Digital Social Hour - Why Independent Media Will Overtake Corporates by 2030 | Sage Steele DSH #1136

Episode Date: January 23, 2025

🚀 Why is independent media poised to overtake corporate giants by 2030? Tune in now as Sean Kelly sits down with Sage Steele on the Digital Social Hour Podcast to discuss her bold transition from 29 years in corporate media to the freedom of independent platforms. 🎙️ From sharing personal stories of resilience to breaking down why audiences are turning away from traditional outlets, this episode is packed with valuable insights you can’t miss!  💡 Sage opens up about the challenges of corporate expectations, the growing power of podcasts, and the evolving relationship between creators and their audiences. Plus, hear her take on the future of media, family, and staying authentic in a world of noise. Whether you're curious about the media revolution or looking for inspiration, this conversation delivers it all! 🌟 📺 Watch now and subscribe for more insider secrets! Hit that subscribe button and stay tuned for more eye-opening stories on the Digital Social Hour with Sean Kelly! 🚨 Don’t miss out—join the conversation and discover how independent voices are changing the game! 🔥 #richardcooper #highvalueman #masculinity #leadership #psychology #tyt #cnn #foxnews #newsbiases #msnbc CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 03:29 - Transitioning to Independent Media 05:00 - Join the January Fasting Challenge 06:34 - Handling Hate on Social Media 07:45 - Sage's Biracial Experience 10:42 - Stephen A. Smith Insights 13:56 - Traditional Media vs. Podcasts 15:51 - Media's Impact on Society 18:04 - Discussion on Vaccines 19:10 - Forgiving Yourself 22:17 - Addressing Fear Mongering 23:35 - Relationship with Your Significant Other 31:04 - Understanding Low Testosterone Levels 32:42 - Men and Compliments 33:30 - Creating a Safe Space for Your Partner 35:16 - Importance of Family Structure 37:13 - Sharing on Social Media 40:08 - Family First Philosophy 45:03 - Sage’s Trauma Journey 46:20 - Sage’s Voting Experience 49:05 - Where to Find Sage 49:59 - Outro APPLY TO BE ON THE PODCAST: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/application BUSINESS INQUIRIES/SPONSORS: [e-mail] GUEST: Sage Steele https://www.instagram.com/sagesteele SPONSORS: Prolon: http://prolonlife.com/DSH LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 Sean Kelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmikekelly/

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So 27 years of my life. Good run. Oh, for sure. And it didn't end the way I wanted, but I have the three best kids from it. I learned so much. Oh my gosh, I learned so much. I love that.

And you'll be great. I was trying to be funny. Like, yeah, divorced him. Good luck with that. All right, guys, got Sage Steel here today. We finally made it happen. Finally. Thank you for not hating me. No, you're good.

You were so busy at AmFast, I didn't want to intrude. Well, that was amazing. That was my first time. Had you been there before? First time and same experience. It was amazing. Blown away. I was hoping to come on your show in Vegas though, because any excuse to get out there. Vegas is a fun time. So can we do it again out there? Yeah, we'll do a part two in Vegas. We were talking about Florida. I think Vegas is a close second to Florida. Totally agree. I was going to look at places out there, especially because all the sports teams are there now. You know, it's, I love Vegas. I love the heat. I used to live in Arizona. I lived in Scottsdale, um, seven or eight years ago, fell in love with the desert and all that comes with it. So I, I'm the girl that's like, bring on 118. I'm fine with the hot hot.

I love it. Yeah. Yeah. I love that. Yeah. Vegas gets really dry though. That's the one thing. Your lips are trapped.

I know. And you constantly have your water bottles. Yeah. That's how Arizona was. Same thing. I like it. That's better than this. Yeah.

DC, I mean, you know, weather-wise not the best. Hard to beat Cali though. True. But there's other reasons why I wouldn't go to Cali. Yeah, I mean, the fires. Many. Holy crap. They handled that probably the worst of all time.

Heartbreaking and still can't even show some accountability. That's what blows me away, but I shouldn't be surprised. We shouldn't be surprised. Yeah, I didn't see any accountability from Karen or Newsome. Nope. Just blaming.

Yeah, and when Newsome says,. Just, uh, blaming. Yeah. And when Newsome says, you know, you know, like what happened and we're trying to, we're trying to figure it out. We're trying to, we're asking local officials and they're telling us. You're the governor. You're the boss. Like it's, I know people, I'm sure you do too. If lost lost homes gone. Yeah.

And I am devastated for those. Yeah. He's just deflecting and these people, a lot of them didn't have insurance. And that's partially his fault too, because they were negotiating with the insurance companies and it fell through. Exactly. No one's taught. They're just making the insurance companies out to be bad.

I'm not saying I love insurance companies. However, we talked about this before. Think about just PCH, just that area there, Malibu and Pacific Palisades, the tens of billions of dollars that those homes are worth for any insurance company to pull out of there, knowing what they could potentially make, just those premiums every month or year, insane, probably highest in the country. Yeah. That tells you how bad off that area was and how it was too much of a risk for them.

And they pulled. So from a business perspective, I get it and I understand it. And if you can't make money, like at some point we can do our shows in our podcasts. Yeah. I don't know. Give it a couple of years, let it get going at someone. If you're not making money and you're in the red, that's a bad business decision for you to keep doing your show.

They're no different. And I think people need to acknowledge the why, why did they choose to pull out? And that's because of what California was not doing to help. You can't prevent them fully, but you can be prepared. Absolutely. Absolutely. How has your transition been from corporate media to independent? Cause you were in corporate for 20 plus years, right?

Yeah. 29 years. 29 years. Yeah. Wow. It's so weird. Um, I, I still, uh, I'm still getting used to it because I think you're trained honestly, as we should be as journalists to focus on the story, focus on your job,

which does not involve your opinion. And now all of a sudden I'm saying what I think and that's really weird. It feels weird, right? Yeah. And then you get more clicks and cancellations and all the things. But the best part is that I don't care. I love it. It just took a long time.

