In class with a rockstar: Bowling for Soup’s Jaret Reddick

Andrea: Welcome to Those Who Can't Do,

I am Andrea Forcum, and today I am fulfilling probably my high school version of me's greatest dream. I am chatting today with Jarrett Reddick, who is the lead singer of Bowling for Soup and also a solo artist and also a voice actor as well, which I did not know until we dove into your Wikipedia, but you are one of the voices on Phineas and Ferb as well.

Jaret: I am. Yeah, I'm, uh, I, I, and I sing the theme song. So, uh, yeah, it's funny. As many hit songs as I have, uh, the Phineas and Ferb theme is the biggest hit I have. 

Andrea: Really? That is, that is so cool. I actually was in VidCon a month ago and I, I met Dan, the creator of Phineas and Ferb. And so I felt like it was kind of a full circle moment that I'm chatting with you now, right after I got, do you get to work with him a lot?

Jaret: Oh, yeah, I mean it was it was a really cool experience, honestly. I, you know, when I first took that meeting I had Um, I had been up for a lot of shows already, um, because I had done some stuff like Freaky Friday and, uh, I had already done the theme to Jimmy Neutron and, um, a few things here and there. And so since that time, I had been getting all these meetings to be able to do music for a show.

And I had been, but basically once you get tied to a show, if the show doesn't get picked up, then you don't either. And so after all that work and like, So I almost didn't take this meeting with Dan and Swampy, but my manager was like, man, I, you're, you're already there. You're going. And, uh, and so I went, I fell instantly in love with these guys and I knew it was going to be a hit show and, uh, it was so cool.

I mean, Dan had a stack of Bowling for Soup CDs for me to sign. And so I was just like, Oh man. So I knew he was a fan. The coolest thing in the world was, is I went there the first time and those two sharing an office and they had one secretary, by the time I came back to Disney, the show had launched. And they had a half of a floor.

By the next time I came back, they had two floors. And then a year later they had their own building and then they had to move them off site. I just got to see that show explode. Uh, and so being a part of it was really cool. 

Andrea: And it's gotta be fun too with Dan because I feel like he makes himself very accessible to his fans in a way a lot of creators don't.

Um, I feel like many, like once they reach that level, they just kind of put some distance there. Um, but I feel like he shares so much online. He interacts a lot. a lot with his fans online, which I think is really fun. And that's something you do as well, which is how I, I stumbled back across you is there was a video you posted of somebody, I think they were singing karaoke.

They were singing 1985. It was just like you in a restaurant, like they're singing my song and they don't realize that it's mine. Did that person ever like surface and be like, Oh, that was me. Or did they ever reach out after that? 

Jaret: I mean, sometimes they do. I mean, I did. That's a, That, I would think that's almost a trope for me.

I mean, it's, it's like, that's like content that I can make over and over again because, I do hear my songs all the time. That one, I'm not sure which ever, which one you're actually speaking about, but, um, it, it does happen a lot where they do reach out or whatever. And they're just like, Holy crap. I didn't even know you were in the room, you know?

And, uh, so that's, that's super fun. The coolest one that ever happened to me though, was, as I went into a, I love piano bars. And so, um, I think I'm not atypical as far as like, Like you said, like as far as like an artist, I do love to be in the world and I like a lot of things that a lot of artists don't like and piano bars are like my favorite thing ever.

And my wife and I were at a piano bar one time and it was really early and the musicians were in there just warming up. And the guy started playing like a deep, deep Bowling for Soup cut. Like, I mean, like, I couldn't believe it. I was just like, you're like, I 

Andrea: don't know those lyrics anymore. 

Jaret: I swear. Yeah.

I was just like, this is crazy. And so then I ended up just running into the guy in the bathroom or whatever. And he was like, Oh my God. And I was just like, dude, you just did this song up there. And I'm just like, he goes, Oh yeah, I warm up with that every day. And then of course, Later on that night, they did 1985 and stuff, but yeah, I, I agree with you about Dan, you know, he, I think.

We're sort of those kind of guys that, that sort of TikTok was really created for. Like, I like to say like, you know, I sort of can't get enough of making people laugh. And, uh, and I guess there's a bit of a, of an attention seeking aspect to it too. I mean, if I'm being totally honest, For all of us, right?

Right. I mean, that's just it, right? That's what, that is sort of the need that TikTok does fulfill, is that like, whether you're, whether 13 people are seeing it or 13, 000, like, you're getting this attention that, you know, that nobody really, you're, you're asking for it, you just get it, you know? And, and so, it's funny to watch, I, I do love Dan's content though, and it's, I love when people let you into their real lives, uh, on there, and I try to do the same thing.

Andrea: Yeah, and I think that there's a big nostalgia piece, right, for all of us. And, and when we come across ours, like another, um, couple of creators that I've been following is the whole group from, from Boy Meets World and their podcast and all of that stuff that they've been doing. And it just, it hits something because that we, there are these like touchstone moments in our mind.

Like I have a sharp memory of driving around right after I got my license. listening to 1985 with my friends, like going around and just like yell singing. And I'm completely tone deaf, so it didn't sound good, but it's a great memory, you know? So every time I hear that song, that's exactly where it puts me.

Um, what is it like for you when you hear other people singing your song? Cause you said it happens all the time. Like, do you ever go up to them and say like, Hey, that's my song? Or do you just like, let it be? 

Jaret: Seldom do I have to do that. Like, uh, you know, I'm, I'm fairly lucky in that I'm a fairly recognizable guy.

And, uh, so more often than not, somebody else takes care of that for me, you know, or I just sort of stay quiet. I mean, I'm, I, um, I'm a little bit shy. I, this is really weird to say, because I think if you know me, I'm, I'm a really big personality or whatever, but I am not like in, you know, situations or whatever.

I'm not the most outgoing guy. Um, until you put a microphone in my hand. And then once a microphone is in my hand, it's just a completely different thing. And it's not, it's just so, um, I don't always feel comfortable. I also have crippling anxiety. And so I don't know, it's so comfortable, but go and walk outside.

But, but I agree with you though, on the, on the, because see, that's the state. I'm the same way. Like, I follow all these people from my childhood or whatever. And like, if I get, like, Lea Thompson from Back to the Future, and if I comment on something on her thing and she responds back and I'm like, ah, you 

Andrea: know, I can't believe it.

Yeah, 

Jaret: like, one of my favorite bands is a band called Bad Religion and they, they thumbsed up one of my posts yesterday and I was just like, ah, and so, it is so funny how we're all affected by that, you know, and it's funny that how, like, You know, and I sort of, I guess I sort of take that into consideration when I'm, you know, trying to make sure that I respond.

