Share The Struggle

Post-midterms can mess with your head, especially when the outcome leaves you asking a question you never thought you’d need to ask: do Americans still like America? We’re tired, we’re back on the road, and we’re not pretending the mood feels normal. From doubts about how elections are run to the whiplash of political promises versus political plans, we talk honestly about what has us disappointed, worried, and thinking hard about the future our kids grow up in.

Then we put it to the test the only way we know how: we take Loud Proud American back into the public eye for the holiday push. Selling patriotic apparel and faith-based clothing at crowded events is a real-time read on culture. We share what it’s like when strangers encourage you to keep standing for God, family, and country, and what it’s like when other people roll their eyes, mutter under their breath, or take photos just to mock. If you’ve ever wondered whether people are staying quiet about their beliefs out of fear, this one hits that nerve.

There’s also a surprisingly hopeful side. The holiday bazaar scene brings back that old retail buzz even when the “mall” itself is literally condemned, and the family side of small business life is front and center. We talk about upgrading the bus for the road, raising a kid inside the business, and the moment our daughter yells so loud she scares the Grinch and somehow ends up covered in candy cane.

If you care about patriotism, faith in public life, American small business, and what it costs to stay visible, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more Loud Proud Americans can find the show.

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Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream! 

Election night has a way of hijacking your brain. While the results flicker on the screen and the political noise finally starts to die down, we’re cooking dinner, breathing for a second, and asking a bigger question than red or blue: what are we building our lives on when the hype fades? We talk about voting as a family, bringing our daughter with us, and why gratitude for that right still matters even when the whole process feels exhausting. 

Then the conversation turns into a Turning Point Make Heaven Crowded Tour recap from Manchester, New Hampshire, and it gets personal fast. We share a powerful moment from Pastor Lucas Miles about evangelism, obedience, and a simple challenge: if God puts a name on your heart, you make the call. The story he tells about following through and what he discovered on the other end is the kind of thing you don’t forget, especially if you’ve ever hesitated to reach out, invite someone to church, or just ask “How are you really doing?” 

We also share how that assignment played out in our own lives, including a phone call driven by grief that unexpectedly became a step toward forgiveness. We close with a reminder for anyone heading into winter heaviness, seasonal depression, or spiritual drift: there is light, and you can choose to run toward the Father instead of away. If this meant something to you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream! 

Getting ambushed by political ads and celebrity opinions is one thing, but choosing where you place your attention is something else entirely. I’m talking about the difference between having an agenda shoved into your “unplug” time versus intentionally stepping into a room that lines up with your Christian faith, your values, and the kind of life you’re trying to build.

Before we get serious, I have to tell the story that still makes me laugh and cringe at the same time: the great nativity scene mix-up. What should’ve been a simple Christmas decoration purchase turned into the most awkward return conversation I’ve had in a long time, and it perfectly sets up how tense and touchy public talk can feel right now.

From there, I share why my wife and I drove to Manchester, New Hampshire for Turning Point’s Make Heaven Crowded tour, what the worship and speakers were like, and why Karoline Leavitt's message about leadership and prioritizing family hit so hard. sharing audio from Pastor Russell Johnson we break down the bigger themes that kept showing up all night: the role of churches in elections, why voting as a Christian matters to so many believers, and the idea that telling the truth in a culture built on lies can feel like a revolutionary act. It all ties back to what I stand for with Loud Proud American, faith-based apparel, and being unashamed of patriotism.

If any of this challenges you, share the episode with a friend, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, and leave a review if the show helps you. What part of your beliefs are you done hiding?

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream! 

Political season has a way of turning daily life into a constant interruption. I’m staring down the midterm elections and I’m just done with the noise: the junk mail piles, the YouTube ads every few minutes, the endless rallies, and the feeling that millions of dollars are being burned to manipulate us instead of helping the communities politicians claim to serve. So I get into what’s actually driving the anger and why so many of us feel like we’re being marketed to, not led.

Then I pitch an idea I can’t shake: what if campaign money had to produce measurable good during the campaign itself? No more buying your vote through ads and endorsements. Put the budget on the table, tie it to a cause, and let the public watch whether a candidate can execute before we hand them power. Call it a trial run, an internship, whatever you want. I just want results to matter more than slogans.