Like you're a lifetime ahead of me. It's awesome. Like once you can not care. Honestly, like anything is possible. It took me the podcast to realize that too. Cause I used to care about what people thought of me up until I started the show. So 25 years for me, but yeah, it's been a game changer. Now I can wake up.

I don't care. I get hate every day. Yeah. So how do you handle the hate? I used to get to me like when I was younger, but now it's like people are going to hate no matter what you do. Mr. Beast gets hate. He's saving lives. Yeah.

You know, like it's inevitable. It's often I think also envy, jealousy. Yeah. Well, they say it's a projection of their insecurities. Correct. And when you look at the comments and you click on their profile, it's usually not like I'm not trying to like generalize, but they're not doing high level things. And then they see this somebody that they might compare themselves.

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contact CONNECT ONTARIO at 1-866-531-2600 to speak to an advisor free of charge. If starting the new year off with a fast feels a little daunting, you're not alone. Shout out to today's sponsor Prolon. They're an entire community of individuals that want you to make meaningful differences in health and it makes fasting so powerful because you have a group of people around you. I'm joining their January Fasting Challenge, which is a coach led program to set you up for fasting success. It's a five day program.

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New groups start every Sunday in January. Plus, Prolon is offering digital social hour listeners 15% off their five day program. When you go to prolon.com slash DSH, that's prolon.com slash DSH. age wise or whatever. Yeah. And they're like, who's this guy? Yeah.

Half the time it's a fake profile. Is it? How do you know? Cause it's like a random name, no pictures. It's like they use an alternative account to leave the comment. So it, how do you know? Cause it's like a random name, no pictures. It's like they use an alternative account to leave the comment. So it's not their real account cause they're ashamed of putting their real face out there. Yeah, grow a pair.

Yeah. All these people. I can't. Do you get a lot of hate on social media? I do. You do? Which platform? It's funny on Instagram, it's like they have to find you.

You know, and they find me. But I'm really okay. It's taken a long time. I've had to train my mom to not read the comments. Oh, poor mom. Because I think that'd be the hard thing. And as I'm a mother, and I think that if I saw people attacking my child, no matter how old your child is. And you know the truth, that'd be very hard to take. It's almost easier to take yourself, but if someone comes after your kids, watch out, honestly. So I've trained her to not look and not go,

and don't respond, but she'll get engaged. I love that. Because some of the things people say, it's one thing to be mean, it's another thing to be threatening. Yeah, there's a line. Or really filthy. There's a lot of filth.

When you start bringing family involved, that's kind of my line. When you're doxing people, when you're threatening physical violence, you know. Yeah, death threats, I've had them. Whoa. People wishing you would die or threatening to rape your daughters.

Holy crap. Yeah, all because I have different opinions from them. Was that mainly the vaccine opinion or was it a different one? Some race stuff. Yeah. Wow. As a biracial woman, I'm proud of all of me, not just half of me. Right. And if I, because I, my dad's black, my mom's white, because I acknowledge my white mom too.

There's many in the black community who. You sell out one drop rule. I'm like, what, what is that? Why do you care to that level? Isn't that diversity and you being biracial as well? Like, I think that's the diverse part where our parents, especially mine in 1970 coming off the civil rights era, you know, they had to put up with some stuff and it was a very different America then, but they didn't let their, you know, they had to put up with some stuff and it was a very different America then. But they didn't let their, you know, their fears or society or even their

families who didn't approve get in the way. So why wouldn't I celebrate their courage? Exactly. I'm not here without them. You know, people don't like, if I said, I'm all black, then it's fine. But if they, if I say I'm half white because I am, people can't handle it. That happened to the rapper Logic. Do you know him? Yeah, yeah, he's half black, half white. And he got made fun of for saying he was half white, too. You mean when he was a kid or recently?

No, he made a song about it. And like, I don't know. Yeah, but it's like, I'm grateful for being biracial because I got to experience both perspectives. You know, people were racist to me for being Asian, whatever, but I got to experience both perspectives. People were racist to me for being Asian, whatever, but I got to experience my Irish perspective and Asian perspective. I think it's huge to me. Again, that defines diversity.

That's what America was supposed to be and is. People just, they like to pick and choose the diversity. Yeah, and you're a fan of diversity. We were just talking out there about how the area you live in now, there's so many different languages, right? Yeah. In South Florida, so many.

And it's funny, my son, he's a junior in college right now, but a couple years ago, we were down there before I moved to Florida full-time. And he was like, mom, why is everyone better looking down here? Like, it's true. It's what vitamin D does for you, you know? But from every country, there's always different languages being spoken on the streets of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. It's really, it's really cool. Um, more so than, you know, I spent the 17 years prior in Connecticut where

ESPN was, is so not much diversity there, right? Definitely not. Yeah. I got similar, uh, stuff in New Jersey. It's a, yeah. Interesting. The Northeast were the people that claimed Jersey. I'd say. Yeah. Interesting. The Northeast were the people that claim to be the most diverse.

Yeah. A lot of white people, a lot of Asians up there pretty much. Yeah. Upper middle class town. So yeah, yeah. It's good to get out of your wherever you grow up to get out and experience actual world. I think so.

You have to. Yeah. A lot of people are just stuck in their hometown. It's easier. You know, safer. Yeah. But there's no growth in that. There really isn't. And I get it. Maybe you maybe you end. Yeah, but there's no growth in that. There really isn't.

And I get it. Maybe you end up there, but go explore some things. Go experience life, go fall in your face. Yeah. You're gonna fail. You're gonna doubt. You're gonna be fearful probably, but you're gonna be okay.

