Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com. Check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com.  You can find us on Instagram at lifearoundthepit and on Facebook at lifearoundthepittb. Sign up for our newsletter over at www.lifearoundthepit.com/newslanding.  About this Episode: My wife, Tisha, joins me today on a special episode to talk about our 24th wedding anniversary, raising three boys and what it is like to be the wife of an unintentional husband. Tisha has value to add to your life this week, and you will enjoy hearing her thoughts on 24 years of life with me. Check out the tip of the week as well…it is life changing for you and your family. Quote or Verse: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “The key in life is not the money we’ve lost, but the life we have gained.” - Tisha Brown Tip of the Week: Have a state of the family meeting or conversation regularly…basically, consistent communication. Call to Action: Set up your first state of the marriage or family conversation.  Download our free 10 Lessons From the Pit pdf over at www.lifearoundthepit.com/lessons_wins. And then, don’t forget, you can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well: Instagram at lifearoundthepit and Facebook at lifearoundthepittb. Remember: BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact! Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com. THIS is Lessons from the Pit. If you want more information about us, you can check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com. I encourage you to go check it out today! Our podcast, Lessons from the Pit, is an offshoot of Life Around the Pit, our work we do to help men create and/or optimize their lives to be lives of intention and connection, while using barbecue to teach the lessons. You can find us on Instagram at lifearoundthepit and then on Facebook at lifearoundthepittb. You can send your friends, family members and coworkers out to sign up for our newsletter over at www.lifearoundthepit.com/newslanding. I cannot wait for you to hear today’s interview with pitmaster Seth Simmons. You are going to love it. Seth provides so many valuable life and bbq bites that you are not going to want to miss. I basically just sat and took notes as he spoke. Plus, his cranberry relish recipe is going to become a staple in my home going forward! Call to Action: This week, go out to the website to download the Cranberry Relish Recipe that Seth Simmons created and provided for you. You can read the recipe online and then get the downloadable and printable pdf version through your email. Check it out at www.lifearoundthepit.com/cranberryrelish and then the second part of the call to action is…COOK THE RELISH AT YOUR HOUSE!! And then, don’t forget, you can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well: Instagram at lifearoundthepit and Facebook at lifearoundthepittb. Remember: BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact! Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com Get involved with the show and email us at podcast@lifearoundthepit.com Today's episode is a short, bonus episode that I wanted to provide for you on this Thanksgiving holiday. Life is hard, but being thankful can change us even for a few seconds.  Listen to the story about Mr. Rogers and then join me for 10 seconds of gratitude. Like and share us on Instagram at lifearoundthepit and on Facebook at lifearoundthepittb Rate and review and share our podcast out with others! Until next time, season some meat, start a fire and make an impact.

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com.  Check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com. This podcast, Lessons from the Pit, is an offshoot of Life Around the Pit, our work we do to help men create and/or optimize their lives to be lives of intention and connection, while using barbecue to teach the lessons. Sign up for the newsletter at www.lifearoundthepit.com/newslanding.  Today's episode is all about gratitude, and how it can impact our lives as men when we make it a focal point in our daily lives. Gratitude has the power to transform the way we live and the way we perceive the world around us. I believe gratitude is crucial to living a life of intention, especially to us as men. Quotes or Scriptures: Teddy Roosevelt said that “comparison is the thief of joy” and Mark Twain took that a step further and replaced the word “thief” with the word “death”.  And then the Bible says in 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 12 “But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Tip of the Week: This week’s tip of the week: when faced with a challenge or difficult situation, try to find one thing to be grateful for. Call to Action: This week, make it a goal to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine. Share your experiences with us on our social media platforms using #gratitudechallenge. And then, don’t forget, you can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well: Instagram at lifearoundthepit and Facebook at lifearoundthepittb. Remember: BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact! Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com.  Check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com. I encourage you to go check it out today! If you want to separate yourself from the rest of the pack, and want to make the kind of impact that lasts, then you need to slow down and take the time to do something that other men won’t. You need to focus on the little details. The same is true as pitmasters and as men. Most men see the big things such as work, sports, material things, status, etc. But most men do not have their eyes on the little things. You focus on those…and the result will be life changing! And as always, I will give you a tip and a call-to-action near the end of the episode, so keep listening to hear more! https://www.facebook.com/NWASpecialKids/ John Wooden, the famous basketball coach said “It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” Ernest Hemingway said “Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.” Heraclitus (PRONOUNCED HERACLYTUS…LONG “I”) said “Men who wish to know about the world must learn about it in its particular details.” I want to restate something before I’m done. If you want to be a rockstar pitmaster, then you have to learn to focus on the little details and if you want to be a rockstar man, dad, husband, employee, leader, you name it, then focus on the little details that separate you from the rest of the pack. You might be surprised at how little effort you have to put in sometimes…because no one else is even thinking about the details. Tip of the Week This week’s tip of the week is actually the same as the tip in episode PIT013 because it fits today and makes the same impact: Take the time to be patient enough to see the little details and patient enough to sit in the moments with people…share life together.  