You know, as much as I possibly can, because I just know how good that feels for me, you know, and if somebody's taking the time to comment on my stuff, you know, I really do try to be more interactive, I think, than, than most, especially most people my age, you know what I mean? Like I, I'm 52 and, and my band's been together 30 years and so I, I am definitely not the norm as far as my activity on social media.

Andrea: Yeah. On the note of how much time has passed since that song came out, I mean, it came out 2004. Yeah. Um, and that meant that 1985 was 19 years before that. Yeah. And now it is 2024 . Yeah. And so now it is more time since that song has come out than it had been like since 1985 when the song came out. If it were to come out again today.

How would it have to be rewritten? Like if it was written for, if it was like, the song was called 2004 instead of 1985. 

Jaret: Yeah. 

Andrea: Who do you, like, what artists and stuff do you think would be in there? 

Jaret: Do you know what my favorite thing about this question is? And I love the way that you asked it because it's completely set me up for the perfect answer.

And that is, it's already been done for us. Like, if you get on TikTok and search 1985 parody, there's one for like every year, like, and they do such good jobs. I mean, like, it's amazing. Like there are a few of them where you're just like, you can't believe it. Like, it's, but it's like, you know, Kelly and Justin on American Idol and real world on, on MTV and, you know, things like that.

Like, and so it's. It's super, super cool. There's a 1999, there's a 2002, three, four, five, six. Like I always say, um, and I'm not sure if we're a PG show here, so I'll keep this subtle, but, uh, I always say I'm waiting on 2006 because of the obvious rhyme. You know, and, uh, you know what I mean? And, uh, no, I kid.

So people are constantly asking me, like, are you going to do an update of the song? And I'm like, I sort of almost feel like if I did it, it would discourage all of these other kids that are doing it on the internet. And I just love seeing it. Like it's, it's, and some of these go viral and it's, it's really, really cool.

Cause the, the song sort of gets a, a little nod, you know? And, uh, and it's an important song to me. 

Andrea: Yeah, important to a ton of people, me, me included. So that is awesome. Okay. And we are going to talk about like teacher stuff, but I just had to fangirl a little bit and talk a little bit about that stuff.

Yeah. Um, so how, how did you get started making music? Was there an educator that you worked with that, that helped you along that path or did you find it on your own? 

Jaret: Music I found on my own. Coincidentally, I found it in the back of a classroom. And I'll never forget this day. Um, you know, I, I grew up in a, in a fairly musical house.

Not that my parents played instruments or anything like that. There was just always music playing. There was always music in the car. Um, you know, that, that scene in America, uh, in a National Lampoon's vacation where they're going around the corner and the parents are just singing at the time and harmonizing and the kids are rolling their eyes and they put their headphones on.

I mean, that was me and my brother only we didn't have Walkman yet. So like we actually had to listen to it. And, uh, but it taught me, uh, you know, unintentionally, my mother was teaching me how to harmonize and I was getting exposed to the Eagles and Kenny Rogers and all of this stuff in my early life that would really come into play big later in life when I started writing songs.

Um, you know, music wasn't anything but just something that, you know, I like to listen to music until I took a speed test and multiplication in the sixth grade in math class, in Ms. Cook's math class. And if you got a hundred on the speed test. You got free time, which back in those days just meant you went back to the back of the classroom and they had board games back there and you could do whatever you wanted.

And, uh, I got a hundred every time. And so I always got free time. So the kids that didn't get free a hundred, they had to stay and do practice worksheets and stuff. And this kid named Greg Norman had his Walkman and I heard, this is so funny today to say, but I heard Ozzy Osbourne crazy train. And I was just like, I don't know what this is, but I, I need more of this in my life.

Like Ozzy was like the scary, he was the devil and people were like really, really terrified of him. And it was like this whole thing. But I was like, I don't know any, whatever, I got to have more of that. The juxtaposition of that song now being in the Trolls movie, and I have a video of, of my, my, uh, my like six year old kid at the time with his friends jumping up and down in a trampoline singing going off the rails on the crazy train, and it's in, it's in car commercials and you hear it at every sporting event, you know, and like, 

Andrea: Yeah, 

Jaret: the darkness of that song is sort of like part of like what reeled me in, you know, it's just there was this sort of like mystery to it all.

So shortly after that, I heard Motley Crue and I saw Tommy Lee play the drums. And I was just like, that's what I want to do. I want to be a drummer. And so, uh, shortly after that, I got a drum set, started playing drums in school and, uh, and I've been in bands ever since doing something. Um, but that, that is 100 percent the day that my life.

started in away from sports. and into the direction of, of music. 

Andrea: So just because it ended up that you were really good at multiplication is how you actually got started in music. 

Jaret: It's a true story. I mean, it's like, honestly, because you got to think about it. Like, maybe I would have heard that song eventually.

And I probably would have because Greg was one of my best friends at the time, but I wouldn't have heard it that day in those conditions, in that, that room, you know, and, and just to be impacted by it the way that I was. I mean, I'll never forget it. It was like, like a literal wave. came over me and I was just like, this is, this is what I want to be.

I'm going to be a part of this. 

Andrea: That's awesome. 

Jaret: That's happened to me two times, two other times in my life that I can specifically, specifically remember, but there's no, there's no school tie in. 

Andrea: So when, uh, when you kind of made that decision, what grade were you in? 

Jaret: I was in the sixth grade and, uh, and so I was going into junior high.

And so at that point I could sign up for band and, and start to, you know, I really, I asked for a drum set for Christmas that year and, uh, everything just sort of worked out really good. My parents had a friend who came over once a week and taught me drum lessons and he actually made me learn correctly.

So like, I wanted to play the drum set and. I played Tommy Lee songs, you know, I wanted to play Motley Crue songs. And he actually made me learn snare and the fundamentals first, which got me, uh, you know, an express ticket to a band in junior high before I, you know, I really just started, but I was already, could already do all the things that they were teaching all the other kids.

And, uh, uh, And to that, pretty much, you know, first and second chair all through junior high and high school. And so, um, I, I just really lucked out in the way that I got set up for that, you know, and then drum lessons are, I took a few piano lessons in the eighth grade, but everything else I'm self taught.

So, um, you know, eventually I would pick up the guitar and start writing songs and things like that. But that happens a little later in life. 

Andrea: Yeah, so how did the music teachers respond to your obvious passion? Did they, like, like, encourage you with that, or did they, like, really recognize it in class? 

Jaret: It's funny because I, the other thing about me is, is that I was a class clown and, but I also, you know, this is in the eighties.

And so, you know, was listening to Motley Crue and Rat, Nausea. And so by that, by this time I was, I also started to have the long hair and, and, you know, I really didn't, um, I, I was definitely sort of like the, the different, you know, I was the rocker kid amongst all the, all of the band nerds, you know? And, uh, Yeah, so it was, I think I had a very interesting relationship, especially with the band directors in that, like, I definitely know that they saw the talent that I had, or at least, you know, the skills that I had.

