Thee Uncommon Podcast: Recent Episodes
Phillip Ramsey & Ryan Garvey
Thee Uncommon Podcast celebrates men and women who are walking their uncommon path in life. They are individuals who are thriving in their roles as spouses, parents, and friends. They are high performers in their vocations, as well as in their health and fitness. They practice radical stewardship and generosity with their time, talents, and finances. They strive to glorify God in all their endeavors.
This podcast is a platform for these amazing individuals to share their stories, and to encourage and inspire YOU to take action and walk your own uncommon path! Thee Uncommon is a community - a movement - of men and women who pursue lives of accountability, authenticity, and impact!
What does legacy mean to you? Is it an inheritance to your children?
Is it a business that is succeeded after you leave?
Or is your legacy defined by the values and vision you impart to your loved ones?
However you define legacy, you must take it upon yourself to see that your legacy is preserved. But how do you go about this?
On today's episode we look at the Legacy Letter. This letter is designed for you to reflect on and share you life experience, as well as impart your insights and wisdom, hopes and dreams to your loved ones.
In this episode you will learn about:
- the purpose and power of the legacy letter
- tips on how to effectively craft your letter
- how to determine who you write letters to, and when to give them their letters
Download our FREE Legacy Letter template and get started with preserving your legacy today! Legacy Letter Template
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What do you do when you discover that the path you're on isn't leading to the Uncommon life you desire? You create a new path.
Such was the case for our guest today, Kyle Depiesse. Several years back Kyle had essentially achieved the American dream: a secure job with benefits and generous salary. And yet, he found himself frustrated, unfulfilled, a corporate burnout, and seriously reassessing his definition of success.
He knew there had to be more.
To compound matters, he and his wife had just welcomed the birth of their son, and Kyle had no interest in missing out on his son growing up while he commuted 2 hours round trip to his 9-5.
So he and his wife decided he would get a promotion unlike the many he'd received to date. He was promoted to stay at home dad. He was able to be present as a father, focus on his own well being, and revisit an idea that wouldn't leave him alone.
Guy's Trip was born out of Kyle's realization of his own personal need for community and adventure as an avenue for clarity and growth as a man. He enjoyed traveling, and he understood the benefit of doing hard things as a way to foster creativity and resourcefulness.
So he kicked off this new adventure by inviting a group to a cabin in northern Minnesota back in 2020. There's been golfing and NASCAR pit stops, fly fishing, wake surfing, dog sledding, and much more. And through the fun and challenging moments, men have opened up and shared honestly about their lives: their dreams, struggles, aspirations, challenges, etc. and experienced real growth! As Kyle puts it, "You give men what they think they want, in order to give them what they truly need."
It truly was a joy to speak with Kyle on everything from marriage & communication, to fatherhood and rites of passage, to the role of faith in creating true community, and much more!
You can learn more about Kyle and what makes him Uncommon by following him on instagram
Also check out https://www.guystrip.co/ to learn more about his mission and upcoming trips
You can also read Kyle's book
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Stay Uncommon!
What comes to mind when you hear the word "solitude"? Maybe it's loneliness. Maybe boredom.
Maybe you think of prison and solitary confinement. Psychological torture?
What about peace? Clarity? Contentment? Gratitude?
Depending on one's approach and mindset going in, the experience can be largely positive or negative.
For starters, we can define solitude as a state of peaceful aloneness or voluntary isolation that offers prolonged self-reflection in the absence of distraction or disturbance.
In this episode, Ryan shares his thoughts & reflections after spending 24 continuous hours in dark & silent solitude. He share his experience of removing all sight and sound, and the clarity and gratitude - and yes, boredom - he felt in that time.
Solitude is an ancient practice that possesses many health and spiritual benefits. And it's a discipline that anyone can add to their lives in order to clear their minds, practice productive pause, and get clear on their values and vision for life.
What might your practice of solitude look like? You can start today!
You don't have to be in complete dark or silence. Just take some time to be by yourself and with your Creator, and listen.
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How do we create an Uncommon life? An Uncommon life results from the compounded effect of living Uncommon years. So how do we design an Uncommon year?
In this episode we explore 3 "ingredients" to an Uncommon year:
- 1 misogi challenge
- 6 mini adventures
- 1 quarterly habit for success
We look at how the misogi challenge will help you set the tone for your year as you achieve a seemingly insurmountable challenge and experience transformation. From there you will purposefully plan 6 mini adventures throughout your year. Think of these as smaller vacations or experiences that you've never had before. They can be individual or as a couple or family.