From there, I go after something that’s been ruining our escapes: politics invading entertainment. If I’m paying for a concert ticket or showing up for a game, I’m not signing up for a lecture or a power trip. I talk about why celebrity opinions don’t move me, why fans have every right to push back, and how this plays out in sports activism debates, including the WNBA and national anthem controversy. I also get into the way boycotts and consumer choices hit brands, using Nike and the “go woke go broke” conversation as a real-world example.

If you’re feeling that same burnout, hit play, share it with a friend who’s fed up, and then subscribe, leave a review, and tell me where you draw the line between politics and entertainment.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream! 

Somebody showed up at our biggest event of the year and started selling “Loud Proud American” like it was theirs. Same name, copied logo, cheaper knockoff sweatshirts and it was happening just a few roads away from our booth at the Fryeburg Fair. I break down exactly how we found out, what I said when I confronted them, and why protecting your brand isn’t just about ego, it’s about protecting your reputation when customers think the fake product is you. 

Before we even get there, I take you behind the scenes of what it really takes to survive a major fair as a small business without a storefront: towing the camper, vehicle problems, long days, and the village of friends and family who make the whole thing possible. We talk about that post event crash, the need for a factory reset, and how I deal with pressure when I’m staring at year over year numbers and feeling the weight of expectations. 

Then we hit the stuff that matters more than sales. The moments with my daughter on the golf cart, watching helicopters take off, and having a simple conversation that reminds me why I chase this life in the first place. And even with all the chaos, we still hit a massive milestone: an all time high sales year for Loud Proud American. 

If you’re building a business, grinding through a hard season, or trying to turn frustration into fuel, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
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Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream! 

A truck that’s supposed to tow the camper dies right before the Fryeburg Fair and suddenly everything is on the line: the booth, the inventory, the week’s income, and the mental stamina it takes to keep showing up. We’re recording on the fly from the Loud Proud American tour bus, talking through the real logistics of vendor life, the stress of last-minute fixes, and how one small mistake accidentally led to the best fair upgrade possible: a rented golf cart that saves our feet and our time.

The turning point comes from community. When I finally admit I need help, a devoted listener and friend, Doug Stimpson, doesn’t hesitate. He hooks up to the camper, drops his plans, and gets us to the fair safe and sound. That kind of loyalty hits deep, and it opens up a bigger conversation about pride, asking for help, and the quiet ways friends and family hold up a small business. We also unpack the pressure of a slow start, how comparing sales to past years can wreck your mood, and what it looks like to choose a better mindset in real time.

Then we do something we’ve never done before: I peer pressure my mom into joining the podcast while we’re bouncing across the fairgrounds on a freezing night. We talk honestly about what it’s like working fairs together, how we “ride the waves” when money is tight, and the little comforts that keep morale alive, from warm cookies to prayer. If you care about Made in USA products, American manufacturing, small business grit, and the messy human side of chasing a dream, hit play, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
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Loud Proud American YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYQtOt6KVURuySWYQ2GWtw

Thank you for Supporting My American Dream! 

A dead truck on the side of the road, a tractor tow in pouring rain, a heat press that will not climb past 260 degrees, and a fair deadline that does not care how tired you are. That is the reality we’re sitting in today as we prep Loud Proud American for the Freiburg Fair and try to keep production moving when the plan falls apart.

We walk you through the whole chain of events, from the first signs something is wrong with the Yukon to the hard truth that not every shop has the time or equipment to rescue you on your schedule. Along the way, we talk small business stress, event logistics, supply chain delays, and what it feels like when your to-do list becomes suffocating. If you’ve ever run a brand, worked a side hustle, or chased a goal with real financial pressure behind it, you’ll recognize this kind of day.

Then the focus shifts from problems to posture. A friend steps in with support and ideas, my family helps shoulder the load, and a message on the radio lands like it was written for this exact moment: don’t be discouraged by the distance between you and your dreams. We dig into faith, resilience, and the practical mindset moves that turn “I can’t” into “What’s my next play,” while keeping the bigger why front and center.

If this helped you breathe a little easier, subscribe, share it with someone who’s grinding right now, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What dream are you chasing that feels far away today?