I think a lot of them were a little harder on me because I think they probably worried a little bit about the crowd that I was running around with because, you know, those, those are all the, the guys that they, You know, suspect of being the stoner kids or whatever. Ironically, me and my friends were part of the, just say no generation that we didn't do anything.

I mean, and I'm talking all the way through high school. Like I was like nothing. I mean, I, I didn't even drink when I turned 21 years old. Like I went to El Chico's and had iced tea. What's cool is, is that, and I have this in, in other areas of, of education as well, but. is that since school, um, my junior high band director has since passed, but he had reached out to me.

Um, he saw a show telling me how proud he was, but my high school band director was really, really hard on me. And, uh, and I, I know why. You know, cause again, I, I wasn't taking anything really seriously, you know, band really was, it wasn't hard and you got your PE credits out of the way and you got to go on trips and you got to be around girls all the time.

And that was kind of the reasoning for me, you know, for like even wanting to be in there. And, uh, and so he was, he was a little hard on me and, and he has since written me several times of just like, Hey, you know, we, we knew he's actually said, you know, like we all had our eye on you in the junior and when you were in junior high, like everybody knew you were going to do great stuff.

We just didn't know, you know, where it was going to head. So if we were hard on harder on you, and it seems like that, then, then we are, or other kids. You know, I hope you understand. And it's like, it's the exact opposite of the treatment that I got from the theater arts teacher that. Really changed my life, but I'm so grateful for it as I look back on it now and I'm like, Oh, okay.

So I see why like this kid wasn't getting in trouble for this and this kid. And then I'm kind of getting into, and why am I always the one that gets, you know, and, uh, and, and I guess, I guess it sort of makes sense. I mean, they just wanted me to live up to my potential and, um, I should be thankful for that.

I am thankful for that. 

Andrea: Yeah. And I think from, from a teacher's perspective, sometimes it can be really scary when you have a kid. That is so obviously gifted because you want so, so many things for them so badly. And you know, some kids have the vision and the, the work ethic to, to put forward, but there's always the fear of, because we've all seen kids that have incredible talent and then they make a couple of choices and their life just changes.

Take a left turn and then it breaks your heart. And so you see a kid like, you know, like you were, where you're just like, you want so bad to see them, you know, go and tour and live out all their dreams and all that. So it sounds like that's kind of what was going on there. 

Jaret: Yeah. And, and, you know, but what's, what's crazy is though, is I look back and sort of see, you know, we can all do this, right?

I mean, Facebook affords us the ability to go back and go Oh, that was the kid that could do this and this and this. And like, what's he doing now? Oh my God. Like that guy is like, that guy's had a rough life. And you know, and you, you, you sort of look back on those things and go, you know, this was the high school football team, uh, you know, guy that was supposed to go on to the pros and he robbed a taco bueno, you know, and it's just like, that actually happened actually.

Like one of our friends, yeah, this guy was supposed to go to the NFL and he like robbed a freaking taco. And, uh, you know, dude went away, but, you know, so like you can, and I guess that's just it too, right? You realize why it sort of like goes, the easy thing is to go over into coaches and the reason why they're so hard on some of those kids, you know, and, and, uh, and it does, it makes sense.

And, and, you know, I see it even with my, my kid's friends, you know, my, my oldest son is 18 now and. Just these little sweet little boys that were all over at my house having so much fun and playing basketball and swimming and all this stuff. And some of them, you know, he's about to start an OU and he's got a few friends that now they're in trouble and they're not going to go to school.

And they're, you know, they've just kind of chosen a different path and it's just a bummer. So I, I would imagine for a teacher it's, it's even harder because you, you're spending every day with them and you see the potential. And I know now more than ever how, how you guys can see the potential in every single kid.

I didn't really think that that was a thing when I was a kid. Like, I thought, okay, they have their favorites and this is this or whatever, but no, I see it because my child, my 11 year old is severely ADHD and, and just the, the, the amount of care that his teachers put into his life and his education. Is it's unbelievable.

Like I just sit there sometimes at our, at our meetings that we have with them. Um, cause we have a thing in Texas that affords us to do that. And, uh, and I'm just like, good, my God, they're, they're actually paying attention to this kid. And, uh, it's, it's a really cool thing to see. 

Andrea: Yeah. That's awesome. And you mentioned that one of the teachers that really impacted you most was you said your theater teacher.

Jaret: Yeah. I, uh, so I sing about him. Uh, he's, um, I name check him in Ohio, went to Cleveland with some guy named Leland. His, uh, his name was Leland James. And uh, and then I talked to him in my hometown. This song goes out to the professor who said, son, pick a path and stay the same because charisma is the key to opportunity.

And uh, it's so crazy. He's, he's since passed too, but his son just came to my show and his son's a year older than me. And, uh, his son came to, comes to my show sometimes and we'll, we'll just, we'll just know, and I'll just talk about the impact that this guy had on my life. And he would, he would tell me, you know, stories about how like his dad would, which I'm sorry, I'm going to cry, uh, about how his, his dad would, you know, still talk about me.

And, uh, I was just this little class clown, little fat kid. Uh, but I had potential that this guy saw. I go from, you know, Literally just taking this class to have an easy elective, to being in the one act play, to winning all star cast in state, in Texas. And like, he literally changed my life. Like he, he took what other people were seeing as, as me being disruptive and he turned it into creativity.

And it was something that I had apart from like all my other friends, all my other musician friends, all my band friends, none of them were in there. And it was like this, this, this outlet that I had to just like be on the stage and be, be me and be overt and, and, and just. Be tall and big and, and, uh, and that man did that for me.

And, uh, you know, it's, it's something that I will never forget, you know, and I, and I, I pay tribute to him anytime I can, I talk about it. Cause, uh, I, I, uh, I love that man with everything I got. 

Andrea: Yeah. I, so you, you mentioned that there's, you've got lyrics in, in the song, Ohio. Is that the one, the song that you, you know, is that a quote from something he said?

What was it? 

Jaret: That's, that's in my hometown. Uh, I actually, I, I, I, I lyric, lyric did up a little bit, but his basically his thing was, me was always like, you need to be you, you know, don't. Don't change because you're friends. Don't change because you're teachers. Don't change because you're parents. Don't change You be you.

You're a force. You, you know, you are gonna be something. And, and he would just pound that into me all the time. And man, it, it, nobody had ever spoken to me that way. I don't begin to say that I understand what he saw in me. I, I really don't. I don't, I mean, I don't know that I would have picked me out of a lineup and gone, that's a kid that that needs this, you know, but he did.

