Grief, Grit & Good Laughs: Honoring Firefighter Glenn Collins, Community Kindness & “Hot Flash or Pass” with Crickette Gill

When a small town hurts, it doesn’t go quiet—it comes together. We begin today’s Morning Brew with a heartfelt tribute to Firefighter EMT Glenn Collins, the Timber Mesa first responder tragically lost in a Friday collision. We share details for those wanting to honor him and reflect on the strength that keeps this community standing tall.

From there, the show turns toward hope and connection. Maria from the Salvation Army joins us to talk about their Trunk-or-Treat for Special Needs Children and Families, a free, sensory-friendly event with candy alternatives, stuffed animals, games, and smiles—October 9th at Arizona Mountain Coffee Company.

We check in with Jineane Ford, who updates us on her recovery journey and reminds us what courage looks like in rural healthcare. Then, Chris shares his latest night golf adventure—complete with a charity cause and one surprisingly lucky shot.

Laughter returns with comedian Crickette Gill, who’s back for our Best of Phoenix Comedy Showcase on November 1 at the Show Low Elks Lodge. We talk about her last visit, her crowd favorites, and play the hilarious new game “Hot Flash or Pass.”

Finally, Paul from Beaumont, Texas calls in with a pep talk fit for National Coaches Day, an update on life as a manager, and a win in “Are You Smarter Than a Redneck?” complete with country music trivia.

It’s a full hour of heart, humor, and hometown spirit—honoring our heroes, lifting up good people, and laughing through life together.
🎧 Tune in, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave us a quick review so more neighbors can find the show.

Transcript

Honoring Firefighter Glenn Collins

SPEAKER_02 0:00

From the Horn Auto Center Studios, Chris Bennett and the Morning Brew. Alright, best friends. Before we get into the normal fun and laughter we have, I want to take a moment to acknowledge some more heartbreaking news in our community. I'm sure a lot of you have already heard about the horrible news that happened Friday. Our Timber Mesa Fire Medical District family has suffered yet another uh unimaginable loss. Firefighter EMT Glenn Collins, just 46 years old, uh passed away last week. And uh today, Timber Mesa and first responders from all over the area will make the solemn journey to excess escort Glenn to Flagstaff and the bring him uh home later today. If you'd like to show your support, our community's invited to line the streets along the Deuce of Clubs and White Mount Road to honor Glenn and pay your respects as he makes his final journey home. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Timber Mesa Fire Department. And uh, we love you so much and everything you do for the community. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I'm so sorry uh to Glenn Collins and his family. Our thoughts and prayers go go out to you. The escort, uh the escort to Flagstaff is departing Solo today at 9 a.m. And they'll be departing Flagstaff and returning uh back to Sholow at 2 p.m. Community members are encouraged to gather safely along the Dousa Clubs and Whitemoun Road to pay their respects and welcome Glenn home. It'll probably be around 3:30 to our thoughts and prayers go out to to Glenn, his family, and the Timber Mesa Fire Department. We love you.

Country Music News Minute

SPEAKER_02 1:32

It is now time for Chris's country music news minute. Here we go. Uh first up, Jason Aldean traded in his tour bus for a cash register. What are you talking about, Chris? Yep, the country superstar was spotted working the checkout at his kids' elementary school book fair in Columbia, Tennessee. His wife Brittany shared a photo of Jason Manning, the scanner with the caption, not me signing us up to work for the book fair. Fans loved it, calling it proof that even one of the country's biggest star is a dad first and a rock star second. Uh now that's what we call checking out with style. Uh meanwhile, in uh on Broadway in Nashville, John Bon Jovi is selling his massive Nashville bar just over a year after it opened, and the price tag, a cool $130 million. Cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching. Uh the bar uh features five floors, eight bars, three stages, and a mechanical bowl. Because of course, well, it's Nashville. You can't have a bar without a mechanical bowl. And uh Bon Jovi opened it in 2024, but it's already on the market with a 20-year lease back deal, making it one of the biggest sales on Lower Broadway in years. No word yet on who might buy it, but we're guessing there'll be more than a few number one hits to afford it. Uh, that's your country news minute with Chris Bennett.