You will also identify and implement 1 positive habit each quarter (4 total). Think about the state of your physical, mental or emotional health, opportunities for growth, and identify what discipline(s) will help you take these areas to the next level. You can also implement habits around your finances, faith, relationships, leadership, etc.... whatever excites/inspires you!
Don't just listen to this episode and move on with your life... take action! ...
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Stay Uncommon!
What are you modeling to those around you? Who are you a role model to? Your spouse, kids, co-workers, friends, strangers?
And who is a role model to you - whether consciously or subconsciously?
These are just some of the questions we consider on this episode where we sat down with our good friend James Sanigular. James is an entrepreneur with a background in sales, advertising, public speaking, modeling and more. He currently serves as the Dir of Sales at Ayo Foods, a family owned producer of delicious West African frozen foods and sauces, "making stomachs and Aunties happy!"
James was kind enough to bring us some authentic west African food, which we eat at the top of the show (apologies for any chewing/coughing sounds).
We talk about family life, how to model joy in marriage and parenting - even taking time to intentionally celebrate milestones and seasons of life as a family.
We also talk about the importance of community, and the necessity as men to have a group of men to hold us accountable and encourage us on our Uncommon journeys.
We also talk through what it looks like to cast Victorious Vision in our personal lives, with our spouse, as a family and in our careers.
You can follow James instagram and connect with him on LinkedIn
You can find Ayo Foods at your local Sprouts, CostCo, Wal Mart, and any of other participating locations. Follow them on Instagram
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Does God laugh at our plans? It's been said, "If you wanna make God laugh, tell Him your plans!" ;D
But does God's word reveal about His sovereignty and perspective of our human plans?
Proverbs 19:21 tells us that, Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's will that prevails...
Some other passages that speak to this include:
- Psalm 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him
- Psalm 115:3 Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases
James chapter 4 offers a somber warning to the man who would make plans to spend a year in a city working to make a sum of money. That passage reminds us of the reality that we are finite beings, not even promised tomorrow. It asks us a sobering question:
What is your life? Is my life even mine? Or rather, if I've placed my faith in Christ, is the reality that I am not my own; I've been bought at a price (1 Cor 6:19). So if I've placed my faith in Jesus, the result is that I no longer live for self, but for Him, and I willingly and joyfully submit to His lordship.
While on paper this can sound like a loss of freedom, our submission is actually liberating! Paul referred to himself as a bondservant, or one who is bound in willful service to their master.
On our Uncommon journey, may we our walk be done in Fervent Faith in our perfect Master who protects us, guides us, and provides for all of our needs. As as we pursue our dreams and goals, may we joyfully submit them to God who's will is perfect for our lives, and will establish His perfect plans for us!
As always, thanks for listening and please follow, rate, review and share our show!
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What does it mean to see others as Christ sees them? It starts with an understanding that all people - regardless of their ethnic, political or socioeconomic backgrounds - are created in the image of God (Gen 1:27); and as such, are endowed with inherent dignity and worth.
We are then able to look past our differences and celebrate our union in Christ. Because Jesus gave of Himself on the cross, He has destroyed all barriers and overcome all hostility, reconciling man to God, and man to man.
In this episode, Ryan & Anderson discuss this good news, and explore how the power of the gospel shines the light of hope into the most pressing issues of our day. In our efforts to assist those who are struggling - whether with poverty, illness, or disadvantages of all kinds - we can first acknowledge our own brokenness and redemption in Christ, and then affirm others in their God-given gifts, abilities, and worth!
The question for us to ask God is, "Lord, what would you have me do?" How can we seek to serve those less fortunate and/or marginalized, while also realizing we have much to learn from them? By God's grace and wisdom we can!
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As always, thanks for listening and please follow, rate, review and share our show!
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How do you create victorious vision as a family? Creating victorious vision requires an understanding of your core values. Once you (and your spouse) are clear on your values, you can effectively cast vision to your family, and work together to design your compelling future! If you've never discovered your Core Values before, you can download our awesome worksheet here: Discover Your Core Values worksheet
One of the most Uncommon tools at your disposal is the Family Vision Board. No, we're not talking manifesting yachts & Maseratis. What we're talking about is creating a prominent display of your family's mission, vision, and goals for the year!
What are some items to include on your Vision Board?
- Your family values & mission statement
- Your Word of the Year
- Memory verse of the month
- Celebrate a family member (weekly or bi-weekly)
- The experiences and memories you want to share for the year.