Joyce Brothers said “Happiness hides in life’s small details. If you’re not looking, it becomes invisible.” William Feather said “Beware of the person who can't be bothered by details.” Call to Action As always, I want to make sure I end each episode with a call to action so that you can be thinking AND taking action over the course of the next week. This week’s call to action is for you to set up a “my favorite things” list for your folks. I know it sounds dumb or silly or like a waste of time, but trust me. It will make a difference. When you surprise someone with their favorite candy bar because you know about it, it makes an impact. I’ve seen it happen multiple times. So, for your family, each of your immediate family or go beyond if you want. Or, if you manage a team at work or sports or some extracurricular activity, make a list for each person you are responsible for. It doesn’t have to be super long, just enough to make sure you know them. You know what, I’ve made it easier for you because I’ve already created a free PDF list for you. All you have to do is go out and get it from my website and wallah, you have it and you can now just ask the folks what their favorites are and then store that list somewhere you will remember it so you can pull it out sometime randomly to make someone else’s day. You can get that free pdf by going to www.lifearoundthepit.com/myfaveslist Then, don’t forget, you can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well: Instagram at lifearoundthepit and Facebook at lifearoundthepittb. Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com. Check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com.  On today’s episode, Pitmaster Tommy Caldwell gives us his military experience, breaks down veterans day and then provides multiple bbq and life value bites. You are not going to want to miss listening to Tommy’s interview and trust me, you will be blessed and will gain some value from Tommy for sure. He also provides you with two recipes you can use to feed some of your veteran friends. And as always, I will give you a tip and a call-to-action near the end of the episode, so keep listening to hear more! I can’t wait for you to hear it…so let’s get to the interview!! TIP OF THE WEEK This week’s tip of the week: Take the time to be patient enough to see the little details and patient enough to sit in the moments with people…share life together. CALL TO ACTION And as always, I want to make sure I end each episode with a call to action so that you can be thinking AND taking action over the course of the next week. This week’s call to action has two parts: Go out and download the two free recipes that Tommy provided on today’s episode: www.lifearoundthepit.com/brisketphilly and www.lifearoundthepit.com/thomastwinkie  And, this week, take 10 minutes to sit down and think about a specific area of your life that you feel you are not giving enough attention to you. This could be an area of focus such as health or finances, or it could be somebody in your life you haven’t given enough attention to. Brainstorm 5 small details in this area that you could and should be focusing on. Those little details will make all the difference. Now that you have those 5 details, now put it into action. How are you going to focus on those details? What triggers or scheduling need to be set up for you to take action on them this week? Now, make it happen! And I lied…it is a three part call to action because you need to go out to and find Tommy on Instagram at tommy2brisketz  Don’t forget, you can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well: Instagram at lifearoundthepit and Facebook at lifearoundthepittb. Remember: BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact! Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com.  If you want more information about us, you can check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com. Halloween is just a day away from when this episode releases. Today’s episode is not necessarily a life lesson, but more of some fun facts about halloween along with some stories i share from our family and from my childhood. Ok, so there will be a small life lesson in there if you listen closely! And as always, I will give you a tip and a call-to-action near the end of the episode, so keep listening to hear more! Sign up for the Pitmaster DISC Assessment waitlist over at https://www.lifearoundthepit.com/pitdisc Subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date on what is happening around the pit.  Halloween items discussed today on the episode: 5 Halloween Facts: 3 Halloween Safety Urban Legends: 5 Fun Things to Do as a Family for Halloween: A list of 10 Favorite Candy for Kids at Halloween: Smoked Mummy Dogs and the recipe at www.lifearoundthepit.com/mummydog Tip of the Week: This week’s tip of the week IS THE CALL TO ACTION: Relax, have fun and make this halloween count with your family or friends. We all know that life is too short but very many of us actually live like it is too short. And if you have kids, you only get so many of these holidays with them. Make those count…be intentional and make an impact this halloween. Don’t forget, you can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well: Instagram at lifearoundthepit and Facebook at lifearoundthepittb. Remember: BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact! Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com. If you want more information about us, you can check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com. Find us on social media: Instagram at lifearoundthepit and Facebook at lifearoundthepittb. Today’s winner of the Wright’s seasoning and sauce pack giveaway is Jeremy Luallen! Have you ever taken a bite of a piece of meat and right off the bat you were kicked in the face with an overpowering amount of seasoning, or salt, or pepper, or spice? Can a little bit go a long way? Can we have right and wrong seasonings in our lives? Do you add flavor or influence into the lives of others? We will talk about this and more on today’s episode. Two Barbecue Sauce History Questions: What famous sauce is Alabama known for? Alabama White Sauce used on poultry Who made Alabama White Sauce Famous? Robert Lee Gibson, or Big Bob Gibson from Decatur, AL QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE: Brian Tracy said “Be selective about your external influences. Your multi-dimensional brain is influenced by everything you see, hear, read, smell, touch, feel or say.” Walt Disney said “Movies can and do have tremendous influence in shaping young lives in the realm of entertainment towards the ideals and objectives of normal adulthood.” Dr. Nicoline Ambe said “As an educator, I’ve seen the positive influence that fathers have on their children.” Scott Adams said “You don't have to be a 'person of influence' to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they've taught me.” Napoleon Hill said “Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.” Laurence Overmire said “Each of us should be aware of the energy we are putting out into the world. Are we a positive influence or a negative one?” Jim Rohn said “You are the average of the top five people you spend the most time with.” Remember: BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact! Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com. Check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com.  Subscribe to the newsletter on our website at www.lifearoundthepit.com/newslanding How to find Jordan and Wright’s Barbecue: Website: https://wrightsbbq.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wrightsbarbecue Instagram: https://instagram.com/wrightsbarbecue Jordan Wright Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.wright.52438 Jordan Wright Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanwrightsbbq Tip of the Week This week’s tip of the week is: Count the cost before moving forward!! I thought one of the best parts of today’s interview with Jordan was the advice that Jordan gave the pit listeners regarding the business side of it, mainly the financial and capital advice. Jordan made it clear how hard it was those first few years for time and for money. That was one of the things that most of us who cook barbecue do not think of right? Most of the time, we think about how good our barbecue is, and how awesome it would be to do this for a living without knowing and realizing what it really takes from a time standpoint, lack of sleep standpoint and capital or funds standpoint. And this is something we have to consider in all aspects of life. We have to count the cost in the decisions we make on a daily basis. We have to consider the cost when deciding if we should save for the new car we need or save for the vacation we want to take. How much is this restaurant going to cost rather than this restaurant? Can we afford this or that? Is it time to quit my job to move on the things that I feel bring me passion and bring impact where it matters? Do I have the funds coming in for that? Jesus asked in Luke 14 (and this is from the Message version) “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’” So, follow this week’s tip and make sure you count the cost before moving forward. Call-To-Action: As always, I want to make sure I end each episode with a call to action so that you can be thinking AND taking action over the course of the next week. This week, I want you to make sure you are signed up for the free Wright’s Seasoning and Sauce pack giveaway drawing that I’m doing next week. I am opening the giveaway today and will let it run through this Friday. I will then draw and announce the winner on next week’s episode. This Wright’s giveaway pack has one 10.75oz BBQ Rub, the same rub we use at Wright’s everyday, one 16 oz Original BBQ Sauce and one 16 oz Spicy BBQ Sauce. This pack is valued at $26.00 in store and I am giving it away to one our listeners for free, well, for the cost of time to do three small items for me and those items are:  Go out and like and/or follow us on either Instagram at https://instagram.com/lifearoundthepit or on Facebook at https://facebook.com/lifearoundthepittb. Tag at least three friends in the comments on one of the posts I release this week on either of those platforms on Instagram or Facebook. Go out to www.lifearoundthepit.com/newslanding and sign up for our newsletter. If I can see that you have done all three of those items through this Friday, October 20th, you will be entered in our drawing for the free Wrights Seasoning and Sauce pack that is valued at $26.00. Thanks again for tuning in to today’s show and to Jordan Wright for his time. And continue to listen to the show. You can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well: Instagram at https://instagram.com/lifearoundthepit or on Facebook at https://facebook.com/lifearoundthepittb. Remember: BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact! Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com. Check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com. For now, I would ask that you go out to get signed up for the Pit Room waitlist. I believe what we will be offering for our community is going to be great and will be valuable stuff for you. You can learn more and sign up for the waitlist at www.lifearoundthepit.com/community. Also, be watching for more information about a seasoning and sauce pack giveaway drawing that I will be doing very, very soon.. I will be posting more about that on the website and social media but in order to be put in for the drawing you have to be subscribed to our email list. So if you haven’t done that yet, you need to. So you can head out to the website www.lifearoundthepit.com and scroll to the bottom and there is a place to sign up for the email list. Do that today so you can make sure you are in the drawing for the seasoning and sauce giveaway I’ll be doing soon. BBQ brings us to the table. BBQ is a place where we can have different backgrounds and different stories, but it brings a connection, acceptance, understanding and community. It gives us all a seat at the table. Tip of the Week This week’s tip of the week is: DON’T JUST ASSUME…BE WILLING TO LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLE’S STORIES! Before you just jump in and put your two cents in, or before you decide what you think about them or form your opinion on how they should be handling something, stop. Stop and take note of what they are saying. Take note of what they are dealing with. You might be surprised and you might be able to encourage them. Or, you might be able to have just a little more patience and compassion with that person after hearing their story. Or you might find their story is similar to yours and you can definitely relate. Steven Covey, the author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” said this about listening. He said “most people do not listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply.” The key words there are “do not listen with the intent to understand.” Be willing to listen to other people’s stories.  Call-To-Action: And as always, I want to make sure I end each episode with a call to action so that you can be thinking AND taking action over the course of the next week. This week, I would like for you to share your story with someone by: You can send me a short snippet of your story. I would love for you to do a quick video or audio clip of your story (and that can story can be about your life or about a career shift and why, etc.) Or you can ask me a question about my story. You can email that video or audio clip to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com and put “my story” in the subject line. OR, you can set up time for coffee or a drink with a friend or colleague this week and tell them your story and then ask them to share their story. Doesn’t have to be all cheesy and weird, but just somehow get your story out there to them. Make it funny if you want. Just get it out there.  Don’t forget to sign-up on our website for the email list to be entered into the drawing for the seasoning and sauce pack I will be giving away soon.  www.lifearoundthepit.com and scroll to the bottom to the email group signup. And continue to listen to the show. You can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well. Remember: BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact! Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com. THIS is Lessons from the Pit. If you want more information check out www.lifearoundthepit.com Have you ever noticed that you can have multiple pieces of the same meat on the smoker and yet they do not all cook and finish up the same way or at the same time? It is a strange thing, but it happens. And you’ve probably noticed that not all of us as men are the same and we do not all respond and react the same way or at the same time. That too, is a strange thing. That uniqueness makes the cook and life interesting and we will be talking more about that today. The new Barbecue Planning and Preparation Pack at www.lifearoundthepit.com/planandpreppack.  Your unique difference as a man is God’s way of using you to add value to those you experience life with! TIP OF THE WEEK: This week’s tip of the week is: BE INTENTIONAL IN THE UNIQUENESS! What are some ways to handle the various cooking times when smoking meats? Pay attention to each individual piece of meat. Don’t assume they are all cooking the same. Cover the meats that are cooking faster with foil to slow the outside cook down Rotate or swap the location of the meat on the cooker…take the smaller ones and move them to the back while moving the larger ones up in their place or by moving them to different positions in the line. What are some ways we can focus on the uniqueness of us as individuals? Write it out - write out or build your values and beliefs list for yourself - don’t use someone else’s beliefs and values. Make them yours! Ask some close friends or colleagues to tell you what they see as strengths and weaknesses AND be ok with their responses (cause you asked for it) Take and learn from some of the various personality tests that are available to us: Enneagram DISC Strengths Finder REALStrengths The Positive Intelligence Saboteurs test CALL TO ACTION: And as always, I want to make sure I end each episode with a call to action so that you can be thinking AND taking action over the course of the next week. This week, I would like for you to do a couple of things for me: I’ve put together a free informational resource that gives you the different types of cuts of meat on the cow and the pig and a breakdown of the various bbq regions and what they are known for in each region. You can download that at www.lifearoundthepit.com/regions and that link is in the show notes. I’m working on getting the final details in place for the new Pitmaster DISC Assessment that will be available on the website. This assessment will show you the type of pitmaster you are in life and will be a valuable tool when living an intentional and connected life. It lets you know how you respond and communicate with others as well as examples and guidance on developing and adapting to your unique personality. I used this tool for years while working in management in the corporate world and continue to use it in my current state of life. I encourage you to sign up for the waitlist as we will be releasing this tool for purchase very, very soon. Sign up for the waitlist at www.lifearoundthepit.com/pitdisc (and that is disc with a “C”) to ensure you are working towards intentionality in your life. And continue to listen to the show. You can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well. Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com.  If you want more information, check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com.  