And, uh, you know, it's funny. It's like, I mean, kids from school still talk about those plays and stuff. And, and, you know, it gets mentioned from time to time and he and I just had, we had a, we had a unique bond. You know, I didn't even call him Mr. James, his, his name was Rufus Leland James. So I called him R.

1. and everybody else had to call him Mr. James and it just, it's like a movie. It's like, it's like that teacher kid relationship out of a movie where it's just like, he, he just like, he's going to keep me in line in this area and this area and these little things he just let go, you know, but, uh, 

Andrea: yeah.

Jaret: Great, great, great man. 

Andrea: That's so awesome. Do you remember what your favorite, um, acting role was that you had when you were working with him? 

Jaret: Yeah, I did a thing called An Actor's Nightmare, and it was essentially just a stand up bit. Like I was on stage the entire play. And, uh, I was a guy who I, I just walked onto the stage and I thought I was like on my way to work.

And all of a sudden I look around and I'm in costume and I'm interacting with actors and there's an audience. And I'm even, I even break the fourth wall. Like I'm, I'm asking like, You know, Hey guys, what am I doing? I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing up here, you know, and that kind of thing.

And so, and that's the reason he picked that play was because he knew I was just, I was really, I really wanted to be a standup comedian. He's like, you know, well, let's just give you the stage, you know? And I, I mean, he never said that, but you know, I mean, it was, this play was built around me. And this is my senior year.

And then, but I interacted with all the other actors who would come in and they, they think they're doing the actual play that they're to do. And so, like, and they're calling me Eddie and, you know, I'm, I'm thrown into all these things and these situations. I'm trying to just. You know, I just finally stopped, stopped fighting it and tried to start blending in.

But, uh, that was a, that was a good one. That's the one that I won the all star cast and state for. And you know, it's funny, I have a regret about that play. Um, I wore a wig, um, because I wouldn't cut my hair. And back then, you know, your long hair was so important to you if you were a musician and I wish I would have cut my hair.

Because the wig did sort of look ridiculous, but I think about it all the time. I'm like, why didn't I just cut my hair and like, like make this thing, you know, we could have, you know, and not that the play didn't do fine, but, uh, I think about that a lot for some reason. I get, I get a little locked down.

It's so 

Andrea: funny. The things that were like, man, if I'd only, I mean, it sounds like it still did incredibly well and you won awards and all of that. That's great. Now, have you ever tried your hand at standup? 

Jaret: No, I've never done it. Um, I did improv comedy. Which is, I know for most comedians, that's a, that's a dirty word, but, uh, I did, uh, I did improv for a while and, uh, you know, I've thought about it.

I mean, the great thing about the band that I'm in is I get to do standup every night. Like we're, we do just as many jokes as we do songs. And so, and it's all ad lib, it's all improv. And so I found very quickly that when we started this band, that's. You know, we didn't have enough songs to fill up a set, but we wanted to do shows.

And so we just would, we would just try to make each other laugh. And that became a big part of our, our show. I mean, people will say online, I mean, not very often anymore, but sometimes you'll get it. My gosh, you guys talk a lot between songs and the audience. comes to our defense and they're like, that's the reason we're here.

We can listen to the songs. We want to hear what they're going to say. 

Andrea: Yeah. There's, I feel like there's so much truth to that. Like, cause I've been to concerts before where like the person doesn't even talk to the audience at all. They just kind of come out, they sing their song, they disappear. Like, and I'm like, well, all right.

Like, yes. Yay. Like, love that. That's why we're here. But also like, we're seeing you in person. It'd be nice if you acknowledged you weren't alone. 

Jaret: I know. Right. I, I agree. Like, I, I think, I think, I think You know, and I do get it, like, if it's just part of like what they're doing and all of that, but like, you want to be welcomed in, right?

I, at my rule for my rule, number one, for me, if I'm advising anybody is you never make the audience uncomfortable, right? And so what makes the audience uncomfortable? Well, first of all, quiet. makes the audience uncomfortable. So if you go get a drink, you know, of water, like there needs to be some sort of noise happening.

Either someone's like playing a guitar or they're some kind of piano or somebody's talking. So the rule, like, I don't, it's not really a rule. It's an unspoken rule in my band. It's like, if they see me going back to get a drink and I don't have my microphone in my hand, start talking on that microphone.

Not that we don't ever apply it, any time I've been to a show like that where like the guy is like, it's in between songs and then he just, there's 30 seconds of just silence and you're just like, okay, this is weird, you know? And then drunk people are yelling stuff and you know, and you're just like, 

Andrea: right, you 

Jaret: know?

So 

Andrea: it's not unlike teaching. in that way. Like you gotta, you cannot have the dead, like you cannot have the dead time between transitions and stuff like that. Those transitions have to be tight. Otherwise chaos reigns very, very similar in that way. 

Jaret: Well, you know what? I mean, I guess that's, that's, it's, we're talking about attention spans, right?

So you can't lose those kids attention span, just like you can lose an audience. You can lose them. And, and, and, and honestly, It doesn't matter how much they paid for the ticket. It is not always easy to get them back. Um, and you know, I, I happen to be pretty good about not losing them. I've certainly worked very hard to get them back if I do.

But, um, you know, and it, and it's, and it's, it's actually interesting. You mentioned that I'm a solo artist too. So I, now that I'm doing the country thing, I, I, I do, uh, I have a country band under just my name, Jarrett Ray Reddick. Um, and so we don't have a built in audience, you know, I mean, sometimes there's 15 people in our show.

Sometimes there's 200, sometimes, you know, whatever. And so I'm getting to practice that all over again, you know, like, I mean, it's like, it's a new thing and they don't know the songs. I mean, they're half the audience is there because. You know, 1985, you know, and then half of them are there because they're fans of just whatever it is I do.

It's pretty easy to, to lose them. Yeah, I could see how that would be a similarity in the classroom too. 

Andrea: Very, very. Um, all right guys, we are going to take a real quick break. We'll be right back.

Welcome back to those who can't do. Um, okay. So I wanted to talk a little bit more about the solo stuff that you're doing now, because it is not a pop punk thing. It is country. Um, and that is, I mean, it sounds, you've been doing it for how long now? I did look before we got on, but now I'm spacing. How long have you been doing this?

Jaret: Andrea, if I list all of the things that I do, it gives my wife full on anxiety attack, so I don't expect you to be able 

Andrea: to remember. I was gonna say, you are like the ultimate multi hyphenate when I, like, your Wikipedia is like a mile long. It's crazy. Yeah, 

Jaret: yeah. Um, no, so I, um, I made the record about two and a half years ago.

Um, I, I wrote it, uh, second year of, of, uh, COVID, uh, second year of quarantine, I guess. You know, the first year, you know, I did the same thing everybody did the first three months. I full on panicked and just drank a bunch with my friends that, you know, we, we isolated it together. So I've with three other couples and they all have kids.