Give yourself two years. Yeah. And then you come back with a new perspective if you're someone else. I was watching you on Tucker and I know you had big aspirations even at a super young age, right? At 11 years old, you wanted to with a new perspective. If you have one else. I was watching you on Tucker and I know you had big aspirations that even at a super young age, right? At 11 years old, you wanted to work for ESPN. I knew when I was 11 that I wanted to be a sportscaster.

Yeah, that's so young. It is young. I just knew, honestly, I could tell from that young age that sports was a unifier. Sports brought people together and your race, your religion, your socioeconomic status, your politics, nothing matters when it comes to a football Sunday, you know? That's true.

Or Notre Dame and Ohio State playing in the national championship game, whoever it is, like you, for those three hours, that Notre Dame half 20,000 people high-fiving like they like family. And it doesn't matter what you look like. And I think that's beautiful. Yeah. That's why sports is so important.

Think about coming out of COVID and what Donald Trump helped do, which was to bring college sports back and football in particular. People needed that. They felt like they really needed the escape and also just to come together in that way, and it was through football. Yeah. So to me, I noticed that at a young age and I wanted to be a part of it. Yeah, sports is beautiful. Now they are kind of interjecting politics a bit.

Yeah, you got guys like Steve Smith talking politics almost every day now, which is interesting. Some of the athletes are speaking up, too. So it's going to be interesting to see how that progresses. Right? It is. And Stephen A is a unicorn. I mean, he's really probably the hardest working person I've ever been around. Wow. Someone else on air. So smart. He is so smart. And he's fearless with his words. He is the most confidence in himself. Like he, I saw him on Dave Rubin's podcast recently and he said, um, that when the lights go on, he feels like there's no one better in the world in front of the camera than himself. And you're like, uh, Steven A to, but I get that mentality.

That's what you have to be to be great. That's what you have to think whether you're an athlete or an executive, right? Um. Stephen A is interesting though, because there's the ESPN rules, then there's Stephen A rules, very different rules. Yeah, he's on another level. He is, and he can go on Hannity or Cuomo or any of these shows. PBD.

All of them, he's even gonna have to ask and say whatever he wants. And then he has his own show on YouTube, podcast, whatever. That is completely separate from ESPN. There's no tie. It's all his. And they actually promote it at the bottom, the lower third on the bottom of the screen. On a first take is ESPN show. They promote the podcast that which they don't make a penny from. So he convinced them like he's brilliant. He's a brilliant businessman. Yeah. I think he signed one of the highest

deals of all time, right? Yeah. One, one 25, some crazy. Yeah. So he convinced them like he's brilliant. He's a brilliant businessman. Yeah, I think he signed one of the highest deals of all time, right? Yeah, one 125 some crazy. Yeah, so he is arguably the goat of sports broadcasting, right different way. There's your journalist There's your host. There's your anchors your Sports Center anchors, whatever it is. And then there's your pundits like Steve who You know are there their analysts and they were to give their opinion. Completely different job. I can see that it is a new era though. You got all these athletes like Shannon Sharp starting up media empires now and they're getting unreal numbers. It's crazy to see. Like, do you see podcasts overtaking traditional media in terms of viewership?

I do. Look what Megan Kelly's done, you know, and I think that she say in the month of November or October, November, whenever it was that, um, her little streaming show blew MSNBC out of the water. Really? Yeah. Wow. Pretty amazing. I mean, some of these shows are getting a million downloads an episode. Yeah.

It's nuts. Remember when Rogan did Trump and it was a million an hour. Yeah. Hit like 80 million. Right? So I'm crazy like that. Can you imagine? I mean, it's nuts.

I don't know what television networks are pulling, but it can't be close to that. Oh no, for sure. I think also, because there's a distrust of the media by the basic normal Americans, consumers, now they're looking elsewhere. And they should. Yeah, when you were still there, was that distrust starting up?

When did that start happening, you think? Yeah, I think it was everything started to get very, very political. When during the Obama administration, frankly. But once Trump won, it all was like, whoa. And it was a hit the fan. Kind of a free for all. Yeah, but I don't know. I don't recognize the network from what it was when I started in 2007.

That makes me sad. But I do hope that they can turn the ship around. It's a choice. It actually is just a choice. It's not that hard because no one is better at producing that content than ESPN. Well, they'll be forced if they keep losing viewers to do something. They won't just let it die. You know, you're right.

I do agree. But, um, it's going to have to come from the top. Do they have the right leadership to do that? And right now I think that's questionable. Right. Yeah. I mean, it's interesting. NBA ratings, all time low, right?

You know, these news stations are getting MSNBC struggling. Like you got all these major news outlets struggling. They're doing layoffs and stuff there too? I mean, they're not profitable, so it's not good. It's not. But they've pushed people too far. That's what it is. They've pushed people away. Do you think it's because they were pushing certain agendas too hard?

Yeah, I think this trans issue really ticked people off. Yeah, that was a big one. That was huge. Um, you, I don't know. I absolutely think that it was a choice. I used to fight with producers. I used to really not fight. I don't want to say it like that, but I used to push back because I'm like, what are we doing?

Why are we choosing this? We're supporting women. Is that what we're supposed to be doing? Supporting women. Um, and then we can this? We're supporting women, isn't that what we're supposed to be doing, supporting women? And then we can't have men's and women's spaces. It's just that simple. When the Riley Gaines thing started, I really was pushing for her, cheering for her,

and trying to cover the story. I was like, no, no, no. So I don't know why. Why'd they choose this hill to die on, you know? Because it pushed people away. They wouldn't let you cover that story. That's crazy. Yeah, it took many, many months. Wow. That was a major story.

Yeah, that was a major story. It was a major story from day one, right? It was already out, I feel like. Yeah. It's not like you were breaking the story. I'd understand it if you were breaking it and it's controversial, but it was already like out there. It was out. So why is it?