Have you ever had a brisket’s flat curl up on you during the cook or had the point end of it char up on you before the bark had really set? If so, you aren’t alone. That is not unusual but it is driven by one important element of the cook and that, my friends, is the heat. You can learn more about the Pit Room, our upcoming men’s community from Life Around the Pit, at www.lifearoundthepit.com/community and can also sign up for the waitlist to be the first to hear about when it launches.  I’m also excited because this past week I released a new Barbecue Planning and Preparation Pack on the website that is great for anyone interested in cooking for larger groups and events. This guide gives you over 30 questions that you need to ask the event coordinator, it gives you a packing checklist of over 30 items you will need when you cook at events, and it also includes a food quantity guide that will help you calculate the amount of meat and sides you will need to provide to ensure all of the guests have plenty of food. This guide is a MUST for you to help you save time, energy and stress in cooking situations. You can get that at www.lifearoundthepit.com/planandpreppack.  Check out the example pictures of inconsistent heat on a brisket at www.lifearoundthepit.com/blog_theheat  QUOTES or SCRIPTURES USED IN THIS EPISODE: Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Matthew 6:25-33 referenced Psalm 1: 2-3 referenced Michael Hyatt: “What gets scheduled gets done”.  TIP OF THE WEEK: Keep it simple! Add a calendar event for 2 times on Mon, Wed and Fri for 1-minute focused breathing. CALL TO ACTION: Add the calendar event for either the 1 minute focused breathing sessions or the 15 minute thinking times or the 15 prayer and reading times. Share the podcast and the links below with your friends and family: Free 10 Lessons From the Pit infographic at www.lifearoundthepit.com/lessons_wins Barbecue Planning and Preparation Pack at www.lifearoundthepit.com/planandpreppack  Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

If you want to hear me talk about a big mistake I made at a barbecue catering I did because I did not plan and prepare properly, then keep listening to this episode. Why is Lesson 9 - “Plan and Prep” important to us both in barbecue and life? I give you some reasons and examples as well as two tips for the week and a call to action that I am excited about because it will provide some quantity calculations and ways to be stress free and void of embarrassment when cooking for larger groups. Get involved with the show; email me at podcast@lifearoundthepit.com.  LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: www.lifearoundthepit.com/community www.lifearoundthepit.com/planandpreppack QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE: Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, wrote in his 1908 handbook Scouting for Boys that they “are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.”  Michael Hyatt said “If you don’t have a plan for your life, someone else does.” Zig Ziglar said “If you don’t plan your time, someone else will help you waste it.” Jim Rohn said “If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” TWO TIPS OF THE WEEK: BBQ = have a list prepared ahead of time. LIFE = set up an emergency fund. CALL TO ACTION:  Barbecue Planning and Preparation packet that will be available for purchase on my website later this week: www.lifearoundthepit.com/planandpreppack to get the Barbecue Planning and Preparation pack. Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com. THIS is Lessons from the Pit. You can check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com. You can learn more about the Pit Room men’s community at www.lifearoundthepit.com/community where you can also click on the link to sign up for the waitlist to be the first to hear about when it launches.  “Cooking great barbecue is more than just fire and meat on the cooker…it is about the meat of the relationships and the fire they ignite inside of us.” - Tony Brown 3 Reasons why Community is Important: Reason number 1 is that through community, we connect in a safe and positive way that brings encouragement where we can build up and we can BE built up! Reason number 2 is that through community, we have a sense of acceptance and accountability! Reason number 3 is that through community, we build connection with a network beyond just ourselves! Quotes and scriptures:  Melinda Gates said that ““Deep human connection is…the purpose and the result of a meaningful life…” And then Tom Ford said that “the most important things in life are the connections you make with others.” “I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” - Brene Brown “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” - Charles Dickens “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” - Galatians 6:2 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” - Proverbs 11:14 “Community is much more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter.” - Brian Solis “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:24-25 “We have more help and unlimited possibilities at our fingertips when we are part of a community of others.” - Tony Brown “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” - Ecclesiastes 4:12 Psalm 133: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” This week’s tip of the week is this: Community doesn’t have to be a massive group of people to be your community, but it should add value to your life…and YOU should be adding value back to it. Take a look at your activities and lifestyle and see what types of communities you are a part of. Think about how active you are in them and what value you are providing them. The true tip here: being a part of a community means you are involved, you take action and are active in helping and providing value to the others in the community. You are not just part of a community for what you get out of it, you are a part of that network of resources for others! This week's call-to-action: Take a moment to go to www.lifearoundthepit.com/pitroom-waitlist to sign up to receive notifications and updates about the launch of the community.