So we were like, Hey, we can have a social life, but it just has to be this. And so that's who we were with all the time or whatever. And that, you know, about, about June of that year, we're like, guys, we've got to start putting our kids to bed on time. And we. You know, maybe we only drink two days a week, you know, and, uh, right.

You have a problem. Yeah, exactly. It was just like, we, we still laugh about it, but that did happen. Like we, we were just like, I don't, we're out of control here. And so anyway, so right after that, you know, I, I really, I started doing a bunch of shows online and I wrote a bowling pursuit record called pop, drunk, snot bread.

Um, we went and record, we took a bus, uh, up to the Poconos isolated up there, made the record. lived in a little house a mile away from the studio is great and, uh, got back and then worked on getting that record out. And then I'm just like, okay, we still can't go play shows. Now what? And so my buddy, Zach, who produced the record was like, man, you've been talking about doing this country album.

Forever. And you always say you don't have the time and you have the time. And I'm just like, you're right. Let's just do it. And so, uh, he and I wrote the record, uh, via text message, which I had never done before. And a text message in Google docs and, uh, pieced all these songs together and, uh, and, and got that record made.

And then it came out, I think it took me about a year to get it out. So, uh, we've been playing shows now for about, um, for about two years. 

Andrea: You mentioned, um, having an interest in stand up comedy, and one of the things I actually mentioned to my producers about the, the album, because I was listening to it this morning, and there, there is definitely a comedic element to your songwriting, too.

Like there's, I can't remember specifically what the lyric was, but I was cracking up on my way, while I hit this morning, because you do have, like, quite a, like, comedic piece to, to the lyrics, who would you say kind of inspired you in the, the country side of music? Because you mentioned, you know, Ozzy and, and all the rest for 

Jaret: Yeah, this goes back to, again, as I said, this is a great throwback to the first of the interview, Andrea, you are a professional.

Um, I, this is, this is driving around in the car with my parents and listening to Waylon and Willie and Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton and, and, you know, dare I say Neil Diamond and Donna Summer and just the vastness of what their palette was. But really a lot of it was the storyteller's country stuff.

And so now knowing that, if you go back and listen to Bowling Pursuit songs, You know, 1985, if you listen to all the bad guys, what you listen to their stories. And that's, that's the thing that I've always, that's the way I write songs. And all of that is due to listening to these storyteller country guys, Johnny Cash.

Andrea: Yeah, and I actually, I, I noticed that as well as that I, cause I was, I was thinking about this morning. I was like, these are like the story type songs as opposed to just like the same four lines over and over rewashed, like, and I thought about that too with 1980, like it's a story. It's about a person who, you know, was dealing with not hitting all their goals.

And I, I thought about that. So I was wondering if it was, uh, inspired by, you know, Dolly and all the greats. 

Jaret: Absolutely. And you know, and I do say I got a Waylon and Willie tattoo and I actually do, I got Waylon and Willie tattooed on my arm. I don't know if you can see it. Terrible angle. Listener, I promise I showed it.

Um, yeah. And so, um, but yeah, so I would say, you know, and then of course I'm an eighties kid. And so Urban Cowboy came out, I think I was in like the second grade. And I'm like, that was like the movie and like that music. And so Johnny Lee and Mickey Gilley and, and, uh, and Charlie Daniels. And so I grew up listening to a lot more country than I, until that Ozzy thing happened, you know?

I mean, it was country and Michael Jackson and John Cougar Mellencamp, you know? And then of course I changed. Country was not in my life for quite some time after that until I started working construction in the mid nineties. And then you had to listen to that. So, um, But yeah, I would definitely say that those would be the bigger of the inspirations.

So when I made the country record, that's what I wanted to make. I wanted to make an organic country album, especially sound wise, not a Nashville record. I don't, I didn't want it to be, because Bowling for Soup is already polished. It's pop punk pop. It is polished. I mean, and that's, and pop punk is, it's, it's all recorded very slick.

And so I already do that. And so I wanted it to feel more, you know, just like where the, where the songs could breathe a little bit for lack of a better term. Yeah. And, uh, and I really feel like I accomplished it. And now we're on a roll, like the new stuff that we're doing, it even feels more that way. And, uh, and I'm really, really happy with, with where we're heading.

You know, the country thing for me really was, I'm going to do this while I have time and then maybe I'll play a show or two. And then I got the songs together and then I got my band together and I just, I was hooked. You know, and, uh, I couldn't, I couldn't stop. And so luckily I have a very supportive wife.

In fact, she's so supportive, um, in the country band, I had to get back in the van and, uh, we're, we're back to grassroots. And, uh, so we traded in her car so we could get a van and, uh, that's how supportive she is. That's 

Andrea: awesome. 

Jaret: Yeah, I owe her a car. 

Andrea: No, you said you've got three kids and the oldest is 18.

Jaret: My oldest is, that's my oldest boy. So my, my oldest is 21. She is, her name's Emma. Uh, she, um, it will graduate from college, uh, in the spring. And my, uh, oldest son is 18. He's starting college in the fall. And then, uh, my 11 year old is, uh, starting middle school. Yeah, it's interesting. Um, as far as school goes.

You know, my older two just had it easy. I mean, they're, they were both, you know, popular and, and like school wasn't hard and, you know, all that. My youngest, he's, he's gifted, talented, but he has severe ADHD. And so he's having, it's such a completely different experience as a parent. 

Andrea: Yeah, I, so I, I have ADHD and I was not diagnosed until I was an adult.

And now I think back about like middle school and I mean, you know, in 90s, early 2000s, like it, it was starting to be a thing, but not widely recognized, especially among girls who had ADHD. And I actually had a very similar experience to what you had, where I had one teacher who said, like, you are capable of amazing things.

Like, don't turn in garbage to me, basically, because I would, I would always wait till the last second because I, and again, now I know why, because I needed the adrenaline to make my brain focus enough for there to be enough stimulation in my brain to think, okay, I can sit and focus on this. Um, And I would just put things off to the last minute and then I would get everything done.

Um, and I, I did that one time and I didn't even like read, really reread it when I, before I turned it in and I gave it to her and she read it and I think I got like a B minus or a C on it. And I was like, sweet. You know, I turned it in the night before, like I was a pretty much C average student. Um, and when she passed it out, she was like, here you go.

And I was like, Oh, cool. And she's like, no, like you, you need to do better than this. You have to be able to like push yourself and expect more out of yourself because you are a talented writer. And that moment was just like, I remember exactly that moment where I was just like, Oh, well that's the first time literally anyone has thought anything of me other than I'm the kid who's screwing around and gets talks too much on the report card, you know?