Special Needs Trunk-or-Treat Preview

SPEAKER_02 3:01

I'm excited to have a guest in studio for a quick segment. We have Maria with the Salvation Army. And Maria, you guys have a uh fun event coming up for the Salvation Army along with uh Waffed Bank and Arizona Mountain Coffee Company on October 19th. Tell us what's going on.

SPEAKER_00 3:18

Yeah, it's an amazing event. It's one of my favorite all-time events. Um, this is our third year doing the Special Needs Trunker Treat. It's on a Sunday, middle of the day, totally not scary or anything like that. Um it's we put together this trunk or treat in the parking lot on a Sunday because it's the safest place. But it's a great time for um anybody with special needs, their families to come out, enjoy music, enjoy food, enjoy get a bunch of candy. We'll have sensory toys and stuffed animals and stuff out there for those that can't have the candy. And it's just an amazing time.

SPEAKER_02 3:56

And the event is how much?

SPEAKER_00 3:58

It's free.

SPEAKER_02 3:59

Woo! I like that. Free. There's fun, candy, face painting, DJ, free hot dogs, and uh, this is your third annual trunk or treat event for uh uh children with special needs.

SPEAKER_00 4:13

Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_02 4:14

And with their age limit and their families.

SPEAKER_00 4:16

Yep, nope, there's no age limit.

SPEAKER_02 4:18

No age limit. Come on out, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 19th at the Arizona Mountain Coffee Company uh for the Salvation Army's trunk or treat for the special needs and their families. Thank you so much, Maria, for everything you and the Salvation Army do here in the White Mountains. And uh I can't wait to hear how amazing this event went.

SPEAKER_00 4:38

You're welcome and thank you. And come on out and join us.

SPEAKER_02 4:42

Join us, mark your calendars October 19th, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arizona Mountain Coffee, 151 North White Mountain Road in Sholo, Arizona.

SPEAKER_01 4:51

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 4:52

Janine, you over there?

SPEAKER_01 4:53

Yes, I am. Hi, Chris.

SPEAKER_02 4:55

Oh my gosh, Janine, it is so good to have you back.

SPEAKER_01 4:59

Yes, I had a I had a little shocker uh,

Janine’s Recovery and Rural Care Gaps

SPEAKER_01 5:03

you know, I was kicked by the horse. Everybody knows I was Aravaked down. It was a big deal. This has been quite the quite the thing. So that was uh two months ago in the the big wound on my calf, the big thing. They had to go in and um, you know, really, really do another little surgery on it. I went down there to have it checked and she said, ah, we're gonna go ahead and take care of this. And so they admitted me, and basically I was in the hospital, and so yeah, but now I'm doing good back up here with a little portable, lovely wound vacuum I get to carry around. And yeah, this is it's been a fun long thing, but it's gonna it's getting better. It's getting better, Chris. Good. It's gonna take a little time, but yeah.

SPEAKER_02 5:41

Yeah, this has been quite the journey. But I'll tell you what, I am like uh I I am amazed by watching you. You've handled it so well. I'd be crying all the time. I wouldn't, but you're you're you're a true cowgirl. You're gonna you're gonna get you're gonna get back on the horse once this is all healed up.

SPEAKER_01 5:56

Yes, I want this done, yes. And and the hard part, I would have been back up here, but we are, and one thing we have to remember, and this is something I am have to do in my iTalk too, we're a little bit of an underserved area, and it's hard to get the some of the same stuff done up here. Um, I know uh Summit is ho shorthanded. They have a they have like a wound center and a barrier b uh uh the with the with those big hyperbaric chambers and a wound center, but they uh can't get you in. They're they're like overloaded. They said no, we have no appointments for like two weeks. So I had to stay down to have the wound changes for a whole week. So that's the hard part. But I know a lot of people face that up here, and we, you know, we'll slowly get better and get, you know, not be because we are underserved up here. That's a hard thing, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 6:38

Well, I'm I'm so glad uh you're healing up and you're not walking on your crutches, and it's good to have you back because I was lonely last week.

SPEAKER_01 6:46

Oh, are you lonely? You missed me. Good, good. Well, and I'll tell you what, um, yeah, you you've stayed, you've stayed really busy, and I like I like hearing about your night golf escapades there, yeah?