But again, if you are championing women and women's sports, this is the most basic thing, this is science. Yeah. Like, it's OK that we're different. You guys will always be faster, stronger than women. That's fine. We have great things that you don't. Like, sorry, you can't have babies no matter

what you guys say. Like, there are certain things that we have that you don't. But why compare? You know what I mean? But just accept us, accept each other for the greatness that is and stay in your lane. Fuck. And I've never once thought, you know,

that transgender people should not be in sports. No, sports is so healing, like I was saying, and unifying, absolutely. But just not at the expense of women and girls. This is not that hard. They wanted us to follow the science of COVID for all those years. And now this is so basic.

That was an experimental vaccine and we're not sure what to do. It never happened, a global pandemic. We've known the differences between men and women for how many years? Can you break? This is so stupid. Yeah. Your take on vaccines, what really drove the nail? This is so stupid. Yeah.

Your take on vaccines, what really drove the nail in coffin, right? Yeah. Yeah. Cause you were outspoken and you were early on speaking about it. Cause I was forced to get shot. Oh, they made you get it. That's why I spoke up. But I, I went out.

So Disney forced ESPN and ABC cause they, Disney owns us. Yeah. Them, not us. We're not in us anymore, are we? I don't work there anymore. Disney owns ESPN and ABC and said, if you're not vaccinated by September 30th, 2021, then you will be fired.

Damn. So I waited the very last day to do it, because I literally thought I might walk away from my job. I just was afraid. I was afraid of taking something that I didn't know enough about. Like just didn't fit, didn't feel right, didn't sit well. Um, but I, at the end, I have three kids.

Um, I'm not married. It's all on me. Um, and so I knew that I needed the job. I wanted the job and I love my job too. But I also needed it. Makes complete sense. Yeah. You. So I, that's why I took. I wanted the job and I love my job too. But I also needed it. Makes complete sense, yeah. So that's why I took it, but it's been hard. I've had to forgive myself.

Wow. It's just that I feel like I caved. And so that's why I talked about it, yeah. Yeah, no, thanks for bringing that up. I didn't know Disney made all their employees do that. Disney's a huge company. 50, 60,000 people, I think. Oh my gosh, I wonder what percentage of them

actually got it. That's interesting. I think. Oh my gosh. I wonder what percentage of them actually got it. That's interesting. I think probably a good chunk. If you think about it back then, when it was, they put this mandate down and the timing three plus years ago, people still believed and still had hope that this could cure everything

and then you're not gonna get the symptoms as bad, whatever. People trusted more and now they've been exposed. Yeah, a lot of fear mongering. I almost got it. Did you? I mean, the symptoms as bad, whatever. People trusted more, now they've been exposed. Yeah, a lot of fear mongering. I almost got it. Did you? I mean, the fear was all time high. You know, there was a lot of fear at that time. They were doing a great job.

And why did you get it? Why didn't I? Why, you said you'd- I almost got it. Almost did, yeah, yeah. I didn't, because my gut feeling. Really? Yeah. Good for you.

Gut feeling, man. Cause there wasn't any data at the time, like you said, there wasn't any studies and you really just had to trust your intuition, I feel like. You did. And I didn't have a job that was telling me to get it or I wasn't in universe, universities were forcing people to get it.

So I was fortunate in that regard. Cause I felt like that added additional pressure. 100%. Yeah. And now there's all these lawsuits about it. Former employees getting together. Yeah. Think about what they did, kicking people out of the military,

kicking firefighters out of the LAFD, because they wouldn't take the shot. We could have used them. They could have used them. Look at the direct impact of that. Yes. Yes. It's significant.

And I'm just saddened at the levels to which people went to make sure you follow their agenda. There's a lot of, I mean, I got in trouble for saying what I said, which was just, I think it's sick and scary for any company to force their employees to do something to their body.

And I'll stand by that forever. But at least I'm gonna be okay. A lot of other people won't without a job. Well, look at history, you're gonna be proven right in the long run. There's a lot of us. There's a handful of us. I think that's just not what I ever wanted, ever.

I just didn't wanna take the shot. I will say that somebody asked recently if there was, if I felt vindication from it and I'm like, no, not really. I mean, sometimes it is like, huh, told you, like breaking news and I'm like, no, no, no, no. We've all reported on this for a long time, but we can't have that in our heart to want to exact revenge on somebody or something, you know, that's not healthy.

That takes a toll. No, you can't live with that regret. You know, it'll eat at you. I saw it with my father. Oh my gosh. Really? Yeah. Well, he never forgave.

He was physically beaten up, going up on a farm. So he never forgave his parents his whole life. Wow. And he had to live with that and he would bring it up like every day. Oh my gosh. And it was just tough. Like, so he never got that closure because his parents ended up passing away. So he had to live with that.

Like, I never made peace with that. You know, that's hard. Yeah. It's a lot of stress. That's all. I don't think we realize the toll that it does take stress wise. Yeah. I don't think we realize it like physically, obviously emotionally, but like, yeah, absolutely.

But this stuff made everyone question vaccines in general too. Yeah. Like physically, obviously emotionally, but like, yeah. It's legit. But this stuff made everyone question vaccines in general too. Yeah. So it opened the door for that conversation of like, why are kids getting a hundred vaccines these days? You know? My kids are 18, 20 and 22. So back then you just did it.

Yeah, you didn't question it at all. I got all mine. I never once thought like to question it. Right. Cause I was an athlete, so you had question it at all. I got all mine. I never once thought like to question it. Right. Cause I was an athlete. So you had to get a bunch. Most, I mean, think of some of the ones, polio, the ones that've been around forever. Fine.