Yeah, totally. And for, for kids with ADHD, it's, it's so hard because, um, and my daughter also, uh, has ADHD and she's, uh, in kindergarten and it's, she was this morning I was talking to her about cleaning her room and she's like, I just can't keep things straight. I was like, Oh, baby girl, like me, me too. And that like, we just got to keep working on it.

And sometimes we got to make lists and all of that. And it, it can be really hard because, uh, I think there's also a misconception that kids with ADHD don't want to do well or aren't motivated enough to do well. Um, and I, for, for a lot, long time for me, that was the case is I wasn't super motivated until later, but for my daughter, she is so motivated to do well.

So. So she is more frustrated by her distraction than anybody else is. And she's so hard on herself and as a parent, it's so hard to see that and to see them struggling and just be like, I, I want to be like, I want to help. Like, what can I do? 

Jaret: I had, I had no understanding of it. I never experienced it. So my wife, um, is my second marriage.

And so he is ours. And then my older two are from a previous life. And, uh, so I had never experienced this. So my wife has ADHD and I just thought she was messy and artistic, you know, and whatever. And, uh, and that she, that she loses stuff and she's, you know, I mean, She's the best in the world. But like, I would just be like, why?

How do you lose a debit card? Like, I don't, I didn't even understand how that's possible. It, it does not compute. Right. . And so I, I begin like learning. You are laughing 'cause you've done it, right? 

Andrea: because, yeah, because I know exactly how I lose my debit card. 'cause I just throw it in my purse and then it falls out and then it's the bottom of my car.

Exactly. 

Jaret: Yeah. That is exactly what happens or in her back pocket or, and it's like, yes, that's exactly what she does. And, and so, you know, I've become sympathetic to all of that. I've read a lot of articles, we're in counseling at all times just to better our marriage and, and uh, and we're doing the work all the time just to, to make sure that we're on the same page and, and, uh, I've learned so much about it.

And so, you know, knowing, watching her watch Everett and just. I feel so badly for her because I know she knows how it feels, you know, and, but like the room thing, right? Like he sees that as 25 towers of things that are just like looming over him. And it's just like, dude. 

Andrea: Yeah. 

Jaret: You know, and I remember when he was a little kid, it'd be like, dude, stay in your room until it's clean.

And that kid would stay in there all day and not do one thing. 

Andrea: I'll be here all day and I'm going to make more of a mess while I'm in there. 

Jaret: And I'd be like, dude, listen to me, do one thing. And then come tell me what you did. Do another thing. Come tell me what you did. Do another thing. And in 15 minutes, his room was clean and like, and he would understand it and he would go, Oh, okay.

Well, and then the next time it towers over him and school works the same way. He is just, he's so overwhelmed by the fact that there's 25 questions, you know? And I'm like, man, that's not 25 questions, dude, that's five questions, five times you could do this. You know, and we, you know, we chunk work and things like that.

Andrea: Yeah, 

Jaret: I think back to, to probably those, those a DH kid, a DH, ADHD kids when I was a kid, and you know, I'm 52 and so again, eighties. You know, I remember there was this kid named Chris Brown who he had to go to the library twice a day and jump on a mini trampoline for 30 minutes every day because he was hyperactive.

And you'd go in there and he'd be like jumping up and down, Hey guys, you know, and be like, but we didn't understand like, why does, why is he jumping on a trampoline in there? But I look at, look back and just go, man, you know, I bet a bunch of those kids that were in resource. We're done. They just didn't know how to learn.

And the teachers back then, honestly, you know, and it's not their fault, but they didn't know how to teach them. And it's, it's, uh, you know, I'm so happy that my son is growing up at a time to where like, It's not necessarily the first thing. The first move is not just to medicate, you know, like, right. Of course, that's an option.

And yes, he's medicated just so I don't want to sound like that. That's a bad thing. It's a great thing, but you know, there are other things that you can try and do and there, and just to make them more comfortable, but he's the same way as you were, he, he will just go like, I can't help it. I just. I just talk too much.

I need to, I need to move. I need to not be here because I am, I'm annoying people and I'm keeping them from doing their work and it frustrates me and it's gosh, your heart just, it just hurts. So much for them, you know, 

Andrea: yeah, and you want, you want them so bad to, to have it easier, you know, um, and especially, you know, like as the parent with ADHD that like gifted this to my child, right?

Like, I'm like, great, like I, I really set you up well for that one, but I mean, it, it, the, the way that I always, um, expressed it to a lot of people, because, you know, You know, I, while I was teaching throughout the pandemic, I was also getting my PhD and I, my son was born, uh, my younger child was born in April of 2020.

So like, thick of the pandemic, right? Um, and I got my PhD over that time and people were like, well, how do you do it? And I was like, ADHD, like, I know, like, like a lot of people feel like there's, Like, that can only ever be a hindrance, but to be so for real, I'm able to compartmentalize in a way that most people can't because I forget, and I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that, like, I literally forget about everything else when I am doing whatever task is right in front of me, and that's to my detriment.

Like, if I'm thinking about something else, the very Very commonly, I will do something insane, like put the remote in the fridge. Like, I can't tell you how many times things like that have happened. But, that also means that we're able to accomplish a lot and have a lot of energy and all of that. And so, I think that is one of the encouraging things that for kids who are dealing with, with that.

Jaret: It's a true superpower. Yes, exactly. Like it's, and I've watched this with my wife. Again, she, Thinks she can multitask, but she can't. Like she, she makes a sandwich and like, leaves the ingredients out on the counter after she's done. And then she starts something and then she moves on to something else.

And then, you know, and then this thing never gets finished. Now that frustrates the heck out of her. She hates it. I'm, I'm now understanding of it or whatever, but when she just decides like, Oh man, people are coming over this, this girl can clean the house in 15 minutes and you would literally think that three maids came in and worked all day.

Like it is when she focused or when she focuses on a, she, she's an artist. . And so if she starts to paint, she just loses four hours. Like she's so hyperfocused and she's the same. She can read and like really, really consume a book and you know, but like you said, if if she, if she can get focused on something and that's, I think that's the thing with Everett, right?

Yeah. Is that he can focus so much on. A video game on his phone that he doesn't know that the world is happening around him. It's like, I wish, and, and we will be, he will, he'll figure it out. But. Eventually, he'll be able to take that concentration and, you know, and, uh, we're, we're having a lot of wins. I mean, he finally, um, accepted the fact that he's going to be the last person done on standardized testing and he is like insanely high in everything now because he's not freaking out and just guessing because he wants to be, he thinks he's supposed to be done.