SPEAKER_02 6:56

Yeah, so the Navajo County Family Advocacy Center had their annual golf tournament, and uh I was a guest of Horn Auto Center, and this year they did night golf over there at the uh Snowflake Country Club, the Snowflake Golf Course. And I'm horrible at golf, Janine. Yeah, but I am amazing at night golf. Really? Yeah, I think the fact that you can't see anything, and so you can't really get in your head and you just focus on the ball. But on uh hole three on the West Nine, uh, we were about 60 yards. Well, my friends say 45 yards out. I'm gonna say 80 yards out. I chipped one in, Janine. Ooh. From well, fo we'll say 45 yards out. But holy moly, it was the coolest thing. So shout out to the Navajo County Family Advocacy Center and their night golf event. And uh, they're just a great uh organization and it was a fun event.

SPEAKER_01 7:47

Yeah, very cool. So night golf, very i I I didn't think about that that you'd focus more on keeping your head on the ball, looking at the ball. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 7:53

There's literally nothing to look at except for the ball. So there you go. I think uh I found the key to golf. Just

Night Golf, Community Events, and Joy

SPEAKER_02 8:01

close your eyes.

SPEAKER_01 8:02

Perfect.

SPEAKER_02 8:02

All right, Janine, it's Monday morning. It's time to get motivated with it. You ready for our motivational quotes? Okay.

SPEAKER_01 8:09

I am.

SPEAKER_02 8:10

All right. Uh, this is from Bob Riley says hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times that the hero within us is revealed. Uh Marianne Rodmacher says, courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it's the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow. Do you like that one?

SPEAKER_01 8:31

I like that too, yes.

SPEAKER_02 8:32

Uh Dr. Robert Schuler says tough times never last, but tough people do. Uh and uh let's see, Brene Brown said sometimes you don't feel brave, but showing up anyway is what courage looks like. And last one, this is from Unknown. You were given this mountain to show others it can be moved.

SPEAKER_01 8:53

Nice. I like all of these. These are good ones today. What happened to you? I'm just I know. Well it's good. I like all of these. I think we could go with number two, though.

SPEAKER_02 9:04

Number two. Uh, courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it's the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow. And we should always try again tomorrow. No matter how good or bad the day before is, we should always try again and uh be better, right?

SPEAKER_01 9:19

Yes, yes, that quiet little voice, kind of like the Holy Spirit, right? That's right. There we go. All right.

SPEAKER_02 9:24

Heck yeah, we are motivated and ready to start the week. We love you best. Have a great day, Chris.

SPEAKER_01 9:30

Okay, bye-bye.

SPEAKER_02 9:31

Good morning. It's the morning brew with Chris. Who's this?

SPEAKER_01 9:34

Hey, this is Cricket.

SPEAKER_02 9:37

I knew it, my best friend Cricket Gill. Uh, she was

Monday Motivation: Quiet Courage

SPEAKER_02 9:41

on my birthday bash comedy show at the Elk S Lodge back in July. Everyone loved her, and uh, you loved the crowds up here, right?

SPEAKER_03 9:50

Oh, yeah, it was so much fun. Yeah, yeah. So much fun.

SPEAKER_02 9:53

Uh, you've been doing comedy for a while, and people don't understand,

Comedian Cricket Gill Returns

SPEAKER_02 9:57

you know, how hard comedy is, and we do a lot of shows that, you know, are less than glamorous, you know. Uh yeah. And so then when you get like these good shows, they make everything worth it. And it's a a lot of fun. What what did you think about our shows and our audiences?

SPEAKER_03 10:15

I was, I mean, you had given me like a really like like concerning warning. So I was like, oh no, you know, I don't know what a what did you say? A conservative conservative redneck. I was like, I don't know what that is.

SPEAKER_02 10:30

Just no no politics is what I mean.

SPEAKER_03 10:33

Okay, yeah, well, which was easy for me, but I didn't know what that was, so that kind of I was apprehensive at first. And then, you know, I sent you a black and white photo, so I was like, oh, I don't know if they know what they're getting. I was like, this was kind of weird. But it it was it was just the best time. Everyone was so nice, and it was so much and everyone came to laugh. That's what I really appreciate the most about it is people that come to the shows open-minded and prepare to laugh, and you can just have so much fun, and that's exactly what happened. We had so much fun. Somebody flipped me like a hundred dollars like after the show, like as a tip. Yeah, as a tip. And I was like, oh my god, I got a hundred dollars.