On average, it takes six to nine years, but the FDA to approve a vaccine six to nine years, you know? So if you're giving me this polio Vax or something else, like it's proven, isn't it? That's different than this throwing it out there and all of a sudden, you know, here, you must take this or else you will die. Just the fear mongering was so, so it breaks my heart. Yeah, but, but, but now back in the day, there were four or five vaccines. And now to your point, there's 70, 80, 90 that are part of kids' vaccine shot schedules. I'm like...

Crazy. As soon as they're born, they're getting them. Yes. In their eyes, they're getting injections. We've allowed this. I'm looking at home births right now, to be honest. At what? Home births. Oh, for sure.

I'm looking at wellness centers. I'm looking to not do it in a hospital. Wait, do you have a baby coming? No, I'm getting married this year, though. Oh, yeah, for sure. I'm looking at wellness centers. I'm looking to not do it in a hospital. Do you have a baby coming? No, I'm getting married this year though. Oh, how did I not know that? It's not too public. I keep her very private. Yeah. I'm like that one girl. Who was it? Brett Cooper. Someone keeps their significant other super private. I'm like that. Okay. Yeah. And you're already thinking babies. Yeah. Well, we've been dating for seven years. Oh. Okay. Yeah. And you're already thinking babies. Yeah. Well, we've been dating for seven years. Oh my gosh.

Yeah. Is that like your first girlfriend? First one ever. Wow. I married my first one. Yeah. I'm divorced now. Don't do me like that.

I'm kidding. You'll be great. It was 20 years. Wow. High school three hard. College. Same. Yeah.

Where'd you go? I went to Rutgers. She went to Seah 20. College. Same. Yeah. Where'd you go? I went to Rutgers. She went to Seahall. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's right. Jersey boy. Met at 20.

Married at 26, 27. Divorced at 47. So 27 years of my life. Good run. Oh, for sure. And it didn't end the way I wanted, but I have the three best kids from it. I learned so much. Oh my gosh. I learned so much.

Oh my gosh, I learned so much. I love that. And you'll be great. I was trying to be funny. Like, yeah, divorced him. Good luck with that. But I think it's awesome that you're already thinking about that. Yeah.

And you just kind of know when you're with the right person, right? You know, yeah. I want two to three kids. Two to three, 2.5. Yeah, we were joking about, yeah. I want two to three kids. Two to three, 2.5. Yeah, we were joking about that yesterday. You were? Yeah, two kids and then one adopted, 2.5.

Okay, it would still be a third. It's not half of a human. Yeah, yeah, we were messing around, but. But you're. We want two of our own at least. When's the wedding? October. Oh. This year.

I look forward to it, I'll be there. Yeah, I'll send you an invite. I'm inviting myself. Where is it? Jersey. You're going home for it. Yeah, you don't like Jersey, it sounds like. Jersey is underrated. There's some beautiful parts. There are. It is a garden state. But just living is different than. No, I don't think I could live there. But no, I just love that that you're so young and totally know. I know I'm changing that narrative because a lot of people in my era just this hookup culture is like super popular. You know,

it is. Did you see you've never done the apps or anything? I met her on an app, but I wasn't like hooking up like every weekend. You know, yeah, like, that's the problem. So then imagine being single at my age. I got divorced at 47. And I'd been with, you know, I mean, 20 years, 27 years. So there were no dating apps when I was single last time. So I'm like, how do I do this? I have no idea.

This is awful. I went on Raya for a minute and then I was like, oh gosh, I was afraid to like heart somebody, you know, I'm like, oh no, they're not gonna hurt me back. And so I quit the app, I couldn't do it. I never connected with anybody. Really? I mean, I think like a text, like two people. Okay.

But then I think they probably Googled me and they're like, I'm out. To be fair, it must be tough dating someone like you as a guy, you know? So that's an interesting take. And I think there's something to that. Because you're so successful, you know. So that's an interesting take. And I think, I think there's something to that. Cause you're so successful, you're in the public spotlight. So as a guy, they want to be the natural provider, you know.

Oh dude, you're getting deep on me. And that is so true. Yeah. Okay, I'm going to say it. Like, I'm very traditional. So it was hard to be the breadwinner. I didn't wanna be. When I was married, I didn't wanna be.

I wanted to be home with the kids and have this dream, but I didn't want, like I wanted to provide for my husband. I wanted to do those things that my mom did for my dad. And also she worked at times too. So it was a beautiful balance. My parents, I'm 52, they'll be married 54 years this year. I had the best example, honestly. I think people underestimate the importance of some of those gender roles and it isn't for everybody. But I do know for a fact as a mother having given

birth three times, there's something in us as nurturers that, I mean, when you have a child grow in your body and give birth, like there's a forever bond there. And it's very, very hard for most, not all, but most women to not be there. Like I wasn't there for her first step. My husband was great at the time and he made it so that I was. He

filmed it. Yeah. And knew I was going to really struggle with that. But most men, yes, have trouble with women who make more money than them. And he was a full-time stay-at-home dad. So I made all the money. Yeah. That's tough. It is tough. And a lot of men wouldn't do that role. He did a great job for the years that he did. You know what I mean? Like that was super helpful to my kids for, to me to know that my kids were with the best person possible. We didn't want nannies. That's why, you know, but the ego gets in the way and I understand it. Yeah.

You think it's ego or you think it's just like that natural desire to like want to be a provider, you know? I think it's probably a little bit of both. Yeah. Maybe something else too. Maybe there's other factors. And comparison too, cause he probably sees his friends, you know,

social media, whatever. Well, and I mean, frankly, he was supposed to go back to work after the youngest got into first grade. He never did. Oh, wow. And never did. And it still doesn't. Damn. So, yeah. You treated him super well. Is that what you call it? Where's the wine?

Why is this just tea? We're getting deep. Because here, but like, and I'm not trying to, but at the end of the day, most men, like if you're, if you're out on a golf course and you get paired up with another Tucson, you know, it's like, hey, how are you? Nice to meet you. What's your name?

