Brandon Puffer had it all. He had a family, he had a World Series ring, and even though he was back in the minor leagues he was being groomed to become a coach.

One night, though, he threw it all away. After having given up alcohol completely for years, he started dabbling again. So when some of the younger players finally convinced him to spend a night out on the town, he went all in.

What happened that night is easily the most stupid decision of his life, and it led to over three years in prison, a broken marriage, and a lot of life lessons.

Today, though, Brandon is a different man. He now coaches kids, both in baseball and life. He’s written a book about his experience and he’s talking to us about his career, his decision that fateful night, and the climb back to redemption.

In Episode 12 of “That Was Stupid,” Brandon joins to talk about:

• Winning a World Series

• His past experience with alcohol and addiction, including being sober for five years before drinking again

• The night his life changed forever

• His experience in prison

• His book, “From the Bullpen to the State Pen”

• How his children dealt with his absence

• How he found redemption

• And more!

If you’d like to watch the video version of the podcast, it’s available at readdearjon.com.

No one is immune from making a stupid decision. Not even a pastor from one of the country’s largest churches. Let me introduce you to Lee Coate.

Lee is an executive pastor at The Crossing Church in Las Vegas. He’s a sought-after speaker and consults other churches and ministries all across the country. And his advice is based on experience — painful experience at that.

At one point in his career, Lee was so burned out he “pulled the ripcord,” as he puts it. That decision led to a lot of pain, but also a lot of growth.

That growth has now culminated in a new book called “Being Peter,” where Lee unpacks what it means to be a “Type I” (Intense, Innovative, Instigator, Impulsive) leader, and why God doesn’t demand those who are Type I to “quiet down,” but rather uses their bold personalities for good.

In Episode 11 of “That Was Stupid,” Lee joins to talk about:

-His truly stupid decision made out of burn-out

-How he found healing from his past

-Mental health and taking medication

-Being adopted

-What it means to be a “Type I” leader

-His new book, “Being Peter,” and how people who lead loudly and largely don’t have to hide who they are

-And more!

If you’d like to watch the video version of the podcast, it’s available at readdearjon.com.

There’s a good chance that we might not have one of the most recognizable names in faith journalism if he would have listened to his detractors.

Billy Hallowell is one of the country’s premier reporters, focusing on issues of faith, politics, and culture. He’s interviewed everyone from the president to leading atheists. He’s also the author of four books. But when he was trying to decide what to do with his life and expressed an interest in journalism, more than one person told him, “that was stupid.”

Luckily for us, Billy didn’t listen.

In Episode 10 of “That Was Stupid,” Billy joins to talk about

• His wild journey to the top, including taking a 40% pay cut

• How he dealt with the doubters

• His favorite story

• Listening to God’s voice

• How someone you might recognize actually helped turbo his career

• The time he “manifested a demon”

• And more!

You’ve got to hear these stories!

And if you’re interested, you can read Billy’s work at Faithwire or on his Substack.

If you’d like to watch the video version of the podcast, it’s available to paid supporters here.