So he's learning about it and I'm glad that him at 11. I'm glad we have the resources to be able to, to educate him, for him to educate himself on, okay, why does my mind do this to me? You know, why can't I, why aren't I like other kids? Like why can't I do this and this and this? And you know, and we try to tell him all the time, dude, it's a, it's a superpower.

You just got, it's just like, you know, any of the movies that we watch, you know, Spider Man had to learn to use his web, dude, you know, you're, you're going to figure that out. And when you do. You know, it's, you're going to be able to use that, you know, and you think back, you think about, I mean, like, like, like you, I mean, you are a renowned freaking educator and you're doing all this great stuff and putting all this cool content into the world and all of this.

And like, I would have never thought you had ADHD and it's, it's, I think that's, I that's. I think that's awesome that you're, and that you're willing to share that too. It's really cool. 

Andrea: Yeah. Well, I, it was always really important to me because I, I didn't get diagnosed until a few years ago and it was one of those things where I, I feel like the stigma has, has lessened quite a bit.

Um, I remember when I was in high school, like it, it was almost like a dirty word, you know, that if you had ADHD or you had something like that going on, um, but then when I was able to put a name to why my brain works the way that it does and why, you know, For whatever reason, I could not write my dissertation unless I was listening to music so loud that I could literally hear nothing else because that was the level of stimulation my brain needed in order to focus on something I found, like, really boring.

Like, I, I listened to the soundtrack of Hamilton every, and that was, for some reason, that was the, the magic ticket. I don't know if it was, like, the rhythm of it or what, but I listened to it probably hundreds of the years, the year that I wrote my dissertation, and to be able to take that and then take it into my classroom and know that when my student, who I know because they've got an IEP, that they've got ADHD and they want to listen to music while they're doing their writing in my class, of course they should be able to, you know, because I'm the exact same way, you know, and so.

Like, as an educator, I always felt like it was really important to, to share and empathize with kids because they need to know it's not just them. Otherwise, they grow up thinking like, well, something's broken in my brain. And I'm like, no, like, 

Jaret: it actually could be, they think they're dumb. They think that they're, you know, I mean, it's, it's, it's really, really hard.

Andrea: Yeah. 

Jaret: It's, I find that so fascinating. My wife is the, you guys must have the same grade of, uh, I think so. Yeah. Sounds 

Andrea: like it. She 

Jaret: is the same way. Like she has, she listens to really loud music. And to me, Music is just such a distraction. Like I don't even listen to music while I drive, because if I listen to music while I drive, I get sucked into that and I'll, I just miss turns.

I forget where I'm going, you know, because music is just such a thing for me. So I have to listen to podcasts or. Talk radio, or you know, things like that. Like, it can't be and I also don't like loud music, and I'm not a rock fan. 

Andrea: How are you a rock star who doesn't like loud music? I 

Jaret: know, it is the weirdest thing, like, I like everything on three.

You know? And, like, and I mean, I want to Be able to understand all the words and, and all of that stuff. And that's as loud as it needs to be. So funny. First thing I do when I get in her car, turn the music down and, and, uh, and I come home, sit down at the kitchen table and I'll be, Alexa, turn down the three, you know?

Oh my gosh, that's amazing. Just the loud, loud thing. It's crazy. Yeah, man. I, you know, to, uh, effort is on what we call in, I think it's Texas. We call it a 504. And, uh, and so he, he gets these, he gets certain things, um, and we're allowed to review them at any time you call her. It's really official. You, the principal comes in and the counselor and all this.

And so there's, there's little things that they can do to try to help him and to offer him or whatever. If he wants to move his seat, he's allowed to do that. He's allowed to have a fidget spinner though. He doesn't really do that or fidget item or whatever, if he needs it. Um, and you know, there's, there's things like that, that, that are, that are in place for him, um, to be able to, to do.

It's just, you know, I think the hard thing for us as parents is, is that like, They do everything so differently now as far as like where our schools are. The kid doesn't just come home with homework and like a list of things he's supposed to do. Like a lot of times they don't send things home. And so we're unaware of like how behind he is, you know, in school and, and that.

And so we had to like, literally like, Uh, create a new kind of communication just so that we could have any sort of awareness into like what it is because, um, he's so overwhelmed that he doesn't lie. He'll tell you he's behind, but he won't, I mean, he won't tell you how behind he is unless you specifically ask like he's, he's smart, but he, you know, again, he's, he's honest, but you know, I, again, I, I can't say enough about, you know, Teachers.

I mean, I said this during the pandemic, I think the value of teachers for all of us, even all of us who are super, super pro teacher, um, you know, when you start to try and homeschool a second grader, uh, especially a second grader that at the time is in Spanish immersion, uh, my wife, I mean, I think she aged five years, you know, I, I, you know, I, it's that poor woman, you know, and, and I felt terrible.

I mean, there's nothing I can do. I have to go in the studio, you know, and I mean, I've got to do my, you know, my thing. You know, by the way, I didn't mean like, uh, age five years in her look. She's absolutely stunning. 

Andrea: Don't get yourself in trouble. I painted myself right in the corner. 

I'm not her soul. 

You know what?

We have a lot of teacher followers or listeners and they know, they know the kind of aging that happens from teaching. So it's all right. I'd tell 

Jaret: you. I said, I have a, A podcast called the Rockstar Dad Show. And we would, and we would talk about it each week. And I'd just be like, I don't know how they do it.

Like in all these moms that, you know, now like why, when a mom gets mad at the school or whatever happens and they're like, I'm just going to homeschool or whatever. That kid is always back in a couple of months, you know, like it's, it's just because, you know, you, you, you, it's not even really, The teaching aspect of it, it's the fact that like, you already have sort of this relationship with your child.

And then like, now you're, this is a whole different thing. And it's like, it's almost like, actually, this is a fine example of it. It's like, are you, I'll be like, Everett's taking drum lessons. What are you taking? Are you teaching him? And I'm like, that kid doesn't want to learn drums for me. You know, like that kid wants to play Minecraft and watch funny videos with me.

Like he doesn't want to sit there and me tell him how to play the drums. He needs an outsider to come in so that that guy can go, no, that's how you do it. Because he's 11, but he still thinks he's smarter than me most of the time. And I'll like, have to Calm him down and go, dude, I am 52 years old. I've been around the world 17 times.

I have been to countries that you don't even know and will never even hear of in your life. And you, you have got to accept the fact that I'm smarter than you. 

Andrea: I am delighted by the thought that he wouldn't be a very, uh, receptive learner for learning drums from you. I think that is the funniest that like, that's so typical, right?

Like immediately, like your parents are lame. It does not matter if they are a touring musician and rock star. Like, doesn't matter. They don't know what they're talking about. He doesn't know how to teach me drums. Like, um, 

Jaret: Tiger Woods doesn't teach his son, Charlie, how to play golf. I believe 

Andrea: that. Yeah.