Yeah. What do you do? Oh, that's the first question we asked guys. So you guys do, right? So when you have to answer that the way he did, that's interesting, that's different. It's a little degrading, yeah. Or not. He was proud of it, you know? But then it's like, well,

then they found out what his wife did. And it was like, oh, so there's a couple different layers there. I just think like, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get married again. I met somebody that's really incredible. And I am so relieved and so grateful. And I said how important it is for me to be there for him, to support him as a man and as a breadwinner. And as even though I don't even know, I might make more. I don't know, I don't care. But the point is I love that role and not all women do,

but I do think there's something to it. And I'm excited to be able to do that because I wasn't able to do that before. But it is truly, it comes down to communication. Yeah. It really does. Absolutely. But at the end of the day, again, we underestimate the importance of those roles.

And I'm sorry, beta men go away. Oh, I cannot. I worked with some of them. I'm trying to really believe what I say, whether it's personally or professionally, like beta men, that's one of the things that's wrong with our society right now. Like grow a pair, be a man.

Yeah. Well, part of that's just the low testosterone levels. Like guys are at all time lows right now. Why is that? A lot of reasons. The food, the water, quality of like your surrounding, but basically our grandparents' testosterone, like our grandfathers, it's like five times higher than guys right now. If you look at the studies.

So how do we fix that? Just take some shots? I like to be holistic personally. People can do whatever they want, but just measure your levels if you're watching this as a guy, because that could be why you're a little beta. You know?

Can I use bad language? Yeah, you can. And a lot of media programming too. Yeah, no, I think 100% in the social media, yes. In social media and television shows, they portray the husband as kind of an idiot on some of them. Yes. And which was funny back in the day with, what was it?

Love and marriage. I know that song. I've heard that song. Al Bundy, yeah. What was that show? Al Bundy. Married with children. Married with children. Was that it?

No. I've heard of that name. So funny. Comedy. And he was just, Al, big bellying. And he's like, give me a beer. And he's just stupid Al. And of course, he didn't put the laundry away.

It's funny. And then people got offended by that. And then me too. And then it's like, if you liked my jacket sweater, which is pretty great, isn't it? It's one piece. Nice sweater. Yeah. I think it's amazing. But if you say that at work, like, oh my God, I feel uncomfortable. And I feel like he's objectifying me and I feel harassed, like,

stop. That's what happens though. Yeah. You know? And so you guys have been put in a tough position by women where you can't even like do a nice average compliment to somebody. I know, we're on edge. So I think, yes, and it's, and I understand why you are, but that also probably contributes. But no, my dad is a retired army colonel, West Point. Like we did room inspections every Saturday morning

growing up, like he did at West Point. And he's also a gentle giant was the best father to all of us. I have two brothers, but also as a girl. But like he's tough and he led, he guided. He made, and this is a word that I need all men to listen to of all ages. Make sure your partner feels safe. He made, and this is a word that I need all men to listen to of all ages. Make sure your partner feels safe. Please make her feel safe. I love that.

And it's literally and it's figuratively and some little things. Like if you're walking along the streets out here in D.C. Which side is the man on? Should the man be on? Closest to the road. Thank you. Yeah. I learned that the hard way. First time I didn't do that. No way.

Yeah. With your girlfriend? Yeah, but now I do it every time. What'd she say? She was like, what are you doing? I'm like, what do you mean? Like, I didn't know at the time. So. Yeah. So now you make sure your son does that.

Make me feel safe and protected. If there's something that used to be taken care of in the home and like, okay, the plumber was supposed to show up and didn't show up. Okay. I'm fully capable of calling the plumber and saying what the hell, but like, I got you. You know what I mean? Like, I think there's so many women who are super successful, but sometimes just want to come home and not feel like I still have to be the man. Whether it's with the kids, with discipline, and as moms, don't let your kids walk all over you either. But like, it's fun, you know, I remember my mom being like, when your dad gets home, you know. But in general, how do you make a woman feel safe? And a lot, a big part of that is providing.

That doesn't mean she needs diamonds and furs and materialistic things either. But like, the safe word is it? Cause I can go crush it at work. I've done it for years. Yeah. I just want to come home and feel like, cause I worked on a man's world. You did. Like the ultimate.

And you did it before DEI. You did it the hard way. Long before the stuff that I saw and experienced, whether it would be in the newsroom or in a locker room. Oh my God, the book's going to be good. But like just let, and not all women. I don't need a man. Really?

OK, fine. We need each other. We do need each other. Yeah. And I think that that's not appreciated as much anymore. And I think to say that you're considered, you know, some Bible beating Christian right wing nut job. I'm like, OK, call me what you want.

But I know when you look at the numbers and the breakdown of the family right now, it's devastating. And I think that that's one reason why. A lot of single parent households right now. Yeah. And you got kids not respecting their parents and they're just going haywire. Yeah. You know, so what kind of parent are you going to be?

I'm going to be a good one because I witnessed divorce at a young age. My parents got divorced when I was in fourth grade. And I saw what that did to me, it shut me down completely. I went from being the class clown to like the shyest kid in school overnight. Are you serious? Yeah. So I moved with that. Why?

Because? I didn't have a father figure. My dad left and then he disappeared for like a year without seeing him at all. And then I would see him on weekends a little bit. But by then he was so damaged from his second divorce, mentally, and then the childhood abuse and stuff. So basically grew up without a father figure. And as a man, that's tough.

So my confidence was so low. Sports is what kind of saved me because I was kind of athletic and that helped me build some confidence and some work ethic. See, full circle. It's priceless to have your kids involved in sports, even if they're not a great athlete, right?

Like if you have a young boy, a young little girl, it's like, mine were required to play a sport at all times, required. I'm gonna do that with mine too. Yes, and it isn't even about the sport. It's about teamwork. It's not just about you and you making that shot. Who passed the ball to you?