This weekend is Labor Day weekend and my oldest son Nelson and his fiance came to visit us from Tennessee for the long weekend. In today’s episode, Nelson and I will be talking about some history behind Labor Day, and then some Labor Day barbecue history. We are also going to be cooking up some Texas Twinkies here at the house while we record today’s episode and then will share the recipe at the end of the podcast. THE COMMUNITY LAUNCHES THIS MONTH - WHICH IS SEPTEMBER OF 2023. You can learn more about this at www.lifearoundthepit.com/community and can also sign up for the waitlist to be the first to hear about when it launches. Texas Twinkies Recipe: www.lifearoundthepit.com/twinkies So, if you live in America, then it should be common knowledge that Labor Day is observed each year on the first Monday of September. But how many of us really know what Labor Day represents, the reason behind it and when it was made into a federal holiday?  Check out facts from the Department of Labor website: https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history There seems to be some debate on who actually started the Labor Day tradition, Peter McGuire or Matthew Maguire.  Find more interesting facts noted on www.constitutioncenter.org. “BeardMeetsFood”. Adam is a food challenge vlogger and participates in the hot dog eating challenge Check him out on the socials. (https://www.instagram.com/beardmeatsfood/, https://www.youtube.com/c/Beardmeatsfood)  It was cool to see how barbecue has been a part of the Labor Day tradition for pretty much the entire existence of Labor Day. Findings from Robert Moss (www.robertmoss.com), the Contributing Barbecue Editor for Southern Living magazine. Texas Twinkies were invented by the folks at Hutchins BBQ in McKinney, Texas. https://hutchinsbbq.com/ “Cherry BBQ Spice Rub” from Cherry Republic (www.cherryrepublic.com) in Frankenmuth, MI. This week’s tip of the week is this: When it comes to cooking Texas Twinkies, I like to do a bonus pit move and add a little extra char, or crispness, to the bacon. This is not a must by any means and I’m not sure how many other folks do this, but I like crispy bacon and so do the other members of my family. Before taking the twinkies off the smoker, I will throw them directly over the flames to get a quick little crisp up of the bacon. I don’t leave them on long at all, 25 - 30 seconds at the most. This just adds a nice touch to the texture. Then, add one more light hit of the glaze and you have perfection. So, try this pro tip next time to add an extra layer of goodness to your Texas Twinkies. Call-to-Action: I want to make sure I end each episode with a call to action so that you can be thinking and taking action over the course of the next week. This week, go download the free Texas Twinkie recipe from our website to add to your arsenal of recipes. You will be glad you did. You can download the recipe at www.lifearoundthepit.com/twinkies.  And continue to listen to the show. You can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well. Please go into iTunes or Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave a rating.  Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

I would be surprised if you have not heard the phrase “low and slow” when it comes to barbecue. That is a statement that is just associated with good barbecue. But have you ever heard someone associate “low and slow” with life and the processes of life? If you want more information and access to my various lessons, tips and tricks and more, you can check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com. I encourage you to go check it out today! If you have any questions about the Pit Room men’s community coming soon, email me at podcast@lifearoundthepit.com and put “Pit Room” in the subject line. You have probably heard the fable named “Tortoise and the Hare”. This story is part of a larger collection known as Aesop’s Fables.  Main idea of the story is more about us not being boastful Often associated with the theme “the power of perseverance” and  Often associated with the theme “slow and steady wins the race”. So when it comes to cooking great barbecue, low and slow wins the show and impacts these areas during the cook: The Look The Feel The Flavor When it comes to life and our personal growth, personal development or any type of intentional change in our lives, the same concept applies. The low and slow mindset is also true with each of the 10 lessons from the pit. Tip of the Week: Low and slow wins the show every time with pork belly! Call-to-Action: This week, take time reflecting on those places you see yourself needing to be the tortoise versus the hare. Go sign up for the “Pit Room” community waitlist so that you are the first to