Podcast

No one likes to talk about money. The very word is a little cringy. We prefer to talk about wealth, finances, the budget. These are more palatable.

The same thing applies to the term fund-raising. People tend to tune out a little bit when it comes up in conversation. Most of us already have causes that we give to, and speaking for myself, very little left over to give to more.

Sure, I could be more generous. I could cut back on subscriptions, and eating out, and a few other things that aren’t necessary, but at the end of the day, you can’t get blood out of a turnip. That’s how I feel at least.

So it’s not something that I particularly like to do. It makes me uncomfortable.

But it’s part of my job. I don’t have a choice. Of course, you have a choice also. You can just stop listening, and I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I wouldn’t know any different.

However, if you do decide to keep listening, I can promise you that there is more to this episode than just Brandon and I talking about how we’re trying to raise another $900,000 dollars to pay for Whetstone’s expansion. There is a lot more to this topic than meets the eye.

So please join us this week, on A Time to Sharpen, as we talk about “Money.”

It’s a little ironic that has taken us 65 episodes to get this topic. You could argue it should’ve been the first one we ever recorded, because spiritual life is our top priority — the reason we do anything at Whetstone. Then again, if you’ve listened to the previous 65 episodes, you know we’ve been talking about it all along. Faith is the “why” underneath everything here, and it’s never something we want to compartmentalize.

Yes, we have the staples — regular chapel, Sunday church, Bible study built into the week. But the real work happens in the margins: in mentoring, on work days, during silent walks through God’s creation. A boys’ character is sharpened slowly through consistency and care. We try to live that old Francis of Assisi line: preach the gospel always, and use words only when necessary.

Join us this week on A Time to Sharpen as we talk what we do at Whetstone to till the soil of the heart.

Running a boys ranch means we spend a lot of time talking about manhood—but you can’t really understand boys without talking about girls.

God made us different on purpose. Not to compete but to complement. Because becoming a man isn’t just about how you carry yourself—it’s about how you treat the people God made different from you.

Join us this week on A Time to Sharpen as we talk about “Girls.”

When most of the world goes to sleep, life at Whetstone keeps rolling. The lights may be out, but the work doesn’t stop. Boys still need care. Emergencies can happen. And someone has to keep diligent watch.

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on what happens after dark at Whetstone Boys Ranch — the overnight coverage that makes 24/7 care possible. We’ll talk about what those shifts actually look like, how staff remain alert, and the unique communication challenges that come with working when everyone else is asleep.

Our guest today knows this world well. He has spent years walking the halls, comforting anxious and sometimes restless boys, keeping eyes and ears open to ensure every resident’s safety. Join us this week on A Time to Sharpen as we talk with Curtis Kazmir, the guardian angel who makes the ranch run safely all the way through and wee small hours of the morning.

Bumps, bruises, and bug bites—it’s all part of growing up in the Ozarks. Around here, ‘rub some dirt on it’ isn’t just advice, it’s practically a lifestyle. Of course, we’re also First Aid certified, so don’t worry—more serious injuries are treated with more than just duct tape.

At Whetstone, we take safety seriously. All adventures come with precautions and protocols. In the woodshop and on the landscaping crew, it’s eye protection, ear protection, boots, and gloves. Out on the trail or in the cold, it’s the right shoes, the right socks, the right hats—because there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.

Join us this week on A Time to Sharpen as we talk about what it really means to grow tougher, wiser, and even a little safer along the way.

It’s not everyday that a former student of yours says that he’s been accepted to Harvard Law School - or every year...or every lifetime! But recently, Whetstone was honored by the news that one of its graduates has done just that.

Join us this week on A Time to Sharpen for an in-depth discussion with our friend and colleague, Kiernan the Wise. That’s not his actual name, but after listening to this podcast, I think you’ll agree that the moniker fits.

By God’s grace, Kiernan was able to turn things around during his 6 and a half months at Whetstone and get going in the right direction. And while this is a feat all by itself, he was able to keep things going far past the point that most people would think possible. It’s an inspiring story, and every bit of the 90 minute conversation is true. So get comfortable, or start folding that laundry so that you can focus your attention on what he has to say.

Sleep is the secret weapon most of us are too tired to use. We hustle, grind, and caffeinate our way through exhaustion, ignoring the one thing our minds and bodies need most.

In this episode of A Time to Sharpen, we explore why sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. From better mood and focus to healing trauma and building resilience, quality sleep plays a vital role in personal growth, especially for the boys at Whetstone.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or just running on fumes, this conversation will remind you: rest isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.