You know what I mean? But sports teaches so many life lessons and creates friendships and relationships. And losing and the whole, not everybody gets a trophy. Hell yeah. Like that's how it is, go earn it. You know what I mean? I'm in a men's basketball league right now

and I look forward to almost more than everything else in my life going on right now. Cause it's just like so fun, you know, figuring out how to win teammates, you know, the whole thing, the whole thing about sports is just so cool. Yeah, it is. But I'm excited for you. I'm going to. And I love I respect that you keep everything pretty private. You know, it's interesting because it'll be interesting to see what you do with kids

with your kids at some point. We're not posting them. Yeah. And see how that evolves too. Because I wasn't going to for a long time. And then my kids got older and then they were on social. And I also really did want people to, I don't know about want, but I was okay with people singing the other side.

I had to be so professional and tight-laced and all those things on TV every day and network TV. And it's like, people think that you have this perfect life and this perfect job and perfect everything. And then they see me and I have nice clothes and somebody else did my makeup and I get to talk to Stephen Curry or Aaron Rodgers or whoever it is. And it is, it's super cool. And I go home and there's still things. And my kid got a bad grade and my dad, my dog shit on the living room rug. Like there's real life things. My father, I've shared his struggle with cancer, two cancers over the last 14 years. And so I do believe there's that, there's, I don't know the line and it's very personal, but when you allow

people to take a, just a little peek inside, if you're normal and to allow them to humanize you and see. So I'm not the perfect portrayal at all. Like that you might think from my job what it was. Social media does what it crushes young girls and boys with what you think is reality. But despite all the filters and like they think it's real with the filters and with all the perfection. Yeah. And it's like, I wanted people to see that I'm struggling too. And my kids aren't perfect either. I feel like you're more relatable that way. And then there was a part of me that wanted like,, this is who I really am. Like, I was always genuine in myself on TV, good or bad.

I always was pretty much myself, but like, that's what matters is those three kids. Wow. And so you can come at me with all these other things, but you see my children, you see, yeah. So I always sometimes wonder, should I have kept it more private? Maybe.

But I also, I also, I don't know, maybe it's caring too much. I've gotten better about caring less about what people think. But to see that I'm a human being too. That's great advice, thank you. Yeah, there's definitely that balance. I don't know what it, yeah.

Yeah, you don't wanna share too much because then it's weird that you got stalkers, but if you could share a little tidbit here and there. Yeah, but what does your wife look like, your fiance? She's Latina. So you're gonna have pretty babies. You gotta let us see. Yeah, she's mixed too actually.

Yeah, we're gonna have some interesting babies. So just, we gotta see at some point. They're gonna be like gorgeous, tall, curly hair. That'd be cool. Oh, that's happening. Yeah, I would love that. 100%, I'm gonna make you post your kids. Send a picture to me. I love it. Yeah. I love I remember on talker. You said you knew you

wanted to have kids at a young age. You even put working at ESPN to the side because you wanted to have three kids first. I did. So you really love the family unit. I got that job offer from ESPN in 04 when I was about to have my second kid. And I just knew I wasn't ready to Stewart Scott. I don't know if you remember. I do legend. The best he was my dear friend. It's been 10 years now since he passed away, which I can't believe he told me once he's like, listen,

you better be ready when you come here. You better be ready. Cause you're gonna get eaten alive, especially as a woman, it's different. This is an 04, a 304, very different time. And so I knew that I couldn't be the best mom possible while working full-time, that job, Sports Center, National TV every day, hour to a day.

It's a lot of pressure. I knew I couldn't be that person, that really good anchor and mom. So I waited, I turned it down, which was crazy. My whole childhood and teen years was ESPN. That was the goal. And then I got it and I said, no. Who turns down ESPN to no one?

And that's what my agent said to me. She's like, you have just blackballed yourself. ESPN does not need you. You need ESPN. Wow. And I was scared, but I knew I couldn't do it because of how my parents had made beautiful decisions through the years, you know, family first.

And so I took a chance, signed another contract, had a third kid, and then I was done. Amazing. And then three years later, they called back and it was a better deal. Wow. It's better off for more money. So it all worked out? I'm like, huh. But even if it hadn't, now it would have been sad.

But honestly, John, my, my faith is really strong and it wasn't as much then it was there. But I just, I don't question much. Really? Yeah. That's interesting. I don't. It's, it's been really healthy. Your faith is that strong? Yeah.

Wow. And I am the opposite of perfect. And I like, I have a sign in my opposite says, I love Jesus, but I cuss a little, you know? And I think that that's, that's me. And I try to work on it, but I, the more I've let go of control and been grounded and prayed and felt close to God, the more crazy, amazing things happen. Wow. Like crazy.

I can see that though, it's a form of manifestation, right? It is, but it's bigger. Yeah. Yeah. And everybody has their own beliefs. For me, it is a spiritual thing and beyond. So I don't know, I'm just overwhelmed that it took me so long to let go of control.

Like, obviously we have to make decisions every day that you control your behavior, etc. But we try to force things sometimes, it's like, okay. Yeah. Well, I think you were used to control growing up in a military household, like you said, your father was checking your room every week. You were probably used to that. Yeah, but it was fun.

It wasn't like tough, mean at all. Yeah. At all. It was, respect your things. We bought you, you know, you have a nice bed and a nice comforter. Make your bed, pick your clothes out. We don't have that much money. It was about teaching respect for your things.

Yeah. And what my parents had sacrificed to give us without rubbing it in our faces. That's all. But it was otherwise like, I mean, they're at every sporting event and dinners were fun. And I literally had the best childhood with the best parents.

I love that. That's one memory I do have. My dad was never at my games. So when I have kids, I'm gonna be there, you know, at the sporting events. How? I can't imagine that. I know, because every other kid's parents were both there.

