BeTempered Episode 131 –  Behind the Host and Beyond the Confidence with Ben Spahr

 Ben Spahr and Dan Schmidt turn the conversation toward Ben in this Behind the Host episode of BeTempered. He’s the guy who can talk to anyone, notice the kid standing off to the side, and find something good in a difficult day. But feeling confident on the outside hasn’t always meant feeling secure on the inside.

Ben shares his small town Ohio upbringing, the work ethic his grandparents modeled, and the coaches and teachers who recognized something in him before he could see it himself. He opens up about the uncertainty of growing up around conflict at home, living in a basement after high school, and how meeting Lisa became a turning point. Along the way, we talk about shame, imposter syndrome, and the fear of not being enough, even when you’re giving everything you have.

His career in the outdoor sporting goods industry brings another set of lessons about earning trust, building relationships, and watching what happens when corporate priorities lose sight of people. Ben reflects on how those experiences shaped the way he approaches leadership and treats others.

We also get into a frightening NICU season, his expectations of church community, and the mission trips and moments of service that helped him begin seeing himself through Jesus’ eyes. Through it all, one theme keeps coming back: the difference it makes when someone notices you, believes in you, and shows up.