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream! 

Turning 44 isn’t a punchline for me. It’s a line in the sand.

I’m looking back at the years that shaped me while looking forward with a different kind of urgency—the kind that shows up when you realize you might already be past the halfway point of your life.

That thought could make you spiral. For me, it’s turned into gratitude, faith, and a clearer picture of what actually matters when the noise fades out.

In this episode, I talk about why I matured late, why I chose to become a father later in life, and how that timing changed everything.

I share stories from birthdays past that are equal parts funny and brutal—including the kind of partying that can land you in the hospital—and then the hard contrast of what a “perfect” birthday looks like now: quiet time with my wife and little girl, cartoons, and celebrating potty training like it’s the biggest win on earth.

Because somewhere along the way, your definition of a good life changes.

We also dig into redefining success. I’m done letting success mean stuff, status, or constantly chasing the next thing. For me, it’s faith, family, and freedom—the freedom to be present, build security, and create the kind of experiences that become lifelong memories.

Along the way, I talk about grief, loss, the struggles I’ve lived through, and how those experiences gave me perspective and a deeper drive to fulfill my purpose.

If you’ve been thinking about getting older, gratitude, fatherhood, mental health, faith, or what a meaningful life actually looks like, come hang with us.

This is 44. This is the reset. And this is gratitude.

Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs to hear it, and leave a review to help more people find Share the Struggle Podcast.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
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Loud Proud American YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYQtOt6KVURuySWYQ2GWtw

Thank you for Supporting My American Dream! 

Twenty-five years can soften details or sharpen them, and for me 9/11 does both. I go back to September 11, 2001 and tell you what I still remember clearly: waking up to the TV, the fear that spread through ordinary phone calls, and the way strangers gathered in candlelight vigils and ended up singing Amazing Grace together. That memory isn’t nostalgia for its own sake. It’s a measuring stick for what unity looked like when politics didn’t matter and neighbors did. 

Before I get heavy, I also pull back the curtain on real life: preparing Loud Proud American for the Freiburg Fair, the biggest event we do. That means made in USA inventory planning, reordering graphics, stretching cash flow, and trying to make smart marketing moves without mortgaging the future. I talk about the growing pains that come with a lifestyle brand that’s expanding, and the tension of chasing big goals while still trying to be present as a husband and a first-time dad. 

Then we zoom back out to the bigger question: what happened to the patriotism and togetherness so many of us felt after 9/11, and why does the country feel more divided now than ever? I connect that to COVID as another factory reset moment, how quickly good habits die, and why homeschooling has surged as parents push back on narratives they don’t trust. I end where I think the foundation still lives: God, family, and country, plus the choice to grow through struggle instead of just going through it. 

If this hits home, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation. What’s one lesson from 9/11 or COVID you refuse to forget?

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream! 

The fair ends, the camper finally gets quiet, and that’s when the real recap starts. We’re coming off the Windsor Fair run on fumes, talking through what it’s like to bounce from location to location just to keep the podcast going and keep the business moving. We share the honest behind-the-scenes of fair season life: long days, short sleep, parenting on the road, and the weird mix of pride and pressure that comes with chasing the biggest event of the year.

We also break down why Windsor continues to hit different for us. Loyal customers don’t just buy once, they build tradition, and that kind of community support can carry a small business through slow stretches when other vendors struggle. We talk inventory problems, selling out of the best stuff, trying to restock without a “helper crew,” and the constant math of time, cash flow, and energy. Along the way, we share a few moments that made the week bigger than dollars, including camping with family, reconnecting with relatives, and the small-world connections that remind us how tight a community can be.

Then we shift into a raw, opinionated conversation about accountability, sparked by the Clancy trial and the public response around it. We dig into why consequences feel optional in modern culture, how social media fuels unchecked behavior, and why we think “mental illness” gets used as a hall pass in ways that can blur right and wrong. Whether you agree with our take or not, the central question stands: what kind of society are we building if we stop drawing hard lines around harm?

Subscribe for more real talk, share this with a friend who loves honest conversations, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
Loud Proud American TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@loud_proud_american
Loud Proud American YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYQtOt6KVURuySWYQ2GWtw

Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!