SPEAKER_02 11:14

Yeah, our crowds up here are amazing, and I'm so excited because uh we're bringing you back up November 1st. We uh are doing a show at Sholo Elk's Lodge. You have been there, that's where we did the birthday uh bash, and it's gonna be the best of Phoenix stand-up comedy showcase with Zach Allen, Tony B, sorry Beliac, and of course, Cricket Gill, who you saw at my birthday bash. And she was also uh won the funniest person in the valley uh comedy contest in 2024. And I think you won the stir crazy contest too, right? Oh no, mm-hmm, just the one, just the one. Oh, just the just the one, but she is so funny. If you missed her at our last show, do yourself a favor and don't miss her again. Tickets have officially gone on sale. Uh VIP reserve seating always go first, those are $30, and general mission tickets are $20. It is a 21 and over show. Doors, Alberto's food truck, and the bar open up at five, and we're gonna start this show a little early at 6 30 p.m. Get your tickets at Chris Bennettcomedy.com.

Hot Flash or Pass: Comedy Game

SPEAKER_02 12:16

Before we let you go, Cricket, at uh your last show you did up here at the Elks Lodge, you talked about how you get some hot flashes. Is that right? That's correct. Yeah, you're going through the big change. Yeah. And every time you get up on stage, you get a little hot flash.

SPEAKER_03 12:37

Every yeah, every if that's what you want to call it, it's more like a a tsunami flash. I don't know, it's like really hot. Really, really hot. Really hot. Well, before the Phoenix Flash.

SPEAKER_02 12:48

The Phoenix Flash. Well, before I let you go, I came up with a game called Hot Flash or Pass. And I'm I'm gonna give you a prompt and you tell me if that's something that gets you fired up. Hot flash or something you don't want anything to do, you'll pass. Ready?

SPEAKER_03 13:03

Oh my goodness, okay.

SPEAKER_02 13:05

Pumpkin spice, everything in October.

SPEAKER_03 13:07

Oh, pass. Absolutely pass like zoom right past that. Like run past it, you know. No, absolutely not. Shoot past it, zoom past it, launch me past it.

SPEAKER_02 13:19

All right, what about dating apps for people over 40?

SPEAKER_03 13:25

Pass.

SPEAKER_02 13:26

Okay, there we go. Two passes. I'm cranky. When someone says, Oh, cricket, you don't look your age. Ooh, hot flash. Hot flash that's the way to do it. What what about men who try to mansplain menopause?

SPEAKER_03 13:48

That's hilarious! I wish you could. I will take a mansplain about menopause any day if you get it right. You know? Help me.

SPEAKER_02 14:10

That was Hot Flash or Pass with Cricket Gill, one of our featured comedians on the Best of Phoenix stand-up comedy showcase happening Saturday, November 1st at 6 30 p.m. at the Show Low Elks Lodge. Joining her is Zach Allen, Tony B. Sorry Beliac, and I'll be hosting the evening. VIP $30, General Mission $20. Get your tickets at Chris Bennett Comedy.com. Thanks for having fun with us today, Cricket, and I can't wait to see you November 1st.

SPEAKER_03 14:37

I wanted I wanted to tell you real quick when you said what the worst thing that ever happened to you was his pants split on on stage. Uh huh. Mine liter I just literally had that happen yesterday.

SPEAKER_02 14:47

Oh and it's the that's the cool thing about being a comedian because now if if you and I were doctors or you and I were teachers and our pants split, that would be embarrassing. But as comedians, it's basically uh a gift from the comedy gods that we now have something new to talk about.

SPEAKER_03 15:05

Exactly, because that's the first thing I said when I got on stage was oh, my pants are ripped, so just in case you see something. I'm aware.

SPEAKER_02 15:15

You don't go commando, do you? Uh well. Oh gosh! Now that's dangerous.

SPEAKER_03 15:21

I wear underwear, so that's not Yeah, I'm I'm gonna start wearing, I'm gonna go buy something. Yeah, okay. Alright.

SPEAKER_02 15:30

Oh, you're the best. Thank you so much, best friend.

SPEAKER_03 15:32

See you soon.

SPEAKER_02 15:33

All right, bye.

Paul from Beaumont Checks In

SPEAKER_02 15:34

Bye.

SPEAKER_03 15:34

Woo!

