, I've lived with anxiety and depression for a while now. When I was 16, I actually I probably, I think I spoke about this the last time I was here was in a head-on crash and it just gave me a new perspective on life and how quickly things can change. And ever since that day, I started living differently, started living for myself more, living more, I guess, fearlessly, you know, doing what I love and spreading the messages that have gotten me through my difficult times. But obviously I saved this message, especially for Lone Guitar, for Suicide Prevention Month of September, because it's something I'm very passionate about.
Speaker 2:Too many people, especially men, feel like they have to face their pain alone, but the reality is suicide rates, like Isidro said, are higher among men and a lot of that comes from stigma and silence. You know, men feeling like they have to stick it through. They cannot be vulnerable, they can't show emotion, and that breaks my heart and I want to break that stigma. So I want to use my platform to say you're not alone and reaching out for help is actually a sign of strength and not weakness.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much for sharing this message, especially during national suicide prevention month, and it's an honor to get to play your song for the first time here on Q country 92 five. This is Julian Colell with his song loan guitar. Let's do it.
Speaker 3:What do you see when you look at me? The blessings that I'm letting go. Lord, you forgive so easily. It's getting harder to find peace. Get the chance to grow. I'm not the man that I should be. Never fail to travel, hailing back every night, too far gone for prayer, just a boy afraid to die. Oh, heartache, still Words unspoken, the burden of my flaws. I should stay. I should stay. I should stay. Oh, I'll stitch my wounds and learn to love these marks along the way. I should stay. I should stay. Though the devil says I ain't enough, I won't go to his grave, cause when I see my old man cry, it reminds me of this life. I can't leave him in the dark. I just can't leave him with a long guitar.
Speaker 3:Lord, if I'm lost, how can I leave? I'm still here, living in the cold, looking for what's at risk, too busy, missing that old fire I used to keep. You know, I only see the smoke and all the good. I'll never take Pray. The day never comes to say goodbye. Will I make it out alive? Will I make it out alive? I should stay. I should stay. Oh, I'll stitch my wounds and learn to love these marks along the way. I should stay. I should stay, though the devil says I ain't enough. I won't go to his grave, cause when I see my old man cry, it reminds me of his life. I can't leave him in the dark. I just can't.
Speaker 3:Now I know that it gets lonely, or just praying for some love. Don't give it time, son. You'll see it in her eyes. You often daydream of thoughts unholy. Then you give enough, but hug your mama till there's just enough To see that old sunrise. I should stay. I should stay. Oh, I'll stitch my wounds and learn to love these marks along the way. I should stay. Lord, let me stay. I got too much to give. I got a love you to say. Don't wanna make my own men cry. Leave my mama screaming. Why, guess I'm in this bleeding heart Right here in my way? It ain't too far To the poor alone and suffering, thinking no one understands your blood is what I bleed.
Speaker 3:Let me hold those calloused hands. If there's one thing that you'll learn, it's that you've only got one chance. If it's strength that you need, you don't have to be a man.
Speaker 1:That was Julian Coleel with his new song Lone Guitar here on Q Country 92.5. We are on the phone right now with Julian Kalel and Isedro with Nami of El Paso. That was an amazing song, julian. All your songs bring out so much emotion, they mean so much and thank you for sharing this message with all of us.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Speaker 1:Yes, and before I let you two go and honor National Suicide Prevention Month, isidro and Julian, do you have any final message, final takeaway you would like to share with our audience here in the White Mountains of Arizona?
Speaker 2:Well, I would just like to say if you're struggling with thoughts of suicide or know someone who is, of course, please reach out. There's more strength in speaking out than staying silent. I've always said that, and organizations like Nami El Paso are here to help. My hope is that Lone Guitar reminds people that they're not alone and that there's always a reason to hold on and ask for help, and there's always a reason to stay another day thank you and you lc bro just again, my big thanks to julian.
Speaker 4:Again, these conversations are really important and so let's continue to have these conversations. Share that we're there for one another and again, like earlier, if you or someone you know is going through a mental health crisis, uh, know that you can always call 988-247.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. Thank you so much and you could support Julian's music by streaming Lone Guitar and all his other great music wherever you stream music. And thank you so much for both you being on and everything you do, and I hope to talk to you all soon. Thank you so?
Speaker 2:much, much thanks for having us on the phone.
Speaker 1:We have my best friend from show low. It is dave ramsey for boo or cool. Good morning, dave morning. Today is a national eat an extra dessert day. Boo or cool to that cool. What's your favorite dessert really? Don't have one you love cup cupcakes, ding ding-dongs and those little Debbie snacks.
Speaker 5:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:So I thought we would do Boo or Cool with desserts. Here we go, dave, deep-fried Oreos Boo or Cool, boo, really. What about just Oreos, plain Boo? Oh, you just don't like Oreos, really. No, I don't like Oreos, oh my gosh. Have you ever had one? Yeah, oh gosh, I think you're the first person I've ever met that didn't like them. What about a cronut? It's a croissant and a donut. Had a baby? Boo, oh, really. What about donuts? Just by themselves, cool. What about croissants? By themselves, cool, but together boo, totally boo, okay. How about Jell-O salad with mini marshmallows? Jell-o salad.
Speaker 2:I tell you that'd be all right Cool.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, you like Jell-O salad and you don't like Oreos. Jell-o's good, okay. Cotton candy burrito Boo Boo. Avocado chocolate mousse Boo Pick Avocado chocolate mousse. Boo. Pickled flavored ice cream Totally boo. I've never tried it, but the pickle flavor's taken the nation by storm. And how about churros like cinnamon churros, cool Heck. Yeah, that was Boo or Cool. Dessert Edition on this Eat, an Extra Dessert Day. Dave, thanks for having fun with us, hope you have a great day and I'll get you some Oreos next time. I see you Boo, see you buddy, bye, bye.