hear when it launches and can join me and other men in the pit! You can sign up by visiting www.lifearoundthepit.com/community. Quotes Mentioned in this Episode "Rapidity does not always mean progress, and hurry is akin to waste. The old fable of the hare and the tortoise is just as good now, and just as true, as when it was first written." - Charles Warren Stoddard "To make the quickest progress, you don't have to take huge leaps. You just have to take baby steps-and keep on taking them. In Japan, they call this approach kaizen, which literally translates as 'continual improvement.' Using kaizen, great and lasting success is achieved through small, consistent steps. It turns out that slow and steady is the best way to overcome your resistance to change." - Marci Shimoff "Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." - Benjamin Franklin "Pause and remember - Slow and steady will get you where you want to go. If you put too much pressure on yourself for results too quickly, you will quickly give up." - Jennifer Young "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." - Jim Rohn And finally, the Biblical Apostle Paul wrote in the book of Philippians “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize.” “Days are expensive. When you spend a day you have one less day to spend. So make sure you spend each one wisely.” - Jim Rohn “Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” - Jim Rohn And continue to listen to the show. You can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify and any of the other places you listen to podcasts. We are also on all the socials as well. Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Welcome to Lessons from the Pit with Tony Brown. Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com. If you want more information and access to my various lessons, tips and tricks and more, you can check us out at www.lifearoundthepit.com. I encourage you to go check it out today! Lessons from the Pit is the foundation to the men’s “Pit Room” community that I’m launching and the overall idea of Life Around the Pit, where we discuss 10 main lessons (along with some bonus sub-lessons) that I’ve learned from smoking meat over the years and we will tie in the tips, tricks, recipes, mastermind groups, etc. around the common love of BBQ. You’ll want to be a part of “the Pit Room”! I am excited about today’s episode because I get to tell you my BBQ story. Or, maybe my BBQ journey? Or maybe my BBQ hike I’m on? Whatever you want to call it, I’m telling you about it today.  As with anything, learning has to happen right? And that learning has to happen when cooking barbecue too. There is always something new to learn. Just when you think you have it figured out, you burn something or use the wrong wood, etc.  This week's tip is to know there is always something to learn, there is definitely a learning curve and don’t get frustrated if you make a mistake. Don’t freak out if you burn the turkey. It is just a turkey. Don’t get frustrated and give up when you waste money and make rib jerky. And be prepared, because you will never live that down even if you become a professional pitmaster. And remember the conversation I had a long time ago, “Is this your first mistake? No. Is this your last mistake? No. Then own it and move on. Tomorrow is another day.” Email me with the subject line “my bbq story” to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com with your barbecue story or barbecue mistake and then be watching for that to come back around later down the road. I would love to collect these and put them together for others to see. Consider going to iTunes or Apple Podcasts to subscribe to the show and then leave a review for others to read.  Remember: BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact! Until next time: season some meat, start a fire, and make an impact!

Get involved with the show and community. Send your e-mail to podcast@lifearoundthepit.com. If you want more information and access to my various lessons, tips and tricks and more, you can check them all out at www.lifearoundthepit.com. The 10 Life Lessons: Lesson 1: “The Heat” Lesson 2: “The Meat” Lesson 3: “The Seasoning” Lesson 4 - “Fire Adjustments” Lesson 5 - “The Stall” Lesson 6 - “Hot Spots” Lesson 7 - “The REST” Lesson 8 - “The Details” Lesson 9 - “The Plan and Prep”  Lesson 10 - “Connection” Tip of the Week: Schedule 3 calendar events for this week (and make them recurring for 4 weeks) to have some personal time alone either in prayer or meditation or just in silence. Call-to-Action: Download the free 10 Lessons infograph at www.lifearoundthepit.com/lessons_wins and sign up for the free newsletter. Until next time, start a fire, cook some meat and make a difference!