That's not his 

Jaret: instructor.

Andrea: Oh my gosh. And it's, it's so funny. Cause I know I would have been the same way. Like if my parents had, had been like, let me teach you this thing that I'm literally an expert at. No, thank you. Not interested in that. 

Jaret: But also there's our reaction, right? There's us, like, like, we as parents, like, I'm a very patient parent.

I, I don't, and I don't really get mad a lot. And I, I'm, you know, I, I'm, I'm a pretty level headed guy. And especially as a parent. Um, but there's a frustration when your child just can't get it. You're like, it's just like, just get it. Just like, I'm showing you this. Just understand this and then do it, you know, like, and, and, and I think with instructions of things, I think I just feel like you need, you need a middleman, you know, to be able to go, yeah, I understand.

I had trouble with that too, you know, or whatever. But, uh, yeah, it's, uh, it's definitely. He doesn't want any part of that. Like, uh, my, my wife will go, yeah, your dad could probably show you how to do that. He'll go, Oh yeah, that's great. He walks out of the room. That's it. 

Andrea: He like looks up a YouTube video.

It's like someone, anyone, but Jared Reddick playing this song, 

Jaret: playing this song. 100%. Yeah. Kids are so lucky, man. You can do anything now. Like, yes. Having access to 

Andrea: YouTube. It's crazy. You're younger 

Jaret: than me. You're, you're quite a you're probably about my wife's age. She's 33. Yeah, I'm 37. In the eighties, like we bought books on how to solve a Rubik's cube.

You know what I mean? Like you couldn't, and now you could just, anything that you want to, if you want to juggle, you can be juggling by lunchtime. Yeah. You know, you just look it up and a kid teaches you how to do it. And it's just, it's the coolest thing in the world. 

Andrea: Right? It just further allows kids to ignore their parents when they're trying to teach them something that they know really well.

Like, nope, sorry. I'm gonna go watch somebody else. 

Jaret: You know what the best thing is? The best, uh, the best triumph for 80s kids is is that we wouldn't get to use calculators on tests because our teachers would say, yeah, you're never going to, what are you going to carry around a calculator with you all the time?

And now you're like, Oh, I carry around a computer with me all the time. You know, it's like my, my kids, when they were in high school, they're like, yeah, we just get to use our phones. Like we can, we just, because They're like, yeah, you're always gonna have your phone, you know, so, and it's like, man, you wish you could just go back in time to the 80s and go, yes, I am gonna have a calculator on me.

Andrea: Right. Oh my gosh. So good. Um, okay. So before I let you go, can you share where people can find you, where you're touring, all that good stuff? 

Jaret: Absolutely. Right now Bowling for Soup is celebrating 20 years of our biggest record, A Hangover You Don't Deserve, which has 1985 and almost in Ohio. And so we're in the U.

1. right now. We actually just started. Um, so you can get those tickets, bowlingforsoup. com. Uh, we'll be heading back to the UK and Australia and, uh, rolling out some Texas dates for next year. Um, and then country stuff. I'm playing in between Bowling for Soup touring and, uh, putting out new music in both.

And that's just at jaredrayreddick. com, but, uh, social media at J A R E D T 2 1 1 3 or jaredreddick on TikTok and, um, That's where I'm at. 

Andrea: Awesome. Well, thank you again so much. This was super fun. I appreciate you making the time. 

Jaret: Thanks for having me. And you've got an awesome staff, by the way. Everybody's just so friendly and, and, uh, yeah, I, I, whenever we were gonna schedule this and you were like, yeah, I'll, I'll have my people call you or whatever, and I'm like, oh, you're like big time podcasts, , 

Andrea: my, my team makes me seem very big time.

I, I will give them all the credit for that. They definitely do. So it's 

Jaret: very official. Thank you for having me. You're awesome. 

Andrea: Yeah. Thank you so much. All right, guys, we will be right back.

Welcome back to those who can't do, um, I have to tell you guys that was so cool for me, like getting to chat with Jarrett and honestly, just learning that I have, um, so much in common with his kid and his wife and, um, his educational experience, uh, that he shared with us. I think it was just. Really telling because it's a good reminder for me as an educator to make sure that I'm being intentional about kind of seeking out those kids that need what he needed, where, you know, uh, his drama teacher that talked to him and was like, Hey, like I see greatness in you.

You know, I know we all do that. And I know that for a lot of us, it comes. really naturally. But I think for me, what I find is that more burned out I am, the less greatness I feel in myself, the harder it can be for me to do that with, with my students. And especially now that I'm teaching college, it's a little bit of a different dynamic.

You know, in high school, it was very easy, um, to kind of see those kids. You see them every single day. And now I only see them a couple of times a week. So it's just a good reminder for me, um, to seek out the kids, um, the kids, the adults that I'm working with, um, and make sure that they know that, um, I'm rooting for them and I see them for all of their strengths and all of that.

Um, cause I think we all need that even if we're no longer in high school or in college, we, we like to be believed in. I think that's incredibly powerful. Um, if you have thoughts about what we talked about today, or you have suggestions about who you think should come on next, you can hit us up at Andrea at human content.

com or on TikTok and Instagram at educator Andrea. You can also visit us or visit my podcast family at human content pods. And thank you guys so much for those of you who have less left left feedback on, um, Apple podcast. I was going to say Amazon for some reason. I don't know why we just had Prime day.

I think that's why my brain is like Amazon Prime reviews. Okay. Got it. Um, on Apple podcast and on YouTube, which is where this one came from, um, at teacher Kelly tag left on the YouTube video with Devin Siebold, um, two of my favorite teachers. Thank you so much, Kelly. I appreciate that. Um, if you want to catch those full video episodes, they're up every week on YouTube at Educator Andrea.

Thank you so much for listening. I am your host, Andrea Forkham, and a very special thank you to our guest co host Jarrett Reddick today. Um, our executive producers are Andrea Forkham, Aaron Korney, Rob Goldman, and Shahnti Brooke. Our editor is Andrew Sims. Our engineer is Jason Portizzo. Our music is by Omer Ben Zvi.

Our recording location is Indiana State Bi College of Education. To more, to learn more about our Those Who Can't Do Oh, guys, man, the words now. I've, I've already, I got so like flustered by talking to one of my rock star heroes that now I can't. It's just going to be a secret what our program disclaimer and ethics policies are, um, and our submission verification and licensing terms that you can find at podcasterandrea.

com because I'm not going to tell you anything else about them. You're going to have to go look for yourself. And those who can't do is a human content production.

Thank you so much for watching. If you're like me and you're thinking, gosh, I really need more of those who can't do in my life. You can start your binging right now by clicking on that playlist button right over there. New episodes are out every Thursday, so please subscribe and join us each week on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.