And like sometimes my mom would be there, but most of the times not even her near the end of my soccer career. So, yeah, that definitely stuck with me, I think. How could it not? Yeah, a little trauma. But you've got to work through it. You can't live in the past. But I say this to my daughter about relationships and like, again, they're 18, 20 and 22. So, you know, all three in college and with relationships with boys and stuff like that,

I'm like, listen, here's what I would advise. Here's my experience and you do what you want. But here's my experience. And with a couple of things, I'm like, I'm sharing with you some things that I wish I had done differently. Do what you want, but here's my experience. And with a couple of things, I'm like, I'm sharing with you some things that I wish I had done differently. Do what you will with them, but please don't let this pain go to waste.

Like, I'm hopeful that she does everything in life better than the way I did it. So then she doesn't have to experience as much pain, but we all have to, to get through it. Like what you experienced with your dad, I cannot imagine. It's life changing, life altering. He could have gone in many different directions

because of that. But then I look at perspective, like he had it way worse. Like his dad was beating him up. So it's like, you gotta get better, like you said, with each generation. Generational trauma, it's real, yeah. I don't know, I just,

I think that we hit the big pictures that we've got to focus on the family again. Absolutely. We have to. Back in the good old days of the Cosby show and stuff like that, like it was just an innocent time. And divorce was kind of weird back then. And now it's not.

Now it's a coin flip. Yes, I hope that my kids take some of my mistakes and just, that's not what every parent wants. You want your kid to be better than you. So let's learn from these mistakes and yours is a tough one. But like, you're gonna be a great dad. Can't wait. Because you haven't run away from that drama, right?

You can't, I used to, but now I face it. Was it therapy or? Therapy helped. I did a little psychedelics. A lot of just talking with the right people, getting dogs helped a lot with my anxiety and just time, time to reflect, you know? Yeah. Well, you've done something, right? Yeah. You've got like, especially for your age, you've got this like piece about you. It's crazy. And I've seen it from a distance, but not in person. And it's like, you've got, like, especially for your age, you've got this, like, piece about you. It's crazy. And I've seen it from a distance, but not in person. And it's like, you're like an old soul.

Oh, it means a lot. Is that a fair statement? I get that a lot. Yeah, old soul. I could see that. I'm very spiritual, so I believe in all that stuff. Yeah. Yeah.

Well, Sage, it's been beautiful. I love the angle we took on this episode. Oh my gosh, sorry. It went all over the place, didn't it? Yeah, we're in DC. We didn't even talk politics, but. Yeah, no no, like the first of all, I didn't even know you were conservative for a while. I actually didn't vote, but yeah, I would label myself conservative.

You what? I did not vote. Oh my God. Yeah. I was too lazy because in Nevada you need to mail it to a specific address and I'm that lazy. because in Nevada you need to mail it to a specific address and I'm that lazy. If you were my child, I would punch you.

You made it. Oh wait, one of yours isn't old enough, right? So you made two of them. All three vote. Oh wait, 18, right? Yes. I thought it was 21. Okay.

Are you? That's how not on board I am. No, but that's like un-American. You know what people did to give you that right? I know there's some divide within my family about who to vote for. My fiance is very liberal. Great. Congratulations. Let her vote. Did she vote? No.

We kind of just had a stalemate where like we might cancel each other. Yeah, yours. That is total laziness. You slacker. Here's what I say to people too. Like fine, but don't you dare bitch about one single thing that this administration or that administration is doing or not doing because you didn't go vote. No, you're right. You're totally right. I should be complaining about it. I'm lecturing you. I'm so surprised. I know. People get shocked when I say that, but yeah, maybe next election. I say yes. Are you registered?

I was registered. I got the ballot. I even filled it out. I had my boy Sam Brown on there. He was running for Nevada. I voted for Trump and then I just didn't mail it. I was valid. I love how honest you are about it. You're like, I shouldn't do it. I was dialing. I love how honest you are about it.

You're like, I shouldn't do it. I'm like, what? My kids are in college and I'm like, here's how you do absentee ballots, da da da, because they're in different states. We're registered in Connecticut, which by the way, useless to vote as a Republican there. I was in a swing state, so my vote actually mattered too.

You keep going on. I'm just making it worse. Okay, so make sure, like for for your kids sake, all that, you know, you got lucky because of how it turned out. Yeah, it was a landslide. I'm still shocked. I was shocked. I thought a couple of swing states would go her way. I did, too, just because people it's not even pro her.

It's anti him being out in the campaign trail, though. Yeah, you got to witness it. I have no words for the experience to be able to witness it and to be on the ground and talking to people in Nashville, North Carolina, where they were abandoned by the government and still are. Yeah, absolutely. It was such a blast. It was so cool.

People love this country and actually don't care who's president. Just do the right thing. I love it. Yeah. So anyway, yeah, it's been a blast. Where can people find your show and keep up with you? I need some advice because I'm, I'm still trying to make it grow. Yeah, you're doing well. I'm learning a lot when you, when you work just in corporate TV forever.

And then it's like, wait, I have to do what ad reads, what's an ad read? Um, YouTube at Sage deal and then Sage Deal Show, I guess, podcast show. So I need the lingo. So it's on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Right. But it's just conversations with a whole bunch of different people.

So are you in South Florida anytime soon? Yeah, I'll be in Miami. Really? Yeah, for what? For F1. Heck yeah, you are. Yeah, May. Yeah, have you been to that one before?

Not Miami, I've been to Vegas. Yeah, those are the two that I've been to. I've heard great things. Oh, it's cool. Be ready. Yeah, I'm pumped. I'm gonna have an event. I'm gonna film out there.

Are you? It'll be a fun time. Yeah. Awesome, I'd love to say hi. Awesome, thanks for coming on. Thank you for your patience to get me on here. For sure, we'll link everything below. Check her out guys, see you next time.

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