You can categorize these experiences into: (1) Boulders - BIG trips and experiences you do once in a while; (2) Rocks - medium sized experiences every month or so;
and (3) Pebbles - the small weekly and daily experiences you want to share like going to the pool or reading together.
So why should you make a family vision board? Doing so will have numerous benefits like:
- creating unified vision in your marriage and family
- empowering your children by involving them in family decisions
- ensuring accountability to the plans & commitments you make as a family
- filling your year with intentional & memorable experiences & life-long memories
...and more! So don't delay, get started today, and create Victorious Vision the Uncommon way!
As always, thanks for listening and please follow, rate, review and share our show!
Learn more about our mission and offerings at theeuncommon.com
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Stay Uncommon
What words or pictures come to mind when you hear the word "invest"?
Retirement?
Sacrifice?
Risky?
Delayed gratification?
One important aspect of investing that's too often overlooked is Values.
What are your core values - the nonnegotiable things in life that bring you the most joy & fulfillment?
We all have things in life that we say are important to us, whether travel, philanthropy, health/fitness, the latest toys, or making family memories. Yet too often there's a disconnect between what we say we value, and how we invest our money.
Show me your wallet and I'll show you your values.
Money don't lie, folks.
If you say you value travel, and yet you save very little towards taking trips, then travel either isn't truly a value, or you need to reallocate your money.
Most people fail to invest in their values because they don't even know what their values are?
That's why we believe in making a Top 10 List of the values that bring you the most joy & fulfillment. You can download our PDF to create your own list by clicking the link:
Your Money & Your Values
By aligning your money habits with your values, you will be well on your way to living a truly wealthy life, marked by deep relationships, memorable experiences, and worthwhile pursuits!
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As always, thanks for listening and please follow, rate, review and share our show!
Learn more about our mission and offerings at theeuncommon.com
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"Every morning we have 2 choices: 1) keep sleeping with our dreams or 2) Get up and chase them!" That's a quote from my guest, Mike Rice. Mike works as an IT Staffing Executive with Golden Technology and has over 20 years of consulting experience. He’s also very active with non-profit work and serves on the board of an awesome charity called Single Parent Provision. Mike is a husband, father - and most importantly a follower of Jesus Christ.
In this episode we discuss everything from Mike's testimony, to his work and how he views the workplace as his mission field to impact souls for the Kingdom. We also touch on the disciplines he's put in place to maintain his overall health and thereby show up best as a husband, father, and more.
Mike shares about a realization he had in his marriage in that while he was loving his wife well, he was convicted that he wasn't pursuing her well. And this realization prompted him to create what he refers to as Beth's Strategic Plan. Mike uses this plan to document important things about his wife including her interests, love languages, and more in an effort to stay curious and appreciative about how she's changing. It's a really cool idea and something we all should do for our wives!
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How do you respond to unforeseen change in your life? Do you panic? Do you curse your misfortune? Do you shrug and smile?
If you follow Jesus, how should you respond to change? It's natural for us to view change as an inconvenience or even a threat to our well being. But what if we viewed change as a chance to place greater faith in God, die to ourselves, and receive new opportunities and blessings from our God who loves us?
In his groundbreaking book, Who Moved My Cheese? author Spencer Johnson tells a fable of 4 characters who live in a maze and love cheese. But one day, their endless supply of cheese vanishes! While 2 of the characters immediately set off into the unfamiliar maze in search of new cheese, the other 2 characters waste ample time complaining and feeling sorry for themselves. Rather than ask important questions like, "Why did the cheese vanish?" or "How can we discover new cheese?" they demand to know who moved their cheese.
What do you desire most in life? This is an important question for us to regularly reflect on. Is it an improved relationship? A new or "better" job? Better health? More money, popularity, happiness? And what do you believe is standing in your way of having your desires fulfilled?
The temptation is for us to look externally and blame others or our circumstances for our desires not being met. One truth remains: change is inevitable. The quicker we can come to terms with change and adapt, the more satisfaction we will have in life.
As you walk your own Uncommon path, make sure you anticipate, monitor, adapt to change - and change yourself! And you will end up enjoying change, because it keeps your sharp and produces growth!
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How should you respond when your spouse shares their most audacious dreams with you? What are the typical responses? Skepticism. Amusement. Fear...
What about whole hearted support?
To be sure, there are necessary questions to be asked, and a certain level of pragmatism to be exercised. But what if we leaned into supporting and encouraging our partner to shoot for the stars, to blaze their own Uncommon path?
What if one of the best ways for us to love our spouses is to fully support and invest in their dreams?