SPEAKER_04 15:35

That's Bob Longe! Cup Beaumont says so! Yay, yay! Yay, yay!

SPEAKER_02 15:40

Holy moly, it's everyone's favorite redneck from Beaumont, Texas. It's Paul from Beaumont. Uh, how was your weekend? Give us a little update. We haven't been talking to you daily.

SPEAKER_04 15:51

I know, man. It's been rough, man, being a manager and all that.

SPEAKER_02 15:55

Yeah, he is it's now manager Paul. Not Paul from Beaumont, it's manager Paul. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 16:00

Yeah, yeah. It was good, man. Just uh uh went soccer game Saturday, then uh what we did yesterday with the gunk puck because the other two grand, well, they was in some 4-8 skeet sheet and things, so I went out and watched them for a little while. Oh no, man, just just chill chill weekend.

SPEAKER_02 16:22

Nice. Uh today is National Coaches Day. And so your daughter or your granddaughter had uh soccer. How old are they?

SPEAKER_04 16:29

Uh 10 and once it's gonna be 13.

SPEAKER_02 16:33

Okay, nice. So uh did they win or lose? Uh they won. Oh, nice.

SPEAKER_04 16:37

They won.

SPEAKER_02 16:38

Uh for National Coaches Day. Why don't uh you show us what a uh

Country Trivia: Are You Smarter?

SPEAKER_02 16:42

a pep talk from Coach Paul from Beaumont uh would look like to a team of 10-year-old uh girl soccer players?

SPEAKER_04 16:49

Okay. Hey, look, girls, we're gonna go out here. We're gonna play soccer, we're gonna have fun, but we're not gonna be losers. Because losers don't get trophies. Okay? Go out here and you're gonna totally annihilate these people. Okay? You gotta throw an elbow, throw an elbow. Let's just get it done. Okay, all in on all in.

unknown 17:09

One, two, three, show!

SPEAKER_02 17:12

A good pep talk. I don't know if I agree with the extra elbow thing, but uh, I am pumped up and ready to go. Uh, you ready to find out if you're smarter than a handsome radio DJ? Let's do it. It is now time for Are You Smarter Than a Redneck with Paul from Beaumont. Today we're doing country music trivia. And Paul, no multiple choice today. How are you feeling?

SPEAKER_04 17:34

I'm feeling like a winner.

SPEAKER_02 17:36

I thought you were gonna say you feel like a woman. No, he feels like a winner. All right, if you know, if you know your answer, uh say your name. That's your buzzer. First one to three correct answers. Who originally recorded Trouble? T-R-O-B-L-E, Chris, Travis Tripp. No, gosh dang it. Oh no, do you know who it is? I'll give you a uh hint. He's uh I don't think of him as a country artist, and uh when he was on the Ed Sullivan show and they wouldn't show his hips.

SPEAKER_04 18:06

Oh, yeah. Yeah, baby. There's Ed Elvis guy.

SPEAKER_02 18:09

Yeah, Elvis. Oh my gosh, I had no idea.

SPEAKER_04 18:13

Uh that sounds like something Elvis would say.

SPEAKER_02 18:19

All right. How uh next question. Which famous country music singer was inducted into the grand old Opry in 1986? Chris, I'm gonna say Hank Williams. No. Mm-mm. One of my favorite, uh, one of my favorite female artists. Um, not in 1986, no. Uh we're talking someone who's pretty fancy.

SPEAKER_04 18:45

Oh, Raiva. Raiva, baby.

SPEAKER_02 18:47

I'm basically I'm like the uh I'm like the Cardinals yesterday. I'm basically handing you the win. All right. Oh, y'all law. Y'all law? Oh, did you not know that? No, I didn't know that. Oh, yeah. We we were up 21 to 3 in the fourth quarter and uh lost in the most cardinal way ever. Alright, last question. If you get it right, you win. What country singer's father was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies? Oh, Paul, Paul. Paul, go ahead. That is Tim McGraw. That is Tim McGraw, buddy. He is smarter than a redneck. Congratulations. Or you are a redneck, you're smarter than a handsome radio DJ. We love you, Paul. How's the weight loss journey? Hey, dude, I'm down on down 30 pounds, bro. Heck yeah, winner winner, chicken dinner. Congratulations, best friend. We love you, and we'll talk to you tomorrow. Alrighty. Y'all have a great day. Bye.