That was my conversation with Tyler and Tallis Strub. They are a couple who is walking their own Uncommon path in their marriage, as parents, in their work, and in casting victorious vision for their future!
In this episode you will hear:
- their story of how they got together as high school sweet hearts, fell in love and got married (awwww)
- how Tallis took the former Des Moines Ballroom, breathed new life into it and made it the success it is today. Check out their classes here: desmoinesballroom.com
- how Tallis started her own podcast, When We Arise, which empowers women to enter into God's presence through dance. You can listen here: https://www.whenwearise.com/
- and how as a couple, Tyler and Tallis encourage and speak life into each other's dreams, while casting unified vision for their family legacy
They also share their 1 word they believe best describes the other person - you'll wanna hear that!
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What do you want your legacy to look like? What is the legacy you're creating today?
It might be best to start with your definition of "legacy." Is the inheritance you leave behind to loved ones? Maybe it's starting a business, organization or charity that will endure beyond your living years. Maybe it's "ever green" content or art you create.
When considering legacy it helps to think about the enduring impact you will leave with your life.
And a major aspect of impact is relationships. What legacy will you leave as a spouse, a parent, a son or daughter, a friend, a boss or employee, etc.?
In this episode I talk about just that with my guest Josh Terrell. Josh is a coach, a servant leader in his church and community, a husband, father, friend - and most importantly: a follow of Jesus.
We get into Josh's background, both personally and vocationally, and look at the people who had a positive impact on him along the way. Today Josh is striving to have a similar positive impact on those he leads in his business, his home, and his community.
We talk about the importance of stewardship - how to effectively manage the resources and relationships God has blessed us with. We also consider the question of "Who am I impacting on a daily basis?" and "How will my impact leave a legacy for generations to come?"
In our day to day grind, it can be difficult to see how we are having a positive lasting impact on our co-workers, kids or neighbors. But the reality is that we can't even fathom the impact we can have on someone over the course of a lifetime - it's tremendous!
So may we view each day as an opportunity to have a positive impact - even a smile or a kind word - and know that that impact can compound over time to create a life legacy!
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What does it look like to live a resilient life? Can resiliency only be gained through the gauntlet of unrelenting trials? Or, can resiliency be learned and cultivated by intentionally doing hard things?
In this episode, Ryan sits speaks with Jonathan York with Resilient Man Project.
Jonathan shares his story of overcoming addiction and cultivating resiliency through the many challenges he's faced in life. Jonathan tells about how he placed his faith in Jesus Christ while in prison, then later met the love of his wife, started a family, as well as a successful business.
Today, Jonathan's mission is to share his story - as well as the stories of others - who have developed resiliency through their own trials.
It's true that as we all navigate our own Uncommon paths, we too will need resiliency to overcome inevitable trials and setbacks.
Be encouraged by James 1:2-4 which says, Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
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Apply now for Thee Uncommon Experiences What does it look like to practice fervent faith? In this episode, Ryan shares his testimony, how heartbreak in college led him to truly surrendering his heart and life to Christ for the first time - despite growing up in a Christian home and attending church his whole life.
All of our journeys look different, with seasons of sorrow and seasons of joy. Wherever you are at in your faith journey, be encouraged to know that YOU are loved by your Creator God, and He has an amazing life for you to live if you will follow after Him.
Be encouraged and challenged by Jesus's words in Matthew 16:24, 25: If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lost it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it**
Thank you for listening! Be sure to connect with us on facebook!
Apply now for Thee Uncommon Experiences What does it look like to practice "radical" generosity? Phillip and Ryan sit down with Matt Joens to discuss radical generosity: what does it look like, and why is it important? Is it truly better to give than to receive? We think so.
Matt shares stories of several individuals who modeled radical generosity to him, and inspired him to carry that legacy forward in his own life. We encourage you to reflect on your own level of generosity, and consider how you might take it to the next level!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to connect with us on facebook!
Apply now for Thee Uncommon Experiences When it comes to your time, talents, and treasures - are you an owner or a manager? In this episode, Phillip and Ryan unpack the idea of stewardship, the exceptional management of our God-given resources. What does it look like to be a faithful steward of what God has entrusted to us?
When we view what we have as gifts, rather than personal possessions, we step into the freedom of living selfless instead of selfish, and can focus on generosity instead of greed.
Our encouragement to you is to:
- Take inventory of your time, talents and resources. How have you been gifted with (1) time to serve and invest in others; (2) talents to bless and teach others; and (3) money/possessions to share with - and even give - to others
- Express gratitude for what you have.
- Reflect on your current level of stewardship: are you being an owner or a manager? Are you sharing, or hoarding?
- Determine in what way(s) you need to start practicing stewardship, and make the changes - you won't regret it!
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Apply now for Thee Uncommon Experiences How do you define worthwhile work? Is it a job that pays the bills? Is it work that's not necessarily lucrative, but aligns with your core values. Is it a career that allows you to learn, progress, and impact others? Is it all of these?
Phillip and Ryan share their stories in discovering their own worthwhile work. They discuss their career trajectories that brought them to this present moment, and where they hope to be going next.
Wherever you're at on your career path, we encourage you to enjoy the journey and remember that each job is an opportunity to learn new skills and develop character that can propel you to your next opportunity.
Thanks for listening, and be sure to connect with us on facebook!
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What makes a great mentor? What makes a great mentee, for that matter?
Phillip and Ryan sit down with Matt Frey, Teaching & Equipping Pastor, at Keystone Church in Ankeny, IA.
Matt shares his experience and insights on what a healthy mentor/mentee relationships can look like, as well as the proper motives in approaching either role.
Thanks for listening! Be sure to connect with us in our facebook community!
In our world of technology and endless distraction, how can we connect intentionally with our kids?
In this episode, Phillip & Ryan share about their struggles and successes to be present fathers. They share how they are personally investing in themselves to become better fathers, and the goals they have to create amazing, life-long connection and impact in their kids' lives.
Thank you for listening! Please follow, rate/review and share the show! And connect with us through our facebook community!
What would you do if your sibling said they needed a clean break from the family? That was the experience of today's guest, Brandon Swett, whose twin brother and sister-in-law broke contact from the family for several years. Brandon shares his thoughts and emotions around this falling out, and how he decided to get out of the stands, and back on the field towards reconciling with his brother.
Thank you for listening! Be sure to follow, rate/review, and share the show! And engage with our facebook community!
What kind of friend are you?
What makes an Uncommon friend?
We believe an Uncommon friend is one who loves at all times - through the good and bad - who extends grace and forgiveness, and always fights for reconciliation.
In this episode, Ryan shares a personal story about a friendship lost, and what he did - and didn't - do to fight for reconciliation. Ultimately the road to reconciliation is a two-way street. So while we can't control the actions and decisions of the other person, we are responsible for doing everything in our power to be a good friend no matter the cost.
Be sure to follow, rate/review and share the show! And engage with our facebook community!
What does an Uncommon marriage look like?
What kind of spouse do you desire to be?
Who does your spouse need you to be?
In this episode, Phillip & Ryan unpack Thee Uncommon pillar of Radical Relationships. They share their marriage stories, the mistakes they've made and lessons they've learned.
In this episode you will learn the following:
- How to make positive deposits into your spouse's emotional bank account
- Communication techniques to create deep emotional intimacy
- How to love your spouse in their love language
Thanks for listening, be sure to follow, rate/review, and share the show! And engage with our facebook community!
If someone asked you the question, "Who are you?" how would you answer? What's the 1st thing that comes to mind? Is it your faith? Family? Your career? Do you define yourself by your personality, your passions, or abilities? Maybe you don't even know where to begin. But we can all agree it's an important question. A defining trait of an Uncommon life is authenticity: allowing others to see and know your true self. But for that to happen, you first need to know who you are. And to discover and develop your authentic self, you need to know your core values. In this episode, Phillip and Ryan examine the importance of core values, and walk listeners (you!) through the process to discover and live out your own core values.
Welcome to Thee Uncommon Podcast! What is Thee Uncommon, you ask? Listen to this episode to learn about our mission, vision, and core pillars. Who are we? We're Phillip and Ryan: we are husbands to our wives, fathers to our kids, and we aspire to be authentic in our roles and relationships. We are common, but we serve an UNCOMMON God. We're here to keep it real about our flaws and failures, and to learn from crowd sourced wisdom so we can get 1% better each day. We hope our message resonates with you, and that you find encouragement and actionable steps to take to walk your own Uncommon path!
What happens when we take our core values too far? They can get distorted and "rotten." In this episode, Phillip & Ryan explore the potential for our good core values to turn bad if we're not honest with our motives. Be sure to follow, rate/review and share the show! And engage with our facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085317301476
How did this all start? How did we go from "Thee Fraternity" to Thee Uncommon? Phillip shares about how an innocent question posted on facebook led to over 80 responses of men and women desiring fun and community. How did we get here, and where are we going? Come along for the ride and find out! Be sure to follow, rate/review and share the show! And like our facebook page to engage with our community: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085317301476